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Newsletter 1, August 2009
Our first newsletter was planned for October when we shall return from Kenya as
we had imagined that there would be little to report before this time. How
wrong we were. There have been a number of developments both here and in Kenya hence
the reason for its early publication.
In Kenya our trustees have continued with the work of the charity. Our teachers
have returned to College for the second session of In-Service Training. Unfortunately,
only two are continuing as David has decided that he wishes to return to the original
school on his own rather than being an employee of a charity and we wish him well
with his venture. The other two teachers remain very enthusiastic about the
Mustard Seed Project and we are very pleased they have decided to remain with us.
We have also been joined by Irene, who is a qualified teacher and we are very happy
to welcome her. No photograph as yet though.
Catherine, one of our Kenyan trustees has employed Edgar on behalf of the Mustard
Seed Project. Edgar is an undergraduate at Nairobi University who will be returning
to Uni in October to complete his final year. He is very enthusiastic and passionate
about our project and has proved an enormous asset. We look forward to working with
him in September. At present he is assisting the Elders to set up a Community Based
Organisation (CBO) for the Community Empowerment Project. This will enable us to
'hit the ground running' when we return in September. As the current school
premises are too small Edgar is currently looking for new temporary premises and
a plot of land.
In the UK two new trustees have joined us.
Lynne Smith
Mark Tilley
Mark, a software specialist helped us to build our website and continues to give
IT support where necessary. He has also become our Treasurer which lifts a burden
from us both. Lynne recently retired from primary school teaching and adds her valuable
experience to our school project.
We are also very pleased to have received a lot of publicity in the local press
as a result of the fundraising done by the children at Northborough Primary School.
Peterborough Evening Telegraph and Stamford Mercury came to school on 15th July
2009 to photograph the children handing over their jars of 1p and 2p coins. The
money has since been counted and comes to £99.30. A very good term's work! Year
5 managed to collect £29.88 of that money and won the award for this term.
The photograph above was taken
by the Rutland and Stamford Mercury
Year 5 also made cakes and sold them at the summer fayre for the Mustard Seed Project.
The proceeds from their sale came to £22.40 making a grand total of £69.78 from
Year 5 alone this year. The total from all the children's efforts this term
comes to an impressive £180.20.
Mr and Mrs Burrows from Castle Bytham saw the article in the Stamford Mercury and
very kindly donated the 1p and 2p that they had been saving for their daughter who
tragically died 3 years ago.
Mr and Mrs Burrows handing over the money to Rita
The website is working well. We receive several offers a week from people who are
volunteering a diverse range of skills and a variety of help. Offers have come from
Romania and Kenya as well as the UK including an approach from a retired investment
banker who is looking for oportunities to invest in small charities working in Africa.
We are arranging to meet up with as many of these volunteers as possible before
we leave at the end of the month.
And so off to Kenya with a busy month planned. Our plans for the month are:
a) to find suitable premises from which the school can be run until we find a plot
of land on which to build. We shall also ensure that the school is adequately resourced
before we leave.
b) In the community we hope that the CBO will be in position and ready to begin
its first project.
c) discussions in Kenya on our microbusiness project are progressing well. We look
forward to joining our Kenyan Trustees and planning the way forward.
Thanks to all who have made donations and who have set up standing orders. It's
your sponsorship that enables us to progress.
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40p per day will provide all educational costs and porridge for a needy child.
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A gift of £4 will provide a 10 hour startup training course.
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£100 could provide a business startup loan.
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