Fish ponds finished and new classroom started

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

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

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

Sukuma wiki

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

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!

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

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.