More news from Kenya

I think it's really neat that many of you tell me you still read my blog. I have some really great news to share with you despite all the hardships that many parts of Kenya are facing right now. I want you to know that your contributions to our effort while I was at the orphanage has made direct impacts to the children. I received a note from the teacher at one of the schools. He writes:

"Our part of the country is safe (Machakos, Kathiani & Kaviani). Life is normal. {My comment: I felt that what we see & read about in the news is mostly happening in the larger cities like Nairobi. It is comforting to know that the community that I lived in is safe and doing OK}. Elizabeth Nduku cleared her exams and she did perform very well. Actually she scored 363 out of 500 marks and just today we've received her letter of admission to high school (She's been admitted at a Senior Provincial High School).I talked with Leah and yes, the girl is going to school. Anyway I shall keep you updated on the same. Remember Mathew Muthini? He's not performing badly , actually he topped his class at the end of the year. But he still the same fee problem and the school is threatening to send him away unless he pays his fees. Please assist this boy once more."

I know for a fact that these children continue to strive and study hard because they have the motivation. They do not take for granted that they are in school. They are proud and are trying hard. If it wasn't for YOUR assistance, these teacher's words would not have crossed my inbox this week. I'm so proud of our efforts. Even today, we see the effects it's having on the children. YOU are the one's that helped these children go to school. On behalf of them, I thank you.

On a somewhat related note, the organization that I did my volunteer work through (Global Volunteers Network -GVN) sent this note to me:

Dear Renee,

The unrest in Kenya after the 27 December presidential and parliamentary elections has had a terrible effect on Kenya's impoverished population. Thousands of homes and small businesses have been destroyed, 600 lives have been claimed already and the UN reports that some 255,000 more are believed to be displaced by the disruption.

What can you do to help?

We need your help to raise funds for supplies and other relief efforts that will be organised as the situation progresses. GVN's partner organization has planned relief efforts.

Volunteers will be dropping off food and clothing for refugees, and will also help with cooking and watching over children. But they need more funding in order to meet the needs of those they are trying to assist.

As 100% of your donation will go to our partner organization in Kenya to help with the relief efforts, every cent counts.

To donate please go to:

http://www.gvnfoundation.org/whatyoucando/donate/kenya.php

Thanks for your support!

Kind Regards Colin Salisbury GVN CEO and GVNF Chairman

Please pass my words along to others. I'd like to continue to help in this effort that we started over one year ago. I have asked Leah to send me more information about children that may need assistance for school. Please contact me if you have any ideas of how we can help or if you'd like to contribute in some way.

Namaste.