"Everyone has inside him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!"
- Anne Frank
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Building Futures, Inc PO Box 25171, Rochester, NY 14625
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SJF School of Nursing
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Why I Walk to School
Jim has been in Kenya since October, and despite a lot of hurdles, the clinic building is finished! Although it's not clearly visible in this photo, the school now plants corn between the clinic and the elementary school. This enables them to ensure that those children that can't afford to bring lunch or live too far away to walk home are able to eat. It's not able to learn when you're sick, and it's not able to learn when you're hungry. This plot of land now solves both problems!
January 11, 2011
This picture shows how much this complex has grown, yet still doesn't show it all! The building in the foreground is the clinic. The larger complex is Mbaka Oromo Primary School and the white building in the top left corner is actually the kitchen for Mbaka Oromo Secondary School.The secondary school is currently made up of 6 classrooms and a kitchen. Even though we continue to evaluate the need for additional classrooms, classes are already going on. Children in this area can now get a high school education without having to pay unaffordable housing fees.
The dispensary needs additional work, too. We need to build two housing units, a kitchen, latrines and an incinerator. It sounds like a lot, but it will all be accomplished for $35,000. Once that's completed and meets their approval, the Kenyan government will supply a live-in (hence the housing units) nurse that will work at the clinic 24/7!
Jim will continue to oversee the construction until he returns in March. We hope to have most of the remaining structures for the clinic finished or near completion by then. Fortunately, donations continue to come in to help us with this endeavor. As always, thank you for your contributions, and rest assured that your donations are not squandered. We're even making it easier for you to help! If you're so inclined, just click on the PAYPAL button found on the "Contact Us/Make a Donation" page.
We're happy to report that through the help of Steve's daughter, we'll be having our 3rd 5K for Kenya in May! While we're running through the streets of Fairport, another group of students/faculty from the Wegmans School of Nursing at St. John Fisher College will be tending to the health needs of the Mbaka Oromo community. Thankfully, they continue to see the value in bringing students to this part of Kenya. These group not only administers care to the children and the surrounding community, but they serve as role models to the young girls and boys that attend the schools. We've already had some youngsters ask us what they need to do so they, "... can be just like them." This compound is a huge step in that direction. THANK YOU!
Jim will continue to oversee the construction until he returns in March. We hope to have most of the remaining structures for the clinic finished or near completion by then. Fortunately, donations continue to come in to help us with this endeavor. As always, thank you for your contributions, and rest assured that your donations are not squandered. We're even making it easier for you to help! If you're so inclined, just click on the PAYPAL button found on the "Contact Us/Make a Donation" page.
We're happy to report that through the help of Steve's daughter, we'll be having our 3rd 5K for Kenya in May! While we're running through the streets of Fairport, another group of students/faculty from the Wegmans School of Nursing at St. John Fisher College will be tending to the health needs of the Mbaka Oromo community. Thankfully, they continue to see the value in bringing students to this part of Kenya. These group not only administers care to the children and the surrounding community, but they serve as role models to the young girls and boys that attend the schools. We've already had some youngsters ask us what they need to do so they, "... can be just like them." This compound is a huge step in that direction. THANK YOU!
January 29, 2011
The following is an excerpt from Jim's family.
It is with much sadness that I tell you that Jim Nowak died suddenly
in an auto accident in Kenya on Friday afternoon. Jim was known and loved by a very wide circle of friends around the world. His
accomplishments and accolades are long and varied: all county wrestler, goalie for the Cornell championship NCAAA d-1 Lacrosse
team, Monroe County teacher of the Year, Fulbright Scholar, Rush Justice of the Peace, Beekeeper Extraordinaire, the soul of Nowak
Pools, and co-founder and heart of Building Futures, Inc. This partial list of accomplishments, however, does not capture Jim's
energy, personality and spirit.
Jim was a life-long learner who traveled the world and shared his experiences with his students.
Those who know him will remember that he was always replete with great stories and bad jokes; he could plan the building of a school
in Africa, but had no idea where to find his keys. One of Jim's passions was teaching. He was a teacher in the Fairport Schools
for over 30 years where he started the SADD chapter, Peace Club and established Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week. After his "retirement"
from Fairport, Jim's passion turned to building schools in rural Kenya. In 2005, Jim, backed by schools in Lansing, NY and Fairport,
started building classrooms in Maseno, Kenya. It was there that the seeds for Building Futures, Inc were planted, and 2 years
later, bore fruit. His efforts expanded to include building multiple classrooms, offices and a library for the primary school,
a high school and a health clinic. Jim worked with many schools in the US to bring them an understanding of the similarities
and differences between students in Kenya and the US.
When interviewed for a Cornell University e-clip, Jim said, "There was
a really good personality theorist and he talked about the end of your life, looking back on your life and he said, most people end
up with two scenarios. One is they look back and they say, 'Wow, I did some good stuff!' and the other set of people look back
and say, 'Damn, I wish I could have done those thing!' And so that's one of the things that gets me up in the morning too."
We
can all look back and say that Jim changed the world... and he will keep doing it as his memory inspires us.
I met Jim in the
winter of 2005. My life would never be the same. In 2006 I began to fly 24 hours in the air, just so that I could sleep
on a hard mattress. If I was lucky, I'd have electricity. If I was really lucky, I'd have water, and If God looked down
on me favorably, I'd have hot water. Jim and I didn't have hot water very often. God must have assumed that having each
other was enough. He was right. Jim was my mentor before he was my business partner, and all the while he was growing
to become my best friend. Whether talking about his friends and family while here in the states, or discussing philosophy, religion
and politics under starry Kenyan skies, Jim was compassion personified. Although he'd never admit it, and his Taoist leaning
would prevent him from thinking it, he was the most Christ-like individual I have ever know. He was an inspiration to everyone
who crossed his path. He drew strangers in with his first syllable, and I watched as children stared at him as if he was made
of something magical. The truth is that he was. His flame burned brightly, and though it has now dimmed, he was kind enough
to leave a piece of it in all of us around him. I thanked his mother for sharing him with us. She replied, "I couldn't
have stopped him if I tried." Jim was a force of nature, and his work will continue in all of us.
The work that he and
I have been doing with the help of Steve Erickson (and thousands of supporters) will continue. Jim would never have wanted this
vision to stop. We will continue to talk to the elementary schools that welcomed him with open arms. We will finish the work
we started with the Wegmans School of Nursing at St. John Fisher College - we will see the clinic through to it's completion and welcome
nurses to Kenya each year. We will travel to visit with Joseph Bail, the orphanage director that Jim met with before he passed
away. We will continue to make a difference in Jim's name because that is what he would have wanted us to do. Like him,
it's our turn to ensure we leave this world in a better place than we found it.
Jim and I were planning for the arrival
of me and my family in mid-February. We depart February 17th.
His work continues.
- Adam
- Adam
May 7, 2011
After months of rainy days, race day was overcast, but dry! On May 5th, hundreds of people turned out to participate
in the 3rd Annual James Nowak 5k for Kenya. We were honored to have members of Jim's family their, too. Some ran,
some walked, but everyone smiled. Jim's mom Betty, his sister Carolyne, and his daughter Michon (along with her entire family)
made the entire day just that much more special. As Carolyne crossed the finish line, the clouds broke and the sun shined down
on everyone. Jim was with us. It continued to shine until the last runner crossed the finish line.
The schools
within the Fairport Central School district compete each year to see who has the most participants. Points are given for each student
and extra points are given for teachers - and still more for administrators! Once again, Principal Dave Dunn and his students
and faculty at Martha Brown won. That makes it a Three-pete. The high school had a great showing too, with most of the
Varsity Softball Team showing up to volunteer, along with Coach Amie Carr. Their help was invaluable because the good weather
meant that all the other teams had make-up games. The only reason they didn't run was because they, too, had a make up game
that afternoon. As always, the students, friends and family members that volunteered to help truly made this a successful community
event.
Thanks to all the sponsors who helped us raise more than $5,200 for the day!
The funds raised from the race and other events sponsored by so many supporters in the US will be used to finish the clinic compound. Although Jim saw the completion of the clinic, additional structures are necessary before the Kenyan government will staff it full-time. We will soon begin buidling living quarters, a kitchen, latrines and an incinerator.
Our next project takes us 20km away to Huma All Girls Secondary School. Their Headmistress, Mareb, has been a friend to our organization for years. Her school continues to score very high marks in this province, and while that has caused enrollment to increase, they are in need of another dormitory to accommodate new students. Jim and I made that commitment last year, and once the clinic buildings are complete, we will turn are attention to Huma.
While those projects are underway, we will begin to assess the needs of Springs of Hope orphanage in Nakuru.
There is much work still to be done. As always, it's your support that makes these endeavors possible. Thank you for your role in Buildling Futures, Inc.
Our next project takes us 20km away to Huma All Girls Secondary School. Their Headmistress, Mareb, has been a friend to our organization for years. Her school continues to score very high marks in this province, and while that has caused enrollment to increase, they are in need of another dormitory to accommodate new students. Jim and I made that commitment last year, and once the clinic buildings are complete, we will turn are attention to Huma.
While those projects are underway, we will begin to assess the needs of Springs of Hope orphanage in Nakuru.
There is much work still to be done. As always, it's your support that makes these endeavors possible. Thank you for your role in Buildling Futures, Inc.
March 27, 2011
We are happy to inform you (albeit later than we'd like) that we once again are having another 5k. Discussion with Jim began toward the end of last year, and Steve's daughter Jessie has done all of the work in securing all the necessary permits. The 3rd 5k for Kenya will be held on Saturday, May 7th at 9am in Perinton Park. Runners AND walkers are welcome.
We've also made some changes to the design that I think everyone will appreciate. Here is the design for the front of the t-shirt this year.
Steve's daughter Jessie has been instrumental in getting this race off the ground. Posters started going up in local schools this past Friday, and the excitement is already building. If you're interested in participating, you can register online at active.com.
We are happy to inform you (albeit later than we'd like) that we once again are having another 5k. Discussion with Jim began toward the end of last year, and Steve's daughter Jessie has done all of the work in securing all the necessary permits. The 3rd 5k for Kenya will be held on Saturday, May 7th at 9am in Perinton Park. Runners AND walkers are welcome.
We've also made some changes to the design that I think everyone will appreciate. Here is the design for the front of the t-shirt this year.
Steve's daughter Jessie has been instrumental in getting this race off the ground. Posters started going up in local schools this past Friday, and the excitement is already building. If you're interested in participating, you can register online at active.com.
May 15, 2012
The 4th Annual James Nowak 5k for Kenya has generated enough funds that we will be able to complete the clinic compound at Mbaka Oromo!
Thank you to all of our sponsors, participants, volunteers and well-wishers! Without each and every one of you, we would not be able to accomplish any of our goals.
We'll be traveling to Kenya in 3 weeks to check on the progress of the compound. The housing unit is complete and beautiful! I'm sure the individuals that are assigned to this spot will be very happy when they arrive... they'll also be very busy! They'll be tending to the health needs of thousands of families as well as hosting nursing students and faculty from Wegmans School of Nursing at St. John Fisher College each year.
Please continue to support our sponsors
July, 2012
Yes, we're a bit early, but we're excited to tell you that we'll soon be traveling to Kenya to check in on things and ensure our porjects are all moving toward completion, and your donations are not squandered. We'll keep you updated through Facebook, and if you're looking for even more (and have some time to read about our travels) - please check out the link to "Adam's Blog" under "Favorite Links". The next journey begins on July 10th.
Yes, we're a bit early, but we're excited to tell you that we'll soon be traveling to Kenya to check in on things and ensure our porjects are all moving toward completion, and your donations are not squandered. We'll keep you updated through Facebook, and if you're looking for even more (and have some time to read about our travels) - please check out the link to "Adam's Blog" under "Favorite Links". The next journey begins on July 10th.
Here's the most recent picture of the housing unit.