One of the new projects we hope to implement in the coming months is a program designed to help bring in income for the struggling families we support. We hope to purchase supplies needed to make soap and shampoo to supply to the whole island, all made and sold by the TIPs family. 30 Ltrs will cost 860 Kenyan shillings and 10 litres of shampoo will cost 435. Please pray for us as we try this new strategy.
Here is a list of our goals for 2012, in addition to finishing our building in October of this year. There are some other ideas which will be discussed later.
•Latrines will be required in the new compound (two of each with two doors)
•Course books for class seven
•Teachers guides for classes one to seven
•Revision books for classes five to seven
•Supplementary reader books for class three to seven
•Oxford English Dictionary; four Copies
•Kamusi Kiswahili; four Copies
•The Holy Bible; eight copies (English and Kiswahili)
•Wall maps and globe
•Rims of paper
•Desk – fifteen pieces
•Tables – two office – one staff room table
•Chairs – two (one for the manager and one for the principle)
•Laptop Computer
•Focus on trained teachers (six per year)
•Proposed hostels
•UPPER COMPOUND: two gates, two watchmen for day and night guard (6,000 ksh)
•Piping and electricity instillation
•Prize giving day. For the end of the last term of 2012, we can organize the giving of awards to teachers and students (around 5,000 ksh)
•An official business mailbox in Mfangano, in order to receive letters.
•Supplying the necessary materials and educating the widow population in order to begin the soap making endeavor.
Hi supporters and friends! This past week, James Orwa went to Mfangano to check on the progress of our new building. He took some amazing photos of his visit. Unfortunately, there is a problem transferring the photos to a computer because of virus which wrecked most of our files. We are working to try to fix the problem. At this point, it is not known if we can retrieve the files. Hopefully, within the next couple days, the photos will be up. Many of the photos are of individual students who need specific support and prayers. Some are also of the second building which has recently been completed. If the photos cannot be posted, we will be sure to post a text article detailing those students’ needs within the week.
The last time I visited with the widows on Mfangano about a month ago, we had a very industrious and inspiring meeting. The widows all gathered together at the school and I had the chance to discuss with them some ways of creating income which would go to support their families and the school. Many of these widows have no steady way of making money. Their children suffer as a result. I had previously visited many widows in their respective homes and many told me of their desperation. When I met the women last month and asked them what special skills they had that were not being taken advantage of, many of the women were modest and I got little response. The women of Mfangano have many skills but lack a method to use those skills for the betterment and survival of their families. When I mentioned artwork and crafts, all of the women acknowledged their many traditional artistic talents. All I told them was to have some finished art pieces by the end of the summer so we could bring them to America and sell them as a reminder of the island. After that, I stepped back and everything that happened afterwords was entirely their initiative. I found myself inspired the teamwork they showed and was proud to see some of the things they have already produced. Here are some photos. More pieces are being made currently.
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This week, Managing Director James Orwa left school to travel to Mfangano to see the progress the new building. While there, he took some wonderful pictures which really shed light on the daily lives of TIPS children. Here are some photos of TIPS kids and staff benefiting from the healthy food which we have recently been able to provide daily. Many of these TIPS orphans would not have anything to eat during the day if it were not for this school lunch program. It helps to fuel their bodies and minds and leaves them healthy and strong. As you can see, we have cooks at the school but the children take responsibility in washing their dishes afterwards.
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TIPS’ new building project has been moving ahead quickly! God has been gracious and has provided everything we needed to complete the first classroom. Here is a look at the finished product. It has just been painted and the roof has been installed. Inside, you can see there is a blackboard. Even as we celebrate God’s awesome provision, keep us in your prayers as we continue from this step to ultimately complete the school building and provide a Godly environment for the orphans of Mfangano.
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (English)
“An Routh an adhi embele u kendo ok an ajwang’ u kata aweu, omiyo kik uluor kendo kik chuny u tho” Deuteronomy 31:8 (Kijaluo)
