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Thanks for looking in on us, it’s been quite a week! I’ve managed to get malaria for the second time this year but thanks to Dr. Charles and some very good tablets I’m well on my way to a full recovery.

KCPE and KCSE exams have finished and there is an air of relief around the school as we prepare for parent’s day and closing ceremonies next week.

We continue to try to make an impact and bless the community around the school and last week in partnership with “The Gathering”  from Caronport, Canada we started digging a well. So far we have got to 13 ft and are hoping to hit fresh water at about 30 ft. Please pray that as the survey showed we will hit a good supply of fresh water in time for a Christmas Celebration.

Have a great and blessed week. Xx Glyn & Jane

View at Picasa 17-Nov-2011 11:38, Canon Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS, 2.8, 5.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 200

View at Picasa 17-Nov-2011 11:42, Canon Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS, 3.5, 8.022mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 80

View at Picasa 02-Nov-2011 10:23, NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D200, 4.5, 46.0mm, 0.013 sec, ISO 1600

We’re approaching the 7^th week mark, and both of us are slightly terrified at how much time has flown as well as how much work there is left to be done! Having settled in within the first week or so we’ve been able to establish our own individual roles at Tumaini.

Sam has finished wiring the original 6 homes and has been able to entrust the remaining few homes to the more than capable electricians George and Omar. He’s been able to take on a more managerial role, overseeing the project as a whole, and planning new projects that will commence in the New Year. Sam’s latest task has been establishing a new database and filing system for the office; things have become a lot more efficient for Brenda and Nelly now! As if that wasn’t enough our apartment has become a Sam’ll fix it workshop, with members of staff bringing in all their faulty household items, from electric fans, clocks, alarms & radios to bicycles; there’s barely a space on the floor that isn’t taken up by odd parts or screws left there for me to step on!

View at Picasa 01-Nov-2011 10:58, NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D200, 5.3, 95.0mm, 0.01 sec, ISO 320

My role has been completely different to Sam’s, for the first month I went from class to class, familiarising myself with the children and staff. The camera was barely put down for the first few weeks as I was trying to capture every element of life here at Tumaini. Working along side Nelly we’ve been able to photograph every child in primary and high school, with only nursery to go. It’s been a mammoth task editing every photo and ensuring they’re already to be uploaded into the newly made database. It turns out some teenagers are as reluctant to smile here as they are back home! With most of the photos taken I’ve been able to turn my attentions to the photo book, compiling an insight into life at Tumaini, which will hopefully in the long run help as a fundraiser for the school. With help from home my latest task has been developing a new image for Education for Life, including work on the logo and promotional material.

We’ve benefited so much from this experience so far, and know that there’s more for us to learn as well as so much more for us to do! As a church there’s still a lot more work for us to become involved in, with plenty of new projects on the horizon, it’s an exciting time for Education for Life and for us too.

Thank you for your continued prayer and encouragement, it means a lot to know we’re supported so much.

God Bless,

Jonathan and Sam  (St. Lukes, Nottingham)

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View at Picasa 01-Nov-2011 10:46, NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D200, 3.8, 24.0mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 320

View at Picasa 26-Oct-2011 12:17, NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D200, 10.0, 32.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 320

What an experience our first week has been at Tumaini.  We’ve seen this vision from it’s outset as members of our church back in the UK, yet never experienced the reality. Having seen progress from photos and videos to feel the heat, and actually be on location brings everything to life. Glyn and Jane broke us in gently to the culture, sharing hospitality at their home before moving to the lovely apartment at the school.

It’s just awesome and very life changing.  From our first steps into the school and home we experienced hospitality and warmth from both the children and staff alike that far exceeds that from any other. Against a backdrop of adversity, poverty and deprivation, our hearts are hugely humbled by the abundance of love, joy and trust given by the children in particular.  It really puts into perspective the true concerns of life!

We are keeping busy assisting where possible. There are so many opportunities to get involved at Tumaini.  Our intention was to bring what skills we have from home to impart where needed into the running of the school. Our combined experience  of Financial Services and Human Resources, although contrasting and different to UK practices, can at least be applied and adapted to benefit the staff and children.

Along side this, working with the nursery school children is a fantastic experience, singing nursery rhymes and songs like ‘row, row, row your boat’ and ‘heads, shoulders, knees and toes’, they love the actions and sang the songs perfectly in tune. In fact they remember these songs so well that they come up to us days later and sing them to us – truly wonderful and melts our hearts a thousand times over.

View at Picasa 26-Oct-2011 11:46, NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D200, 10.0, 27.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 320

Richard attempted to cut the Football pitch with a slasher and regrets not bringing a petrol strimmer to do the job (something that needs to be added to the wish list!) and has now conceded that the local professionals do a much better job!

We are enjoying working in the Kitchen with pans big enough to bath in! Preparing food with the team of dedicated cooks and experiencing this vital provision for all the students and wider community children.

It was Nelly’s birthday on Tuesday, and although she thought she could outwit us, she got a real soaking, first from Richard, then John who trapped her on the apartment balcony with a large bucket of water.  She got soaked British style but enjoyed every minute!

This school and everything associated with it is evidence of faith in action and God’s faithful provision. It’s so encouraging to see the amazing work of the school and the way in which Jane and Glyn are blessed in their dedicated service to God. Their accomplishment through God is a true inspiration to all.

God Bless everyone at the school and home,

Richard and Clare Tucker (Christchurch, Doncaster)

View at Picasa 26-Oct-2011 12:01, NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D200, 10.0, 26.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 320

View at Picasa 14-Oct-2011 07:36, Canon Canon EOS 7D, 3.5, 16.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 200

Last Saturday we were able to enjoy the delights of Diani beach, a lovely lunch and a swim in the sea. It was just as well we chose that day to have as our day off because on Sunday it started raining. Kenyan rain does not know when to stop; the only thing we didn’t bring was rain coats! Linda was able to make some out of plastic bin liners and they have served us well all week.

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Sunday school church was a lot of fun, Kenyans know how to sing and dance! Chrissie is in her element! It is wonderful to see so many brothers and sisters in Christ praising God.

Monday arrived and we wondered if we would ever be able to complete all the tasks we needed to. Mel still goes into the cupboard regularly and manages to re-appear! She has sorted out so many clothes and now has gone into villages, identified needs and has returned with some of the team, giving out clothing to families.

View at Picasa 14-Oct-2011 07:50, Canon Canon EOS 7D, 5.0, 20.0mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 400

Lesley is actually a walking chemist shop! Any ailments are soon dealt with and the villagers are now benefiting from her experience. Shelley has continued teaching various primary classes and was even asked to teach a double maths lesson on capacity at 15 seconds notice (she is still struggling with Swahili though). Chrissie has been busy with the special needs children; she has made loads of resources and has been kept very busy. She does however make sure that we gather round our table at regular intervals. Linda has been working on a special project making re-usable sanitary towels for the local village women, (who says God doesn’t have a sense of humour). She has become great friends with the guys in the tailoring room and has had long discussions regarding English football. At the time of writing this we are preparing to go on a 2 day safari with the wonderful Austin. We are looking forward to seeing all of our family and friends in TW very soon. Until then,

God Bless from the Mombasa women, Mel, Chrissie, Shelley Lesley and Linda.

p.s We found the coffee but our problem now is that we keep losing our water bottles; hence the phrase ‘I’ve lost my bottle’ can be heard regularly.

View at Picasa 14-Oct-2011 07:46, Canon Canon EOS 7D, 4.5, 16.0mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 2000

View at Picasa 12-Oct-2011 08:53, Canon Canon EOS 7D, 4.0, 16.0mm, 0.013 sec, ISO 640

View at Picasa 12-Oct-2011 08:50, Canon Canon EOS 7D, 4.0, 28.0mm, 0.013 sec, ISO 1000

View at Picasa 06-Oct-2011 12:58, Canon Canon DIGITAL IXUS 100 IS, 3.2, 5.9mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 160

After a somewhat ‘chequered check-in’, too much luggage, copious prayers being said, (in both the airport and back in Southborough) and a long flight, we are finally here at Tumaini Timbwani School, Mombasa. It was so good to be met by Glyn and Jane (how the luggage managed to fit in the mini-bus – A MIRACLE). It did not take us long to settle in, it was finding our own belongings due to the amount that was swapped around at Gatwick airport that was the problem. Our first evening was spent getting acquainted with the lovely Charles and Mary and the children at the orphanage who made us so welcome.

View at Picasa 14-Oct-2011 07:39, Canon Canon EOS 7D, 4.5, 18.0mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 200

The first morning we were awoken at 5am by a cockerel with laryngitis. We then went our separate ways to help with various aspects of school life. And since then it has been busy busy busy. Five Different women bringing different types of experience and gifts to a tiny corner of Africa. Lesley has been able to use her medical knowledge to help different people here, Mel’s organisational capabilities know no bounds (we wondered if she and Lesley were ever going to re-appear from the store cupboard) Shelley has thrown herself into teaching primary classes, even managing to assist in a science lesson taught in Swahili! Chrissie is helping to support four children with special needs though she requires eyes in the back of her head as the children are fascinated by the backpack that she carries with her. Linda has been helping with the nursery in the mornings and sewing in the afternoons (in fact anyone who can sew back in England, boy She has a project for you!)

View at Picasa 14-Oct-2011 07:38, Canon Canon EOS 7D, 4.5, 24.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 200

Wednesday evening back in the orphanage playing the most riotous game of snap known (seriously worried about the competitiveness among a couple in our group). We’ve been able to go to the local village and read a bible study with the women, how precious was that! Our first few days have been tiring, but blessed.

Sending our love and prayers to you all,

Mel, Lesley, Shelley, Chrissie and Linda, Southborough Ladies Team Ministry.

p.s must try and locate Shelley’s coffee; it must be in the other bag!

View at Picasa 14-Oct-2011 07:39, Canon Canon EOS 7D, 4.5, 25.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 200

View at Picasa 14-Oct-2011 07:40, Canon Canon EOS 7D, 4.5, 16.0mm, 0.01 sec, ISO 200

View at Picasa 01-Oct-2011 07:15, Canon Canon EOS 7D, 4.5, 16.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 100

All year long, organizations and individuals across the globe take part in Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Clean up to remove trash and debris from the world’s beaches and waterways, identify the sources of that debris, and change the behaviour that enables it to reach the ocean in the first place.

Each September, hundreds of thousands of volunteers from countries all over the world spend a day picking up everything from cigarette butts and food wrappers, to lost fishing nets and major appliances. Because trash travels to the ocean by way of storm drains and waterways, they don’t just work along ocean beaches; these dedicated folks slog through mud and sand along lakes, streams, and rivers, too, often working far inland.

View at Picasa 01-Oct-2011 07:13, Canon Canon EOS 7D, 4.5, 16.0mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100

With several of the other local schools Tumaini set out with a group of students from both primary and high school and went into the centre of Likoni to help tidy the streets for the residents. Large piles of dust and litter go uncollected in the streets of Likoni, but as part of the school’s outreach into the local community they volunteered to help make Likoni a better place to live and work.

“Remember take it home – don’t throw it!”

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View at Picasa 01-Oct-2011 07:31, Canon Canon EOS 7D, 5.6, 16.0mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100

View at Picasa 28-Sep-2011 07:30, Canon Canon EOS 7D, 4.5, 16.0mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 800

It’s already been a great week and a great start for us here in Tumaini. Having had a smooth but long journey from Nottingham to Mombasa, we felt exhausted when we arrived at 2am; though the excellent greeting from Austin immediately removed any nerves we had. The greeting from the children was just as jubilant when we had a little explore around the school the next day.  We’ve made some great friends already, and have been treated far too well by our hosts.

Sam has already got stuck in with his electrical work, having made several trips into Mombasa city centre for the materials he needs. Along with the workmen they’ve already started on one of the 10 homes they’ll be wiring. I’ve started on improving the audio/visual facilities used in the Church and have started planning for the school photos which will be taken in early October.

View at Picasa 28-Sep-2011 06:55, Canon Canon EOS 7D, 2.8, 27.0mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 800

Both of us feel very much at home here, everyone has been very welcoming, showing us around town and teaching us the basics in Swahili. We have dinner each night in the children’s home; it’s been a pleasure to get to know the kids and their hopes for the future.  God has already done so much good here, and he continues to bless this community; we count ourselves lucky to be able to witness his work here in Tumaini. We’re looking forward to what the next 11 weeks have in store for us!

God Bless,

Jonathan and Sam (St. Luke’s, Nottingham)

View at Picasa 28-Sep-2011 06:57, Canon Canon EOS 7D, 5.6, 27.0mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100

View at Picasa 08-Sep-2011 07:35, FUJIFILM FinePix Z200fd, 3.8, 5.9mm, 0.013 sec, ISO 400

Niongezee tafadhali! (Add me more please!). That’s what they say when they are not satisfied. Some of the children in our school come from home on an empty stomach; their parents can’t afford anything for breakfast.

Thank God for the sponsors who donate to the porridge programme! Giving the children a daily mug of nutritious porridge means they can focus on their studies, not on their empty stomachs.

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Vivian starts preparing the porridge at 5:30am. That’s early in the morning but she has to start preparing it at that time for it to be ready by 7:00am, for the children to take before starting their classes. She has to light a jiko (stove) that uses charcoal and it takes about ten minutes for the jiko to be ready for cooking. For it to be called porridge it has to be prepared with milk, sugar, uji wimbi (porridge flour) and water.  When the jiko is ready she puts some water in a sufuria (cooking pot) ready for boiling, and when it’s ready she puts the uji wimbi, mixed with some cold water, to the boiling water in the sufuria, and stirs it for some minutes. Next she adds the milk and stirs it until it’s ready.

View at Picasa 07-Sep-2011 07:14, FUJIFILM FinePix Z200fd, 3.8, 5.9mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 400

The porridge is ready; but not ready for the children because they have to take it when it’s cold, so she takes a big sufuria with cold water in it and places the sufuria with the porridge into the cold water sufuria for the porridge to cool.

Yummy!!! It’s 7:00am and the porridge is ready, the children line up for the porridge and they do love it. Mmmh! Some of them can’t get enough of it and they don’t even want to sit next to anybody when taking it. All the cups go back empty. Porridge is a healthy meal to start a day, especially for children. Thanks to you! We would also like to say a special Thank you to Second Chance Coffee Shop and all their customers in Seaford who are specifically supporting this programme. Written by Nelly Osaleh

View at Picasa 07-Sep-2011 07:35, FUJIFILM FinePix Z200fd, 3.8, 5.9mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 400

View at Picasa 07-Sep-2011 07:33, FUJIFILM FinePix Z200fd, 3.8, 5.9mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 400

View at Picasa 23-Aug-2011 13:31, FUJIFILM FinePix S200EXR, 8.0, 17.1mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100

The main question I asked myself in the last days was: What should I write for the Tumaini blog? This question was challenging to me, not because I had run out of ideas but simply because there were too many topics jumping around in my head, all worth writing about.

I feel so much like sharing all of my valuable moments and the precious life changing experiences I encountered while taking care of Martha during her last months with us; in researching the rules and regulations of running a children’s institution under the laws of Kenya; the joyful and inspiring Thursday afternoons during “Mama Sema”; organizing and establishing a student’s council in High School; identifying needy families in the Likoni region and distributing the basic necessities i.e. clothes, blankets and shoes from Canada.

After some soul searching I got to my final decision: I will share my experience during the preparation of  THE NEW COMPOST SITE OF TUMAINI and the TREE PLANTING EXERCISE!

View at Picasa 17-Aug-2011 16:14, FUJIFILM FinePix Z700EXR, 4.4, 9.8mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200

Since when I can remember, I have always loved nature and all that comes with it, being in the woods, spending time around meadows, making hay with my grandpa and planting kitchen vegetables in our family garden.  Although it is a painful truth, it is quite difficult in our time to live in balance with nature, but I think we, the inhabitants of this planet should strive to care for and protect our environment. Because at the end of the day we are all part of a grand design.

During my stay in Kenya, in particular Likoni, I have come to realize that in Kenya’s major towns’ garbage management is a huge challenge. Many inhabited areas of Likoni are overflowing with garbage, which does not only give the residential areas a disorganized and dirty look and unpleasant smell, but it is unhealthy and contaminates the soil too.

Some weeks ago, we (Boniface, Ali, Kevin, Peter (from Tumaini Kids) and Andrew) discussed and researched between ourselves on how to go about making a good compost site and about the different factors which influence the outcome (soil) and started immediately while digging the two pits, we discovered that the soil is full of inorganic waste, such as plastic, metal and glass. Later on, to separate the compost site from the school compound and to create enough shade to ensure the compost won’t dry up, we decided to plant 2 trees and 12 bushes…. I am really looking forward to the progress and outcome of this project!

View at Picasa 17-Aug-2011 16:14, FUJIFILM FinePix Z700EXR, 3.9, 6.4mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200

To have compost feels really good especially due to the following reasons:
1.We now have a fixed organized place for all our organic waste (from the children’s home, the feeding programme kitchen and home science department)
2. At the end of the composting process we will have plenty of self generated manure, which can be used for different projects, like agriculture classes.

The compost site itself can be used as a model demonstration site for field work studies in the institution to emphasise the important aspects of garbage management, organic recycling and making manure. This will help us to naturally think about our environment and our place in it and create ecological awareness.

My time in Tumaini was amazing. I learnt so much, I got to know many wonderful people with great visions, I will definitely come back. Thank you all!

Written by Teresa Ernst from the Catholic University of Applied Social Sciences, Berlin, Germany

View at Picasa 17-Aug-2011 16:14, FUJIFILM FinePix Z700EXR, 3.9, 6.4mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200

View at Picasa 17-Aug-2011 16:15, FUJIFILM FinePix Z700EXR, 3.9, 6.4mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200

View at Picasa 25-Aug-2011 11:17, FUJIFILM FinePix Z700EXR, 8.0, 12.2mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100

It’s been an amazing couple of weeks but at last our playground that came all the way from Alberta, Canada is up and running. The excitement on opening day was electric, and that was just from the adults! At 4 pm we prayed a prayer of dedication and thanks and then released around 300 children to play, it was quite a challenge keeping them back while we prayed.

The noise of excited screams was almost deafening as children climbed on every possible part of the playground and by 6pm the children were still going strong, so we had to get the Askari (Security Guard) to chase them off until the next day, I will let the photos tell their own story!

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I would like to tell you one very special story about Felista, a 6 year old girl who has spina bifida. We brought her to the playground yesterday, her eyes lit up and she just started to giggle. She has so wanted to play for such a long time but has been too weak. With the help of special shoes and regular physiotherapy sessions, she’s beginning to be able to walk a few steps (almost unaided). Being able to play has opened up a whole new world to her and will help her to build her strength.

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We hope that the playground will be able to be used by others like Felista to make physiotherapy sessions fun!

It’s funny to watch how the children play and what attracts them, they climbed over everything, even if it wasn’t designed for climbing, they went up the fireman’s pole and for some reason all the small children were attracted to the wobbly tortoise and formed a long queue, while the wobbly elephant was left all lonely!

It’s hard to put into words how much this playground will impact the lives of so many children. We would like to give an enormous thank you to all those who have been involved in getting this amazing project up and running.

Until next week have a great time, Xx Glyn & Jane

View at Picasa 26-Aug-2011 11:56, FUJIFILM FinePix Z700EXR, 6.4, 6.4mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100

View at Picasa 26-Aug-2011 11:58, FUJIFILM FinePix Z700EXR, 6.4, 6.4mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100

View at Picasa 23-Aug-2011 13:48, FUJIFILM FinePix S200EXR, 8.0, 18.9mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100

If you would like to see some more photos, including how it was all put together follow this link ; Playground Photos 2011