All systems are up and running

Kitui is so green and beautiful at the moment, it's the rainy season.  People are really busy cultivating in their shambas leaving the town quite and without the wonderful buzz that is usually associated with the town of Kitui.
 Life at KDC is also very busy. I officially returned to work last Monday morning and it was a wonderful day, a very important one for us also. I visited the office early to catch up on events and happenings and by 1.00 pm our work began.  We started with a Board of Directors and Staff Meeting where all of us were briefed on project progress and about new projects coming on stream. We finished at 7.00pm and then followed with the hosting of our very good German friends and donors, Kindernothilfe.  They were briefed on projects and progress together with planning for a field visit to the Water Project and the Poultry Production Project in which they have a particular interest. The social aspect of an event like this is always wonderful and our evening finished approx. 10.30pm.
The following morning, Tuesday, we undertook the project inspections and afterwards had a progress report which was a really good one.  Our guests had a wonderful opportunity to see first hand what goes on and also to meet and talk with the beneficiaries of the projects.  Seeing is really believing!!! You also will be welcome to visit our projects and assist us with them.
Yesterday, Thursday, I met with the Community Facilitators involved with the Child Labour Eradication Programme and they are making really good progress.  The prevention side is going very well,  enabling 1,000 children to remain  in school and also others to return to school  by supplying them with tuition fees, uniforms and school materials.  Primary school is free to students but tuition fees/extra classes provided by teachers must be paid by the students and in some cases if they cannot afford the fees the children are chased away from the school, ie. not allowed to attend for normal school hours.  On the withdrawl of children from child labour there are more challenges.  800 cases have been identified, some 50+ are now  in vocational training in areas of Mechanics and Beauty Therapy. There are a further 60+ awaiting placements and we have quite a number of children undergoing counselling before placement is possible. Applications are being processed for the remainder.
Our biggest challenge in the area if withdrawl is the issue of change in parental attitudes towards education and self sufficiency coupled with counselling and educational  facilities.  So much progress could be made in those related areas and so much time saved if we had our own building to undertake such educational and therapeutic activities.  We have the skilled personnel available to facilitate.


If you can in any way support us either through personal donation, organising events to raise funds, putting us in contact with people or organisations who may be willing to assist us or in whatever way you feel we could benefit please contact me Janet at hinchionj@gmail.com
We would be very greatful for any assistance given to us.

Today I had planned to visit Wii,a location outside the town, and meet with the women involved in Table Banking.  This is a self help group focusing on saving and borrowing in order to improve their standards of living, develop small businesses and eliminate their poverty. Unfortunately this was not to be as last night I came down with a tummy bug and sparing you the details!! my energy is depleted as you can imagine.  This was disappointing not only for myself but for the group, however there is next week. I suppose the plus side is the fact that we have electricity today and I have no excuse to postpone blogging.  During the rains we suffer frequently from power cuts and it adds to communication problems and slows down the whole progress of the day., anyway life goes on!!!
Looking at the diary, next week promises to be a very busy and active one, with many group meetings to attend to as well as the office work!!!  The staff on the programme are brilliant and congratulations to them for their commitment and dedication to making this programme a success despite the daily challenges.
Hope you enjoyed reading about our progress and challenges and please encourage your friends to check out our site www.kidsofkitui.com  and also remembering that you can assist us through Paypal.  Your contribution will be so welcome no matter what the amount is.
Till next time, take care and stay safe.
Goodbye.
Janet

Yipee!! a new website www.kidsofkitui.com

Check out my new website and read about some of the activities that I'm involved with in Kitui. I'm jetting back to Kenya early Sunday morning and it will be all go from then on, lots of things waiting to be done.
Thanks to all who have helped with the website, hope you enjoy it. www.kidsofkitui.com

Temps in Kitui are about 28 C but don't be too upset they also have the rains presently and everything comes to a standstill with the rains, no electricity, no internet so please forgive me if I miss out on blogging, I promise I will really do my best!!!


kwaheri , goodbye till the next time