MAKINDU
So this psycho-social event was a very special day for them, as these food items are locally associated with the rich. In addition to the special meal and snack, the children also played games with balls and jump ropes. Public schools do not generally have playtime or equipment, so these events provide the children with a fun and safe opportunity to play with a variety of materials and an ample amount of play time. Photos courtesy of D. Pennell Brooks
Psycho-Social Support Days Reach over 1,800 children
Talks were held to the children in groups, led by guest facilitators. These speakers consisted of
The objective of psycho-social support services offered through Makindu Children’s Centre is to give the orphaned and vulnerable children in Makindu District a sense of belonging to the community and an opportunity to enjoy its full love, care and nurturing support. Workshops and outreach seminars strive to equip the children with life skills in order to deal with the contemporary emerging issues, like drug abuse, early marriage, school truancy and teen pregnancy. The program recently held psychosocial events in 11 outreach sites within Makindu district. All sites reported a fun day with the children super excited! The children enjoyed juice and bread for snack, and a delicious lunch of rice with meat locally known in Makindu as ‘pilau’. For most children, bread is rarely available at home, juice is a sweet luxury out of reach, and meat—if afforded—is solely for special occasions.
Makindu Children’s Program P.O. Box 51556 * Eugene, OR * 97405
graduated orphaned children who have grown to adulthood, achieved success in life, and who the current children now view as role models. To culminate the fun day events, the program organized a ceremony for the best performing children in academics during the last school term. Categories included those who were position 1-3, those who scored good grades in different subjects, and the most improved from the previous exams. This award ceremony acted as an academic strategy to encourage the children to work harder. The gifts awarded to the children were geometrical sets, slippers, pens, clipboards, bar soap and lunchboxes.
HelpTheKids@Makindu.org * (541) 357-9673
First PROPER SAFARI huge success! By Deb Bean
I was one of the lucky ones to go on the first Proper Safari in Kenya! We had a group of thirteen people there to raise money for Makindu Children’s Program. Our adventure started with three days at the Children’s Centre. We were greeted by the kids, staff, and guardians with big smiles, signs saying welcome, and lots of hugs. Everyone was so happy to see us, and for us to see them. The afternoon was spent watching a program they performed for us and then all of us having a meal together. Several people on the safari brought toys and balls for the kids to play with. I took my fifteen year old granddaughter, Hailyna with me on the trip. Hailyna was an instant hit, the kids enjoyed playing with her. We spent the next day doing a few service projects. These included painting the bathroom facilities (no not a bathroom like we are used to but a stall with a hole in the concrete floor), making benches to sit on, planting vegetables in the garden and doing some painting in the class
ASANTE SANA PROPER SAFARI! THESE 13 FRIENDS OF MAKINDU HAVE RAISED $25,500 SO FAR, MAKING THE FIRST PROPER SAFARI A HUGE SUCCESS: Michael Farley, Dave Brooks, Deb Bean, Hailyna Aguilar, Cathy DeLong, Marguerite Sharkey, Tom and Anne Eilersson, Francis Moppett, Alison Moppett, Cheri Villa, and Dave and Jean Corrigan.
them eat. They weren’t sure what to think of a knife and fork, and all that food. The children headed back to the Centre after the game drive and we adults continued on a three day walk through the bush. Our group now consisted of 26 camels carrying our gear and eight Kenyans leading the way. We walked about ten miles a day and then our guides would find a good place for us to set up camp for the evening. The guides were instrumental in taking care of everything for
Jean Corrigan dances with the kids at the Welcome Ceremony
room. We really did get a lot done! The following day we picked up thirteen MCC students to go on a safari game drive with us. Most of these kids had never been in an automobile let alone seen an elephant. They were very excited. Our bus ended up breaking down (welcome to Kenya) so we ended up at a beautiful lodge where the kids were treated to a buffet lunch. It was incredible watching Page 2
These lucky children earned the privilege of participating in one of the game drives, by achieving excellent grades and maintaining exceptional attendance in school. They had never been to a Game Reserve before, even though Tsavo National Park is not far from the Centre.
us. They set up the tents, prepared the meals, set up a bush shower and a choo (toilet) for our use. We had a great time telling stories around the camp fire at night. It was nice because for the most part we were strangers with the people in the group but we were there for a common purpose, it was a beautiful thing! We spent our last couple of nights together going on another safari game drive and then making our way back to Nairobi. It was a special type of vacation - a vacation with a cause! The best part for me personally was the day we arrived at the Centre. I had last been there in November, by myself, and got to know lots of the kids well. There were two girls I had especially bonded with then - Yvonne and Rachael. As I was walking in with the Safari group, both girls found me and gave me the biggest hugs. As we were hugging, we all three started to cry. It was very emotional - We were so happy to see each other again! I am hoping to go again next year. If anyone is thinking of joining the next Proper Safari, I couldn’t recommend it more. It is LIFE CHANGING!
Hailyna Aquilar chats with her camel.
For information on the next Proper Safari, please contact HelpTheKids@makindu.org.
Michael Farley cuts wood for benches.
Marguerite Sharkey holds one of the children.
SERVICE PROJECT DAY
Cheri Villa paints the office and Centre.
Alison Moppett plants kale in the Shamba.
Deb Bean paints the office and school building.
Page 3
WAMBUA and MUTHEU Wambua and Mutheu are siblings aged 7 and 8 respectively. They live with their mother, who is HIV positive. The mother works hard as a cook at a local car dealership, to meet the basic needs of her family. Mutheu is a very shy but polite child. She is an above average pupil in the first grade at Kiambani Primary School in Makindu. Her favorite subject is Social Studies and her favorite teacher is Madam Yvonne, who teaches English. Mutheu has aspirations of being a doctor when she grows up. When asked what she likes most about Makindu Children’s Centre, Mutheu says with a smile, “I love the rice and beans that we get at the Centre. It is my favorite food and it’s very delicious.” She speaks humbly and is such an adorable obedient girl! She visits the Centre daily for food, and often helps with chores cleaning the office and washing dishes. Wambua is also a good pupil and in the second grade at Kiambani Primary School. His favorite subject is Kiswahili and his favorite teacher is the English teacher, Madam Muithya. Wambua is a talkative boy who enjoys playing football at the Centre. Like his sister, he is an obedient child and is loved by all. Wambua and Mutheu are in our Sponsorship Program and can be sponsored for $50 a month. Visit http://makindu.org/sponsor-a-child/ for more information.
$35 a month sponsors one child $50 a month sponsors one child with HIV $50 a month sponsors a sibling pair Reports, photos, notes and occasional artwork are sent to sponsors 3 times a year. Watch the child(ren) grow and mature and see how your donations directly benefit your sponsored child. Page 4
AMINA OPENS HER OWN SALON Makindu Children’s Centre has been serving the basic needs of Amina since she was a small child. She recently graduated from the program and has successfully completed hairdressing vocational school. Thanks to longtime sponsors David and Lina White of Eugene, Oregon, Amina was able to open her very own salon in Makindu town. She has a very special talent for hairdressing and is enjoying a successful new career. We are very proud of Amina and thankful to her sponsors for helping make her future bright, and her dreams come true.
NAOMI Naomi is an HIV+ orphan and has been with Makindu Children’s Program since she was a very young child. She suffered epilepsy and meningitis before enrolling in the program. At the very young age of 8, she was assaulted by her uncle. With support from Makindu Children’s Centre, she was able to survive and overcome the physical and emotional trauma from the assault. With the strong advocacy and work of the MCC staff and social workers, a life sentence was secured for her uncle. The uncle’s wife was none too pleased to have her husband jailed and posed further threat to Naomi. To ensure her safety, Makindu staff helped to transfer her to Tumaini Children’s Home in Nairobi where she enrolled in primary school and did well. Unfortunately while there, she did not adhere well to her anti-retroviral medication
for her HIV, and so the Centre coordinated her move back to Makindu, under the care of her grandmother and with some of her cousins. She has since regained her health and adherence to her medications. Today, Naomi is 13 years old. Rice and beans are still her favorite food. She tries her best in school, English is her favorite subject and she hopes to be a medical practitioner in adulthood. Through all of these obstacles Naomi has remained an ever-smiling child, with a positive outlook and hope for the future. For all of us at Makindu Children’s Program and Makindu Children’s Centre, Naomi has given us hope and joy proof positive of the extraordinary impact donors can have on the lives of these remarkable children. Naomi is in our Sponsorship Program. If you would like to sponsor Naomi and others like her, please visit Makindu.org/sponsor-a-child/ for details. Page 5
PROPER WALK 2016 RAISES $105,000 FOR THE KIDS Day 1: We hiked 10 miles and saw numerous animals including giraffe, gazelle, zebra, dik dik, and pitched camp by a lake. A hippo came out of the lake and voiced his disapproval of the camel safari invading his turf – fortunately he only put on a show and didn't charge or cause any problems.
Makindu Children’s Program Co-Founder Winnie Barron and Proper Walk Founder Michael Farley trek together again in this year’s Proper Walk.
Day 2: The hippo who complained about the arrival, was about 25 yards off shore watching us pack up and get prepared for the hike. A few experienced hands helped move the packing process along. The gurgling complaints of the camels, caused the Walkers to watch and smile to their unique sounds.
Our hike takes us down off the Laikipia Plateau through grasslands known as "no man's land" – it is claimed by several tribes as well as the Kenyan government. Day 3: It was extremely hot. We broke camp in the early morning trying to beat the heat. The most important task of the day was to stay hydrated. We hiked through the Karisia Hills north of Laikipia Highlands. The terrain is semi-arid grasslands with acacia and candelabra trees sprinkled about the hills. This is Pokot territory and we encountered a number of herders who were leading their flocks to and from the nearby watering hole. We saw cattle, goats, sheep, and even 1 donkey herd. An older Pokot stopped us and addressed us in Swahili to learn what our safari was doing there. After our explanation, he nodded and left. Most of the herders stop and wave or just observe us going by – we are certainly a good story to tell their friends and family.
Page 6
Day 4 was a scorcher! We finally found a shady spot to camp about mid-afternoon. There were not many trees along our route today – finding a nice acacia tree to provide us some relief from the sun for the remainder of the day, was a welcome find. Along our route a construction crew was building a power line. Two workers were working high up on the metal towers that carry the electric lines. Someone noticed they were not tied in with a safety harness and said, "Call OSHA!" Another person said, "Here in Kenya it's NO SHA." Even the camel guys seem a bit tired tonight as dinner was served later than usual. We had a delicious mince curry over rice with chapati. We are now camping under a full moon and a hyena cried out near our camp. It's piercing oooo whooop cry got all of our attention. We're in their neighborhood tonight and they let us know that without any question. Still, we slept well, even with a hyena for company.
Day 5: We are halfway through and we've hiked over a double marathon. Today we hiked through some beautiful areas on our way to the Great Rift Valley Escarpment. It was difficult finding a camping area due to the thick trees and brush, but we finally found a flat area and after some hard machete work by the camel guys we had a suitable campsite for the evening. There happens to be quite a lot of water buffalo dung, hopefully we don't see any while we rest, eat, and sleep as they are huge and very unpredictable. Baboons are in the trees nearby taking an interest in our safari. Everyone is in good health and spirits, albeit very tired.
Day 6: In the morning, breakfast was laid out and we ate and drank coffee as the sun slowly crested over the surrounding hills. We were surrounded by lush thick old growth forest. We picked out snacks and filled our water containers for the morning hike which would take us up and out of this fold in the Great Rift Valley Escarpment. Today we hiked up steeply to a ridge that is high enough to see down into the expanse of the Great Rift Valley – a stunning vista! Day 7: We did another long 12 miles that put us close to 80 miles for the Proper Walk. Our day's trek took us through pristine old growth forest and up to nearly 8,000 feet in elevation. We also experienced a brief rain shower, and a 50 degree change in temperature. After the rain and before the moon appeared, the stars were incredibly vivid.
country and skirted Maralal, the northernmost city in this part of Kenya. As our caravan moved around Maralal, we were joined by the Samburu people, most in traditional dress and mostly children. The children were enjoying our safari and the Walkers engaged with them, sharing smiles and words along the way. We saw zebra along the hike today and many signs of elephant, hyena, and even leopard. Our camp was at 6,500 feet and once again, we had a hard rainstorm hit our camp that lasted about an hour and a half. Now chilly and our gear damp, we had a roaring fire to help keep us warm. We had a hot meal of mutton, cauliflower, and potatoes for dinner that really hit the spot. We have eaten very well during our hike. We will finish the Proper Walk tomorrow in Mugi Ranch, a private ranch and wildlife conservancy that promises to be an incredible wildlife viewing opportunity. Day 11: We met up with the bus to take us back to Nairobi after a bittersweet goodbye to our Proper Walk companions from Ol Maisor, the camel ranch that provides the camels and safari expertise. Amanda and her husband John, went above and beyond to plan and work out all the Proper Walk logistics. Bara Bara was the camel guy’s leader and once again an indispensable safari leader for us Walkers.
We are now in Samburu territory, where some cling to traditional pastoralist ways, while others have turned to farming. Our camel caravan always elicits stares, usually waves, and occasionally conversation. We have several Samburu camel guys with us to explain more or less what we are doing passing through their land. We get a second wind as the body adjusts to the repeated daily hikes. Then the hike we've prepared so much for is suddenly over. Now, it feels like a pleasant thought – the end coming soon. Day 8: We hiked through incredibly beautiful hills as we climbed out of a valley to our campsite at 8,200 feet. The climb made the 11 miles a difficult hike. Shortly after we set up camp, a rainstorm hit which lasted an hour. We waited out the storm in our tents. A group of nearly a dozen Samburu women dressed in traditional clothing came into camp to see what we looked like and to learn more about us. That made for an interesting afternoon for us. Day 9: Our last night of camping. It was hard to believe how fast it had gone. We hiked up and down the rolling hills of Samburu
ASANTE SANA 2016 PROPER WALKERS, GUIDES & CAMELS! Michael Farley, Dave Brooks, Katy Werwath, Karl Werwath, Pedro Jimenez, Walter Slawski, Joshua Dowell & Winnie Barron.
Thank you for following our Adventure for a Cause. Please provide us your feedback and let us know if you have any questions about the Walk, or the Makindu Children's Program. Page 7
makindu CHILDREN’S PROGRAM P.O. Box 51556 Eugene, OR 97405
makindu.org HelpTheKids@Makindu.org
HOLIDAY ReJEWEL Friday, December 2, 2016, 4—8 pm Broadway Commerce Building Lobby 44 West Broadway, Eugene, Oregon Holiday ReJEWEL will have the usual stunning array of handmade statement pieces, including natural wonders like coral and malachite as well some delicate heirloom pieces. We are also delighted to be offering a fun collection of Gatsby inspired costume bling, just in time for 1920's themed holiday parties, some amazing treasure for kids (think pirate loot and pink and purple sparkles) and some things we think jewelry makers and crafters will love. It's all our best stuff, priced in the spirit of giving! Easily the best shopping you'll do all season. VISIT MAKINDU.ORG
FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION AND TO MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION. MONEY GOES VERY FAR IN KENYA, WITH ONLY 50 ₵ NEEDED TO FEED A CHILD A HOT NUTRITIOUS MEAL.
THANK YOU FUNDRAISERS!!! Alaskans for Makindu hosted the annual ALASKA WALK in Anchorage over Labor Day, attracting many walkers who once again raised hundreds of dollars for the Makindu kids. The annual Dinner and Auction in Eugene, Oregon also drew numerous supporters and raised thousands of dollars for the Makindu kids. Oakshire Public House hosted an Oakshire Inspires evening on October 5th in Eugene, Oregon to benefit Makindu kids.
DONATION BY CREDIT CARD Name on Card________________________________ Billing Address _______________________________ City & State__________________________________ Zip ___________ Phone _______________________ Visa MasterCard Exp. Date _______________ Card #___________________________ CSC_______ Signature____________________________________ ******************************************
DONATION BY CHECK to MAKINDU CHILDREN’S PROGRAM P. O. BOX 51556, EUGENE, OR 97405
ASANTE SANA!!! DONATION BY AUTOMATIC FUNDS TRANSFER
*No fees to MCP. Withdrawals made 1st of each month Name ________________________________________ Address ______________________________________ City, State & Zip _______________________________ Email _________________ Phone _________________ Financial Institution _____________________________ Account Number _______________________________ Checking Savings Routing Number _______________________________ Signature _____________________________________ I acknowledge that the origination of ACH transactions to my account must comply with the provisions of US law. This authority will remain in effect until I have cancelled it in writing.