Dear All,
A happy new year to all our Riziki friends. Another year has started and life in Riziki continues to be full. Looking after almost thirty young people plus staff keep Julius and Liz very busy. This Christmas the children were unable to go to their guardians so the Riziki family celebrated together. Thank you for all the support you have given Riziki in every way over the last ten years and more. As usual, Liz has written:
Dear Ian and Diana
Greetings from a very, very hot and dusty Nakuru. The days are truly hot this January but so are most Januarys, hot and dry.
The last time we spoke on WhatsApp we had just sent the last group of children back to school. They started reporting back from the 5th of January and we had different groups leaving every day, dependent on the different school opening dates. It was quite hectic with so many other people travelling on the same days. Travel was congested and there were fare hikes, but we managed to get everyone back to school on time and in one piece.
On 31st December, Elizabeth our cook visited the hospital to have her leg checked and was admitted for high blood pressure. She has been in the hospital for almost two weeks (she was released Monday) as they could not seem get her pressure down. She is still at home on bed rest with daily checks of her BP at a clinic in the centre. She is however well and in good spirits.
We had our first Christmas together with the kids and we thank you for helping us make it a success. (In previous years the children have gone to their closest relative at this time.) We had a special lunch outside and the weather agreed with us. We did all the preparations ourselves. On the 24th Neema and Grace, with some help from others, helped decorate the house and our tree. On the 25th everybody woke up with assigned duties to help with preparation and cooking. Hellen was in charge of potatoes, Tabitha, Neema and Tony Ochola made us Chapatis and I was given rice (which I somehow managed to mess up😆). The rest helped with various preparations.
The mood that morning was excitement. We had Christmas songs playing, and we had just received some clothes from a well-wisher and the young ones kept asking, 'can we go and dress up now? '😁 They could not wait to get into their new clothes.
At around 2pm we all prepared to sit and eat but first took group photos that I sent to you. The meal went well. After that we had games and then dancing. We were leaving Riziki very close to the curfew that day. For our first Christmas together it went really well.
We are glad to hear about the covid vaccine and happy that you have been called in. I follow news out of UK and I know how harsh covid has been out there and you all remain in our prayers.
The vaccine is supposed to get to us sometime this month and we hope it does although it goes to teachers and doctors first. So, the rest of us might have to wait. Our numbers are miraculously going down; is it the weather? Who knows 🤷♀️. Whatever the reason we are grateful. It's been quiet in the schools, no reported cases so far and we pray it continues that way.
We are pleased to report that the new maize grinder has been installed and is proving to be worthwhile. We are most grateful to those who have provided funds for the new TV. That is being bought in Nakuru and will be much appreciated.
Thank you for constantly checking up on us, praying for us and your support.
Baraka, Liz
Our comments and prayer concerns.
We are thankful for the devotion of all at Riziki, working without complaint for the benefit of the young people in their care. We ask for prayers for Elizabeth's continued recovery. Her blood pressure is going down and she is on daily checks at the local centre. Please remember Liz and Hellen as they share Elizabeth's duties.
Our thanks again go to the many people who provide the funds for this work to continue.
Ian & Diana.
PS. Covid in Kenya today:
99,769 cases,
82,866 recovered,
1,740 deaths.