News Update April 2009 - Bread of Life Kenya

News Update - April 2009

In March 2009, Matthew and Samara returned to Kenya to visit Saints Christian Children’s Home in Kisumu, the first time since March 2007.

Following the elections at the end of 2007, there was severe disturbance caused to the Kisumu district and Kenya as a whole in early 2008. On our first visit to the home, the consequences of the troubles were still visible to see a year later. Several stores and a clinic have been burnt to the ground during the riots.

The effects of the riots coupled with the economic situation are still being felt in the area. Crops which should have been harvested in 2008 were left standing in the fields, which has had serious consequences. The most immediate effect is a food shortage in the area, but the knock on effect is that there is a shortage of seed to replant for the next crop. A difficult balancing act is under way, between feeding the hungry now, and planting for the future.

It was great to see the home again, and the changes that have been made recently. Additional land was purchased in 2007, the buildings plastered, and electric and water supply installed. Unfortunately the changes made have highlighted the poor site security, with attempts being made to steal the water meter and some chickens. The new gate has been installed, which will be useful once the fence is up to scratch.

The next step to improve the security at SCCH is a wall or fence surrounding the property. This will enable them to keep their own animals (goats, hens, etc), grow basic crops, and start the slow path to self sufficiency. Whilst there we discovered that the unstable economic situation has increased the cost of building supplies and we are currently waiting for quotations for the necessary building work. Future fundraising during 2009 will contribute towards the perimeter fence.

The trustees were fortunate to visit two other projects with similar objectives whilst in Kenya. The first was also based in Kisumu, approximately half a mile from SCCH. They provide nursery education and meals for around 90 children from the local community. This project has been running for five years, and it provided us with a good example of what can be achieved in the longer term. They have recently constructed classrooms and hope to go on to provide primary education. They were able to provide valuable advice towards our own building objectives.

The second project was based approximately 40 minutes drive outside Nairobi, and has been running for 8 years. The project started on a very small piece of land with a basic building looking after orphaned children; very similar to SCCH now. They have grown over time, and now run HIV projects, community based activities and work with senior members of the community alongside running a home for orphaned children. They now have 10 acres of land, so are largely self sufficient, milking cows, growing banana trees and sugar plants, and rearing a variety of animals (goats, rabbits and hens) for food.

In the last newsletter we mentioned that Mercy had been running away from the home, and unfortunately we didn’t see her during our visit. Despite the best efforts of everyone at the home, she stays away and they do not know her whereabouts. Distant relatives of Vivian and Prisca have recently visited the home and stated that they are now in a position to be responsible for the girls themselves, so both girls have recently left the home to live with their respective relatives. It’s a shame that the girls have left, but it has presented the opportunity for other girls to join the home. Lynne, Stecy, Winnie and Monica have recently come to live at the home and are settling in well. All the girls are from the local community, and the same Luo tribe.

We learnt more about the girl’s schooling and education during our visit, and were surprised by our findings. The girls attend various schools in the local area and are there between 7am – 12pm & 1pm - 4pm, and frequently attend extra classes on Saturdays. The most surprising aspect was the class sizes; it is not uncommon to have a single class with over 100 children, and only one teacher. This has serious consequences for any child who is struggling, as they get left behind and lost in classes of this size.

The children were very excited to receive new clothes, books and toys which we took with us, donated by various supporters. We were asked to pass specific thanks and greetings to all who have contributed to the upkeep of the home and the vital work that has been carried out over the last two years.

Please pray for:

• Pray for Lynne, Stecy, Winnie, & Monica that they will continue to settle & feel at home at SCCH.
• For Vivian & Prisca that they will be well looked after by their relatives
• Pray for the ongoing food shortage, and for God’s guidance for the leaders of the country.