Activities
Swimming Monsters!
Written by Mercy Achieng
It’s always a great moment when all the HHFL kids hear of ‘a day at the pool’. This makes them all attentive and completely prepared for action; behaving their best to qualify for the lesson. Mr. Master-the trainer (his nickname because he’s great!) is always there on time to take us through the exercise.
This holiday (August 2010), we went as the boarding group; those who are in boarding school. We got to the place before the teacher and therefore others changed into their costumes and dove into the body-chilling water. Not everyone likes the cold water, the sight of it only….gives them butterflies in their stomachs! Cidella (the youngest kid in the project) is an example. She was just placed
at the entrance of the baby pool, which is like water in a basin, the extremely shallow end and what followed was a heart-rending scream that got everyone’s attention.
The Master came and we embarked on serious business! The stroking was hard for everyone but we were assured that with time, we’ll get the whole concept. Floating is great but once you forget that you are selfless at the time, all hell will break loose! You may end up going to the deep end, somewhere we are not qualified to reach at this time. But as time goes on, we will be the Hannehowardfund-lenana swimming gurus!!
“Wow! Let me try that”. This was everyone’s saying as they saw the Master doing his thing. We went step by step and at the end of the lesson, everyone was shivering like a chameleon on a frail twig. We all said Asante and Kwaheri to the Master as we went back home in happy satisfied glowing faces.
Swimming is one thing that we now have access to and we are entirely grateful to all those making it possible for us to have this wonderful experience. Mama Hanne and Baba Ted and all the great
supporters of the fund, we appreciate you all!! Our motto in swimming is that: ‘WE LEARN TO ACHIEVE FROM THE POSITIVE STEPS WE TAKE!!’
Youth Rally Camp
Life is sometimes full of surprises. We were surprised when we attended church on Sunday August 22nd. There was an expected youths rally. Kennedy, Mike, Brian, Alice and Dismas were all to attend it. We confronted the administration and they agreed to pay for all our expenses, now we were just eagerly waiting for the day to come so that we could leave.
On the final day (Wednesday), we prepared all our belongings and departed to the church to meet other members. We gathered, prayed and left for the journey at around 5.30pm. We arrived safe and sound and thanked the Almighty God for the wonderful Journey. We dined at a certain famous school called Ofafa Jericho High School, the venue of the rally.
Our first day (Thursday) was kind of boring because weren’t familiar with the environment but as the days progressed we socialized and made new friends thus boredom vanished. All the International Lutheran Church Branches attended the rally and made it successful for all the Lutheran Youths all over Kenya.
The Second and Third days were very encouraging and fun, because we were entertained by some local gospel artists, we donated our lunch meals to a nearby children’s home and collected the garbage around the school. We also had games and attended crusades every evening to strengthen our hearts through trials and temptation.
Saturday was the best day of all the days of the entire rally because of the sports, inspirational lectures and of course the highlight of the day- Fashion Show Program! The show comprised of a catwalk, a talent search and fun entertainment. The good news is that our very own Dismas Owino won the Most Social Youth award of the rally. It was lots of fun where we met new friends and told them about our home and they promised to visit us soon.
Sunday arrived and we were ready to return home. We attended the morning mass where the highest priest of the Lutheran Church blessed the youth and wished all of them a precious time as they await next year’s rally which will be held at the coast. We returned home safe and sound once again and received lots of love from our brothers and sisters.
On conclusion, I’ll like to thank the administration for granting us the opportunity to attend the rally and much credit goes to you and Baba Teddy because we couldn’t have attended the rally without your consent.
Thank you so much & God bless your stay and everything you’re doing to better our lives.
Lots of Kisses & Huge Hugs
The Big Kids
We’re one happy family
Things come and things go however the coming of HHFL brought to us something that will for sure not go away. There is a prove for this by the look at the smiles in our faces. We never thought this will ever happen beyond our expectations.
It’s brilliant to have library and computers which are of great use to us. Visiting different places opens our minds and also makes us socialize with other people from different backgrounds and we learn from them. We have been changed physically and also emotionally which we have achieved through the games that we play. We have got lots materials to use and we have learnt new games from the people who visit us with a helping heart.
New activities have been introduced and this is giving us more energy. We are really privileged . You can imagine kids from the slum getting swimming lessons!, this activity keeps us motivated and eager to go for the next training session. Art has been there since the beginning, but now we have approached the sense with different style. MOBILE ART SCHOOL KENYA. These guys are wonderful. We have been working with them after discovering how much potential they have their course is taken in schools, and they are helping the kids nature their talents, in the less fortune homes in Kenya. We really appreciate and we are happy of their encouraging teachers.
We would like to send our regards to those who give us a hand in this part of life we are in. We believe if it’s not through the support and encouragement we get from people out there and the love of God we would not have made it.
The picture above was taken during a Sunday day out at Uhuru Park Nairobi where the children not only enjoyed mixing with other people in a serene environment but also taking a ride in a boat at the small lake in the park. We are one happy family now.
With lots of appreciation
Duncan
Mobile Art School in Kenya (MASK) joins HHFL
The Mobile Art School in Kenya (MASK) joins the HHFL family and shares their love of art with our children! (www.mobileartschoolinkenya.org)
When arts and crafts was removed from the Kenyan school curriculum, Alla Tkachuk, a Kenyan native, decided to form a charity called Mobile Art School in Kenya (MASK) in 2003. It is the only organization in Kenya (and East Africa) that gives active support to the young people, especially those in rural areas and victims of conflict, in developing their creativity. MASK is also the only such organization in Kenya that promotes peace and social justice amongst schoolchildren through the arts.
John Githiri, one of MASK’s volunteer mobile art teachers, got involved with MASK while he was a student at the University of Nairobi. He had visited a motel where he saw a painting that captured his attention. “I asked the staff who had painted the piece and whether they could give me her contacts so that I could challenge her,” said Mr Githiri. This marked a partnership with Alla who later recruited other volunteers who teach the young artists.
John visits HHFL on Saturdays and runs workshops for our children with Duncan, HHFL’s art director. The workshops are followed by art lessons where the children work together to produce beautiful art work and hone their artistic skills. The children are divided into five classes of 25 students each.
“Think of shapes, name a shape you know, if you so wish, get a background and go ahead and paint,” John tells our kids. He uses drumbeat to “motivate the young artists to think of shapes to paint”.
The Nation, the leading Kenyan newspaper, published a wonderful article about MASK on Sunday May the 16. They are very proud of their work and its impact on the young.
And we couldn’t be more delighted to be working with them!
Please click on the link below to read the article.
Share our kids with your community and help us raise money!
We invite your participation to help us raise money for the HHFL children! With your fundraising support, we are able to ensure that the children at HHFL will continue to receive the care they need as they grow up! We welcome your unique gifts and talents and know they will help to make a difference.
You can fundraise in schools, through your kids’ activities, at work, through your own company or while you play – the possibilities are endless and the results are so rewarding. Some examples of successful fundraisers HHF supporters have held in the past include:
- Holding a bake sale at school
- Hosting a swim meet for children
- Hosting a tournament
- Hosting a dinner party with friends
- Donating money via professional workshops and corporate events
- Running marathons or climbing mountains
- Asking for birthday donations in lieu of gifts
- Donating unused equipment at work such as computers
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Download HHF’s new Fundraising Toolkit packed with inspiring fundraising tips, ideas and examples.Contact alexandra@hannehowardfund.org for more information – we’d love to hear from you! |
Scouts’ trip to Naivasha
Wesley Odiri (third from left) writes about a recent HHFL scouts’ trip. As this goes to post, another group of our scouts is about to leave on the same 3 night outing. Simon (pictured with Wesley’s group), and Lucy, on the HHFL staff, have just returned from a scout leadership training course. More of these are also planned. Enjoy !!
Written by Wesley Odiri
“ It was on a Wednesday evening when I and some of my fellow scouts were informed that we were to go for a training camp in Naivasha. We had ants in our pants but not all of us were to go, only five of us. Promptly, I rushed home at the speed of a charging buffalo and informed my biological mother who helped me pack my garbs.
Finally, the next day arrived. In that nippy and gloomy morning I was in my best bib and tucker-that is the scout uniform. I had rushed to the project and we were given some other things. In the small wee hours, we set off to a place in Kawangare called C.D.F. We waited for the bus for some hours but nothing came. Then we went to fill our empty stomachs which kept on rumbling with hunger. Fortunately around 4 o’clock the coach came. We dashed in and took our seats.
The trip took hours to reach Naivasha. It halted and we alighted from it. We took our bags and suitcases and entered the school. We were frog marched to the dormitories and told to choose beds. We met with some other scouts from different schools and mingled together. We made friends and knew each other a lot. In a nick of time we were to the dining room where we ate dinner. After the delicious meal we went to sleep because we were dog tired.
When it was dawn we woke up and went out for a morning run. Truly the morning run was boring because of waking up very early. We then went for a bath. After bathing we went for breakfast. We then took our books and went to classes. We learned a lot about scouting. When it was mid-day, we went for lunch. Then we went swimming at a place called crayfish. We swam and returned to the campsite.
On the following day we had a dancing club. He! People danced vigorously and the winning scout would be awarded. At night we had a campfire. This event is done when some scouts want to depart a camping site. We danced and acted according to our patrols.
The following day we had our breakfast and went for morning devotion. Then the scout leader, Mr. Abdallah, awarded the best scouts in different events. The HHF organization had a large number of qualifiers. We returned to our dormitories and packed our things. When the bus arrived we boarded and departed for home.
I thank the HHFL organization for making the expedition possible! “
HHFL’s first ever easter egg hunt…
Written by Alexandra Howard, daughter of Mama Hanne
On Sunday April 4th, Mum, Ted, Sebastian (my 1 1/2 year old) and I hosted HHFL’s first ever easter egg hunt at the project. As you can imagine, the kids had never heard of such a thing so Mum started by explaining the concept. As I scanned the 35 faces surrounding my mum as she spoke, I could see that there was confusion as much as there was excitement. You mean, you hide chocolates and sweets in far reaching places and we run around as fast as we can to find them? And then we keep and eat them all? YUP!
We corralled the excited kids into the hostel and the ‘grown ups’ scurried around the compound hiding about 100 sweets, chocolates and raw eggs on roofs, swings, benches, ledges, rocks..anything with a reasonable surface. As we were doing this, I could see the kids’ faces peeking through the hostel window as we went about our business…no peeking said Mama Hanne!! But of course, kids will be kids and there was no way around that one. We counted down loudly…3,2,1 and Mama Mary opened the door…well thank goodness I was holding Sebastian in my arms because holy smokes…what a fast and furious exit! Thirty five stampeding kids ran like bulls in a china shop to every nook and cranny on the compound, gleaming and squealing with every find. I guess they understood the concept after all. And like every egg hunt, the competition only grew stronger as the last sweets were being pursued..thank goodness there were no casualties!
But like a good and fair mother, Mama Hanne insisted that everyone put their loot in a communal bowl since it became quite obvious that the older kids’ collection of sweets far outweighed that of the younger ones. Poor Sebastian didn’t even manage to collect one sweet – no sooner did he make eye contact with a lone little chocolate on the ground in front of him was he side swiped by someone much larger and swifter – I tell you, there really is no mercy in battle!
After the last goodie was found, the kids, including Sebastian, stood patiently in a line and waited their turn to collect their share. Everyone received a lollipop, bite-sized chocolates, hard candies and a raw egg, which was later converted into delicious scrambled, fried and boiled eggs by Mama Margaret…a special Easter treat for our deserving kids.
It was such a wonderful morning and Sebastian and I were very happy to share our Easter customs with the HHFL kids. It was one of those fleeting moments where the differences in how and where we live in this world did not matter. We were bound by one commonality for the hour that we spent together running around in circles in search of sugar: good old fashioned fun. The kids are already wondering whether, in our part of the world, we have ‘candy hunts’ for any other occasions 
Who knows, perhaps we can start a new tradition??
Enjoy the video, which shares some of the excitement! Alex
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Visit to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Written by Simon, HHFL Acrobatics Teacher
The departure of Marketa, a wonderful volunteer who has been with us for the last 2 weeks and is the representative of one of our strongest supporters, Humanitas Afrika, prompted this outing. We wanted her to see something else besides our project, something uniquely African and when Mama Hanne suggested a visit to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage we all knew that was the thing. Mama Hanne picked us up early on Tuesday morning, and 8 lucky and very excited Tiny Tots (between the ages of 1 and 4) where piled into the back of her car. From the staff side only Lucy and I were chosen to come along due to space constraint. We both felt equally lucky as we never had seen a real elephant either.
The trip from the slum to the Nairobi Park gate entrance in itself was a true adventure for the kids, as none of them had ever been in such a car nor been much outside the slum. They were amazed at the things they saw along the way and excitedly pointed them out. They sang songs and giggled all the way. It was so much fun seeing them so happy and excited. Marketa taught them new words and pointed out all the lovely flowers on the way. The kids never new so many different types of flowers existed.
The kids caused quite a stir once we arrived at the parking lot of the Sheldrick Orphanage as the place was filled with tourists and they all wanted to photograph our kids who, in an orderly line, marched and sang their way to the entrance gate. Quite the sight! We were very proud of them, but we could see that Mama Hanne was even prouder.
The children and even us were surprised and amazed to hear that the elephants were also orphans, like many of us! We thought only humans qualified for this. The baby elephants arrived through the bush with their keepers marching in a neat line very obediently, very much like our children and this the kids found fascinating. Other gatekeepers were waiting for the babies with huge baby bottles filled with milk and as soon as the baby elies saw them they broke ranks and start running towards them. We all were amazed to see animals being fed just like baby humans and we were astounded to hear that this little babies need exactly the same type of care as a human babies.
After they drank their milk, the elies proceeded to play in the mud and water hole as they must cover their bodies with mud in order to avoid sun burns. In the wild their mothers help out by throwing mud at them with their tusks, but here the keepers do it with a shovel!!! The elies loved it.
We were all enthralled watching them play when all of the sudden the elies started coming towards us (we were standing behind a thick rope) We were surprised and fearful at first, kids and adults alike because even baby elies are rather big, but we soon realized that the elies wanted to play with us! They came very close to us and allowed us to touch them and play with their trunks. But soon the fear disappeared and even our little Cidela (18 month) and Nasur and Rajab (2 ½) got close to them and mustered enough courage to touch them. The bigger kids really got into it and all wanted to hold their little trunks and play with them.
Dida is the oldest of the elephant ophans at 29 months and she has become the matriarch of the group who bosses all the other babies around and they obey her. We could see that she is very vigilant and takes her motherhood role very seriously. The youngest is Mwenzi who is four months old and was rescued from a watering hole where he had fallen in. In total there are 20 orphans at Sheldrick right now and without their care these babies would never have had a chance at survival. Once again, we were struck by the similarities of our existence. HHFL as Sheldrick is our chance at a better life!
A great day, lots of fun and much excitement was had by all, but we also learned lots. I am looking forward to taking all of our kids to the Sheldrick Orphanage and exposing them to this wonderful experience. Asante sana to all the people who made this trip possible. Farewell Marketa, and we hope you come back soon.
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Christmas Lunch at the Rusty Nail
Written by Mercy Achieng
On the 24th December, the hostel kids got a surprise. Mama Hanne and Baba Ted took us to a place one can hardly imagine. We were taken to a restaurant called Rusty Nail. It is situated next to the Karen dispensary. The environment was cool and indeed nothing was rusty as the name suggests.
The rest of the kids did not get the chance to go because they had gone to celebrate Christmas with their families. With us was Lucy, our manager accompanied by her sweet little daughter, Cidella.
We got to the restaurant at about 12.00 noon. Mama Hanne was very happy to see all of us looking so nice. The girls had worn some white and pink t-shirts that Mama Hanne had brought us the previous day that made us all look wow!
What we saw next was amazing! Mama Hanne and Baba Ted had rented a restaurant that catered for us only that day. We were very happy. There was a shining Christmas tree situated in one corner of the restaurant, Christmas carols were being sung on a radio, several jikos were lit to produce heat because the weather was chilly and lastly there was a fireplace surrounded with comfortable sofas where we all sat taking our juice before having our lunch. Mama Hanne took a picture of us having a toast. Cidella, Lucy’s daughter was roaming around the restaurant feeling very happy.
After a short while, lunch was served. The table was arranged nicely. Some of us, who never knew how to use the fork, spoon and knife altogether learned that day. Everybody’s mouth was watering as their stomachs grumbled for food. We ate fish fingers, chicken nuggets, carrot sticks, tomato slices and chips. It was branded the name ‘buffet’. Everybody made sure they finished every bit of the delicious food and went for a second round. We ate to our satisfaction. We had vanilla ice cream later on which left everyone licking the cones all along. We sat chatting and suddenly a man came and greeted us. He introduced himself as a magician. Many of us had never seen a magician before. That was the surprise of the day. What the man did was extraordinary. Mama Hanne and Baba Ted really made us happy. The man incredibly changed the normal paper into money and gave it to one of us. Everyone was in doubt as we tried to figure out if it was real money. He taught us magic words; ‘pije paje pije po’ which we chorused to make the magic happen. We all laughed our hearts off as he did other magic things. Thus the encounter was very extraordinary!!
Later on we went to the volley-ball pitch where some of us played while others played hide and seek. The day ended very happily. ‘Home time kids!’ Mama Hanne and Baba Ted shouted. Some were reluctant but since the day was done, we had to go home; all in a jovial mood!
Finally we take this opportunity to thank all the people who made that day a success. We were told that Jennifer Hardie, one of our friends and donors, sent money so that we could enjoy this great experience. We also abundantly thank Mama Hanne and Baba Ted!!
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Closing Ceremonies and Christmas Party
Jambo!
This morning, Hanne is off in the slum organizing books and uniforms for the kids. Getting this job done now, before the mad back- to- school rush in January, will save a lot of wear and tear!!
I thought you might enjoy a couple of pics from last Saturday’s closing ceremonies and Christmas party.
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This year the kitchen served about 130 meals–sweet potatoes, veggies, chicken (8 of them) in huge pots, with juice and ice cream. Hanne had the place well organized to seat everyone–the guests were served as well, under the grass umbrella.
After lunch our scouts kicked off the festivities with a flag raising and parade. Very smartly done! The next couple of hours of entertainment included the Rabbits (our tiny tots in pink Ts) performing a play and reciting a verse, our choir, recorders, a play written and performed by our older kids (based on Hanne’s good samaritanship), acrobatics, presentations and recognition to several of our kids and staff . A new and special part of the program this year, thanks to Grant Thomas and his wonderful staff at DOT (Digital Opportunity Trust), recognized our high school students and staff who had just completed a 10 day DOT program designed to teach them life and business skills and ICT. I attended a couple of the daily sessions and can attest that the “lights were going on”.
Undoubtedly there will be more stories to follow on our website. Hope you enjoy the pics! Thank you all for your interest and support. Seeing the results of all of our efforts in real time on the ground can’t help but make one feel pretty good, particularly at this time of the year.
Hanne and I are planning to take the hostel kids out for lunch on the 24th. The rest of the project is now closed until the 29th.
Before I sign off. I was touched by a story on Saturday. The mother of 1 of our IDP kids came to fetch her daughter and 2 nephews from the hostel for Xmas. Her own mother was killed in the 07/08 post election violence in the Rift valley. This woman has been living in a tent ever since. To see the happiness on the faces of these kids at the prospect of spending Christmas with mum/auntie, even in an IDP camp, reminded me of the importance of family.
Wishing you all the best of the Season from Hanne and I.
Ted