The final months of 2008 were busy ones at Thomas Barnardo House, as children and staff got ready for the festive season and the end of the school term.
Out and about
The kids of TBH were lucky enough to be invited out for a number of treats. They swam at Splash pool and Sadili Sports Centre, went to Mamba village at the invite of Apollo Tours and Travel, as well as Belleview Cinema for at the invitation of Mr. Gilbert, a parent at JGA. Tamarind restaurant treated them to lunch at Carnivore, where they also enjoyed dancing and games. Thanks also to Mr Harishan who invited kids from TBH,as well as those from other children's homes in Nairobi, for a day of fun in the Aga Khan area of the city. Entertainment included horse and camel riding, and a bouncing castle. The children who remained in TBH over the Christmas holidays went to Nairobi National Park for a game drive.
Guardian’s Day and holidays
In November, some of the children went for two weeks to visit with Jonathan Gloag Academy parents who had kindly offered to take them for the holidays to their homes. The kids returned on December 5th, and the next day some children went home to stay with known guardians for the Christmas holidays, returning on December 28th in time for New Year. Thanks to all those who looked after the children during the holidays. It was a time to re-establish roots.
Suswa school building opening
On November 10th, Dr Ann Gloag officially opened the new school building at Soila Masai Girls Rescue Centre, in Suswa. The project was a joint effort between Rotary Mission Challenge, including Rotarians and friends from throughout the UK, and Balcraig Foundation. The building will cater for approximately 200 pupils. Thank you to staff and pupils at Suswa for making the opening such a memorable occasion.
Party time
The Christmas Day party at TBH was a great success. The volunteers decorated Sorsbie Hall for the children and staff, who tucked into an excellent lunch of sausages and chips and ice cream for dessert. Special thanks to Nairobi Intercontinental Hotel for kindly donating a Christmas cake. Santa Claus arrived to hand presents, gifted by Catriona Sibbald, to each child, and there was also face painting and a bouncy castle.
In Kibera, Dr Ann Gloag and her family hosted the Christmas party at Mashimoni Squatters School. In the classrooms the children played games including bingo and pass the parcel, whilst outside they danced and competed against each other in races. At the end of the busy day, each child took home a bag of gifts. Earlier in the month Toshiba also hosted a Christmas party in the grounds of the TBH, as did Kenindia Insurance.
Happy New Year!
On December 31st, the children of TBH danced late into the night to celebrate the arrival of 2009. Once again the hall was decorated with banners and streamers and dinner served. Various activities including a dance competition kept the kids busy until the clock chimed midnight, when a firework display lit up the sky. Exhausted by the celebrations, the younger children went to bed for some much needed sleep whilst the older kids had a special treat and camped in the grounds of the home.