Re-cap December 2009
We had another wonderful Christmas. The usual goat was slaughtered (big treat) for all Kenyans but I have to confess I missed the Turkey & all the trimmings!! On Boxing Day we once again headed for the beach (4klm away) I hired a small lorry to transport the children there. Great fun was had by all the kids but for the staff and me it was business as usual. 30 kids in the sea at one time need a lot of looking after. Each member of staff was assigned 6 children to watch personally. As all my female staff are from the Giriama tribe they are forbidden to show their bodies in swimsuits, that meant I had charge of 10 girls (male staff cannot look after female children) After the beach we headed to a bar garden for fizzy drinks and biscuits. At 6pm I waved goodbye to 30 happy but tired kids. This outing was sponsored by THE EAST AFRICANS WOMEN LEAGUE of which I am the secretary. I was nominated for this post in March 2010. As the saying goes ‘if you want something done ask a busy person………’!! Josephine, our laundry assistant goes on maternity leave for 3 months. That leaves only Joyce to cope with all the work. She is pregnant too!!
JANUARY 2010
The new school year starts on 6/1/2010.Five of our kids passed their entrance exam last December and proudly set off for their first day at school. Also going to school for the first time are 3 children from The Rainbow Nursery School. These children are from destitute families who cannot afford nursery school fees. As I have said before until a child is literate and numerate they cannot start Primary school and nursery school fees are expensive to the average Kenyan family. In real terms this means 3 more kids off the street who were destined to a life of crime and prostitution. Rainbow House Nursery school accommodates 25 children.
It was bought to my attention 4 boys who were enrolled in The Rainbow Nursery School in January had worn the same clothes for 3 weeks. They came from a village called ‘SITA’ 2 kilometres away. They had arrived with ‘jiggers’ (worms that bury into the feet) Jennifer, our senior matron had to remove these jiggers (over 60) before the children could enter the classroom. These worms will travel from child to child if not dealt with rapidly. I visited the home and found only an elderly illiterate father in charge of these boys. There was no washing facilities or food. The children were walking 2 klm home at lunchtime. The only foods to be found were coconuts or Mango. Before they could eat the coconuts they had to climb the tree. At this point in time we did not have the money for extra beds or the finance to support them on a full time basis. However, I made the decision to feed, wash and clothe them at Rainbow House. They still had to walk 2 klm home each evening to sleep in dire conditions and of course ‘jiggers’
William Katoli who first started work at Rainbow as a Gardener has shown great honesty and aptitude. I had no hesitation in promoting him to the position of supervisor. The older boys need a firm hand. William has proved to be a great asset to Rainbow and an enormous help to Jennifer, our Senior Matron.
I am approached by a lady called Christine. She is disabled and has difficulty walking. She tells me her sad story. Knocked over by three men and raped. I made sure her story was genuine as hundreds of people are so desperate that many untrue stories are told just to get help. Various test showed that she was raped and by more than one man. She asks me to pay for a ‘back street ‘abortionist. Abortion is against the law in Kenya for any reason. Its also against God’s law, He does not kill babies, He saves them. I refuse to help her abort the baby. So, Christine is helpless, homeless (her brother abandoned her because she was (‘defiled’) penniless, pregnant and disabled. This equals hopelessness which equals only one alternative –suicide. I’ve known of 8 people in the last six months who have taken their own lives because of nowhere to turn. I agree to help Christine and move her into Rainbow. Because of her disability she will have to deliver by Caesarean Section.
FEBRUARY 2010
Two more children arrived at Rainbow House. Winnie aged 4 and her brother Stephen aged 18 months. Their mother, Emaline aged 27 died suddenly last year while sitting in our church. As the cost of a Post Mortem was beyond the family’s budget Emaline was buried in the usual fashion. No enquires were made by police, no one cares here. The Rev. Mramba (our overseer and his family) looked after the children for 3 months. It became clear to me that looking after these children was hampering his ministry. He also could not afford the food or medical expense of two young children. Both the children have made steady progress and have settled well.
Paul, a volunteer from the U.K. arrives for one week and paints the children’s rooms. The rooms badly need painting and Paul does the job happily.
MARCH 2010
Baraka, Hamisi, Katana and Rama (the boys from SITA) are now resident at Rainbow House. Although these children are 11/12 years they look like 8 year olds due to malnourishment. All these boys are very thankful for a new start in life. They continue to attend Rainbow Nursery School. Rama is very bright and will sit the primary school entrance exam in December. None of these boys had held a pencil before. Four more kids saved from a life of crime.
Jennifer, now aged 3 years, who arrived last year very sick and at the point of death is walking and ordering the other children! She tries to impersonate me! ‘Mama’ she says ‘I’m a good girl’ all the youngest children can speak ‘baby English’ Heho, our first child; who was also dying when he came to Rainbow House is growing rapidly and will soon join the baby class.
Joyce is finding the work very hard as she is 8.5 months pregnant. I have no extra money to employ another person. What shall I do?? What I always do when in a tight corner! I pray! Two days later a young man called Randu who is unemployed offers his services free (I have to feed him as he has no money for food) Randu comes to Rainbow 5 days a week to clean and wash clothes. What a blessing he is to us.
APRIL
Easter exam time. All our kids have worked very hard and once again took top places at Gede Primary school. The school system is planned this way – Standard one/two & three attend school mornings only, four/ five/ six/seven & eight attend morning and afternoon. After lunch all our children in the lower classes are taught by our deputy matron Lucy. We are determined to see our children keep up. It’s every child’s dream to be educated and all work very hard.
Josephine returns to work after giving birth to her third baby, a girl called ‘Purity’ I delivered her second baby (‘Malaika’ which means ‘Angel’) two years ago. Now, I am called again because Josephine has been in labour for 12 hours and there are no doctors to be found. The only experience I have of childbirth is a caesarean section 30 years ago and a medical book! Not bad Hey!! Mother and baby are both well. Josephine returns to work and Joyce thankfully goes on maternity leave.
Elizabeth one of our children’s nurses also goes on maternity leave. This time Elizabeth also needs to have a Caesarean section because of high blood pressure so my ‘midwifery’ skills are not called upon! She gives birth to ‘Walencia’ Elizabeth will return to work at the end of July. Until then we just have to manage.
MAY 2010
Christine is rushed into hospital with early labour pains. Even when an operation is scheduled the patient’s family are responsible fore buying all equipment. Jennifer and I chase from one chemist to another looking for urine bags, cotton wool, swabs, surgical blades, gloves, suture string, spinal needles and bandages. We manage to buy all these items although it took several hours to find them all. Christine goes into theatre and gives birth to baby girl who she named ‘Lynda’ However; the baby will be called ‘Upindi’ which means Rainbow in Swahili. There are already too many babies in this area called ‘Lynda’ I wonder why!!!
Two more children arrive at Rainbow House Amani aged 6 and Mapenzi aged 9. Once again through malnourishment the children only look half their age. We have been supporting these children from the outside since February. Today I saw Amani smile for the first time in five months when he was told there was a bed available for him and his sister. Tears cloud my eyes and I have to walk away thanking God for His goodness to me and my children .Christine and Upindi come home to Rainbow. Sadly Christine and Upindi have been diagnosed HIV positive. Our entire new intake are tested for HIV virus. All the children are clear of this frightening disease that is the scourge of Kenya.
June 2010
I’m eagerly awaiting a visit from Kate one of the Footprints of Jesus U.K. Trustees. Kate will arrive on the 15
th June. The children are soon to take mid term exams. Most people are led to believe that Primary school education is free. It is not! Money is always needed for the salary of a teacher that the government doesn’t supply, exam papers (If I don’t pay for the test papers the children wouldn’t be allowed to sit the exams) pencils, exercise books, report books etc. The list goes on and on.
When I think of all that has been achieved in three years I look back in wonder and a certain amount of pride. I’m so pleased how my children have worked and grown. I am forever thankful that I gave up my home in the U.K to come here to do this work. It has been a complete blessing to me.
As a Missionary I don’t gat a salary so I had to find a business to support myself and my husband. Like hundreds of people George is unemployed too. All business here are tourist based which is seasonal so I turn my hand at Poultry farming. To date I have 700 laying hens. Forget the romantic picture of the farm girl throwing hand of food at a few hens! This is serious business and takes time and energy but as I have said earlier ‘if you want something doing ask a busy person’! Many blessings to you all Lynda alias Mrs. Cluck! and the Rainbow Team.
PRAYER ITEMS
· Praise God for His provision
· Christine and Upindi
· Rama, Katana, Hamisi, Baraka, Amani & Mapenzi
· My protection. Robbery and violence is on the increase because of soaring prices and poverty
· That we soon have connection to power and can stop using oil lamps which are so dangerous
· Finance for a means of transport, Mini Bus or Pick Up truck
· More financial partners. This means I can help more kids and ensure the 37 children I already have will be fed and clothed properly. £10 a month is a small price to pay to save a child’s life.
I have proved it!
· If all people who so generously contribute were able to give an extra £5.00 a month Rainbow House would be able to cope with the soaring rate of inflation & appalling exchange rate that has hit this country and ensure that the 37 children I have in my care are kept well fed & clothed. Thank you from Lynda Ferrin Director Footprints of Jesus Ministry
THANKS TO;
· The U.K trustees, Mary, Tony, Kate, Jim & Janet
· Binscome Church for their prayer
· Our Web Master George Johnson. Without you George Rainbow House would be hidden from public view.
· Eternity church for their prayer and financial support.
