Dear All,
More news from Liz
Hi Ian and Diana,
Greetings from lockdown. On the 26th of March 2021, five counties in Kenya were considered high risk for covid and a cessation of movement declared in and out of those counties. Nakuru was one of them. I am sure you are aware that the covid infection rate has gone up and since the beginning of March that has prompted such measures including curfew.
We can all now feel the effects of covid as people we know in one way or another get infected and some die, a clear indication that it is more prevalent now. The AstraZeneca vaccine is in the country and people have gotten vaccinated but with side effects which seem to be common everywhere.
At Riziki, we remain well; the director has been to a few designated hospitals hoping to get the vaccine but they seem to be out and we are hopeful they will get the jab this week (but failed). All children are at home except for the three older boys, still in school tackling their final national exams. We hope they will join the rest as from April 18th.
Our life looks again a lot like 2020, no visitors, minimal movement, sanitizing and temperature checks, football is back and so is hair braiding 😁. There have been some major changes to the school year and unlike previous years this is going to be the longest period children are home for school break (seven weeks).
It was interesting to hear the children's stories when they got back of how their classmates spent their 2020; some reported of girls that came back to school pregnant (govt directive that they should not be denied a chance to learn), while a lot of them (our children) talked about how they were different going back.
Grace talked about feeling more confident to try new clubs and sports in school and she said she joined the school dance team which she would not have done before.
Precious talks about how spending endless months😁 with everyone helped her appreciate the difference in people and she says she was more open to different friendships in school that she would not have considered before.
Dominic said he got more confident to talk to, and ask for help from, his classmates and he attributes his good performance last term to allowing himself to ask for assistance on things he didn't understand.
Emmanuel got more responsibility in school which he is proud of. He is now in charge of his house and was particularly proud of time he spends with some of the boys in house sharing the word of God and that he has something to share from the devotions we have. He was open about how he had slipped back academically and had to get a lot of help to get back and how that was difficult because he had to spend every free time trying to catch up, he says his teachers really, really helped☺.
All this was very encouraging as we look at an indefinite lockdown period and a lot of uncertainty ahead, that our programs and their time at Riziki are beneficial.
The rains were delayed but finally got here. We had planted early waiting for the rains. We have done a repeat crop of maize (we didn't get a good harvest) and some beans just to top up. Our prayer request would be for crop protection and rain. We also have swiss chard (pictured above) and black nightshade, kale and cabbages recently transplanted.
We continue to thank God for provision and his protection for the entire Riziki fraternity. From the sponsors right down to the children. A big thank you for everyone that supports Riziki - lives are certainly being impacted. May God's blessings abound to all of you.
Let me end here today. Keep safe and Baraka (blessings)
Liz
We are most grateful to Liz for her excellent summary of what has been happening at Riziki. Julius has been kept busy preparing the annual accounts for the various authorities that require them! We are thankful that the locusts have again spared Riziki and we pray this will continue.
We heard from Liz again last week that her father, Julius, was suffering from a very severe cold. This has worsened and he visited the doctor and hospital for treatment. His condition has improved a little and he is still very weak but now taking fluids. We ask your prayers for him at this very difficult time.
Our comments and prayer concerns.
We are thankful that vaccines are becoming available in Kenya but there are shortages and those at Riziki who most need them have not yet managed to be vaccinated. We pray this will soon change.
We continue to pray for:-
1. reliable rain and for a successful maize crop
2. the safety of our Riziki family and the country as a whole.
3. Riziki staff as they care for the children for a seven-week break from school as terms have been altered as the country copes with Covid.
Many blessings,
Ian & Diana.
PS. Covid in Kenya today: 146 000 cases, 99 095 recovered, 2 348 deaths.
Government sources say that “Covid 19 patients are exhibiting symptons never seen before”