Rainbow House, Kenya

Glean For Rainbow House!

2011-11-26T17:44:00.000Z

And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favour.”

Ruth 2:2

--------------

Do you know there are pennies floating around the internet?

All those adverts you see on sites and search engines generate revenue for someone, sometimes just because you are simply looking at them. Each time you see or click an advert its possible to gather a crumb of that - and though it might be only a bit of a penny it all adds up.

If you decide to do your searching through our new EveryClick page, you could be accumulating pennies that can be donated to Rainbow House.

Please go to the page below to give it and try and see if you can help Glean those pennies!

http://www.everyclick.com/rainbowhousekenya/

George ;-)

Expenses & Needs

2011-10-31T13:38:00.000Z

Below is a list of Monthly expenses. As you can see it costs just over £1000 a month to meet the day to day to expenses of Rainbow House. And while its understandable that you might not feel you can regularly give a large amount regularly giving, however small, is so helpful in meeting these monthly expenses.

Further down the page you will find the Needs List. These needs are in addition to the regular monthly expenses and are mainly for one off items and projects. By their very nature these require more resources in the short-term, but are of course one offs.

Please note. Lynda is supported independently of Rainbow House, so the amount of £3000 that Rainbow owes Lynda is a real debt! Lynda really has spent money meant for herself and her well-being - She needs to be paid back.

If you feel you are able to help with any of these things, either regularly or a one off item, please contact Tony Johnson

Rainbow House Monthly Expenses

Maize Flour = £30 (for Ugali)
Rice (100kg) = £50
Beans (90kg) = £50
Dried Peas = £50
Eggs = £25
Wheat Flour = £30 (for Chapatis)
Tea = £10 (for Breakfast)
Sugar = £70 (to go in the tea)
Bread = £35 (for Breakfast)
Fruit = £25
Spaghetti = £65
Oil = £25
Meat/Fish = £60
Soap = £25
Water = £60
Charcoal = £80 (for cooking)
Paraffin = £45 (for lamps)
Medicines = ? (variable) ( worming tabs, de-scabies, fungal cream, razor blades)
Toiletries = £220 (including cleaning products ie; soap, toothpaste, loo roll, ST’s, toothbrushes, bleach, mosquito repellent, disinfectant, insect killer)
Petrol = £120 (for car and motorbike)

Total : £1075 (without medicines)

Rainbow House Needs List

Large Items Approx. figures

1) Staff wet rooms. (male/female toilet/shower room) £2.000
2) Fix the guttering around 2 large buildings before the rains in Jan £350
3) Laundry House to be converted from old hen house £2.000
4) Mattress and plastic covers £800
5) Classroom Pending ?
6) Electricity Pending £350

………………………………................................................................................
Smaller Items

1) Staff Uniforms (this is desperately wanted by the staff) £100
2) Bedding (40 pairs sheets, blankets & pillow cases) £300
3) 3 Clothes wardrobes/cupboards (to put the kids clothes in) £250
4) School Uniform’s @ £4.50 each   £275
5) Cook’s stoves (to put the charcoal in)   £150
6) Garden tools (shears, hoe, spade, fork, steps etc)   £100
7) School bags (needed for Jan) £55
8) Curtains for all windows (there are none at the moment)    £45
9) Clothes from market (needed twice yearly, £135 a time) £270

Christmas Day Outing for all staff and children (Yearly)   £100

………………………………..............................................................................
Repaying Lynda

We also need to repay Lynda for the money she has lent Rainbow in £3.000
times of hardship, as this was money put aside for finishing her own
house which is still incomplete, we need to repay her. .………………………………................................................................................
Future Needs

Tech College (for the children that don’t go to High School) = 2 yr course £250
High School Fees (Secondary Sc.) Once the child has reached STD 8.. Per year £140
(This will be for 4 years, for each child that attends)

Prices based in Sept 2011, 140/- = £1.00

Thank you for whatever you can do!
George

What's new?

2011-10-27T02:42:00.001+01:00

Just to let you know about a couple of new things on the site ...

Below we have Jane's report about her recent visit to Rainbow House. And we have lots of photos too! So many in fact that I have built an on-line gallery for them and put them on Facebook.

Facbook? Yes, Rainbow House is now on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/rainbowhousekenya

If your not on Facebook yet don't worry because you can still get a peek at what's going on on the Facebook page, by following the link in the menu on the left or above, or by going here.

So why are we now on Facebook? Well, at our last Rainbow meeting Jan told us how she got talking to a fellow passenger on the plane home and she was asked "Are you on Facebook". Well at the time obviously not and it just so difficult sometimes to remember all those www dots ...

Well now its so much easier, just tell people to search on Facebook for "Rainbow House Kenya" - I'm sure most people can remember that!

If you aren't on Facebook yet, can I please encourage join, if only to join the Rainbow page.

If your not sure about joining us on Facebook let me give you at least five good reasons ...

1. You can easily say hello to Lynda and George and encourage them with your prayers
2. You will meet other people who are also supporters of Rainbow House from all over the world.
3. You can share fundraising ideas.
4. If you have your own photos or video from Rainbow House you can share them with the rest of us.
5. It shows Lynda that we care.

That last one sounds really trite doesn't it? But its TRUE! Lynda has given up her life in the UK to love and care for kids in a strange country. Just think about that for moment. Could you, would you do that if you felt the Lord's calling?

Even though she is far away she is very much in our hearts and she needs to know that. So please, please, it so important that you keep in touch. Whether its through letters, email, text or even Facebook!

George

Jane's Visit to Rainbow House

2011-10-27T01:46:00.001+01:00

September 2011. My very first visit to Rainbow House, and this is what I found…

Amidst the poverty, sickness, darkness and witchcraft of the interior of Gede shines a beacon of HOPE and LIGHT. Happy, healthy, well fed, LOVED children.

THIS IS RAINBOW HOUSE. 35 lively children enjoy the surroundings of this well run Christian environment.

Lynda has learnt through trial, error and prayer over the past 12 years how best to run a ‘tight ship’ Kenyan style. She is ably assisted by Jennifer the live in matron, who is also a qualified teacher. Jennifer is a delightful, godly Kenyan woman with a passion for the ongoing work at Rainbow House. Together Lynda and Jennifer work hard to take Rainbow House forward.

The latest member of staff is Morris. A local Giriama man, whose role is to help Lynda with the mountains of paperwork that the Kenyan government provides.
He is also a social worker, and works closely with the children through their many problems. These children have suffered in many ways.

Baby Lynda, baby Jennifer, Heyho, George and Mahenzo would all have died if Rainbow House had not taken them in and cared for them.

Several of the older boys would now be in prison – not because they are bad,
but because they and their younger siblings were so hungry they were forced to steal food to survive. Many of the girls would have been forced into prostitution. NOW - ALL HAVE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.

Initially Morris was employed 3 days a week, but his work has proved invaluable so he is now full-time.

The nursery school continues to grow, attracting more and more children from the surrounding area. Their parents are encouraged by the results of the Rainbow House children attending Gede School, who are always top of their classes.

Without nursery education, where basic reading, writing, English and Swahili are taught, the children cannot progress into primary education.

At present a 5year plan is in place for every child and for Rainbow House.
We expect that at least one more classroom will be required at some time in the future.

In the meantime we have the continuing struggle to finance the day to day running of the home. Food and wages are top of a very long and seemingly never ending list.

All monies donated go straight to Rainbow House. NOTHING is diverted for admin costs. Even Lynda herself is not paid by Rainbow House. She is a registered charity in her own right and can be supported separately.

Lynda plays an active role in the leadership of Gede PEFA church. PEFA stands for Pentecostal Evangelical Fellowship of Africa.
The children attend Sunday school and stay on for Morning Worship.
Kate and I had the pleasure and privilege of attending this lively, God-fearing, Bible- based church, and speaking to the congregation through a translator. A challenging experience, especially for the translator!

Many who attend this church don’t have Bibles because they cannot read or write. But they are hearing the word of God preached.

On our second visit, the service, which was held outside – IN THE SHADE – we were invited to stay on for a fellowship meal, which had been put on especially for us. They very kindly catered for the English digestive system and taste.

Every evening at Rainbow House, all the children and live-in members of staff join together for a time of lively worship. They celebrate with songs, dancing and prayers.

Having seen Rainbow House, met the staff and enjoyed interacting with the children, I would say that Rainbow House and Lynda are much deserving of our prayers and financial support.

God has set Lynda what we might consider an impossible task, but she has taken up His challenge prayerfully. Trusting in HIS strength, and HIS power.

As St. Augustine said:
Without God - we cannot
Without us - God will not.

Kate and I had a wonderful visit to Lynda and Rainbow House. Getting to know the children made all the organising and travelling very worthwhile. God willing, Kate and I will return next year. I wish it could be sooner!

Jane x

Jane & Kate's Photos ...

2011-10-27T01:07:00.000+01:00

We've Just had the photos back (not exactly from the chemist, but from Laurie) from Jane & Kate's recent visit to Rainbow House!

There are lots of them so please check out our web gallery at:
https://picasaweb.google.com/107599138861396070569/RainbowHouseSeptember2011?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLjfurPJ7ZnTTw&feat=directlink

Or if you are on Facebook why not check out our new page and Photos at:
http://www.facebook.com/rainbowhousekenya

News Letter Jan - Dec 2011

2011-08-07T23:36:00.000+01:00

JANUARY.

Four destitute boys we took in January 2010 start primary school for the first time. The boys are aged 11 and 12 yrs. None of them has ever held a pencil before. Rainbow House E.D.E.C (EARLY DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION CENTRE) opens to fee paying children to help pay the ever increasing cost of food. We enrol 30 children who will pay small fees and 10 who are destitute free of charge.

FEBRUARY.

Guest house conversion begins. An old hut turns into a fabulous dwelling complete with en-suit.

MARCH.

Exam time. Kachi (aged 12) in top of her class. Tatu (aged 10) also takes 1st place. All the kids have performed well.

APRIL.

School holidays. A drama is performed. Directed by Kazugu (cook) and Jennifer (matron) about children’s rights. Rainbow House came first, again! All in aid ‘OF THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD’. Money arrives for the water tanks and guttering. Baby Linda (Upndi) is a year old on 29th April. I shudder to think that if I and Rainbow had not stepped in to help Linda would have been aborted.

MAY.

One tank and gutters are completed. We race against time as the rains are due. The rains start on 16th May. In one night a tank holding 46000 litres is full! 2nd tank in place but need guttering. We must wait for more finance to finish. Great shame as the rain continues to pour down. Another £500 is needed to complete this project.

JUNE.

Volunteers, volunteers and more volunteers! I’m falling over them all! Joanne comes from Germany and stays for 4 weeks. She has painted all the outside rooms. Wonderful job. Four young men come from Ireland and are completing the painting. Rainbow was very shabby after 5 years and 40 kids! The entire houses, inside and out are painted in bright rainbow colours. I thought its time we made a BOLD statement. Linda takes her first steps and is delighted with her performance! Exam time again. Waiting on results...........to be continued.

PRAYER
•    Praise God for making this entire project possible. After all it was His idea!!
•    For the guest house. Which means I don’t have hoards of young volunteers taking over my house!
•    For the water tanks. We no longer have a mud bath as most of the water in collected.
•    For our volunteers who have contributed so much
•    For the finance to continue to be pressed down, shaken together and overflowing
•    For my vision to be increased and my health and strength to continue. I have just celebrated my 58th birthday. Do Missionaries ever retire?
•    For our kids who, as destitute and orphans carry heavy burdens of rejection.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU. THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE TO SHINE UPON YOU AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU. THE LORD LIFT HIS FACE TOWARD YOU AND GIVE YOU PEACE. AMEN.

Video Presentation!

2011-06-07T23:24:00.002+01:00

If you haven't yet had the opportunity to see the video gallery that was made of the kids last year, here it is!

You can also find three other videos on YouTube by following the links below: if you want to see them in the correct order, simply following the links in the sequence below.

http://youtu.be/fH5a9Gke6FM
http://youtu.be/xzdJkLMSNBo
http://youtu.be/CEh4zZWn_TQ

Enjoy!
George

Congratulations Martin!

2011-03-21T18:30:00.001Z

Though we have yet to hear from Martin himself ... Bless he's probably having a bit of a rest. His official time for the Reading half Marathon yesterday was an impressive 02:14:09

Well done Martin!

By the way, Martin is not in this picture.

George, Webmaster

No idea what this is about? Then see here:
http://fojkenyablog.blogspot.com/2011/03/short-notice-of-long-run.html

Short Notice of a Long Run!

2011-03-14T19:25:00.001Z

We want to say "run the race that is set before you!" to Martin Nightingale who will be running the Reading 1/2 Marathon in aid of Rainbow House on the 20th March.

Martin and Victoria (pictured below) always planned to complete the 1/2 Marathon together, but sadly Victoria has had to withdraw following her Doctor's advice. Though of course she will be there to support Martin on the day. And boy will he need it!

Though its really short notice, if you would like to sponsor Martin please contact Kate.

And please take a look at the photos below of Martin and Victoria modelling the latest must have accessory for any Rainbow House supporter ... Our fab new t-shirts which you can buy online from our zazzle store: http://www.zazzle.co.uk/fojgeorge I've got mine, have you got yours?

To find out more about the race, please checkout the official race site at:
http://www.readinghalfmarathon.com/index.htm

Thanks
George, Webmaster

Martin & Victoria Nightingale, looking great in their new Rainbow House T-shirts!

New site stuff

2011-03-09T14:31:00.000Z

You may notice things look a little different from your last visit! Just a quick note to mention a few new bits on the site.

We have a great new section Meet Some of the People Involved, with a lovely picture of Kate and some of the children taken on her last visit to Kenya. If you are involved with Rainbow House and would like to be included on the page, please email me. And don't worry I'm going to be on there soon (just got to find a decent picture first!) .

Also we are experimenting with offering merchandise, T- shirts and keyrings etc. If you buy something from our new online store with Zazzle between 15% and 20% of your basket (excluding P+P) comes back to Rainbow House. You can find a display of items for sale on the left of this page, or you can visit the store direct by going to: http://www.zazzle.co.uk/fojgeorge

If it proves successful we may offer other items like coffee mugs, bags - more than just the basic T-shirt in the future. What would you buy?

Finally (and most importantly) please have a look at the latest post which gives details of some of the things we need to raise funds for at the moment. It would be really great if you feel you can help!

Thanks
George, webmaster
grog.johnson@gmail.com

We Need Your Help

2011-03-09T13:46:00.002Z

We have a number of building and smaller projects that need completing. If you feel you could help by giving for a specific item or project we would love to hear from you!

And please don't worry if in these tough times you feel you can only give a small amount, as we can combine lots of small amounts to make them bigger! So every Pound you donate really does make a difference.

Laundry house...

The old hen-house needs to be converted in to a Laundry house.

Lynda showing where the sinks will go

Storage Area for Soap-powder etc

As the hen-house already has a concrete base, it's estimated that the cost of conversion is £1000.

Additional tables and Benches ...

The area in the photo above needs new tables and benches for staff. We also need to replace the tables and benches the children are currently using.

The tables will cost approximately £100 each and we need 4, so £400.
The benches will cost approximately £20 each and we need 8, so £160.

Windows & Doors ...

We need new netting, chicken wire and frames for 2 windows and 2 doors that need replacing. The door frames need to be of a harder, but more expensive timber, to deter the termites!! (see below) This will cost £200.

Photo above. Termite Damage!

Mattresses ...

These very old mattresses belong to children who bed wet. We need to replace them with 5 new foam mattresses. And (hopefully) prepare for the time when the children stop bed wetting and can move on to a normal mattress.

A foam mattress costs £15 each and we need 5, so £75
A normal mattress Costs £35 each and we need 5, so £175

If you would like to help with any of the specific projects or items please contact Kate.

Thank you!

Newsletter from Kate MacFadyen (Trustee) from latest trip to Rainbow House.

2011-02-05T14:42:00.000Z

I had a great time with Rainbow for 2 weeks in January, my 4^th visit now…The children are all doing so well, I can see such a change in their development with each visit…the older ones who remember me call me Aunty Kate now…..

Nursery School Our Nursery School has increased to about 40 children daily that come in from outside the compound, many are destitute, and many have been brought by their parents because the School has got such a good reputation for teaching.
Jennifer our Matron, is a fully qualified Nursery teacher, and is so excited to be able to teach these children, who before had no means of a Nursery education, which in turn meant that they would have no education at all, because they have to pass their KG exams before they can officially start Junior school.

Renovation Work In the corner of the compound was a caretakers hut that was empty, and thanks to donations we have renovated it into a very nice little Guesthouse with shower/toilet facilities, this will be a nice space for anyone wishing to stay at Rainbow in the future, whilst donating their time, but also for the older children/staff to have a quiet area to read or study, when no-one is staying there.
Just before the rains Lynda will plant Bougainvillea plants to grow around the fence to give some privacy and colour.

Needs and wants for Rainbow… We need to now convert an old Henhouse (chickens now gone) into a much needed Laundry Room. At the present time our two ladies wash clothes for 36 children daily outside in buckets, in either hot sun or pouring rain…Approx Cost….£1.000

We need 5 more huge water tanks to be fixed to guttering from the 5 buildings, this will enable us to store all the water that just pours down on the ground and is wasted every rainy season…

Approx Cost…….£550 each, (including guttering, down pipes, labour etc)

Small Items….5 new mattress…Approx Cost £35 each

4 Tables and 8 Benches…Approx Cost…Tables £100 each….Benches £20 each

Kate

Help Kids in a Jam ...

2011-01-06T18:18:00.001Z

The Brookes Family just love making Jam to raise funds for the kids of Rainbow house. Last November the family raised a fantastic £75 Selling Yummy Strawberry and Raspberry jam at the Rainbow House Auction.

The Brookes also make a gobsmackingly lovely Blueberry Jelly. And whether your a jam fan, or your belly likes jelly the girls (above) will have fun making you a personalised label. Why not give someone you love a birthday gift with a message? For example...

"Happy Birthday George, with love from the Brookes"

Not that the webmaster is hinting, but my birthday is the 24th May!

If you would like to know more or you would like to place an order, please initially email our webmaster George, grog.johnson@gmail.com

A Pretty Reminder!

2011-01-06T17:40:00.000Z

Jewellery Parties!

Kate sells a extensive range of hand designed Jewellery, including Necklaces, Bracelets and Earrings (including Fresh Water Pearl Jewellery).

If you would like to host a Party at your home, church or organisation within a 20 mile radius of Godalming. Providing you supply the venue, along with coffee and biscuits, Kate will do the rest.

You can see some lovely examples of Kate's jewellery and her contact details on her website at:

Jewellery For Jesus

http://jewellery4jesus.blogspot.com/

Newsletter, June - December 2010

2010-12-31T16:13:00.000Z

*_JUNE 2010_*

Kate. One of our trustees and my friend arrives on the 15th June. I’m so happy to see her. She arrives with suitcases full of items for the children.

I have a very infected right leg. I am told unless I receive treatment my leg will turn systemic. I have 8 wounds on my leg where flies have laid eggs ugh!!! Better now but scarred for life!

Kate had a wonderful time learning more and more about running Rainbow House and meeting the 8 new children who had arrived in her absence.

It’s the rainy season now. Oh! How it pours and pours. We badly need guttering and water tanks at Rainbow but sadly we can’t afford these items. Each tank (we need 4) costs £300. I watch helplessly as free God given rain pours to the ground and is wasted.

*_JULY 2010_*

The Rains continue and the children are cold. It’s hard for Europeans to believe that at 68 degrees the children feel cold. So do I! We always need long sleeved jumpers and trousers for the low season. The children walk to school with our school walker Eunice who shelters the children with umbrellas. So many children arrive at school soaking wet and have to sit like this all day. Winter here means sickness and many of our children have colds and more seriously Malaria.

*_AUGUST 2010_*

School holidays start for 4 weeks. Our longest holiday is Christmas (8 weeks) we allow our children one weeks break from school work. However, they soon become bored and we open up the classroom again. Although many of our children are in standard 1 they are doing the work of standard 2/3.

I receive a call from a lady called Sada. She is Kenyan married to an Englishman. She wants to help with the children and we exchange ideas. Kenyan children who are too young to attend school just seem to sit on the ground doing nothing. Everyone in the family is busy with tasks such as chopping wood/fetching water etc that there is no time to stimulate a child. In the UK children are stimulated almost from birth. I discuss this idea with Sada. We are lacking materials, books, early learning toys. I make ‘play dough’ and we play with sand and water.

*_SEPTEMBER 2010_*

I receive a call ‘Can you make use of early learning toys?’ our shipping container has arrived and we have many items to donate!! What?! Amazing! Two people arrive with 5 boxes of early learning toys. Some need batteries but many are old fashioned puzzles and many musical toys.

Sada starts her class by getting the children to recognise colours, shapes and numbers. After 4 weeks 7 children who would have sat around unstimulated are running up to me pointing at my dress and saying ‘blue Auntie blue’ Sada is a qualified primary teacher.

We still have our volunteer helper ‘Randu’ he comes 3 times a week to wash clothes and clean.

We are now experiencing day 9 without fresh water. There is no water available from Malindi to Watamu. A distance of 30 kilometres. The reason? Reports say ‘There is a blockage at the filter plant.’ The blockage turned out to be two decomposed bodies! I sometimes think that Kenyans walk around with their eyes shut!

Oh! All that wasted free God given rain! We are all forced to carry buckets to wash, cook and clean. There is a large water tanker in the nearby town of Timboni selling water at three times the price. The queues are over a mile long! I have no water at home either and once again find myself sitting by the well. I can only use this water for flushing toilets as it’s very salty because my house is so close to the ocean.

Water returns after two weeks, hallelujah!I give you all a very stern warning. Use your water well. The world is drying up and you will soon be coming to Kenya begging to use my well water!!

*_OCTOBER 2010_*

I receive the news that the teacher of standard 1 at Gede primary School wants 5 of our children to be transferred to standard 2. She says ‘they are bored.’ This is fantastic news. Five of our standard 1 children have been automatically promoted and in December will take the standard 3 exams. If they pass the children will be promoted to standard 3. One of the children among this group is Mwangi. He was one of our first children and was always being picked up by the police for stealing food because he was starving. Mwangi was hard work to start with but soon learnt the joys of education.

He’s still very cheeky (bit like me, that’s why I like him!) So watch this space and see this boy go from prison to university. Stranger things have happened at Rainbow!

No water again. We get quite used to this because so many tourists arrive and all the water is pumped to the hotels and guest houses. The infrastructure of this area cannot cope with so many people. We also have many power shut downs.The outside tap gives us a small amount during night hours and we have make sure that every container is filled. We still have to carry it though! I’m becoming more Kenyan by the day and can carry 20 litres of water at a time, however, not on my head-yet!

*_NOVEMBER_*

I continue to write my book. Every missionary has one! The title? ‘There must be more than this Lord’ I decided on the title when I remember a time I was on cleaning duty at my home church, up a ladder dusting shelves. Thinking ‘I know someone must do this work but ‘THERE MUST BE MORE THAN THIS LORD’

The only advice I can offer anybody is to be careful what you pray for. I had a home, a comfortable job, a good church and good social life but I wanted more and God took me at my word. I won’t say it’s been easy but it’s certainly been challenging! I’m not telling you anymore about my book.

BUY A COPY! All royalties will go to Rainbow House.

I get my thumb caught in a rat trap, Ouch! We have to have traps in the storeroom. Jennifer is called to release my thumb. It hurts for weeks. Jennifer and I often pray for the more obscure things you couldn’t even imagine about. We pray that God takes the rats away. This country is over run because snakes eat rats and everyone kills snakes even though most of them are harmless. There are only 2 species in Kenya with really dangerous, The Puff Adder and The Black and Green Mamba, Two days after praying two very tiny kittens move themselves into the wash house. God has once again answered our prayers. We are feeding the kittens close to the store room. When they urinate the rats run away. Clever God!

*_December_*

Our children take their end of year exams. Yes! Once again Rainbow Has taken top marks.5 of our children who were promoted from standard 1 to standard 3 have passed with flying colours. These children are way ahead of many others and will miss out standard two. This is in part to due to Lucy, our teacher who ‘polishes them’.

As decreed by the children’s department any child who has a family must return ‘home’ during the Christmas holidays for 3 weeks. Schools break up on 30th November and a mass exodus of children takes place.

Rainbow is left with only 15 children who have absolutely no family. It’s so quiet! It is a good exercise for the children to return to their homes. They have all become very comfortable at Rainbow and need to remember where they have come from.

Now they will carry water, fetch fire wood and sleep on the ground on a mat. Children easily forget and it’s a good reminder for them how much better off they are now. The word ‘Appreciation’ does not feature in the Swahili language.

However, the children will return on the 23rd December to decorate Rainbow and enjoy Christmas day.

Schools open again on 3rd January and all children, especially the new ones must be ready to return to their studies. We hope to spend Boxing Day on the beach and soft drinks and biscuits afterwards. The transport costs of this trip are over £45. The cost are usually met by the E.A.W.L (East Africans Women’s League) of which I am secretary for the Watamu branch.

Temperatures are very high and we are still struggling for water.

*_THANKS TO;_*

·The U.K trustees, Mary, Tony, Kate, Jim & Janet

·Binscombe 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.

·All those who support Rainbow House with love, prayers & financial gifts. Without your help there would be no Rainbow House and 37 destitute kids onthe streets.

·Thank you to all who believed in me and my dream to achieve what many thought was impossible.

Lynda

NEWSLETTER JANUARY –JUNE 2010

2010-07-19T23:38:00.000+01:00

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.

September 09 Newsletter

2009-10-19T14:52:00.003+01:00

Dear Friends of Rainbow House,

There is much 'good news' from Kenya, the children are learning so fast, all doing exceedingly well considering that none of them had held a pen or seen a piece of paper three years ago, their grades at the local school far exceed the rest of the class. Their understanding of who Jesus is, is a picture to experience, they get good RE teaching from Lynda using UK Sunday School Study books weekly, combined with traditional Sunday School & Church on a Sunday. They also benefit from an annual outing, usually a visit to the sea, (much organisation for 28 children!!!)

They are healthy and well fed with 3 fresh meals a day, cooked on a 'jiko' (a kind of barb-e-que), including Porridge, Ugali/Rice/Spaghetti, being the staple diet, with Fish, Beef & Eggs weekly, or dried Beans, with Spinach/Cabbage, and Oranges daily, with Mangoes and Bananas as available from the shamba, sometimes a goat is killed when they have over bred, and milk.

There are many dangers around the compound including, Snakes, Jiggers (they bury themselves in the children's feet & have to be cut out with a razor blade, ouch!), Mosquito's, Head lice (but we keep their head shaved to stop this). A nuisance but no danger, are huge seasonal Frogs & Rats, and other 'things' at different times of the year.

All children have two changes of clothes, they have clean clothes after their evening shower, & coconut oil smoothed over their shaved heads which makes them smell delicious!

The daily routine;-

5.30am...Shower & breakfast. 6.00am...walk to school for 7.0am. 12.00...return home for lunch. "2.00pm...the older ones return to school, the younger remain for additional teaching from Matron Jennifer & or Lucy (Deputy) 4.30-5.00....Showers. 5.30-6.00....Meal then playtime-bed..

Saturday...cleaning around their beds & compound, washing up at the well (the older ones). & playtime. sat pm...they all walk to the local church area where they mix with the village children & have playtime. Sun...Walk to church for 9.00am for Sunday School till 10.00, they then join the adults in church till 2.00pm...walk back to Rainbow for lunch and playtime....

There is so much fun and laughter, they have grown into a very happy family, of course there are normal kids problems, but the staff are well able to deal with them. We have a total of 15 staff, 5 members 'live in', the other work 6-2 & 2-9 shifts, & we have a night watchman on duty.

All the children speak 'Giriama' which is the local dialect, they also now speak English (or are learning) and also Swaheli, which is the national Language of Kenya...

Now that our older children are at school, it enables us to invite free of charge about 15 children from outside Rainbow, in the village to an education as Nursery Standard, which would never have happened if Rainbow wasn't there, so we are serving the local community, also of couse, giving employment to 11 local people.

We have had many visitors, 3 lads arrived last year from Guildford, they spent 3 weeks digging a much needed well, (which the children also use for washing up the dishes), this then saves on some of the water bill. Anne Stone a teacher from Gosden House in Bramley has spent two weeks, two years running teaching the children in August, and whilst I was there in Sept another two girls, one of them from Guildford came for a week and they painted the boys dorm. & tidied & logged all the clothes in the store cupboard...

FUNDING & LONG TERM NEEDS FOR RAINBOW HOUSE

1) Building in 2 stages, approx cost £4.000....

Stage 1... To convert an existing small house in the corner of the compound into a suitable office for Lynda/room for sleeping visitors to stay in, or for Lynda in an emergency. A shower & toilet to be added and additional windows put in for 'air', a verander to the front for shade & a fence of Bougainvillea planted around for privacy.

Stage 2...Building Male/Female shower/toilet facilities for staff and day visitors, near the staff quarters. The staff and any visitors use the older children's toilet/showers, at the moment. We know the Kenyan authorities will require us to build this soon anyway.

2) Pick up Truck, approx cost £5.500-£6.000..
Originally we wanted a mini bus, but we now believe a pick up would have greater use, the children would still go in it as families in that area use them all the time, but we would also be able to use it to purchase provisions, eg, sacks of ugali/rice/charcoal, when needed. We have no transport at the present time, only Lynda's own car. Rainbow need to be more self-sufficient!

3) A Bicycle, approx cost £35...
This can be invaluable for the staff to collect small items instead of walking the mile to the local shops. I also think we can teach the older children bicycle repair....which will be useful for them as they grow up.. Bicycle's are used all the time

4) Power, approx £9.000, (but we think more likely to now be £12.000).
( the quote we had was early 08 and prices have risen much, and it was only a quote!..) Rainbow has no power, we use paraffin lamps, and on occasions a generator, but that costs a lot to run it ... The main electricity cable has to run the mile from the main road first.

5) We have space for 4 more children, but not enough monthly income to feed the children at the moment.
It costs approx £4.00 per day per child (all incl.) to live at Rainbow.

Support Lynda Personally

2009-04-27T15:51:00.003+01:00

With the ever increasing demands on Lynda's personal resources, she needs your support to continue her great work with Rainbow House. We know, that the Lord supplies our every need, but sometimes He calls on our brothers and sisters to help!

If you feel you are in a position to help, we would encourage you to partner Lynda in prayer and give as you feel the Lord leads you!

You can do this through a Christian banking company called Stewardship, who claim back any tax you pay (PAYE, Savings or Pensions) and give it direct to us.

We have two separate accounts, one for Lynda and one for footprints which finances Rainbow House.

Both of these forms are available from Tony. See: Contact & Donations

Are you planning a holiday?

2009-04-11T20:10:00.004+01:00

If you are planning to visit Kenya for a holiday please contact Tony by by phone or email or you can call or text Lynda direct on: +254723145575 and she will advise you what is needed as most things can be bought in Africa.

Lynda Says ...

As there is so much corruption and theft in Africa I intend to remain here and administrate this project personally. Every penny we receive goes straight to the work of the children and the charity is fully accountable. No payments are given to me or any of the trustees. My African colleagues and I will provide all the love and care it takes to raise responsible children but we can’t do it alone. We need your help financially. Please help us to help them.

Can You Help?

2009-04-11T18:25:00.004+01:00

We are still looking for people who would be able to sponsor this project on a monthly basis. £20 a month doesn't even cover the cost of a daily newspaper in the UK but here in Kenya it would buy 20+ bags of maize flour. This is part of the staple diet of a child here. 20+ bags would feed 15 children for 3 days. If you feel able to help please contact Tony Johnson, 01483 414055. Tony is a trustee of Footprints and currently handles all finances.

Contact & Donations

2009-02-11T20:31:00.006Z

If you would like to know more about Rainbow House, or if you would make a donation, please contact Tony Johnson our UK based Trustee:

Tony and Mary Johnson

21 Manor Gardens,

Farncombe

Godalming

Surrey

Telephone 01483 414055

Email: tonymaryjo@yahoo.co.uk

Our other Trustees

Jim and Janet Colville

(contact details available on request)

Newsletter 2009. December 2008 re-cap

2009-01-23T22:06:00.001Z

Newsletter 2009. December 2008 re-cap

· December 8^th. 5 of our children and 2 from our outside nursery school sat their exam for entrance to Primary school. No child can enter primary school until they are literate and numerate. Nursery fees are expensive and many families cannot afford the cost. Therefore their children never attend school and are forced to earn a living selling fruit or their bodies as prostitutes. Because we do much one-one teaching all our children passed with flying colors taking the top 7 places with marks of 269-296 out of 300 marks. Please remember these children had never held a pencil before they came to Rainbow House. So far we have educated and sent 8 children to primary school at no cost to the families. All outside children are provided with a uniform, bag, exercise books and pencils. Also each child must pay £2.50 as an entrance fee. This money goes towards wages for another teacher that the government doesn’t supply. There are also charges for mid and end of term exams. These charges are also met by Rainbow House. If the child is unable to pay they are not allowed to sit the exam thus they have to sit the whole year again. Contrary to popular belief schooling is not free in Kenya. There are many hidden charges. Jennifer (our senior matron) returns to college for 4 weeks to continue working for her nursery school certificate. The education department insists we have a qualified teacher.

· We had an enjoyable Christmas with many games and on Boxing Day we visited the beach where we took a picnic of Biriani. I think I ate more sand than food! After which we went to a pub garden where juice and biscuits were laid out for us. The children were thrilled.

· January 2009 With much excitement on 4th of January our children put on their uniforms. It is every child’s dream to be educated in Africa and they couldn’t wait to set off. Our nursery school opened with 10 children from the ouside.

· February 2009 Our smallest child, Jennifer is rushed to hospital with pneumonia and Malaria. We wait and pray. She is very weak. Mercy, our nursery nurse sits at the hospital all day and night. Elizabeth relieves her after 2 days. I’m running backward and forward getting food (3 times a day) for our staff. No food is provided at the hospital. Medical services are not great either. So we give her to God and pray for her healing. After 5 days she is allowed home. I’ve made good friends with the Doctor on duty. His name Dr. D. Doktor!

· March 2009 I’m so tired. I have worked setting up Rainbow House and dealing with official people for 6 years who are not helpful. I always seem to have a stumbling block in my path. I have also lived in sub standard accommodation for that time. Putting up with my house flooding twice during the rainy season because our roof is not properly constructed. I baled out 85 liters of water on two occasions. Many of my possessions are spoilt. Rains bring the in rats looking for a safe haven, my house! They have eaten my computer printer amongst many other items. I am at war with rats and other long legged beasties! I badly need a break but am scared to in case Rainbow breaks down. The children are all settled and happy. They are growing stronger and bolder everyday. I receive an e-mail from Gareth, Tom and Josh They are gap year students and are looking for accommodation in exchange for work. They tell me they are youth leaders and have teaching qualifications. I test all ‘would be’ volunteers and mail back saying I need help digging .5 acre of land ready for the long rains and planting season. They were thrilled and agreed. I collected them from the bus stop . They stayed with us for three weeks and worked their socks off!

· April 2009 Tired and frustrated with the Kenyan system of constant delays, corruption, power cuts, rats and water shortages. I make an impulsive decision to take a holiday. I enter the Kenya Airways’ office on Wednesday 3^rd April to enquire about flights. I am told the price is £660 but will rise by £100 by the following Sunday as Easter is just round the corner. I agree to travel on Saturday 7th. The staff were shocked by my decision and some of them cried. They thought I was not going to return. The children were not told as they would have been too upset. With energy I didn’t think I possessed I organized the store cupboard, staff rota’s, made sure bills were paid and administration was up to date. The time had come for the staff to ‘grow up’ and not rely so heavily on me.

I arrived at Heathrow Airport. I was freezing! Even though the temperature was 18 degrees. For the next 8 weeks I met friends did deputation work and attended bible seminars. I visited Eternity Church who are among our supporters and made many new friends. I sent money each week via Western Union to my husband George who was overseeing Rainbow House.

May 2009 All is well at Rainbow. The children sat and passed their mid term exams. Once again Rainbow children took the top class places. Jennifer returns to college for 4 weeks to continue with the teaching course. She rises at 4am. Travels to Malindi to be at her desk by 7am. She is under tremendous pressure and is feeling the strain of the hard work. However, she is determined to finish the course and become a qualified nursery teacher.

June 2009 I returned to Kenya on 6th June a stone heavier due to all the hospitality I received. Doughnuts & cakes (3 birthday cakes!) Dinners, so many care of the Ryan’s hospitality. Chocolate cake- delicious! Care of Rachel Bennet. My body has grown used to a simple diet of rice and beans. Certain foods that I was used to eating in the UK have to be imported. This raises the cost beyond my budget. A small jar of marmite is £6.50 and Weetabix costs £4.90! A big thank you to all who looked after me during my stay. Tanya and Dave Brookes, Jean Edgington, Mary & Tony Johnson, Rachel & John Bennet.

As I approached Rainbow House I could hear the children singing a song of welcome in Swahili. The gate was covered with flowers. I had been missed so much!

12 June a transformer close to my house blew up when a tree fell on it during a storm. 500 live volts had to go somewhere. My house! Standing in the kitchen I witnessed live power shooting out of my sockets. If I had been standing 5 feet closer I would not be here today. A great deal of electrical equipment blew up including my iron, kettle, fans and phone chargers. It seems that God is not finished with me yet!!

July 2009 Baby Jennifer is rushed into hospital. Its winter in Kenya now with temperatures at 20 degrees and constant rain. 20 degrees and English people feel quite comfortable; in fact most of you would have the B.B.Q out by now! Jennifer was so malnourished when she came to us and has dysentery. She is severely dehydrated and is placed on a drip. Once again I’m rushing around organizing food for the careers. This time Jennifer is so weak we feel we are losing her. Prayer requests go out big time and once again she pulls through. I’m happy to report she is gaining weight. Many of our children are sick with flu like symptoms. This is the re-occurrence of Malaria. All Africans have had Malaria and the virus remains in the body for life.

August 2009 Anne Stone a semi retired teacher from Gosden House School in Bramley comes for a visit. Anne came last year and we are happy to welcome her again. Her help is very valuable to us. She is used to teaching children with learning difficulties. She has immense patience with our children and they greatly benefit from her visit. Once again our children achieve high marks at the end of term. The headmaster sent this message ‘Rainbow makes my school shine.’ What a compliment!

September 2009 Two more volunteers arrive. Sahara & Jane. I give them the job of sorting out our clothes storeroom and painting the boys dormitory. They did a wonderful job and I’m sure were richer for the experience. They stayed at Rainbow for 2 weeks. I was also eagerly awaiting a visit from Kate Macfadyen, one of our trustees. She arrived on the 1^st of September and stayed with me for two weeks. Kate was able to understand some of the frustrations I have to experience living in a third world country. It was wonderful to have a good Christian friend here. I love Africa but miss speaking in my mother tongue.

October 2009 The rains are over and we are collecting our first harvest of maize. Temperatures are rising. The maize harvest is good and will help to feed our children. We have over 20 goats that we either sell or eat. They bread faster than rabbits!

November 2009 Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink! (Who said that?) Surrounded by the Indian Ocean but no clean water because Kenya Power have not paid their bill to Kenya water. Kenya Water now refuses to pump. We have been in this situation before, therefore we are prepared. We have 100’s of litres of water stored in jerry cans but once again water usage is severely limited. We have a well but the water is slightly salty. We are able to wash dishes and flush toilets. Washing of clothes with well water is false economy as we need extra soap power to combat the salt water. We already use 1 kilo of soap powder every day. At home I have no water either; my well is much more salty as I am closer to the sea. We are to be without fresh water for 4 weeks. Please think very carefully the next time you flush your toilet or take a bath how much water you are using. Temperatures are rising to over 95 degrees. However, with all the running around I do I can happily report I am once again a ‘member of the size 12 club!

December 2009 Our children who already attend school are sitting their end of term exams. December is our ‘long holiday period’ the children will be home for 8 weeks. However, that doesn’t mean they will be idle. They will carry on their studies with Lucy (our Deputy Matron) Jennifer teaches the new entrance kids. When they are ready they are promoted to Lucy’s class where, as she says ‘I polish them ready for their entrance exam.’ December 8^th and we take 8 children to Primary school to sit their entrance exam. 5 of the children are from Rainbow House and 3 from outside. ‘Well’ I enquire ‘How did the exam go’? The reply? ‘Aunty Lynda ni rahisi sana! (It was so easy)Three days later Lucy and I went to the school for the results. Yes! You have guessed Rainbow House has taken all top places. Highest score was 297/300! I’m so thrilled with my kids! We often have tourists visiting us who leave biscuits, sweets, orange squash and toys. The children are not given these items until Christmas. No other Kenyan child receives such items and I don’t want my children spoilt. I have a Rainbow Cupboard at home and store all items. Now is the time to bring all the ‘goodies’ back to the store room. I hear cries of excitement as the kids see me unload the car. Four of our boys are being circumcised today. Western thinking is this is unnecessary. However, in Kenya this operation is performed for hygiene and cultural reasons. The boys will have recovered by Christmas and the operation only a distant memory. I have all the presents wrapped and labeled and a ‘Pass the parcel’ game ready. Today the female children will work on each others hair braiding and putting in colourful beads.

I am a member of The East African Women’s League (E.A.W.L.) this organization has been running for 100 years and raises money for charity. Rainbow has benefited by receiving a donation of 18 school desks last year. All charities who have profited are asked to submit end of year reports. I was therefore overwhelmed when I was informed that Rainbow House has received 10,000ks (£85) as a Christmas gift. I intend to use this money to take the children on an outing over the festive period.

On 14^th December we close the school. However, I continue with my teaching. Every Thursday I teach a bible class. After school and with high temperatures the children’s attention span is limited. Therefore I keep classes short and use lots of ‘props’ to reinforce the message. Its Christmas teaching now. I teach the truth, not the ‘romantic’ version of the tiny baby born in a stable. Today we are decorating our dining room with paper chains. Like last year I suspect there will be more glue on the kids than on the paper!Christmas Eve- the children all receive ‘new clothes’ ready for Christmas day (so much excitement) Jennifer is now taking her final exams after two years at college. I’ve no doubt that after her hard work and determination she will pass with flying colours. We have a family visiting us for Christmas day. Jonathon and Kathy Cowan. J&K sponsor Baraka & Rehema’s school fees. They both attend ‘The St. Francis Primary School Academy’ The cost of these fees? £200 a year. Christmas day is met with great excitement, why? food? presents? NO! They are excited because it’s the birthday of Jesus! How refreshing! All the staff help one another with the day’s jobs and I officially open Christmas at 11am with a welcome speech for our guests. A new video will be taken for you all to share in our Christmas. We slaughtered a goat (great treat!) ate cake, biscuits and drunk juice. Opened presents and played games. A great day had by all.Boxing day we piled into my pick-up truck and headed for the beach (4 kilometers away) another rare treat. After the beach we returned once again to the pub garden for biscuits and soda (fizzy drinks) twenty eight very tired children (and Lynda!) were then transported back to Rainbow. Happy and satisfied. School will begin again on 4^th January-so until next year we wish you all A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR. Lynda and all at Rainbow House

THANK YOU TO;

· All our supporters. Without your generous giving Rainbow House would not be a viable project.

· To all who believed in my vision to build Rainbow House.

· To the Lord Jesus Christ for making Rainbow possible in the first place. For looking after me and my kids. I consider all 28 to be my children not orphans looking for sanctuary.

· To the UK trustees who do a wonderful job fundraising and advising.

PRAYER ITEMS.

· I have 12 empty beds but not enough finance to fill them with destitute children. It costs £15 a week to keep one child. All offers are greatly accepted.

· Ever rising food and petrol costs

· The health of Jennifer. That she will go from strength to strength. Without your love and finance she and many others would have died.

· Protection for me. People are starving here and robbery common. Often violent. I know at first hand as I have been attacked before and nearly lost my life.

· Personal finance. I am not supported by the charity. I have started a hen farming project and sell eggs to make money for George and I to live on.

· That Kenya Power will lower the price and connect us to mains electricity. We use paraffin lamps but these can be dangerous and a fire hazard.

· The political climate will calm down and we don’t see a repeat of the violence we saw two years ago.

· My health. I’m getting older! Have no medical cover or insurance. There is no free medicine in Kenya. No money no medicine!

· It is my intention to oversee Rainbow until my youngest child no longer needs me. I will be 73 years old by then! Now-pray that one through!!!!!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

LYNDA, GEORGE, STAFF AND CHILDREN OF RAINBOW HOUSE

Registered UK charity number 1111579