Alexis the cow, new mattresses, etc.

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

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

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!

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!

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

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

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.