Happy & Sad
Hello Folks, hope you are ok? Yesterday we visited Birunda again and gave out toys, stationery and games. The kids were clapping as we were taking the bits out of bags with big grins across their faces. After a few pics they played with them and had fun. To those who donated toys, games and stationery a big thank you. To those who gave money we bought footballs, skipping ropes, tennis balls and more with that money, thank you to you too.
After eating lunch at Birunda we went again to Liyavo. Again we just had fun being with and playing with the kids there. We also gave them some footballs which they loved. On another note, ten goats are now grazing around Liyavo. At christmas time Heart of Hope ran a buy a goat gift idea with each goat costing 25 pounds. Yesterday the ten arrived. The plan is for the goats to give milk, have baby goats, use the manure for building and eventually be used for meat when the time is right. I think in the future Heart of Hope could look into other ideas such as being able to buy chickens, mosquito nets and a course of malaria tablets etc. Child sponsorship remains an area we'd like to push forward. With only 40 children needing sponsors I think it is definitely a goal we can reach. If you can please please sponsor a child at 20 pounds a month.
The sad part of yesterday was the slum. I've been in several times but the reality of how people live (or suffer might be more approperiate). One man from the slum died 3 days of TB. In the slum there are 360 families all sharing 4 toilets. The school there has 4 classes under 1 roof, the only material available to the teachers being a blackboard. There are some positives there such as running water and a women's group who sell jewellry to make money but it is still very much a place in need.
Last night I had dinner with the Africa Venture group. Was good to chat to people who are the same age that I was when I was first in Kenya. It has got me thinking about gap year students and the massive potential it has.
Today is our last day in Kitale. Saying goodbye to the children at the 2 projects will be tough. I don't know when I'm going to be over again or if I will see many of the older ones or the ones at the rescue centre (Birunda) again. I guess I'll have to start my plans for trip number 7 soon.