Riziki News – July 2017
Dear All,
The latest news from Riziki is not as cheerful as we would like to report.  Life throughout Kenya has become difficult for many people because of the on-going drought.  The last three rainy seasons have been very poor or non-existent in most parts of the country.
On July 9th, Liz wrote:
Drought: The drought has continued and we have only received three days rain in total in the past two weeks following the two weeks we got in April after we planted.  The maize wilted but did not dry up and after the three-day rain the maize seems to be maturing too early.  We are waiting to see whether we will get any cobs.  I must mention that all the maize crop around us (our neighbours) did not survive the drought as well as ours did and we find ours surviving - at whatever state - a miracle.  The beans we had planted (a small portion) also interestingly were able to survive and we believe we will at least get the seed back.  I truly cannot explain it, we only believe this is all the prayer that was made on Riziki's behalf.   A big thank you to all that prayed with us. 
Grass is another issue.   We don't have cow feed and we might need separate funding to buy hay; is this possible?   We have used money we get from milk but it might not be sufficient stock to carry us through this drought however long it is. 
Yusuf, our county coordinator for children’s services, retired on the 30th of June.  There was a send-off party for him on Thursday 6th July and Riziki was represented.  (He was the guest of honour who opened Riziki in 2010. He has been very supportive of Riziki and will be missed. - Ed)    
About the country I truly have nothing to say.  Just continue to keep us in your prayers.
The children are fine; they were on a mid-term break at the end of June and have since gone back to school. On Wednesday 5th July we picked up Faith from school quite sick.  They found Malaria.   She is not back to school yet.
Director: Mr Kivindyo has been unwell for the last two weeks with his blood pressure going up. On Wednesday it was 203 over something I forget but has since come down to 155 over (again can't remember) so keep him in your prayers.
 
The Children were invited to a nearby church for peace Sunday. That will be on 30th July.  It is essentially a Sunday to pray for peace during and after elections. They have been asked to prepare any peace-themed presentation to perform on the day.
 
On June 8th, Julius wrote:
Praise be to the Almighty God, we thank Him for keeping us safe in His mighty hands.
We are all well as a family and the Riziki children are well and doing fine, still working very hard in school.  Their end of May results were very encouraging indeed.  I thank God for I am now feeling far much better compared to what I have been feeling in the whole month of May.  I have been having body weakness and dizziness.  The cause not known because after performing several blood tests and other body tests all the results came out negative, but I have faith in God I will be well.
 
Sorry to say that I was not able to start the renovation project and the store work.  Peter appointed somebody to carry out the work but he has never started.  Although I was not well he showed up only once to take measurements and he never came back, but I will now look for him because I am feeling better.
Antony left hospital on 6th May2017 and stayed home for 2 days before he went back to school and he has recovered well. Kelvin’s operation did not take place because of my poor health;  I plan to take him next week, God willing.  My new eye operation appointment will be worked out after Kelvin’s operation because we don’t know for how long he will stay in hospital.
On 1st May 2017 we held a general birthday party for all the children which they enjoyed very much, together with their friends from the community and a few from their school.
Sorry to say we have no rain but we are hopeful that it will rain before the crops are dead. We are still facing the water shortage.  The greenhouse was once again blown by the wind and it is being repaired.  Turi gave birth on Sunday early morning to a male calf.
Please pass our love and greetings to all in the family.  May God bless you all.
Julius & Esther.
 
On July 21st Julius wrote again:
The children were on school mid-term as Liz had mentioned earlier.  Faith came on 15th June and went back on 19th June, the secondary boys came on 17th June and went back on 21st June and primary ones from 27th June to 3rd July. Their mid- term exam results were good with a few getting over 400 marks. The secondary ones also performed well.
On 5th July Faith was picked up sick from school and was taken to hospital;  she was treated and stayed at home and on 10th July she went back to school feeling well.

On 10th July four children were taken to St. Mary hospital:-
Dennis Kibet‘s toe problem had recurred.  The surgeon decided that it was to be operated on to remove a fungus which had started to grow and it was done on that day.  Thanks to God he is now doing well.
Grace Wanjiku's leg problem had also recurred.  After X-Ray the surgeon said that the problem is on the bone and it needs to be operated on to clean the affected area of the bone.  She will be admitted on 31st July for the operation on 1st August 2017
Kelvin Kipkoech was given an appointment to go back on 13th July and because I was not well Liz took him to hospital.  He was admitted on 13th July, because of his leg problem, and the operation was done next day.  He came out of hospital on 15th July and we thank God he is recovering well
Neema Chebet had stomach problem and after several tests she was put on medication.  Now she is doing very well.
On 14th July Phyllis Nyambura fell sick.  She complained of stomachache and was taken to hospital.  Now she is quite okay, thanks to God.

About my eyes: I wait for Grace's case to be sorted out and at the same time for my body to gain some strength, then I will make a new appointment for the surgery.  I thank God I am getting better day after day
Lucy is well and doing quite okay, working hard at the college.  I keep checking on her from time to time.  It is my prayer that she will be successful in life, God willing.
    
On Tuesday 18th July 2017 the secondary school boys came home because 2 dormitories in the school were burnt down by some of the students; one on Friday the 14th and the other one on Monday 17th very early in the morning.  I called the school director that Tuesday who confirmed the story and he also confirmed to me that our boys were not involved in any way.  (Arson in schools is, unfortunately, not a rare occurance.  It usually stems from a small grievance which could be related to the coming elections or some other matter – Ed)

Some of maize and beans  planted towards the end of March have survived despite the long drought, but now we have had some rain at least for sometime continuously and we hope and trust that it will continue God willing. Most of the maize has come back to life but most of the beans dried up.  There are cabbages and tomatoes in the greenhouse and some outside; the kales (sukuma wiki) are also coming back to life.  This has been the first time for us to buy vegetables.  Thanks to God we usually grow our own food.  We have discovered that many children‘s homes have been badly affected by the food problem in the country.
Our animals and the birds are doing well.

The gardeners keeping coming and going.  Now we have a new one who has been here for two weeks since the previous one left but Moses is still there working very hard.  The rest of the staff are doing well and also trying to work hard.
 
The long drought in Kenya has increased the costs of running Riziki quite significantly and our medical costs have also been high but so far we have just been able to meet these costs and trust that this will continue to be the case.  The children continue to be very appreciative of what they receive at, and from, Riziki.  It is always a joy to spend time with them when we are at Riziki.  This is mainly because Julius and all the team at Riziki really love these young people and Diana and I thank God for all they do at Riziki.


Prayer points
1.    For adequate rain to support the crops, not just at Riziki but throughout East Africa.
2.    For strength for the Riziki staff, especially Julius and his health problems.
3.    Peace over and after the election period.
 
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.
 
 
For donations from within UK:-
The best way to make a donation to Riziki is through The Aenon Trust. This a UK charity which facilitates giving to projects including several children's homes in Kenya. Donations by UK taxpayers may be Gift Aided through The Aenon Trust. All such giftings are transferred to the projects in full by the Trust, with no deductions
Cheques should be made payable to The Aenon Trust and sent to:-
Mr A.E.Nicholls MBE FRGS, 137 Belvedere Road, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 4PA , with a note saying the gift is for Riziki. Allan's email is nicholls_allan@hotmail.com
Direct payments can be made to:- NATWEST BANK, Bexleyheath, Sort Code 51-70-14, for the credit of The Aenon Trust, Account No 36591483.  If using this method an email should be sent to Allan to let him know the gift is for Riziki.
If preferred, gifts may be sent through us at Wayfields, Briar Court, HOLMFIRTH, HD9 2JJ.
Donations from elsewhere may be sent to either of the above.
Regular donations can be made by Standing Orders. I can supply Gift Aid declaration forms or Standing Order forms, for regular donations, if desired.
 
Gaggia Caffe Shop, based in Elland has a feature on Riziki on their website.  This can be accessed on www.gaggiacaffe.tv.     Our own Riziki website is accessed on http://www.riziki.org.uk.
​

​Riziki News – May 2017 STOP PRESS
Dear All,
We have just received the following news from Liz which we are passing on immediately with minimal editing.
Ian & Diana
 
Hi Ian.
Pray you are all well. We are fine. We have had a couple of days of rain and everything is green now. It finally looks like the Riziki we know and love. We have already started weeding. We finished the beans portion last week, this week maize. Crops in the farm this season are groundnuts, (Moses brought seeds from home), cabbages, butternut, and a small plot of tomatoes. Pray with us concerning the maize crop. There is an army worm scare around the country. It was announced in the local churches last Sunday that they were sighted in Rongai, which as you know is not too far from us. We have also had agricultural officers visit to warn and educate. So keep us in your prayers will be appreciated.  (Details of the army worm infestations are easily found on the internet.  It is potentially very, very serious for the whole of East Africa – Ian)
April saw me and Patrick go to quite a number of farms searching for hay. Our stored hay ran out because of the prolonged drought and we had to go out in search of hay. It was such a gruelling experience as nobody wanted to sell and those that could spare some the prices were shocking. We managed to get some to get us to June. Hopefully by then our grass will help. After this experience, I thought it would be prudent for us to build a large hay store that would help us store enough feed to take us longer than the usual dry spells. I was thinking a structure able to hold 2500-3000 bales of hay. It would be a very simple tall iron sheet structure. Let me know what you think.
Elizabeth was on leave during the April holidays and came back on the 10th of May looking well rested. All is well with the rest of the staff despite the busy holiday. 
We are just about running out of the frozen tomatoes that have seen us through the worst dry season and we are looking to start storing some more in a couple of months. We are looking to increase the amount we store so it can be able to take us longer just like hay. This will mostly mean better use of freezer space any ideas are welcome on this. The dried kales also did very well and am happy to report we are now back to fresh kales.
I finally got to read the last newsletter today, and kindly note and correct that I have no direct dealings with Egerton university on farm issues. I actually am more involved with the ministry of agriculture than Egerton.
That is it from me. Greetings to Diana.
Baraka
Liz

Riziki News – May 2017
Dear All,
This is a continuation of our last newsletter, commenting on situations we saw when we were in Kenya in February and March.
One Saturday in February a group, known as 254 celebrities, came to Riziki to give them a day of entertainment and a meal.  This is a group of young, professional people who give their time and talents and their money to help less fortunate people.  (The name 254 comes from the international dialling code for Kenya!)  One man came all the way from Mombasa for the day!  The Riziki children certainly enjoyed their visit.
While soaking up the sunshine we discussed the separate roles which Julius and Liz each take within Riziki so that we know what each takes responsibility for.
Liz takes responsibility for official dealings with The Children’s Department, The Riziki farm, the management of staff, the stores in general, the regular monthly shopping and anything else as needed at the time!  While referring to dealings with officialdom, she said ‘You have no idea what we have to go through‘.  Our response was ‘Then tell us!‘
Each child is at Riziki following a commital by the courts where Liz has to show why the child needs to be at Riziki and also why Riziki is a fit place for a child to be.  Commitals and registration have to be renewed regularly and Riziki is expected to maintain and increase contact with any relatives and find a way for a child to return to such relatives or to go to foster or adoptive parents, if that becomes a viable option!  Grandparents are encouraged to visit Riziki more so that they don’t lose touch - in preparation for when the child eventually leaves Riziki at age 18, as required by present law.  Sarah, our social worker, is taking a more active part in this too.
Liz takes responsibility for all aspects of the farm, and she is passionate about this, determined to get the very best out of our facilties.  She keeps contact with Egerton University, the premier Agricultural public University in Kenya, who are happy to advise and who often give help with planting.  She tries to understand the staff and their problems, whether they are happy or sad etc.  She tries to make the staff consider what they are achieving at Riziki and why, and whether that aligns to their values.  She discovered recently that Elizabeth, our very loyal cook, was unable to pay her daughter’s school fees due to family circumstances.  This was giving Elizabeth much sadness and worry.  We have been able to find a way to remove that burden for Elizabeth.  We hope that with greater understanding of our staff we will be able to reduce the staff turnover rate.
Liz has started to talk to the girls about adolescence as appropriate and to come up with policies for the future of Riziki, for example, on human resources, volunteers and child protection.  To help with all of these things she visits other children‘s homes in the Nakuru district.
 
Julius takes overall responsibility for Riziki and deals with all matters of finance, school admissions and fees.  He takes children to hospital as and when necessary and councils the children each Sunday afternoon.  He deals with whatever concerns have arisen during the week, from major disciplinary matters (rare) to apparently trivial things, in open discussions with the children, where appropriate.  While we were there a bar of soap had gone missing and could not be found.  After the meeting it somehow re-appeared!   Another time, he had to give a minor reprimand to one of the girls, ‘K‘, who went into major sulks!  Julius asked Neema what was wrong with ‘K‘ and the reply was ‘Pa, Don’t worry about ‘K‘, she is having her adolances (sic)‘.
The renovation of the two old buildings is about to start, and we look forward to seeing pictures as the work goes on.  We hope they will be in the next newsletter.
Our next development project is expected to be the upgrading of the facilities for cattle.  The almost total lack of rain for about a year has shown that we are not likely to be able to grow reliable crops for sale, although with our storage facilities we can achieve self-sufficiency for most of our food for both children and livestock.  There is, apparently, a good market for both milk and meat.  Our large field grows maize for the children (the waste is converted to cattle food) with desmodium and lucerne as protein crops for the cows.  We want to increase our small herd of milk cows but, so far, our cows have a tendency to produce male calves.  We have now decided to keep them and rear them ourselves for meat, rather than sell them early for very little money.  It may be necessary to buy a good cow to increase the milk yield quickly, aiming for 25 to 30 litres per cow per day.
 
News directly from Liz is:-
On March 30th - We did do some planting.  A major part of the shamba was completed.  A good thing, because we have had two days rain since. 254 did not show up to help so we had to deal with the planting on our own (we are used to that).  In the morning, with the kids at school, all staff took to planting. Ruth, Glen and Kevin, the only children not at school on Saturday morning, gave a hand and we were all surprised at how good they were at it and that we got 2hrs of planting from them before they were ready to leave. In the afternoon, the rest helped when they came back from school. We left the shamba at 6:30 - everyone so tired. Precious had a worrying headache after and I suffered a severe sun burn on the back of my neck.  Anyway we are back at it this weekend and we should be able to finish the portion left.
On March 31st - Precious is fine. I was just with her. Yes, it was just dehydration. Left work late today, just got to the house with the evening car.  I was coordinating for tomorrow's planting; I managed to get some 15 young people from the community to volunteer (you met them at the Christmas party - don't know if you remember them).  So tomorrow should go smoothly. 
Children are fine, except Kevin came home sick in the evening; looks like tonsillitis, so hospital tomorrow.
On May 2nd - Sorry for the silence.  It's been quite busy this month with the kids at home and lots of activity.  Kindly bear with us.  We are in 'back to school' mode now, but once they are back, Wednesday, it should slow down a bit and I will be able to sit down and write a proper update.
 
 
 
Julius wrote on May 3rd:-
The children were on April school holiday since 7th April 2017 but the schools were opened today.
Dennis Kibet's leg has improved greatly but he has developed eye problems and after check ups he was given eye glasses and he is now doing well. Kevin Kipkoech has a swelling on his left leg and he is due for an operation next week to remove whatever is there.  Antony Rengei went home for a visit, but when he returned here he was sick,  vomitting blood and with stomach ache.  Yesterday, I took him to St. Mary's hospital where several tests were carried out including scope.  He was found to have Oesophageal varices grade 2 and he lacked blood.  The levels were very low.  He was admitted at 5.30pm so that 3 pints of blood could be added to his body at night. I will visit him today at 4 pm, God willing, after sorting out the other secondary boys to go to school today.
I have been forced by circumstances to call the Eye hospital to postpone my eye clinc, which was supposed to be today, so as to monitor Antony's development.  They agreed to give me another appointment when I am ready.
The fields were planted with maize and beans towards the end of March but there has been no rain.  Now we have had some rain at least for 2 day continuously and we hope and trust that it will continue, God willing. We had planted onions in the greenhouse but they did not do well due to lack of enough water; you know our water problem.
On 15th April, Liz held her usual children‘s church and 210 children from the community attended.
On Monday, 1st May 2017, we held a birthday party for all the children. They had invited their friends from the community both small and youth; also there were 3  children from St. Cecilia, they all enjoyed very much and it rained very hard that day.
Peter has not yet started the renovation.  I talked to him again on Monday and he claimed that he was busy somewhere but he promised to start soon. The gentleman doing the store also promised to start on Monday next week.
On May 4th -  Antony is getting better; he was taken to theatre again today and we trust and believe he will be well soon. 
Please greet all in the family and God bless you abundantly. 
 
News of Sammy
Following our mention in the last newsletter of our friend, Sammy, and his need for chemo for his cancer, I am pleased to say that we have been able to fund about 1½ treatments.  Any further help would be much appreciated.  Sammy acknowleged your help in the email below:-
Hi Ian & Diana
I am doing well in the fourth chemo, and have experienced very good improvement.  We had no rain for a long time but we had very heavy rainfall this afternoon in our village, hope it will continue raining.  Sorry, I failed to tell you that the money you raised to-words my treatment and sent through Riziki/Julius reached me and I will pay for my fifth chemo on Thursday the 20th.  I will keep you informed with the progress, and I would very much like you to believe that I surely appreciated all what you did to raise funds to-words my treatment.  May god bless you and those who answered you and may God add them more and bless the work of their hands.  Give my love Diana and the family.  Sammy
Prayer points
1.    For adequate rain to support the crops, not just at Riziki but throughout East Africa.
2.    For strength for the Riziki staff, especially Julius.
3.    That someone will feel led to join Diana and me so that there is good continuity with Riziki in preparation for the time when we are no longer able to do it.
 
 
 
For donations from within UK:-
The best way to make a donation to Riziki is through The Aenon Trust. This a UK charity which facilitates giving to projects including several children's homes in Kenya. Donations by UK taxpayers may be Gift Aided through The Aenon Trust. All such giftings are transferred to the projects in full by the Trust, with no deductions
Cheques should be made payable to The Aenon Trust and sent to:-
Mr A.E.Nicholls MBE FRGS, 137 Belvedere Road, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 4PA , with a note saying the gift is for Riziki. Allan's email is nicholls_allan@hotmail.com
Direct payments can be made to:- NATWEST BANK, Bexleyheath, Sort Code 51-70-14, for the credit of The Aenon Trust, Account No 36591483.  If using this method an email should be sent to Allan to let him know the gift is for Riziki.
If preferred, gifts may be sent through us at Wayfields, Briar Court, HOLMFIRTH, HD9 2JJ.
Donations from elsewhere may be sent to either of the above.
Regular donations can be made by Standing Orders. I can supply Gift Aid declaration forms or Standing Order forms, for regular donations, if desired.
 
 
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.



Gaggia Caffe Shop, based in Elland has a feature on Riziki on their website.  This can be accessed on www.gaggiacaffe.tv.     Our own Riziki website is accessed on http://www.riziki.org.uk.
​

Riziki News – January 2017
Dear All,
This is a short newsletter based on recent emails received from Julius.  Diana and I will be going to Kenya soon and expect to produce a longer epistle on our return.  Since our November newsletter Julius has been extremely busy with the additional work of looking after Lucy and finding suitable secondary school places for three of our boys who have just completed primary school.  We are very grateful that Julius has been able to keep us informed during this time.  On behalf of all involved with Riziki I would like to give sincere thanks to all our supporters, in Kenya, the U.K. and elsewhere for remembering Riziki in prayer and through donations.  Without your support Riziki could not continue to give a future to the young people who are the Riziki family.  
 
Lucy – a brief summary!
As you all read in the last Newsletter, Lucy fell sick with appendicitis in October and she was admitted to hospital from October 19th to 31st.  She was discharged, although not fully recovered, to enable her to sit for her KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education).  She continued to go for cleaning and dressing everyday in the afternoon after sitting for the exam in the morning.
Lucy sat for her last paper, biology practical, on November 28th morning, completing her secondary education. 
On November 29th she was readmitted to St. Mary’s hospital and was finally discharged on December 22nd.  Julius has visited daily and after leaving hospital the wound continued to heal.  Lucy has has a really hard time.  We thank God the wound now is almost healed and she is feeling well.
When the exam results were announced, Lucy was awarded a grade D which was lower than we had hoped but fully understandable under the circumstances.  We are trying to get her a college where she can take a course of her choice; we pray and trust that we will be able to get one, God willing.
 
Other news
Grace and Dennis have both recovered from their medical problems.
The children hospitals expenses from September to November 2016 are KES. 141,480/- (about £1200) but I do not know how much it will be for costs since then.
The results are out for the three boys who sat for KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) early in November and they performed well so we trust that they well get good schools.  Benson got 357 marks out of 500, Antony, 336 marks and Richard, 328 marks.  Therefore, next year, God willing, we will have five children in secondary school, two in form 3 and three in form 1.
Unfortunately, the Maasai Mara safari has been postponed to a later date due to unavoidable circumstances.
The Riziki children went to their relatives on December 9th and came back on January 2nd 2017 before the schools open on January 4th.
Antony, Benson and Richard started secondary school on January 11th.   All three boys were originally posted, by the Ministry of Education, to secondary day schools far away from Riziki, so Julius has spent a lot of time finding a Nakuru boarding school where all three boys could be accommodated.  He has been successful in finding places for them at Anestar Boys High School, Nakuru.
Faith and Collins also performed well in their 3rd term 2016 exams. They went back to school on January 4th.
In the gardens there were tomatoes in the greenhouse but they became infected by insects and the plants were removed.  However, both cows are doing well, still giving milk, and the two young ones are growing.  Unfortunately both gardeners, Daniel and Dennis left Riziki, Dennis in November and Daniel early this month.
On November 19th,  AIC Milimani Choir visited the Riziki children; they ate lunch together and afterwards they entertained the children with gospel music and dance.  Later they cut a cake and gave the children presents, they all enjoyed the occasion very much.
On December 7th, We held a thanksgiving party to thank God for enabling the three boys to pass the KCPE exam.  The party also served as an early Christmas for the children before going to their relatives over the Christmas period.  We did not invite many people because it was at night in the house.  We only invited Rev. Jones of AIC Milimani to conduct the prayers and we also prayed for Lucy who was still in hospital.  We all had a good time and thanked God for everything.
The children sent greetings.   Julius & Esther
 
Short term hopes
1.    We still need to renovate the two small outhouses for the older young people to sleep in.
2.    We need to establish a viable flock of chickens to supply eggs for Riziki and to sell.
Prayer points
1.    Thanks for Lucy’s continued return to full health.
2.    For adequate rain to support the crops, not just at Riziki but throughout East Africa.
3.    For strength for the Riziki staff, especially Julius.
4.    For safety, especially on the roads as we travel in Kenya.
5.    That someone will feel led to join Diana and me so that there is good continuity with Riziki in preparation for the time when we are no longer able to do it.
 
We have not mentioned how to donate to Riziki for some time.  Here are the easiest ways to do so.
For donations from within UK:-
The best way to make a donation to Riziki is through The Aenon Trust. This a UK charity which facilitates giving to projects including several children's homes in Kenya. Donations by UK taxpayers may be Gift Aided through The Aenon Trust. All such giftings are transferred to the projects in full by the Trust, with no deductions
Cheques should be made payable to The Aenon Trust and sent to:-
Mr A.E.Nicholls MBE FRGS, 137 Belvedere Road, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 4PA , with a note saying the gift is for Riziki. Allan's email is nicholls_allan@hotmail.com
Direct payments can be made to:- NATWEST BANK, Bexleyheath, Sort Code 51-70-14, for the credit of The Aenon Trust, Account No 36591483.  If using this method an email should be sent to Allan to let him know the gift is for Riziki.
If preferred, gifts may be sent through us at Wayfields, Briar Court, HOLMFIRTH, HD9 2JJ.
Donations from elsewhere may be sent to either of the above.
Regular donations can be made by Standing Orders. I can supply Gift Aid declaration forms or Standing Order forms, for regular donations, if desired.
 
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.  Your interest in Riziki is much appreciated.  Ian & Diana Hogley.


Gaggia Caffe Shop, based in Elland has a feature on Riziki on their website.  This can be accessed on www.gaggiacaffe.tv.     Our own Riziki website is accessed on http://www.riziki.org.uk.
​

Riziki News – November 2016
Dear All,
This letter is based on emails received from Julius since September.
In mid-October Julius wrote
We are all doing fine as a family. The Riziki children are all well.  We are happy they all performed well in their school opener exam. The three boys in standard 8 are working very hard in school; their school did a competition exam with another one in Subukia, on the way to Nyahururu, and we are happy with their performance.
The children‘s health problem is improving, but Grace will be hospitalized to have her leg operated on to check the bone and clean the wound.                           .
Work on the new security fence has started and it will take about a month to complete.
We have harvested maize and the yield was very good.  We got 37 bags of 90kgs.
I learnt on Monday 19th September that Sofia lost one of her many sisters on Tuesday 13th and she was buried on Saturday the 17th.  I met Sofia this Monday on her way back to school after the burial.
Please pass our greetings to friends and family. The Riziki children send their greetings to you all.
May God bless you for the good and hard work you are doing, we truly appreciate it.
 
PS. Benson will tell you more about the digital library when you come next time; I know nothing in that field. What I do know is that the std 1 pupils in public schools are getting small tablets to use in their learning.
 
In mid-November Julius wrote
The children continue to do well in school. They closed school on 28th November and their performance in the end of 3rd term exams are extremely encouraging.  All had 400 and above marks out of 500 except Grace, Ann and Catherine who had over 350 marks.  Four boys Antony, Benson and Richard sat for KCPE at the beginning of November.  It is our prayer that God willing they will pass and join secondary school in 2017. Faith and Collins also performed well in their 3rd term exams.
There were a few cases of sickness among the children again but they were taken to hospital and have recovered well.  Lucy was the most hit.  She fell sick on 14th October, complaining of stomach pains.  On 15th I took her to Valley hospital and after scan and blood test were done nothing was found but she was given medicines.  On Monday 17th she went back to school and on 19th I was called by the principal, saying that Lucy was not well.  Liz and I went for her and we took her to St. Mary's hospital seeking for a second opinion.  Several tests were done.  The scan revealed that her appendix had ruptured and was leaking; immediately she was rushed to theatre where she was operated on and the appendix removed.  Liz and I stayed on waiting for her to come out of theatre.  We left at 8.30pm after she was hospitalised. She stayed in hospital from 19th to 31st October.  During this period, I visited her daily from 1 to 2 pm then stayed around to see her again from 4 to 6pm.  She went back to school on 5th November and started her KCSE on 7th and every day in the afternoon she sits for 2 exam papers.  I take her to hospital and back to school.  She needs to be cleaned and dressed every day and this will continue until the wound is healed.  She is also on medication.  In school, they are carrying her on a chair upstairs to a hall where the exams are being held.  We all pray that with God's help she will pass well, her last paper will be on 29th Nov. 2016.  Yesterday her wound was reopened for better cleaning because it is still oozing. I took her again today for cleaning and dressing then took her back to school till Monday afternoon when she will go again to hospital.
On 3rd November, Dennis Kibet had his left leg big toe operated on again.  He had the same problem as in 2013 when he was hospitalised and the toe is healing well; the stiches were removed on 10th and he was put on medication.
We took Grace to hospital again and another X-Ray was taken.  The doctor said that there is no need for an operation now because the wound has healed and she was put on medication until 22nd December when she will go for review, we all thank God for that. Please remember her in your prayers.
The work on the security fence has been completed and we believe that all will be well.  We are most grateful to the donor of this fence which should enhance the security of the children and reduce the thefts of crops.
The renovation of the two old houses needs KES. 170,000/- (£1500).  (This is to provide suitable accommodation for our older children, separate from the younger ones.)  The extension I mentioned (to the main house) will need KES.2.8milion (£24 000) for materials and labour but it is not urgent.
There are tomatoes in the greenhouse. The cow, Joy, gave birth in October to a male calf and Turi was served again after losing the first pregnancy.
Peter, our Masai friend, invites us with the children to visit Mara and stay at his camp for three days; he promised to give us one day free full board.  (We have been promised a donation to cover this event as it should be a very worthwhile educational experience.)
On 20th October the pastor of AIC Kayanet, his wife and a few members of the church visited the Riziki children and they had good time together.
Sorry for being quiet for some time.  This is because of Lucy's sickness which made me keep running up and down between Nakuru and St. Mary's hospital, not forgetting visiting the children and getting back to the house very tired   Now it is between Lucy's school and St. Mary's hospital daily. Liz has not been feeling well for some time but now she is getting better.
 
At the end of November Julius wrote
Bwana Yesu Asifiwe, We trust that you are all well.
We are well and the Riziki children are too.  They are enjoying their school holiday, looking forward to visiting Mara next month.  Lucy continues to go to hospital everyday for cleaning and dressing and as of yesterday 19th November the wound is still oozing.  She is still on medication and it is our prayer that she will get well.  She does her exams in the morning and in the afternoon goes to hospital and back to school late evening.  Dennis’s toe continues to heal but it has to be dressed after every one day.  He goes to a private clinic at Menengai centre.
We have been asked by supporters here about the possibility of giving Christmas presents of donations to Riziki and have come up with the following gifts which would be much appreciated.  Costs are given in Kenya shillings which for small amounts approximate to KES.100 = £1.  The current exchange rate is KES.116 = £1, a major fall since the EU referendum.
The suggested gifts are:- 
2Kgs of hybrid maize costs 500/- 
2Kgs of hybrid beans costs 800/- 
Native chicken medium size hen costs 500/-
Native chicken medium size cock costs 700/-
Cross breed chickens are more expensive costing almost double depending on the size.
Rabbits are between 500/- and 1000/- depending on the size.
We would like to start a native chicken project with 300 and crossbreed chicken project with 200 and about 100 rabbits. We would seriously like to get to this kind of business for profit making, these three are easy to keep and the rabbit urine is very expensive.  It is sold in litres! 
The children sent greetings.
Julius & Esther
 
If you would like to give a present of seeds, poultry or rabbits in this way then let us know and we will supply a suitable printed message to go to the recipient of the gift.
May God bless you,
Ian & Diana
We are very grateful to all our supporters for what they are able to give and would be delighted to supply relevant information to anyone else who wishes to donate regularly, or occasionally, to Riziki. 
Gaggia Caffe Shop, based in Elland has a feature on Riziki on their website.  This can be accessed on www.gaggiacaffe.tv.     Our own Riziki website is accessed on http://www.riziki.org.uk.
​

Riziki News – September 2016
Dear All,
As we have not been in Kenya since our last newsletter, this letter is based on emails received from Julius in September.
 
Phylis, Grace and Ann
The children opened school for 3rd term on 30th August and on 31st August they sat for school opener exams and we wait to see the results.  Collins opened on 29th August, Lucy on 31st and Faith on 4th September.
Several children have been sick, complaining of different illnesses.  Grace has a leg wound that does not want to heal.   On 6th September 2016 Esther and I took her to St. Mary’s hospital, near Gilgil, together with Dennis and Neema. Grace was diagnosed with a chronic bone something-I-cannot-remember which is making the wound not to heal.  She will return for further treatment when the schools close.  Dennis has a problem with the leg which was operated on in 2013.  It keeps on giving him pain; he limps and he cannot wear closed shoes.  He will go back to clinic on 6th October 2016, God willing.  Neema has eye problems with light.  She was checked at PGH eye clinic.  They recommended glasses but we thought it was not the right thing, so we sought a different opinion.  Here the doctor said she will be okay.  (It can be very difficult to find the right medical facility to get a correct diagnosis – Ian)
Now for the good news!  
All the children performed very well in their 2nd term 2016 exams.  Therefore to appreciate their hard work we took them on 24th August to Lake Bogoria,  We saw many flamingos, the hot springs and seven greater kudus in different parts of the park. The children enjoyed the day and were extremely happy.
On the 29th August a friend of mine for many years, Peter from Maasai Mara - from one of the villages near the Sekenani Gate - visited Riziki home and gave the children a big treat.  He bought them a full goat from the butchery at Menengai centre.  The older children, with the help of our Masai friend, roasted some of the meat and the rest was boiled.  We ate with ugali and we all enjoyed it very much.  The children, one after another, stood up and thanked him for his generosity and they all wished him and his family well. The other half of the goat was kept in the deep freezer for them to eat as they wish. What a wonderful day planned by God. 
On 3rd September that friend of Riziki who brings us firewood sent a lorry full of firewood as you saw that time you were here.  What a friend?  May God bless him and keep him well, together with his entire family.
On 6th September when Esther and I took the three children to St. Mary’s hospital.  I was surprised to learn that when they were registering they all used my name as their third name.  I followed this up and discovered that not only these three, but all the Riziki children, register in this way when they go to hospitals.  Why?  I do not know - nobody has ever told them to do so.  (This does illustrate how much the children love and respect Julius and how they feel to be part of the Riziki family – Ian.)
Grace was asked to go for HIV test - we have never seen her so frightened, scared and confused but, thank God, the results were negative so she came back to life! 
Dennis Yego joined Riziki as a gardener on 5th July and he is doing well together with Daniel Lotere.  We are still waiting for the quotations for the building work we need for rooms for the older children.  This is to satisfy the children’s services.  We trust that the quotations will soon be ready.
We have harvested beans and now we are harvesting the maize.  We have planted tomatoes and green capsicum in the greenhouse and the cows are doing well,  Turi is the only one producing milk,  We thought that she was pregnant but it has turned out to be false so she has now been served again.  Joy is still expecting in October 2016. 
I held a meeting with Benson (Chairman of the board) on 7th September and we discussed quite a number of issues to do with Riziki.  We revisited the issue of a digital Library system for the children which consists of five wireless receivers at a cost of KES.10,000 (£80) and the digital library server at a cost of KES.50,000 (£400) and he mentioned that once installed the service will be free.  (I had never heard of a digital library and Google made it no clearer for me!  We will doubtless find out more about this on our next visit – Ian.)  
The pressure treated posts for the new security fence have been delivered and we should have completed the installation by the time you read this. They arrived from Nairobi on 30th August at 5.00 am; the driver of the truck picked me up from home to show him the way to Riziki. At 5.40 am we were at Riziki offloading. 
We thank God the family is doing well. The eye continues to heal well and we thank God for that. The Riziki children are all well, let us say, hoping and trusting that Grace and Dennis will get better.
Our greetings to all of you,
Julius
  
On September 10th we held another coffee morning and afternoon tea at our home. The weather recovered enough for the garden to be full in the afternoon making the event a success.  On October 2nd we will be having a lunch at our previous church in Lindley to raise money for Riziki and a home in India and expect around sixty diners for a five course lunch.  We don’t charge for these events but invite donations and always have a good response.
Ian & Diana
 
We are very grateful to all our supporters for what they are able to give and would be delighted to supply relevant information to anyone else who wishes to donate regularly, or occasionally, to Riziki. 
Gaggia Caffe Shop, based in Elland has a feature on Riziki on their website.  This can be accessed on www.gaggiacaffe.tv.     Our own Riziki website is accessed on http://www.riziki.org.uk.
​

Dear All,
As we have not been in Kenya since our last newsletter, this newsletter is compiled from emails received from Julius in July. 
The current weather pattern in Kenya continues to cause great problems.  In the past people could rely on significant rainfall over several weeks twice a year, starting reliably at the same time each year.  Now the pattern has changed and inconsistent rain at any time seems to be the norm.  For subsistence farmers this is a disaster as crops wither and die when there is not enough rain to bring them to maturity.  Julius has planted a quick growing maize which produces a smaller crop than the standard maize but does so in a shorter time.  This has led to Riziki being the only place in the area with mature maize.  Without maize available all the year round there is little to eat and people and animals go hungry.  In addition people face a long walk to get to a stream that is still flowing or have to buy water (as we do at Riziki when our rain-water tanks run dry).  When it does rain it takes weeks or months for new crops to grow and mature.
On July 4th Julius told us that:-
With the shortage of food we have had problems with dogs eating maize at night but we are taking measures to prevent destruction. There is also a porcupine eating sweet potatoes at night.  Daniel the gardener is trying to trap it.
However, at the time of writing all crops are doing well in the field because there is enough rain. There are tomatoes and green capsicum in the greenhouse.  We expect to have a good harvest this year God willing.  All the cows are expecting calves in September and October 2016.
Peter the builder is doing a quotation for renovating the two old houses to be used by the older children, starting with Lucy after she completes her secondary education this year.  This follows a government ruling that 18 yr olds should not be in children’s homes.  The renovated houses will become student hostels for the young adults who may be able to be temporary employees at Riziki while they are away from school or college.
We have been wanting to put a wall or fence around the entire Riziki compound for some time.   On 25th June I (Julius) had a meeting with Benson (Board Chairman) and we discussed quite a number of issues including the fence and we resolved that a double twist chain link is more durable than the offcutts, a quotation for this will follow as soon as possible. We also discussed about a digital library system for the children, I will write more about this later.
On 18th June a group of young people from Nakuru town visited the Riziki children, they brought food with them which they cooked and ate with the children and staff.  Liz welcomed them.  They all enjoyed playing together with children.
On 26th June another group from AIC Kayanet visited the children in the afternoon, they brought sacks and drinks which they all enjoyed together after playing together,  Esther and I found them playing with kids and we welcomed them.
In May 2016 Charles and Peter (gardener & driver) left without giving any reason.  Catherine Kemunto joined Riziki staff in June as a cleaner to take over Veronica's place.  Veronica had been with us a long time but left to have a baby.  Daniel Kariuki came in the same month as a driver, also a former employee Daniel Lotele came back as a gardener.
Moses has now also left.
On July 11th Julius told us that:-
We are all well as a family and the Riziki children are all well and doing fine. They continue to do well in school; they were on mid-term but they resumed today.  Faith also had come for her mid-term and she is doing well and enjoying her new school.  She performed well in her school opener exam - she was second in her class with a B+.  Lucy and Collins came a bit earlier for their mid-term breaks and are also doing well.
In the last email I mentioned that the maize in the field is ready and we had problems with stray dogs and porcupines.  We managed to get rid of the dogs using traditional means(!!!) and one of the porcupines was caught by the trap see a picture attached.
The biggest problem we have now is people have started stealing the maize because there is no other ready maize in the area.  On 4th July, around 10.30 am, a young man was found stealing.  He ran away leaving behind the maize and his bicycle. The staff member who found him took the bicycle to the house.  We informed the area chief who told us to take the bicycle to the police station where we recorded a statement. On 5th July in the morning it was discovered that some maize were stolen the previous night.  This day we increased security and around 10 pm the watchmen saw somebody inside the maize field.  Before they reached him he ran away.  On 7th around 7.30 pm another person got inside the maize field.  The watchmen tried to catch him but he ran away  They chased him, going through the wire.  He left his cap behind from which we are trying to trace the owner with help of the community members.
Before we engaged the watchman a watering can disappeared from the greenhouse at night and the same night a cooking pan which was left outside also disappeared. There have been signs of fire wood disappearing at night. So to be able to solve these problems permanently we need a fence as soon as possible, if the funds are available (This is now being dealt with following a very generous donation specifically for this purpose - Ian)
On July 22nd Julius told us that:-
We praise God for keeping us all well as a family.  The Riziki children are all well and they continue to work very hard in school. The eye continues to heal well but I am on medication eye drops and tablets which I will use for six months then go back for check up on 17th February 2017 God willing.
You remember I mentioned that maize was being stolen, Since the time the maize thief was chased leaving behind his cap on the fence no maize has been stolen; it looks like he was the one doing the stealing.  We are still trying to identify the owner of the cap with the help of members of the community.  The problem of dogs is no more.  Another porcupine was caught by the trap on 13th July but it was stolen, together with the trap, very early in the morning by our neighbours below the newest field,  When asked, he confessed that they had taken the animal for meat; I told our gardeners to forget about it. The K. P. & L. Company (Kenya Power and Lighting) transformer at the corner was stolen at night on 11th and since then the whole area has been in darkness.  Thank God we have the solar lighting.  We have even helped some members of the community to charge their cell phones.  The children send greetings to you all.  May the good Lord bless you all for the good work you are doing.                                              Ian & Diana
 
We are very grateful to all our supporters for what they are able to give and would be delighted to supply relevant information to anyone else who wishes to donate regularly, or occasionally, to Riziki. 
Gaggia Caffe Shop, based in Elland has a feature on Riziki on their website.  This can be accessed on www.gaggiacaffe.tv. 

​Dear All,
We have recently returned from a month in Kenya where we spent eleven days at Riziki.  What made it extra special this time was that the children were on school holidays so we spent a lot of time with them.

After a long period of drought and high temperatures the rains arrived shortly before we did.  It was great to watch crops growing again – a real blessing after months of having to buy vegetables AND water.

Julius has had further laser surgery on his eye and can now drive short distances – the outlook seems positive.  We took him north to Marigat one day to buy grafted mango trees to add to our orchard.  Our oldest boy, Collins, is passionate about the gardens and is inspiring the younger boys to take an interest.  They love to show us what they are doing in the garden.  They have had the first crop of peanuts and the cassava was amazingly tasty.  Cassava tends to be grown as an emergency drought crop but it was very good to eat after being lightly boiled.

Another day we went into Nakuru with Julius to purchase the agricultural chopper, courtesy of Franciscan Aid.  This took most of the day with protracted discussions over price and the fitting of improved wheels – very different from purchasing on-line!  The owner of the business came out to Riziki to demonstrate the machine. Moses’ face was sheer wonderment and his thanks was very effusive.  The machine will save a lot of time and considerable physical labour as it prepares cattle food.

Liz, with support from friends at two of the Nakuru churches, runs a day of children’s church three times a year to which around 200 children from the surrounding area come to Riziki.  It was good to be present for this and see so many young people having a very special day– we feel that outreach is an important part of Riziki’s ministry to the local community.

A Riziki friend had noticed our wood store was very low and arranged for a donation.  We were very surprised when a large lorry loaded with offcuts of timber arrived, with enough firewood to last a year.  Several bags of good used clothing were also donated.

There has been encouraging evidence of local support for Riziki through Liz’s church friends – A lot of new school books were donated, without being requested.  Schools expect you to buy new editions of books each year, even to the extent of the latest edition of logarithm tables.

We had taken colouring books with us and on a very wet afternoon the children produced some amazing pictures and a banner.  They seem to love art work of all kinds. 
On the Sunday we were at Riziki the children of the local church were leading the morning service.  Not only that but they were expected to clean the church two days beforehand – done happily and willingly.

One of our boys, Dominic, read the lesson and 11yr old Neema preached in Swahili on Proverbs 6 v 16-29.  From the reaction of the congregation it was clear she did extremely well without any prior adult help.  Later, over lunch she preached to us in English!  Neema also told us of her hopes for the future:-  she wants to go to Bible College, open her own Christian music and dance business and hopes to build a church!  After the service there was an auction of gifts brought by the congregation as their offerings.  Diana started by bidding successfully for a chicken.  This was followed by eggs, seed potatoes and butter beans which were soon planted in the shamba.

On alternate Sunday afternoons Liz counsels the children dealing with the problems they encounter, for example, peer pressure at school.

We were happy to meet Benson, the chairman of the board, over coffee in Nakuru.  He assured us of his support and respect for Riziki and he visits whenever he can.

The children regularly say ‘thank you’ for the opportunities they have.  They are happy, care for each other and are hopeful for the future.                                 Ian & Diana
We are very grateful to all our supporters for what they are able to give and would be delighted to supply relevant information to anyone else who wishes to donate regularly, or occasionally, to Riziki.  

Gaggia Caffe Shop, based in Elland has a feature on Riziki on their website.  This can be accessed on www.gaggiacaffe.tv.    
Our own Riziki website is accessed on http://www.riziki.org.uk.
 
               rizikihome@riziki.org.uk

In May, one of our children wrote:­

Dear All,

I thought you might like to know something about school life in Kenya, direct from one who experiences it.

This is how our school is. We wake up at 3:45am, take a shower and then go to class for the morning preps. At 6am the bell is rung and we all go to the dining hall for breakfast. At 6:20 everybody is suppopsed to be ready to start the school duties like cleaning the school. The student leaders – I am one – are supposed to make sure that all the students have done their duties.

Student leaders have the authority to punish those who fail to do, or complete, their duties at the right time. If they fail to change after the punishment they can also be forwarded to the administration. In most cases I face a lot of challenges. If I fail to supervise the students doing their duties at the right time I may have to do the cleaning myself as a punishment from the matron.

Sometimes the punishments have to be done during class time and the teacher cannot wait for a pupil to arrive so by the end of the day a lot of study time has been lost. My work is to supervise pupils who are my age mates and I have come to learn that my fellow pupils can be very stubborn. Because of this I prefer being a normal student rather than a student leader. 

After all the morning duties have been done the bell is rung and we all go to our respective classes.

In our school we have forms one to four. We have only three breaks during the school day. One is for relaxing for ten minutes after we have been in class for two hours. The second is for thirty minutes when we take porridge.

The third break of an hour is when we take our lunch. The only time we are free is from 6:00 to 6:55pm and during this time we take our evening meal and wash our clothes. Then it is back to class until 10pm when we break and go to sleep.
Anyway, life is not that easy and we have to persevere a lot. If one is caught sleeping in class the punishment is to stand for the 45 minutes that the teacher is teaching. If you go to sleep during study time (which may not be intentional) the next day you will be forced to sleep behind the administration block where everybody can see you. I thank God I have never been a victim of this! The worst thing is when one fails to perform academically. One is punished by all the teachers, including the principal. Again I am fortunate never to have been punished for failing exams.

I also have my best days. On Fridays we have games like football and all students are allowed to participate in any of the games. On Saturday there is entertainment through watching television and on Sunday there is a church service which takes place in the school dining hall.
This is how life is in secondary school.