JCPC visit

The group from John Calvin Presbyterian Church just finished a very successful and productive visit at Kisima.  Looking forward to hearing details from them when they return.

Our own foundation!

We’re very happy to announce that we've formed a nonprofit organization to handle the contributions for Kisima Academy.  Bright Star Foundation very kindly took us under their wing but it’s now time to go on our own.  The name of the new organization is For the Kids International, Inc. and the website is www.forthekidsintl.org.  Your donations can now go to the address above.  As before be assured that 100% of your contributions will go directly to benefit the children of Kisima.

More solar; roof water catchment

The children are very happy about two wonderful improvements:  solar lighting was expanded to the dining hall and two more classrooms and a roof water catchment  system was installed.  You can see the huge water tank at the back left.  The hand dug well became inadequate to supply the needs of the increased number of children.  Both these improvements were largely a result of a grant from the Rotary Club of Vienna, Virginia.  Huge thanks to them!

 Big excitement at Kisima.  The boys' soccer team won their first match!  Dan Agalomba (last photo) scored the winning goal.  The girls' team tied their match.  They've all worked very hard.

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.