Dear All,
News came from Kenya just after I had sent out the October newsletter, so I include it here:
On October 19th, Julius wrote
All the children continue to do well in school both primary and secondary, their performance is very encouraging indeed. Ann Wanjiku is sitting for her KCPE exam this year in November 2017 and we hope that she will do well to qualify for secondary school.
Alex Mwaniki fell sick in school on 16th September. He complained of stomach-ache and was taken to Kabarak. After a stool test, nothing was found. Next day, when I went to Riziki, I found that he was still in pain so I asked Sarah to take him back on the Monday. At around 11am, Sarah called me from the hospital. She said Alex's case was an emergency and he needed to be taken to a bigger hospital. The doctors wanted to call for an ambulance but Sarah told them that I was on the way.
When I arrived I found Alex on a recovery bed with a drip. After a little chat with the doctor he gave us a written report and we left for St. Mary's hospital where he was admitted after a scan showed that his appendix was swollen and about to burst. It was removed immediately and he stayed in hospital for 3 days. The wound is healing, but slowly. He goes for dressing alternate days at Kabarak.
About my eye: I had an appointment for body tests on 21st September but I postponed because Alex was leaving the hospital on that day. On 22nd I went and all the tests were done and results were negative. I was given eye drops to use for 3 days before the surgery which was on 25th. It was done succesfully and on 26th I went back for the check up, after which the eye was covered to be opened only when putting medicine in. I was instructed to avoid computer and any other very bright lights for a period of 2 weeks or so. On 10th October, I went back for check up and the doctors said it was healing well. To my suprise I was told that there was a stitch to be removed from the right eye which was operated on in 2015 and they removed it.
In August during the school holiday Liz organised a children's church and 250 children of upper primary and secondary from the community attended and it was great.
On 24th September the children were invited by a church in Nakuru to join them for a church day out. They went to Bahati, on the way to Nyahururu, and stayed the whole day. They were given food and drinks, and enjoyed themselves very much.
On Thursday 5th October 2017 in the afternoon a group of twelve KPLC (Kenya Power & Light) staff visited Riziki. They brought with them some gifts and on top of the gifts they cleared a power bill of KES. 16,000. They had a good time with the children, who had left school earlier at 3.30pm, immediately after classes, so as to welcome the visitors who had told us they were coming. We thank God for their generousity.
In August the Solar system broke down – the inverter got burnt out and we were forced to buy another one. In September the house chimney was once again blown by the wind. A new one has replaced it from the stove inside the kitchen to the top.
In September the Solar batteries stopped to work. We stayed without the solar until October when we negotiated a deal with Chloride Exide Batteries Nakuru to give us 3 batteries on an invoice to pay after 30 days. The price is KES.97,200/-, including VAT and installation cable They said the new batteries will last longer than the normal black batteries.
I have also received the end of year school reports which show that nearly all the children are making very good progress with one being the best in the year and several others in high places
Julius wrote this week (mid-December):-
Praise be to the Almighty God. We hope that you are all well. Thanks a lot for your emails and the Christmas news letter; also thank you for the Christmas card you sent to the children.
We thank God for keeping us all safe despite the many things which have been happening since August 8th 2017 we thank God the country is still calm.
The Riziki children went to their relatives on Sunday the 10th December 2017 and they will come back on 31st December to prepare for school on 3rd January 2018, God willing.
I am pleased to inform you that the outhouse (original buildings) renovation started on 6th December when the materials were bought but the work commenced on the 7th and is still continuing we hope that the work will be completed next week.
WE ALL WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018.
Liz wrote also:-
November was quite busy for us and the children, especially as they were engaged in harvesting the maize. The big boys worked every day from 7am to 1pm cutting maize stalks down while the other children followed from 10am to 1pm removing cobs from the stalks. They worked well together everyday and we were able to get all the maize from the shamba, dry it and store. We successfully stored 33bags of maize in the silos before the children left for home.
All is well with the farm. We have a new crop of tomatoes in the green house waiting for February -March a good market period for tomatoes. We also have some butter nut and potatoes and a small portion of late beans.
We decided to keep the bull and probably slaughter it ourselves for meat. Well, that has not been fully decided yet. We expect a new cow in January and so am really looking forward to the new cowshed and some extra space to store hay. We have been lucky to have a bit of rain towards end of the year so we were able to store a reasonable amount of hay.
We had an end of year party for the kids. We invited some of the people who have either volunteered or worked with us this year. We had lunch during the day and a brief carol service in the evening, which the kids ran beautifully (considering they had only one week of practice). We had decorations up as well as the tree, which Tony and Richard were responsible for and did an awesome job.
I have pictures but I have been having trouble sending through yahoo some of them don't get through and those that do take too long to load.
All staff are on a break till 29th, except Moses, who is holding the fort.
That is all from my end. I wish you and all Riziki supporters a Blessed Christmas. We appreciate all of you.
Baraka,
Liz
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. Your interest in Riziki is much appreciated. Without your help, Riziki could not exist.
Ian & Diana Hogley