On our way to Nairobi again to pick Kim at the airport 06 15 Monday morning, Matthew who arrives later today we will pick later from the ACK Guest House. Both have been here before, Matthew in 2007 and Kim last August. They will see a lot of change, particularly Matthew as in 2007 Children's homes were only a dream.
We arrived in Nanyuki yesterday, Sat morning at 9am all 30 of us (we have added one more girl from Archers Post -
5 others are under consideration) having left Ngaremara at 7.15 in 4 shuttles and our own car. This was to be the
summer treat for the children and what a brilliant day we had.
Nanyuki Sports Club received us with Chai, coffee and bread and jam complete with mugs and saucers, served in the pavilion with tables and chairs outside in the sun. But first into the outdoor swimming pool area to wash hands and for the boys to discover urinals and for all English toilets. Kids never beyond Isiolo in their lives were goggle eyed and quiet. We had been so proud of them as they lined up and walked 2 by 2 from the transport. The staff and Secretary of the club were warmly welcoming.
Out to the small airport in time to disembark and see two small planes taking off and one landing. Again a fantastic receptiion. One of the technicians spoke to the children and took us to one of the aircraft on the ground and explained the various controls. Afterwards we held a question and answer with him and discovered how he studied to gain the qualifications for his job.
On again this time into town to see the traditional spinning and weaving of wool. First on the way we stopped as we came back into the Northern Hemisphere at the Equator sign just outside Nanyuki. Quick disembark, photo under the sign and then off. At the traditional spinning and weaving we were taken through the whole process by a very caring lady and various other ladies demonstrated how the various looms worked. Things came alive when the children discovered one of the ladies was Turkana and had relatives at Zebra.
Almost 1pm and we have to be back at the Club for lunch. I run a shuttle service and everyone sets out walking. We arrived in time. Well all that is except Ruth our house mum and Rosemum. They had disappeared into the market to buy a skirt and blouse for Rosemum (her prize for being the first to say all the books in the bible which she had done on Thur evening at fellowship). This had encouraged Simon and Damaris who were able to recite the books on Fri evening. Rosemum had been taken to Meru with us on Fri as part of her prize and Simon and Damaris travelled in the car with us to Nanyuki as part of their reward. How marvellous to see them achieve this and for them to become familiar with handling the scripture. We are much encouraged and look forward to others accepting this challenge.
Lunch of beef stew, kinjege (potato, peas and maize mix) and for some Ugali, with a glass of orange, sat at table over looking the golf course. The children finished and stood to sing thank you to the staff - very touching.
After lunch we all retired to the football field by way of the club house - the children from mud huts stood and gazed. At the field we decided who was going to town for shopping - a few with Ruth. A football kick about with Dominic a volleyball group and a group to explore the grounds around the golf course.
By 4 pm we were all tired and ready for the shuttles to go back home. Pamela and I remained to travel on next day to Nairobi.
What a fantastic educational and fun day we had all enjoyed. The children arrived back at Ngaremara at 18.30.
We thank God for all who joined with us in prayer for the visit of David and Miriam (YWAM) to speak to our youth and staff on teenage issues. They quickly bonded with all with some games. Everyone was challenged and taught about living a Godly lifestyle.
Since school finished the Ngaremara children have been knitting, bead making(even the boys, Bible study and of course football,
volleyball and netball (We had at last collected the two net ball stands and had installed one at Ngaremara).
On Friday while in Meru shopping for amongst other things 24 metal boxes for the children Ken called with the Advocate who on
27th Aug 2008 - 2 yrs ago took on the task of getting Kindfund's name on the landrover logbook. The Advocate had to apologise
and admit defeat. Despite meeting all the demands of the civil servants administering the log books it appears the only way of
achieving would be to pay over a gratuitous amount which he refused to do. Ken now has all the paperwork from him and will
have to pursue the matter himself in Nairobi - another case of time having to be spent on unnecessary bureaucracy. Please pray
about this that the Lord will open a door. - The land rover logbook shows 5 names since the original in 1979 although Govt
records still have the original.
Last Fri/Sat Ken and Lochum visited the Rendille area to check out the two broken well pumps and take up food for the orphan feeding programme and for the start of the nursery schools in Sept. Both pumps out of action needed additional material to fix. Raphael and the elders had been quite discouraged by the action of a few so speed of action in fixing was just as important for morale as for the supply of water
Ken arranged for Lochum to return last Monday with James, our well and pump expert and both wells were back in action by Tuesday. Praise God.
Ken and Pamela went to Wamba for two days. Its lovely to see 18 young children(3-8yr) sitting quietly drawing and reading during the morning.The older kids doing some extra studies with Martin, an assistant teacher. In the afternoon they all enjoyed skipping, football skittles etc. We have taken in two extra girls from the feeding programme bringing to 36 the number of children in the home.
This has caused us to look at the sleeping arrangements. A third cot for the baby Pauline was delivered and Ken arranged for the two 4ft 6in beds at Ngaremara to be transported up and ordered a third. We will be able to get 3 of these beds into one cubicle and they are suitable for the smaller children at Wamba. If totally satisfactory we will equip another cubicle the same releasing a cubicle for other use - study etc.
While at Wamba We visited Supe in hospital. She had had a small operation to deal with an abcess on her thigh. She was in great form, organising us and everyone else She gave us the list of food she wanted for the next day! She loves bananas but gets upset when we buy for the rest of the children in her ward. She is so much improved and is no longer suffering from variations in her temperature. She has been in hospital since mid - June. Again thanks to those who have been praying.
Losike a 12 yr old boy has had to return to hospital to drain a sore in his hip which came from the drip during his last stay with typhoid. We are expecting him out again quickly.
The concrete platform at the top of the site at Wamba has been extended to take another two 10k litre tanks. The shuttering will be removed next week and the area under the platform will be turned into a good large store by building between the pillars and fitting a steel door. We will remove all the food supplies from the home and be able to store additional food and articles. The second tank has been ordered from Meru at 60,000ks c£500. The third will be added next year.
Wamba has had some rain and everything is thriving in the garden. We now have 25 paw paw trees at various stages of growth and a nursery with many more coming on. The first tree has produced 20 fruit up till now and remains fruitful. Four bunches of bananas are maturing and one has been promised to the children at Ngaremara. Already they have tasted a Wamba paw paw.This is encouraging those children at Ngaremara who have taken responsibility for watering a fruit tree every day. The soil is not so good but we are trusting God to do his bit as we do ours.
At Ngaremara the Nursery school is up to ring lintel the concrete for that having been poured on Friday. We expect to be using the old girls dormitory now refurbished as a dining room later this week with 7 tables already made and just chairs to finish
Last time in Nairobi I had received the allotment letter from the Government for the site at Wamba. I had to quickly draft an
acceptance letter and return it with the fee 6,800ks. Tomorrow I will call for the receipt which I need to appoint a private surveyor
to submit a final map to the Surveyors Department which should result in receiving our title deed for 99 yrs.
Have just heard that Matthew has arrived at ACK Guest House and Kim is heading for check in. Pamela has stretched out for a rest so I need to finish and file this on the website.
Be blessed, thank you for your prayerful support
Ken and Pamela now arrived Nairobi.
Last Updated on Sunday, 15 August 2010 14:23
Nairobi 28th July
Hi from beautifully cloudy and cool Nairobi.
We arrived here yesterday with Hannah and James and they caught the 11pm flight to Dubai.Already
Greetings from Wamba this Sunday morning. God is good. All the time.
We have many trials and challenges but he is able to save to the uttermost those who put their trust in him.
Wamba is sunny and cloudy this am with a beautiful cool breeze making the climate here just North of the Equator very pleasant. The site is quite green with the hedge and trees doing so well after the rains even though it is one month since they stopped.
The children here are looking healthy and Nzau, Esther and Margaret have participated in a miracle as they have been transformed. Omar was discharged from hospital on Friday looking very well. Thank you for your prayers. Loseku and Sube remain hoping for a discharge in this coming week as they continue to improve. Continue in prayer for them. We have a stretching hospital bill to settle for the last 6 months as the hospital were unable to give us a bill when we were here earlier in the year as their computer was not functioning properly. We paid 10,000 (£90) on account last month.
We arrived at Ngaremara on Friday mid day and spent the rest of Fri and Sat am settling in and listening to the management staff to sort priorities in our minds. A lot can happen in just less than 3 months since we were here. Saturday afternoon I left Pamela and Henrietta sorting out the things we had brought out and the house and kitchen. I was on my way to Isiolo to buy items required to finish the new children's home and get the children moved in asap.
The home looks fantastic. The builder has done well. We want to paint the floors and give the varnish and paint on the walls a third coat, make some shelves and cupboards and then move the children in within two weeks - by next weekend.
The children at Ngaremara are well and healthy and a joy to be with.
On Sunday last we joined them for fellowship and after siesta visited the secondary school at Aukot (3kms) to show Henrietta where she would be teaching. We learnt the staff and pupils where on half term until Tue.
Henrietta quickly settled into a routine during the week teaching in the mornings, spending time with the children arriving for the feeding programme in the afternoon, bringing a short word at fellowship at 6.30pm and after dinner helping individual children with homework and studies. She has been excellent and has both contributed and received a lot.
Pamela dealt with all the house keeping issues, the trainees and requests from people coming to see us. On Wed Esther one of the trainees had a narrow escape when a snake met her in the shower block. We had some excitement flushing it out from some stones with hot water and then petrol before we were able to finish it. The builder has since completed the paths to prevent snakes hiding.
On Sunday we had fellowship with the children at Wamba. Henrrietta brought an appropriate message and Pamela led the children in prayer for Nzau, Esther and Margeret, the two in hospital and the Kindfund family in the UK and Ireland.
We returned to Ngaremara leaving at 12.30 and arriving at 2pm. What a difference the road has made. On return we received the local councillor in Ngare and showed him around what we are doing and talked about our plans.
Another beautiful night sitting in the moon light but by 10pm the wind began to feel chilly. July in Ngaremara has arrived early.
Greetings from Ken, Pamela and Henrietta
Last Updated on Monday, 28 June 2010 10:50
18th June Nanyuki
Written by Ken Dobbin
Friday, 18 June 2010 08:05
18th June Nanyuki
Henrietta, Ken and Pamela arrived safely in Nanyuki on 17th after a reasonably uneventful journey. After a good rest they met Stephen Cowan from Tuum at breakfast. He was on his way to Nairobi after delivering his brick making machine to Derek Roulston near Nanyuki. Ken was able to pass on the two enveloppes he had brought out for him from N Ireland.
After some essential shopping the party are now on their way to Ngaremara.
We understand the tarmac road now runs as far as Serelipi about half way to the Rendillle from Ngaremara. This will greatly ease the travel to the new programmes there.
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