Newsletter - December 2000
December 7th. It is odd to think about sending a news letter
before Christmas while I am looking
out of my rented room over looking lake Victoria as the sun is setting after
an extra hot and
sticky day. So much has happened since my last letter in September I hope
I remember the
important (or rather the interesting) bits. First I would like to welcome
the new sponsors
and thank them for making two more children very happy, as well as putting
us in a stronger
position to admit another child soon.
My five weeks stay in England was very enjoyable; I even managed some physical
work that was very
edifying. It was a particularly enjoyable journey back to Kenya on Nov.19th,
because I had Dave,
Jenny, Jan and Shirley to travel back with me. Another advantage of having
four friends to
travel with me was that we could have five over weight items of luggage at
the airport, instead of one.
Everyone travelled light with their personal things, which left lots of weight
for Kanyawegi.
I did not realise how much I enjoyed them staying until after
they left. It seemed so
strange the next day not having them around, I only hope they enjoyed it as
much as the children
and I (and the committee) enjoyed them being around. The timing of their visit
was perfect, as
the children were just breaking from school for the long Christmas holiday.
The children had a
wonderful time learning to blow bubbles, draw pictures, croquet, play the
keyboard learn the
guitar, as well as singing and lots of fun. I enjoyed having British company
and seeing
everyone enjoy themselves so much -thanks again for your commitment and sacrifice
to us all at
Kanyawegi.
One week before I returned to Kenya, the children had the
pleasure of two students from Sweden, Kale
and Katherina. They had a big impact on the children who told me they were
such good fun. I
did miss them that week but I was able to meet them when they called to say
goodbye. Thanks to
both of you.
At this point I would like to mention that the sun seems about
6inchs from the lake, and a
pleasant red glow has just begun-- its 6.30pm.
The committee had done a lot of work while I was in England.
We have a brand new "four berth" pit
latrine. The pumped water from the river to the toilet tanks now has an unseen
underground
route. The dining room had a lick of paint, the outside kitchen area is now
paved, which has done
away with the mud. Also the smelly ditch which was a breeding ground for mosquitoes
has been
removed. It is encouraging to see so many good things happening whilst I am
away.
Most of our children left on Monday 4th to stay with any remaining relatives
at their home
areas. This is very important for the Luo tribe to maintain that home link,
as their culture
demands that is where they must be buried. It was exciting to see them all
leave at the same
time in the morning. They all looked so smart and excited, I am hoping they
will all remember to
come back on the 20th December for Christmas. .Kevin II was the only boy who
did not
go home, as it is too dangerous to send him to his relatives who want him
dead. (For about an
acre of land which he should inherit.) He is staying with Peter or Joash and
I think he enjoys
being the only one around but at the same time he misses the other younger
boys. The sun has
finally sunk into the lake leaving everything aglow in red so I know in about
three minutes it
will be dark and I will have to close the windows and put on the light as
the glow fades. As this
is the part of the day I really enjoy to go out for a stroll I will continue
this letter tomorrow.
Friday, after a noisy night caused by the local bar and one
of the guests in this lodging house
being a member of the oldest profession. I awoke to yet another sunny day
watching the trains
shunt the trucks to be loaded on to the ships and the reflection of the trees
onto the glass-like
appearance of the lake. When the children went home I decided to move into
a room in town.
This was for a few different reasons, the main reason that I have felt for
some time that I
should be 'distancing' myself a bit from the home. I don't know the reasons
or the eventual
outcome but I know I need to pull back - not to pull out! It has been an interesting
experience
these first few days although it has been quite lonely I have been able to
get a lot of work
done, and I really enjoy being able to walk out of the door at night times
- it is almost normal.
It takes about ten minutes to get to Kanyawegi if the matatu does not break
down or crash, and the
lodgings appear to be a safe distance from where the matatu stops. The unexpected
added bonus to
this move is the wonderful view and sunsets, and, I almost forgot, water,
but hot water - pure luxury.
All for three pounds sixty pence a night.
God's protection is ever present, last week whilst travelling
to Kanyawegi from town our
matatu was hit from behind by a minibus just as we were crossing what the
locals call a bridge
across a river. Somehow instead of being shunted into the river we just made
the roadside on the
other side of the bridge. A cyclist who somehow got in the middle was not
quite so well off, as
he ended up spread-eagled on the windscreen of the minibus. As we drove off
dented but unharmed,
peoples' justice, African style then prevailed when passers by pulled out
the bus driver and
proceed to beat him.
Most of the school reports for end of term are now with us,
and it is mostly encouraging. Peter
has done a very comprehensive list on his new 'toy' i.e. the computer, so
hopefully we may
get it on to the Web soon. I have been busy buying schoolbooks, stationery
etc for the start
of a new school year in January. Also I have been able to spend a lot of time
rewriting our
rules and responsibilities which have got outdated as we have grown to our
present 41
children.
Halfway House As we rented this house two days before I returned
to England we had not allowed
the boys to move in. The Committee had purchased some very nice furniture,
curtains, etc so we
were able to move the three boys in as soon as I arrived back in Kenya, much
to their delight. It
is in a secure area (for Kenyans) and is in a compound with six other houses,
one of them
belonging to the landlady so they have an extra eye kept on them. At Kanyawegi
we pay the rent
(46 pounds a month approx.) and the electricity. We have supplied them with
all the necessary pots and pans but they will have to buy everything else
with the four pound a week allowance we give them. The novelty of cooking
has not yet worn off, so they still enjoy everything - even the mistakes.
This was when Michael was cooking chapaties for supper and he got the mixture
wrong, ending up with 51 chapaties instead of 6!
Future Visitors are always very welcome at Kanyawegi. I know
the children will enjoy you,
and you will take something of the Kenyan children back with you. The children,
especially
the girls, are looking forward to Doreen visiting on the 25th of January to
stay with us until returning
with me to England on the 7th Feb.
Christmas. We intend having a similar Christmas as last year,
i.e. extra breakfast, kuku
(chicken) for lunch with chapati, pilou rice, ugali and liver, with a coca
cola of course. For
supper it will be cake and biscuits with another Coca-Cola and loads of sweets
all day long. All
the children had between £2.50 and £3.50 to spend for their Christmas
presents, which I won't
let them have until Christmas morning. Also I will be getting some small surprise
presents for
the day. This was all made possible by donations from England.
All of us here wish you a pleasant Christmas day and to let
you know all the children really do
remember you in their prayers. I personally pray that you know the presence
and peace of Jesus
this Christmas.
Regards
Jim.
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