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The past few months have been busy ones for Wings of Mercy.A lot of things have happened in terms of program, project activities and the on going support for the orphan and vulnerable children.The Neema lands Kings and Queens’s orphanage children are doing well with skills training which was passed on to them by Wings of Mercy, through Christine. They have now been able to make bracelets and necklaces using beads .With time we hope to make this skills training into a big and viable project where the children’s handiwork can be sold to raise money to support the orphanage. Recently during the Christmas season, Christine and Roger, visited the orphanage and gave gifts of teddy bears to the children, they were so delighted. The orphanage has about 40 children and it has the following needs;- requires more beds, need for a proper feeding program, clothes, shoes, school books and other writing materials, and funds to help pay workers and support with the day to day management of the orphanage.
1) The bracelets- a closer view 2) orphan girl displays her finished bracelettine with the Orphans.3) The display of bracelets made by the Orphans. 4) Christine and the Orphans
The children receive the A group photo with the Orphans
Toys and Teddy bears
A Gift of football Jersey’s from Rookwood School- Andover- England
It was Monday the 22nd of December 2008, when I received a call on my cell phone, at first I thought it was my friend and counterpart Debbie in the UK, making one of those surprise calls! only to realize it was a Mrs Scot from Andover in England. I had a busy schedule that day, I was visiting a number of orphans, taking some gifts and presents to them, and that afternoon I was to crown it all with a visit to Neema land Kings and Queens Orphanage. More than a year ago I had visited England with my wife Christine, and we happened to tour various cities, seeking to raise funds and create awareness about Wings of Mercies activities, it was therefore a working holiday for us. During one of those visits, we were invited to speak to children in a private school in Andover- Known as Rook wood school. We got an opportunity to give a talk to one particular class about our work, and also sold some African crafts, etc which we had carried to raise funds. Little did we know that this short visit would leave an indelible mark, in the lives Mrs Scott a Teacher at Rook wood, the husband Mr Scott and their two lovely children Daniel and Georgia (Hope I have spelt her name correctly!).They looked forward to coming for a trip in Africa. Someday, and they felt that the trip would afford them an opportunity to connect with Africa and hence; Wings of Mercy .Mrs Scott was calling to tell me that she was in Nairobi- Kenya, and if I could, would I make an effort to come and see them where they were putting up in a camp in Karen. If you have been in Nairobi in recent Months, you will agree with me traffic, is a real pain and this is something we have to contend with on a day to day basis. I did not want to disappoint this lovely family and thank God I didn’t ! They had brought with them a few football jerseys from Rook wood school, which they wanted Wings of Mercy to donate to some children in one of our schools. In so doing, the jerseys would act as a point of contact and the start of a new relationship with the Rookwood School in England. I was really touched by their very kind gesture. Am sure the few lucky children who receive these football jerseys will be so delighted to put them on. We did exchange some few pleasantries, took some photos together, and bade each other goodbyes. We are hoping that on their return from their Africa trip, there will be further strengthening of ties between Rook wood school and Wings of Mercy which we hope, will bring a very positive impact to the children In England and much more so the children in Kenya as well.
Georgia, Roger and Daniel Roger and the scotts family
Christmas Party and Prize Giving day – Blue Sky Academy
Blue sky Academy a school situated in a slum known as Maasai village, where many Maasai herdsmen live; held the end of the year Christmas party which was partly sponsored by Wings of Mercy. This was to celebrate the achievements made so far within the year, and also to recognize the efforts of the children, teachers, parents and the school administration for a job well done. Over the past year Wings of Mercy has helped construct a classroom, buy a water tank for the school, begin a chicken project, make a security gate, and at present is planning to donate a number of desks to the school. However the school still has need of additional classes, as the pupils graduate to the next level. With the support of Wings of Mercy, the school has grown from a mere 30 pupil population to over a 100 strong! in a record one year!. The event was quite colourful, as the children recited poems, sang songs and danced together with their teachers. Those who were graduating to the next class, were dressed in gowns and a lovely headgear to match!. A graduand for each class. The parents and teachers were then served with snacks and soft drinks; there were nearly a hundred parents in attendance. The children were then awarded in terms of performance, character and smartness.
New Light Academy Trip to Wilson Airport and Bomas of Kenya
New light Academy, another of our schools located in the slums of Mukuru, had a trip organized for them by Wings of Mercy which took them on a tour, to one of the busiest airports in East and Central Africa i.e. The Wilson Airport. They also had an opportunity to visit the famed Bomas of Kenya where they had a moment of pleasure; sampling, and feasting their eyes on breathtaking performances by the Bomas Artists.They did really enjoy watching the exotic cultures of Kenya’s tribes, exhibited in Song, drama and Dance. It was a real thrill and an unforgettable experience for these slum children. It is a trip, which forever will be etched in the minds of these children and their teachers. It’s something which they have desired and dreamt of – but this time, they were actually experiencing it!. We had to hire a Mini bus to be able to carry the nearly 70 pupils and Teachers. Wings of Mercy, looks forward to the time when they will have their own Bus to be taking these children to these wonderful trips. These trips are so important to the children, as they help to open them up to a world of possibilities, making them realize that they can break out of their limitations, and out of the slum environments and live a better life, helping the children believe in themselves and building self confidence, is key to developing success stories out of them.
At the Airport, the children had a rare encounter of seeing the vice president of the country board a chopper, with two other cabinet ministers, as he waved to them.
Wings of Mercy puts a smile on poor families and orphaned children during the Christmas season
Other Highlights and Events of the past year 2008
The year 2008 was a very difficult year for Kenya as a country, as it went through a period of turmoil as a result of a flawed election. Due to what I would call Divine intervention and the prayers and support of our friends within the international community, Kenya was able to survive this terrible experience and come out the political and economic quagmire it was sinking into. Things are back to normal, however, their was unprecedented increase in cost of living , as a result of the post election violence i.e. in terms a rise in food and commodity prices, which made life very unbearable for most of poor families and those living in the slums. You may not be aware of this fact that about 70% of Nairobi Residents Reside in the slums and that poverty levels are past the 60%mark in the country.
The worst affected areas that experienced a lot of may hem, wanton destruction of property, deaths were the slums, and during such moments, women and children were the hardest hit.Kibera slums, where we have a school that benefits from our support, was the hot bed of the violence and suffered the brunt of this carnage. We thank God the school was spared, nevertheless any children and families were affected with many internally displaced to this date. Wings of Mercy was able partner with a Churches and the Red Cross to organize visits to these camps ,where there was distribution of food, clothes, soap and toiletries, sanitary pads etc.
Events in Pictures
News by Roger Molera
Wings of Mercy
