Activities
Surprise family reunion at the Thomas Barnardo Orphanage!
The 8-year old twin brothers, Tony and Bonni were overdue for a visit with their 3 teenage siblings, and this visit would be a surprise!!
Alice, Mercy and Kennedy hadn’t seen Tony and Bonni since last December (their last boarding school break). Our Sunday safari took Ted and I, the siblings and 2 other young men from the Project to the Thomas Barnardo Home. This orphanage is a 50 year old institution located near downtown Nairobi. It provides and cares for about 370 orphans.
Ted and I were really impressed not only with the staff we talked to but the whole setup.
This surprise reunion was touching (tears/hugs/ smiles and laughter). What a joy for us to see this young family together. We are reminded how important it is to keep this family and the other orphans who live in our project connected with people they love.
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Meeting David was also inspirational. He is pictured above on the right with Jollyrose (an Auntie who cares for Tony and Bonni and the other kids at the orphanage). David came to Barnardo at age 3. Seventeen years later we met him at the reception desk on a Sunday afternoon. He is studying aeronautical engineering and working on aircraft engines part time at Wilson airport across the road. Barnardo supports these young adults in a hostel for a year (pays their rent) while they transition into the working world. David’s modest salary pays for his other needs while he finishes his schooling.
David spent time with our teenagers (pictured here) talking about his experiences, schooling and his thoughts about the real world they can expect to encounter when they finish school. Dismus, also pictured here, is one of our orphans who completes his welding courses this year and will need to find a position for further on the job training. We could see that the discussion with David gave them all some new insights and perspectives.
It was an Inspirational day for all of us.
Some musings
As I wander around the Project, I often take pictures. Here a few I took last week.
We have budding artists, “little Brian” and Steve pictured here, painting the side of our cook house. You have seen Brian before. He lives with Steve in our hostel. Steve and his sweet little brother, Muli, lost both of their parents to HIV/ Aids within the past 24 months. We are working hard to ensure they feel welcome and loved and part of their new family.
Silas, pictured below on the left, at the gate to our Project, is a gem! His son, Boniface, is an A average Form 1 high school student. We took Boniface into the Project this year as he wouldn’t otherwise be in school. What fine young man he is, thanks in large part to Silas’ love, care and discipline. Silas also cares for his wife at home. She is mentally challenged. Everyday Silas walks 1 ½ hours to our Project and volunteers—he mans the gate and keeps an eye on the comings and going of the kids. I love this guy and we often talk.
“Mama Brian” pictured below on the right — looked so beautiful in the late afternoon sunlight. She is an HIV+ widow. She regularly helps with the kitchen and washing when she is feeling up to it. Her 3 sons, “Big Brian”, Christopher and Farris are all in the Project and are becoming fine responsible young men.
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One of the best things I have ever done
My name is Brenda Westcott and I am a retired teacher.
I lived in Kenya 20 years ago and my children completed most of their education here.
We returned to the U.K. where they both went to University.
I recently returned to Kenya when my daughter gave birth to my only grandchild so that I could be part of his life.
I do volunteer work with the children in the Hanne Howard Fund/ Lenana project and I have to say I feel privileged to be a part of the team that works there.
Everyday I count my blessings as I work with these wonderful children and see the progress they are making. Believe me I feel that they give me far more than I could ever give to them.
This is one of the best things I have ever done and I really enjoy it.
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Inspiring project
Dear Hanne and Ted:
I must share with you, having been involved with international aid work for over 15 years, visiting your project was an inspiration to me. It was so evident both of you are making a big difference in the lives of these children. Keep up the good work.
Gary Pluim
Executive Director
WaterCan
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Our new promotional video! Check it out…
With special thanks to Riyad and Diego for putting this wonderful video together for us.
2009 Kenya School Drama Festival
This festival is a yearly event in which all Schools from all over the country are encouraged to participate. It is a week long affair in March offering drama workshops for tutors and kids alike. This work shops are run by the best of the best and are always worthwhile to attend.
HHFL concurred that it was indeed a brilliant idea and agreed that I could attend the workshops and take our entire drama club, the HHFL PARROTS to the closing performance where the finalist enact their plays. Unfortunately, they were not able to attend the workshops due to conflict with their school schedule.
For the two days I attended alone I had the pleasure to watch brilliant plays with powerful messages, excellent narratives, fantastic verses and well choreographed dances. I got more and more excited and inspired. I could hardly wait for Saturday to come so I could take my drama club to witness these incredible performances.
That Saturday afternoon, the Parrots got the opportunity to watch a play by a boy’s school that was just out of this world, a very funny narrative by another school and an incredible dance performance (boys and girls) that received a standing ovation! We could hardly contain our excitement and the kids were overwhelmed as they never had witnessed anything like this.
Our troupe of 11 and I returned to Lenana regenerated, inspired and ready to take the community by storm with our new performances. We are all very busy writing and rehearsing our new plays which we hope to enact during the April holidays when all our boarders return home and we all spend a fantastic and amusing month together.