New Uniforms

Rose's latest text - "We've just finished taking measurements.  So in two weeks, we'll be wearing shiny new uniforms! :) xx"  

School strike is over

Rose sent a text to say that Kenyan schools have re-opened after a three week strike.  So now all the children are back at school for the rest of term.  Great news!

The return!

It is Sunday morning and we are heading for Nairobi after saying our tearful goodbyes in Nanyuki. 

Visiting Rose

On Saturday, Kevin and I went to visit little Rose and her Grandmother in their home.  We took food, clothes and a few other things.  Rose's grandmother was really pleased to see us as was Rose.  They are still living in the same place where we moved them two years ago.  Club Rafiki will now be sponsoring Rose and paying her school fees.  Education is so important her so if anyone is interested in sponsoring one of the school children by paying their school fees which includes food please let me know.  We have also sponsored 8 other children for a term with funds raised.  Thank you so much to everyone who did this, you have no idea how great and needed it is. 

Football shirts for orphans

On Saturday we all went to the orphanage (CEDC) and handed out 70 football shirts, toothbrushes and sweets.  The children drew us lots of pictures; once again Harry and Cameron played football and I learnt how to make a rope out of grass!  Lorraine and Natasha were busy with friendship bracelets while Abi made pigs and snails out of plasticine.  Kevin had bought along the DVD's of last years video recordings and the children watched them on their DVD player (yes, the orphanage does quite well with an Italian sponser who is currently building a new dormatory for the girls).

Buying a cow

Abi, Harry and I set off with Rose to buy a cow and a sheep as we decided this would be easier than goats.  With great amusement we watched Abi trying to get close to the cow as she trotted off across the field!  The cow is just over a year old, black and white with a little white star on her forehead and is just lovely.  Abi wanted to name her Oliver after her sponser's Ray and Julie Oliver (many many thanks to them).  Once Oliver has had a calf she will begin producing milk.  We also bought 8 sheep who will live with Nicholas (Rose's brother) with his cows.  Most of these sheep (hopefully all) are pregnant so we will immediately increase our stock.  It was Saturday afternoon when Oliver arrived on the back of an open truck which was a huge surprise as Rose had arranged it all.  On getting out, Oliver proceeded to wander around the garden to inspect her new home - the other 3 cows looked out of the pen with interest particularly the bullock.  The bullock was then led ot of the pen to meet Oliver and he herded her into the pen and she went in quite happily.  This morning before leaving for Nairobi, Abi wanted to get a photo of her holding a sign saying 'Oliver' next to the cow.  As soon as Oliver was let out of her pen the bullock jumped on her!  We did eventually get Abi's picture!

Nanyuki Sports Day

Abi had the idea of having a mini olympics for the children...and what a fun-filled day it turned out to be.  The opening ceremony consisted of Rose running up from the cow pen with an inflatable olympic torch.  The children were divided into 5 teams of 10 and competed in various relay events.  We used rice bags for sack races which was hilarious and tomatoes for the egg and spoon race which bounced all over the place as the children dropped them.  Lorraine took charge of the scoring, Cameron was a leader for his team while Harry, Abi and Natasha ran around controlling the children.  Kevin and I captured the event through the lens.  The children were very enthusiastic and enjoyed every minute.  We ended up with the younger ones running races around the house whilst the older ones competed in a 'mini marathon'.  In this event, Harry and Cameron joined in with Harry falling at the start and Cameron getting lost!  Lots of sweets and colourful pencils were given as prizes.  After their lunch we handed out lots of clothes that we had bought with us.