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May 2009

Finally, we have got some seed in the ground! During the last two weekends in May 2009, a lot of the children cleared a plot, tilled it and sowed nine different vegetables. They also sowed seed retrieved from a butternut squash, hoping that they will take.

All the proprietry seeds did take, giving seedlings for cabbage, beetrot, onions, brocolli, cauliflower, tomatoes, leeks, spinach and carrots.

With help, the children are also making a compost heap so that they can keep the soil in top condition to grow good crops two or three times a year.

Eventually, the idea is that Twiga will be self-sufficient in vegetables.

Plans have now been drawn up to build the orphanage itself. In order to avoid a lot of bureaucracy, it has been decided to use traditional building methods, and extend the existing building, a small bungalow measuring 27 ft by 20ft, giving three reaonably sized rooms. We hope that we will be able to house 50 children, although we do have four priority cases that need to be re-homed as soon as possible.

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Merger - October 2008

As the organisation, African Community Initiative Support, is very busy in Nairobi and Machakos with two major projects, we have formed this new organisation, Kenyan Community Initiative Support, which is an amalgamation of the River Cottage and Scrapheap projects and the Mercy Gate Champion Children's Home. The Mercy Gate home will have a name change eventually, as the Mercy Gate organisation has not helped the home as was originally suggested.

We will ask the children what they would like the home to be called, and with Vincent, Abigael, David and the children's suggestions, a new name will be chosen.

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Visit to Silverstone School, Watamu, March 2008

Although Silverstone is a school, it also provides for 17 orphans and vulnerable children. Their details have been added to the website, under Child Welfare.

Brian (right) is six. Due to his family circumstances, he had never been to school until last month and he speaks no English, only Giriama and Swahili.

He has been taken in by Silverstone where he will receive a good, English education, a home, food, clothing and care.

Brian really needs the help of a sponsor. £300.00 ($600.00) a year ensures that Brian will spend the rest of his childhood in a loving, caring, safe enviroment and receive a good education.

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Visit to Mercy Gate, Kisii, March 2008

Due to the unrest in many parts of Kenya after the disputed elections in December 2007, food prices rocketed as road transport virtually ground to a halt. As a consequence, Mercy Gate had to dip into their clothing fund to feed the children.
ACIS (UK) arranged collections and helped to feed the children and also collected used cell phones, which were transported to Kisii and sold to replenish the clothing fund.
As a result, every child in the care of Mercy Gate received a pair of new leather school shoes during the visit of the ACIS (UK) representative in March. We also held a belated Christmas party, where the home was given games, balls, hula hoops snd other toys for the children.
A second party was held the following week, when the children received their new shoes.

Tammy from the USA sent a food parcel and so a second party was held, when the children enjoyed some good, high-protein food from the USA - thanks Tammy!

PHOTOS

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February 2008 - Mercy Gate Champion Children's Home, Kisii

Everlyn was found alone on the streets in Kisii and was taken to a local police station. The Police walked her around the streets for a whole day trying to find someone who knew her. She spent the night at the police station before being taken to Social Welfare the next morning.

Everlyn arrived at Mercy Gate looking relatively healthy - although very hungry. She devoured a meal very quickly and then had a bath which she didn't really enjoy! She was a very pretty little girl.

Everlyne passed away in February 2008 after it was found that she was suffering from an incurable disease, and was buried on 3rd March.

 

Be at peace with God, Everlyn.
We will always remember the pretty little girl who gave us joy.

 

 

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Monday 3rd December 2007

PayPal has been added as a way for you to make a donation or to sponsor a child. It is a fast, free and secure way to give to African Community Initiative Support, so that we can help more people.

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Sunday November 4, 2007

David was a guest on the Clare Catford Show, BBC Radio Berkshire 7am on Sunday 4th November 2007, where his recent visit to Silverstone School in Watamu and Mercy Gate Children's Home, Kisii were discussed.

 

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