Educate an Orphan in Rural Western Kenya

Kakamega county poverty level is 57% compared to national level which is at 46%. This has denied many children an opportunity to go to school, as they have to go as far as working in the farms    for them to be able to eat. This has left the youth vulnerable which leads to early pregnancies in girls and hopelessness.

Joshua joined Tumaini family in the year 2010 15th January, when he was just two(2) days old. He was abandoned near on the  river bunk in the evening and was rescued by some old ladies who were going for a funeral in the village. Joshua was then taken to the police station and we were called upon to take him in. We requested them to send them over with the report and the lady who found him brought him to the centre with the police's report. It was sad to see the cute baby wrapped in dirty rags, wet and smelly. Joshua was different within one hour, after bath he was a cute boy.

Joshua is now 3 and half years, healthy and going to school. This has not happened because Tumaini was there to take in Joshua, it has happened because you our donors. You have made a big difference in this life, there is future and hope on his face just because of your sacrifice and committment.

Lets continue expanding our family, share with friends and pass on a word of mouth, as we expand our family we continue to change more lives. We are grateful and know that your support is very much appreciated, not only with TMSC management but with the children and the entire community who are the beneficiaries.

Links:

• Our facebook page

Tumaini Miles of Smiles Centre received Moses with excitement and at the same time worries. We were worried of his health and future. Moses was found in a market at 3Pm crying on the ground by a guard who guards one of the shops at the market. From his story the guard said he was surprised as he  didn't know what time this child  was placed at the market. He only heard the child crying severely and he called another guard to come and see what was happening. Moses was found wrapped in a polythene paper that served as a diaper. He was taken to the police station, he  was there until morning when they took him to the children's department and we were called upon. We took Moses to his new home. When I held Moses I felt tears inside my heart but I was confident that he will be ok. The polythene he was wrapped in really irritated me. We bathed him and gave him some new clothes and we took him to the hospital. He had chronic anemia and he was severely malnourished,  this terrified us but we took heart and followed the doctor's instruction on how to take care of him. We thought we were loosing him but his life changed with time! He is now a lovely and strong boy going to school! He is in baby class, very active, smart and he carries the show!

We know that without your support Moses couldn't be the way he is now. Without your commitment this life could have perished along time ago. You have saved this life and who knows, Moses is a leader from the way he conducts himself. Thank you for saving this life, just from all the healthcare issues, the diet and now education, it is all about you our donors. We can't do this without your continuous  support and commitment. We thank you and we appreciate all you do in these lives! We have more children suffering out there, abandoned, neglected and vulnerable, we sincerely encourage you  to share this with friends and relatives to enable us save more  and bring happiness in the lives of these suffering innocent children. Tell a friend about TMSC and lets join hands  and make a difference!

Dear Friends of Tumaini,

I arrived yesterday for a visit to the school and orphanage and wanted to immediately send a report to let you know the progress that is being made due to your support. The school and orphanage now have electricity, allowing the children to study and read in the evening. With the completion of the seventh and eighth grade classrooms, a new building has been constructed for administrative and teacher’s offices. The old teacher’s office is now dedicated to the Baby and Pre-Unit classes, so the youngest children have more room and a continued renovation will mean the little ones have a proper space for afternoon naps. In very exciting news, the new Administrative Building also houses Tumaini’s first Library! The text books for class are stored here, with two walls dedicated to Encyclopedic volumes, storybooks, and non-fiction texts. Soon the library will be furnished with tables and chairs so the kids can really use the space as a resource for continued learning.  This will no doubt benefit all of the children, but particularly those who reside in the community who don’t have electricity at home.

Here in Kenya the national teacher’s union is currently on strike, and we are very grateful that Tumaini’s teachers remain dedicated to the children’s learning. There are six new teachers at the school, and the children really look up to them. As some of you know, Rose has shared with me in the past her eventual goal to raise the teachers’ salaries, to a more competitive level. The teachers are paid fairly, but as the budget does not allow for salary increases at the moment, Rose has instituted a system so that the teachers are awarded bonuses based upon the performances of their pupils’ monthly exams. This has motivated the teachers in the classroom, and improved morale, as well as performance of the teachers and students, so that now the teachers are competing with each other, too. 

For the children’s fitness, a project is underway to level the soccer field and plant more grass, as we are now in the rainy season and it has become quite muddy. There are also two basketball goals, which are a new and fun addition. Cypress seedlings have been planted along the perimeter and fence line of the property, which will grow into a lovely green border, stabilizing the soil and also beautifying the security wall of the school.

 As I have not visited in two years, I am amazed by all of the growth here at Tumaini, which could not have occurred without your help.  I will be taking photos and videos during my visit, so you all can see the tangible results of the work you have encouraged, supported, and helped materialize. The children are all healthy, learning, and thriving and are so very grateful to their friends abroad.

On behalf of Rose and everyone at Tumaini, THANK YOU!

Warmly,

Rosalie

Dear friends,

Rose has sent some fun photographs of the children at Tumaini who want to wish everyone a Happy Easter!

Some of you may recognize the faces of, Christine, Sophie (aka "Kofi Annan"), Evelyn, Hellen, Samwel, James, Toba, and the little kids with missing teeth Miryam, Ble, Nora, Whitney, Florence, Irene, Rabecca.... So cute! 

Rose has told me that everyone is doing really well, they have been busy planting maize and the kids help with this after school, and otherwise preparing for Easter, which is a very big holiday to be celebrated in Kenya.  

Since the unexpectly big success of the children's camp at Tumaini last fall, which brought many more people from the community to Tumaini, lots of people have been coming to the school for church singing and service on Sundays, which before was only just the kids living at the orphanage and took place in one of the classrooms. Now Tumaini is becoming an even bigger center of the community with more adults and children coming on Sunday to be together. This Easter should be a big celebration, bigger than ever.

Rose has asked me to thank you all on her behalf for being a part of the Tumaini community and to let you know that your money is helping the kids grow with their education and basic needs, and now with the planting of the new crops. 

Happy Easter to all,

Warmly, Rosalie