Pictures from Kenya

Julius has sent us an email with pictures of all the projects we have supported. They really are fantastic...

Kennedy and friends sitting at one of the desks we made for Esikangu Green School

 'we appreciate the support you did to us by engaging  in fundraising to enable Kipepeo achieve its objective and as well help a community grow and have a source of livelihood... 
we all both Kipepeo and green group send sincere gratitude's to two of you, your family members, friends and all who assisted you make the whole plan a success' 

(Julius, Kipepeo community Empowerment Organisation).

Street boys of Luanda at a friday meeting to discuss their new businesses

The tree nursery business in action! The boys have also started making beaded jewellery

The boys messing around

Kipepeo's work with the boys includes: a warm meal every friday, providing them with soap and a hair cut

The Green group with the cow we bought which will provide a sustainable income for the school

Esikangu children in their new school uniforms - Kipepeo decided uniforms were more of a priority than dance outfits.

Davis and Angie with their friends at a desk. This now means all the children have a place to sit and won't have to learn to write on the floor.

Thankyou! xx

BIG Thankyou and News from Kenya..

Hello lovely people!

Exciting news, we have been chatting to everyone at Kipepeo (via Julius), about you lovely fund-raisers and they have sent us the action plan of the £300 we have sent from our fundraising for Kipepeo shenanigans. 

For Esikangu Primary School

- books, textbooks and teachers handbooks as planned.

- 6 school desks

For the Green Groups's Orphans Project

- 1 cow which will 'which will support the group with milk for selling and generate income continuously for the group and its other sustainable activities' says Julius. 

- Uniforms for the 'Dance Club', to give the group a oneness and will provide the kids will a new outfit which we here they are very excited about as these children have probably never had a new outfit for themselves before!

For the Street Boys of Luanda

- Supplies for a jewellery making business for the boys to set up and run.

- Seeds to develop the boys' plant nursery business

- Food for the meetings Jesse and Julius have with the boys on Fridays, to mentor the boys, chat to them and to discuss their micro-business ventures.

Funds to keep Kipepeo running

- We spoke to Julius and the guys and what was also needed was help with rent and electricity costs for the Kipepeo office to enable computer lessons to continue and to keep the hub of Kipepeo up and running.

We need to say a few HUGE thankyous. To you for buying, making and supporting this project and to Julius, Jesse and Jethron for organising the change on the ground and for showing Jess and I an incredible Kenyan time in 2011.

...And watch this space, photos and news from our Kenyan buddies as well as some Spring-themed fundraising.

Thankyou, thankyou! xx

Squidgy Russian Dolls - donations for the orphans project

Who doesn't need a squidgy Russian doll to hang on their door handle, chest of drawers or as a gift tag on a present? We just don't know anyone!

Come in 3 sizes; tiny, bit bigger and biggest doll

Each doll - donation of £1

And if dolls aren't your thing these hearts are just as lovely and only a donation of 50p..

Perfect for Valentine's Day and well everyday really

Winter Woolies! - donations to Esikangu Primary school

With all this snow, its lucky that the lovely Jackie Hooley has created some stunning knitted berets and scarves for us!

Chloe in the raspberry and green beret with matching scarf

Molly wearing the cream and burgundy beret 

Beret  - donation of £5 

Scarf - donation of £4

All donations will go to the Esikangu Primary school. When Jess and I volunteered there, we were shocked that because the school had no furniture it had to borrow church pews. This meant there were not enough benches for all the children to sit on as they needed to use half of the benches for tables.

Michelle, Ever, Everlyn and half of Joseph

Having enough seats and tables would really improve the children's learning and hopefully we can make this happen!

Helinah and Joseph who volunteers once a week at the community school

Christmas shopping!

Hello lovely family, friends and friend's friends. We've made the stuff, told you about the great cause, and now we'd love to know if you'd like to do part of your Christmas shopping with us. 

Scroll through the blog and if there is something you fancy email l.venables@yahoo.com with your order and your postal address. If you'd rather just make a donation, that would be wonderful, email us too and we'll sort it!

Squidgy hearts and birds - donations for the street boys of Luanda

We have already told you about the street children, particularly boys in Luanda (the nearest large town to where Jess and I lived in Kenya). Making a donation for these squidgy things is another way to help the boys get the support and guidance that they need.

Donation of £2  - for either a heart or a bird (well worth it!)

Gorgeous hearts made by the fantastic Kate Hooley

Beautiful bird also by Kate!

Sorry Kate's twig tree is already sold but email l.venables@yahoo.com with squidgy heart or squidgy bird and the number of them you'd like.

Beaded hearts with bows - donations for Esikangu primary school

Thanks to the wonderful Denise Hunt we have had access to an incredible bead collection which Catherine and Laura have used to make these sweet little (and medium) hearts.

Donation of £1- little heart

Donation of £2 - bigger heart

All donations for these hearts will support Esikangu Primary school 

Angie and Lucy from Esikangu Primary School