Twiga Centre

People ask what the children do when they visit Twiga Children's Centre. Here's the answer.

With music, so make sure your speakers are on!

Swing High, Swing Low ...

The Swing

The upright is erected

Then the crossbar is positioned

Marking up

Here we go ...

Testing for strength (or acting like a big kid)

Brian [minor], being light, gets to test the swing

Dennis puts it through its paces

From his expression, I guess it passed the test!

Edwin was next to go ...

and also approved of the new acquisition

Aloys, for all his swagger, was very careful

He doesn't look happy, does he?

Oh, now he does.

Nyachuba is the first girl to have a go.

... followed by Catherine, one of our new girls

Then it was  time to try tandem.

Catherine gives her little sister, Ivy a ride

Brian, of course, just had to use it as a climbing frame.

... while Christine uses the swing

Cliff and Brian

Steve gets a go - eventually

Dreaming

Goals for 2010

A new year, so we need to set goals.

Having had a major re-think last year, we decided that we will continue to give support to our children, keeping them within a family unit wherever possible, whether that be a single parent, grandparents of older siblings.

However, we have three, maybe four families where the children would benefit from residential care. To this end, we have redrawn our plans for building a residential unit at Twiga.

This will comprise two small dormitories, with four sets of bunks in each. The existing hut, which has three rooms will  be converted to that the smaller front room will become the kitchen/office, the small back room will be sleeping quarters for the 24/7 carer and that large room will be the dining/study/leisure area.

We will also need to construct washing facilities and a toilet block - a deep-pit has already been dug for the latrine.

The kitchen already has a 3-ring tabletop gas cooker, which will burn methane from an anaerobic digester that was constructed on site by KCIS last year. 

Local, traditional building materials will be used to keep costs down, but we will still need to acquire poles, cement, roofing sheets, window and door frames, as well as furniture and equipment, such as a generator (or we could be connected to the electricity grid, if we can get a regular income).

-oOo-

In conjunction with KCIS, we have extended our vegetable plot at the Twiga centre, where we are now growing peas and beans as well as kale. We are also trying to grow sugar cane. This is a good source of natural sugar and its due to its fibrous nature, it also keeps the children's teeth clean while they are chewing it.

-oOo-

Last year, we constructed a swing. This has proved to be very popular, so we will be looking at constructing other playground equipment this year - a see-saw, and maybe a climbing frame. 

Well, for the moment, that is it, although i am sure that other projects will appear as the year progresses.

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!

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.

Orphaned kids in Kenya don't do Christmas. They go to church, but other than that, Christmas Day is just another day to survive.

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.

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.

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.