November 2009
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Meals for School Holidays
The drought in Kenya has caused drastic consequences to the region, dramatically increasing food prices and impacting our program designed to feed over 4600 school children every school day. The crisis brought very realistic fears that most of the children would go hungry during the August and December school holidays. We didn’t know if we could raise the $8000 needed in time, but when we shared the need, people responded. There were tears of joy and gratitude when the food was purchased and the cooks and teachers came to supervise the lunchtime meals of beans and corn during the August holiday. And there is enough food purchased to cover the month of December as well. The staff at Children of Strength, the school teachers and most especially the children of Kilimambogo county are extremely grateful for your gift of this daily meal and for extending it through the school holidays. Thank you all for your generosity in supporting this program.
Kusitawi Farm
The ongoing drought has of course also impacted the water supply of Kusitawi village. Fortunately we have over 80,000 liters of water storage in the village for both people use and farming. In 2008 we were able to install a pump and water collection system that allows us to bring water from a nearby river to irrigate the crops. The water in the river is very low these days so we water
only at night. In an effort to conserve and maximize the use of water, we are embarking on a project to install drip irrigation. This is a sizable project that will cost about $20,000. Phase 1 will provide piping and tank storage for about three of the six acres under planting. We hope to be able to take advantage of the next rainy season with the help of this installation. Because of the systems already in place, the farm had a very good tomato harvest and cabbages were almost ready for market.
Kusitawi Safe Houses
The safe houses at Kusitawi were conceived not as an orphanage but as a refuge for children at risk of abuse or abandonment. We have about 70 children of varying ages who receive supervision, counseling and care that allows them to heal and grow. So far this year eighteen of our children reached the age of 18 and even though they had not yet finished their schooling and remain in our program, they were required by law to leave the safe houses. Like teenagers everywhere they were anxious to try living on their own. They each were given many hours of counseling to prepare them to either return to their family land, live with a guardian or live on their own. They will continue in the program until they graduate and will receive food assistance and guidance as they integrate back into the community. We consider this step a huge success as these young adults enter a new phase of their lives.
Magagoni High School
It is hard to believe that just four years ago there was no secondary school in the area. Today there are 360 children attending school that would never have had the chance to do so! And in November the first graduating senior class will include 39 of our orphaned children! What was once a hope on a small piece of writing tablet paper has now become a reality. It is this reality that has changed the lives of a small community in Kenya and given opportunities to so many children in the area. In late October and early November, Form 4 students (seniors) will be taking the National Test required to graduate. ( In keeping with our goal to empower children through education, we pay approximately 80% of the exam fee; in special instances we cover the fees fully.) Results do not come out until February. Qualifying students can enroll in college or university the following January 2011. The top 5% of students in Kenya are given the opportunity to attend the University of Nairobi on scholarship. Those who score lower may attend colleges where the tuition costs roughly $4,000 a year. Very few of our children will qualify for college or university and none will be able to pay the college fees without help. Most high school graduates either study at trade or vocational schools (about $600-1,200 to receive a license) or enter the work force as day laborers.
David Karigi
National Youth Service is a government program whereby young people volunteer their labor for one year of public works projects and are then eligible for job training programs in a wide range of fields. Because of the opportunity the program provides to learn a viable trade, it is very competitive. David Karigi, one of the first children to be sponsored when we began in 2004, was accepted into the program. He took courses in motor vehicle electrical and mechanical skills and earned his government trade test certificate. After NYS he was accepted into the training college for the Administration Police, a special branch of the police force that often gets very tough assignments. (Right now David is providing security in the tense Rift Valley.) WWN provided funds for upkeep, transportation and supplies during his apprenticeship. He is earning a reasonably good income and helping to support his family. David is setting a great example for his peers by his hard work and persistence in seeking to better himself and we can be very proud of him.
Note: All U.S. board members and staff volunteer their time. There are no salaries or honorariums. All travel at their own expense. Your sponsorship and gifts go directly to support the children and staff on site. We thank you so much. May God bless you.