KCF Newsletter -- Summer 2002
I have been thinking of you a great deal since my return from Kenya in late April. There is so much I would like to tell you about KCF and its work, that it has taken me a while to find a focus.
As is customary, I departed for Kenya a few days after Christmas 2001 where I remained until late April. I was eager to return to Kenya because the new Children's Home at Meru had recently been completed and twelve more children had been admitted during my absence. I wanted to meet with the children as well as see the finished houses.
 I was overcome with joy when I drove onto the property and saw the new houses. They were beautiful! Large and comfortable, I thought immediately how good I would feel if I were to live in such a house. I felt pleased with this because I would not want to ask anyone to live in a house that I, myself, would not want to live in. I congratulated the architect and contractors for executing our plans exactly as I had hoped. I could tell by their smiles that they were equally pleased with their work.
But the real reward came when we saw the children return from school. Their pride in their new houses was evident from the moment they walked onto the property. They entered with a wonderful sense of belonging and ownership. These are children who for one reason or another had been living in the streets of Meru town. Now they are living in a home where they receive loving individual care, a healthy sense of community and a good education.
I wish each of you could have been with me to appreciate all this because, as you know, none of it would have happened without you. It is your interest and financial assistance that have made this possible. I know that these children would love to thank you personally if they were able.
During my stay, we had each child tested for HIV thinking that if any were positive we would need to introduce proper and appropriate care. Remarkably, each proved to be negative. In the future, we will continue to test new children after they have been admitted to the Home. No child will be refused admittance because of HIV status.
From Meru, I went to Kawangware. If you will recall, KCF built phase one of a primary school in Kawangware in 1999. There are now about 100 children in attendance, from nursery school through second grade. Currently, grade two is studying in the dining hall because they have run out of classroom space.
I asked our architect to draw up plans for phase two which plans have now been accepted and approved. All that remains is the funding. This phase will cost about $125,000. We have raised $50,000 and need to have the additional $75,000 by the end of the year. We are working diligently to raise the money so that we can begin in January.
For me, this was an easier stay in Kenya than some have been. I was busy beyond words, but there were no horrible, gut-wrenching situations that I sometimes meet. The children at Nyumbani that we have worked with the past few years were relatively healthy, the projects went on well and the thirty-two volunteers were delightful. I came home feeling enormously pleased with the progress we have made. KCF has done a good job and I think each of you can be proud of your association with this organization.
Of course, there is and always will be more we can do. But together, we have done and will continue to do good things. Each of you who has contributed to this effort can feel good that in one small corner of the world you have made an important difference. There are some children who are altogether better because you chose to help.
Thank you! I hope we can continue to count on your support in the future. None of this is possible without your support.
Yours sincerely,
Joanne |
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Kuna Nuru Gizani
(There is a Light in the Darkness)
We wait in silent darkness with reverent anticipation.
Our senses heightened by unfamiliar smells, sounds, a gentle breeze.
We accept the invitation of ancient souls, primordial beings.
Mother earth offers reassurance beneath our Maasai blankets.
As the chill of African night melts away, giving birth slowly, respectfully.
We dare not breathe as the soft apricot light slips over the horizon.
We welcome the sun, comforted by its warmth -- not because it is the sun.
But because it kindles a divine spirit within us, an awakened brotherhood.
Its microscopic light grows ever brighter, ageless, if we allow it.
The radiant glow of morning has exposed our humanness.
It is not enough. We know that we are more.
Our pulse quickens, and we are both humbled and exhilarated.
As we hold hands raised in praise and celebration.
Words of compassion, love, peace, understanding confirm our Oneness.
We are the acacia, the lion, the giraffe, the sacred ibis. We are Africa.
The magic of Serengeti sunrise fills an empty chasm within us.
We surrender in contemplation, revelation, illumination. Kuna nuru gizani!
There is a light in the darkness!
Marilyn Harding
March 2002
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Africa . . . Africa by Joanne Warner
Even saying the word, Africa, brings back feelings, memories, sounds, visions of faces - all the beautiful faces…
 My trip to Africa was a long delayed intention. Finally, after working with the Kenyan Children Foundation for several years, I was able to see the children I have heard about, the schools and homes we had planned for and built. What a unique experience! A land of contrasts. A journey that makes a difference.
As I reread my journal, I am reminded of the beautiful landscapes, blooming hibiscus and poinsettia bushes, air that gently brushes your skin, bird songs to awaken the new morning - and the smell of the slums, the extreme poverty of a beautiful gracious people.
The immense flowing tundra and the healthy strength and grace of the wild kingdom - and the Kenyan children suffering with AIDS, living without the comfort of family, living without a home, living with an unknown future. How touching to be able to make a difference in their lives; to provide a home other than the streets; to enjoy a day at the water park splashing and laughing as all children do in water. How tormenting to drop into their lives and leave again…
My ending reflections: "Why does all this beauty coexist with such sadness? What am I to learn? What am I to feel? What am I to do?"
"Spirit, please keep me aware but not overwhelmed…Let my tears not be fleeting, but water my soul and nourish my consciousness."
"As I leave Kenya, my heart is joyous and deeply saddened, and it's beauty and heartbeat will echo in me."
Meru Sponsorship
KCF is currently looking for sponsorship for the thirty-two children at Meru. It is costing $850 per year to keep one child. This includes school fees as well. This is precious little compared to the cost of raising a child in the US!
If you think you would like to sponsor a child please let us know. You may want to do the entire $850 or go in with someone else. Or this may be a project your church would be interested in. We will be most grateful for whatever you can do. Contact us and we will let you pick a child to support.
School Fees
Our School Fees program is still flying high. With our Piggy Bank Program we are supporting twenty-two children from a quasi-slum area in our school at Kawangware. Another 32 children are sponsored by individuals throughout the US.
Geil Browning has been tireless in her efforts to raise money for this program. Each time she comes to Kenya, she and her group make a special donation to the principal of the school, Mrs. Ouma. This was her group of seventeen in February 2002.
Help Us Save on Distributing this Newsletter
We would like to thank those of you who have sent us your email address. Currently, we have 650 email addresses out of the previous 1,200 newsletter recipients. THE SAVINGS ON POSTAGE ALONE WILL PAY FOR SEVERAL CHILDREN TO ATTEND PRESCHOOL IN KENYA.
Please send your email address to info@kenyanchildrenfoundation.org. Your doing this will allow us to spend your money more wisely than on postage.
Please be assured that your email address will be used only in connection with KCF and will never be sold or given to any other persons. We appreciate your help.
If you would like your name removed from the mailing list, please let us know so that we can accommodate you.
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