KANYAWEGI NEWSLETTER JUNE 2002
NEWSLETTER May/June 2002
I wanted to write a newsletter earlier, but my last time in Kenya was so busy.
We [the committee] had a lot of work learning to sort out teenage problems,
as well as the projects of the new girls dormitory, the new bore hole, two new
staff and five new children.
We as a committee [and the children] were very grateful to Clarks shoes who
donated 50 new pairs of school shoes. The children were so delighted and felt
privileged to have NEW shoes on their feet - and I must admit to being a bit
proud myself. I was also grateful to Kenya Airways who allowed me extra baggage
to get the shoes to Kenya.
I have moved into a flat in town, which is divided into three parts - a flat
for me, a halfway house for independence training and a work shop which we hope
to test the waters with computer, mobile phones and radio repairs.
I am booked to fly back to Kenya on the 13th of June and return to England on
the 13th of September. Ridgeway church are due to make a visit during August,
also a couple who found us on the web are due to visit in the same month.
I seem to have a reputation as a runner in Kisumu town. This was because of
the three times I gave chase when I had my bag stolen. The first time a local
tout told me that someone had taken the bag out of the taxi [although they did
not bother to do anything else]. When I almost caught up with him he must have
thought that he had lost me because he was down a back alley where a call of
nature had taken over. It was quite amusing that as he threw the bag towards
me, he run off trying to tuck everything away. The second time, at almost the
same place, I nearly got him, but I settled for just the bag. When the committee
asked me if I shouted for help, I told them I could not run AND shout. The third
time the opposition won and I lost my mobile [which is saving me a fortune]
and my ID.
On another day we had a visitor to the home, the only odd thing was he was completely
naked !!! I did not take much notice until he started throwing rocks at the
children, at this point I went after him with a stick. I knew there was not
much to fear as there was nowhere for him to conceal a weapon!
CHILDREN
New children
I have mentioned that we have five more children, bringing us to sixty in total.
Boaz, who is 14, came to us through the children's department. He had been staying
in the juvenile remand home, as there was nowhere else available.
Francis John Onyango is our youngest at only 5. He was staying with his grandparents
after his parents died, but as they got older they found it too difficult to
care for him properly.
Jacinter who was born in July 1990 had been staying with some distant relatives
and Veronica who was born in February 1990 was being cared for by neighbours.
Hezron who was born in May 1990, was taken to juvenile remand home after his
aunt who cared for him when his parents died was unable to help anymore.
School/training
Margaret has passed all the tests to enable her to start at a teachers training
college.
Irene is doing very well at tailoring. The trainer tells us she learns in one
day what it takes others three weeks to learn. She is already able to make all
the school uniforms and bags for the home.
Caroline is now enjoying her first year at secondary school and getting good
grades.
Michael has been on attachment at a garage in town. He is now doing upgrading
at the ministry industrial training centre, he will then take his grade two
in August.
Steven has finished his computer training and is now finishing electronic instruction.
David has also finished computer training and has almost completed mobile phone
repair training. Both these boys will shortly be starting their own business
in town.
Past children
It was good to have visits from both Samuel and Lillian during my last stay.
Both of them were very happy and said they were doing well and were very grateful
to their sponsors.
PROJECTS
The new girls dormitory is completed and is an excellent addition to our home.
This area which will accommodate 28 girls, as well as providing two toilets
and a bathroom. The big girls room and the house mums room can also enjoy these
new facilities. The entire project, including a new store room, was made possible
by Ridgeway church in Wallingford - to whom we are all very grateful.
The new 81 feet bore hole is now completely finished and the new pump has been
installed and working. The bore hole was financed by Lions club in Kisumu, and
the pump was donated by Lions club in Midsomer Norton and Radstock.
We are also installing a new low fuel cost cooker after a sponsor from Welton
church made the donation to us. This will enable us to cook much more efficiently
at a fraction of the cost of the charcoal cooker.
We are still endeavouring to reclaim the area along the river bank. One thing
that is helping us to do this is that the children have been told to bring back
two stones each on their way back from school every day, this builds up very
quickly. New project As we are adding to our number, we will soon need to enlarge
the septic tank. I am not sure of the exact cost, but it is something that will
soon become urgent.
STAFF
As soon as I returned to Kenya in March, the committee agreed we should employ
another house parent and it should be a woman. We were very fortunate to get
Faredah, who is doing very well, especially with the girls.
After we employed Faredah, James asked to be released, as he felt called to
preaching. This left us one short again, so we have now employed Jafet, who
is learning very fast.
FINANCE
Although our expenditure has been very high, God has provided all our needs.
We have three new sponsors [welcome], plus some very generous donations.
WEB-SITE
If you have access to the internet, please make use of our page. Frank, my brother-in-law
puts in a lot of work keeping it up to date. www.kanyawegichildren.com
SHOPPING LIST
Shorts and T shirts, larger size shoes and trainers, computer programs, broken
mobiles
PRAYERS
Kanyawegi started with six children in a rented house exactly four years ago
and today we have sixty children, eight staff and a wonderful home. Five children
have already left us to make their own start in life. I am still alive and I
am still in Kenya. Without prayer this would not have been possible. Please
continue with your prayers, this work would be so difficult [or impossible]
without them.
REGARDS AND LOVE, JIM DAWE
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