Life at Kamulu with Street Kids

This report was recently written by Moses Okoth, who instructs skills students in computers and maintains our network and internet access.

"We are well, and the students are doing great, always with a lot of enthusiasm to learn something new in class and also out of class. The 4.30 classes are going on great. We have started a new unit 102 in the Business, Bible and Computer offerings. Irene alternates with Francis in the Bible course, and Joel still co-ordinates with Victor in the Business course. My classes in Computers are still a great challenge to both me and the kids. I still need some pointers on the curriculum for accounting on the business side. (note: anyone want to write some “computer business accounting for teens”? Just 20 forty-five minute lessons)

The electricity rationing is not all that bad. I have stuff to do with the skills students on these days...Monday. Wednesday and Friday. Mostly we go through the theory part, or just chat about successful people in the computer industry and make wishful stories of upcoming days. I have to say this group that are in computer skills training were really meant to be here. Imagine thay even want to know how animations are done, like in the movies Transformers and Ice Age. This makes me have to do more research and have something to tell them when they ask such questions. But all in all I am always enjoying it. As long as it’s computer related, that is me...

We used Coulston's little generator some during VBS, when there was no electricity. I must say that is one economical generator. We put in petrol on a Monday and it served us the whole week. If I could get something like that for the computers it really would be nice. So should I go ahead and enquire how much a generator costs? (note: anyone want to help with this, to serve the computer kids?)

We had a break-in at the café, losing plates and cups and utensils and sufurias (big cooking pots). It really make me feel like getting hold of the guys ad plucking their toe nails one at a time to represent the pain in all our hearts here at MITS. But better to suffer loss than to harm another.

I had a chance to visit Joseph Mburu at his place of work yesterday. I was in town with Hollye trying to network and get placements for our kids at different areas. Mburu is doing great; he now has a passion of going for further computer studies and wants to be doing that from next month. Joel and Francis will organise and maybe we can come up with something? What do you think about this? Now that he is earning, he can also take some responsibility in paying for things like his transport as he works and goes to school. Joel says he can start finding an apartment next year as funds are available. (note: does anyone want to help Joseph into further studies in computers? His job doesn’t provide enough to cover his expenses at this point, so his sponsor continues to care for his housing and food and transport needs, but he will need about $30 a month to go to school).

We have a volunteer called Victorine. She will be with us on the weekdays till Friday, then attends college in social work on Saturdays. After her classes she will head back here for the weekend with the girls. (note: since Moses wrote this, Victorine has become a regular with MITS at Kamulu, while continuing school in social work. She is with the girls and is teaching a literacy class on days she is available. Would anyone like to cover her salary while she is on probation with us, and afterwards assuming she stays? Cost is $100 a month)

Three of the single mothers are here at Kamulu now. We have tested them and put them in classes, after which they will do skills training. In the meantime Irene Mbithe and Victorine have been looking after the babies when they are not teaching. Jane Njeri, supervisor at Eastleigh, tells me she got another single mother.

Our boys’ dorm has been painted, for which we are grateful; now it looks nice. The gate has been expanded so the bus can pass through easily. We are planting more trees at the boys. We want it to look nice and be cool."

Trouble at 20 Acres revisited

Our court hearing was this morning, and Francis Mbuvi attended with our attorney (advocate for all us British-speaking people).  But the advocate for the other side did not show up.  This was the last opportunity to make a case, so the judge heard our advocate out and then stated that a ruling will be given on 16 December.  Our advocate told Francis that it will only be the ruling; there will be no more opportunity to present evidence.  So that is good news for us.   The picture is of the Member of Parliament and his people on the day they invaded the land.

The people continue to build; the trusses are ready to go on the roof.  They are using government funds from the Constituency Development Fund to do the building, so they are not personally at any loss whatever happens.  

Thank you for praying and for your concern and care.  We are well and going on with serving street children.  We have some great kids in our program now, and every day is a joy with them.  The last few days they have been coming up to Darlene and me one by one to ask, "What day are you leaving?" and to add, "I'll miss you."  And we will miss them too, but it will be good to be in the USA to report on the ministry, see family and gather things needed for the ministry.  

We opened the school uniform shop yesterday, or at least Jackton did.  Today there were several people at the shop finishing up details -- Philip and two of the girls were painting signs, Jackton and two students were checking on prices and setting out uniforms and accessories, and a few people were coming around to see what was happening.  A few customers have come in as well.

On Friday Jackton has an appointment with Rafiki Children's Home; they want to consider giving him a contract to supply uniforms -- that would be a great opportunity for us.  

The Team is planning the holiday season -- they have several great activities set up for the students, so they don't have to go to school while everyone else in the country is on holiday!

Have a happy holiday preparation time!