GOOD BYE….I DON”T LIKE THOSE WORDS!
So, we will stick with “TILL-NEXT- TIME,”
COMING….SOON! Jim’s new “ROOM WITH A VIEW.”
My last blog till?
I have no idea how long my walk will take, let’s see I am 68, so should reach the end, by the time I turn 80, just kidding; plan on 30-60 days. Remember my only communication to you will be on Facebook.
PLEASE HELP ”OUR HOME KENYA” Click>>>here.
Some great news; my friend Shanni from the UK has been instrumental in getting the word out about our “Save a Child’s Life in Kenya” challenge. Talk about volunteers stepping up…the company she works for “CED Trade” has dedicated several of their employees to assist us in bringing in “more-money” for the kids.
Plus, they will meet me at the end of my walk in Compostela, Spain, with a huge check. With this and your support we will hopefully exceed our goal! They also have printed up T-shirts about our project and distributed them to various bands in the UK and Germany.
My hat goes off to CED TRAID from the UK who has committed to helping our cause…all the way! They supply Catering Equipment, Commercial Refrigeration and more in the UK. Thanks, CED Trade!
So pitch in a penny-a-mile “OR MORE” all the money we get will go to the kids in Kenya, “Our Home Kenya.” I have two people who committed $1 a-mile, YES! Click HERE to join the “YES” group.
SCOTT HENSLEY
One more important announcement; my friend Scott Hensley has offered to help with our campaign. A volunteer like this, is… what it’s all about. He has helped me on several other projects and has his heart in the right place. He will be taking care of any questions and giving updates during my walk. Thanks Scott
Scott, is currently looking for a position as a Digital Marketing Analyst/Strategist so if you can help, let Scott know; his resume is quite impressive.
More about Scott… click here.
Every person who has walked the Camino has had an unlike experience. However, they do agree on one thing…they were a different person, then the one who took that first step, his or her life became enlightened in one way or another.
Hundreds of thousands of people has had this experience and have been doing it for over 2,000 years. I like best what one pilgrim said when he finished, “I had a thousand questions when I started and even more when I finished. However, the “NEW” questions were my answers!” It was a totally unknown way to look at life! I can’t wait for the “NEW” questions!
OK, I will do the walking…you can do the talking! Please tell your friends about our imposable challenge! Click the “FEEL
GOOD” box on the right and tell me if something inside you changes.
Love you all; see you on the other end, Jim
I am all packed and ready to go, being I am walking with no money or food; my packing list is very long and light. I think; I thought of everything? After 100 miles, I will know for sure!
I was looking for a reasonable place to stay in Paris, no luck. So, I checked out Couchsurfing. That’s when someone offers you a free bed to stay in their home anywhere in the world. Got an offer from Gilles Schoch in Paris he offered me a bed, very interesting person, can’t wait to meet him!
One final note, for all the people who still say “You won’t make it!” Everything in life is much more difficult with the word “I” in it, I just changed that to “WE.” Here a some examples of things I have done when I altered my thinking to “WE.” Click>>>HERE
WHY WALK 484-MILES? THIS IS WHY!
The question was asked, “Don’t you think we should support our own family and friends first, before we look at helping someone in another country?”
Of course, family and friends should always be your priorities! However, what is in store for your and their future?
I AM READY!
There is ONE thing “EVERYONE” I know agrees with, that they would love to have “WORLD PEACE” the solution to make this happen is “NOT” complicated; it’s simple. It is the children!
The children plus a computer is the answer! It’s not a big world…anymore; it is a one-click answer to educate the kids about new options in life. They can now see how others achieved balance and peace into to their lives. The beauty of a child with the curiosity of a cat can make this happen!
What does this have to do with my walk….”EVERYTHING!”
You can lower your stress level, by helping another “IN STRESS!”
WHICH CHILD WOULD YOU HELP?
How about pitching in one penny a-mile for the kids? Click>>> HERE to say YES, that’s only 5 bucks!
MEET MY KIDS, YOUR KIDS…”OUR” FUTURE!
MAUREEN…“I WANT TO BE A DOCTOR!”
Maureen, now a part of YOUR life!
Hi, I’m Maureen and I’m 12 years old. I come from a village very high up in the highlands of Kenya. My family is all farmers and they are experts in growing beans and maize because the soil is very rich and fertile. My mummy is very sick and has been for a long time. When she is sick she doesn’t know what she is doing so she puts my brother, Alex, and I in danger. I know that she loves us very much but she is not able to protect us sometimes. Because of Mummy’s illness, Alex and I are now living in Nakuru and go to school every day. I absolutely love school because it means I can do my favorite pass-time of reading all day long. When I am grown up I want to be a doctor so I can help my mummy and other sick people like her so they don’t have to suffer like I did.
ALEX
Hello, my name’s Alex and I am Maureen’s 7 year old brother. Now that we have moved away from our family and our farm, I spend a lot of my time playing football and reading. I hope to become a famous footballer when I’m older and play for Kenya. When my Mummy is sick I know that she can do bad things but Maureen tells me that it’s not her fault so I still love her very much. Now that I am in Nakuru I am happy that I can go to school everyday and play football. Also, every Friday in Our Home Nakuru we have a special treat and eat chapatti and goat meat which is my absolute favorite! But, I miss our farm and want to live with my mummy again and want to see her get better.
JUDY
Hi, Judy here! I’m 12 years old and go to school with my best friend Maureen. We met in Nakuru and live together in Our Home
Judy
Nakuru, we spend all our time together, she’s like a brand new sister and I love it! When I’m at school I really love learning about Kenya and its History but I hate math – it’s really hard. My family lives on the great plains surrounded by mountains and lakes. My community is very close and they all work together to help each other out and if we ever have problems, we ask the village chief and elders to sort it out for us. I hope I can be respected like a village elder one day and hope I can go back to my village to help them with any problems they have. And imagine if my best friend, Maureen, could come with me!
Evans
EVANS
Hello, my name is Evans and I am the middle child between Judy and Benson. We all come from a village near the mountains and lakes. Now that I live in Nakuru, I absolutely love playing football with Alex. We play football at any moment we can but we are only allowed to play if we’ve finished our homework. I hate homework but my sister, Judy, tells me it’s very important so I have to do it. I wish my teachers would give me football homework – now, that I would do! Every half term I go back to my village and stay with my auntie. We have a lot of fun there, playing with my cousins but I also have a lot of work to do, plowing the farm and looking after the cows because my Uncle cannot do it all alone.
BENSON
Hi-ya, I’m Benson and I’m the youngest brother to Evans and Judy. We have always lived together and are really close. So, when I
Benson
learnt that we would continue living together in our new home in Nakuru, I was really excited. And it was even better when I got there and met Alex who absolutely loves playing football, like me! But football is not everything with me, I also love maths! If you gave me maths problems to solve, I would be happy doing them all day long. In fact, I love it so much that I got the highest marks in my whole school in maths last term. I can’t wait to go home and tell my Aunty about my maths score. I think she’ll be proud of me but I know that she’ll still want me to work on the farm but I don’t mind helping out.
Joan
JOAN
Hey, I’m Joan and am a huge four years old. I started baby school last year but am definitely ready to go to big girls’ school next year and walk to school with the big kids. I warn you, I may be little but I have a big mouth and I can shout really loud! I love living with all the other big kids because they look after me and there is always somebody for me to play with. But the best part about being four is that I am old enough to look after baby Chela. She’s only three years old so I look after her by making sure she’s eating and washing properly. One day, when I’m older than Maureen and Judy, I’ll look after them too! I come from the same village as Judy, Evans and Yator and we all play together when we are there but there house is quite a long walk from mine so I don’t go there too often.
CHELA
I’m the youngest member of Our Home Nakuru and my name is Chela – well, I’m older than the dog but she’s bigger than me now so
Chela
that doesn’t count. I have just started school this year and I love it because I wear a dress and draw pictures all day long. My mum thinks I’ll be an artist one day but I’m not thinking about that now, I just want to wear a dress and play with Joan. I am very lucky because I live with my mum in Our Home Nakuru, she is the one making sure everybody is happy and loved. I don’t mind sharing my mum with the other children because I know they all need a mummy very much.
Do you think my 164 foot underwater swim will help me on my 484-mile walk? Watch the video>>HERE.
My heart, body & soul are 100% into this walk! This will be the toughest challenge I have had in my life; on the other hand, it was the easiest decision I ever had to make. To save a child’s life and I don’t have to do it alone! “WE”…will make this happen. All my love…Jim
Only one more blog message before I leave on my stroll. Remember, no emails from me when I start the walk. Facebook will be my only communication when I can find free internet. F.B… Jim Kaszynski or Jim’s Camino de Santiago.
Related articles
- Helping families achieve self-sufficiency, part 1: Kenya (blog-dev.cfcausa.org)
My 484-MILE WALK CLOCK IS TICKING!
My days are numbered!
In a few weeks, I will be on my way from Bangkok to Paris. I will take my 1st step on my 484-mile stroll June 1st. My walk, “The Camino de Santiago” from France to Spain is “NOT” about me! I know my walk will be challenging with no money or food. However, the real story is how we are saving a child’s life in Kenya. My walk will be easy, compared to the challenges they face in Kenya!
Help Maureen put a “Dr” in front of her name!
Our goals; to love, provide and educate!
How would you sleep tonight knowing…you helped 11- year old Maureen
(who had no chance at life) become a Doctor?
Our donation website will be launched in a few weeks. I started out with $1,000 goal and quickly changed it because of your response to $3,000. Today with all the new interest; it is now $5,000 with a possibility to go much over my expectations.
At “OUR HOME KENYA,” we are DREAMERS…
Farah’s dream is coming true!
A few days ago, I got a call from Bruce Kennedy, who leads our drive with the commitment of $1 a mile for the walk (that’s almost $500) he asked if anyone has topped his offer? I said, “No, Not Yet!”
For anyone who gives a $100 or more.
At the entrance to the orphanage, “OUR HOME KENYA” will be a plaque with your name on it. Above your name will say,
“I HELPED TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE!”
Don’t worry if you’re in the $5 group, you are needed and not forgotten. I will give each of you a hug and might even throw in a kiss? Now, for you who have no money, how about helping with some on-line work, for this you will get two extra kisses! I desperately need some Internet help! When I start my walk, I will have very little access to the net, I will have to find libraries that have free Internet.
These children, want to be your friend!
For you that have been following me for the past 15 months on my swimming underwater challenge. As a child my life goal was to hold my breath submerged for three minutes, I did that last year. So I thought swimming underwater would be easy…WRONG!
I went to Chiang Rai University pool, and the manager said no one has ever swum underwater for the full length of this Olympic pool. Of course that’s all I needed to hear. I said, “I will give it a try,” hay; it’s merely 50 meters (164 ft.) I tried it a few weeks ago and only made it 30 meters. So last week, on my 68th birthday I said, “I will try it again!” Yes… I made it!
As I write this, trying to keep my ego down (sometimes “not” easy) I want to tell you this story, if you’re going through some rough times or having a problem with someone or something, you care about, don’t give up! Look for new options. Acceptance opens the door to fresh possibilities!
Anyone can swim underwater for 50 meters if, you’re willing to fail on the way to get to your goal. I am an expert at failing! Today, I 
learn from my mistakes, and keep looking for new enlightenment in my life. I “AN NOT” a superman! I just keep trying!
I remember Thomas Edison when talking about inventing the light bulb saying, “I had to succeed, because I ran out of ways that did not work!”
Below is something I wrote awhile back,
I reread it often to keep me on track.
I wanted MORE out of life; I sat back and waited and waited; nothing happened! Change is un-comfortable, fear of doing something wrong…failing. My greatest life lessons came from failing! Not trying is so easy, change is… difficult.
My backpack & tent…I’m ready!
More coming soon, I’m excited!…Love & Stuff Jim
Next Blog …“How the money will be spent.”
The video on my successful swim coming soon, the last video was on my “FAILURE” lesson.
So many people helping out on this project, my friend Shanni from the U.K.. is helping! She has got a group involved in supporting my walk to “Save a Life in Kenya” the Crawley Football Magazine. WOW…THANK YOU… for hopping on the bandwagon.
I wanted to buy a small handheld cassette recorder, that I found on eBay (to record my every thought during the walk) and sent a message to see if they would ship to Thailand. Dustin Roggenburg from Chicago, responded saying he liked our mission in Kenya, he would give me the recorder free. Another WOW!
Another friend Rhett Miller from Butte, Montana sent me a I phone so I can listen to books and music during my walk. Hey, I can dance along “THE WAY!” WOW, again (I won’t run out of wow’s) I just ordered a solar charger to keep me in tune.
I meet Bill at the pool; he gave me 1,000 baht (about $32) to help the Kenya kids. WOW!
Now, some schools and churches are getting involved, could use your help with that.
Believe it or not, I have other things going on in my life? The New Life Foundation (looking for volunteers) had a Flash Mob show at the mall celebrating “EARTH DAY” they did a mediation and then broke out into a dance. I had fun making this video, check it out! Just click…Thailand, FLASH MOB DANCE. Stay happy, J
More fun stuff from Jim
Feel Good TV Shows…to work with Jim
Jim’s published stories….Yahoo Contributor Network
Cancun, Mexico 10k swim….can Jim make it?
My lesson on compassion….taught by a six-year-old!
Yahoo voices..Would you Walk the Camino De Santiago from France to Spain with NO MONEY?
Nice Polish boy from Illinois almost dies from eating “HOT Peppers!
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EXERCISE SUCKS! Can I do the 484-mile Camino Walk…without it?
WHAT I WILL SEE WHEN I TAKE MY FINAL STEP!
Well, I’m not going to take the chance! So, I walk and walk plus swim to get ready.
I know, I always say…”LIFE IS MEANT TO BE FUN!”
I live in a 13 story condo and am taking on the challenge of walking up and down the stairs. Every day, I add one more story to my routine. So far, I am up to 58 stories… I do “NOT” enjoy this…It’s not fun! However, when I finish, I feel good. Now, I do enjoy jumping in the pool and swim my eight laps, my solution for being all HOT & SWEATY.
Now, this brings me to the question (I love talking to myself…because I always get the right answer… lol) is my 484-mile walk more… physical or mental? Don’t know…but will do the GET IN SHAPE thing, now!
The mental part, ohhhh it is my real test. Fear; yes…ME- DO- HAVE! Since I will be walking with no money or food, will I have the courage to ask someone “DO YOU HAVE ANY FOOD TO SPARE?” I will not ask anyone for money, but will; I have the nerve to ask for food? A part of me thinks it would be easier to walk hungry then to ask for help. Don’t know how this will turn out? Nevertheless, I must try to overcome this fear. If not, I will have to walk awful fast to get to the end!
My goal is to walk 15 miles a day at that rate I will finish in 30 days. If I turn into a slow-poke at 7-8 miles a day, I’m looking at 60 days. Either way I am OK with that duration, I am not in a race!
We made it to the top!
Earlier this week, my buddy’s and I took on the dare to climb a mountain; no big deal ,except it was 400 steps almost straight up. Wow, this was tough, harder than climbing the steps to my apartment. Believe me, it was more difficult going downwards, because if you make one wrong step, you would roll down the mountain with no happy ending!
Fear…. It has been on my mind all this week!
My friend Paul has taught me a good lesson. He was terrified of heights, I say… WAS!
Paul
Paul followed a simple rule of ONE step at a time and said, “We will make it!” He changed the word “I” to “We” and the fear started to diminish.
Check out our short video of our mountain challenge, click here!
What does this have to do with my walk…everything!
I do not have a fear of starving to death, which will not happen! However, I am afraid of what the lack of food will do to my body and head? There I go again, projecting what may happen. Ok Jim, get back on track here! Hey, 90% of what you worry about never happens anyway, the other 10%…oh well. My friend from Cancun says, “God provides for the birds,” maybe; I should grow wings? Or perhaps, I already have them?
So I feel fear is good, it tells me something is right or wrong! Even so, the alternative, to do nothing, will prevent me from any possibility of growth.
Fear of failure!
Most people do not have failures in their lives! Why…because they never try anything new. It is much easier to conform then adapt. The word change is not even in their vocabulary. Think back to the beauty and innocence of a child. When they attempt that first step, they fail, but they get encouragement from their parents to keep on trying, they become “WE” and overcome their fear of falling. My friend Paul overcame that same fear by doing one step at a time and used the energy of another to succeed.
I will be doing the same thing, to get over my fears….one “baby” step at a time!
Love & stuff…Jim
CAN I DO IT?
My next challenge in the following few weeks is to swim underwater from one end to the other at this really BIG pool at Chiang Rai, University. They told us “It has never been done!” Of course, that is all I needed to hear. I think? I can do it! Now let’s see if my head will agree with my body? Yes, I will video my attempt.
Jim & his wife Pharadee
My friend Jim Burns started a new blog with all kind of fun stuff to do in Thailand. It is very entertaining and informative. Click here to check it out.
For you that have not joined the “BIG HARTS GANG” now is your chance to get in on the contest of…”I BET JIM CAN’T MAKE IT!” Hey, it’s only five bucks and no one pays until I complete the 484-mile walk! If I lose you will have to come to Thailand to collect, you can get five dinners for that! 100% of that money will go to my friend Farah, who has started the orphanage “OUR HOME KENYA” her challenge is much tougher than my little 484-miles!
More FUN stuff from me! I know “STUFF” is not proper, however, writing a blog you do not have to be “Politically Correct” who is going to fire me, anyway? Again…. Love & stuff, kindness, compassion oh, you get the message….J
Feel Good TV Shows…to work with Jim
Jim’s published stories….Yahoo Contributor Network
Cancun, Mexico 10k swim….can Jim make it?
My lesson on compassion….taught by a six-year-old!
Yahoo voices..Would you Walk the Camino De Santiago from France to Spain with NO MONEY?
Nice Polish boy from Illinois almost dies from eating “HOT Peppers!
News Tribune story…Illinois Valley native plans to walk Camino de Santiago
I STILL HAVE “FRIENDS”? WHO SAY, “I CAN’T DO IT?
One of the beautiful sights on “THE WAY” one of our goals is to have sore-less feet!
To them, I say, “THANK YOU.” That is all I need to want to do this a “little bit more.” Please keep telling me it is impossible! As my good 
friend from Texas, Jimmy Haugen always said, “One thing about doing the impossible, you have no competition.”
I have been warned traveling with no money will be very dangerous. I might even end up in jail! Well, that’s nothing new for me. Remember, I was put in jail in Belize for not having proper identification. It turned out that my five-days in jail was the best thing that ever happened to me. That was three years ago, and my life changed (for the better) since that painful experience. All the questions I ever had about life were answered!
Einstein said, “For an idea that does not first seem insane, there is no hope” See…I’m qualified to do this walk!
I just got an email from a friend who said, “This trip ain’t going to happen.” He feels the world will be in total chaos when I leave on my new adventure. Well, my view is much more optimistic, than that! If the world comes to an end before my trip, I guess I won’t be going. Worrying about the future cause’s anxiety, and I don’t go their…anymore! However, I don’t see that happening, and I’m surly not going to worry about it! I can actually visualize seeing me take my first step and my last one.
I know I’m a recovering alcoholic! However, I am soon to become a recovering… “Walk-aholic”
Now there will be three groups involved, the “Normal People” group that will be making the whole 484-mile journey. They will be staying at hostels or hotels and enjoying some really authentic home cooking on the way. Plus see some of the world’s most beautiful sights.
Remember stress level zero is the goal. “ENJOY THE MOMENT” is our theme! Sorry, any 9 to 5 thoughts will not be allowed!
The second group will be people who can’t do the whole walk or cannot take that much time off work. They can join us on the way. I will have a map of where we should be every day. Facebook will have our daily update.
Even if there are those of you who want to join us the last 100 mile’s that is OK. We will call you the “Century Gang.” I have that last 100-mile route finished.
The final group will be called “The One Click Clan,” which will consist of those of you with sore feet, low energy or no money, or won’t even consider the trip. We need you also! You can follow our day by day excursion on F.B. I will
try to send out a daily narrative with photos. That’s if I can find an internet cafe on the way, which should not be a problem.
I have found the perfect tent on eBay. It pops open in 10 seconds; it only weighs 6 pounds cool hey! Now I’m looking for a light-weight sleeping bag and an inflatable mattress and pillow. I am trying to keep my total carrying weight to 20 pounds or less.
Feel free to share this link on any website you can think of. I want the world to join us on this exciting journey.
Love and stuff…Jim
I am still getting the question, Aren’t you afraid of what might happen to make this trip with no money?” The answer is “YES.” I have the money to pay my way if I wanted to. However, I must tackle this fear of asking someone I don’t know for help. There must be a lesson for me in all this. I think it is… the true meaning of “HUMILITY?”
Next week, I hope to make a huge announcement on how the King of Thailand may be involved in our walk! J
Click here to watch my new “INVITE” video!
Latest Posts
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GOOD BYE….I DON”T LIKE THOSE WORDS!
So, we will stick with “TILL-NEXT- TIME,” My last blog till? I have no idea how long my walk will take, let’s see I am…
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WHY WALK 484-MILES? THIS IS WHY!
The question was asked, “Don’t you think we should support our own family and friends first, before we look at helping someone in another country?” Of…
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My 484-MILE WALK CLOCK IS TICKING!
My days are numbered! In a few weeks, I will be on my way from Bangkok to Paris. I will take my 1st step on…
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