Dear All,
Greetings from West Yorkshire. We are busy preparing for a fund-raising Afternoon Tea on Saturday giving our guests the opportunity to donate to children’s homes in Kenya. We have not been to Kenya since our last newsletter so we rely on Julius, Liz and the children for our information. I have no new pictures of children this time but will rectify this for our next epistle!
We have two more contributions from the children, again with their hand-written thoughts transcribed for publication and their names removed.
One of the primary school girls wrote:-
I came to Riziki when I was seven years old and now I am fourteen. Riziki means something important like a home. I have people who care much about me and I am provided with anything that I need. If I compare my background and Riziki, Riziki is the best home. At our home you are not provided everything you want. You learn to economise items. In Riziki there is security; no-one can sneak and go out without authority. I came to Riziki when I was in class one but now I am in class eight. I am expecting to sit for my KCPE examination. We are supported in any challenge and circumstance. People from different places come and advise us. We appreciate for whatever you do for us and the support you have given us. We came from different backgrounds and have come to be brothers and sisters here. We care much about our management and the director who gives us his time to come and look after us. For each and everyone who is supporting Riziki, thank you very much. May God grant you love, knowledge and understanding. I hope you love us like the way we love you all. Greetings to each and everyone of you. May God bless you so much. Thank you.
One of the primary school boys wrote:-
My Life in Riziki.
Riziki is a good place to me. It is a solid foundation to which I build my life. Riziki has been a good place ever since I came to Riziki.
It has been a good place because it has helped me in my education. Before I came to Riziki, my education has been of many problems. I went to school without taking breakfast. When I was in school, I had nothing to eat and I borrowed from other pupils. I was often sent home for not clearing school fees. Life in Riziki has been different. I have been provided with books, pencils, rubbers and rulers. I have also been provided with food, shelter and clothing.
Riziki has also been a good place because it has helped me greatly with my health. When I was at home I was never taken to hospital when I was sick. I was just told I would feel better or was bought medicine from the shops. It has been different in Riziki concerning my health because I have been given proper medical attention. I have been taken to hospital when sick and given the medicines prescribed by the doctor when required.
Riziki has been a good place to me because it has provided me with clothing. When at home I never wore a new cloth. I never wore a cloth that fitted me. All the clothes were the ones I was given by the elder ones.
Riziki has been a good place because it has provided me with a good environment to live in and to read in comfort. When at home there was a lot of noise, no books and no people to explain to me about a certain concept. It has been very different while here at Riziki because I have been provided with a quiet place to study, books, and there are people to explain to me about a certain concept better.
Generally, Riziki has been the best place to be. With my brothers and sisters in Riziki, social workers and other staff members and with people supporting Riziki, it has been the best place for me.
On May 30th Julius wrote:-
The greenhouse (which was damaged by a storm) has been repaired at a cost of KES. 40,251/- (£350) materials and labour.
The shelves for the small house which is supposed to be the store have now been built after a long delay by the local joiner and it is now only the painting is remaining.
There is still little rain at Mang’u but more in town and Kiamunyi but we hope it will increase with time, we planted beans and they are doing well despite the little rain. (Rain has since come and refilled the dam.)
Again, on July 10th he wrote:-
Bwana Yesu Asifiwe, (the Lord Jesus be praised).
We trust that you are all well.
Thank you very much indeed for the good work you are doing, we know that it is not easy, it needs commitment and one to have a willing heart, God sees all that you are both doing your efforts will never be in vain God will reward you for your service to the children. We all appreciate your hard work and it is our prayer that God continues to bless you. It is good to hear that your church decided to contribute towards the well-being of the Riziki children. May God bless you all.
We are all doing well despite the ups and downs in life and the Riziki children are well too; they continue to work hard in school.
The house painting work is on-going (this is done on a five-yearly schedule) there was a delay because the painter had some other work to do.
It looks like both Faith and Collins will join colleges in September; their applications were not successful so they will have to change their courses and apply afresh. (We ask you to pray they will both be accepted for suitable courses)
Please pass our love and greetings to all in the family. Julius & Esther
On July 11thLiz wrote:-
Am sorry I have taken a while to write, but am glad to finally have the chance. Am sure you are now aware of all the challenges we have gone through and we ask for your prayers for strength.
The farm is doing well, we have quite a good supply of all vegetables now, and we are encouraging the community to buy from us at the gate. The response is low but steady and we hope that with time we will have a lot more people buying from us.
We have just finished a crop of tomatoes, and Elizabeth was able to freeze some, so we have a good supply until the next crop which we are hoping to have in the seed bed next week.
We had a pleasant visit from Collins last week, he stopped by on his way back from Nairobi to follow up on his college application which didn't go well. He looks well and the rest of the kids were so happy to see him. Of course his first stop was the farm and for the couple of days he would be found there and the kitchen helping out. It was really nice to see him. We are currently looking for another possible college opening for him.
Faith also visited yesterday and we spent half of the morning together. She has been unwell, but recovering well, she is looking forward to joining college and we are trying to find the right thing for her as well and we will let you know as soon we do. We are hoping they both get accepted to colleges in September. (Both Collins and Faith are over 18 so are not allowed by the government to live at Riziki and are with relatives but still visit Riziki when possible. We continue to be concerned for their welfare until they become independent.)
The rest of the children are doing well, and we thank God. Elizabeth and Catherine, staff, have been doing a good job of taking care of the daily tasks and children, especially now that it has taken us very long to get a proper fit in a social worker. Everyone is so tired, and we ask that you continue praying for us and a new social worker.
The house is being repainted and its great, from our last health inspection report some areas needed addressing and we thank you all for responding fast to this.
We are looking forward to the holidays. Children's church, birthday party (we were not able to have one in April) so it's going to be busy. But also great to have everyone home.
Looking forward to seeing you soon. Baraka Liz
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
Ian & Diana Hogley