Tuesday 24th January 2011:

I have been trying to write a new entry for the blog since returning from Kenya, but have been having some technical difficulties. Its all sorted now!

We have had to say goodbye yesterday to our friends from Glen Waverley - Melbourne. Alanee and Joel, and Kat and Jason, have come to volunteer every year for the past three years. This year they bought Pam and Lyn, and also Steve along to help them.

Their work in Kenya starts long before they arrive. They fundraise for months beforehand so that they can fulfil the projects they have planned for that year. They do ALOT of work for our local community as well as alot for us at MIA.

They have shopped for, packed and distributed over 350 hampers to needy members of the community. They liaised with local people as to which were the neediest families. There were some very appreciative recipients.

Below is a photo of some people from the rubbish dump that received hampers.

They also delivered to the local Women's prison and Juvenile Facility.

Above: Can you imagine being thrown in prison for years for loitering outside your own home?? Yes...some of these women have committed serious crimes but others have been locked away for such ridiculous reasons. As you can see their children do the time with the mothers, until they are four years old. Then they get sent to live with family and if none are available they will go into an orphanage.

Above: These are the kids in the Juvenile Centre. Just like the Women's prison, many of these children have committed no crime. They are here because they were, for a variety of reasons, separated from their parents, they went to the police for help, and this is where they were sent. Unfortunately, as no one has come looking for them, this is where they will stay for now.

Our volunteers also fitted 150 pairs of school shoes. They are such great customers of our local Nakuru Bata store that they lent them their professional foot measuring stool. Alannee is demonstrating her skills below.

Above: You can see what a difference they have made to these little feet.

Above: They also purchased two charcoal making machines for a couple of very needy groups in our community. This will enable these people to use the natural resources, along with their machine, and earn an income.

They spent a lot of time with our kids, taking them out and also spending time with them at home teaching them new craft skills and outdoor games.

And although they left yesterday their giving continues. Our kids are in for a very BIG surprise. The playground the kids use has been starting to rot, and is going to get dangerous for them to climb on. Some of it has already been removed. Our Melbourne group, along with their Church the Glen Waverley Uniting Church has donated some money to install a new playground. This is going to be so appreciated by our kids, as this is where they spend so much of their time. They don't get to go out a lot as there are so many of them, so they spend a lot of time playing outside in the playground.

I know it will have been a very tearful farewell, on both sides. Thank you so much Alannee and Joel, Kat and Jason, Pam and Lyn, and Steve for everything you have done.

XXXXX

Sandie

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