Project 82 Kenya

Back to School

// January 28th, 2013 // 1 Comment » // Blog, Uncategorized

Written by: Elly – P82 Social Worker

January marks the beginning of the first term of schools in Kenya. Children move to the next class and they are usually very excited. Our children in Bewomi were happy to start their year differently. They all had new school uniforms shoes, socks and bags. They had all the books they needed and other school supplies. It was an exciting moment for them as they hurried to pack their food and rush to school. For the younger ones who were joining primary school for the first time, it was a different feeling all over. They were not left behind. They were soon going to get used to waking up earlier than usual. All the discomfort that comes with moving from a comfort zone did not seem to affect them, school was much more exciting. They all had great smiles on their faces and when I looked at them I could not help but thank God for giving me an opportunity to share this phenomenal moment with them.

Munaini Primary School Children – Kenya

The mornings are a usually a beehive of activities everyone running around trying to locate their shoes, their bags, taking breakfast etc. The matrons prepare the very little ones. These children however share this amazing bond; the older kids help the little ones with some things like tying their shoe laces and locating some of their things.

Munaini Primary School Boys

The children made a commitment to prepare New Year resolutions. They will make them in duplicates where they will indicate what they intend to achieve at school by the end of this year and they should also indicate how they are going to achieve that. I will keep one copy and they will keep the other copy. We will keep evaluating the progress. This is to help them improve on their studies and make sure that they remain focused throughout the year. I am also in the process of analysing their performance for last year and will talk to their teachers to identify their weak areas and we can get them a tutor to assist them.

Munaini Primary School Girls

What a joy to be able to share in this great moment with our children.

You too can share in this joy. By sponsoring a child, you will be sharing the blessings of food, water, shelter, education and healthcare. Please help us continue to serve these wonderful young children.

Isaac – He Will Laugh

// January 17th, 2013 // 2 Comments » // Blog, Uncategorized

In Hebrew, the name Yitzchak means “he will laugh”. In the Old Testament, Isaac is the son of Abraham and Sarah, the husband of Rebecca and the father of Jacob and Esau. Sarah could not bear children and was already very aged at the time of his conception. She chose the name Isaac because she had laughed at the messengers of God announcing that she would finally have a son.

This little boy has not laughed a lot in his young life.  Isaac was recently rescued from the bushlands of north/central Kenya and brought to Neema House for healthcare and restoration.

We were contacted by a friend asking if we could help with this young boy. He is 6 months old. His mother is terminally ill and his grandmother is struggling to care for her daughter and Isaac.

Annie traveled to meet with the mother and grandmother to understand their wishes for this little boy.  Upon arrival to Neema House in Nairobi, Isaac was introduced to Caleb, Lily and Alice, other young children under Annie’s care.

Isaac is currently in the hospital fighting an intestinal infection. He weighs 10.5lbs., has perforated ear drums due to untreated ear infections and scabies from general uncleanliness. Once Isaac is well, he will begin a nutrition regimen designed to address his malnourishment.

We are so blessed to have this young man in our care. He WILL laugh one day. Within months he will flash us a smile and a glisten from his eyes that will let us know, he is well. We will keep him in touch with his grandmother and pray that one day he will be strong enough to be reunited with his family.

Please keep Isaac, his mother and grandmother in your prayers. Keep our staff in Kenya covered in prayers as they travel to rescue, serve, love and care for the children.

Lily and Alice – an Update

// January 9th, 2013 // 1 Comment » // Blog, Uncategorized

Almost 2 month ago, we received a call to help two twin girls. Lily and Alice were estimated to be 17 months old, but unable to hold up their heads, only 10-11 pounds each and severely malnourished. We brought them into our Infant Rescue home, Neema House immediately. Today they are growing bigger and stronger every single day. They are now sitting up. In addition to watching them grow and develop physically, we love watching as more of their sweet personalities are uncovered with each day.

Alice is always smiling and loves people more than anyone I’ve ever met. Her sweet smile and cute giggle meets any and every one who enters the room and immediately puts them at ease. She loves her “big brother” Caleb most of all and always welcomes his attempts to snuggle, kiss, hug, and squeeze her. Alice knows how to say several words and it is quite shocking to hear what appears to be a toothless 3 month old speaking. She is very even-tempered and is definitely the “go with the flow” twin. She is patient and loving and seeing others happy makes her happy too. Alice is also proud to announce that her first tooth is coming in!

Lily has become our Neema House drama queen.  She’s been known to go straight from screaming her lungs out to giggling within seconds. I wish you could hear her happy songs and dance when she sees food! The girl loves to eat and will not stand for anyone else eating in the same room as her… even if we are eating something her little 2-toothed mouth couldn’t handle. Her favorite game is “hiding” with her two hands covering her eyes. She hasn’t quite grasped the concept of Peekaboo, as she usually sits for several minutes without removing her hands, just giggling and grinning as we “look for her.”

Both Lily and Alice suffer from Rickets, a vitamin D deficiency that causes bones to soften. So, in addition to their severe malnutrition, their development was significantly delayed due to a lack of Vitamin D. This diagnosis also explains their delayed tooth development. Thankfully, food, occupational therapy, and vitamin D/calcium supplements are already doing wonders in treating them. We love watching them gain the strength necessary to start accomplishing the developmental milestones they have missed. God is great!! They are now 19 months old and Alice has grown from 11 pounds to 14.5 and Lily has grown from 12 pounds to 15! They were both excited to start wearing 6-month clothes this week!!

Lily and Alice are so loved and they know it. We are so thankful for your prayers and support in caring for these sweet ones. Please continue to pray for their mother and older brother Martin as we seek God’s will on how to best proceed in caring for their family. We would also appreciate prayers for continued growth, strength, and healing.

Christmas in Kenya

// December 27th, 2012 // No Comments » // Blog, Uncategorized

Bloom of Hope

// December 5th, 2012 // No Comments » // Blog, Uncategorized

I have heard it said,  “All it takes is one bloom of hope to make a spiritual garden.”

Enter Mama Laura. She is the bloom of hope to her children, other widows and guardians in the community of Molo. A bright beautiful gerbera daisy.

Esther, Mama Laura as she is known to most of us is an incredible woman. Her laughter full of love and her joy is contagious to all she meets.

Esther is a young mother of two, Laura Njambi Njuguna and Brian Kamau Njuguna both of whom are in the Project 82 child sponsorship program. Her husband died a few years ago and she was left to be the sole provider for her family.  Having been from a different tribe, being young, Esther could have gone returned to her parents but she chose to stay in the community where her children were born.

When Project 82 first began ministry in Molo. Esther was very sick herself due to a lack of food. She was depressed, as she could not provide food or school fees for her children. She truly was at the end of her means and didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. Today, Esther smiles brightly and thanks God, for she has food to meet her physical needs and spiritual food for her soul. Esther’s words are that “God came through for me at the time of need.”

Early this year, Esther received a dairy goat from P82 and it’s been helpful to her and the children as they can now get the nutritious goat milk. Esther volunteers to work with P82 staff and children during the Saturday program in Church and serves as a leader for the other guardians in organizing them to cook for the children. She is the bloom of hope in the spiritual garden of Molo.

Her prayer is that God may keep her to see her children realize their dreams and that God may bless all those who sacrifice to make lives easier for all those who were languishing in poverty.