Plans are progressing for the trip to Kisima next March. There are several medical people who are interested in going so we hope to be able to hold a clinic not only for the children but for the people in the surrounding area as well. We also hope to build a swing set and possibly some other playground equipment. Most of us will work with the children in one way or another. Denise is going to be the musical director and plans not only to teach some songs but to form a kazoo band as well!

Easter weekend

Doesn't the school look nice with flower beds and new paint? Saturday was a special day there. The children were so happy to have a special porridge in the morning and meat and rice at lunch. In the afternoon they watched a DVD--a rare treat.

Thanks to funds from Shiloh United Methodist Church Martin was able to begin construction on the Class 6 classroom--but this is all the further he will get until more funds come in!

Moving day!

It was an exciting day at Kisima--the girls moved into their new dorm. The children had a very special time with balloons to play with, a DVD to watch, and special treats to eat. They watched the DVD (by the way, it was "Indian in the Cupboard") on Martin's computer. It was the first show they'd ever seen.

Finished!

Here it is--finished! The girls are so excited to move in on Saturday. It is named for Nancy Bryant. Many, many thanks to the Jerry Taylor-Nancy Bryant Foundation for the funding.

The girls are very excited!

The girls at Kisima are so excited! They will be moving into their new dormitory next Saturday, April 2. The building was made possible through the generosity of a grant from the Jerry Taylor and Nancy Bryant Foundation. The money for one dorm was given outright and a challenge matching grant was given for the other. We have several months to gather donations for the boys' dorm at which time the foundation will match what was donated. The boys are very envious of the girls' new quarters and looking forward to when their dorm will be built.

Finishing touches are being put on in the top photo. The second photo shows the dorm in relation to the two classroom blocks. The left side of the building is where the bathing rooms are. In the third photo you can see how the roof is designed to catch rain water. Martin will also run a pipe downhill from the well. Notice how dry it looks there. Everyone there thanks God that the drought is over--the rains came last week.

More progress

There were lots of nice donations at Christmas which enabled Martin to put the finishing touches on the preschool classroom, build four new latrines bringing the number up to the required one per 25 children, and buy many required items like textbooks, chairs, tables, and cooking pots. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the lives of the children better.

Yet another addition

Here is just-born Roger, born to Barb. The herd now numbers six--Barb with calf Roger, Alexis, Clarabelle, and Shiloh with calf Mission.

A new kid on the block

There's a new kid at Kisima and she's very cute.

Morning tea

First graders are enjoying their morning tea and milk.

It has been very dry at Kisima. The cows eat nappier grass and there is none to be had. Martin has had to buy feed in Kitale. The dry weather has also made it impossible to plow the fields. Everyone is praying for rain.

The second photo is of the new children at Kisima . The school year started with 20 new children making a total now of 161.

And one more makes five!

This fine-looking calf was born yesterday to the delight of all at Kisima.

One more cow makes four

Here's the new cow bought with funds from Shiloh United Methodist Church in Kokomo, Indiana. Heartfelt thanks to them! There are now four cows to provide protein, calcium, and other nutrients for the children.

New school year

The new school year starts this month. The fifth graders are happy to have new textbooks and a new classroom.