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.

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

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.

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.

Krismasi Njema

The children and staff of Twiga Children's Home would like to wish all our friends, followers and supporters a

Very Merry Christmas.

Baba Mzungu is Coming

This is probably not as exciting as Santa Claus to the children, but I fear that Father Christmas will not be coming this year, not because the children have been naughty, but because food is too expensive and we cannot afford anything else.

And I know that when David arrives, we will all be very busy starting up the farm, designing water treatment systems and starting an education programme to reduce malaria in our area, and maybe planning the building of our new orphanage.

But I am sure that he will take time off on a Saturday or Sunday and give all the children at Twiga one BIG party!

Now that's something to look forward to, isn't it?

Christmas is Coming

Oh dear. The kids are beginning to ask if they are going to get presents this year.

Last year, because of the elections and the subsequent violence, causing food price rises, they didn't get any - not until the people of Woolton Hill and Highclere villages in southern England held an appeal. The kids, all the kids, got a new pair of school shoes. The also had two parties in March, with food and games.

This year, the global economic crisis has forced the cost of food up again. The price of maize flour, the staple food in Kenya has risen 300%, so it looks as if, once again, there will be no presents under the tree this year.

Luckily, the children understand this. They know that we are struggling just to make sure they have at least one good meal a day, shoes on their feet, a school uniform so they can get an education.

They also know that they are luckier than some. At least they are fed, they have shelter, they have clothes, they have schooling, they have medicine if they are ill. Not all Kenyan children are so lucky.

But it doesn't stop them from asking if they are going to get a present this year. They are, after all, children.