Visit to Nanyuki October 2019

Another enjoyable visit to Nanyuki has just ended and we spent some great times with the children. As usual, they were all so happy to see us and they never cease to amaze us with their zest for life and their sunny dispositions. We were accompanied on this visit by our eldest grandson, Lewis, and his girlfriend Amelia. They both threw themselves 100% into activity with the children and loved every minute spent with them. There was so much fun, laughter and love!!

We met the amazing children in Sangida Foundation which is run by an incredible lady, Jacinta Silakan. Some of the stories about these children are truly heartbreaking. A disabled child is considered a curse in rural areas and attempts are made to get rid of these children by the cruellest of means. Thankfully all the children in Sangida’s care are loved and well cared for now and very happy.

The children in Queenstar Academy were quite wonderful. They all had so much energy and laughter and we had so much fun with them all. We delivered some fantastic knitwear from Chris and Sue Orchin on the Isle of Wight and thankyou to everyone who has made these beautiful jumpers.

On the day we visited Hope and Home some of the BATUK (British Army Training Unit Kenya) were there and provided all the children with a wonderful meal cooked by the BATUK chefs who were supported by families and friends of the Army personnel. There was a real buzzing atmosphere and the excitement of the children was so good to see. Everyone had a wonderful time and, as always, ended up with a game of football !! We delivered lots of clothes for the children donated by friends and family of the Attleborough Boxing Club who were also visiting Nanyuki. We left funds with Caroline Gachoki, our representative in Nanyuki, to purchase food for their store cupboard which was taken to Hope and Home later in the week. Our thanks go to Mr. and Mrs. John Kagiri for purchasing and delivering all the food.

A great time was spent with the children in the Simama Transition Home and the Attleborough Boxing Club accompanied us on this visit. I think we caused havoc with all the excitement. Football boots, shoes and clothes were given to the children donated by families and friends back home and the children were so pleased with everything they were given. A game of football was enjoyed by everyone and although the ball was kicked into the fast running river adjacent to the home, two of the older boys flung themselves into the water up to their necks and retrieved the ball. It was amusing to see them wring out their clothes out as best they could and then carry on playing football !!!!!

During this visit we were delighted and privileged to meet with the
British Army Training Unit Kenya, Community Engagement Team and
also some members of the Coldstream Guards currently on exercise in
Nanyuki. We are incredibly proud to be working with the British Army in
our joint endeavours to make the disadvantaged children’s lives a little
better in Nanyuki.

We would also like to remind everyone about easyfundraising.org which
is a fantastic tool to raise funds for our charity. It really is free money
and all you have to do is register and, when shopping on line, do it via
easyfundraising.org.

PLEASE HELP THESE CHILDREN ATTEND RUGBY TRAINING

We are also raising funds to purchase a bus for the rugby children. Our goal is to raise £10,000 and we already have donations and pledges amounting to over £5000. Maybe Father Christmas will help!!

We are raising funds for a mini bus for the rugby coach, Gem Dennis, to enable all the rugby children (600 of them in and around the slum areas of Nanyuki) to get to training sessions, tournaments and, for the older ones to get to and from boarding school. Many of the children walk for hours, and many miles, to attend training sessions and most of them have taken no food all day. These children are so dedicated to their rugby training, and Gem Dennis is the most incredibly humble young man who goes far and above what a coach would normally do, including providing food for them when he has enough money in his pocket. He is so passionate about helping the children and just wants them to have a purpose in life and hope for a brighter future. Every spare moment of his time is spent training the children and they all love their rugby and their coach . Gem works hard to obtain scholarships for the talented senior rugby boys in good schools, thus providing them with a really bright future. We fund the talented senior rugby girls in good schools as scholarships are not offered to them right now in Kenya. Please help us get a mini bus for these children. Right now Gem relies on well wishers and friends to transport some of the children in small cars or on motorbikes – the cars are packed solid with children and the motor bikes carry far too many on one bike!!! Others have to travel on Matatus (mini bus public transport) which is a logistical nightmare for Gem with so many children to organise. A rugby minibus will help so much, especially with tournaments outside of Nanyuki. We have the privilege of an offer from the British Army Training Unit Kenya to ship the mini bus to Kenya, without which we could not provide one. If anyone would like to make a donation towards the rugby bus, below are the bank details.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has donated in the past, both money and items we send out to the children. You all really do make a difference to these children. We both feel honoured and privileged to be in a position to help some of the children in Nanyuki and could not do it without your help. We are always looking for new donors/sponsors and if anyone knows of a company/organisation/individual who might sponsor the charity, that would be amazing.

Should You Wish to Make a Donation, our bank details are:
HSBC,396 WIMBORNE ROAD, BOURNEMOUTH, BH9 2HA
Account Name; Nanyuki Children’s Charitable Trust
Sort Code; 40-13-08
Account Number; 81349473

SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE LAST 12 MONTHS

We have provided funds for the education of 10 rugby girls.
Education for 5 students in Annex Secondary School.
Education for 3 ex Nanyuki Children’s Home boys who were badly let down by the administration of that home.
Shopping, uniforms, school requisites and transport for many children, both boys and girls.
Food for Hope and Home on occasions when they experienced a particularly hard time following the illness of it’s founder, Susan.
Donations were provided for Simama and Sangida Foundation who both do a magnificent job looking after their children.

Boxes of clothes and shoes have regularly been sent out via the British Army who distribute them to the most needy children and our thanks go out to them for that privilege.

Finally, we would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a new year full of good health and happiness. Very best wishes to you all, Carolyn and Bill