Street Children Project

Almost immediately the work on the Commons began. The slab was swept clean and preparations for building the walls began. As with any building project, so much of the work is underground. It is especially exciting to know that finally all the work will be above the ground and we will see the progress daily.

After clearing the slab, a small layer of cement was laid where the walls would be built. It is exciting to walk around in the "kitchen" and try to visualize Mama in her new kitchen.

This year, with the large cistern, we are able to use a large quantity tank truck to deliver the building water. Though I will miss the soft creak of the donkey cart and the whispered commands to the donkeys, we will not be held up for lack of water. We are very fortunate that our contractor enjoys working with us and made himself available for us again. Many of the same workers are back with smiles, greetings and energy to begin again. They too want to see the completed project.

The water truck delivers water to the cistern.

Teachers at Mangu Primary School accept donations of textbooks

The Rotary Club of Cypress California shipped new and used textbooks at the end of 2004. They were carefully stored and distribution began during our first week. We have distributed 10 cartons of books to three different primary schools. The teachers were pleased, they immediately flipped through the pages stating, "Oh these will be of so much assistance to us. Thank you Cypress Rotary Club!"

Barbara Witherley, wife of Galen Witherly, co-owners and operators of Witherly's Greenhouse and Garden Center on the Coldbrook Road in Hermon, Maine is our first Service Journey participant of 2005. She has come to help in any way she can and share her love of storytelling and puppeteering. She immediately mesmerized the boys at the Joseph Waweru Home School with her stories, jumped into the work on the commons surprising the workmen with her ability and agility with a full wheelbarrow.
Though used to much smaller audiences, she braved the hot African sun to bring her puppet stories to around 600 primary students of the Mangu Primary School as they gathered under the acacia tree.

Barbara Witherly saw the hunger for education in the eyes of Raphael's brother. He has just completed Primary School and had no fees to attend high school. She saw the untapped potential for knowledge but George did not ask or beg but presented himself with the truth that he could not attend high school, as he had no money. She came forward to sponsor this student. Her excitement as she paid for his first year of high school and took him shopping for his uniform is heartwarming

George works at the Joseph Waweru Home School