Representing Rehma at the Culture Festival

I got an email while we were in Kenya from a friend asking if we would like to set up a table for the Culture Festival they were hosting on Family Day (Feb 8th). My first reaction was 'No' merely cause it was only one week after returning home and I knew that jet lag would be kicking our behinds. After explaining this to my friend, she then replied, "Well, it doesn't have to be specifically Kenya. You are welcome to promote your soccer organization." Ding ding ding!! We decided to suck it up and pull it together to put up a table. 

I literally grabbed everything in my house that was somewhat Kenya (even packages of Ugali and Java House coffee), we set up the computer to play some footage of the tournaments, and I printed very amateur photos with a link to my blog on it to hand out. The festival itself was a fundraiser for refugees so we were unable to collect donations but we were able to talk to lots of people about the Rehma project. 

I have to admit, it was a pretty awesome day. Castlegar is a VERY white (mainly Russian) community. Only recently have more cultures started to move it. We were surprised to meet a few other Africans (mostly from Nigeria here studying). There was food and singing and dancing and crafts from all over the world. Pretty neat for our little white community. 

 Kelvin was explaining all the artifacts and Kenya 'things' we had put on the table. Everyone thought our stuff was so cool and authenitc. I giggled when one lady asked what we use the big gourd for assuming it was some cool cultural tradition. I had to explain that it was actually just a decoration from our wedding. Ha! 

 What a cute kid and her popcorn!

Grandma is too excited to watch the cultural performances happening. 

Here we are, jet lagged and all! Thanks everyone for checking out the Rehma project!

How YOU can get involved with the Rehma Project

Thank you so much for your interest in getting involved with the Rehma Project. It takes a community to empower another community. You are making a difference in the lives of so many.

There are a few ways you can get involved:

Donate

The Rehma Project cannot run without donors like you. If you would like to contribute to empowering the youth in Kongowea, you can do so by:

Credit Card 

-> visit http://multinationmissions.org and click "Donate" heading
-> Go to online giving and follow the instructions
-> Make sure to specify under the "REMARK" section that the donation is for "Nikole and Kelvin Opiyo Rehma Project"

Check

-> You can send checks to: MMF, PO Box 2401, STN A, Abbotsford, BC, V2T 4X3, Canada.
-> Make sure to make the checks out to Multi-Nation Missions Foundation with a note saying it is for "Nikole and Kelvin Opiyo Rehma Project"

Reccurring gift

-> If you would like to make reccurring monthly donations, please contact nikoleopiyo@gmail.com and we will direct you on how to do that

* All donations are tax-deductible

Fundraise/Raise Awareness

Are you good at connecting with people? Promoting a good cause? Networking? Inspiring others to take action? If so, we would be honoured to have you raise awareness of the Rehma Project. If this is something that interests you, please contact nikoleopiyo@gmail.com.

The Tournaments!

The Rehma Tournaments this January were a HUGE success. They had 28 teams play 58 games over the course of two months. That adds up to a lot of young boys and a lot of soccer played! Here are a few pictures just highlighting some of the many awesome moments. 

Our girls were SO loved by everyone in Kongowea. It was so amazing. We have realized though that Mercy is not quite an athletic little girl. She tends to pick up balls and just gives them to us instead of playing with them. She is a performer though- put on any music (especially her fav "let it go") and watch her shine. 

*swoon*

This is Moses, our awesome photographer. 

Sonny, the guy with the dreads, did some great videography for us. We will share it once we have the final product.

*swoon*

Because of these tournaments, the coaches of all the teams decided to come together and make an official association. They have made Kelvin and I honorary members of the Nyali Youth Football Association!!! They made us our own t-shirts and all.

Lots of soccer was played...

What is a soccer final without a local band??

The signature 'before the game' shot of the two final teams

The soccer was intense!

Tranel, one of our good friends who also grew up in the community, gave Amina lots of snuggles

Look at that action!

This kid ended up being awarded best player

And there were flares...

This is coach Dula. He is one of two men who completely run this tournament. His heart for his community, the youth, and soccer is amazing. We honour this man. 

The guy in the cap is Selah. He works alongside Coach Dula. He too is an incredible man.

The crowd that gathered to watch the prize giving.

I was AMAZED to see SO MANY women at the pitch. I have sat at that pitch many times and I can count on one hand how many women I have seen watching. But these games were packed with ladies in the crowd! Part of our prizes included the winning teams being able to gift a school scholarship to a girl in the community. 

This guy *swoon*

Kenyans LOVE their trophies

This is the signature "hand-shaking and prize handing over" shot. We have about a million just like this. Thought we would show you just one so you get the jist.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! To all those who supported these tournaments. They were a huge victory for this community and it's people.