September at Thomas Barnardo’s saw the children return to school after a wonderfully colorful and exciting August holiday. Closing the holidays with gusto, on September 4th, the children of Thomas Barnardo’s journeyed to Kandara Children’s Home in Central Province on an adventurous day of traveling and competitive sporting. On the same day, several of our older children were invited to the Phoenix Theatre where they enjoyed the hilarious theatrics of the players there.
Once school began, the month was purposefully slow for co-curricular activities because of the need to allow the children to focus on their resumed school-work. However, the usual weekend activities such as afternoon sports and choir practices went on as usual.
The Tool Bench center formally opened its doors and has commenced training the enrolled students. The new site and school is well organized and fully staffed with motivated professionals who are eagerly continuing to recruit students.
Also in the realm of education, the annual TBH Mother Training Course is underway. Aunties receive diverse and comprehensive training and education in 18 areas of child welfare including Child Psychology, Child Education, Health Education, Child Abuse, Time Management, First Aid, and HIV/AIDS. The aunties will complete their course October 19, however, learning never ends and every day will be a learning day.
This month we had the privilege of being visited by Gordon McInally, the director of Rotary International, and his family. Daughter Rebeccah was a volunteer here in the past and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the children again.
One especially noteworthy donation this month came from Housing Finance Company Kenya Limited who brought very comfortable office chairs and sturdy office cabinets for our adoption society. We thank them heartily.
We are continuing in our support of community needs. In the last month alone, our abandoned baby unit has taken in 7 new infants. They are receiving good care and have adjusted well.
The month did hold two special children’s events. Class 4 and 5 from Jonathan Gloag took a Saturday trip to Lake Elementaita, where volunteer Torri accompanied them. She brought back the report that the trip was not only highly enjoyable, but that the students found it very educational. “The children were wholly involved, and asked our tour guides many intelligent and inquisitive questions.”
The Japanese embassy invited the TBH children to attend a delightful traditional Japanese dance show accompanied by traditional Japanese music. Such high-quality cultural events go far in adding to our children’s world view and intellectual understanding.
At Thomas Barnardo’s Home, everything is done in the best interest of the child. We are proud to work hand in hand with the promoters and upholders who share our allegiance to providing underprivileged children with their basic needs, a high-quality education, and co-curricular activities that expand children’s understanding and abilities. We thank you our friends, supporters, and well-wishers for your help. Let us never tire of doing good!