Kanyawegi Childrens Home

JIM DAWE NEWSLETTER - JULY 2003

In this report - news of my visit to Kenya, new children at Kanyawegi, new children at "Food to Learn", swimming at Sunset Hotel, visitors from America, reports in the "Somerset Guardian", money raising by Jan and Paddy, my attempts at being David Bailey (the photographer, for the uninitiated), Terry as our new boss.

A new newsletter for a new look Kanyawegi, but not a new look me - despite people trying hard to change me.

First I would like to welcome our new sponsors, Richard, Ezme, Dave and Ann, and a ladies group from Bath, plus anyone I have missed.
The building work at the house I have near Bath is coming close to completion. It has been hard work, but I feel much fitter for it. I expect everything to be completed sometime in September.
My health has been good, with no more outbreaks of Malaria.

MY VISIT
I arrived at Kanyawegi on Sunday 29th June to a wonderful welcome from all the children - who did not know I was coming to Kenya. I was also able to do some organizing for the "Food To Learn" program, as well as spend time with Terry going over some minor problems. Although we are in constant touch by email and phone, it was so much better to sit together and talk things over. I stayed in Kenya for almost two weeks, spending time also in Eldoret and Nairobi, which was very enjoyable.
During my visit I was present when we admitted three more children. This is always a mixture of sadness and joy. Sadness that these children have had to suffer so much - and joy at knowing there is something we can do about it, and seeing the changes it brings about.

NEWSPAPER REPORTS
Kanyawegi had two recent reports in the Somerset Guardian. The first was when Jan raised one thousand pounds by swimming, slimming and tea parties, amongst other things. This report helped to raise awareness locally about the home, resulting in new sponsors - although I don't think Jan was too happy about being reported as my sister!
We had another report two weeks later when Paddy Hall (who heard about us through his sons at Farrington Gurney school) presented me with £526 he raised for Kanyawegi by running the London Marathon. I would like to personally thank anyone reading this newsletter who gave to these two loyal collectors, and to let you know the money will be used wisely AND ONLY for the children at Kanyawegi. No money given to Kanyawegi is ever used for administration, or any of my personal expenses or travel

SPECIAL THANKS
Thanks to all you regular sponsors, who have enabled us to care for so many children. Thanks also to Jan and Paddy for all their efforts to raise money for the home, and all of you that have given in so many ways (some anonymously), I hope that you all enjoy the success of Kanyawegi.
Please remember to let others know what we are doing in Kenya, as we have many children without sponsors - and room at Kanyawegi for still more from our ever-increasing waiting list
There is also help needed for Terry's street children's "Grace Homes"- which Terry runs completely separately from Kanyawegi, both in finances and children. If you prefer to make a gift to help street children, please mark it "Grace Homes" and this will be passed on to Terry to use for that purpose - otherwise any gift received will go automatically to Kanyawegi.

CHILDREN
We have four new children (we are now 70 in all - thanks to you all), Joseph, 16, Shadrack, about 12 or 14, Josephine, around 10, and Sheila, we think is 5. Joseph is at St Luke's secondary school, and the others are going to Kotetni primary school in standard 6, 3 and nursery.
Joseph is a very likable young man, who appears to be academic - and is very appreciative of everything he is given.
Shadrack, Josephine and Sheila, were all just left living together after their parents died. They were living in a mud hut that was falling down, with a very old lady - who could not move out of the hut; they all survived on handouts from equally poor neighbors.
Harun was very seriously sick with Malaria - he was taken to a private hospital after he went into a coma with cerebral Malaria. He is now back at school and doing well.
Irene is about to explore her way in independence, using the tailoring and business skills she has acquired, to open her own tailoring shop - which we will continue to monitor.
Margaret is continuing with her secretarial course in Kisumu town.
Kevin 1, was transferred to another trainer in town, as his original trainer was put into prison!
Beryl is still doing well at her training to be a tailor.
We are also very proud to report that Edris has been accepted at college to train as a clinical officer - from which we hope that he will go on to qualify as a doctor.
These children do not yet have sponsors;
Paul Odwour 18, Joseph Otieno17, Brian Nanyendo 14, Isiah Owour, Elisha Ezikiel 13,
Shadrack Omondi 13, Josephine Apiyo 10, Joseph (2) Otieno , Josiah Adero 8, Okello John Dicks 8, Jacob Omondi 7, Timon Okoth , Alphonse Elisha Ndiko 6 and Sheila Adhiambo 6

CHILDREN'S OUTING
The visit to Sunset Hotel swimming was a real treat. Although it did not compare with the trip by airplane to Nairobi in April, the children still appreciate these treats, whatever they are.
I am hoping that sometime we will be able to take them all on a coach trip to the rain forest in Kakamega, I know they would really enjoy that.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
We have heard that Lillian (who left us after completing her tailoring course) has got married to Dave (who I have not yet met). As they are both tailors, they have opened their own tailoring shop in Eldoret - a town about 75 miles away.

PHOTOS
With my new digital camera, there is no room for David Bailey and myself - so I think it is time for me to take over! It has been good learning the concept and uses of a digital camera, so anyone who would like to receive photos thru the email - please let me know which ones you would like, and I will send them. Each photo uses about 30k - so it should not block up your email.

STAFF
I am sorry to report that Rebecca (Mama Angeline) died in April after a long illness. Rebecca joined us at the very beginning in 1997 and served the children with love and faithfulness during her time at Kanyawegi. She became sick in September last year, during which time we continued to care and support her. She leaves a son and a daughter who are being cared for at another children's home in Kisumu. Rebecca was a loyal servant at Kanyawegi, and is greatly missed by children and staff.
Pendo, Rebecca's niece, who was helping out during her aunt's illness, has been taken on as a full time cook. Pendo, who is 22 years old, seems to have inherited her aunt's cooking skills - as everyone enjoys her creations with the cooking.

THE "NEW REGIME" AT KANYAWEGI
Now that Terry Newton has taken over as the boss at Kanyawegi, everything has settled down again, and the children seem to be much more free and at peace. Terry has continued in the same way, with the same principles of discipline, freedom and play that we felt were so important right from the beginning of Kanyawegi. Terry is also able to show the children the love that comes from being an English father (only just English, as he comes from Newcastle!).
Peter is enjoying his role as the home manager, and I know the children benefit from the compassion he has for them all.
We have put into place a new structure for finance, which should make things more transparent and accountable.
Terry is putting into place a new committee at Kanyawegi, which will report to the main Uhuru board.
This small committee will deal with the more day-to-day decisions, leaving the main board to deal with the bigger issues.

UHURU MINISTRIES
Terry's latest newsletter is available on request, which I think you would find interesting. Uhuru is the umbrella board for a community-feeding program, education support, and Grace Homes, as well as their new responsibility for Kanyawegi.
If you would like to receive his newsletter, please tell Terry or myself.

NEW PROJECTS
During my discussions with Terry, it became apparent that we have two fairly urgent projects when finance permits.
1, the repair of the river bank fencing
2, the need of a much larger septic tank (we are obviously giving the children too much to eat)

SERIOUSLY???
Sign in a café in Nairobi "No idle sitting by the management"
And in another "Customers who find our waitresses rude ought to see the manager"
And yet another one in Nairobi "Open seven days a week, and weekends too"
In a restroom of another, on the automatic hand dryer "Do not activate with wet hands"
Or in a maternity hospital - "no children allowed" - (thanks to C.T.)

VISITORS
Americans, Andrew, Melia, and their two sons Tanner and Konner spent three days at Kanyawegi during their month long visit to Kenya. They spent a lot of valuable time with the children, and gave some brilliant Bible lessons. I don't know who the children enjoyed most - Andrew and Melia, or playing with Tanner and Konner.
Andrew was kind enough to write how he felt during his visit to Kanyawegi, which I thought you would like to read.
This summer my family and I committed ourselves to traveling through Kenya to better understand the plight of children who are mired in poverty and who have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Our travels brought us to Kanyawegi home where we were fortunate enough to spend a few days. Our experience there was definitely one of the highlights of our month in Kenya, and we have nothing but good thoughts regarding this home.
Primarily, our impression of Kanyawegi was that it is a home, not an orphanage or a mere shelter, but a place where children are loved and allowed to be kids. In a context where there are so many orphans and many types of works that are trying to care for these orphans, Kanyawegi is a great example of how to love children. As in any good home, the sense of peace and joy was in the air, and our family immediately felt welcomed and at ease.
There are many brave and faithful workers at Kanyawegi, including Edward, Peter, Frida, and of course, Terry and Jim. These men and women impressed my wife and I as people to be followed and listened to, because they are the ones who have many things to teach the rest of us regarding trusting God and caring for people. Hebrews 11 lists a group of people who stood out because of their faith, and I believe that the leaders at Kanyawegi are such people. Not perfect, but willing to trust God even in circumstances that do not always make sense. Their reward is seeing these children grow up healthy, happy, well-fed and with loving adults around them. If you support Kanyawegi, I will tell you from first hand experience that your support is well placed.

Poverty in our world is a killer in many ways, and one of the primary things it kills is opportunity. It is really what all of us basically want, an opportunity to grow, to love, to eat, to explore the life that has been given us by God. Kanyawegi is a place where children are being given an opportunity to know God, to live life, and to be loved. My family and I were very blessed to be there, and we hope to return again.
Andrew, Melia, Tanner and Konner Paquin
The 10/10 Project, INC.

FOOD TO LEARN
This new program is now well established, helping 10 children so far to attend school. Although this is a small dent into the estimated one and a half million children who are unable to attend school because of poverty, I am greatly encouraged as it is only a few months old.
Food to Learn is operated completely separate from Kanyawegi by David Ochieng Omondi, who is the administrator in Kenya.
FTL only concerns itself with school, school uniform, textbooks, and lunch on school days. This opportunity to learn, will I hope, help them out of the poverty trap that affects so many Kenyans.
If you are interested in sponsoring a child (it costs six pounds fifty pence a month), or would like to know more, please contact me direct for more information.

PRAYER CORNER
Strength, wisdom and health for Terry, peace for his wife Thelma - who remains in England, wisdom for me - especially to know how much or little to be involved at Kanyawegi, continued prayer of protection for the children, staff and committee at Kanyawegi - especially against witchcraft.

OTHER NEEDS
Boys shorts and T-shirts, mobile phones (dead or alive) for our workshop, school shoes and trainers and more sponsors!

USEFUL (?) INFORMATION
My address Ekklesia, High Street, Paulton, Bristol, BS397NW
Email jimdawehome@hotmail.com
Kanyawegi address PO BOX 5101, Otonglo, Kisumu, Kenya
Telephone - 00254 57 22932, or mobile- 00254 733 396813
Email kanyawegi@hotmail.com
Web-site www.kanyawegichildren.com
Terry's email babajouk@yahoo.co.uk
Food To Learn (in Kenya) email daveochieng@hotmail.com

STOP PRESS
Our American visitors informed us during their stay about three children they said were even more desperate than the last three we took in. Peter went to investigate, and as their plight was SO appalling (it reduced Peter to tears), Kanyawegi has admitted them - so Kanyawegi now has a family of 73 children - praise God, and thank you all again for your support and prayers.

KIND REGARDS,

JIM DAWE

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