Safe babycare for single mums in the Nairobi slums

Feedback from Andria's Falk's
second visit to Nairobi
to finalise the closure of
Tiba Africa Foundation 

February/March 2019

 

 

Visitting the Tiba  projects was my first priority when I arrived in Nairobi
 

Vincent Oloo was quick to  offer to show me around.  As  Consultant to the Tiba Board  and former colleague of  the Late Daniel Marungu he was the perfect guide

                                                                                                                                                                             

 Joy Baby Care  


  We found that Joy Baby Care was flourishing:  in the safe hands of  Mrs. Elizabeth MBati, Head Teacher of Alpha Glory School and the lovely  carer, Wilkister Khamadi, now back from maternity leave 


Abundance School 
 

It was great to catch up with the children and teachers again - though  a  big shock to find the landlord is constructing houses on the playground.

Head teacher, Fred Chavulimo is very keen to find new premises and to build on what he and Daniel have achieved


 

It was wonderful to be able to  allocate the final outstanding donations  from GlobalGiving donors ($ 1,900) to the Tiba projects


Joy Baby Care: we were able to allocate money  for a further  5 months enhanced salary for the care giver, a new microwave and new potties and emergency nappies


Abundance School:   we  were able to pay for the final batch of new curriculum text books, rent for  the Easter holiday, money to set up  as a self-help group,  exercise books and a first aid kit


Give Me Another Chance AIDS/HIV  Project:   we paid for sponsored places on a public workshop and two designated workshops

And we were able to put $475 aside for admin costs  linked to the closure of  Tiba,  with left-over monies to be shared between the projects.

 

Planning for the future of the Tiba Projects


I  was very moved by the enormous concern and  determination  I found to continue Abundance School and Joy Babycare without the support of Tiba.   Teacher Fred, head teacher of Abundance School  has decided to  set  it up as a 'self-help group',   - a formal organisation with legal status that can fundraise independently.    They plan to  fundraise for a new school building, that is desperately needed.  

Joy Babycare has the resources to run independently for  another 5 months and  Mrs. MBati advises they  will  also need to  fundraise to ensure its future.   

Both these projects are very important to the local community and families that they support.

Vincent Oloo and his breathwork colleagues are also  highly motivated  to  continue to support the 'Give Me Another Chance' project in the short term, and have a further workshop planned  to take place at the end of May.   

Meanwhile, Vincent  has begun to plan for and dream about a new retreat and healing centre in the countryside!

.... let's  envision  the highest good and outcome for   these projects, enabling a strong base, to  build on  Daniel's work.

All the projects will be represented at a GlobalGiving training day  for new projects to learn  fundraising skills, to be held on May 17th in Nairobi.  

  
 

A Huge Thank You 

 

to everyone  in Kenya and from around the world who supported me at what has been a challenging time for everyone.    To name some of them:  Lillian Omwenga, wife of the Late Daniel Marungu, and  Vincent Oloo and his wife  Ruth for their support, love and hospitality;  to my colleagues in Tiba Africa Support, Sue Geary, Morag Wylie, Julie Ann Horrox , and especially Ange  Leake (who  patiently put up with many late-night phone calls and texts);  to Judith Kravitz, Director of the Transformational Breath Foundation and the Officers of TBF-UK who  believed in the importance of Tiba and  who supported me financially  during my second visit to Kenya;  to  the staff of GlobalGiving, especially Eleanor Harrison, its former London-based CEO, whose professional advice and knowledge of Kenyan non-profit regulations was second-to-none; to the GlobalGiving donors who generously donated to support the projects into the future;   to the Members and Executive of the IBF for their heart-centred concern for Tiba;  to the Tiba Sub-group  who painstakingly  visited and supplied extra information about the projects:  Elizabeth MBati, Stanley N'juguna, and Vincent Oloo;  to the Sisters and staff at Tumaini Centre for their nurturing  care and amazing  admin support;  and especially  to the Chairman,  Rajab Saidi, and  the Board and Consultants  of Tiba Africa Foundation, whose patience and clarity helped us make difficult   decisions in a very short space of time. And. of course, to the Late Daniel Marungu, whose friendship I treasured and whose inspiration and unique vision was an example to all of us.