The children and staff of
Twiga Children's Centre
wish everyone a
Happy New Year.
Thursday 31 December 2009
Wednesday 23 December 2009
Dare We Hope?
Also posted on the Kenyan community initiative Support blog
We have just received an enquiry regarding our plans to build a small residential unit at the Twiga Children's Centre, something that has always been on the "To-Do" list, but which has never had the funding.
As we had a change of direction regarding residential care of our children, we now need a lot fewer places than originally envisaged. We are going to offer support to family units where there is a capable adult, rather than just take the children into care automatically. But we still have six children who are either total orphans or totally abandoned by parents. These need residential care that, at present, we cannot offer.
So, last night, I was re-drawing building plans, and sending out requests for costings of materials. I have never constructed a building in my life, not even a garden shed, so I am bound to have forgotten stuff - like window frames and doors, pretty fundamental really!
Luckily, Vincent, the other director has build things in Kenya and is well used to traditional building methods, so I passed my initial workings-out to him.
We are planning on two "huts", each with 4 sets of bunks. The existing hut is split into three rooms, which will become the kitchen, matron's quarters and dining/study area. I have designed in a shower block, but we will need to build toilets. We have already started a deep-pit latrine, so we are wll on the way.
Using traditional building materials should cut costs considerably, but we want concrete floors and corrugated sheet roofing.
Of course, we will need to buy the bunks, a unit for each child to keep clothes and personal belongings, as well as furniture for the matron's quarters.
Then there are the running costs, food, wages for the adult supervisor (or matron), electricity (dare we?), clothing, books, etc.
But I will worry about these costs once the huts have been built. Let's cross one bridge at the time!
We have just received an enquiry regarding our plans to build a small residential unit at the Twiga Children's Centre, something that has always been on the "To-Do" list, but which has never had the funding.
As we had a change of direction regarding residential care of our children, we now need a lot fewer places than originally envisaged. We are going to offer support to family units where there is a capable adult, rather than just take the children into care automatically. But we still have six children who are either total orphans or totally abandoned by parents. These need residential care that, at present, we cannot offer.
So, last night, I was re-drawing building plans, and sending out requests for costings of materials. I have never constructed a building in my life, not even a garden shed, so I am bound to have forgotten stuff - like window frames and doors, pretty fundamental really!
Luckily, Vincent, the other director has build things in Kenya and is well used to traditional building methods, so I passed my initial workings-out to him.
We are planning on two "huts", each with 4 sets of bunks. The existing hut is split into three rooms, which will become the kitchen, matron's quarters and dining/study area. I have designed in a shower block, but we will need to build toilets. We have already started a deep-pit latrine, so we are wll on the way.
Using traditional building materials should cut costs considerably, but we want concrete floors and corrugated sheet roofing.
Of course, we will need to buy the bunks, a unit for each child to keep clothes and personal belongings, as well as furniture for the matron's quarters.
Then there are the running costs, food, wages for the adult supervisor (or matron), electricity (dare we?), clothing, books, etc.
But I will worry about these costs once the huts have been built. Let's cross one bridge at the time!
Wednesday 16 December 2009
The Children Cook a Meal
It was Sunday. About 15 children were at the Twiga centre, where they were letting off steam and remembering what it was like to be a child for a while.
But they were hungry. They had been given sugar cane, as much to help clean their teeth as to give them the energy from the sugar itself, but they were still hungry.
We were about to find a couple of volunteers to cook a meal when Aloys (13) said that he wanted to cook, as long as someone provided the ingredients. He was despatched to the local shop clutching a Ksh 200 note and soon came back with kale, tomatoes, onions and a bit of meat - probably goat. We already had maize flour in stock and he set about getting a fire going.
Looking for firewood was just the excuse that two of the younger lads to shin up the tall trees on the plot. These trees don't have branches below about 20 feet. They literally shinned up!
Firewood collected, stones placed to make a fireplace, Dennis, kneeling down to blow the flames into life and Aloys started to prepare the Ugali. Meanwhile, some of the girls were in the hut preparing the vegetables. But what was going on outside was far more entertaining!
Aloys had not placed the stones well and as he stirred the ugali, and it thickened, he could not keep the pot still. Dennis, on his knees, cheek on the ground was still blowing on the fire, but had to jump up to grab the pot to steady it, using leaves and bits of card to protect his fingers.
As soon as the ugali was ready, the girls turfed Aloys out of the cooking area. He was not going to get all the credit for the meal.
Soon, sukuma wiki was on the go and not long afterwards, the girls were serving up.
Baba Mzungu is not keen on sukuma wiki and ugali, so was not served. However, as soon as Aloys finished his meal, he shot back outside, fanned the fire and made himself busy. Soon, he presented Baba Mzungu with two hard-boiled eggs and salt.
The boy is very thoughtful. Having asked Vincent if Baba Mzungu took ugali and being told that he didn't, he had made a meal for one. OK, two boiled eggs is not a lot, but with a budget of Ksh 200 and 15 mouths to feed, it was a nice thought.
But then, that's is what we would expect from Aloys.
Also posted on the KCIS Blog
But they were hungry. They had been given sugar cane, as much to help clean their teeth as to give them the energy from the sugar itself, but they were still hungry.
We were about to find a couple of volunteers to cook a meal when Aloys (13) said that he wanted to cook, as long as someone provided the ingredients. He was despatched to the local shop clutching a Ksh 200 note and soon came back with kale, tomatoes, onions and a bit of meat - probably goat. We already had maize flour in stock and he set about getting a fire going.
Looking for firewood was just the excuse that two of the younger lads to shin up the tall trees on the plot. These trees don't have branches below about 20 feet. They literally shinned up!
Firewood collected, stones placed to make a fireplace, Dennis, kneeling down to blow the flames into life and Aloys started to prepare the Ugali. Meanwhile, some of the girls were in the hut preparing the vegetables. But what was going on outside was far more entertaining!
Aloys had not placed the stones well and as he stirred the ugali, and it thickened, he could not keep the pot still. Dennis, on his knees, cheek on the ground was still blowing on the fire, but had to jump up to grab the pot to steady it, using leaves and bits of card to protect his fingers.
As soon as the ugali was ready, the girls turfed Aloys out of the cooking area. He was not going to get all the credit for the meal.
Soon, sukuma wiki was on the go and not long afterwards, the girls were serving up.
Baba Mzungu is not keen on sukuma wiki and ugali, so was not served. However, as soon as Aloys finished his meal, he shot back outside, fanned the fire and made himself busy. Soon, he presented Baba Mzungu with two hard-boiled eggs and salt.
The boy is very thoughtful. Having asked Vincent if Baba Mzungu took ugali and being told that he didn't, he had made a meal for one. OK, two boiled eggs is not a lot, but with a budget of Ksh 200 and 15 mouths to feed, it was a nice thought.
But then, that's is what we would expect from Aloys.
Also posted on the KCIS Blog
Sunday 13 December 2009
Newbury Freegle - Thank You from Twiga
We were not disappointed when toys and games arrived at Twiga for the children! We will be thanking people personally when we can get the details back, but in the meantime, the children have asked us to say a big thank you to everyone who donated toys, games and clothes.
In particular, we were given a giant snakes and ladders and a junior twister game, both of which were big hits with the whole age-range (3 to 16).
Several of the boys also asked to be taught chess. Many are already accomplished draughts players but as we had been given a set with both games, they wanted to try the game they knew nothing about.
I have to confess that, other than the movement of the pieces, I do not know a lot more than they do. I had to explain that it was a game of strategy, then left them to it. It kept them occupied for hours, with potential players staring over the shoulders of those actually involved in a match.
Toy cars and Barbies were distributed to the younger children. One little girl braided and re-braided the hair on a Barbie, each time running around showing everyone the "new" hairstyle - another hit!
So, all in all, Christmas came early at Twiga. Clothes were given to those most in need and money donated went towards the swing and food.
Oh, and we were also given some vegetable seed. The children were introduced to seed sowing on my last visit, so they attacked the chore with enthusiasm. Before I left, there were peas and bean plants up to 2" tall growing on the Twiga plot.
We also handed out seed to the children who had a plot at their home. I visited them just before I left and saw the loving care these children have put into sowing their seed.
So, this trip was another success. I left a lot of very happy children, which, if you saw the living conditions of some of them, you would wonder just how they survive!
Of course, they survive due to the untiring work of the Twiga volunteers, and Vincent and his wife, Abigael.
In particular, we were given a giant snakes and ladders and a junior twister game, both of which were big hits with the whole age-range (3 to 16).
Several of the boys also asked to be taught chess. Many are already accomplished draughts players but as we had been given a set with both games, they wanted to try the game they knew nothing about.
I have to confess that, other than the movement of the pieces, I do not know a lot more than they do. I had to explain that it was a game of strategy, then left them to it. It kept them occupied for hours, with potential players staring over the shoulders of those actually involved in a match.
Toy cars and Barbies were distributed to the younger children. One little girl braided and re-braided the hair on a Barbie, each time running around showing everyone the "new" hairstyle - another hit!
So, all in all, Christmas came early at Twiga. Clothes were given to those most in need and money donated went towards the swing and food.
Oh, and we were also given some vegetable seed. The children were introduced to seed sowing on my last visit, so they attacked the chore with enthusiasm. Before I left, there were peas and bean plants up to 2" tall growing on the Twiga plot.
We also handed out seed to the children who had a plot at their home. I visited them just before I left and saw the loving care these children have put into sowing their seed.
So, this trip was another success. I left a lot of very happy children, which, if you saw the living conditions of some of them, you would wonder just how they survive!
Of course, they survive due to the untiring work of the Twiga volunteers, and Vincent and his wife, Abigael.
Saturday 7 November 2009
Visit from the UK
Our UK representative (Baba Mzungu) will be visiting Kisii in November for a month.
He will be bringing clothes and toys that have been donated to the Twiga Centre by people in the UK. In fact, so much has been donated that he cannot bring all of it in one trip!
The Twiga plot will be re-seeded to replace the vegetables that were lost during our mini-drought. We will be trying different vegetables, as well as making sure there is a good supply of sukuma kale.
But the mini-drought has shown us that we can no longer rely on the regular rainfall that the Kisii region has, until now, enjoyed, so we will be looking at ways to harvest water from the roof of the Twiga Hut, so that there will always be water for the crops.
He will be bringing clothes and toys that have been donated to the Twiga Centre by people in the UK. In fact, so much has been donated that he cannot bring all of it in one trip!
The Twiga plot will be re-seeded to replace the vegetables that were lost during our mini-drought. We will be trying different vegetables, as well as making sure there is a good supply of sukuma kale.
But the mini-drought has shown us that we can no longer rely on the regular rainfall that the Kisii region has, until now, enjoyed, so we will be looking at ways to harvest water from the roof of the Twiga Hut, so that there will always be water for the crops.
Saturday 24 October 2009
Generous People Will Make It Christmas At Twiga
Originally posted on BabaMzungu
Since the beginning of 2008, I have been collecting old cell phones for sale in Kenya. Last year, this effort raised enough to buy all our kids a new pair of leather schools shoes!
I have continued to collect cell phones, but they are becoming rarer. So I put out a plea for toys and games, as we approach Christmas - and my departure for Kenya.
Anyway, I just want to say a big thank you to Sophie, 10 years old, who lives in Newbury. She has given up her complete collection of Barbie dolls, 15 of them! Her little brothers gave 4 or 5 cars and a few other bits and bobs.
Since the beginning of 2008, I have been collecting old cell phones for sale in Kenya. Last year, this effort raised enough to buy all our kids a new pair of leather schools shoes!
I have continued to collect cell phones, but they are becoming rarer. So I put out a plea for toys and games, as we approach Christmas - and my departure for Kenya.
Orphaned kids in Kenya don't do Christmas. They go to church, but other than that, Christmas Day is just another day to survive.
Anne, also from Newbury, gave us a load of cuddly toys, and some games, such as chess, draughts and card games and a junior Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
Mia, a South African, also from Newbury gave us some games and some seed for our vegetable plot.
Our kids at Twiga are going to have one very good Christmas, even if it will be a little early - I will be back in the UK for the day.
But we still need money to feed them (and to build the much needed children's home), so if anyone is feeling generous, or wants to do some fund-raising, please feel free. Donations can be made with the PayPal button in the right margin of our KCIS blog page.
Sunday 18 October 2009
Visits from the UK - Past and Future
We were very fortunate to receive a visit from a BBC Radio Berkshire producer/researcher in July.
Nejra Chehic visited Kisii on another project, but had known about Twiga Children's Centre through our UK director, David Steggall. Nejra contacted David and it was arranged that she would visit us, see the Centre and speak to some of the children.
The result of this visit can be heard on the BBC Radio Berkshire website. An audio slide show can also be seen on their site, displaying photos of some of our Twiga children.
David will be returning to Kisii on 12th November and will be staying for about a month, when he will be shooting footage for a new video about the plight of OVCs in Kisii, and what Twiga (and KCIS) are hoping to do for them.
Nejra Chehic visited Kisii on another project, but had known about Twiga Children's Centre through our UK director, David Steggall. Nejra contacted David and it was arranged that she would visit us, see the Centre and speak to some of the children.
The result of this visit can be heard on the BBC Radio Berkshire website. An audio slide show can also be seen on their site, displaying photos of some of our Twiga children.
David will be returning to Kisii on 12th November and will be staying for about a month, when he will be shooting footage for a new video about the plight of OVCs in Kisii, and what Twiga (and KCIS) are hoping to do for them.
Friday 21 August 2009
Raising Our Profile in the UK
What do we need? Funds!
When do we need it? Now!
How do we get it? We raise the profile of our parent organisation, KCIS and feature our children.
A reporter from BBC Radio Berkshire in the UK, Nejra Cehic, recently visited Kisii and met Vincent & Abigael as well as some of the children. She recorded a lot of things in Kisii and these were broadcast over two weeks, on 9th and 16th August. They have also put a slideshow on their website, which you can see here.
Let us hope that the good people of Berkshire will respond with kindness.
Friday 10 July 2009
Things are moving along - at last!
During his visit in May 2009, Baba Mzungu organised the clearance of a plot and the sowing of seed that he had brought from England. We planted cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, onion, leek, tomatoes, carrots, spinach, beetroot and butternut squash.
All the seed has taken and the kids, with help from Vincent are now tending the crops.
We are hoping that because the climate in Kisii does not change much through the year, we will be able to grow vegetables all year round, which will help feed the Twiga kids.
All the seed has taken and the kids, with help from Vincent are now tending the crops.
We are hoping that because the climate in Kisii does not change much through the year, we will be able to grow vegetables all year round, which will help feed the Twiga kids.
Thursday 7 May 2009
Baba Mzungu is on his way - at last!
Hi Kids
It has been a difficult year for all of us, and for me, raising funds for the next stage of the Twiga project (that's you) has been very worrying.
We still don't have the money we need to do everything we want to do, but at least we can start. This time, we will be clearing some of the land at the plot so that we (that's you) can sow seed for vegetables and fruits that you can then eat.
We will also be looking at making fertiliser, filtering and purifying your drinking water, and if we get time, mosquito control.
If we get time, I want to put a swing on the plot, and maybe make a seesaw for the younger ones.
So, we will be busy, but I am sure you will enjoy yourselves.
Baadaye
Baba Mzungu
It has been a difficult year for all of us, and for me, raising funds for the next stage of the Twiga project (that's you) has been very worrying.
We still don't have the money we need to do everything we want to do, but at least we can start. This time, we will be clearing some of the land at the plot so that we (that's you) can sow seed for vegetables and fruits that you can then eat.
We will also be looking at making fertiliser, filtering and purifying your drinking water, and if we get time, mosquito control.
If we get time, I want to put a swing on the plot, and maybe make a seesaw for the younger ones.
So, we will be busy, but I am sure you will enjoy yourselves.
Baadaye
Baba Mzungu
Saturday 17 January 2009
To The Kids of TWIGA
This is Baba Mzungu and I can assure all the Children of Twiga that I will be coming out to Kenya ... but just not yet.
As in Kenya, the UK is going through a bad period financially and it is very difficult to raise the money for my trip, but I will do it!
Why? Because, Children of Twiga, we have a lot to do. We are going to start growing vegetables and fruit on the plot. We are going to improve the cottage so that after working on the plot (and no doubt getting very dirty, Edwin, Dennis, Henry, Davis, Aloys), you will be able to have a shower to clean off.
We will be looking at producing electricity, rainwater collection, clean, pure drinking water, warm water for washing, gas for cooking - in fact between us, we are going to improve the plot a lot.
We might even get around to looking at breeding fish to eat, but that maybe for another time - we'll see.
So, Children of Twiga, I will be coming and I will be working hard, with your help.
As in Kenya, the UK is going through a bad period financially and it is very difficult to raise the money for my trip, but I will do it!
Why? Because, Children of Twiga, we have a lot to do. We are going to start growing vegetables and fruit on the plot. We are going to improve the cottage so that after working on the plot (and no doubt getting very dirty, Edwin, Dennis, Henry, Davis, Aloys), you will be able to have a shower to clean off.
We will be looking at producing electricity, rainwater collection, clean, pure drinking water, warm water for washing, gas for cooking - in fact between us, we are going to improve the plot a lot.
We might even get around to looking at breeding fish to eat, but that maybe for another time - we'll see.
So, Children of Twiga, I will be coming and I will be working hard, with your help.
Monday 5 January 2009
Oops! Baba Mzungu isn't coming ...
Oh well. It was too good. Everything was in place in the UK for BM to come t o Kenya. He misses seeing his girlfriend on the Coast, and he misses the kids at Twiga. And he misses the warmth of our greetings and the warmth of the climate.
But he has been hit by the cold of the economic climate that is affecting so many countries and has had to postpone his trip for a while.
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