Report on the 3projects Kahawa West - Christ and Children Home 10th Dec 2005

We really thank God for the success trip we had with the children. Can you imagine all went as planned? And more so things really worked out for us. On 9th we pilled potatoes, dusted the rice, chopped onions, tomatoes, made pop-corn and later cooked food the whole night so that the next day we would have more time to spend with the children. As you know sometimes one or two things do not work so our firewood was a bit wet and this lead to fire with lots of smoke however we managed. By 11am the next day all was ready. The children were picked at 9am and I tell you they were really excited and looked forward for the day. We had 2buses in total we had 94children and 8members of staff from the home. We arrived at the park at 11am the first place the children visited was the Animal Orphanage. Here they saw different species of Kenya finest animals, Lions, Wild cats, Cheetahs, Baboons, Birds, Tortoise, Monkeys and many more. Most of the animals kept had different stories of how they were rescued after their parents were either poached or died naturally. To the children it was a learning experience bearing in minds most of them it was their first time for such an outing. It was very exciting to see them enjoy and how curious they looked at animals. Children been children we did not miss a few who looked scared even though the animals were caged and still we were there to protect them and make sure they were safe. All in all they had a great time at the Orphanage.

By the time they finished walking around it was lunchtime. This is the time when no jokes are told and everyone gets serious to feed. I remember when I was young no one was allowed to talk we were taught by my grandmother that one can easily choke when he/she talks during meal times. The menu was great the children had a plate of Pilau (Rice cooked in natural spices mixed with meat), beef stew mixed with, tomatoes, spices, potatoes and green peas, Chapati (bread with no yeast fried on a pan) , banana, orange and juice. It was a delicious meal, which everyone enjoyed. We were so full that we had to play some games before we went for Safari walk.

We sang cheer songs to excite us before the games it was great to see each child taking part and having a good time. The children played a game that was full of fun. We had balloons and every child was given one. We divided them into 4 groups and the idea was they compete among themselves. We had four chairs, which were placed 30 meters away, and the children were to run and place the balloon on the chair and sit on it. The first team to burst all the balloons was the winner. I tell you when the whistle was blown everything came to stand still guys around there were just cheering every kid and one after the other they ran. The funny part was some of them were small and they could not burst the balloon so we had to press them and add more weight. After about 10minutes we had the winning team. When it was announced who won as usual we have the losers who do not accept (just kidding) the good thing we all had fun.

We sang more songs as we proceeded to Safari walk. Depending on the person it takes about 30minutes to do the walk. Its like the orphanage however in park animals have more space to roam around and also it has more variety of animals including Rhino, Leopard, Crocodile and rear species of Zebra found only in Democratic republic of Congo. It is like a small forest with lots of trees and great scene of the National park. The children really enjoyed walking around and also gazing on the wonders of the park. Some of them got tired and we had to carry them around.

It was a great treat for the children and by the time we were done you could tell from the look in their faces that it was a great day. And guess what we entered the park free of charge 2days before the government had announced that to celebrate our independent day, which was on 12th Dec, all parks in Kenya were free to all citizens. So the money that we had put aside for the entry fee we gave it to the home for some other needs. We left at about 5pm in the evening bid the children farewell as they drove off to their home we were pretty tired but it was worth it. We as a team learnt a lot from those children. We were reminded always to do a deed of simple kindness, though its end you may not see; it may reach, like widening ripples, down a long.

Kenyatta National Hospital Cancer Ward 1E - 17th Dec 05

This was one of the greatest days that will forever remain in my mind and heart. The ward has mainly children who are suffering from different types of cancer. Since the hospital is the only referral in Kenya so these children come from every part of the nation. They are very sweet kids who really do not understand what they suffer from expect a few who are older. Their ages are from 3 12 years old and average number of children in ward is 28-30. For a long time my friends and I have always visit them when we get time and opportunity and what a great time it was Christmas. As Christians we believe that we are called to serve one another.

We arrived at the ward at about 1pm 2hours late the children had been told that we were coming so all of them were waiting. We welcomed by one of the senior nurses there and right then we got into business. First was introduction so that everyone would feel free. Then after that we divided ourselves into small groups, Snacks, Decorations, Music, Christmas tree, Gifts, Putting up mirrors and pictures.

Decorations

We had balloons and crape papers, which needed some work to be done. The kids took part and after about 30minutes the ward was different and it looked great. We also worked on the Christmas tree, which had no stand so we had to modify it. The children too decorated the tree with ornaments and lights.

Putting up mirrors

6 guys worked on that and managed to put up a 24 by 48inches mirror on the children bathroom and nurses changing room. We had to drill the wall put in the wall plugs and screw the mirror on the wall. After 40minutes it was all ready in fact some children came to look at themselves.

Snacks and Music

After all of us had finished decorating the ward putting up the mirrors and the Christmas tree it was time for music and refreshments. So we had some Christmas Carols that kept us in the mood as we waited to be served. We ate Crisps, cookies; Pop-corn, cake, peanuts, fruits and everyone got a soda. We really enjoyed ourselves especially the children. It took us about an hour to celebrate over the snacks. After we cleaned up and we went to the next secession.

Gift

We all gathered around the Christmas tree for the final part of the day. First we sang songs and cracked some jokes. It was really fun the children had a great time. It was followed by gift presentation to the children. We had 28 children at the ward the night before we got all their names and on each gift there was a name. You could see excitement on every child's face. Some got dolls, books, toy cars, puzzles, watches, pens and colours this was done according to age and interest of the child. We really had great fun together, we were to leave at 4pm but by the time everything was coming to the end it was 6pm and children did not want us to leave. As we came to conclusion we had thanksgiving from the nurses and one of the kids gave vote of thanks. And with that we had to leave one thing was evident in that ward there was great joy and happiness. However there was one child who was not happy at all with his gift he wanted a toy mobile phone. It was so sad to see him shade tears I just imagine it was me. Imaged to talk to him and the following day I had to take him the phone, which I did. We thank God for the good time we had with the children we believe that they had a wonderful Christmas. Although some of the may not make it all we say is thanks God for giving them an opportunity to be children and teach us we all blessed although in various ways. All that is good, all that is true, all that is beautiful, all that is beneficent, be it great or small, be it perfect of fragmentary, natural as we as supernatural, moral as we as material, comes from God. So do Ward 1E children and they are a gift from God.

Christmas party for Street Children and the soccer tournament on 20th 23rd Dec 05

Street visits and Tournament

A strong ideal can capture an imagination and control life. Just one clear picture planted in the mind and heart of youth is all it takes to change an apathetic man to acts of consecration that kindle strife or call for peace. Beautiful thoughts hardly bring us to God until they are acted upon. No one can have a true idea of right until he does it.

Imagine you are on the streets young indeed no hope; no future for tomorrow the only way you know to survive is to be tough and rough. Because you know one weak soul is not allowed around. You have to show your title or else you will find no peace. You must have done a crazy thing so that you may be respected as a real man on the streets. For a lady you must give your body to strong and might men for you to be protected. Its a world that is not fare to them who live on the streets. No one sees your joy, your cry, wait until you mess then you will see the wrath of those around you.

We brought HOPE and PEACE by organizing a soccer tournament; it was one idea that the kids loved so much since this is the only way they could be appreciated in a positive way. We first went round the streets inviting them to come. Due to the many times we have gone either to say hi or offer some help it was not a big problem to reach street children. When they saw us they were filled with joy and some were already asking what we had for them during Christmas. We thank God for the respect we have on the streets can you imagine if we happen to be around them no one will attempt to sniff glue, smoke or misbehave? Sometimes they can go to an extent of telling you of how they have been faring and what's new in their lives something, which is very rare. I remember the days we could receive a call at 1am a child is either seriously injured or sick we need to take him or her to the hospital from this service most of them really appreciated. And with this anytime we go to the streets we know am safe. We told them the dates and got ready as we waited for the day to come

We had a small form, which was to have 10names for the team. 12 forms were returned however only 8teams showed up for the soccer tournament. This was due to the Christmas season lots of people were doing activities for the less fortunate. We named it Tournament of Hope just like last year we believe these guys need lots of hope to survive and aspire to be good and productive citizens. We also wanted them to know that Jesus loves them so much no matter what they were going through in their day-to-day lives. The games kicked off well we had pool A and B the winning teams on both sides were the ones to play the finals. It took 4days for it to complete, we only played in the afternoons. Reason the field where we were using, its an elementary school field so they charged us for the use so we had to minimize the time. One thing that is happening in Kenya is that Land has been grabbed so many kids no longer have a place they can go play. However that did not deter us from doing the noble course.

It was so nice to see every child take part although some of them were old they too enjoyed. Soccer always brings peace since one has to focus and run up and down you do not have time to think bad stuff. At least for the 4days we had they tournament they had time to think about good and positive staff.

Food preparation

We spent the whole night doing the food preparation. So you can imagine the work we had the whole night. We were expecting about 400 children to come. We pealed potatoes, chopped onions, tomatoes, French beans, meat, garlic and other African species. We had to make sure all was well and everything was ready for the party. So the food had to be delicious and well cooked. Due to much work we had to hire some one to cook for us chapatti. We needed more than 250 of them so that at least everyone would get a piece. We got a friend who we paid it took him a whole night too. We also had to fetch lots of water for the party which we did that night too. All this was done to one of our friend's home. We had a good time too that night and we made fun as we worked as usual we made Chai to keep us warm through the night.

Party

On 23rd we arrived at the fields at 10am we expected to be there earlier we found the children ready waiting for us. We were expecting about 400 children however only 230 came and only one girl. This was due to lots of invitation that many of them got from various people who were doing similar thing like us. We expected like 70girls but on this day they were invited by one of the local Catholic priest at his residence. Our plan for that day was de-worm small children, distribute sanitary towels to girls, do an HIV/AIDS sensitization, final game for the tournament, bible lesson, give clothes and Food.

It was a great time for all that came we really had a good time. The soccer game was played and we had the winners who were given a token of appreciation it was nice to see them really excited. We had also a lesson where they were taught about the love of Jesus and how His love them was so great that who ever accepted will never fall beyond His Grace. To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances; to seek him, the greatest adventure; to find him the greatest achievement they learnt. There was a demonstration of how we mess our lives through the things of this world. It was a bottle filled with clean water a colour was added each time one did something not pleasing to God. After about three colours we had black water and that was us without Jesus in our hearts. Then bleach was added and the water turned clear again this was to show when we accepted Jesus He comes into our lives and cleans us. 1st John 1:7 "but if we walk in the light as he is the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His son, purifies us from all sin". The enjoyed the lesson and some were left wondering but the good thing is they understood that really Jesus loves them dearly.

After the lesson we served them with a hot meal, fruits and some Juice. They really enjoyed it was more than enough so everyone got a good and enough potion. We used disposal plates so that we did not have much work cleaning the utensils. I bet from the pictures you will see that we had a good time feasting. As we came to the end everyone was happy and thank God for the day and for all who assisted to make the day a great one enjoyable to everyone.

Conclusion

Thanks so much for supporting and making the events a success and a blessing to the children and to us too. May God bless you in a great way than you can ever imagine.

As you have noticed we did not manage to do all that we had planned especially giving out clothes, sanitary towels, HIV/AIDS sensitisation and De-worming. The clothes were late, our doctor got an emergency, the actors who were supposed to teach on HIV went for Christmas recession and girls did not show up due to the invitation they got from the Priest, so we are looking of doing this during the Easter Holiday. At least we will be able to reach more children during that time. Please continue to pray for us.

We really appreciate all you did for once again we cannot even fathom your kindness in all you did. All we can ask is may the desires of your heart be met and may His who is able to do more that we can imagine bless you richly.

Otherwise on behalf of all the guys who took part we really appreciate and God bless once again. Am over whelmed with joy and thanks giving it was really a great Christmas filled with lots and lots of Gods wonderful love.

Rathimwo muno Boni

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