Dear All,
Greetings from the Riziki team. Liz and Julius have both written. Liz says:
It's very cold days here as we wait to receive all the children next week for a 10 day break from school. (The school year 2020 has just ended and year 2021 is about to begin. The intention is to be back in line with the school year being January to December in 2022!)
It has been busy days of school and assignments in the evening, to some garden and housework for those at home. The 5 children waiting to join high school have had a very long break that ends this month.
They have been spending time in the afternoons with Hellen talking about the challenges of being in high school, picking friends, peer pressure etc and we are glad to have the opportunity to have this discussion with them and address some of their concerns. It's the unfamiliar for them and it is good to be able to guide them through it.
Hellen held a small party for her son who turned 3. She shared her son's day with all the children and they enjoyed it. It is very encouraging for us that she is happy and okay with her child growing up in the Riziki environment and being part of the children. He joins the rest for everything, including devotion where he is there with his Bible though he can’t read yet 😁
We have in the last two weeks received two boys. Let me introduce you to:
Morgan Njuguna and Brian Loton
Morgan is Glen Kimani’s younger brother. When Glen and his siblings were placed with us, Morgan, at the time 2 yrs old, was left with the mother. In 2020, Morgan was rescued from the mother and temporarily placed in another home with the hope that he could be placed with Riziki so he can be with his siblings. Finally, this year he was able to be reunited with the brothers and sisters and it was a very, very emotional first meeting. Ruth who is usually very reserved and not much into hugs ran and hugged the brother. Tabitha, the older sister, says it's because she spent the most time with him (baby-sitting) when they were together.
Brian joined us last week as an immediate rescue case. Considering what he has gone through he is in good spirit. He has settled in okay and joins the evening football. We pray Riziki is a place of hope and comfort for him.
The staff are all well, Hellen and Emmanuel took leave this month. So, it's all hands on deck this month.
I will write again soon. Thank you for all your love and support, through WhatsApp messages and video. Thank you too to all that give to the children. Asante Sana, Baraka
Liz
Julius wrote in early June
Dear Ian and Diana,
We hope that you are well and that you are doing fine. Thanks for your emails.
We are all doing well despite the Covid-19 challenges but we are trying hard to keep safe as of today the positive cases are 172 639 and 118 226 recoveries and 3308 deaths. (These figures, today, are 189 000; 180 000 and 3723.)
The irrigation system and greenhouse materials were purchased; the irrigation work is going on as you can see in the pictures. The greenhouse work will start after the irrigation system is completed because it is the same person who is doing both jobs. (These are now completed)
The water purifier was purchased - it is waiting to be installed. The expert will come from the company.
The primary school children will move to a more convenient, but equally good school at the beginning of 1st term 2021 which will start on 26/7/2021. The 3rd term 2020 will come to an end on 16/7/2021. (It is a good time to move as the older primary children have completed their primary years and there are no primary children nearing national exams.)
About secondary schools for those joining in July; the posting is being done by the Ministry of Education, so we have no say over where they go; we only wait to know the schools they will join. (All have been allocated boarding schools.)
Staff salaries have been increased. (All the staff have worked with real dedication throughout the last eighteen months and have not had a salary increase for a long time. We feel the rise was well deserved.)
May God bless you all.
Julius
Our comments and prayer concerns.
We are very grateful to the friends of Jack Frodsham (whose death was mentioned in the last newsletter). They undertook a sponsored walk of the Yorkshire Three Peaks in his memory and have given the proceeds to Riziki.
We continue to be thankful to all who contribute to Riziki, and have in the past, within Kenya and from overseas, in any way – prayer, finance (especially for school fees which are our major expense) and medical costs.
We thank the dedicated team who look after the children directly, especially Julius and Liz who have worked so hard to maintain the high standards Riziki has achieved for eleven years. During the pandemic, many children’s homes in Kenya have closed. Times have been hard for all at Riziki but we give thanks for the wonderful support that has enabled Riziki to continue to care for our children.
We pray for those young people experiencing major changes in the coming days - those who have completed schooling, those who are changing schools and for Brian and Morgan as they start school.
Many blessings,
Ian & Diana.