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.

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