The Newsletter will appear soon
I am writing this with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart, but I felt I had to write this addition to the Newsletter in view of the current unrest in Kenya. Clashes broke out across Kenya in late December after President Mwai Kibaki declared himself the winner of an election disputed by the opposition and labelled as flawed by the international community. Over 900 people (as at 1st February) have been killed and an estimated quarter of a million people have fled their homes to escape the unrest and some 85% of these are women and children. This is a conflict in which the poor are set at one another's throats. Mostly illiterate youngsters that say they are fighting for their future, protecting land and families. Attacks three weeks ago were sparked by the disputed election, but the fighting has now taken on a different complexion. Old inter-ethnic scores, some going back generations are being settled. Many relate to disputes over land which different communities claim was stolen from them. Our workers and families in Kenya say this action will not bring food to their tables, they have to rely on neighbours in times of trouble and it doesn’t matter what tribe they are. This is the opinions of “educated” Kenyans. What we are striving for is to educate the youth in our small area so that they grow up proud to be “Kenyans” and not let tribalism get in the way of future growth. We appeal to all our friends, sponsors and donors to carry on helping our projects and our staff and children in Kenya are so petrified that they will lose you all because of the violence that is being shown by the media. Our schools and villages are not involved with the fighting that has erupted since the Election. After the Likoni clashes in 1997 when Timbwani village was involved, we went to the village in 1999 and started our first projects. Since then , we are proud to tell you that all tribes in the village, live in peace and the community spirit is that of being “Kenyan” and many put this down to the opening of the school and the way we have got the community involved in many projects, including small income generating business, etc.. NO fighting has occurred in Timbwani and we hope that outside forces do not interfere and intrude into the village. I wish I could show the rest of Kenya how this village has changed its total outlook on “tribalism” since the clashes in 1997. We have had a few families that live in Likoni (the nearest town a couple of miles away) that have been affected by the riots, and have lost their homes or small businesses, we have been busy getting help for them and making sure they are now safe. We have children on a daily basis that walk the road to get to Maji Safi School from Likoni, Prices have tripled on certain basic items and when you think that 65% of Kenyan families have to survive on 50 pence a day you can understand that life is very difficult for many of our families. We would like to thank friends and sponsors who have donated money during the last couple of weeks to help with our very needy families and if anyone else wishes to donate or organise a small fundraising event then it is more than welcome. We will NEVER give up the hope and convictions we have, that Kenya is a great country and still needs our help. Education is the key to eliminate poverty. PLEASE ACCEPT ALL THE LOVE AND GOOD WISHES FROM OUR CHILDREN, STAFF & FRIENDS IN KENYA WHO YOU ARE HELPING. And from Mike & I our warmest thanks for your continued support and we know you are with us as we work on. It has made us more determined that our small part in this Kenyan community will continue as we can see the difference that education and support has made to our families and friends.