News Update September 2009 - Bread of Life Kenya

News Update - September 2009

Work has recently begun on the building of a security fence around the home in Kisumu. After a number of fundraising events over the last 8 months, we finally reached our target to enable work to proceed. The initial fence has been erected and now thorn bushes will be planted around the perimeter for additional protection.

Our visit in February 2009 highlighted the ongoing problem that was facing the home in Kisumu; the perimeter fence was in bad repair, and although a new gate had been installed, the lack of a complete barrier around the property created a huge problem, both as a means of security from intruders, and also to keep small livestock, that we hope to purchase for the home, from wandering off into the community!

Once the fence has been completed, the next stage in the project will be to develop the additional land purchased in 2008, by planting basic crops and keeping small livestock to supplement the diet and income at the home.

In order to comply with the regulations set by the Nyanza District Children’s Department, the home must also have a designated area for cooking and a secure place to store food items away from rodents. This will be the next important step on the way to having the home, which is currently registered as a Community Based Project, registered as a Children’s Home with the local authorities.

We plan to visit Kenya again in February 2010, to see how work is progressing and to discuss how best to achieve our aim of self-sufficiency for Saints Christian Children’s Home. During our last visit, we were able to present the staff with an electronic word processor, donated by a supporter in the UK. The above picture shows Lorine learning how to work the processor, which should enable her to keep records for the home, and provide an opportunity, in time, for the older girls to learn basic computer skills.

As well as achieving a good education, it is important, particularly for girls in Kenya, to learn practical skills such as typing, cooking and sewing. This will broaden their prospects of obtaining work when they complete their studies, as a means of supporting themselves. We plan to purchase a sewing machine to enable the girls to begin to learn these practical skills which will be so important to them in the future.

In recent months, there have been problems with the piped water supply to the home. This was installed in 2007 and has been invaluable since then as a clean source of drinking water for the children. However, the supply has become increasingly erratic, the cause of which is not know at present. This produces problems again for obtaining clean water, and also means additional time and work for Rose and Josephine to collect water on days when the supply stops. Although they fill a large number of barrels when the water is flowing smoothly, this does not always see them through the dry days until it is next working.

Please pray for:

• Please pray for the problems with the water supply to be resolved.
• Pray for the work on the security fence, that this would be completed quickly.
• Pray for the next stage in the project which will be to build a kitchen and storage area, and to begin developing the new plot of land for growing produce and keeping small livestock.
• Continue to pray for good health for the children and that they would do well at school.

Fundraising:

The ‘Hollywood Ball’ on Valentines Day this year, which was organized by and for the youth of St Thomas Church, Kendal, raised a total of £200. Everyone looked fabulous with the lads wearing tuxedos and the ladies in evening dress; the evening culminated in awards for ‘best dressed’ and various achievements attained over the previous year.

After the huge success of 2008, the Capernwray Car Wash was repeated in August this year. After almost non-stop rain the previous week, the weather on the day was warm and dry. Over 25 cars were washed with many people dropping in to purchase cakes and cards and have a go at the lucky dip! A huge thank you to all the volunteers and those who contributed to the success of the day, which raised a spectacular £1,020 which will go towards the costs of building the security fence around the children’s home.