Dear All,
Further news from Riziki. On August 17th Liz wrote
It is good to finally have a minute to write a short email to you. We are now settling down and finding a rhythm to our days after two weeks of getting all children to school. The primary kids were joining a new local school while Tabitha, Emma, Tony Alex and Catherine joined high school.
Tabitha, Emma and Catherine, joined local schools while Tony and Alex are two hours away in Solai and Baringo respectively. We now have ten children left in the house, eight boys and two girls. The first couple of nights were particularly tough for the girls having to sleep alone in the big room; they have since adjusted to the ‘new normal’.
Beans drying on the water tank
We harvested beans; the crop did not do too well but we did get 2 bags (180kg) which is better than nothing. We have enjoyed butternut, carrots and potatoes that did very well. We are looking forward to some millet and sorghum that is very useful for morning porridge.
All staff are well and deeply appreciated their increased salary. Thank you so much. I believe our care for them translates back to the children. Those that took leave in July are back to work. Hellen is currently down with Malaria, but doing OK.
I will write again soon. A big God Bless to all that support the children at Riziki. They are growing up well and we are proud every day of the people they are becoming and the things they are overcoming and it is all because of your support that allows the children to grow in a safe environment. Asante Sana!
Latest news on August 24th
Good to hear from you. Let me start with some good news. Julius and Esther finally got their first shot of Astrazeneca this morning! Hellen and Rachel have also received their first jabs and we are encouraging other staff to go as well as the delta variant continues to spread. I feel very grateful this morning for God has kept all of us well protected in Kenya and the UK.
The three older boys are well. We have all spoken to them separately (Hellen, Julius and I) on several occasions, and they seem not to have a concrete way forward yet; we are guiding them and once we land on an agreeable direction, we will let you know.
I hope a way opens up for you to come back to Kenya, when travel becomes easier again. With God all things are possible. It would be nice to sit on the verandah again and have tea and cake as we deliberate all things Riziki.
Thank you for all you do and your kind support through the years.
Regards
Liz
Our comments and prayer concerns.
In spite of school closures, education has continued as far as possible with schools doing their best. Riziki, staff and children alike, have coped remarkably well and with dedication to whatever they had to do – and still have to do. Education has been attempted on-line but Riziki does not have internet reception available in spite of trying whatever avenues might have provided it. There is no way that sufficient computers could ever have been acquired, nor the means to power them. Limited mobile phone reception can be found close to our irrigation water tanks and this is what has had to be used to provide the best education possible! Children returned to physical school earlier this year.
Three of the older boys have completed their secondary education and five completed primary education this year. The ministry of education decides which children go to which secondary schools depending on their end of primary exam results. All the Riziki children were given places at boarding schools. We have already started to take in new young children as the children’s department ask us to. The youngest we feel we can take are five years old but many older ones are in need and will probably never have started school. They, therefore, will almost certainly start in year one no matter what their age. In spite of the government policy to do away with children’s homes there is no reduction in the need and the county children’s department have a large task finding suitable homes for many deprived children!
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 and encouragement.
We pray for the health and safety of all the staff and give thanks for their continued dedication, especially in these challenging times of the pandemic.
We give thanks that the children are all settling into school, remembering those who have started into new schools or are attending school for the first time.
Many blessings,
Ian & Diana.