LIVING WELL GAZETI
THE START OF THE RAINY SEASON
Water carrying is time consuming and heavy work
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for rain – we have had a long and extreme dry season this year, ending with empty water tanks. Martin had to drive to a borehole in a nearby village to fill jerry cans with water for the cattle, as well as our own use. Local women have walked long distances each day to collect water.
The good news is that a government borehole has been drilled nearby and is currently being fitted with a pump and pipes – the next dry season will be much easier for us all.
The road into the village has also been improved by a bulldozer and grader, adding it to the dirt road system maintained by the local government. The electricity wires that were put up last year have still not been connected to the grid but it is only a matter of time. Development is advancing slowly.
Bridge repairs completed
Martin trying out the new bridge
Our local access road was not included in the improvement scheme, so we have rebuilt the bridge that was washed out every time we had heavy rain. It should make travelling a bit easier during the rainy season.
Farming God’s Way
Learning the new technique for planting
A week-long seminar was held to teach 45 local farmers about “Farming God’s Way” – a technique to help conserve soils in tropical conditions. It involves covering the soil with a layer of dry leaves and grass – God’s blanket – to protect it from erosion by heavy rainfall, and to conserve soil moisture during hot dry periods. Biblical principles are also applied to allow God’s blessing on the crop.
We are looking forward to seeing the results of the technique and the two trainers, from Nairobi and Switzerland, have promised to return to advise and answer questions during the season.
Fertiliser delivered just in time
230 bags of fertilizer safely gathered in the store
We continued our project to collect government subsidized fertilizer for local subsistence farmers. The system for approval of the order was even more convoluted this year, because of abuse of the system in previous years. Abel had to travel to agricultural offices in both Shimba Hills Town and Kwale as well as getting approval from the Chief. Two government warehouses were also involved because the local store only had one type of fertilizer in stock. Next year, we will form a “chama”, or official society,for the fertilizer order, to pass on the responsibility of procurement to the local people themselves and to make the system sustainable for the future.
More milk for Makwang’an
Milk for the children’s home
Our small dairy unit of 4 cows has been producing enough milk each day to provide for the 5 smallest children in the neighbouring children’s home, as well as a local mother unable to breast feed her baby. We are able to demonstrate how to use local zebu cows to produce a regular supply of milk once a day and still be able to raise good quality calves. This has stimulated much interest amongst local farmers who have seen the potential for increased production at a low cost.
Uzima Clinic staff move in
Top Cottage with new makuti roof
During the dry season, the rotting wood and leaking thatch has been replaced on the Top Cottage. Currently the staff of the Uzima clinic are living there, enabling them to provide an affordable local medical service to the community.
They have also helped us to provide home care for a very sick HIV patient who was dying through ignorance and stigmatization in the community. With Christine’s help, and the care from women in the local church, she has slowly recovered her strength and is now able to walk around the site using a plastic chair as a zimmer frame. Her two children are now attending the local pre-school and have recovered their zest for life, beginning to laugh and play again.
Community Health Project Year Two
Treating jiggers
Due to popular demand, the community health project is continuing for a second year in the remote village of Mafungoni, near the Tanzanian border. Vivian, our health worker, has been funded for a second year by her sponsors and we have received two generous donations from Kitts Green Church, Birmingham and a local Newmarket company, which will support the cost of medicines, drinking water treatment, transport to the village and other supplies for the first few months. Over 1,000 treatments were given last year and the numbers of patients are increasing each month. Improvements to general health are being reported by the village elders, such as a reduction in the occurrence of fungal infections of the scalp in the children.
We have also started to treat “jiggers” in the community – the sand fly larvae that burrow into the feet of people. If untreated, they multiply and cause lameness and can spread to other parts of the body.
A child’s foot affected by jiggers
Vivian is continuing to teach about healthcare each month, revising teachings on clean drinking water and the importance of hand washing, and introducing the prevention of jiggers, family planning, hypertension – causes and prevention, the need for latrines and how to build them simply and other basic topics as they are requested or needed.
Mbogo starts the DTS
Judy teaching “Hearing God’s Voice”
Last year, Mbogo completed his High School education, sponsored by a generous donor. He asked if he could do a Discipleship Training School at YWAM Mombasa before going on to further training. An anonymous donation has covered the cost of the 6 month school. Judy was delighted to be asked to teach during the first week of the DTS.
Saidi excels at teaching
Saidi showing his certificates
We are pleased to report that Saidi, who was also sponsored at High School, has received very high marks in his first teaching practice. He came third in the year at his training college, with 84%.
Three other sponsored High School students continue to attend the local school this year. Mingi (aged 7) continues at the School for the Deaf in Kwale and has been chosen to be in the school football team, competing in Mombasa and at other schools for the deaf.
Education is a big need to allow the community to progress, in an area where adult illiteracy is common.
Prayer Needs:
Please could you consider praying for the following:
For the continued recovery of our young mother from HIV side effects and for her children.
For all of our students, that they will feel God’s love.
For wisdom in using our time and resources.
For safety in travelling during the rainy season.
Many Blessings,
Martin and Judy