What a busy weekend!! Still recovering! Saturday I had 23 of my new kids (and a few older ones to assist) aged 3 to 13 over for beef stew, rice, bananas, juice and cake. Half were from very rough situations….4 little girls and their brother came dirty, smelly and crying after walking 2 and 1/2 hours to get here and another 3 little ones with their older sister arrived after 2 hours of walking, also filthy and tired! The first bunch live with their 86 year old Grandmother who is in failing health and the second bunch have a father working in the field and their Mother an alcoholic and in jail more than not. All were severely neglected and needing attention. All but the brother are under our sponsorship but it is becoming clearer that our Children’s Home is a must!!! I didn’t want them to leave. They all had fun drawing and writing thank you notes, eating and just getting attention….if I had a tub they would have all gotten a good scrubbing too! :) When it came time for them to leave I sent them all home on transportation (on the back of bikes!!) but at least I didn’t have to worry about them walking home!! They all left very tired little munchkins but they all had smiles and new clothes or shoes and full tummies.
Sunday was the day for our big kids to come for Joseph’s 17th birthday party…Joseph asked for sausages and birthday cake….so that’s what he got along with a rice dish and local veggie dish…lots of juice and a beautiful birthday cake. Joseph never stopped smiling all day…orphaned young he has been raised by his ailing Grandmother who recently left him with his brother this year so she could stay with other family. I’m proud of him for sticking with school and dreaming of a future. Most the older kids have known each other the last 8 years in this program and have a fun time together….so much fun in fact that they never want to leave!!! Daniel brought a distinguished elder to visit our project and he was very impressed and promised his support….this is great to be recognized within the community and confirms it was a good decision to rent a house and get settled and seen! Now I have budgets, accounting and a game plan for the New Year. Now cu-cu’s to visit and school to sort out for the new kids and those joining different schools!
I’m also in need of more sponsors!!!!
Gladys (16) and her brother John (15) They are both going into Secondary Day school (Form 1 to 9th grade) $400 each for the year.
Joseph Kogomu (6) first grade $150 per year.
Faith (11) 5th grade. Has a sponsor for school but is HIV positive and needs a sponsor for vitamins and medicine $150.
John (8) younger brother of Faith first grade $150 a year.
Raphael (3) youngest of that family is HIV positive needs vitamins and medicine $150 per year.
Daniel (10) brother to five of the new little girls in our project that have sponsors…he does not and is a sweetheart – $150 a year.
Another Daniel also 10 years old – brother to the other bunch of sisters in the project also NO sponsor also a good big brother and will be forced to work in the fields to help support the family if no sponsor. $150 a year.
Robin at 14 orphaned and has been assisted by friends that can no longer afford his school fees…he will go to Form 1 (9th grade) Secondary Day school. $400 a year.
We are also adding two other Form 1 kids a brother and sister we just brought in (sorry don’t have their name yet. They are living with an old Grandfather who can no longer afford their school fees…each $400 a year for Secondary Day school. More on these kids later
The requested money per child helps feed, clothe and school them. My staff here and I work hard to meet their needs and appreciate any and all support!!
Thanks to all….spread the word!!!!!!!!!!!
Lots of love from Kenya
Susanne
Jambo Susanne, omg, the stories, how they tear at the heart. I wish I could sponser them all, I cannot..The little kids that walked so far to come to your place, with such sad and xtreme poverty to return to. I am surprised you could get them to leave. I’ll bet you wish u didn’t. I am writing to Santa Claus and the higher powers, sending prayers and wishes out for a miracle of an Live in Orphanage/School for your kids, fully stocked, with good staff, food and medical care. Oh, the need that you see is so great, I hope your heart remains healthy and loving as it must be overflowing with all that you see do and hear..Griz is sending much love and cheering from Oregon. You are making a difference..That in itself is all you can do, you are enough..lv deeb