"Get Ro to Kenya" Campaign Update

Hi Everyone,
 
The response to World Baseball Project’s campaign to “Get Ro to Kenya” thus far has been astounding. Big shout-out to my pops with a $200 drop in the bucket, as well as to Rich Karsay for his second $100 contribution since funding started last August. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we are around 80% for securing a totally awesome experience for Rohobot.
 
So far, contributions will cover (at current rates)*:

• Ro’s round-trip ticket from Addis Ababa to Nairobi (~USD 300)
• Lodging for Ro at Acacia Camp for 7 days (~USD 100)

 
I can’t tell you how excited he’s going to be when I send him his flight confirmation. He is really amazed that you guys who don’t know him are willing to send money so he can have this experience. Really, truly, he is grateful for your gifts.

He recently sent me some pics, taken during the Orthodox Easter holiday, of him and a couple of our other original players teaching some youngsters The Game on the outskirts of Bekoji.

Rohobot, on right, teaching newbies how to hit.

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​Ro’s description of the experience gives me chills:
 
“Just the guys I have there, I mean kids, they just don’t know what is baseball, but I can feel they love playing it, because I asked how I could see them and they said they are from a different location and have no phone, but they said we will come to your house.
 
So I believe they are eager and love the game, even if it’s hard to understand the rules.”

I got it!!!

Ro’s time in Kenya will be so important for gaining deeper understandings of baseball, promoting a more meaningful baseball teaching role in Bekoji. He will get to observe and participate in a number of drills and baseball activities that will increase his baseball capacity, even in a short period – and few areas are more critical to sustainable development than capacity building.
 
He will no doubt understand new ways to help his charges “understand the rule.”

New Bekoji Baseball Recruits LOVE Baseball!

 
Ro will also meet key figures in Kenyan baseball development, who can perhaps mentor him moving forward and help with what he might need, at a closer proximity. Creating international friendships through baseball is what World Baseball Project’s all about, and it will be great to see that happening even on a regional level.
 
During my first stint in Kenya, the idea of Ethiopia fell more foreign on Kenyans than the idea of America. They may be neighbors, but are still quite foreign to one another, for a number of reasons.
 
Additionally, Ro’s trip will allow us to hand-transport a much-needed equipment refresh to Bekoji, and hopefully to a few of the original players who are now attending university in different parts of the country. Ro has done a superb job caring for the current stock of equipment, previously garnered through various donations from friends, family, and Pitch in for Baseball, and I trust they will just as well cherish whatever we can squeeze in this time.
 
Finally, no matter what happens from here out, or how many more contributions we get, know that you have helped to change someone’s life forever. I believe that travel is essential for procuring a sense of global citizenship and gaining perspective on our own foundations.
 
To say that Ro’s mind will be blown in Kenya is an understatement. This young man’s life is about to be changed forever.
 
 
A fun bonus note here is that Rohobot and I share a birthday, which just so happens to be this Friday, 11 May. If you’d like to make our birthday wishes come true, please consider even a small contribution to the campaign:

www.GoFundMe.com/WorldBaseballProject
 
What I would still love to see covered:

• Ro’s visa to Kenya (USD 50 – his family just put up around USD 100 for his passport and Yellow Fever vaccinations)
• Ro’s meals (a USD 100 stipend for him would be extra-nice)
• 2-3 additional cultural/wildlife experiences (beyond the wildlife at Acacia and a sure trip to Sheldrick elephant orphanage; variable, but up to USD 100 would be great)
• Gratuity offering for 1-2 hosts /host families we may stay with (USD 50-100)

 
Obviously some of that is extra, going above the original estimate of USD 500 for covering Ro in Kenya (the basic version should cover at least his visa and reasonable local meals), but it would be really nice to add a few enriching bonuses for Ro. As the response was strong and swift, I thought a few more folks might like the opportunity to pitch in, so I figure I’d let you know what is possible.
 
Thanks for your time, attention, generosity, and whatever good vibes you send our way. I am really looking forward to sharing live updates from Kenya with you, and would love even more to see you there!
 
Cheers,
 
Joe