And what of the projects?

Well, the projects are moving forward. Ok, so some of them are moving quicker than others, but after my initial frustration at our progress due to disappearing people, poor time-keeping or having to consult unrelated elders who have nothing to do with anything caused me to revise down my targets, I am pleased to say that I may be able to raise them again.

I am detecting signs that my energy and determination may have infected a proportion of the school (especially the children) and unless I am mistaken, there is tangible sense of getting things done in the air; I am increasingly being approached by teachers and children alike with ideas for projects and things they would like to organise. It is really gratifying.

Alors, here is the bilan as we reach the end of term:

Sponsorship: When I arrived I was given a waiting list of 10 children to sponsor. Thanks to you (you know who you are) this has been done. In fact, we have moved onto the second list. Thank you thank you!

Rabbits: On Wednesday of this week, Benson and I completed the rabbit hutch. I know it took much longer than I expected, but it is also much more impressive than I expected, with its own compound and door and lock. We celebrated its completion with a cup of tea in the workshop and as we sat back and considered our achievement, I made Benson listen to some music. It was beautiful… we sipped our tea and listened to opera and during each piece I explained to Benson what was going on (there’s always a girl involved):
. The Pearl Fishers Duet: Nadir and Zurga recall how their friendship was once threatened when they both fell in love with an unknown priestess.
. Nessun Dorma: Calaf, the unknown prince, has fallen in love with the beautiful but cold Princess Turandot, and in spite of having answered correctly the 3 riddles required to marry her (he could have been beheaded had he failed), she still refuses to marry him. Calaf offers her another chance by challenging her to guess his name by dawn, if she does so, she can execute him; but if she does not, she must marry him. Calaf is certain of victory hence him singing All'alba vincerò! Vincerò! Vincerò! (I will win)

Oooh I digress! Anyway on Thursday of this week, I went with Mama Muriuki (one of the cooks from the school kitchen) to her home to buy 6 rabbits and together we brought them back and released them to their new home. One is pregnant so in the not too distant future there will be the patter of tiny paws.

To cut a long story short, it is complete.

Solar Power: I have received a competitive quote and now we are busy raising funds so we can try and get this done next term.

Workshop: With great help from our Swedish visitors, the workshop is fully operational. Benson has been able to complete several internal jobs for the school (desk, shelves, desks etc), and now we are starting to look for and take orders from the community and surrounding schools. Tomorrow we hope to close a deal with Kimabugi Hich School to make them 100 stools.

Vitamins for children: Again with assistance from the Swedish visitors, the children are now receiving vitamin tablets every Monday morning.

New School Website: Jo has done the design, Mike in the US has very kindly offered to host and build it for free, and together with the school we are working on the content.

Clubs: This term we started the school choir and this evening we had the first meeting of the new school music club (the request for which came from Purity & Moureen). After the meeting we had the end of term talent show…it was great. I even got to perform one of my own lamentable poems.

Bags 4 Life: Having found a load of cotton bags in the container we received, I took them together with the new school logo from Jo, down to the printers I found in Murang’a. Today I collected the first printed bag and it looks pretty good. Now we can go ahead and get them all done and see if we can’t sell a few!

Jane Wanjiku’s house: As soon as the masons have completed the new boys dorm, they will turn their attention to building Jane a much needed new home.

School Football Team Kit: Someone at my Mum's work donated us an entire football kit which arrived this past week. The children are elated. The school team can now play with a higher degree of dignity and pride.

“I Wish”: This week I asked all the children to complete the phrase “I wish”. I have collected almost all the responses and they are ace. I’ll post them all soon for you to have a look at. We will whether we can’t grant some next term.

All in all I am very happy. And next term will be even better.

Thanks to all those who have helped this term.

Love

Matt