Bringing a vision to life

by Debbie Nicholson

The e3kids 2019 Kenya mission team was blessed with having on its team a member that had a vision larger than anyone except her could imagine. Longtime e3kids supporter, JoEllen Schadek, recently experienced the tragic loss of her husband to cancer.

Through her grief, she was compelled to do something bigger than herself and her husband. JoEllen had never been to Kenya before and had never been on a mission trip but she felt that this was something she was led to do. She joined the team, but while the team focused on lessons and projects that were going to be taught at the school, JoEllen had a different sort of project in mind.

The project began with a small shopping spree in the United States a week or two before we left before the trip. On this shopping trip, she purchased basic sewing supplies, material, thread, simple sewing kits, etc.

However, this was just the beginning.

Pictured from Left to Right: Grace Ngao (founder of Royal Kids School), Teacher (Sewing Teacher), JoEllen Schadek, Carol Turner (founder of e3 Kids), Teacher Moses (Principal of Royal Kids)

Upon arriving in Kenya, half of the team’s baggage was missing majority of the missing baggage was JoEllen’s. JoEllen at first discouraged and wanting to give up allowed the rest of the team to support her until the remaining baggage arrived. In the meantime, JoEllen spent her time shopping in Kenya for sewing machines, tables, and more importantly a teacher that would teach the children. She then worked with school administrators to have rooms built, electricity run, ceilings added for additional security and other security features.

JoEllen’s dream was to create a sewing school that would allow students to learn a trade. In Kenya students that do not pass their academic tests in grades 8 and 11 are not allowed to continue further. Her vision was to change the school from just an academic institution to a technical school as well. JoEllen achieved her vision and the sewing school had its grand opening during the two weeks that she was there; the school was named after her late husband Paul Schadek. Although she struggled with caring for her husband during his cancer treatment and with his death the Paul Schadek Sewing Academy in Mombasa Kenya would not have been possible without going through these tough times.