Kisima Academy

Christmas Day 2011 at Kisima

2012-01-27T10:00:00.000-08:00

From Martin: "Christmas Day was one of the best that we have ever had since Kisima began. Though it was sunny because it is summer here, the weather was good because the children were able to play outside and run all over making joyful noise. At least they were able to eat something just like the other children in their homes, indeed this added value to their life. In fact when January set in, they were all ready and set to begin learning with a lot to share with the other children. To their surprise, they learnt that they were able celebrate Christmas better than the other children bearing in mind that life standards have really gone up."

New stove

2011-12-31T16:19:00.000-08:00

The new kitchen has a new energy-saving stove! It uses much less wood than the traditional open flame seen in the back of the photo. Wood is scarce and expensive so the less they can use the better.

Alternative Gift Fair

2011-12-17T15:41:00.000-08:00

John Calvin Presbyterian Church sponsored an Alternative Gift Fair and Bonnie and Denise had a booth there for Kisima. Thanks to them and to the people who responded to the needs of the orphans and bought alternative gifts for their friends and relatives this Christmas.

Alternative Gifts 2011

2011-11-27T22:14:00.000-08:00

Please brighten the lives of the children and honor your friends and relatives this Christmas with gifts to Kisima Academy in their names. Much progress has been made but there are still many needs to be met. Your gift, no matter how small, will be a huge help. Please remember that 100% of your donation goes directly to Kisima and is tax deductible.
1. $10--School supplies for one child.
2. $13--Feed a child for one month. Kisima is able to produce much of its food but there are still items like fruit that have to be purchased.
3. $18—A flock of chickens. More chickens means more eggs for the children.
4. $25 for one month or $300 for a year—Sponsor a teacher. Click on "Sponsor an orphan program" at right to see photos of the teachers as well as of the orphans.
5. $35—400 bricks for building a new classroom. A new classroom must be built each year as the children advance in school.
6. $35—Textbooks for one child.
7. $40—10% of a cow. More cows are needed to provide enough milk for the children.
8. $50--Contribution toward playground equipment. Currently the only play equipment the children have are a few soccer balls and a few jump ropes.
9. $240/year—Sponsor a child. Many children have sponsors but there are 77 who are still waiting to hear that someone prays for and cares about them. Click on "Sponsor an orphan program" link at right to see photos.
10. Any amount toward other needs—tables, benches, bookshelves, chairs, school uniforms, sandals, toys, art supplies, first aid kits.
Please send your check to Bright Star Foundation, P.O. Box 6747, Kokomo IN 46904-6747 and specify that it is for Kisima Academy. Include a note with your email address and which gifts you would like to purchase. Thank you so much for being a blessing to the children at Kisima Academy.

Leisure time

2011-11-22T14:37:00.001-08:00

The Kisima children enjoy their leisure time. In these photos some of the girls are practicing singing and dancing and the boys are relaxing after a game of soccer. They would like to form a team and play other schools.

Lighting to come

2011-11-20T21:35:00.001-08:00

Great news--the Rotary Club of Vienna, Virginia, voted to award Kisima money for indoor and outdoor solar lighting. Thanks so much! We plan to take some of the components with us the next time we visit. It will be very nice for Kisima not to have to run the generator every evening for light. The school is too far from a village to have electric power.

Good harvest

2011-10-28T22:07:00.000-07:00

All at Kisima thank God for the bountiful maize harvest and good weather for the sunflowers, beans, and kale. The more that can be produced the less that has to be bought to feed the children. The aim is for Kisima to be as self-supporting as possible. In the last photo, a few girls have set up an improvised seesaw.

Maize harvested, kitchen finished

2011-10-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

The maize has been harvested and shelled. The stalks will be used for cow feed. The kitchen is finished! Now they just need a stove... A dining hall would be nice also...

New kitchen

2011-09-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

Here's the new kitchen. Check out the post from June 1 to see the old "kitchen." The cook, Eliud, is going to be so happy to be able to cook standing up instead of squatting over an open fire on a dirt floor. He'll also be very happy to be in a kitchen with a vent to let the smoke out and windows to let the light in.

2011-09-15T17:11:00.000-07:00

It's so good to see happy, smiling faces and to be reminded of where they would be without Kisima Academy. There's no provision for orphans in rural Kenya and many of these children were street children; others were living with relatives who often used them for free labor. None would have been able to go to school. At Kisima they are lovingly cared for and given a well-grounded Christian education that prepares them for a productive future.

Another tilapia pond

2011-09-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Bill and Debra Kirby of the Tilapia Project (see the link on the right) there is another pond to raise tilapia at Kisima. In the photo it has just been dug and filled--it will clear up in a few days. The fish are a wonderful source of protein for the children. We appreciate so much Bill and Debra's continued interest and support!

Maize and millet

2011-08-09T07:58:00.000-07:00

Kisima is blessed by being in a fertile area of Kenya unlike the north which borders on Ethiopia and the east which borders on Somalia. It's in the far west, not far from the Ugandan border. So far this year the rains have been good and the maize fields should produce a good crop. Kisima owns one acre and leases two acres to grow maize which is a staple food for Kenyans along with beans. For most lunches and dinners they eat githeri, a mixture of maize and beans. Usually some kale is added. The three acres should be enough to feed the children for about half the year. Eventually more acreage is needed but the current priority is for a new kitchen (see photo from June 1). The present kitchen, an old mud structure, is collapsing from all the rain a couple of months ago. A new one is badly needed.

Martin also grows millet for the children's breakfast porridge and that crop was just harvested last week.

Good job!

2011-07-24T19:09:00.001-07:00

Kisima Academy was ranked the best school in the area for conserving the environment by the National Environment Management Authority. Congratulations!

Crops are doing well

2011-07-15T12:50:00.000-07:00

Things are going well at Kisima Academy. The children are happy, healthy, progressing in school, and enjoying their new dormitories; the millet (pictured), maize, and kale are all growing well; and Sue the goat had a cute new kid. Now if they only could get a new kitchen built...

Moving day photos

2011-06-19T17:11:00.000-07:00

Happy boys in their new dorm.

More good news and bad news

2011-06-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

The good news is that the boys' dorm and the sixth grade classroom are almost finished. The boys are very excited to move into their new quarters on June 18. They'll be so happy to be out of the old mud classroom! The bad news is that the kitchen, which is still in an old mud building, is collapsing with all the rain they've had recently. A new one is needed urgently. Can you help?

2011-05-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-25T18:59:00.000-07:00

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.

2011-04-12T22:38:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-04-02T18:29:00.001-07:00

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!

2011-03-28T17:19:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-03-27T07:28:00.000-07:00

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

2011-02-26T05:37:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-26T05:27:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-16T19:11:00.000-08:00

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

Morning tea

2011-02-05T15:59:00.000-08:00

First graders are enjoying their morning tea and milk.

2011-01-30T18:25:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-01-17T15:49:00.000-08:00

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

One more cow makes four

2011-01-13T16:06:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-10T15:56:00.000-08:00

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

Kisima celebrates Christmas

2010-12-28T08:25:00.000-08:00

From Martin:
"The time has come, the time is now, and Kisima Academy is joining the rest of the world to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Kisima children, staff, and my family joined hands together to remember a wonderful moment as it occurs on December 25th every year: Jesus born and crucified because of our sins so that we are saved.
The sermon was presented by Madam Margaret from the book of Luke 2:11-20. The teaching touched the hearts of the children and they counted the blessings from God through our friends from the United States of America. Their lives have changed drastically and we glorify Our Lord. They are able to feed, being taught how to farm and carry out the necessary procedures leading to successful yields. These skills will be advantageous for them when they grow up and after completing their education. As many families travel to various picnic places to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Kisima children move around the school compound and praise the Lord for providing the necessities to them, that is, permanent shelter, clothes, food, and education.
We thank God for making for making, maintaining, uplifting, and sustaining Kisima to the required standards. This becomes practical because of the hearts that God has touched on the behalf of Kisima. I take this chance to appreciate all the prayers, donations, and all the support from our friends, well-wishers, and sponsors for sharing the little they have with the Kisima children. May our Lord God reward them in a mighty way as they continue standing together with Kisima. God bless."

Photo of school

2010-12-19T15:30:00.000-08:00

Here is a photo of the school from across the road.

The first four classrooms are on the left, the old mud classrooms are in the middle, and the two new classrooms are on the right. The small building in front of the new classrooms is the kitchen. The cow shelter and chicken coop are on the other side of the school buildings.

Preschool classroom finished (almost)

2010-12-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

The preschool classroom is finished except for the door, windows, and floor which will be installed with the next wire transfer. Such a blessing to be able to finish two classrooms this year!

Alternative Gifts

2010-12-03T19:17:00.000-08:00

Please brighten the lives of the children and honor your friends and relatives this Christmas with a gift to Kisima Academy in their name. A lot of progress has been made but there are still many needs to be met. Your gift, no matter how small, will be a huge help. Please remember that 100% of your donation goes directly to Kisima and is tax deductible.
1. $10--School supplies for one child.
2. $13--Feed a child for one month. Kisima is able to produce much of its food but there are still items that have to be purchased—for example fruit, millet for porridge, and vegetable oil.
3. $18—A flock of chickens. Currently there are only enough chickens for each child to have an egg every two weeks.
4. $25 for one month or $300 for a year—Sponsor a teacher. So far only two of the teachers have sponsors. Click on "Sponsor an orphan program" at right to see photos of the teachers as well as of the orphans.
5. $35—400 bricks for building a new classroom. A new classroom must be built each year as the children advance in school.
6. $35—Textbooks for one child.
7. $40—10% of a cow. More cows are needed to provide enough milk for the children.
8. $115—A bunk bed plus bedding. Martin has been buying two or three bunk beds at a time as funds have allowed but still many of the children are sleeping on the floor.
9. $240/year—Sponsor a child. A few children have sponsors but there are 92 who are still waiting to hear that someone prays for and cares about them. Click on "Sponsor an orphan program" link at right to see photos.
10. Any amount toward other needs—tables, chairs, bookshelves, cooking pots, school uniforms, sandals, toys, art supplies, seeds, fertilizer, two more latrines, two dormitories, two more tilapia ponds.

Please send your check to Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 260 Wade Rd. W., Loudon TN 37774. Include a note with your email address and which gifts you would like to purchase. Thank you so much.

Maize shelled

2010-11-21T17:13:00.000-08:00

Martin bought tents in order to dry the maize more easily. He shelled it yesterday and got 41 90-kg. bags. This amount of maize will feed the children for five and a half months. After the drought last year and the election violence the year before this harvest is a blessing.

Preschool classroom started

2010-11-17T22:33:00.000-08:00

The foundation for the preschool class has been started. Martin has also ordered more bunk beds. The old sign was getting rather shabby so Martin had a new one painted. You might wonder why there are water faucets on the sign. Kisima means "well" in Swahili. Before Kisima's well was dug they had to walk about a mile to a spring for their water. The spring was the only safe water source for about a 1.5-mile radius. We don't stop and realize how fortunate we are to have ready water at the turn of a tap.

2010-11-08T22:17:00.000-08:00

I hadn't heard from Martin for some time. Today I got an email saying that the generator is broken. Without the generator he can't charge his computer. Tomorrow he's going into Kitale which is 17 miles away. To get there he calls for a motorcycle to take him to the main road where he catches a bus into town. A broken generator also means no lights at night. Hopefully it will be fixed soon.

A sports day

2010-10-04T17:24:00.000-07:00

On Saturday the children got to go to a nearby public school playground to play volleyball, netball, and soccer. Hopefully they'll have this opportunity often. At Kisima all they have is a couple of soccer balls (but no field or goals) and a few jump ropes.

In the other photo the children are entranced by photos from around the world.

Eight bunk beds

2010-09-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

Kisima now has eight bunk beds, four for the girls and four for the boys. The children who get to sleep in them feel very lucky indeed.

excerpt from Martin's latest letter

2010-09-08T18:20:00.000-07:00

"We have got eight double beds in total at the School. The children are very happy than before. The dormitories are neat and attractive. We pray and believe that God will inspire the souls of many friends and well wishers to support Kisima children with more beds. At least the children have something to smile than before, even though they stay in a mud, un-cemented floor but we thank God for how far He has brought us. Remember any item or gift to the Kisima is a blessings to the children."
Martin also reported that the maize is drying nicely, the kale and arrowroot are growing, the tilapia doing well, and one of the cows is pregnant. I am so thankful that everything is doing so well after last year's drought and the election violence of 2008. The more money that has to go for food the less money is available for everything else from building supplies to books.

2010-08-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

Fifth classroom finished

2010-08-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

The fifth classroom is completely finished and is being used by the preschool class until January when it will be needed for Class 5. Then the preschoolers will have to go back to their old mud classroom until funds become available to build a classroom for them. Currently Kisima has PreK through Class 4. Another class will be added each January as the children progress.
The other buildings that are badly needed are dormitories. Currently 35 girls sleep in the second old mud classroom and 40 boys sleep in the third. The rest of the orphans must sleep at the homes of distant relatives although they are at school from breakfast to dinner.

Another cow

2010-08-03T17:30:00.000-07:00

Here's the third cow. Shiloh sent the money for this cow and another one yet to be purchased. Many thanks to them! Four cows should be able to provide enough milk for the children.

Fifth classroom almost finished

2010-07-26T19:53:00.000-07:00

Quick work! The fifth classroom is almost finished.

Fifth classroom started

2010-07-17T06:22:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the generosity of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church and many friends enough money was wired to build the fifth classroom as well as provide for the children and pay the staff until the next wire transfer in November. Heartfelt thanks on behalf of Martin and the children.

New beds and mattresses

2010-07-06T16:57:00.000-07:00

The children are excited to get more mattresses (all the children have them now) and a couple of new beds. Progress!

Sponsors anyone?

2010-06-19T04:56:00.000-07:00

There are still only 11 sponsors which leaves a lot of children and teachers in need. Can you help by sponsoring a child for $20/month or a teacher for $25? Click on the link at the right for photos of the children. Your tax deductible check may be sent to Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 260 Wade Rd. W., Loudon TN 37774. Remember that 100% of donations goes directly to Kisima--there are no administrative costs. Please email me at gerdafink@gmail.com with questions. Thank you.

Fish!

2010-06-17T17:04:00.001-07:00

Exciting news about the tilapia project--Martin made the first big harvest. There was enough not only for the children to eat but to sell about $190 worth--enough to buy two more beds. Here the preschool class is eating ugali with the fish. Ugali is maize flour and water cooked down to a consistency like stiff mashed potatoes.

Some good news and some bad news

2010-06-15T14:56:00.000-07:00

I was getting worried because I hadn't heard from Martin for 10 days. It turns out that his older son was in the hospital for a week with malaria. His younger son was ill also but they believe it was typhoid. What a worry for Martin and Margaret. Martin's mother sold a heifer to pay the hospital bill. Thankfully both boys are now recovering.
In better news Martin was able to acquire the acre of land adjoining the school thanks to Shiloh Methodist Church. Kisima really needed the additional land to build more classrooms and a dormitory and for the cows and goats to graze.
Speaking of goats one of them delivered twin kids last week. Martin said that he would like to acquire more goats because they reproduce twice per year and and they require less care than cows. A Christ Our Savior member donated the money for another goat bringing the goat count to six.

The first bed!

2010-06-05T12:57:00.000-07:00

The children were very excited by the delivery of a bunk bed. Hopefully many more will follow if funds are available. Currently the children all sleep on the dirt floor.

Smiling faces

Thanks to Shiloh

2010-06-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

Many, many thanks to Shiloh United Methodist Church in Kokomo, Indiana, and to Bill Kring for sending the funds to purchase the acre of land adjacent to the school. This will ensure that Kisima has room to grow. The money they sent will also enable Martin to lease the fields where the maize is grown for five more years and to purchase two more cows, more mattresses, and a month's worth of food. Kisima is indeed blessed to have such wonderful friends.

Irrigation pump

2010-05-30T17:02:00.000-07:00

Martin was able to buy a pump to irrigate the fields near the river thanks to the Rotary Club of Vienna VA. Last year there was a severe drought in Kenya and the harvest was poor. This year at least those fields will be protected. Many thanks to the Rotary!

A few sponsors

2010-05-28T16:11:00.000-07:00

Eleven people have become sponsors so far. Thank you to them! It's a start but there's a long way to go. You might think that most of the orphans were AIDS orphans. However, there are more than twice as many orphans from election violence/tribal clashes as there are from AIDS. In the 2008 election violence what frequently happened was that people who lived in an area of conflict brought their children and animals to a safer area. When they went back to safeguard their property they were killed.

Sponsor Program

2010-05-13T19:41:00.000-07:00

Please help by sponsoring an orphan for $20/month or a teacher for $25. It would be a wonderful thing to do for grandchildren or children--a great gift to open a window on a world where the children have never seen a t.v. or a computer game, sit four to a crude wooden desk for their lessons, and sleep 40 to a room on dirt floors. Please remember that Martin has no source of money other than what I'm able to raise with the help of friends and that 100% of donations go to Kisima.
If you are unable to sponsor a child perhaps you would consider a one-time donation. Tax deductible donations may be sent to:
Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church
260 Wade Rd. W.
Loudon TN 37774
Please indicate on the check that it is for Kisima.

(click on the photo)

Spring project

2010-05-12T19:14:00.000-07:00

While I was at Kisima, Martin and I met with the village elder and some of the members of the community. The community spring on the village elder's property and near Martin's house is the only water source for people living within a 1-mile radius. Martin presented a plan to the community to improve the spring by lining it with bricks. He asked people to collect bricks, gravel, and sand and said that he would be responsible for providing the cement.

Kisima visit April 2010

2010-05-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

Here's an online photo album of the visit...
(click on the photo)

Back home from visit to Kisima

2010-05-01T09:52:00.000-07:00

Barb, our long-time friend and former back door neighbor, and I are home from our visit to Kenya, We had a great time and a very rewarding and productive visit to Kisima. Here the children are performing a wonderful welcome dance for us and for Bill Kring, Pat Boe, John Andirah, and Lilian who had come to visit Kisima for a day.
We toured the area, including the maize fields and the tilapia ponds which are near Martin's house. This was taken near his house looking across the river to Kisima which you can just see in the background.

We visited the classrooms where the children stood up and greeted us in unison...

and witnessed the kids' joy in having new textbooks. Here it's the Class 1 children. Class 4 also got some new textbooks.

It's amazing how much fun kids can

have with just a beach ball or a

jump rope.

Here we're saying good-bye. It was sad to say good-bye to such happy, lively children. They're such a contrast to the downcast, listless children we saw while driving along the roads. Seeing them reinforced the conviction that Martin and his wife, Margaret, are such a blessing to these 140 children. Because of them they have a chance at a future.

Emmanuel Nyongesa buried

2010-04-04T18:59:00.000-07:00

Emmanuel Nyongesa died of sickle cell anemia. Together with the local assistant chief Martin was able to trace his grandfather--so at least whatever members of his family there are know about his death.
In better news, the vegetables are doing very well, the maize has germinated, the chicken structure is nearly finished, and Martin is planning the goat structure. Kisima is becoming a real farm with the capability of feeding the children a varied and healthy diet.

Good news and bad news

2010-03-29T17:49:00.001-07:00

Very sad news. Martin wrote today that Emmanuel Nyongesa, the little boy who was abandoned at Kisima in the middle of the night, has died. I'm grateful that he was well taken care of and happy for the last few months of his short life.
In very good news, two friends of Barb's donated a goat each. They will be named Cindy and Jeannette after their donors. Wonderful friends!

Two weeks to go!

2010-03-25T18:04:00.000-07:00

We're making final preparations and getting very excited about our trip. Just a little over two weeks to go! We're looking forward to being able to assess Kisima's needs and work with Martin to make plans for the future. We will be taking lots and lots of photos including one of each child with the aim of getting sponsors.
Great news--Kisima will have two more cows and money toward food and land thanks to Shiloh United Methodist's Endowment Fund. Many, many thanks to them. Likewise many, many thanks to Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church for their donation. Kisima has indeed been blessed.

Rotary grant

2010-03-12T17:33:00.000-08:00

The Rotary Club of Vienna, Virginia, gave Kisima a $1000 grant for building supplies or farming equipment. Many, many thanks to them. On the left is Dr. Joe Pace, who submitted the application, and on the right is Jim Marshall, President of the club.

39 new children

2010-02-09T18:59:00.000-08:00

In walking around the village Martin encountered a number of very small children in desperate need of care. Nine of them are orphans living with distant relatives who have little interest in them. Thirteen are children of unemployed single mothers who get up very early to look for daily work on farms. The children were left alone all day with nothing to eat until evening. The other 17 were from desperately poor families. All were ragged, hungry, and downcast. Martin has such a compassionate heart for these unfortunate children that he felt compelled to talk to their guardians and parents about having them coming to Kisima during the day. Now they are being cared for and fed. They are all in the preschool class which is being held in one of the old mud classrooms.

Alexis the cow, new mattresses, etc.

2010-01-28T19:45:00.000-08:00

The new classroom and storeroom were finished with donated bricks.

Children are overjoyed to get mattresses.

Alexis the cow joins Barb the cow--and soon there will be a third. The children are very excited at the prospect of a calf. Martin will buy the chickens as soon as he has built some pens. The children and staff are all grateful for the alternative gifts of food, school supplies, teacher support, and bricks in addition to the chickens and cow. Thank you to everyone who contributed!

Christmas at Kisima

2010-01-13T07:02:00.000-08:00

Here is Martin's report of Christmas at Kisima:

"Our Christmas was very nice as we had a humble time with the children; we took the morning breakfast of different taste that is millet porridge with milk and some sugar added in it. We had the several plays, showing the birth of Jesus Christ. The sermon was given by Teacher Margaret. We had a pleasure to visit our fish ponds, whereby the children were so excited to see the fish feeding and hiding when they see any movement of a human body. After some time we went back to our school, where we had lunch that is ugali served with a piece of meat and kales (sukuma wiki). After lunch we had enough moment for story telling up to 4pm when the children went to the field to play. They had to take shower then after they took their super Rice and cabbages."

Normally wire transfers go to Kisima in March, July, and November. However, Kisima was blessed with enough money from the Alternative Gift campaign and several significant donations to warrant an additional transfer. Martin will be able to finish the much-needed fourth classroom as well as buy another cow, chickens, more mattresses, food, school supplies... What a difference all this will make to the lives of the children!

Alternative Gift Campaign yields results

2010-01-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

I hadn't heard from Martin for two weeks and was becoming concerned. It turns out that there had been a public transport strike that had prevented him from going the 17 miles to Kitale to use the Internet cafe. However, all is well there. He is very happy that the alternative gift campaign yielded a month's food for 10 children, school supplies for five children, 15 months of support for a teacher, 11 mattresses, a year's rental of one acre of land, 2400 bricks, 20% of a cow, and a LOT of chickens. Also, some "whatever is needed" money. Thank you to everyone who participated and especially to Denise who came up with the idea and did most of the work.
Several other donations will allow Martin to finish the fourth classroom, secure more land rental and buy fertilizer, and buy the other 80% of the cow (thanks, Alexis!).

Trip dates set!

2009-12-31T14:21:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time in coming but the dates for the trip to Kisima are finally set for April 12-27. So far there are three of us who are definitely going and a couple of other "maybes." We'll be in Kisima part of the time and in Nairobi part of the time. Be assured that everyone who is going will be paying all of their expenses themselves. All donations to Kisima go directly to Kisima.

Progress!

2009-12-06T21:26:00.000-08:00

The fourth brick classroom is about halfway done. Finishing it will have to wait until more money is available.

The second set of latrines is almost finished. There is also a bath room being built.

Children are overjoyed with new 4th grade textbooks.

Alternative Gift Opportunity

2009-12-03T16:52:00.000-08:00

If you're lookg for a meaningful gift for those who seem to "have everything," please consider giving a donation in their honor to Kisima Academy. Even in these uncertain economic times we have many blessings for which to thank God. We take much for granted, often overlooking that in other parts of the world education is not free for students nor are there established programs for orphans. Without Kismia Academy 101 of God's children would be left to fend for themselves.
Honoring your friends through a donation to Kisima is quite simple. Just pick and item or items from the following gift list, such as school supplies, a cow, or chickens. Mail a check to Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church http://www.coslc.ctsmemberconnect.net/ , 260 Wade Rd. W., Loudon TN 37774 along with a note giving your name, email address, and the gift item(s) you have chosen. A Gift Insert which will describe the project but not the amount of the donation will be emailed to you to download, print, and enclose in your personal greeting card.
Please keep in mind that Kisima Academy will receive 100% of your donation. Unlike most established charities, there are no administrative or fundraising costs.
Gift List:
1. School supplies for one child. Kisima is a registered school and the children take yearly national exams. Your donation will help give a child an education. $10
2. Feed a child for a month. Because of the drought this year food will be increasingly expensive in the coming months. Your donation will ensure a month's nutritious food for a child. $13
3. Support one teacher for a month. Your donation will help employ a dedicated and compassionate teacher who will make a difference in the lives of the children $18
4. Buy 400 bricks for a new classroom. Two new classrooms are needed for the upcoming school year. Your donation will make progress toward this goal. $26
5. Buy 10% of a cow. Three more cows are needed to ensure that the children have an adequate source of calcium and protein. $40
6. Rent one acre of land for one year. Kisima is looking for a hand up, not a handout. Two acres of land are needed to grow enough maize to feed the children. Until funds are available to purchase the land they must continue to rent acreage. $108
7. A mattress for one child. A few of the children have the luxury of sleeping on a mattress. The rest must sleep on empty feed sacks on the floor. More mattresses are urgently needed. $9
8. A flock of chickens. Chickens will provide not only eggs and meat for the children but also food for the tilapia growing in the new fish ponds. $18
9. Other urgent needs. Choose the amount of your donation. Kisima has many, many needs. A donation in this category will go toward items such as bookshelves, tables, a water pump for irrigation, or a plow.
Although much has been accomplished at Kisima Academy, there is still much, much more to be done. With the grace of God and your help the children will not only be cared for and educated but also given a chance at a future. Thank you.

Fish ponds finished and new classroom started

2009-11-20T16:05:00.000-08:00

Tilapia ponds being dug

A start on a new classroom

The tilapia ponds are finished and being filled. Thanks to Bill and Debra Kirby and their friends and church members the children at Kisima will have a high quality source of protein.

Wire transfer

2009-11-06T19:24:00.000-08:00

Wire transfers go to Kisima three times a year--in March, July, and November. November's was sent yesterday. It's wonderful that Bill Kirby raised $1000--enough money to start the tilapia pond project. Also a truly wonderful friend of mine in Vero Beach sent $1000 and I sent over $1800 that I made making and selling mittens (and at least $550 more is coming). Together with the regular donations from us and from a couple at church it should at least keep the children fed until March. Praise be to God!

Martin and the children

2009-10-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

I love this photo of Martin and some of the children.

Sukuma wiki

2009-09-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

Jessica and Gloria are picking kale (sukuma wiki). The food crisis is worsening. Last year the food crisis was caused by the election violence, this year by drought. However, Martin reports that there has been rain lately. In fact a storm flattened about a third of the remaining maize.
In other news, Rebecca and Emmanuel took ill and had to be transported to the medical center in the middle of the night. Thankfully they are back home and improving.
I am also thankful that the fish ponds are closer to becoming a reality. Hopefully enough funds will come in to start work on the ponds in a couple of months.

Fish pond update and fundraising project

2009-09-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

There's been a hitch in the fish pond plans. They will cost more than originally thought and so will be postponed until more money can be raised. If you've been thinking of donating some money this would be a good time!

Here's what I'm doing currently to raise money--making mittens out of felted old sweaters. They're lined with fleece and are really warm. Great for winter walking!

Classroom finished and fish ponds coming!

2009-08-22T05:25:00.000-07:00

Martin sent photos of the third classroom which is now finished. He reported that the drought has damaged some of the maize crop but that the vegetables are growing well thanks to buckets and buckets of water hauled to the plot.

I was so excited to hear from Bill Kirby, an aquatic biologist in Texas who has been working with Martin to plan a tilapia farming project. Bill has raised enough money to have two 20'x40' ponds dug in the half acre plot near the river and also to buy piping and nets. Tilapia are native to Kenya and are quite easy to grow. How wonderful that the children will have such a good protein source!

Emmanuel Nyongesa

2009-08-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

At 5 a.m. one morning last week the night watchman heard an abandoned child crying that he was hungry. He appears to be about 4 years old and his name is Emmanuel Nyongesa. He was suffering from malnutrition and Martin also thinks that he may have had polio. His health is improving with regular meals at Kisima.

Construction

2009-07-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

Hopefully Martin will be able to finish the third classroom with the last money that was sent. Good progress but still a long way to go!

Construction materials being unloaded...

Kisima growing

2009-07-05T04:52:00.000-07:00

There are more children at Kisima--now 101, most of whom are still sleeping in three rented rooms. A dormitory seems a long way in the future. A more immediate need is for an additional latrine. Currently there is only one, with a boys' side and a girls' side but Martin has started construction on a second one. Real bathrooms are badly needed as well.

Otherwise the children are well and happy and the garden and crops are growing well. This week a wire transfer of funds will be sent including money from our church (Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Loudon TN) garage sale as well as donations from several church members, some of my wonderful friends, and a local doctor who grew up in Kenya. In addition to feeding the children hopefully significant progress can be made on the new classroom. Another exciting prospect is the possibility of starting a small tilapia farming program. More on that later.

Garden plans

2009-06-06T19:59:00.000-07:00

Martin has rented some land for a garden. Here is what he plans:

"...there is ½ an acre of ground near the river which we want to plant vegetables on. I think of purchasing a manual pump for irrigation. We shall put the seeds in nursery in July, transplanting will be done on August, where by we will need some fertilizer for the best results. These will be a big relief for the children on the side of vegetables that is self reliant.In the school compound, we are going to put seeds in nursery, this Month. We shall have four nurseries two for standard 3 & 2 who will plant cabbages, two for standard one and kindergarden who will plant kales (Sukuma-wiki) we just want to make them proud that they are owning something and start developing positive attitude in farming."

I love it that the children will be involved--a good experience for them and great to have the added nutrition.

Hail damage

2009-05-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

Martin writes that the maize crop sustained substantial damage during a recent hailstorm but that it was recovering slowly. Hopefully the harvest will still be a good one. In much better news, a wonderful friend from Kokomo wired money to install a water tank, rent two acres of land to plant, and finish the shelter for Barb the cow. Martin will have enough money left over to start the foundation for another classroom. Progress!

Maize is growing well

2009-05-04T17:14:00.000-07:00

Martin reports that the maize is growing well and that they are finished weeding. Also:

"I assigned some people to dig a latrine and they are through. The soil from the latrine has been transferred to in between a mud classroom and a cow shade. I have made in a such way that it appears like a hill, I have planted grass on it and I hope the children will enjoy relaxing there.

Garden - we need to restrict our cow to a certain position. If we can have a wire mesh of about 28 meters long it will be very useful. From there I suggest we plant sukuma wiki, cabbages, carrots and tomatoes on our Garden."

It's so nice that the children will be having vegetables in their diet.
In more good news, the Social Concerns committee at church voted to donate $1000 from our recent garage sale to Kisima. Martin and the children will be very grateful.

Food prices escalate further

2009-04-15T18:09:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought we could relax a little I hear from Martin that food prices have escalated further. It's now costing more than $1200 per month to feed the children. He writes:

"The food situations is worse in the whole country... We have never experienced such situation since 1992. We people in rural area are much affected because we depend on maize so much unlike people in towns whereby they can get rice and other food stuffs in the supermarkets and open markets.''

I hope and pray that things will go back to normal with this year's crops. Planting has started:

"The rain started last week and we are busy in the farm. Previously I used to plant maize in one acre at home and rent ½ an acre totally to 11/2 acres. But due to economy situation, this year I was unable to rent ½ an acre. Instead I planted ¾ of an acre while ¼ of a acre I planted nappier grass for the cow.I planted tree seedlings and grass in the school compound."

New photos

2009-04-04T18:40:00.001-07:00

Water on demand! The well is finished and a pump installed
thanks to Shiloh's Endowment Fund.

The new bicycle will make it easier to transport food, feed for

the cow, etc. I think the man pictured painted the "Kisima" sign.

The completed classrooms thanks to Shiloh's Endowment Fund

A few of the children with their new blankets

Donations!

2009-03-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

Kisima has been blessed with some wonderful support recently. Most significantly the Endowment Fund at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Kokomo, Indiana, sent a large donation. Also I was able to send money from several of my wonderful friends, from our church (Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church), and from my wonderful bunco group! Thanks to all this support, the two new classrooms will be finished (roofs, windows, and doors), the well made deeper and lined with brick, blankets and mosquito nets bought for the children, and food and operating costs covered until the new crops come in in November.

Thank you so much to everyone who made this possible. What a difference in the lives of these forgotten children!

Just one year ago Kisima consisted of three mud classrooms, a rickety latrine, and no water source. They've come a long way but there's still a long way to go. Kisima now has 98 children, 81 of whom are orphans who are housed in three rented rooms. They sleep on empty sacks on the floor. The greatest needs now are for another latrine and two more classrooms to be used as a dormitory. Oh, and a shelter finished for Barb the cow!

Martin writes: "...I am now having a deep sleep because we are completing roofing, doors and window frames. The children...will be comfortable during rain season.Oh! let God bless you and all friends who responded positively towards assisting the orphans at Kisima."

"...You have changed Kisima significantly. I take this opportunity to thank and appreciate the Christ Our Savior church and friends for supporting Kisima orphans.How we pray that God reward all church members and friends as they continue to support Kisima."

Newspaper article

2009-02-27T16:14:00.000-08:00

The local newspaper did quite a nice article (just the first part is pictured here) on two of us here in the neighborhood who help support schools in Kenya. Then today I got a phone call from a man who said he had been given $100 for Christmas to give to African orphans. He didn't know where he could donate the money until he read the article. Thankfully Kisima was just the place he was looking for!

Photos

2009-02-18T16:55:00.000-08:00

The new classrooms--just lacking roofs...windows...doors...

The new cow named Barb!

A cow...

2009-02-11T16:57:00.000-08:00

February 11, 2009 update

The biggest news at Kisima is that they have a cow thanks to Shiloh United Methodist Church in Kokomo, Indiana. Here's what Martin writes about it:

"...For sure I am very grateful for this wonderful thing you’ve done for the Kisima children who you will see watching their cow and its feeds when the photo is ready. I just lack the words to express my sincere thanks and appreciations on behalf of Kisima but tell the Shiloh united Methodist children that they did a wonderful thing and may God bless you all as you continue standing with us.
My prayer is that God gives you great people the desire to come and see our beloved cow which the children named it Barb on arrival because I told them where it came from..."

He goes on to say that fencing is needed to prevent "interference from neighborhood animals."

Another wonderful friend in Kokomo sent Martin enough money to feed the children through March--fantastic! Martin and the children are so grateful!

Introduction by Gerda, first letter from Brother Martin

2009-01-26T16:44:00.000-08:00

Kisima Academy
Kitale, Kenya

Two years ago I went with a group to volunteer at a school in a slum in Nairobi, Kenya. There I met a man who has started and runs a school for 83 orphans in rural western Kenya. The school consisted of three mud classrooms and a small kitchen. Children sat on the floor for their lessons and had no water source. Martin farms in order to support the school but can only make enough to support it for three months of the year. Last spring I began sending him some money each month and in the fall our church and some friends contributed additional funds. He has been able to buy desks, build a brick latrine, have a well dug, and begin construction on two new brick classrooms as well as buy food for the children. Much still needs to be done but right now the most critical need is for food. Because of the election violence last year and bad weather the price of foodstuffs has doubled. Excerpts from Martin's letters follow. Gerda Fink

June 16, 2008

I greet you in the name of our lord, pass the same to your beloved husband. I am scanning the photos to show you how we used your sincere donation. We bought the desks which you can see the children sitting on comfortably. Even though they were not enough as the others are still sitting on the floor but the difference can be felt.
May God uplift you and the family at large as you continue helping these orphaned children.

July 9, 2008

...The school is about 450km from Nairobi. The school is situated is western province, western part of the country, on the slopes of Mt, Elgon, Bungoma district. The nearest town is Kitale which is about 30 Km away. The school has got 3 classrooms and a small kitchen all made of mud.83 children, 4 teachers, I night watchman. The large number of children are orphans whereby their parents died because of Aids, natural death, while few are from very poor family...

August 1, 2008
…The Kisima children are doing well, they are very happy, proud of you and seriously praying that God shields you and the family. They told me insisting that you have actually saved them from health problems, the situations was horrible but God touched you and did a wonderful thing.
These are some factors which made me to start a school in the rural place:-
It’s very safe security wise
Some food stuffs are cheaper price compared to those in the city.
There’s enough space for expansion
Above all to reduce the number of children who move from rural to town to get the necessary services like education...

Work progressing on the new latrine

September 23, 2008

…We are in terrible situation now, the children do not have food, yet prices have gone up and the situation will continue up to November when the maize will be ready, but so please still we are not expecting much because of bad weather. Sister I beg for your assistance, surely the children are suffering but we are looking forward to see what God will do for them. The burden of food, teacher’s salaries, watchman and the cook is really becoming unbearable due to the problems that were caused by the post-election violence…

The finished latrine

September 29, 2008

What I think can help this school is as follows;
1. we buy one acre of land costing ksh 320,000/=
2. we buy three dairy cows (exotic) each costing ksh 30,000/= total ksh 90,000/=
3. we buy nappier grass cutter machine costing ksh 35,000/=
- the land will be used for planting nappier grass and keeping the cows
- each cow can give almost 15 litres of milk per day
- we can use some for children’s consumption at school and we sell the remaining for example if we sell 10 liters at ksh 25/= per litre we will get 250 per day and ksh 7,500/= per month., Subtract ksh 2500/= for feeds we remain with ksh 5,000 times three cows = ksh 15,000/= it will be a big boost…

October 30, 2008

... The kisima children are very happy and much thankfull to what you have done to them. We only lacked a photographer, you could have seen how joy they were during lunch hour. It was anew begin in their life after going through tough moment i.e short of food...

November 21, 2008

...Sincerely speaking your great and wonderful work is now being manifested in Kisima. I am very happy and grateful for your noble and never felt support though the happiest group is the Kisima children. Steadily they are noting great changes in their lives. They have now started feeling like other children in well up families. This is because of receiving your funds. I bought them two balls and ropes for skipping so they are no longer idle but very active during physical education lessons, break time, lunch and games. This is going to keep them physically fit.
Apart from that, I also found it necessary to dig a borehole because we have been fetching water for school use from far, so very soon, we are going to have humble time no water problems because I am planning to cement/plaster the borehole right from the bottom to avoid muddy water.
Just as I had informed you that we need at least two classes by January, I decided to start building two classes using bricks, sand, ballast and cement .So the borehole water is also going to help us a great deal by providing water for construction purposes. The children also are very happy on seeing that they are going to learn from permanents classes just like the pit latrine though I know that the cost is higher than what I have at the moment but I know that God is in control and with him, all things are possible...
.

The new well

Footings for the new classrooms

Progress on the new classrooms

December 19, 2008

…since we are are looking forward for std four next year, we are also having the burden of desks, text books and another teacher. But I am not all that worried because the God who has brought us that far, is still in control.

Another important thing you requested to know was the issue of children’s sleeping place. In deed this has remained crucial issue on side because of shortage of facilities. So at the moment, I considered several cases i.e. those children who had nowhere to stay completely due to clashes or orphanage and rented a nearby house from an old man who lives alone. In fact that house sometimes appears in the school photos because it’s next to the school compound there are still others who admire and need to be absorbed but there is little I can do. In fact I was thinking that may be I will be forced to let them be sleeping in the in the classroom come morning they take out their beddings and arrange the desks for learning so in other words, a dormitory is highly needed to make the children more comfortable.
Anyway, Kisima has a long way to go but all in all we know that God is faithful enough to take us through each and every problem ahead...

.
January 14, 2009

…requesting you and your friends to visit Kisima, The children will feel your presence and have hope. Imagine a friend traveling as far as America to a rural place Kisima school, the children will be happy and proud about their future. We need to have a better world, but we can’t achieve if we don’t mind the orphans and the poor children. We sideline them, they destroy the world in future.
My dear sister we are facing a serious food shortage at school. famine is at escalating rate in the whole country due to bad weather, post election violence, and a high cost of fertilizer which result the majority failing to plant maize .We need 20kgs of maize per day = 600kgs per month, at the moment 1KG is costing Ksh 40, how I pray that let our almighty God touch the hearts of our friends to help and save the situation...