06/01/2026
Hi friends,
It’s with heavy hearts that we share that our trip to Kenya has been cancelled due to the Ebola outbreak and the updated travel restrictions affecting U.S. travelers.
While the group we were planning to travel with still hopes to make the trip next year, Mom and I unfortunately won’t be able to join them. However, all of the monetary and material donations we collected will still be sent with the group so they can continue supporting the girls’ safe house and the schools we had planned to visit.
We had worked incredibly hard preparing for this journey. We had completed nearly every step, gathered supplies for the safe house, purchased classroom materials for the schools, and even ordered a tapestry of this photo to gift to the children—a small piece of New Mexico to share with them. ❤️🩹 One of the things we were most excited about was introducing them to the beauty of the Balloon Fiesta and helping them design their own hot air balloons to display beneath New Mexico skies.
While we are deeply disappointed that we won’t get to experience this trip alongside them, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the support we received from our community. The generosity shown since our first post has been nothing short of incredible, and we cannot thank you all enough. ❤️☀️
If you made a monetary donation and would prefer to have it returned rather than sent with next year’s group, please reach out to me (Makani) privately and I will gladly arrange that for you.
Please continue to keep those living in the Ebola-affected areas, as well as the group planning to travel next year, in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you again for every donation, kind word, and expression of support. Your generosity has meant more to us than words can adequately express.