Maize is growing well

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

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

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!

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

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

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

The new cow named Barb!

A cow...

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!