THE MAJI SAFI SCHOOLS PROJECTS... UPDATE

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2002

Linda Greenland
102 Whitecross Avenue
Whitchurch BRISTOL BS14 9JE
Tel: 01275 834883

I know I said in the January newsletter that I was cutting down to 2 newsletters a year, well, I could not let such an exciting time pass and not tell you!!

MAJI SAFI SCHOOL

GOOD NEWS!! The building at Maji Safi school is almost completed. Nine classrooms in 2 years!! The standalone nursery classroom was rendered and tables and benches fitted at Easter. We still need to finish off some of the classes. The FIVE toilets are finished and rendered and put to good use by the 280 pupils!! At Easter £1200 was spent on textbooks, school uniform and shoes for the children.

Altogether Miriam registered 65 children in Jan! Sponsors are needed for some of these children, so if you know anyone interested please contact us. Future sponsorship for new children will be £10 a month as overheads have increased and we need 2 teachers per class for the older classes. 40 children are getting extra tuition in the "informal" classes to get them up to standard. A "free" class for children almost 3 years & above has been started.

We have employed a nightwatchman for security. We have had some support for the orphans at the school and they are now being helped with food.

CHIGOMBERO SCHOOL - SOUTH COAST

Mike and I visited this school in the New Year with a friend who runs a charity in Kenya and has supported them with goods from a container. It is 2hours from Mombasa, far into the bush 5miles from the main road, some children walk that distance to school every day!! The classrooms were falling down, made of mud and twigs, it made Maji Safi school look like a University!! Some children still being taught in the open air under the trees!! Parents had raised money to build 2 classrooms. We donated £500 to help with the 3rd classroom. Foundations were dug and building is up to roof level.

"HEATHERS HOUSE"

Work is continuing on the house, soon the doors & windows will be fitted, walls rendered & painted The main problem is the toilet which will be very costly as is has to be dug through 30ft of coral rock!! Heather was so happy to meet her children and the families that will hopefully be moving in later this year.

EASTER 2002!!!

The Musicians Arrived!! Kirsty (Violinist) and Hayley (Guitarist) Kirsty (Violinist) & Hayley (Guitarist) with children at Shika Adabu Village

Hayley Savage (Classical Guitarist) and Kirsty Flowers (Violinist) joined Heather Gilbert for a holiday with us. What a memorable time we all had. They visited Maji Safi School; Shikadabu village; Chigembero school and played in Timbwani village. All of the children and parents were amazed at the music played by the girls.The look on the faces of the children was something we shall never forget. IT WAS MAGICAL!! To bring their music into an African village and get them clapping and dancing. The girls learned some African songs before they came, played Irish Jigs, American and Hungarian pieces and even "Twinkle , Twinkle, Little Star" which was the song I heard the little ones singing when I first found the wooden hut they used as the nursery at "Maji Safi School 3 years ago.

SHIKA ADABU VILLAGE

Mike and I have many friends in this village. The girls fell in love with the village, people & children and we quickly discussed the prospect of building a nursery & primary school there. We looked at land and an offer was made, we just have to raise the money!! This is very exciting for EVERYONE!! We think the name for the school will be "INSPIRATIONS" nursery/primary school. We hope that all children will be inspired to make the most of their chance of education!! ("Shika Adabu" means good behaviour or good discipline)

ROLL OF HONOUR

All the Church Groups & Ladies groups that I have talked too. For the interest and support you have all shown. Plus the sponsors who wish to remain anonymous!! THANK YOU to ALL the childrens sponsors!!!! It is amazing to see the school, now full of children; who without your support could not enjoy education. They are HAPPY and PROUD to be at school and I just wish you ALL could go there and see their wonderful smiles and work!! THANK YOU to the sponsors that gave money to buy their child uniform/shoes & books. Again, the children feel like they "belong" when they have uniform and their "own" set of textbooks. Shoes mean they can walk to school without getting their feet torn to shreds on the coral rock. THANK YOU to everyone who has helped us with donations BIG and SMALL!! Even a small amount goes such a LONG WAY in Kenya, so PLEASE continue supporting these children. We are returning to Kenya in July, if any sponsors wish to send letters to their children. I am sorry I cannot take individual gifts, but if you wish to send a cheque I can make sure the money reaches the child. Or I am happy to purchase a gift at the local supermarket in Mombasa. This is no problem at all.

OUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Parents receiving Mosquito Nets Parents receiving Mosquito Nets

We need your support, fundraising and donations to achieve the above!! HOT NEWS!!! Help prevent Malaria!! In Africa a child dies from malaria every 30 seconds!! At Easter we bought mosquito nets for over 200 children at Maji Safi School. Ashton Park School Bristol has donated £1000 to start off this project. We bought "double" nets as children sleep 2 or 3 to a bed, so this will make sure they are well covered. If you wish to purchase a net this can be done for £5 !! WE will then look around the village and buy them for babies and toddlers!! And any other children - IT DOESNT MATTER what school they go to!!!!