June 2014 Newsletter

June 2014 Newsletter

It's always a pleasure to read the newsletter that arrives every few months in my email from Didi. 

I have downloaded my copy here for you to read too. Just link on the picture above to read the colorful 4 page updates in a pdf format.

Didi tells me too that:

We are okay, and sending another newsletter with the latest.  Maungala's article on page three reminds us that times are not easy and we need to be aware and kind to others at the same time.  The government in its different manifestations--such as county, national, nssf, etc--is putting a toll on everyone.  But we are surviving

December 2013

What started as an interest when I was living in Mombasa has now extended over 10 years and survived my moves to Giggleswick School in England, The International School of Dhaka in Bangladesh and now to the top end of Africa. I'm currently working with the Al Akhawayn University and School in Ifrane, Morocco, but it's still great to hear how Didi and the girls at the orphange and beyond are getting on through their newsletters.
The young Ananda Marga students that I left behind in Kenya in 2003 have now of course become the adults, university graduates and even parents that I hear about today, and it is good to follow their progress and that of the newer students.
Giggleswick School continues to support the orphanage, both financially and by their continued contact and interest. Much of this is thanks to Geoffrey Boult, in his last year as Headmaster, and Sam Griffiths the Housemaster of Paley House ... and of course all the staff, pupils and friends of Giggleswick who continue to show an interest in what goes on in this small orphanage, and growing school, far away in Kenya.
My own friends and family have, over the years, also taken on responsibility for individual students at the orphanage; including visits, email contact and financial support for schooling and life beyond.  
Currently, there are two girls in university, one completing college, seven in secondary schools, and eight in primary school. Two girls wish to join the secondary school in January 2014 —Egglah and Christine; and two more in 2015, Marita and Mercy.

The orphanage plans to take in more orphans by the end of 2013. They also aim to assist more destitute families whose children attend the Kiembeni and Huruma schools in the area.

If you wish to volunteer at the orphanage, visit for the day, or just give some financial support to one of the girls, then please contact: Didi A. Giitika. Her email is agiitika@yahoo.com and Mob:+254 734 671992

Bill Bartlett  (blogger).

Countdown to the G2G3PC

Here is the March 2011 Newsletter from Kenya

Many students at Giggleswick will be starting a countdown to the walking challenge that for us, in Giggleswick, has become the major yearly fundraiser for the orphanage.
Last year we raised over £5000 and this year I hope everyone will come together to make it £10,000.

The money that was raised last year by the G2G walkers went a long way and you can read about what it did by clicking on this link to their 2010 Newsletter.

Sadly there has been a recent loss of regular funding and Didi, who runs the orphanage, needs to find new sponsors for the daily running expenses of a growing school and the orphanage at Kiembeni.
Have a look at their expenses spreadsheet linked here and you can see what they need to do to just keep the place running (roughly divide the figures by 100 to get the conversion from Kenyan Shillings to GBP). The figures don't look like much to us in countries that have social security safety nets, but when you start from zero it's a considerable challenge and every shilling raised makes a difference.
That's why our fund raising is really important.  Can you help?

One way is to come and join the G2G3PC by signing up here.
If the number of walkers doubles this year and/or we double the individual fundraising per walker we can raise our target of £10,000!
"A rolling stone gathers no moss!" and in the last 4 years we've definitely got a rolling stone in the G2G walking challenge, which is continuing to pick up speed.
Last year we had two walkers who raised over £500 each and I am hoping that this attitude to bigger fundraising targets will catch on.

Come join the walk on Sunday May 22nd
The main page link tells you more about it and everyone is welcome to either walk or join the support crew.

Otherwise why not make a commitment to support the orphanage in some other ways, perhaps by sponsoring an individual student through school or, like two young Giggleswick students this summer, go out to Kenya and give a helping hand.

Who knows, you may even win a place in our G2G 3PC Balloon trip and get an easy ride over the wonderful Yorkshire Dales!

Attitude of Gratitude

If you are feeling that life is hard, that you shouldn't have a 100 percent attitude of gratitude...then there been some great stuff on UK TV recently to make you humble!
You can get this on the BBC iPlayer at the moment and the reality of living for a large part of the world's population is brilliantly bought home by seeing Lennie Henrie, Angela Rippon and co really living in the slums of Kiberia. The section towards the end when Lennie asks a guy he has been working for selling samosas why he is always smiling is going to make you cry!

BBC iPlayer - Comic Relief: 2011: Famous, Rich and in the Slums - Part 1

www.bbc.co.uk

You'll also find a piece on the final episode of the Human Planet which is shot on the Mombasa municipal rubbish tip a wakeup call to how hard your life is if you are reading this!
I can't insert the comic relief piece yet but found this piece which shows some UK school kids visiting kids in Kaberia. It's not as hard hitting but you'll get a good insight.

Newsletters from the orphanage

I have uploaded a few Newsletters from the orphanage to this page and you just have to click on them to get an idea of what life at the children's home and school is like. Beautifully produced and illustrated, please have a look!

2008 pdf Newsletter (includes news on strikes in boarding schools in Kenya)

2008 Dec pdf Newsletter (includes news on rainharvesting)

2009 May pdf Newsletter (includes news on helping needy villagers)

2009 Dec pdf Newsletter (includes a short history of the orphanage on last page)

2010 Oct pdf Newsletter (a special update to Giggleswick students to show what their funding helped)

Newsletter 2008

GREETINGS AND NEWS

Many lovely greetings from the girls to all of you!!  Our first good news is the arrival of three little girls who have joined our family this month of April:

Monica, Mercy and Maurine (right)– ages 8, 7 & 6 – have adjusted to the family of girls, dog, volunteer and staff, as well as the routine—within a couple of weeks!  Monica and Maurine are orphaned sisters sent by the Children’s Dept. and Mercy (at centre) was orphaned twice; her aunty also recently passed away.  She was a student at our school, but lost days of school due to family troubles.  Mercy (above with rose) is very happy to be back at school.

Term One at School

Two primary age girls, who are now mature ‘big girls’ earned very good marks in their end term exams, i.e. Egglah Rukia got 1st position in class 3 and Marita Shitoko was no. 2 in class 2.  Both girls are enthusiastic to be starting Ballet Lessons with Mrs. Jean Hughes (who taught Jamuna and Hanako for ten years).  We look forward to their first performance in June.

Adela, now 11 years old, loves music, performing arts & looking after the small kids.  Mariamu, almost 13 now, tall & elegant, takes good care of everyone.  She enjoys cooking, gardening & computer.

The secondary students continue strong:  Hanako at Star Sheikh Academy in Athi River; Bahati Kawe at Brainsworth High; Maungala-Rebecca at Mwasere Girls High School near Voi; Jamuna at Rise and Shine Academy in Mtwapa; Mwanaisha in Vitengela School, rural Kilifi, and Mariko Takaishi at Matuga Girls Secondary school in Kwale.  In addition to studies, Bahati wanted to help Kenyans; she joined The Kenya Red Cross; she won a first aid contest and will go to Lamu.  Jamuna (below right) who went first term in Athi River, is happy to return to Coast Province after her “gap term.”  She claims the students and atmosphere are much friendlier near home!  Maungala & Mariko (below) both achieved good marks in secondary exams.

Also we do feel pleased to report that Rehema and Diana Okango are now in Standard 8, candidates for the KCPE primary promotional exam.  They are motivated to study at high schools next year.

Post secondary girls

Deshana works at Inchcape Shipping Services, a multinational company, where she is very content.  Trikuti has been working in a tele- communications firm in Dar es Salam.  It has been very hard to find housing, which has made it impossible for her to live there safely, and we are expecting her back in Kenya soon having gained good experience in the business world.  Next move for Trikuti unknown! Miira may have an opportunity at Inchcape in the new port they are building.  Our hardworking Mainjuri continues at catering college, second year craft course.  All are setting good examples for younger gals.  Mini the dog is also doing well, especially for a 13 year old.  All the girls look forward to your next visit to the “Home” and beach!  Karibu sana!

AMURT CHILDREN’S HOME – NEWS FROM MOMBASA – APRIL 2008