Project Updates
Chalice Child Sponsorship
Since we opened the joint office in Mikinduri last year, we have made wonderful progress. At this point we have 135 kids and families, who are receiving assistance with healthcare, housing, and education. What a thrill it was for those of us, who have sponsor kids in the area to visit with them and get to know them a little bit in person at the feeding center.
Paul and Etta Connolly and Rebecca Ellis actually went to visit their child at their respective homes. What an eye opener for them and such a special treat.
Anyone interested in sponsoring a child can visit www.chalice.ca or call 1-800-776-6855. It only costs $33.00 per month, and 90% of the money goes to the childs welfare. What a gift to the donor as well as the recipient family. If you wish you can specify that you want to sponsor a child in Mikinduri.
Feeding Programs
Because of the success of our child sponsorship, we have been able to reduce the number of feedings at the Kinwe center. However Sat, approx. 150 kid’s are fed, as well as taught special life skills, and have fun playing games like soccer.
At the newest location called Kagwuru, we now feed 300 school kids nutritious lunches every day. As a result of doing clinics there, and being so alarmed at the levels of malnutrition (refer to Kathy opening piece) we have had to implement a special breakfast program which includes preschoolers. To facilitate the program, we hired Priscilla a part- time teacher at this wretched school to run the breakfast program. Priscilla is also gathering the mothers and teaching them about nutrition, personal hygiene and women rights. We have been attempting to grow much of the food required, however with a serious draught affecting crops, it has been a challenge. However, since we just finished opening a new water pipeline from the nearby mountains, we will be able to irrigate the newly planted emergency crops.
Water projects
We were so delighted to be able to be able to conduct the official opening of two water pipelines, one(referred to above) is in the very poorest area of Kagwuwu. The other not far away at Kiguru. Both pipelines will provide lots of water coming from clean springs is the nearby mountains. The people will benefit greatly from this beautiful clean water.
Agricultural Development Program
This is a new program in partnership with Chalice. While there, we interviewed and contracted Mr. Bernard Mware, who has his masters in Agriculture, with a lot of experience in working with farmer groups. Bernard will be developing this new program in all nine Chalice sites. However the starting point will be in Mikinduri, where he will be working with Francis Mwika, our current Mikinduri agric. specialist. The program will be working with farmer coop groups, to share knowledge, new simple technologies, new varieties of drought resistant seeds and crops, as well marketing techniques. We are hopeful that large test plots will produce excess food which can be sold at a profit to go back into the programs.
This is a key project for the future prosperity for our communities since it has the potential to make a substantial difference in their lives by helping them with their main field of endeavor that of farming.
Education Scholarship Sponsorship Program
Currently, we have eleven students enjoying their secondary school experience. In Kenya, students must pay about $500.00 per year to go to sec school. For most people this is far beyond their reach.
While in Kenya, Dr Jane Farmer enjoyed several days visiting every student at their various schools and confirming their advancement, as well as being able to assess their university potential. We continue to fundraise so that we can expand this program.
Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Ted Grant
President
Mikinduri Children of Hope