News/ Updates

The last 2 months have been very trying for all of us at St. Pauls Children Care Center. One Girl was doing exams for entry into University (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education-KCSE). The results for these exams will be out in mid March 2011. Other children ( 7 in all) were doing exams for entry into secondary school ( Kenya Certificate of Primary Education-KCPE) the results for these exams will be out just befor new year) We had prepared these children well academically and also psychologically. We do hope that they pass the exams.

This is a big challenge to the management since the 7 students will be required to join secondary school and the fees payment is a real challenge to us in February 2011. If the one girl for university acquires the right grades, we will be requesting one of our partner foundations ( Stichting Studiebol for possible sponsorship)

Then at the beginning of November, the ministry of roads decided to enlarge the road which passes next to our compound. We were thus required to demolish the rental houses which are just next to the road and which generate revenue ( appx. Kenya shillings 16,000 each month). We shall not be compensated for this loss and we also need to build a fence along this stretch since the houses were build in such a way as to act as the fence.

The challenges are many but our dedication is intact and strong, our faith too, our hope and our prayers keep us going despite the hardships. But it is also due to all our supporters,be they local here in Kenya, or foreign from across the globe, we would not be where we are without the support that you give to us.

We thus wish to pass our sincere gratitude to all the individuals and organizations that partner with us. We appreciate each and every one of you, we pray for you and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year 2011.

From the entire community of St. Pauls.

WE ARE AMONG THE BEST

It Is Official. The district children's officer for our area recommended our this institution as a model in terms of management, child welfare, hygiene and other factors that are associated with best practice. A delegation from the parent Ministry headquarters visited our institution on 23rd of June to come and learn about us. We thank all our supporters, donors, management, staff and children of St. Paul's for contributing and being part of this achievement. Hats off to you all.

From the Desk of the secretary.

Corn Harvest

Our staple food 'UGALI' will be in abundance. Thank God and our supporters for the harvest.

GOOD TIDINGS

Finally, after a good wait, we have a bumper harvest from our farm. The children are so exited and so happy to put into storage the maize (corn) harvest. The rains are also going on, and we already are awaiting another harvest later (maybe in late July or early August.

Today is a National public holiday when we in Kenya co-memorate the day in 1964 when our country became a sovoreign republic. The children are all at home and we have a very exciting party organized by staff and friends of staff of the Sentrim 680 Hotel of Nairobi, Maasai mara, and Shaba. The volunteers have donated food stuff and also washed clothes, cleaned the compound braided girls hair, polished all the shoes, and they are also preparing what looks like a finger licking meal- these are very fantastic Kenyans. Now it's play time with the children.

To all you who make these children so happy, I salute you and wish you very many blessings. May God bring joy and happiness to you, your loved ones, families and friends.

Updates

The children are fine, in school and awaiting the easter holidays which will start at the first day of April 2010. The workers, management and board are all doing well, despite the very mayriad challenges that we face.

The management realizes the difficult work that our mothers and other staff members do. We trully appreciate them and pray that one day when we will secure a firm financial base, we will pay them a salary commensurate with the noble work they do.

The mothers especially deserve a special mention. Raising 70 children of different backgrounds, differnt ages, temparament, behaviour and personalities is not the work that many can cope with. The picture is a testimony to the high standard that these mothers have achieved towards these vulnerable children.