Meeting with the Ambassador!

We had a good meeting with the Kenyan Ambassador, Elkanah Odembo.  He's in the middle and Sheila Wairimu Muthemba, his public relations officer, is on the left.  Our group was Denise, Bonnie, me, Nancy, and John.

Water supply, crop failure, solar

 

There are now 125 orphans and 125 community children from very poor families at Kisima.  The water supply from the hand-dug well is not adequate for the increased number of children.  There are regulations governing the digging of bore holes for water and research is being done to see if one is possible.  In the meantime roof catchment and a big water tank are augmenting the supply from the present well.  Many thanks to the Rotary Club of Vienna, Virginia, who donated a large portion of the money for this project and also for upgraded solar power.  Currently if the computers are charged there isn't enough power for lighting at night.

Crops were planted a few weeks ago.  The maize in two of the fields failed (right) hereby the maize in other fields germinated well (below).  It's too late to plant more maize so sorghum will be planted among the few stalks that did germinate.   

NAU visit

 A group from the School of Education at Northern Arizona University just completed a very successful visit to Kisima.  They taught some classes and worked with the teachers on lesson plans and teaching strategies.  They also bought some much-needed textbooks (seen in the photo below) and supplies.

necklaces

.  .Have a heart for Kisima!  The hearts are made at Kazuri, a workshop for disadvantaged women in Nairobi.  They train, pay a living wage, and provide medical and child care to the women who work there.  I buy the hearts and make them into necklaces.  All the proceeds go to Kisima.  So their sale benefits both Kazuri and  Kisima!  They are $20.  If you would like one email me at kisimakids@gmail.com.

Multipurpose hall

And here's the hall with the entire school in attendance.

This and that

The kids are enjoying the new dining/assembly hall.  Only the 123 orphans are in the photo.  When the 120 community children are there also it's a full house.

This is one spiffy set of latrines!  There are three latrines on the opposite side as well making a total of 14 in all.  Five years ago there was one.

 Victor, Nickson, Dennis, Kevin, and Irene are happily sporting new uniforms.

It looks like these boys are having a good time washing their uniforms.

Soccer boots complete the uniform!

 

The kids are so excited now that the soccer boots have arrived to complete their uniforms!