News

Kikambala Site Devloment (May 2008)

As you can see, the Kikambala site is developing well. The foundations for the Kitchen and Dining Hall are in place, and other buildings are now in use.

Sister Jane Frances Malika sends the following message from Grandsons (May 2008)

Hallo, how have you been for many days. How are the girls doing and what about the friends of Grandsons. Well let me hope that all is well and the good Lord has been guiding you.

May i first by thanking you for nice website for the friends of Grandson, i sincerely thank you and those who made it possible. This webside makes Grandsons known by so many people and i thank you for that. Here we are fine and it is raining, we have been busy planting and wedding at Kikambala to see if we can get some harvest. The children are fine despite malaria and there. During raing season mosquitoes are many and that why we get malaria but we use mosquito nets.

At last the Rotary Club of Mombasa bought food for the centre for two months and they promised to do that for about three months depending on their money from Canada Club. I thank God for this help and i only wish it continues. The constraction for the kitchen and dinning hall has already started and we have already finished the slap as we had agreed with Ann. The person they are working together will be coming this week then we discuss the next stage. We have also started the constraction for the four classroom for reabilitation as it appears in the big plan. For sure we have all the reason to thank God. My big challenge as i continue with the constraction is where to get money for daily running. As you know there so many thing to do, like bills, medication for the children, salaries, insurances etc. So iam still looking for donars for this area. I look forward for the day we will build the primary school which will be like Income.

The launch (05/05/08)

Launch of the ‘Another brick in the wall’ Campaign, 2008 you may already be aware from the ‘Gifts for Grandsons’ scheme and our first Newsletter that we are currently raising money towards the ACE Collaboration kitchen and dining hall building project at Kikambala (see on the website under ‘The Future of Kikambala’ for further information). ACE is currently growing in scope and longevity (for further information about the larger ACE project visit their smart
shiny new website at www.acecollaboration.org)

Sisters email; (05/05/08)

Here is the latest news I have received from Sister Jane Frances:

“Hallo Margaret and how are you. We are fine and working hard for thechildren. How are the friends of GOA.

My dear it is now a while since we communicated but as you know there is so much do be done and time goes
very first. The Rotary club came to visit and they asked me to give them the list of food we go through per month of which I did but they have not communicated back yet, all the same the money is with the club in Mombasa. We hope they will response positively.

Margaret this may sound good to you, Ann has transferred 5,000 Pounds last week and we are starting construction any time from next week hoping that the rains will not come. You can imagine how happy I am. She says we do the foundation and the slap first then she will come at the end of May 2008. I am really looking forward to the day I see the kitchen and hall finished and I pray that the fundraising goes on well.

My dear I am away for one month holiday. I was so tired that I needed it. Now I will be able to write to you quite often that I am away from my place of work. We have managed to have put up a temporary dining hall for the kids, it better than before. Also the Septic tank and soakpit are all ready and in use and I told you before there is water running now and we all very happy. It almost rain reason now and we are preparing to plant corns and vegetables. The rains are not very promising though. I thank God for what we have been able to do; to me it is a great achievement.

The children are at home for their holidays and there is a lot of noise. Although the work is hard but I see God's hand in it. When are you coming to visit again? I want to wish you all the best

Yours sincerely,

Jane Frances K Malika”

Golf club fundraiser (October 2007)

Luanne Mason writes:
“I volunteered at Grandsons of Abraham Kikambala site in July 2007. I was very much affected by the risilience,character and hope of the street children and the committed work being carried out to improve their quality of life. In September 2007, Whitefields Golf Club (nr. Rugby, UK) agreed to hold a charity golf event to raise funds for the Grandsons of Abraham. The event was supported by 20 teams and raised a total of £1000. In addition, a charity auction and individual donations brought the grand total to £1500. Special thanks to Pete Keyes who organised the event, Brian Coleman the Club Secretary for hosting the event and John Mason, the Chairman, for contributing the facilities for the day and committing to this charity. Another charity golf event is being planned for this year (September 2008) to again raise further funds for Grandsons of Abraham, in order to contribute to making a difference to street kids lives in Kenya.
Luanne Mason
Reading, UK.”

News Update (7/03/08)

The News from Kenya is much more positive now, with a Government power-sharing agreement underway. Let’s hope things keep improving. I recently received the following from Sister Jane Frances Malika;

Here I thank God that things are calm a bit. Yes it is true that boys are in Kikambala and are very happy there.

Mikindani is a drop- in centre and I am looking for money to renovate it so that we can make it a hostel to bring income for the project. My dear I need income generating projects to help us otherwise it will mean to send the children out. As I write to you now things are not easy, for daily running of the activities, salaries etc. I need income generating projects.

Yes Ann wrote and she is coming at the end of May to see if they can start the foundation, I am really looking forward for this, it my pray that it continues for the better of the children. I also pray that one day we get a school where by the children will be able to go.

My dear God is good, although the year 2008 did not start well for us Kenyans. I thank God for we had a gift of water at Kikambala from the borehole and we have finished contracting the Septic tank and Soak pit. To me these are big projects as you now water is very important and Septic tank. All this is through friends like you. The only biggest gift I can give you is my prayers to you all.

My dear Margaret thank you so much for what you are doing for Grandsons. Also I want to thank the friends of Grandsons for their help to the children. Now my dear is it possible for the friends group to fundraise towards the daily running activities at the centre. I need help my dear.

I will send you the photos for Kikambala to see what we have done so fare. All the children send there greetings to you. When are you coming to visit please.

I think today this is along letter. I will keep on updating you soon. My love to all. Hope to hear from from you soon.

News from Mombasa (15/02/08)

I have had a couple of texts recently from sister, but not spoken to her directly. I understand that things have calmed down somewhat now. All the boys have been moved to Kikambala where it is much safer. Food is still expensive and difficult to come by, and in recent weeks we have been concentrating on sending cash sums to help out with this. As an emergency measure, I have sent £450 from the Grandsons account and from Rebecca Payne, which had not been earmarked for the ACE Collaboration kitchen and dining hall project. I know that other friends have also been active in this, and a Rotary Club from Canada who are developing an interest in supporting Grandsons long term were able to send $1500 (Canadian). The News sounds more promising…lets just hope that Kofi Anan can knock those heads together so that Kenyans can start to rebuild their shattered society.

Looking to a Brighter Future (15/02/08)

It is still full steam ahead for the Ace Collaboration project. Ann Ruscillo tells me that the fundraising is going well with lots of events still planned (more on that to follow), and they are determined that the political situation will not stop them from going ahead. We received some 40-50 purchases in the Gifts for Grandsons scheme, from £2 upwards, plus we have had further general donations to the scheme, and fundraising efforts. All this means that we currently have over £900 in the Friends account, of which £226 is for specified items (nails, cement etc). We hope to grow the balance and launch a new target of an item(s) for the project which the Friends can commit to funding (more of this to follow).

£260 Raised for Grandsons (15/02/08)

A belated thank you… (hopefully things will return to business as usual soon!)… to Sam Coope (ex-volunteer) who raised an impressive £260 before Christmas for the Ace Collaboration project by hosting a quiz night. Just shows what you can do when you put your mind to it! Well done Sam, and thanks to all who took part.

Stop Press: Unrest in Kenya (05/01/08)

I spoke to Sister Jane Frances on the phone today and was reassured that the staff and boys are all ok. Luckily around 50 boys are staying at Kikambala where to date there has been less trouble. However around 15 boys and staff remain at Mikindani where there has been a lot of fighting and many buildings have been burnt down. The boys at both sites have been staying indoors since the troubles began, as it’s so dangerous to go out, although Sister feels that things are beginning to calm down now. The main problem now is the lack of food to buy, and the expense of buying it when it can be found. Sister and Emmanuel were forced to drive from Mikindani to Kikambala to take some food to the boys there, but she says they took their life in their hands doing so. I could tell that Sister remains extremely worried about the situation. Obviously we all hope that the situation will be resolved as soon as possible, though realise that psychologically, culturally and financially, things will take a lot longer to get over. If you are able to provide a donation to help with additional costs, it would be especially welcome at this difficult time. Also I have been sent details about an online petition calling for an urgent resolution to the Kenyan electoral crisis, which you may wish to sign click here

Harvest Festival Fantastic Fundraiser (October 2007)

Thanks to ex volunteer Tom Butterworth, his dad the Reverend John Butterworth, Mr Jean-Victor Kabanda (from Rwanda), Mr Rupert Pattisson, the Wives Group and the congregation of the Outwood Parochial Church Council, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, over £485 was raised for Grandsons. Well Done to all involved!

Kikambala Plans (28/10/07)

Click here to view an image of the development plan of the Kikambala site, together with a breakdown of the costings . (There is also a word document of the costings which is a bit more legible) This is an amazingly ambitious long term plan which is already underway. You can read about the rationale of the development elsewhere on this site (see ‘Future Developments’ under the ‘What is it?’ page). It is not a pie in the sky; as you may know the bore hole and one of the boys dormitories are already completed, with a scheme underway for the completion of the dining hall and kitchen next year. (More to follow soon). However we really need your support to help with this project. Whatever ways you can think of to raise money would be so appreciated by the boys (as long as it’s legal!).

Bravery at Bristol Half Marathon (21/09/07)

James Hole displayed a period of madness by deciding to run in a half marathon. After some ‘gentle’ persuasion from work colleagues in Gloucester, he agreed to do so in aid of Grandsons. As a result of this, and James mighty efforts, a fantastic £100 was raised.

Publicity Material (25/07/07)

If you would like to organise an event of your own, or are preparing for a talk etc, we have some publicity material you can access. Obviously you can take a lot of information directly from the website. But we also have a short power point presentation that you can leave running in the background, and also a brochure supplied by the rescue centre which you can download. If you're interested, please email mombasa2006@tiscali.co.uk Thanks and Good Luck!

Fundraiser for Grandsons (21/07/07)

Grateful thanks must go to Cheryl and John from Staffordshire who combined a 'big number' birthday celebration with a fundraiser for Grandsons. 'Apefest' involved several live bands, much (sober?) jollity and a real effort from all family and friends. We were due to join them to publicise Grandsons but were marooned on the 'isle of Gloucestershire'. However our efforts were not needed as a fabulous £250 was raised despite the attrocious weather. During the evening 7 dozen hot dogs and 60 portions of chilli were sold...so perhaps it's a good job it wasn't held in sanitation-less Gloucestershire! Just shows that all you need to do is to enjoy yourself, whilst telling a few people about Grandsons at the same time.

Tsavo power company funded almost kshs 1,900,000 (01/06/07)

The Tsavo Power Company (the biggest independent power company in Kenya) have been supporting Grandsons for the last four years. From initially supplying a cow for fresh milk, they moved onto supplying
other much needed items such as a fridge freezer, TV, video recorder, cooker, copying machine and table tennis table. They have also contributed towards general running costs, and vitally with the purchase of the land at Kikambala. Recently they provided the balance of funds needed to allow the bore hole to be completed. To date the Tsavo power company and associated friends in the UK have funded almost kshs 1,900,000

Large team to provide sports and music activities (01/04/07)

This is really exciting......we have a contact who is hoping to take a large team of people to Grandsons for a few weeks in 2008 to provide sports and music activities, and carry out a specific building project - more info to follow

Grand opening day (07/03/07)

Today was the grand opening of the new boys dormitory at Kikambala

Grandsons is fundraising charity of the year (01/03/07)

Tom Butterworth spoke to a group of people at his church. It must have been a great speech as the church has agreed to take on Grandsons as their fundraising charity for the year!'

Sponsorship Needed (17/01/07)

Boys who cannot be reunited with their families face an unpromising future. Grandsons seeks to give as many boys as possible a real chance in life by sending them to board at secondary school and gain some qualifications.

Toti Rapheal Mohamed is 16 years and in form 2 of Tala Secondary School. He was facing great difficulties as he had been forced to leave school - (he was 'chased away') as there wasn't enough money for his school fees, and Grandsons had no money to pay them.

Toti’s school report shows him to be very capable, and it would have been a waste of a life if he wasn't able to fulfill his promise. The costs of a boys annual boarding fees are generally between £300 and £500.

Thanks to Friends of Grandsons Toti’s fees are now being paid, with plans to support two others.

However There are up to 50 boys that Grandsons would like to fund through Secondary school. Could you help anothor Toti?

Grant towards borehole accepted (17/08/06)

Great news!...Ex volunteers have learnt that their application for a grant from the i-to-i foundation towards a borehole at Kikambala has been successful. This money, together with some £800 raised by the volunteers will help ensure a water supply at the site, and so facilitate further developments