Posts by Cathy
April 17, 2012 by Cathy
Destruction to the roof of the Kemei Girls' Dorm at Kipkaren Children's Home
On Thursday afternoon, a huge storm to arrived in Kipkaren. We have been eager for the seasonal rains to arrive but this storm packed quite a punch! Near the end of lunch, it started to rain. My husband and I were thankful we were inside and thought the storm would stop in a few minutes like most afternoon showers do. Quickly the light showers escalated to torrential rain, loud thunder, very close lightning, and freakishly high winds. It blew our heavy wooden doghouse over with ease. Several of our windows blew open and it was a struggle to get them closed with the high winds. While this was unusual we thought all was well and prepared to wait out the rains.
Interior damage to the girls' dorm
A few minutes later Veronica Busienei, the wife of the Kipkaren Children’s Home director, came to our door to let us know that the large tree behind the Kimei girls dorm had broken in the high winds, falling on to the dorm, breaking part of the wall and roof. Thankfully, the six girls inside weren’t badly injured. Faith was hit on the head by something (branch, debris?) and has a small lump but is otherwise okay. The other seven Kemei girls were in the gazebo finishing up lunch when the tree broke.
Kemei girls enter their dorm to look at the damage
While the rains continued to fall those of us at the children’s home gathered at the dorm to assess the damage. A major section of roof, ceiling boards, and bricks were damaged. Water entered the dorm and quickly a team went inside to inspect the interior. Outside several large branches obstructed the yard around the building. Pastor Peter Maru knew of someone nearby with a chainsaw so they were called to assist in branch removal. A few beds, under the hole, were disassembled and removed, and the dorm swept free of water. Within a short time all was cleaned up.
It was a BIG tree that fell on the girls' dorm!
We are thankful that this happened at lunch, rather than at night. All the girls are safe, which we thank God for.The Kemei dorm is currently being repaired by the contractor who helped construct the structures six years ago. While the dorm is being repaired we’ve divided the thirteen Kemei girls up to sleep among the other 3 girls’ dorms. We did have a long, heavy rainstorm on Monday night but the repairs underway seem to be holding up well. In a day or so the hole should be sealed, ceiling boards back in place, walls repainted, and furniture returned to the dorm. Please pray that the Kemei girls will be able to rest easy in their dorm once they are able to return. Generally the Kipkaren Children’s Home is a place of great safety and peace. That was disrupted for a few moments but the goodness of God continues to prove itself to the children – they know that their lives are in His hands and His love and care can overcome any circumstance that life brings.
Roof repairs began on Monday afternoon.
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April 6, 2012 by Cathy
Patrick feeds his chickens after school
One of the blessings in getting to know the kids at the Kipkaren Children’s Home is learning about their different interests. Some children have a great love of sport, while others enjoy reading. One of the boys in the Moiben family is known as a huge animal lover. Patrick’s love of animals has blossomed into an interesting past time – developing a small poultry project that he initiated himself.
Patrick goes to school like any other child but the moment he comes from school he runs to his chickens and feeds them before doing anything else. Patrick bought the chicks with his own small savings. He has over 20 chicks and he enjoys spending most of his free time caring for them. He goes to the bush to get homeopathic treatments for the chicks when they are sick. When the chicks are sick Patrick gets concerned because he feels that his project might come to an end.
The chicken house that Patrick constructed
Patrick built a house for his chickens where they can shelter safely. He spends his time cleaning the hatch for them. He loves his small project so much. May the Lord bless Patrick so that he may improve his project and help him to become a poultry farmer in the future.
By Rosebela Bittok, Kipkaren Children’s Home Secretary
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March 31, 2012 by Cathy
Prayer and ground breaking ceremony
On March 29th a team of ELI leaders and visitors gathered below the SACDP classrooms on the ELI Kipkaren Training Center campus. The reason we gathered was to pray for land where construction has begun for a new dining hall and kitchen. This new building will provide space for the many teams, interns and visitors to have their own space for meals and meetings. For many years the library of the training center has been operating as a dining hall, taking away valuable learning space from the SACDP students when visitors are present. We celebrate the beginning of this new construction and the expanded space it will provide for our many training center activities.
It is our prayer that God will bless those who contributed toward this project. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I have good plans for you says the Lord.” For sure, we have seen that He has good things for us – He is just releasing them at the right time! All in all, we appreciate and hope for a good future at our training center.
Tobias checks building plans as foundation construction begins
By Dorcas Rutto, ELI Kipkaren Training Center
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March 29, 2012 by Cathy
It takes teamwork to complete this kind of task!
Recently the ELI Kipkaren staff gathered for a team building event. Part of the morning was spent solving some ‘puzzles’ to demonstrate how effective we can be when we communicate well, think creatively,rely on each other, and work together. Amidst the chuckles and cheers we concretely experienced the value each one of us has in completing our collective goal. We concluded our time together with a meeting under the sycamore tree to listen to some talks from our directors. We learned the value of being part of a T.E.A.M. – Together Everyone Achieves More Success. It was a time of inspiration, refocusing, and fun!
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March 19, 2012 by Cathy
Members of Tebesonik AIC Church learn about double dug beds
On Saturday, March 17th a one day seminar was held at the KK Training Center for 19 farmers from Tebesonik AIC Church. This was a church had previously received some on-site training by SACDP teachers at their village in November and January. Today the farmers came to see and do practically what they had been taught earlier.
The visitors were divided into two groups. The men went to the shamba (farm) to learn how to make vertical gardens, apply double digging techniques, and how to plant kale, cowpeas, spider plants, and tomatoes. The men also learned how to feed and care for dairy cows and how to construct a chicken house for local chickens and layers.
40,000 tree seedlings have been planted by this church member!
On previous visits Isaac Mwebei, SACDP Coordinator, visited farmers to teach them about starting tree nurseries. One of the farmers was so inspired that he began with energy; he now has 40,000 tree seedlings! At this training Isaac explained how to maintain the seedlings. The farmers learned horticulture of crops that are grown in the training center such as passion fruit, sweet pepper, and citrus.
As the men were going round, the women learned how to bake. Dorcas and the assistant teacher, Esther, taught the women how to make cakes, doughnuts and bread. This was successful and the women were very happy for they are able to do this by themselves now.
As an expression of the deepening relationship between ELI and the Tebesonik AIC church the visitors extended their love to the ELI Kipkaren Children’s Home by donating a bag of maize. To be empowered seems to always create a desire to empower others. We are thankful for the blessing of such visitors!
By Dorcas Rutto, ELI Kipkaren Training Center
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March 16, 2012 by Cathy
Every Friday the SACDP students leave the Kipkaren Training Center and go out into various villages to put their lessons into practice. As they near the completion of their second term of study, the students are eager to share the innovative agricultural practices they’ve learned with local farmers.
On March 16th, six teams from the training center ventured out with different tasks ahead of them. Read on for an idea of all the ways these students are impacting communities with practical skills and encouragement:
Mama Edna's students boil banana shoots before planting to prevent disease
Arusei’s Farm
Madam Edna and five students arrived to complete the banana planting they’d begun on a previous visit. Arusei appreciated the help they’ve given. “I’ve never seen banana suckers inserted in hot water before.” Placing banana suckers in hot water before planting destroys the nematodes that hinder banana production. This team also helped to plant a vegetable garden containing kale and cowpeas which will bring a nice income for Arusei in a few months.
The bee hive is almost ready to be hung among the forest trees
Mama Naomi Gets Bee Hives!
SACDP instructor Nashon and six students assisted Mama Naomi to construct three beehives. These were hung in a forested area where bees like to congregate. Mama Naomi was very thankful for this gift. In the past she has been unable to make changes on her farm because of expensive labor costs. Because the students came as volunteers the bee hives are such a great gift. “This project is going to fetch me more income to cover my house expenses. I look forward to selling lots of honey!”
This chicken house will provide protection and health
Joseph’s Chicken Coop
Five SACDP students, along with their teacher Mr. Dan, arrived at Joseph’s home one final time to complete a local chicken house. This will increase egg production because chickens that are fed in a contained area are healthier than those that range for their food. Joseph is delighted that his hens will also be protected from dogs and cats; in the past he lost many chickens to predators but now his chickens have a good home.
"God's Blanket" is doing a good job of providing seedling with moisture
Vertical Gardens for Joan
Six students arrived at Joan’s small farm to inspect the kale they had planted earlier. The vertical gardens are doing well and look like a healthy crop will be harvested in a few weeks. The maize planted using the “Farming God’s Way” technique has begun to germinate. The terraces prepared for napia grass are ready for planting. Joan said, “Now I can plant maize all year long using Farming God’s Way. As long as I have things to use for mulching to create ‘God’s Blanket’ I can create a cool environment to help the growth of my maize!”
Isaac Rutto's students look over the raised beds
Small Space Farming for Stephen
Mr Isaac Rutto brought his five students to Stephen’s farm to demonstrate the power of vertical gardens. Learning about farming in a small space will help him grow kale with an anticipated BIG harvest. The two vegetable beds that the students had planted in a previous visit are almost ready for harvest. Soon Stephen will be eating cowpeas!
A vertical garden constructed by Madam Teresa's students
Jonah Bett Congratulates Students
Madam Teresa and her five students received lots of congratulations from Jonah Bett for all they’ve done on the farm. Construction of a local chicken house, vertical gardens, establishing a nursery for kale seedlings, and banana pruning have helped greatly. All projects were completed well. This farmer was pleased to learn so many new things that he can apply easily, especially in the dry season.
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March 10, 2012 by Cathy
Joan (Kipkaren Children’s Home), Faith and Truphena (Ilula Children’s Home) are students at Ndalat Gaa Girls Secondary School. It is common for boarding schools to invite parents several times throughout the year for special functions – visitation days, prize giving day, thanksgiving day. On Saturday we were called for a special event – Mothers Day! As Form 1 students (freshmen), Joan and Faith were eager to see familiar faces from home. Truphena, a Form 3 student (junior), was more eager to get a hug and fresh news from home.
Mothers Day began at Ndalat Gaa a few years ago for girls and their mothers to gather for a day focused upon idea exchange and encouragement. We first were involved in grade level discussion groups where mothers gave advice about becoming young women – especially in the areas of career and self-conduct. Then, the girls asked questions of the moms, enabling them to elicit advice for life’s concerns. We closed this time by praying for the girls.
The mothers gather to pray for the Form 3 girls
Next we entered the dining hall for a celebration of all things feminine. The girls danced and sang with great energy, welcoming their mothers and important women from the community. After a series of speeches, one from a woman aspiring to become a member of parliament, we ended the day with a gift exchange. Joan, Faith, and Truphena presented us with encouraging notes and we gave them some much anticipated items – treats from home! It was a blessing to see for ourselves that the girls have settled in well at school and are following God in all things. It was a wonderful way to celebrate being a mother!
Form 1 girls sing for the mothers and guests
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by Cathy
On our February 18th post we thanked Water of Life Church for helping us build the gate to the Kipkaren River training center. Everything is now complete, with beautiful signs painted on either side of the entrance. Asanteni sana Kanisa la Maji ya Maisha – Thank you Water of Life Church!
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March 9, 2012 by Cathy
Chopping veggies for salads and soups
In preparation for their three month attachment with other institutions, the Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development Program (SACDP) students had a day of cooking. Using fruits and vegetables from the demonstration shamba (farm), the students learned how to prepare many different kinds of food. Bread, scones, cakes, pasta, vegetable salads, fruit puddings and soups were all part of the learning taught by Madam Teresa.
Winnie mixes cake batter
This was a nice activity for the students as they will have many opportunities to teach farmers how to use their produce in innovative ways. We hope that this home economics lesson will even assist in generating some income for people in different communities.
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March 7, 2012 by Cathy
ELI’s Kipkaren River Training and Development Center strives to become more self-sustaining. A partnership between the training center manager and the Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development Programme (SACDP) Coordinator has sparked a clever idea – hot house tomatoes!
Isaac & Edward in the training center greenhouse with tomato plants
The SACDP students have been learning how to erect community greenhouses, as well as different ways to grow vegetables year round, rather than depending solely upon water from the rains. In an effort to also assist the training center, tomatoes seeds were planted in a join effort to benefit the students with practical learning experience, as well as a financial gain for the training center. Village women commonly use tomatoes for most daily meals so selling tomatoes year round in our area is a great economic plan. We salute Edward, the training center manager, and Isaac, the SACDP coordinator for this great partnership idea!
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