If you have been part of the Alabaster Community for a while, you know that we talk a lot about sowing seeds.
These aren’t literal seeds–rather they’re small ideas and hopes that have potential to grow into something more. Since Alabaster began as a modest mobile clinic 10 years ago, with your support we’ve faithfully planted seeds season after season.
The past year was no exception, with several new-to-Alabaster projects that started as a few thoughts scribbled on paper or a dream someone dared speak aloud. Those first steps, taken with the same audacious trust and common faithfulness as when burying seeds underground, made it possible to acknowledge something new might just happen.
And with your help—your steadfast support and generosity that made growth possible—we saw these projects come to life. The Endonyolasho Maternity Wing was constructed last spring and dedicated during our visit in June. The Turkana Women’s Group launched their first-ever crafts project that allowed them to sell goods here in the U.S. and invest in their next dream. And in March, many of you joined us to celebrate the incredible fruit of Alabaster over the past ten years since it began in 2012.
In this annual report, you can read more about this wonderful growth, and join us in holding a few precious seeds we are hoping to plant soon. I hope you feel so much pride as you remember what you helped us plant and grow. And, I hope that you’ll continue to cultivate your own seeds, whatever it is you are called to grow.
Shannon Rubera, FNP-C
Founder & President of the Board
Shannon Rubera (center) with Board Member Ashantha Rubera (left) and partner Mercy Musomi (right), Executive Director of Girl Child Network
Growing the Good
Endonyolasho Health Initiatives:
- 9 babies delivered at the new Endonyolasho Maternity Wing
- 330 women and children supported through the Endonyolasho Vaccine Clinic
- 3480 patients treated at the Endonyolasho Community Clinic
Nutrition & Famine Relief:
- Nearly 600 students in two at-risk communities nourished and educated through School Feeding Programs
- 246 families helped through emergency famine relief
Mothers & Children:
- $900 profit earned for new projects through the Turkana Women’s Group’s pilot business venture, in addition to fair wages earned for 20 women
- 82 vulnerable girls and women supported through new partnerships and programming
10 years of partnership and work!
Seeds for the Future
One of the seeds we dared to plant several years ago was a new vision, reflected in our name Alabaster International.
Up until this point, our partnerships have all been rooted in communities in Kenya. This focused approach has allowed Alabaster to grow deep relationships and develop the patience that good growth often requires.
Now, we are readying the soil for something new. We are exploring several pilot projects with international partners—initiatives that have the potential to grow Alabaster’s scope and, most importantly, cultivate health and dignity in more communities through expanded resources and realized dreams.
We hope to share more soon. Will you join us in planting and waiting for new things to take root?
A New Place for Women & Babies
Investing in Women
& Their Dreams
As soon as we met the women of Lolupe in 2018, we knew they were special. That’s why we decided to launch a special social business pilot project with the group. Housed in the Turkana Women’s Business & Training Centre our donors made possible, the first project of the Lolupe Women’s Group was crafting special holiday ornaments sold to Alabaster supporters.
In addition to earning fair wages for their work, the women developed a simple business plan to use profits from the project for a small restaurant in their space. Now, community members are welcomed into the space for tea and simple meals, in addition to buying basic goods from the women.
Celebrating Seeds
Planted a Decade Ago
2022 Financials
- Revenue$79,200.00
- Expenses$97,779.34
- Program
- Admin