So many frustrations along the way, but The Lord is faithful in His service, in His own way He provided a serene place; five bed roomed house under 2 acres piece of land, 15kms away from Nakuru town centre, with amenities like water, electricity, enough play ground for the children and enough space for a kitchen garden. Shopping for the new house followed, beds, mattresses, bedding, utensils, etc which was hectic, after being given a big Performa invoice which we did not have enough money for, on the same day, a cash sum of Ksh50, 000 was donated to us, I don’t have words to explain His wonderful ways of making things work, where there is a vision, there is provision.
The new Nakuru 3:16 house
On the 31st of January, 2010, the girls and their children volunteered themselves to move with us to the new premise with great hopes of change. It felt almost like Exodus, they had packed all their belongings and carried their children, waiting anxiously to see the new place. When they got there, it was a breath taking moment; they could not believe that was their new home! For a few days they were still orienting themselves to the different lifestyle; how to use the bathrooms, the instant hot shower, gas cooker, energy saving firewood/charcoal cookers, etc.
On Monday, the 1st of February, 2010, it was back to business, the children had to report to the new school; PCEA Jitegemee Schools at Tumaini Mission Centre, 4kms from the new home. The girls woke up at 5.00am to do the house chores, woke the kids at 6.00am for preparation, breakfast at 6.30am and their school van (hired by the school to pick children around that area) picks them at 6.45am. They did their interviews and were taken to their respective classes. Classes 5-7 were expected to board in the school. Their boarding requirements were bought and they reported on Tuesday, 2nd February, 2010.
The children at the house heading off to school
Currently the children have settled in their new school and they love it! They also look lovely in their school uniforms. The women at the centre have also settled to their regular routine. We look forward to getting the kitchen garden done, the Ministry of Education to give us a new teacher for Adult Basic Education in the area, starting Certificate/Diploma courses in Dressmaking and Hair dressing, vocational training, etc.
In the area there are some green houses where the women can do casual jobs on a part time basis if a good network is developed. There is also counseling to be under taken once a week by volunteer counselors from the community.
The women and children that have been officially admitted into the centre are as follows:
MONICA WANJIRU – 22 year old female, has 3 children, John, Virginia and Margaret. She is totally willing to stay in the new environment and is very happy and content. She never thought that her own children would have ever gotten a chance to attend private school. She is the hardest working woman at the centre. She hopes to get educated through the adult education and be empowered through training.
ANN NYAMBURA – 23 year old female, has one child, Pauline Nyambura. She says, “I have always appreciated what 3:16 has done for me, I have had so much patience because I want to see my life totally transformed. I want to be some one in the community. My child has now been given a chance to attend a private school; I don’t want to ever lower that standard for her. I am 9 months pregnant and I regret so much, I was afraid that I would be chased away from the centre to the point that I contemplated abortion, I thank God for the second chance I have been given, I will not waste it”.
MARGARET NJERI- 17 year old female, in class seven. Margaret was supposed to be taking her final exams this year but she opted to rewind classes since her marks were not very good. I admire her courage; her age is way much for the class but she is determined to improve on her marks to get into the best high school in Kenya. Now that she is in a boarding school, she has the time and a good environment in her favor.
ELIZABETH WANGARI – 16 year old female, in class six. She was supposed to go to class seven but she did not do well in her interviews. She first resented the idea of rewinding classes, now she is comfortable and all her teachers love her. She made a deal with the school head that if she became number one in the end term exams, she will automatically go to class seven.
ELIZABETH ANGULE – 16 year old female, in class six. She was also supposed to go to class seven but did not perform well in her interviews. She keeps to herself too much that I was worried she would find it hard to fit in. Reports from the matrons and teachers indicate that she is doing perfectly well; made lots of friends and she is open and free with her age mates.
AGNES NAPEO – 15 years old female, in class five. She was supposed to go to class six but failed in her interviews too. She is cheeky, out going and has made lots of friends. She is an orphan and enjoys the opportunity she has been given to go to a good school. She promised to work hard to help her family back at home.
JANE MORAA – 11 years old female in class four. Jane was once a quite girl who wanted to keep to her self. She has flourished into a beautiful young girl, out going, hard working, book smart, etc. She loves her new school and eager to excel.
DANIEL MBOTE – 8 year old male, in class three. Daniel is an energetic young boy growing up very fast. He loves his new school and new environment at home, He is very interested and curious in emerging technology, and his latest fascination is the installation of the energy saving charcoal/firewood cookers. He was there throughout the couple of hour’s installation and now he wants no one else to handle the lighting except him!
JOHN KAMAU – 8 year old male, in class two. John is a quiet young boy who has gone through a lot in the hands of her aunt in form of physical violence until he was rescued together with her sister Virginia by the government into a children’s custody. We were given custody of the kids and re-united them with their mother. John has started opening up and he appreciates the safe environment full of love.
JOSEPH MWANGI – 7 year old male, in class one. Joseph has been raised in the streets until we rescued him at six years. Last year the boy graduated from nursery school having been number one. He is very playful and rough; I have to mend his school uniforms every week. On the other hand, he is the brightest boy I have ever met. He learns very fast.
ANN MUTHONI – 7 year old female, in nursery school, top class. Ann is a talkative adorable little girl who likes dancing and is fearless. She loves her new school and is excited about the new place.
VIRGINIA WANGARI – 6 year old female, nursery school, top class. She is a quiet, beautiful girl who is noticed by her charm. She loves her hair long so much that she persevere the pain of braiding it, being the only girl child who keeps her hair long at the centre. She is also keen with her school work that the teachers let her skip middle class because she was too bright!
MAURINE MORIJO – 6 years old female, nursery school, middle class. She is quiet girl who loves attention. She is Agnes’s younger sister. Their elder sister was living with her, after finding out that the sister’s husband was physically abusing Maurine, we found her and took custody of her. She was very happy when we picked. She is glad that she gets to be with Agnes who loves her. She feels safe at the centre and being around her age mates.
PAULINE NYAMBURA – 3 years and 8months year old female, nursery school, middle class. Pauline is a very bright girl, energetic, busy like a bee doing all the climbing, swinging, etc, more of a tom boy. It’s had to keep track of her.
SEAN NJUGUNA – 3 years and 7 months year old male, nursery school, middle class. Regina’s son who is now staying at the centre and going to the same school and class as the rest of his age mates. He is the male version of Pauline!
MARGARET WANJIRU – 3 year old female. Margaret is a cheeky and playful little angel. She remains at home with Sophie and the other women. She is growing up fast; she talks almost like a young woman relative to her environment. She works the hardest since she has to go round the house millions of times during the day following people around. She loves the evening and weekends when the other children are not in school. She looks forward to joining the others to school.
STAFF
REGINA W. KAMOCHE – MANAGER – She stays at the centre 24 hours.
OLIVE L. ANDALA (Sophie) – MATRON – Sophie, as every one calls her, is a wonderful mother to all the children and women at the centre. They all love her very much. She is an extremely hard working woman, humble, committed, patient and open. She has been with the project for more than one year, since it started. She is a mother of one, Daniel Mbote.
WATCHMAN – We are privileged to have a maasai watchman who are known to be very good in guarding. He also stays at the centre 24 hours.”