Sarah In Kenya

Auntie Dorothy and Uncle Wayne brought Twister for the kids, and they love it! Here is a shot of them in action.

Twister!

Beside caring for children at the Flying Kites Leadership Center, we also run a primary school – the Flying Kites Leadership Academy (”FKLA”).  FKLA includes 4 classes – nursery, level 1, level 2, and level 3.

It’s quite common for schools in the area to have only a few textbooks for class, which the teacher then copies from onto the classroom.  Truth be told, in the beginning days of FKLA, we used this method.  However, due to a bighearted donation, we were able to purchase a full set of textbooks for each FKLA pupil.  We are so grateful for the generosity of our supporters – you are all providing such excellent opportunities to the children of Flying Kites.

Isaac came in and saw Auntie Dorothy and Auntie Bettina covering the books.  When they told him he would have 6 books of his own to use, the smile on his face was priceless.  I told him that a boy as hardworking and smart as he is deserves his own set of books.  He’s thrilled.

Today all the kids, the matrons, Wombugu, and the volunteers loaded up in a couple of Nissans and headed to Lake Nakuru for a field trip.  We had a great time!  We spotted flamingos, rhinos, gazelles, zebras, buffaloes, and even some lions (which were definitely the kids’ favorite).

My favorite part of the day was when we drove to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the lake, called “Baboon Cliff.”  True to its name, it was inhabited by a group of very unafraid baboons that terrified Rahab and stole food from tourists.  One of the baboons jumped into a tourist’s car!

A special thank you to Auntie Bettina and Auntie Marie for making the day possible.  It was really special for the kids, and I am so glad they were able to see some of the wildlife their country is famous for.

The Kids at Baboon Cliff

Flying Kites Magnet Effect Program received a donation to fund a rabbit-rearing project proposed by the SWORD Group, a local Njabini support group. Co-founded by seven community members, including Flying Kites Kenyan manager Francis Mbugua and his wife, Jane Muthoni, the SWORD Group supports single parents, widows and widowers, orphans and disabled children. The organization currently has 38 member families who pay a nominal membership fee to belong. While working with Francis and Jane, Flying Kites volunteer Hannah Wesley learned about their efforts to initiate a rabbit-rearing project. Realizing the powerful potential the project had to provide impoverished families a source of sustainable income, Hannah decided to procure the funds to help SWORD jump-start the program. read more…

“You smell like a dog.”

- Lucy Obama, directed towards me.  My cue to take a bucket shower.

“Kids these days…”

- Miriam, in response to Isaac misbehaving.

Today we had the groundbreaking of our new primary school, the Feinstein Junior Scholars Academy!   Funding for the school was generously provided by The Feinstein Foundation of Rhode Island.

It was the perfect day – while it had been raining for about three weeks straight, the skies cleared up and we had a sunny day for our groundbreaking ceremony.

Flying Kites invited our school children, their parents, and Njabini community leaders to help us celebrate this new beginning on our beautiful new site.   We can’t wait to invite them back for the school’s grand opening this summer!  I’ll keep you all posted on construction.

There have been some big changes here at Flying Kites in the new year.  When the Flying Kites Executive Directors arrived this fall, they discovered some accounting inconsistencies, among other issues, on the part of their Kenyan colleague.  Unfortunately, the Kenyan partner refused to sit down and discuss these issues, and Flying Kites had no choice but to terminate our relationship with him.

Although we were saddened by this development, Flying Kites has moved into a beautiful new house in Njabini.  We have much more space, and we will be able to expand or program to admit new children this spring.  The Kenyan government and local leaders have been so supportive during this transition, and I am excited – I think our new locale will better allow Flying Kites to provide the excellent care we have pledged to our children.

Our Beautiful New Home

Girls’ Dorm

Spacious New Classroom