Friends of Kenyas Children Latest News

Latest News Eldoret

A year after the outbreak of political unrest that tore the community apart, life has returned to a semblance of normality and anxiety is beginning to subside. However, the anniversary of the troubles will be a difficult moment, and fear still stalks the streets whenever the political situation seems unstable or not to be making progress. The reasons for the unrest and the sense of grievance amongst certain groups of people are complex and will not be resolved easily, the Pastor and his family and colleagues live always in the shadow of what happened and could happen again.

The school

The school buildings are almost complete for the moment. Two nursery and four primary classes have been built, together with an office. A dining hall (two classes put together) and adjoining kitchen and storeroom serve the school well for meals and assemblies. New tables have been built and chairs came from the container of goods sent out in 2007. Although resources are very limited, the school has everything it needs to provide basic education for up to 200 children who would otherwise have no access to schooling.

Heather Double Memorial

One of the classrooms above has been built and equipped in memory of Heather Double, from funds given in her memory to Good News Crusade (GNC), the organisation of which she was co-founder.

The pupils & boarding facilities.

Before the unrest the school had 60 pupils, 40 local children and 20 orphans from Lodwar placed with local families. Of these 20 are back in school, the 20 Lodwar children were returned temporarily to the orphanage because their foster families lost homes and livelihoods in the violence, and several are still living with their parents in tents in the IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp in town. The school has 69 pupils to date, new children coming from families slowly moving into the devastated community and beginning to make a new life.

At our last review of plans the urgent need was for facilities to enable the school to take in children as boarders. Former pupils now in the IDP camp would be so much better off in school, and the Lodwar children who had to leave Eldoret are promised an early return to resume their education. Beyond that, there are many children in the camps, and in the community, who would greatly benefit from the stability and physical well-being of a place as a boarder. To that end dormitories, flush toilets and showers have been built and are being equipped at the present time. Staff will be appointed to care for the children on a full-time basis.

Latest News - Lodwar

The orphanage in Lodwar has benefitted from the presence in the area of a colleague of the Pastor’s who returned there to his home area after the unrest. The two men have been able to work together during the year to develop plans for the orphans to some extent, and this will become a priority in the year ahead, once building work at Eldoret is finished for this phase. The big problems remain the lack of education, and, especially more recently, the escalating price of staple foods. These 181 children are dependent on FKC for their very existence, and the threat of a national famine, now a real possibility, hangs heavily over plans for the future here.

Fund Raising & The budget

The Ł1 a week fund.

Half way through the year, the fund to provide food and basic necessities for the 180 Lodwar children is falling short of the new target. Had we still needed Ł1 per week per child, we would be doing well, with Ł5,300 raised so far, but at Ł2 a week per child, which is the realistic cost today, we are running somewhat behind. However, once the current capital programme is completed all funds can be diverted to the Lodwar children until a balance is reached.

Capital programme.

Thanks to the hard work and generosity of FKC members and supporters, the money needed to build the dormitories and shower block, including the installation of electricity and water supply, has been raised. Current fund raising is directed to building the bunk beds and lockers needed to bring the dormitories into use.

Revenue costs of the school

FKC members sponsor two members of the school staff, but all other sponsorship of staff and all pupils is undertaken by Good News Crusade. FKC is very grateful for the support and co-operation of this much bigger organisation in working for the school and community.

Future Plans

Each year, another classroom and teacher will be needed as children “move up”. Apart from this, it is hoped that we can embark on a period of consolidation, providing the opportunity both to think carefully about the future of the Lodwar orphanage, and to resolve revenue problems in relation to on-going support for teachers and pupils.