Christmas Newsletter 2017

Firstly, apologies that this letter has been a long time coming! We have had a busy summer, and there has been a fair bit of work to do in Kenya, one way or another.

We had a drought; there had been very little rain for the last 2 years. This meant that very little food had been grown, and the cost of food was rising virtually by the day.

Having done what we could to help with the purchase of food, it then rained and rained!

So much rain, that whole villages and roads were washed away, and we received horrific pictures of the consequences. Many people, including children, lost their lives, and we sent out every piece of clothing and blankets which we had here to help, as well as extra money for food. Our school lost a bit of the roof, so that was replaced, and of course, the long-drop toilets needed emptying as they had flooded. It was awful to see how the homes built of mud and sticks, just disintegrated, and were left, in some cases, with just their bamboo roofs at floor level. This was followed inevitably with a fair bit of illness, particularly amongst the children. We are grateful to those who have helped us with extra funds to send out, and the support given by the two schools which Pearl visits was just wonderful. One School held a summer fair, and raised more than £500, and the other school also had a sale and raised in excess of £450. During the summer holidays whilst in the High Street shopping, Pearl noticed a sale going on in a front garden. Imagine her surprise when she went to investigate, to find it was 3 girls from the school holding a sale of their books, toys, clothes, DVD’s etc., in aid of the Kanamai Trust! They had taken pictures off the internet to decorate their stall, and it was really beautiful. They raised more than £220. We used this money to buy school books which we desperately needed. So, a big thank you to all our young supporters. We really couldn’t manage without you.

Earlier in the year, our oldest children took their mock finals, and did very well. They have just recently taken them for real, and we await the outcome. Their results will determine which senior schools they are able to attend so they are really important.

With all the upheavals caused by the elections it has not been easy living for our friends in Kenya. The future is not good, when you realise that tourism is virtually non existent, and on which they were dependent.

On a happier note, we had a dinner/dance in late Spring, which was a great success. We have just booked to hold another one on September 29th 2018, so book the date in your diary now and join us. It will be a great evening. Thanks to Wendy for organising this year’s event, and also next years event too!

We are going to add some photos for you which we hope you will find of interest.

Of great concern to us is the continuing rise in the cost of living in Kenya, and of course, this reflects on what we can do, particularly at the school. Throughout the last year, we have continued to supply porridge for the children for breakfast, and a meal at lunchtime. We are now very rarely able to provide meat as the cost is too high. The children in the dormitory need another meal in the evening, too of course. In 2012 we were able to fund education, food, medicines and even a school uniform for £40 a year per pupil. Sadly that is no longer the case, so if anyone can increase their annual giving even by £5 it would make our task a lot easier.

Many, many thanks for your support and encouragement. We are only able to do what we do because of your help.

Thank you too to George who has helped us with the website. Earlier in the year, it crashed, and so it meant a lot of work for George to get it put right. For technical reasons he will no longer be a Trustee, though he is going to continue doing what he does so well on behalf of the Trust.

May we take this opportunity to wish you a peaceful and happy Christmas and the New Year.

Paul, Pearl, George, Debbie & Paul

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