Moving on

Hopefully to greener pastures…

Gome sent me this:

Richard and his friends have plans to study at university. Richard wishes to study Law, James economics, Remmy accounting, while the other intend to do medicine. The jobs I'm arranging for them are aimed at assisting them with upkeep while they save something to go towards their study expenses when they go to university or college.

Kamfwa is still in touch with me. He cannot go back to school because he is a young man now. He learnt carpentry while in remand and he says lack of tools is hampering him from practicing the trade.

As at now we focus more on those going to school due to meagre resources hence we cannot provide regular meals as it was the case sometime back.

We will have a small Christmas celebration service on Sunday 25th December followed by a meal. I expect approximately 100 children to attend. We will use the occassion to give them fatherly advice.

Best wishes for a merry Christmas and a blessed new year 2006.

Sundry news

Rain, rain, rain…

Gome writes:

It's raining here now and kids on the street are having a very rough time as they have no where dry to sleep coupled with massive hunger. They are living on mangos and throw away foodstuffs from bins. There's been a sudden influx of kids most of who where under our care a few years ago but left for other cities. It's painful to walk in town because there are kids at every turn asking for food of a Kwacha.

Richard, the twins and the other boy James finally completed their final exams on 27th November. This marks another milestone. We will now try our best to get them employment while they wait for their results so that they can be able to save some money from their incomes to pay college fees when they are admitted.

Kamfwa's mum passed away early this year but he is doing a bit of business in Chipulukusu selling salaula, toys and such small merchandise. He also sells sweets in town through his friend. We've spoken a great to him with the hope that he will not squander the opportunity to rebuild his shattered past.

Malaria jab's long-term promise

Vaccine protects children for 18 months

BBC reports:

A malaria vaccine has been found to protect children in Africa from serious disease for at least 18 months.
Researchers working in Mozambique found the jab cut the risk of clinical malaria by 35% and nearly halved the risk of serious malaria.

Let's pray this will be an important step towards reaching one of the UN millennium goals.

In other news BBC reports:

Fungi native to East Africa could be used as a new tool in the fight against malaria, recent studies suggest.
An international team of scientists from the Netherlands, Tanzania and the UK say their technique could significantly reduce malaria cases.

SNAFU

Otherwise I'm hopeful…

Gome writes:

The festivities went well with almost 100 children getting warm clothing and meals on Christmas and New Year's days. We also handed out some anti malaria pills and dewormers. Further we visited some of the kids' families and helped out with medicines and a little food.

It's raining really hard though it's warm during the day. The kids on the street are hard hit because trenches are wet and they are chased from corridors, so they have to sleep upright by leaning against the wall so they could easily escape when confronted by watchmen.

As for the school going children they have been chased so I have been out all week begging for time as I look for help to settle something. People who volunteered to assist some of the kids have not come forward yet. This year has been hard because even books have been difficult to get. Otherwise I am hopeful the situation will improve soon.