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Charity adopts Saipan street market idea in Kenya
Empty Vessel Ministry charity manager Rose Smith recently traveled to her hometown in Kenya to continue her charity work and oversee the opening of a newly established street market there.
Rose Smith, front row, fourth from left, Empty Vessel volunteers, and St. Luke Hospital staff pose for a photo at the newly established street market. (Contributed Photo)
ELITE company showcases their special corn storage bags at the newly established street market in Kenya, East Africa. (Contributed Photo)
According to Smith, Empty Vessel in Kenya borrowed the idea of Saipan’s Thursday night street market to promote tourism and cultural activities.
“We also wanted to give businesses, organizations, and artists the opportunity to showcase or sell their products,” she told Saipan Tribune. Colleges and universities also took advantage of the event and set up information booths for community outreach.
In addition to businesses and promotional activities, more than 2,500 families benefited from free medical outreach at the street market in December and January. The street market also encourages farmers to turn agriculture into a business and to grow more crops.
Smith noted that agriculture is one sector in Kenya that most natives make a living on.
Smith also brought with her on her trip a locally donated computer. “Any help extended to our organization is vital to our work and we highly appreciate organizations, donors, and volunteers who are standing with us,” she said. “It is our prayer and wish, if we can ship a container of clothes and basic needs once a year to Kenya, that will be a big help.”
Smith explained that working people in Kenya earn as little as $25 a month.
“That is not enough to buy food, pay school or hospital fees, needs in case of sickness. If EVM can help provide free basic needs, like our garage store here on Saipan, it will be a big help there.”
Smith expressed her gratitude to businesses on Saipan for supporting the efforts of the charity in recent years, such as Tan Holdings, AA Enterprises, and Kevin’s Department Store.
