Supporting Sacred Heart School, Naivasha, Kenya dream for something better
A dream for something better, Wangari Cecilia
New Year Greetings
Dear Friends,
Merry Christmas, the children are sat around me with smiling faces full of Joy. Our Christmas dinner is about to be ready.
We had a session like the Israelites: we reflected about our yesterday and today, the road marks, the stepping stones that have got us to where we are today, and we look to our future with great hope. It was a moment of Joy, some in tears, as they narrated the anguish and torment they have gone through before they joined us. It was the first Christmas for those who joined us this year. We thank God Almighty for getting us where we are today through each one of you, our dear Friends.
Last Wednesday we visited a Marian prayer shrine to thank God in fasting and prayer for the gift of each one of you. We do sincerely pray for you each day.
We thank you for giving us a bright future full of hope thank you for giving us Education, thank you for journeying with us tirelessly. Thank you for feeding us every day.
Thank you for all the sacrifices you have done to sustain us, we know it’s hard work and you have sacrificed your time and done a lot of self sacrifices. Thank you so much.
We hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New year. God bless you abundantly.
Sad News
In October 2021 we received the sad news that Wangari’s older brother Mathews died in a car accident. He was a much respected educationalist who had been instrumental in setting up the school in the building phase prior to Wangari returning to Kenya in 2010.
He will be much missed by family and friends.
Karuri School News
Christmas and New Year
This year the children were encouraged to write Christmas and New Year letters, one of which is printed here. Wangari writes, ‘Where the children mention me by name, I put in the name of each of you in the UK. You are the wheel behind this great success. We wish all a blessed and prosperous New Year 2022’
Maize
Every November, Wangari haggles to buy sufficient maize for the year at the best price. Along with beans, this provides the staple and nutritious diet for the children. This year however, due to a very poor harvest, the price was almost treble the usual cost. Although we were able to pay for most of this, Wangari did have to sell one of the school’s cows for 11000 Kenyan Shillings to make up the shortfall. This has left a considerable dent in our finances at a time when all charities are struggling with fundraising.
Your continued support both in regular donations and one-off payments is vital at this time and is much appreciated.
Fundraising
Two of our most loyal and enthusiastic supporters, Chrissie and Jonathan, celebrated their wedding this year. Rather than receiving presents, they very kindly decided to give a wedding gift to Wangari in the form of musical instruments and a sound system for the school which has enriched the educational experience for the children immeasurably.
They love singing and dancing and we hope they will soon be making their own music. A Mass of Thanksgiving was held with the local priest blessing the instruments!
After the removal of Virginmoneygiving, we have changed the way you can donate. I can now confirm that online donations to the project can be made through the Charities Aid Foundation website. Simply follow the link below.
If you are a taxpayer, you can also claim the Gift Aid on our behalf!