Friends Of Nyumbani

Category None
Bookmark :              

This weeks marks the close of the 63rd Annual UN Department of Public Information Non-Governmental Organizations Conference, in Melbourne, Australia. Sr. Mary Owens and Protus Lumiti spoke on "Nyumbani Village: Responding to Children and Families
Living with HIV/AIDS."

The presentation was well received, with on participant noting that,

This charismatic, passionate sister with a wealth of knowledge about this population mentions that if social justice isn't a good enough reason for people to help perhaps being reminded that this newly bred super resistant strain will reach the developed world eventually - The Catholic nuns don't disappoint on offering threats!

http://simplyhelp.typepad.com/simplyhelp/2010/09/63rd-annual-un-dpingo-conference-melbourne.html

Technorati Tags: Nyumbani, AIDS, ARV, orphanage

Posted by Jack Dausman At 07:47:57 AM Location Washington, DC | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Category None
Bookmark :              

Hello! Flyer fans please be sure to keep me updated. So far I read that the Flyers lost 2 and won one game in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Do you think they can take the next 2???

Bright and early on Saturday morning our audiologists headed to Kitui Village where they screened 148 children They were warmly welcomed by everyone and especially enjoyed the singing of the children and of course, the grandparents. They worked both Saturday and sunday and then returned to Nyumbani to prepare for Monday.


On Monday the kids from Leatoto Kibera and Mukuru came to Nyumbani for their audiology screenings. Tomi and her team worked hard and the people were so cooperative and so appreciative of all we were trying to do. They patiently waited for hours to get screened and then graciously accepted the simple lunch we served them. Our Nyumbani staff really went out of their way to make our Leatoto cousins feel right at home. Protus arranged the transport, Maureen and her crew prepared the lunches, Uncle John set up for lunch each day and Mums Ann and Catherine got the GH ready so we could use it for the screenings.

On Tuesday the audiologists went to the cottages and hostels and checked each of the kids ears and then we did follow up on about 24 of them. When we first came over 30 children had ear infections. Today only one child had the beginning of an ear infection. The medical staff at Nyumbani is dong a great job on following up on the audiologists recommendations. Congratulations Sister Teresa, Mercy and Wesonga!!!

Tomi and I also took a trip to the Avenue Hospital on Tuesday to check on our six children who were getting ear surgery. They had perforations in their ears and they were getting these perforations closed. This included Humphrey, Boniface G., George, Daniel, Ann N from D, and James from G. All went well and all are recovering nicely although all of them seem very self conscious of the ace bandages they have wrapped around their heads to prevent infection. This surgery should improve their hearing and cut down on serious ear infections. Daniel and Humphrey hopefully should no longer need their hearing aids. So please keep praying that all six make complete recoveries. Also, please pray for the staff at Giant Hearing Center , Doctor Din and Tomi and her team for making this possible.

Tuesday was also Independence Day here in Kenya and about 11 of our scouts donned in their uniforms went to Nhayo Stadium to march in the parade and listen to President Kibaki speak. They really looked sharp. We picked them up on the way home from the hospital and they seemed to enjoy the experience.

Kangemi and Kawangware Center brought their children on Wednesday for screenings. Thursday, Kariobangi and Dandora Centers arrived for screening and finally on Friday clients from Kingora and Mwiki Centers arrived and were screened. Each day we transported the kids, parents, CO's and nurses to Nyumbani. There we screened them, then fed them lunch and did some more screenings after lunch. Each day we were finished by 4 PM and the kitchen served us tea/coffee. We then got all our lists together and cleaned up so we were ready for the next day. Today we left and went to Kazuri Beads and left the clean up to Saturday when we will have no clients. It will be time to pack everything up again so that we are ready for the next audiology trip in about 4 months. Please say a special prayer for Tomi and her team for all they did for our children. Tomi's team included herself, Doctor Donna, Professor Brenda, and 4 students form James Madison University in Virginia, two of whom, Doctors Lauren and Sarah, just graduated and Steve and Meridith who have 2 more years of study. What they have accomplished will really make a difference in our children's lives.

On Friday night Tomi and her team treated us to a chicken and chips dinner in the Father D'Ag Hall. Sister Mary shared a few words of thanks to our audiologists for all they had done for our children. A good time was had by all as we ate, performed and danced together. I think our Paul Miki dancers are ready to go on a world tour. They could probably give the Allan Haley Daance Troupe a run for their money. Their cuteness compensates for any lack of professional dance skills. Our youngest Kelvin is one of the best after coaching by Georgina.

Also say a special prayer for the children and parents who come from the slums surrounding Nairobi. They are a warm and loving people who struggle each day to make ends meet but do not let their poor economic circumstances change how much they love and care for their children. The loving bond between parent and child is so evident as you work with each child and Mom or Dad look on attentively.

None of what we did this week would have been possible without the cooperation of our staff from the Village, Leatoto and Nyumbani. We salute them for their dedication to our children and our programs. We pray that God will continue to bless them and their work and that Tomi and her audiology teams may be able to support them for many years to come. It is much easier to come 3 times a year to care for our children then it is to do it on a daily basis. We thank all those who assisted us with the children and pray that God will continue to support you in your ministry to our children.

I know it is June and I want to wish all Dads A HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!! Not sure of the exact date but I did not want to miss it. I hope yu have a great day where you are showered with lots of love and care.

Tomi and her crew leave on the 9th and then I leave on /friday, the 11th and arrive in the states on Saturday. Hope to see all of my family and as many friends as possible. I'll leave the states on July 17th. As much as I love going home to see my family and friends it is always hard for me to leave my Nyumbani family but I promise you I will be on the plane on /friday and home on /saturday unless BA goes on strike again.

All of the kids here are fine. Please pray for them as we pray for you. Love and miss you, Julie

Posted by Jack Dausman At 05:25:00 PM Location Washington, DC | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Category None
Bookmark :              

Date: Sat, 8 Aug 2009 02:47:37 -0400

Hello from cold and rainy but HAPPY KENYA!!!
 
Lots of GOOD NEWS this week!!!
 
1. School is out and all of our kids are home very happy to be finished school.  Not sure how well they did except that little Miss Alma of cottage C was Number One in all of Karen C School.  Isn't that GREAT!!!
Reagan continues to improve and is building his strength by ridin his scooter around the oval and continuingto eat his mangoes, sausage and chips.  Titus, one of our village kids, is now healthy and has returned to thevillage.  Matta is still with us and recovering well from his surgery.  canary is a real character nd Gilbert and little Priscilla are struggling a little right now but S. matron, her team and the rest of us are giving them plenty of TLC. please keep all of our children in your prayers.  This cold weather is hard on them.
 
2.  All 16 of our children plus Uncle Arnold and Mum Terry arrived safely in Ireland.  Protus and I waited at the airport to be sure they actually got off on the plane.  The only problem they had was with Laura P's passport but they let Protus go into the airport and he got everything straightened out for her.  After finding suitcases, clothes, shoes and raincoats for the 16 of them I think I am going to retire from that business.  i hope and pray they had everything they needed when they got there.  Please pray they have a good time and everyone stays healthy while there.  Also, pray for Geraldine and Dermot and all those who made this trip possible.  i am sure lot of funraising activities were held to make this trip possible.  Also pray for Protus and Helen who had lots of probems getting the kids passports but who persevered and got all of them.
 
3. There is a new little 2 year old girl in cottage G.  Her name is Beril.  She arrived yesterday.  She is here for respite care from the leatoto program. Luckily Sister Little had not taken all the baby clothes to Leatoto so I was able to get her some nice clothing that our Irish friends has just brought.  She is long and very thin and looks and acts like a one year old.  I am sure that with good food, medicine and plenty of TLC another Nyumbani Miracle will be performed and she will be find.  All of the kids were so happy that they got her in  cottage G except Anthony.  I do not think he is ready for anyone to take his place.  Mum Christine was feeding her and Anthony was right there glued to her side wondering why Mum was feeding her and not him.  Last night for the first time he slept with the other kids and Beril was in his bed.  Wonder how it went?  I tried to talk to him about being the big brother and caring for Beril but he did not seem to buy that line.  i know that he will be fine as long as he still gets attention.  It will just take him a   little time to adjust.  Please pray for our new arrival.
 
4. We have had a very good week sharing with Clare, Majorie and 5 Irish teenagers.  They came to Mass last Sunday then had lunch in the hostels with the kids and Sister Mary after which they spent time just playing with the kids.  On Monday we had planned for them to go to leatoto for a visit to meet with Nicholas and on Tuesday sister Little took them to kibera.  On Wednesday they took a trip to the Elephant Center and the Giraffe Center as well as lunch with our Paul Miki kids. They were amazed at what good eaters our kids are.On Thursday  with the high school students and all the volunteers they headed to the Tea Farm which everyone really enjoyed. Maureen packed everyone a great lunch and they got tea and freshly baked biscuits. On Friday it wastime to treat standards 1, 2, and 3 to lunch and the Safari Walk.  So, they went to Java for lunch and then headed to Safari Walk.  Today they are visiting the village.  Sunday they will be here for Mass and take standards 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 to Bomas of Kenya for lunch and a tour. monday will be there final day here and we have planned a day at the movies.  some will go to see the new Harry Potter movie and some will see ice Age III. while there they will get popcorn, soda and a candy bar or a hot dog.  the kids are really looking forward to this.  We are really grateful to Clare, S. Mary's cousin, nd her group for sponsoring all of these events nd for all foteh fundraising they did to make these trips possible.  They also brought us lots ofclothes that Clare had washed nd ironed and packed neatly in many, many boxes andbags.  Then Clare and I wnet therough all of these and searated them for here, the village and Leatoto.   Plese ask God to bless Clare and her group for all they are doing for us.  Lots of time, energy, and loving care went into making this trip possible.  It was lots of work for Protus and I to coordiante all the activities this week but great to see how well everything went and how happy everyone was. We are very grateful for the many ways they have enriched our lives this week.What is good for me is that since the kids did all this tripping this week that I do not have to plan trips for them.
 
5. It was also good this week to have Sisters Rose and Francis spend the week with us after closing school last Friday.  They got time to relax, get a little work done and some time to share with each other.  They got the opportunity to experience the Rusty Nail and to share a couple of spaghetti dinners prepared by me.  I am happy to say that as a result of my cooking that no one got sick.  I am saying this because I know my 4 sisters are all wondering if they survived my cooking.  I must admit I am not much of a cook but I cook vegetarian spaghetti for myself most nights so i do a pretty good job on this. The sisters will be leaving on Sunday and then Sister Nora who manages an internal displacement camp in Uganda will be coming for a visit on Tuesday and staying in our guest house.  So, it has been a great Franciscan week for me. It is great to have the sisters visit.
 
6. A congressman from Washington state visited Nyumbani this week.  His name is Jim McDernott and it was great to host him.  Hillary was also in town and I hoped she might also visit but we were not on her agenda this time.  Representatives from USAID accompanied him.  The kids performed well for him and his group.  There was even a woman named Lisa from Philly, East Oak Lane,  who was with him. When she saw my Eagles fleece jacket we struck up a conversation.  She is a big eagles fan and is anxiously awaiting the season opening.  As an American it makes me proud to see our congressman coming to visiti Nyumbani and thanking our people for all they are doing and telling us that they will continue to support the great work we are doing here.  They always seem very impressed by the work we do and especially impressed by how well our kids are doing, how friendly our kids are and how well they speak English. They know that the money they are sending to us is being well spent.  Let us ask God to bless the American people for all of their support and pray that the American support we need will always be there for our children.
 
7. I am chairing the Foundation Day Committee which will be held on September 5th.  It should be a great day as we celebrate 17 years of service to these children.  The bishop is coming to celebrate with us and we will probably have First Communion and Confirmation for our children that day. So we are working on the invitations, the program, the mass, the entertainment, the set up, the parking, the signage, the financing, and the food.  Lots of work but it should be a great celebration with lots of people coming.
 
8. I am working on Birthdays.  We celebrate on August 23rd nd 24th.  I'll give you all the names next week.
 
I think that is all the GOOD NEWS for this week.  Please take care of yourselves.  You are all loved and missed.  Julie

Posted by Jack Dausman At 06:30:45 AM Location Washington, DC | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Category None
Bookmark :              

Hello!   Hope all of you are having a nice Spring and you are ready to celebrate the Gift of the Spirit tomorrow.
 
The best news is that Regan has gained about 5 pounds and is doing well.  I even took him and Geoffrey out to lunch and both ate chicken and chips. We bumped into Purity in Karen so she also joined us for lunch.  Then, Geoffrey told me that Regan had never been in a store like Nakumatt so after lunch we took a very slow tour.   Of course, the biggest hit was all the TV's and boom boxes on the 2nd floor.  Regan enjoyed just looking at them.  Then he asked if he could get Uncle John a present. He tried to get Geoffrey to buy a 100 shilling safaricom card so Geoffrey directed him to me. It amazes me that every time you take the kids into Karen for a treat they all ask if they can bring something back for Mum or Uncle.  Safaricom cards always seem like a nice practical gift for them. also, Priscilla wasn't feeling well this week but now she is fine.  She has a beautiful face but she looks pitiful when she does not fell well.  When you see her you immediately pray for a quick miracle to make her well again and turn that frown upside down. so please continue to keep both of them in your prayers. 
 
We also have 2 teenage boys down from the village, Benjamin and Titus, who both need some medical attention.  They are staying at the boys hostel and seem to be fitting in well although they seem a little bored during the day when the other boys are at school.  It is nice to see how easily they blend it with the other kids and pitch in to help do some of the household chores. So please pray that they can get the medical help they need to deal with their medical conditions.
 
Even though the weather has been cool and rainy lately the kids are fine.  The sun peeks through quite a bit and at least helps to warm our bones and  get some warm water.  I'm constantly taking my jacket off and on.   As soon as the sun appears it gets warm and as soon as it disappears behind the clouds it gets cool.  i think it has something to do with the high altitude here.  I wish we could send all this rain to the village where they really need it. The other thing that keeps going off and on in the rain is the electricity which also causes computer problems.  i have already transferred this email to the draft file so i do not lose it if the electricity goes off.
 
This week our children got to entertain and say farewell to the Kest group.  All the girls had to get back to school.  Of course, it was a tearful goodbye but I think there  2 week experience learning about and visiting all 3 of our projects was good for them.  Now they have to go home to write a report for school. Lloydie did a great job with them and is now enjoying a quiet break from them.  She will remain in Kenya waiting for the Kest groups to arrive. Other adults who have been here before will bring the groups over. I think she has about a 2 week break until the next group comes.
 
We also had the pleasure of hosting 2 US senators this week.  As usual the Paul Miki performers did a great job entertaining them.  They are both involved with USAID.  I cannot remember their names but one was from Tennessee and one was from Georgia.  When we were getting a group photo the kids all put up their thumbs and shouted OBAMA.  They met with S. Mary then toured the lab and visited the cottages meeting Regan, were entertained by the kids and then headed to the hostels.  After Nyumbani they were heading to Kibera to see the great work that is being done through our Leatoto Program.  Let us hope and pray that through this visit they will be even more committed to helping Nyumbani and help us to get the reagents we hope to get through Pepfar (Buck from Pepfar was also with them) when we get our Drug Resistance machine. I think they also saw the spirit of Father Dag in Sister Mary and know that she will not take no for an answer. Sister Mary is determined to get what our children need. How can they say no when they see the smiling faces of the children they have helped to save and know that because of their help Regan has a hope for a future that he did not have before he came to Nyumbani a few weeks ago. Please pray that they take our message back home. I am so proud of what the people of America are doing for the children of Africa and pray that we will continue to expand our support to save the lives of many more children.
 
We also had a Mums and Uncles Meeting and a Staff Meeting this week.  It was great to hear the Mums and Uncles report on how their kids are doing and stress how important it is for all of us to work together for the betterment of the children.  We tweaked the children's schedule a little but all agreed that on the whole it is going well.  This was affirmed by Lloydie and her group as they visited Nyumbani.  Lloydie was pleasantly surprised to see how great the evening study and Saturday Program was going and how serious the Mums, Uncles and kids were. We all love these kids and are working together to help them grow and mature into responsible christian persons.  With God's help, our hard work, and the continued support of all of our benefactors these children will have a bright future. Please pray for all of those who give so much of themselves to make the lives of our children better.
 
I got all of the ceilings painted on the 2nd floor of Noel House this week and cleaned some of the windows.  My only disappointment was that the water stains still came through.  I'll have to see if there is anything else that  I can use to coat the stains.  i also washed the outsides of some of the windows.  The novices will return today so next week we are going to house clean the Noel House while most of the rooms are empty. Donna, remember you and I did it last year.  That way we will be ready for Tomi's audiology group and the hands  Around the World group that will be coming in mid-June. On Friday I also traveled to Mbagatha Hospital with the nurse and Uncle John for a follow up visit with Dr. Mellotto for John and Geoffrey.  He was pleased with Geoffrey and showed him some exercises to do that he was sure would bring Geoffrey's leg back to 100 percent mobility.  Right now the knee is still a little tight but with exercise it will loosen and be fine. he was very happy to hear he can play football again. John will be scheduled for more surgery in November to remove the metal plate and stretch his bone and then after he recuperates should be fine. Until then he has to be sure to always wear the lift in his shoe.  Both have another follow up appointment next week. So please continue to keep both of them in your prayers.
 
Please take care of yourselves.  Pray for us as we pray for you.  Love and miss you all.  Julie
 

Posted by Jack Dausman At 07:32:41 AM Location Washington, DC | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Category None
Bookmark :              

Hello Family and Friends! Hope all of you had a great week.
 
The Great news is that we got 2 temporary admissions for our respite program, Reagan age 12 and Priscilla age 5.  Sister Mary was able to rescue them from living with their grandmother on a garbage dump in Dandora.  The grandmother raises pigs to support all of her grandchildren and they live right on the dump.  The conditions are horrible so when Sister Mary visited and saw the conditions she worked to have the 2 HIV+ children admitted to Nyumbani. She is also working to see what she can do for the others.
 
The girl's name is Priscilla.  Priscilla, after  Mum Mary bathed her,shampooed her hair and fixed it nicely and then got her some clean clothes really looks good and has fit in well with the kids in cottage E. Our kids are great the way they welcome a new child into their cottage family. The day after she arrived she went to Mass in the convent in the morning and then went off to school.  You would think she had always been here.  She has a beautiful smile which really broadened when I gave her a little doll to play with.  Not sure how stable she is medically but outwardly she looks good.
 
The boy's name is Reagan and he was welcomed into cottage AB.  Unlike his sister he looks like a human skeleton. My understanding is that until  a short time ago he was living with his Mum up country and was receiving no care.  When she died, he came to live with his grandmother.  After 12 years of undernourishment and lack of medical care he will be tough to turn around but Nyumbani is known for performing miracles and all of you need to pray that Reagan gets one.  He has very little energy and has not been able to keep any food down but has been taking liquids so yesterday I got him some glucose powder to put in his water and some chocolate for his milk.  He also managed to very slowly eat a small chocolate bar.   He was  happy when I gave him a couple of those match box cars to play with as he sat outside soaking up the warm sunshine.  Presently he is spending most of his day sleeping but I'm sure that as he is able to eat more that will change.  Matron also took both of them to Masaba Hospital for x-rays and of course we did some blood tests at our lab.  Professor Musoki was here yesterday to evaluate both so I am sure she will have charted a medical plan for both of them.  Please pray that we will be able to nurse both of them back to good health.  With God's help and all the tender loving care they get here from the staff and the children there is a lot of hope for both of them.  I want to thank all of you who donate so generously to Nyumbani because you give us the ability to do what we can do for these children.  Without the support of so many good people children like Reagan and Priscilla would go on living and dying on a garbage dump.  God bless the work of our hearts and our hands!!!
 
These 2 children came on Wednesday evening and I consider them the best 65th birthday present that I got.  I was so excited by their arrival.  They are really very special gifts to Nyumbani.  Of course, I also loved the cards that the kids made and that my family and friends sent, the Happy Birthday songs in each cottage, the thanks for the cakes I gave to each cottage and the staff, the special cake and plant that I got from the volunteers, the mini-birthday party I had with the little ones in cottage E and the special birthday dinner at the Rusty Nail that Sister Mary provided for myself. herself, Protus and the volunteers.  Since Lee, Julia and Bex were leaving the next day we also used the dinner as a farewell for them.  The food was good and the company was fantastic. It's great to be able to sit back, relax and just enjoy the company and the conversation with your friends in a very relaxing atmosphere with a fireplace blazing.   So, I thank God for everyone who made my 65th Birthday so special.  I also thank my sister maggie who tried so many times to get through to me on the phone. I would have loved to have talked to you and caught up with all the family news and gossip. You are in my prayers.
 
My nephew Christopher graduated from law School this week and I want to CONGRATULATE him for a job well done. I am very proud of him.  I am sorry I'll miss your big party today but I'll be with you in spirit.  I understand the job market is tight right now but I'll pray you soon find a job in the area of law you want to work.  Also, congratulations Maggie and Frank for all you did to make this possible.  A daughter a doctor and a son a lawyer. GREAT WORK MOM AND DAD! 
 
Our volunteers left on the 15th.  We were sad to see Bex, Julia and Lee go but grateful for the time they were able to be with us and the talents they shared with us.  Julia is heading back to Tennessee to sign up for law School and Bex and lee are moving on to more volunteer work in Mozambique.  and then more travel.  Please pray that God will bless them on their journeys and be as good to them as they were to our children.  They loved all of our children in a special way and all of our children will miss them but we will keep them in our hearts and pray for them.
 
So, please keep praying for us as we pray for you. You are special to us.  Love and miss all of you.  Julie 

Posted by Jack Dausman At 03:13:22 PM Location Washington, DC | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Category None
Bookmark :              

Hello Everyone!!!
 
The Good News is that all of our children are home from school.  The Bad News is all of our children are home from school.  No, just teasing.  We are very happy to have all of our children back safe and sound and it is so good to see our teenagers home from boarding school all seeming to be enjoying their experiences at school but happy to be home. It was great to be able to hug each one of them and welcome them home. 
 
Last Saturday morning as I typed this update I could hear little Joe Dag leading the children in games in our playground as Mum Sharon and Dad Mike were here separating clothes into a Nyumbani pile, a Village pile and Leatoto pile of baby clothes.  Sharon was highly organized and even separated all the clothes according to sizes.  This will be a great help when it comes to selecting birthday clothes this month. The other 3 boys, Tom, Rob and Tim, blended right in with the other kids.  No one seemed to have any problem finding someone to play with.  Tom was also anxious to get to the computer room so he could work on his blog.  He already had some stories to tell.  The D'Agnostino family spent Saturday and Sunday just being with the Nyumbani kids and all seemed to enjoy themselves.  The Dag family blended in well with the Nyumbani family.  One would think that maybe an uncle of theirs had started this place and that their whole family was involved in supporting all of our efforts here.  Actually we are very grateful to the Dag family for sharing Fr. Dag with us and for all they have done and are doing to support our ministry here.  On Monday the Dag family headed for a visit to Leatoto which I think was a moving experience for all of them. 

On Monday night myself, S. Mary and Protus had the pleasure of joining them for dinner at our new Italian restaurant here in Karen. A good time was had by all.  On Tuesday they traveled with S. Mary and the volunteers to Kitui.  Once again they were inspired by all that we had accomplished at the village.  While they were their the Lions Club was there doing eye screenings.  Luckily for the Lions Club we were traveling the same way home because the van  the Lions Club had rented broke down and had to be towed.  We were able to pick them up and get them back safely.  The van was a little crowded but luckily for the Lions Club we were able to jam everyone in and no one really minded.  The only problem this caused was that the Dag's, S. Mary and the volunteers arrived back late to Nyumbani for the Pizza Party that the Dag's had provided for all of us.  It was Tuesday so of course we went for the buy one get one free deal.  Luckily for us I realized ahead of time that you are never sure what time people get back from the village so I had planned to have the kids watch High School Musical 3 in the hall as we waited for their arrival. I was so glad that Kenny Ortiega and kelly Ghonda had sent us this DVD from the states. This really worked out well since it was almost 9 PM by the time they got back.  So, the kids had watched part of the movie when we found out the group would be later than we thought.  So, we stopped the movie at 7 PM and let the kids eat.  Then the kids and Mums/Uncles cleaned up and when they were done  we restarted the movie. It was just about over when the Kitui group arrived.  We finished watching the movie while they ate and then we acknowledged their presence, thanked them for the treat  and then we entertained them as they ate their pizza.  When they finished eating the D'Agnostino boys entertained us with a couple of funny skits.  In one skit they showed us how you should react when the air raid siron goes off and then how they really would react by screaming, waving their arms and bumping into the door as they all tried to escape from the hall. The kids got a good laugh out of that.  Then we thanked them again and we all headed to bed after a long day. On Wednesday the family headed to a safari and will return sometime today.  Our hope is that a good time was had by all.  Then tonight we will see them off to the airport.  We are happy that part of Fr. Dag's family came to visit us and we deeply appreciate their continued support of all of our programs.  We hope and pray that they enjoyed their visit with us and that they will have an uneventful flight home.  When they get back I am sure Sharon and Mike will need a break.  Bringing four sons to Africa was no easy task.  Please pray that God will bless them and all of Fr. Dag's family for the love and support they sharewith their Nyumbani family
 
The Terry family arrived from Ireland on Thursday evening and were greeted by Protus and some of our children who had met them in Ireland.  Then, on Friday afternoon they arrived at Nyumbani and were greeted by Protus, taken on a tour where they were greeted by many familiar faces including Mum Christine, spent some time in the Fr. DAg hall playing pool on the pool table they had recently donated to Nyumbani, next they were greeted by S. mary and got to spend some time with her,and then  they had time to just be with the kids until they left at 7 PM.  They arrived bright and early this morning to take a busful of kids for a safari drive through the national park.  They are there now.  From now untilApril 12th there are lots of fun activities planned with the Terry family and the kids including movie trips, a bus trip to Kitui with the kids, giraffe center, more safari park, lunches dinners and other treats. Protus put a wonderful schedule of fun activites for them.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday all will spend time here as we celebrate the Easter Tridium.  We'll start with a special Holy Thursday evening mass folloed by Stations of the Cross on Friday, with mass for the Easter Vigil and our usual Easter Sunday mass followed by lunch and fun activities provided by the BA staff.  I think the Easter Bunny will actually be arriving on the same BA flight with the staff. Then on Monday the 13th they'll take the paul Miki kids out for a treat and will prepare themselves to go on a family trip for the rest of the week.
 
After a fun week for everyone we get back to business and start our April Holiday Program with the help of the Mums/Uncles,Pascal,Lee, Julia , Bex and 2 Precious Blood Novices who will arrive soon.  I have been working hard getting the primary school and high school programs scheduled and all the materials ready for each group.  i think all is ready and pray that it will be a time for learning and fun.  For the primary grades we start with Revision Class and then we have clubs, Sports, Computer, Library, Creative Arts, and Cleaning.  For the high schoolers we have Computer Class, Study and Community Service.  In the evenings Lee will have the hostel and AB boys playing in the Fr. Dag Hall and Julia, Bex and the sisters will rotate in the cottages doing different activities with the kids each night.  Of course, on the weekends they'll be movies in the cottages.  The volunteers have already started the evening programs and all is going well.  The boys especially love the freedom they experience playing in the Fr. Dag hall at night and also when it rains. We are in the rainy season right now so I am sure the hall will get lots of use while the kids are on holiday. We are so grateful to S. Mary and all of the benefactors who have made the Fr. Dag hall possible.  It is a real blessing not only to those of us here but for the Leatoto Program as well who use this facility to host their meetings especially the CME's. 
 
OF course, the best Good News is that all of the kids are doing well.  Right now Helen, our social worker, is gathering all their grades from school.  Not sure how they did but we will soon find out.  I love seeing them all home and outside playing with the bikes and scooters as well as in the playground, the football field and on the basketball court.  I have to say thanks to all of our benefactors who make this Kodak moment possible.  YOU WOULD HAVE HAPPY HEARTS TOO IF YOU WERE HERE AND SEE WHAT I SEE. Canary is also getting better every day.  he now has such a big smile on his face and he flashes it every time he sees me.  however, there happens to be an ulterior motive to this smile since his goal is to go with me to get sweets and ofcourse, you know the old softy gives in and gets him something.  This child deeply touches my heart.  Let us pray he continues to progress and all of our children stay well.
 
In the near future 3 of our boys from cottage D, John, Brian and George, with Uncle Joseph will be traveling to the USA for a visit with Susan Gold.  i'm sure Susan has lots of activities for them including a trip to the school attended by President Obama's daughters.  At that time Gabby is doing a video presentation on Nyumbani at the school so the boys will be there with Susan to see it.  We need to thank protus for all he has done to make this possible getting visas for the boys and Uncle Joseph. Anyone who lives in Kenya and has any experience with the US Embassy knows what a difficult job this is.  Also, thanks to Susan for all of the fundraising she has done for this trip and  all the preparations she has done.   
 
You have heard the good news but the bad news is that many men.women and children in Kenya are experiencing famine right now.  Donations of food are pouring in from around the world but still people are suffering. We are working hard to meet the needs of our families in the Leatoto program.  Please pray for the Kenyan leaders that they may work together to deal with this problem.  Too many men, women and children are starving to death each day in kenya when there is plenty of food that could be made available to them.  pray for the people of Kenya. 
 
The other bad news is that my St. Benedict School in Philadelphia where I was principal for 17 years is closing in June.  I know my Benedict's family must be very sad because they have struggled for years to keep the school open.  I pray they will be able to find good school placements for all of the children and they might set up other programs that will keep the children close to their church.  So often when the school closes the families also gravitate away from the church. With Father George as pastor Benedict's has a very strong faith community who will continue to strive to meet the needs of their children.  My heart and my prayers are with them.  Please keep them in your prayers.
 
So, that's it folks!  Please pray for us as we pray for you.  love and miss all of you.  Julie

Posted by Jack Dausman At 11:23:57 AM Location Washington, DC | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Category None
Bookmark :              

Chrissie Cooling is among a group of volunteers from Monmothshire that will be spending a month in Kenya at Nyumbani Village:

Chrissie said Hands around the World responded to requests from communities, giving a hand, not a handout. In order to offer more support for the children they care for, the centre has requested help with the construction of two school classroom blocks. The work will be planned and led by Kenyans, with the volunteers working alongside local people and using local building methods.

Posted by Jack Dausman At 11:17:45 AM Location Washington, DC | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Category None
Bookmark :              

Doug Walker, Pete Stuart, Andy Stirling, Roddy James and Jamie Pert of Montrose have completed a 500km bicycling journey from Vietnam to Cambodia to benefit charities, including Nyumbani.

The Montrose group joined 30 fellow cyclists in London and travelled out to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia then on to Ho Chi Minh City in South Vietnam.

From there they travelled through roads full of anything that moved, ranging from scooters, bikes, people, oxen and chickens!

They crossed over the border and into Cambodia crossing the Mekong River and passing through many rubber plantations, paddy fields, villages and temples.

Although people appeared to lead a subsistence life style, living hand to mouth, they appeared to be very happy and it was very humbling to be treated like celebrities by all the locals who cheered and greeted the team at every point along the way.

The group completed the trek at Siem Reap, the old Capital of Cambodia and home to Angkor Wat an area of Temples which are justifiably regarded as one of the wonders of the world.

The trip was full of laughter, plenty of friendly rivalry with fellow English trekkers (especially when the Montrose lads donned kilts for the final few kilometres of the cycle)

Posted by Jack Dausman At 11:09:35 AM Location Washington, DC | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Category None
Bookmark :              


Foster's Daily Democrat describes the launching of the Opening World Series in Dover as being led by Erin Kennedy, the founder of HopeCraft (www.hopecraft.org).

Ms. Kennedy works in the US in an administrative capacity for Nyumbani, KenyaÔÇÖs first facility for HIV positive abandoned children. While visiting Nyambani and its community outreach program in the slums of Nairobi, the need for income generating projects quickly became apparent. Ms. Kennedy founded HopeCraft in May 2006 with the help of five Seacoast NH women. Using fair trade standards and micro-credit lending, HopeCraft is helping these poor women help themselves.

Posted by Jack Dausman At 11:00:30 AM Location Washington, DC | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Category None
Bookmark :              

Hello!  Hope all of you had a good week and that your weather is getting more springy each day as we continue on our Lenten journey.
 
Our kids finished their exams this week so they only have one more week of school.  They should all be home for Holy Week.  We are interested in finding out the results of the exams.  The Mums/Uncles really worked hard with each standard trying to help them with their work.  So, we are hoping to see a few more kids get into the Nyumbani Stars Program which means they have to get a mark of at least 300.  So, please pray we see some improvement. 
 
Today is the first day we are not following our usual Saturday schedule.  The kids are having a free day with the exception that we are going to have Mass at 10 AM followed by a Birthday Party for the kids.  An insurance company is coming to celebrate with the kids and they have invited Archbishop Raphael Ndingi to celebrate Mass with us.  After that they'll be free to just enjoy the day.
 
We have also been invited today to a celebration over at SpurWing.  Susan and Raphael are having a party to celebrate their daughter Jackie being accepted into the Bar Association of Kenya.  So from 2 PM till 11 PM there will be a party at our neighbors and we are invited.  So, a few of us will attend and also bring about 8 of our older children with us to enjoy the celebration and maybe be a little encouraged by what Jackie has accomplished. I am sure that Susan and Raphael must be very proud of her.  Let us pray that God blesses Jackie and her work as a lawyer.
 
Kees and Maria from Holland will be leaving us on Sunday.  For many years they andtheir family have been supporters of Nyumbani.  They come bearing many presents for our children and spend time visiting leatoto, the village and here.  They also have taken some of our younger children to the elephant park and on the Safari Walk.  A good time was had by all.  This weekend they will be joined by their daughter who is a pilot for KLM.  She is also a good inspiration for our girls since you do not see many women pilots.  Please pray that God will bless the whole family for their continued generosity to the children of Nyumbani.
 
Our volunteers have been keeping themselves busy sorting rice and beans, cleaning, working in the shamba and working on renovating the basketball court and football field. Lee has also been spending time searching out and ordering new sports equipment which has been funded by Dara and Terry and their family from Ireland.  We hope to make the Fr. Dag Hall a Recreation Hall for the kids.  We now have a football table, a table tennis table, some board games and we just ordered a pool table and other indoor games that the kids can play with. When all is finished, the basketball court, the football field and the recreation hall the kids should be able to be involved in lots of  activities to keep them healthy and happy children. 
 
The D'Agostino Family arrived on Thursday night.  this includes Sharon and Mike  and their 4children Thomas, Robert, Tim and Joe.  All seem to be enjoying themselves as they travel with the kids to see the elephants and take the safari walk as well as just play with the kids.  Joe is having a great time leading all the other kids in games on the playground.  When he arrived at the playground on Saturday morning all the kids were calling out his name.  They like him just the way they like his Uncle Joe.  Right now they are all separating the many boxes of items they have brought for all the kids.  Right now all is getting separated into the  Village, Leatoto and Nyumbani. They really did a fantastic job getting all of this stuff over here.  Hats off to Sharon and Mike.  This group also moved into the newly renovated Guest House and seem to fit well.  We thought it might be a little small for them but all is working out well so far.  So, we are so happy to have Fr. Dag's family with us.  I think a good time will be had by all especailly since we are planning another pizza party in the hall with special placemats made by the kids in the states.
 
This week I was able to get a few of the little kids into Karen.  They did not to go on the trip so I took them for a short trip.  I had Canary, Gilbert, Anthony, James,and Beatrice.  We drove in and went into the nakumatt and bought each one juice, cookies and sweets. Then we went to Tangerine for chips. They ate every last chip especially Canary. He really cleaned his plate.  Wish Kennedy had eaten that well.They really enjoyed the trip and so did I.
 
So, that's it for now.  Please take care of yourselves and pray for us as we pray for you. Love and miss all of you.

Posted by Jack Dausman At 11:50:05 AM Location Washington, DC | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)