Kitui
is green!!!
The rains have come after several years of drought
and the landscape is green; there are flowers growing and
blooming; and there are crops. The mood of the people is so
much more positive. We can only pray that they will be able
to save enough of the heavy rains to help them through to
the next rainy season, whenever that will be!
Still,
after an uneventful journey, we arrived in Kitui, some 13
months after our last visit.
Not only has the food situation improved, but
everything seems to be positive. It was heartening to see a
bag of maize in the shambas, (mudhuts) their security
against food shortage.
St
Michaels School will open in January 2011. Since our last
visit, there has been a lot of progress. Not only are they
now installing the windows, and electrical fittings, but
the kitchen and assembly hall have been constructed, and
the Diocese is negotiating the purchase of adjoining land
to provide proper playing fields for the children. Pictures
enclosed.
It
has been slow, but the School is really impressive and all
those involved in Kitui are certain that it will provide a
significant boost to education in the area. The Diocese,
through the Bishop, has also confirmed that a significant
percentage of the capacity of the school will be reserved
for under privileged children.
When
we talk of under privileged children, there can be few more
deserving of our support than those in St John Eudes.
This rehabilitation centre, for street children is
truly wonderful.
Children, who have been rescued from addiction,
violence, both domestic and other, prostitution, and
general neglect, are cared for and rehabilitated in the
most loving environment imaginable. In their faces, scarred
with their personal histories, can also be seen the love
given to them by Sister Mary, Sister Paschalia and two
young Dutch volunteers.
We spent a most enjoyable few hours with them. It
was one of the highlights of our visit. Bishop Muheria has
plans to acquire a new site and build a new centre. Kevin O
Boyle has €25,000 already raised for this project.
Friends
of Kitui has sponsored many children over the past few
years and 50 have now completed the secondary school cycle.
We met with many of them, now looking for support to
progress to third level.
This poses a serious question for FoK and for our
sponsors.
Resources
are limited, all the more so in the current economic
climate, and the question arises whether we should ask our
sponsors to continue to sponsor the children to third
level, at a significantly higher annual cost, or begin the
sponsorship of a new group of secondary school children.
In
discussion with the Bishop and others involved in education
in Kitui, the consensus appears to be that only the highest
level achievers at second level should be sponsored through
to third level. Otherwise it would be more beneficial, to
the community generally, to ensure that another group of
children, who would otherwise not go to secondary school
should benefit from FoK sponsorship. We told the Bishop
that we are prepared to support the appointment of a
Careers Guidance person to help the school leavers, as
currently they have no advisers.
With
the rains having come, one might be forgiven for thinking
that the need for water has diminished. Unfortunately, this
is not the case. The work being carried out by the
Development Co-Ordinator, Antony
Mbandi and Jacinta, the Department's Water Technician, is continuing and making a real difference. We met
with both of them and continue to be impressed with their
commitment, their professionalism, and above all with their
results. As a result of the great rains, they are now
focusing on trying to save more of the rainfall. Antony is
also commencing a honey and beeswax project. He is an
impressive, experienced guy and the diocese are lucky to
have him.
Lastly,
the diocese has appointed a qualified accountant who will
help deliver financial reports quicker. It is great to
report that every cent donated has been accounted for and
has been spent on the relevant projects.
There
is no doubt in our minds that the work of FoK has provided
a significant benefit to the people of Kitui.
We have assisted many children to a higher level of
education than they could ever have achieved otherwise,
provided fresh water to thousands of people, and helped
provide an environment of safety and love for the most
abandoned children of all.
It
is a real privilege to see those benefits first hand.
Bishop
Muheria asked us to express sincere thanks to you our
supporters, and assure you that the people of Kitui
appreciate it more than we can know.
Aidan
Corless
Dee
Murray
Fr
Arthur O Neill
Alice
Corless
Ps
We are launching a charity trading website, where you can
support us without putting your hand in your pocket!
Look
it up on www.giveandbuy.ie
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