MAJI SAFI PROJECTS NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 2006

Registered charity no. 1106384)

PLEASE, PLEASE - HELP US MAKE 2006 THE BEST YEAR YET! EDUCATION IS THE WAY

"TO HELP MAKE POVERTY HISTORY"

Linda Greenland & Mike Radford – 102 Whitecross Ave, Whitchurch Bristol BS14 9JE Tel: 01275 834883

This newsletter is early as I wanted you to hear about the Ashton Park students visit. Also, to remind sponsors that if you wish to send to your children/family for Xmas then you can still do this. Mike and I will not be in Kenya until the end Dec, but Miriam, Bekker, & Fidy our trusty "Gang" of Project workers will make sure families get food etc that you want, but the cards/letters will get to them later.

If you send a cheque before school finishes which is end November we can guarantee the families get for Xmas. If it is later they may not get until the New Year, but at any time it is always appreciated.

Don’t forget if you would like to give a "different" GIFT for birthdays and Xmas presents. Sponsors can purchase a gift card from us for family and friends, the same as "Send a Cow" or as Oxfam does. Ours will be very simple:-

Just phone or email me with your request and let me know the name of the person & what you want; the card will be personalised. Inside the card is a message and photo of the item you choose. (or you can have it blank if you wish).

THE PROJECTS

Everything is going on well at both schools and villages. There are over 550 children at Maji Safi School and 165 at Inspirations, all working hard and enjoying their education. We still need more sponsors for children or teachers. In January we have to employ 2 more teachers at Inspirations as the children move to the next class. All the boreholes (wells) are still in great demand and making such a difference to people’s lives. We have bought bundles of clothes to give to the most poor and needy families; helped villagers in projects to become self-sufficient.
Many houses have been repaired whose walls and roofs were damaged by the heavy rains, (which came with a vengeance after months of drought) leaving families sleeping under plastic sheets. Housing, food & medical help is still being given to the neediest.
The list is endless, and we do as much as we can. None of this is possible without your continued support.

GRADUATION

Who can believe 2 years ago Mr Josephat our head teacher at Inspirations School went to complete his teacher training? Sponsored by a very good friend, he committed himself totally to his studies. On August 4th we hired a mini bus and went on a 6 hour journey to reach the college. He was amazed to see his friends & fellow teachers and to get all the "congratulations" from his friends in the UK. He’s now back at school, in front of the blackboard at the beginning of this new term, FULL of the ideas that he learnt. Next Sept will be the chance of Naomi (our nursery teacher) to further her studies to become a primary teacher. She stood in for Mr Josephat while he was away and has shown a great commitment to the children and the school.

SPECIAL NEEDS CLASSROOM

We have some children that live near Inspirations School that have physical or learning difficulties.
In July our friends Carrie and Hilary came to help on the projects at the same time as the students. They met some of these children who touched their hearts and have decided to go back to Scotland to raise the money so that we can have a Special Needs classroom and teacher, rather than these children be sent away to "SPECIAL" units (which are not special at all!) Watch out for further news as they are 2 ladies on a mission!!
This month our friends Bobby, Ken, Janette and Vernon are returning f or their 3rd year, to do more arts, crafts, music etc with our children, so watch out for Spring 2007 newsletter to find out all the exciting things that happened, lots of surprises in store!!

ASHTON PARK TEAM + KENYA TEAM

by Maddie Garnham – Ashton Park School

It seems like a lifetime ago when we all signed up for the second trip to Inspirations School. Some were apprehensive, some mad enough to sign up again (5 ex-students that went on the first expedition wanted to come back for more), many were excited as the date got nearer, but we all had one thing in common; we were ready for an experience.18 months later, a changing team line-up that eventually resulted in 28 students and 4 staff members (double the number that went last time!) and hell of a lot of hard work later and we were ready to go.
When we signed up we knew that it wasn’t going to be a smooth ride to get to our destination (both literally and figuratively!), with a £5,000 target to reach in order to buy the local materials and labour to build the eagerly awaited new additions to the school.
The fundraising was at times draining but was a huge team effort, not just by the team but from the whole of Ashton Park School and sixth form students and teachers, friends, family and the local community. Without the amazing support we received when trying to reach our goal we would not have been able to lay a single brick.
The fundraising ideas got bigger, better and more adventurous as the months rolled by and our departure date neared. 18 months ago we were selling cakes, running discos and non-uniform days, suddenly we found ourselves agreeing to dress up, abseil down the Avon Gorge and cycle to Bath and back, all in the name of raising money. Whilst at times it was hard going, we still managed to enjoy ourselves (and let our hair down at the barn dance; although some maybe did a bit too much!) and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported us.
We ended up far exceeding our original target, raising nearly £8,000 to pay for the project (which explains why Linda’s already adventurous plans for us got even grander; not that we knew about it until we arrived for our first day building!)
Destination reached!
We all finally stepped off the plane bleary eyed on 6th July and climbed on the bus for the journey to the hotel where Linda and Mike would be waiting. The sun was shining, Fidy and the rest of the guys that came to meet us were so welcoming and we were all excited (albeit a bit tired) to finally be in Kenya. Yet, as we drove through the small towns and villages and witnessed for the first time the poverty that many were living in, the contrast in cultures was shocking and I did start to question what I had let myself in for.
24 hours and a lot of rest later, our mood couldn’t have been more different. We all piled on the mini buses, eager to get to the school, meet the children and see the task ahead of us.
And the day certainly wasn’t a let down. It got off to a dramatic start, with one fainting incident (thank you Bridie!), a few tears from us (due the children’s welcoming songs and dances) and the realisation of what we had to achieve in the next 2 weeks as Linda showed us the spot where we were to build new classrooms, as well as an office and a storeroom for equipment (thanks to the extra money raised).
And this was all before 10 O’clock!
With so much to achieve in so little time we all set to work, donning our steel toe capped boots and gloves to shovel sand, mix cement, move bricks and clear ground in order to start the foundations. Meanwhile another group had been let loose with the machetes to clear a patch of land outside the gates in order to build a football pitch.
Over the next 2 weeks we all perfected our concrete slapping skills (although a bit too much still ended up on the floor!), mastered the art of brick carrying 'production lines' and wheel-barrowed rubble back and forth.
"PRODUCTION LINE"

It was astounding to see the progress after each day. With such different building methods we weren’t sure what to expect, but the building was soon shooting up & the football pitch was completed on the second day. Soon it was being put to good use by the pupils, many of which were wearing the football kits that were kindly donated to us by Bristol schools. They definitely now looked and felt the part. However, we had not only brought with us the football kits. Pencils, books, paper, balls and toys also filled our many extra bags that we had managed to sneak onto the plane.
What are such simple things to us will make a huge difference to the school and the students and the amount that everyone had donated definitely brought a smile to my face., and to the kids’…as seen on the last day when we managed to give out a filled pencil case and school bag to every child at the school. On top of all this, we also bought mosquito nets that were donated to the village, meaning that many more can now be protected and hopefully stay malaria-free. While the building was growing rapidly, it wasn’t all work for us at the school. Playing with the children was the highlight of our day (and the majority of our day in some cases…managing to sneak off building duties.) The smiles on the students faces never wavered, their excitement and enthusiasm to play and learn was constant and their happiness upon seeing us for the first time and everyday reminded me why we were all there in the first place….and made it feel so worthwhile. New friends were made, many photos were taken as the children posed, songs and games were taught and learnt and memories that will last a lifetime were formed.
At the end of our two weeks at the school the new building was almost up to roof level & beyond our reach, the floor and roof of one of the new classrooms were finished and although we were all excited to continue on the next part of our trip, none of us wanted to leave behind the school, its staff and students and the bonds and friendships that we had made. Needless to say more than a few tears were shed as the children sang their final goodbye songs. Kate’s little friend didn’t want to let go of her new friend!! Many sad faces on the last day!!
All work, no play?
Although the whole team put all their efforts into the build, we still had time to relax, play and get to know each other. Favourite activities included; chasing crabs at night on the beach, drinking Tuskers (chasing crabs after drinking Tuskers was even more popular), visiting the local nightclub ‘Tembo’ where we could all dance the night away and of course the ‘cultural visits’ to the Nakumat supermarket where we could stock up on local delicacies such as Pringles and Hobnobs!
During our free time the majority of us also got to visit the original Maji Safi school and village, where a delicious lunch at Fidy’s house was awaiting us, as was a warm welcome from everyone. Hearing the stories of some of the locals and witnessing the way these people lived their lives was eye opening and at times was quite overwhelming. Yet, it was all part of our experience and the trip would not have been what it was without the tears, the laughs and the amazing and strong people we met.
Whilst it would be all so easy just to feel sorry for these people, we learnt that doesn’t help and is not what they want. Sympathy doesn’t solve these problems, but action is what changes these people’s lives; by providing these children with an education they can grow up to support themselves and their family and finally leave the cycle of poverty.
I think I can speak for the whole team when I say that I feel proud for the part I have played in this expedition and the small change I have made to those children’s lives. The lives, smiles, appreciation and stories we experienced were inspirational and although the tans may have faded and our lives are back to reality, those memories will forever stay with us. WE LOOK FORWARD TO OUR RETURN!! THE END RESULT!!!
After the students left work continued and by the end of August the doors had been fitted, the floors cemented and walls rendered. By the middle of September the walls were painted, tables and chairs and shelves fitted in the office.
***Linda & Mike would like to point out that all the students raised their own money for their fares etc, most getting part time jobs and relying on help from parents, grand parents etc to fund their trip. ****

BARN DANCE (CEILIDH) FEBRUARY 24TH 2007, ASHTON PARK SCHOOL – BRISTOL

Plans are already under way for this yearly event. It is the best fundraiser we have so please try and be part of it!! 2007 is our 4th one and every year it gets better. Even if you can’t (or don’t want to) dance that is not a problem, it is a BRILLIANT social event, many donors and sponsors come to meet us, the committee, and all the students and teachers from Ashton Park that have visited the projects.
Orders for tickets are now being taken, if you try to phone me and we are away on our travels, please phone Bobby Williams 01761 490627 or Dave Byett 01934 835435 and they will be happy to help.
I know it seems a long way off, but put it in your diary as there won’t be another newsletter to remind you before then! And we would hate for you to miss out. Just to remind you, Dave Byett was one of our sponsors who decided, after reading a newsletter that he could maybe help by asking his band "Cats Whiskers" to put on a night for us. Well, since then they are all hooked, their families, friends all support the event. ITS AMAZING THE POWER OF "SPREADING THE WORD" THANKS!!
If anyone has any contacts for raffle prizes we would be really grateful, especially "unusual" items! We raised over £300 on the raffle last year and we could even "auction" some items if they were that good!!
That would raise even more money! THANKS.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS AND DONORS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!! There has been SO MUCH help this year – too many to list as I have committed this newsletter to the wonderful students of Ashton Park, and we are running out of space!! BUT – you all know that the thanks, appreciation and love from all our children, staff, family and friends in Kenya goes to you in all you do for them. The donations towards building, staff wages & training, medicine, porridge etc etc etc keeps the projects moving on for their benefit. THANKS XX.

*PLEASE KEEP UP THE FANTASTIC WORK!!*

ONCE AGAIN A HUGE BIG THANKS to Andy Kybert – M-D of The Woodside Press Ltd – Bristol for printing this newsletter, I STILL can’t express how grateful I am, it saves me a mountain of work!