I’m so excited! In fact, I’m thrilled, absolutely thrilled! Here it is, the beginning of May 2016, and dreams I have been waiting to see come to pass for years are finally being realized.
I believe in the power that a photograph wields, and since we live in an age where pictures can be posted and viewed in a single click, I’m taking advantage of that process and will let these photos do the talking. Well, most of the talking anyway. I’ve added explanations as well 🙂 As they say in Kenya – sit back, relax and enjoy!
More Drinking Water for Kampi:
If you’ve been following the blogs and updates for EC in Kenya you’re aware that there has long been an issue with potable water in an area called Kampi Ya Moto (see photo below) where we have a primary school.
Early this year a donation was made to allow an additional rain harvesting tank to be purchased and set up at the school in Kampi Ya Moto.
Today both tanks are full and should remain that way until the next rainy season.
Now there is clean drinking water for the children on demand,
a school garden,
and happy kids! Contaminated drinking water has become a non-issue for the students at this school!
EC Mentorship Program for Orphans:
This month our new Program Coordinator, William Aludo, has started a Mentorship Program for the orphans attending Bishop Edward Donovan Secondary School in Lanet Umoja. EC is currently sponsoring 15 students so they can receive a high school education, but we’ve always wanted to be able to offer them additional support outside of their education. William, who is a trained counselor, is using a resource written by Kenyan author and businesswoman Grace Wanjohi to help these young adults make realizable life and career choices. This is a golden opportunity for children who don’t enjoy the same benefits as many of their schoolmates – the direction and moral support of loving parents.
Orphaned students at Bishop Edward Donovan Secondary School
Lanet Umoja Preschool:
When I first visited Kenya in 1997, the Lanet Umoja Preschool was the only school for miles around. Today a small city has grown up around this ramshackle building, with many schools – including our own Lanet Umoja Primary School and Bishop Edward Donovan Secondary School. The preschool has continued to be used, but there have been many problems connected with it such as leaky walls, flooded floors, African bee attacks, and other issues associated with a building in disrepair.
Last month one of our Board members, Fr. Paul Stewart, traveled to Kenya and wound up helping to construct the first of three rooms that will eventually become the new Lanet Umoja Preschool! I’ve learned that the local government is partnering with us to build one of the classrooms, which illuminates the way that EC does business – working together with private, local and government entities to positively affect an area. The children were out of school during April, and here is what happened with some of the funds that you have helped to raise this year:
The materials arrive
Fr. Paul Stewart helps move the stones
A stone worker carves the blocks
Moving them to the building
Putting up the walls
Laying the steel girders for the roof
The first classroom – nearly done!!
As a lifelong preschool teacher, I’m thrilled. Absolutely thrilled to see this coming to pass.
Thank you for your continued support for these projects. We are just $3,000.00 short of finishing the first preschool classroom. If you are in a position to partner with us to get the job done, please click here and send a secure donation today.
Asante sana (deep thanks)!!