July 2016 Magazine | Page 22

about these amazing children in Kenya, the more people wanted to help. Today, ten years later, the school is thriving. “As one of the first three donors in the school, we had my dad’s name on a plaque on the school,” Carrie shares. “It’s says ‘In Memory of Billie Hall.’ Although my dad was not an educated man, having to leave high school to go to work, he was one of the most intelligent, artistic, kindest, and wisest people I have ever known. It is a great honor and a humble blessing to see his name there, as he loved all children.” 22 | Eydis Magazine John and Carrie returned three years ago after a rebuild of the Kiteghe Primary School, to visit the children. Upon their return, they brought all of the children digital cameras and did a camera workshop, which was very fitting for Carrie as she is a talented photographer. “We brought all of the kids a camera and we had a printer. When we beg an showing the kids how to take pictures, it was funny because they almost knew more than we did,” Carrie smiles. Most recently upon their return, John and Carrie funded a trip for 44 students and nine adults, receiving letters from them about the trip at its conclusion. This was an experience they would never forget. They took them to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, along with many other locations. “It’s hard to believe but most of these children had never been out of their village,” states Carrie. “What a gift to see how they lit up.” “I have never seen such joyous human beings on the planet; they love their schools and they love learning, they love exploring,” states John