Some Good Progress to Report
Dear supporter,
Following our last newsletter, we have worked very hard to find a solution that will help the poorest children in the area around Uzima into the future. In a nutshell, we have changed from supporting an Orphan Centre to giving scholarships to individual, very vulnerable children to attend school. We believe this is now a far better way forward.
Three weeks ago, I (Joy) visited Kenya again to see how the new project set up to achieve this is going and to say goodbye to the staff from Uzima that we have known for many years. We had a swimming party (of course) and some food and I explained that they were each getting a small redundancy package from us. This was very gratefully received and each of them already had plans to set up a small business or pay school fees for their own children.
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Staff from Uzima after our Swimming Party
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The school board of Uzima put in place a fee structure to start in September 2022. In the meantime, we have been paying for food delivered directly to the school and the staff salaries directly to them. Both these things will have come to an end by the end of this year. In September, when the fee structure was put in place, the most vulnerable children were unable to attend Uzima school. Although the fees are not high in our eyes, they are beyond the reach of these very poor families.
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A struggling single parent family
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As you may remember we had been in contact since January with a Kenyan charity (NGO) who give scholarships to needy pupils. After many emails and zoom calls, this charity agreed to set up a ‘Primary Project’ in our area to support the poorest children who are unable to go to school. The Project supports the children by not only paying their school fees, but buying their uniform, shoes, books and school bags. Without these again, a child in Kenya is not allowed to attend school.
As well as these basic needs, two social workers have been employed on the ground to help the children if they have any medical or other family needs that may prevent them from getting an education. These two social workers do an amazing job of looking after both the Primary children, the Secondary pupils we sponsor and the children with severe special needs in school or at home. Another teacher from the charity who is a deputy head in a different area, visits the children in their schools every two weeks to give support in their education where needed. This charity uses Government schools, so the children have been moved from Uzima, although a few, who were close to their final exams have had their fees paid to the end of term there.
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Some of the Primary School pupils with their new uniforms on at school
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My recent visit was an incredibly good trip considering our huge shift in how we support the children and apart from a few teething problems, the new Primary Project is off to a great start, now supporting between 50 and 60 vulnerable children (pictured) with 10 more being added every January. Each child and their family are carefully vetted to check that they are among the most needy in the area. As well as supporting the Uzima children, the project involves local chiefs who can put forward families who they think should qualify to apply for scholarships for up to two children per family. The local chiefs know their areas’ needs best. This is also important to give local leaders investment in the project and therefore their support.
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All the Primary School children who gained scholarships from 'Rise to Shine' charity
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I introduced the new NGO to all the Special Needs children that we support and they are also looking after the Secondary School pupils which they are very experienced at doing well.
In the meantime, we are doing our due diligence in checking every aspect of this charity ‘Rise to Shine Education Foundation’ a registered NGO in Kenya. It was set up by a young, bright and very enthusiastic lady who herself benefitted from someone sponsoring her through school. Her name is Bakhitah and she hopes to visit the UK and meet supporters in October 2023.
 
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Bakhitah - Rise to Shine Education Foundation's founder and trustee
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At the end of a full year (2023) of checks and feedback, if all is in order, we plan (Nov 2024) to hand over the whole project to RTSEF and let them lead it into the future. To do this kind of project, it has to be run by Kenyans who understand the culture and the Kenyan school system and can address problems as soon as they arise on the ground.
Five Talents - Our Savings Group Project
I managed to visit one Savings Group this trip which had been set up in the last couple of months. This group had children and adults with Special Needs and widows. Not only did these people save together but they also supported each other in their difficulties. They, like most groups were keen to start a joint venture with a small business selling tomatoes and onions. They are often on my heart.
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The Carers new Savings Group meeting under a tree
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The Savings group idea is something that we promote wherever we go. The carers of the children, who are now receiving scholarships, have just decided to start one up together and had their first meeting while I was visiting. Saving a little over time eventually becomes enough to take out a loan from the group to start up a small business, which in time will hopefully grow and lift anyone who works hard out of poverty. Persistence and hard work are encouraged rather than dependence.
The bank account details of the new charity ‘Rise to Shine Education Foundation’ will soon be available for anyone who wants to move their regular donation over, to help keep their valuable work going long into the future.
Do let us know if you are interested in moving your donation sooner by emailing: joy@uzimainourhands.org
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Please save the date!
Saturday 4th February 2023
Uzima Update Evening, Yarmouth Sailing Club
More details to follow..
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Thank you for your ongoing support - it means a lot.
Joy, Louise & Viv
Trustees, Uzima in Our Hands
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