A correction I need to make about Update Bulletin No. 24. I stated that they were planting potatoes, plants didn’t really look like potatoes, because they are the new Tomato crops. They removed the old plants, prepared the soil again and re planted tomatoes due to the wonderful success they had initially with their tomatoes.
I received an email from Daniel regarding the children at the Nursery School. He made a request for uniforms for the children. He sent a quote from a ‘tailor’ as follows: A Boy – Shirt Ksh 220.00 and Shorts Ksh 250.00 being a total of Ksh 470.00 ($6.02), A Girl – Blouse Ksh 220.00 and Skirt Ksh 180.00 being a total of Ksh 400.00 ($5.12).
There are 13 boys and 7 girls with a total cost for uniforms for boys is Ksh 6,110.00 ($78.33). The cost for uniforms for girls is Ksh 2,800.00 ($35.89), total cost overall is Ksh 8,910.00 ($114,22).
I shall send this money however I am waiting to see if there are any further needs as it costs $30.00 to send money by Western Union regardless of the amount.
I was speaking with Daniel during the week, although the line was not terrific, and he excitedly told me that he had purchase 3/4 of an acre of land in the centre of the village at a great price, the cost was Ksh 40,000.00 ($512.82). He said the money to purchase the land was some of the proceeds from the sale of the tomatoes…….wow! The reason for the purchase of the land was because Ruth had completed her First Aid course in Australia and would be able to train women in First Aid. Therefore they needed a ‘Dispensary’, a place to store their medical supplies in. Daniel said if they built a two room structure the Government would possibly pay for a ‘qualified practitioner’, a person with a diploma, called a Clinical Officer to assist Ruth. Daniel felt very confident about this as Hon. Rachael Nyamai MP is the Health Minister for the Kenyan Government in the Kitui region.
I related the news of a proposed Dispensary in Kanthi to Brother Sean Keefe, the Chaplain at Whitefriar College in Donvale, my dear friend who helped me with the Walk for Water walkathon. Sean invited me up to his garage where he has medical equipment and supplies which have been donated for him to give to Third World countries. Sean is taking supplies up to Timor East (his project) and gave me a choice of whatever I thought might be useful in the ‘new dispensary’. Teresia and I spent two hours sorting through boxes and these are the results that we believe can be very beneficial to the people of Kanthi, three great paramedic bags filled with supplies.
From left to right: Teresia and Br Sean, Valuable equiment, Bandages and needles
From left to right: Sharps container for used needles, Three bags of supplies for Kanthi
Now I shall ask Daniel to store these ‘goodies’ in the Nursery School safely until we build the Dispensary.
It is incredible how an initial helping hand for this village (commencing in September 2011) has grown to this……A Water Kiosk, A Greenhouse, A Nursery school and now in the planning A Dispensary. Their water needs met, their food sustainability met, their initial education needs met, (further with land and money to build a Primary School – Update Bulletin No. 27) and now their health needs to be met.
Thank you, thank you to all those for their wonderful support, especially Brother Sean together with Anne Marie, Kelly and Vic from the Bulleen Pharmacy who donated the First Aid kits and bandages starting this project off.
I believe this saying says it all: ‘ The Most Powerful Motivational Force In The World Is A Cause’
To read previous bulletins please visit the website www.walkforwater.com.au/news
Cheers,
HELEN