Comfort the Children International Blog

We've Moved Our Blog :)

2011-01-13T07:40:00.000-08:00

Visit ctcinternational.org for future blog posts.
Thank You & Happy New Year
-CTC

Lets make our homes better places.

2011-01-10T12:09:00.000-08:00

We have started the new years journey on a high note with all the programmes running smoothly and with great plans for implementation.

One of the great plans is to make the Maai Mahiu community in Kenya more environmental caring.
By this we are trying to promote and advocate for proper disposal of waste and discouraging the use of plastic bags that are a common practice in Kenya.
Some of the CTC staff in Kenya will be attending the Chiefs Baraza on January 11th 2011 so as to work together with the other key stake holders concerning the different issues and paying particular attention to our environment and health practices.We are hoping that great ideas will come from the meeting.

Lets have an environmental friendly week!
Thank You.

WELCOME 2011

2011-01-02T21:58:00.000-08:00

The New Year is here with us and it is great to see everyone upbeat and ready to start the journey. CTC family has not been left behind and their excitement cannot be hidden as they enter the hallways and clean up the dust that accumulated while we were on break. All I hear as I write are songs and new year greetings among our staff and tons of hugs and good will wishes for this new year.
We are thankful to be alive and with another opportunity to serve the community here in Maai Mahiu. The challenges are many that are facing this community but it is always a joy to see their faces radiant with joy and full of hope that tomorrow will be better than today. I just smiled when someone said to his friend "May your troubles last as long as your new year resolutions" What a challenge. I would want my troubles to go away but I would love to keep my new year resolutions.
We had a great back to school get together with our youths on the 1st. They are thankful for the safe environment that CTC has created for them as they contemplate and discuss about life issues and the opportunity to address them and also nurture their talents. It was great to hear them share their aspirations and dreams knowing the limitations that surround them. It was also sad to hear very young kids remember to pray for peace as they recount the crime and violence that they encountered in 2008. It sounded like yesterday for them and traces of trauma were visible as they shared their stories and their hopes.
We are thankful that we could be of help to the few that are coming to us, but there are many more who say that tough life has driven some to crime, drugs, alcoholism just to mention but a few. There are tons of opportunities to serve here and friends are welcome to join us in any of the programs that we are running here so that we can tap the potential that lies here with these great people.

Best wishes for the New Year to all of you our friends. Stay tuned in.

From

Jeremiah Kuria

"He who tip-toes cannot stand; he who strides cannot walk." Jean Bruyere

WORLD AIDS DAY CELEBRATION

2010-12-15T23:22:00.000-08:00

Comfort the Children International HIV/AIDS Program in partnership with AIDSRELIEF Kijabe and other stakeholders celebrated World Aids Day in Mai Mahiu town on the 1^st of December 2010.

This day was a success since we were able to reach about 2000 people. This success is measured by the fact that we distributed to individuals more than 2500 pamphlets bearing the message of that day. The purpose of distributing those pamphlets was to create awareness on HIV/AIDS and also the purpose of that day.

The activities of that included; A procession from CTC offices to the Venue (track Packing), Experiential sharing by two women living with HIV/AIDS, Speeches (MOH,AidsRelief Kijabe,CTC Director),Presentations e.g. songs, concerts etc from different Individual, local artist and comedians, Voluntary counseling and testing .We were able to test 30 clients for HIV/AIDS and referred those who turned positive to our partnering Comprehensive Care Center.

KIDS DAY

2010-12-15T23:21:00.000-08:00

HIV/AIDS PROGRAM

Comfort the Children International HIV/AIDS PROGRAM in partnership with AIDSRELIEF Kijabe organized and held a kids day (Children who are on ARV treatment) on 6^th Dec 2010 at Maai Mahiu PCEA Church.

Category of attendance included; Children who’ve undergone disclosure. None disclosure, guardians and facilitators. We had 70 participants.

Purpose of this day was to teach on adherence, prevention measures, nutrition, hygiene to children who’s status has been disclosed to them.Sharing of real life experiences to enhance stigma reduction. Teach the guardians on disclosure issues and testing of family members. Create awareness on bonding between parents and children in order to reduce stigma in homes. Games, music, story telling for everyone.

Happy Holidays Our Friends

2010-12-14T11:30:00.000-08:00

December is here with us and Christmas just around the corner. So calm in Maai Mahiu and no signs of Christmas anywhere. No Christmas songs, no snow, no decorations anywhere, no crazy shopping, no Christmas trees; nothing. Looks weird sometimes but again we see the great difference between Maai Mahiu and West Michigan. It is crazy cold this time in Michigan and very hot here in Maai Mahiu. There is possibly snow in Michigan but lots of wind and dust here. Where would I want to be at such a time? In the cold or in the dust, not very good choices. The good thing is that we are joyful here down from the bottom of our hearts.

We are wrapping up the year in our center here in Maai Mahiu. Looking back at the whole year, we are so thankful. To all of you the friends of CTC. What could we have done without your support. Thanks for coming out here to visit, work with us, encourage the mums, the kids and the list goes on. Thanks for giving out generously to our efforts. All the lives touched and those changed have smiles this holiday because of your kindness. I listened to prayers in our kids room today and was amazed at their joy for being in a great environment like CTC. Their joy is written all over on their faces and sincere thankfulness to those who have made it possible. Look out for more opportunities in our website.

Like we say here in Kenya, I would want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Thanks to all of you and keep us in your thoughts this holiday season.

Jeremiah Kuria

Kenya Director

technology for the youth.

2010-12-06T06:01:00.000-08:00

Being in class brings the out the magic of technology to the young kids. We bring them up in terms of football, educational and technologically to help them contact globally. As the world changes in terms of technology we also assist them change as world changes to become a global village.
KUDOS C.T.C and everybody assisting in computer classes
OUR ORIGIN
This is after realizing that most of our youths are not enlightened in the computer field and our world is turning into a global village. This raised a need to bring in computer class and it is successfully working out. we have started with under fourteen [14 students],girls[14 students] and under 17 boys[14 students].we have 2 students per computer and each class goes for two hours long.

the empowered youth

2010-12-06T05:57:00.000-08:00

Youth and the computer world!

2010-12-06T05:31:00.000-08:00

Rafiki link

2010-11-09T00:26:00.000-08:00

As usual things have been going so good with the schools.
We as rafiki link drivers were winding up for the term as the schools here in Kenya end their education year in November.

As we close up,the teachers are really happy with the efforts we have been putting in the program.
The teachers are also done with their trainings which was very useful to them.
Students are looking forward to next year with enthusiasm and great joy because they know there's a lot in store!

For more of rafiki link updates please visit our blog at http://www.rafikilink.org

CTC Shines

2010-11-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

Enjoy these funny dances from George and Kamau from our Malaika kids during the Safaricom empowerment talent show for people with disabilities at Naivasha.
Don't also forget to check out photos from our 'photos from field'.
CTC Malaika kids also received a trophy and a certificate during this day for having presented the best poem.

By
Paul Mwaniki

CTC HIV/AIDs program

2010-11-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

Diversification in HIV/AIDs program, it has gone for and wide. Last Monday 25/10/10, We had a community mobilization and awareness at Maasai land (Ewuaso). We joined hand with Palliative care department, dental department both from Kijabe, Ewuaso ang’ CBO and CTC HIV/ AIDs program where we did a comprehensive sensitization on HIV/AIDs, dental issues and survical breast cancer.

More than 100 people were screened for survical & breast cancer, more than 80 people had their teeth plucked. In regards to HIV/ AIDs testing, 56 clients were tested and a few referred to Kijabe hospital for further treatment and medication.

Currently at our VCT clinic clients are still coming for our services. Young generation is at the fore front knowing their status.

Program manager

Charles Wachira

CTC Soccer team wins!

2010-10-25T02:19:00.000-07:00

CTC youth soccer team has been participating in a local soccer tournament and the most awaited game was our soccer team playing against the Maai- Mahiu champs, being the long awaited game, community members turned up in a large number to support our team with Paul Mwaniki being the leader of the cheering squad with a vuvuzela and the rest did not hesitate to join him in this huge cheering group. Surprisingly our team won the game with a goal aggregate of 2-1.
After the final whistle the field pomp up with songs and dances, the team has become the talk of the community and it is now taking the lead with 7 points with 2 matches remaining for first round,hey guys wait for surprises, CTC soccer team go go go go goal……………………………………………………..!!!!

CTC youth program manager
Bernard

UBUNTU DAY

2010-10-18T03:27:00.000-07:00

This community service day was great where all community members and stakeholders were available where we did cleaning up of our environment. With the help of our administration we will be having assessments and tours of Maai- Mahiu town with ministry of health with a purpose of improving our environment. The environmental club at Ngeya primary school is doing great where we are involving the youth on issues within us, With help from mama hope we have started a tree nursery project whereby we intend to have 30,000 tree seedlings.
'Cucu shamba' (Grandmothers garden) is also doing great and they are ready for transition.
A successful leader must plan her work, and work her plan. A leader who moves by guesswork, without practical, definite plans, is comparable to a ship without a rudder. Sooner or later she will land on the rocks.It has been of great help over the year and with a lot of success from the community members getting involved for the provision of services we see a future for our community.

New life skills for our nine amazing women.

2010-10-11T02:32:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! economic program is still moving on very well and the mums are learning new life skills day by day. For now they are able to make 8 pieces skirt and yet to learn how to make 6 pieces circular skirts, they are very excited to learn these new life skills that will help them in their future, Florence and Trizah made some for their daughters.
In addition they have learnt how to make aprons and they have been able to make 4 of them for our cook mama Peter. malaika mums have also learnt how to make vikoi towels and some were exported to Canada, we are hoping to get market where we can sell them. be the first one to get these amazing products that will also help in supporting these ladies who have kids with disabilities.

By Liz Josiah.

Youth program

2010-10-04T06:12:00.000-07:00

CTC youth has been volunteering on the tree nursery at Ngeya and they have been doing a great job for the betterment of our environment.
So far they have managed to prepare a tree seedbed and putting soil in porting bags ready to plant tree seedlings. We are wishing them good luck in all their efforts to make this happen.

Youth program coordinator
Bernard

Its happening.

2010-09-27T08:39:00.000-07:00

I think all friends of CTC have now figured that we have new faces in CTC – Kenya side. Rebecca Daniel, Charles Wachira and Benard owino have been very instrumental on helping CTC move into the next level. Only the activities and the impact on the community can attest to what they have brought on the table.

Our VCT clinic has been doing great and the larger community is thanking CTC family for saving them the journey to Kijabe, Naivasha and other distances they have to travel to get the much needed services. We are thankful that we can be able to make a difference.

The youth in Maai Mahiu have gone nuts wanting to be part of this vibrant organization that wants to walk with them, mentor them and help them narture their talents and allow them to talk while we listen. Oh how we need help to support the education and the talents of this young people in Maai Mahiu and create the much needed opportunity.

Rafiki Link is the talk of the schools this month. The activities that have been going on have been so engaging, thanks to Rebbeca and Mwaniki for their efforts to make this possible. The oncoming events are keeping them motivated more than one can imagine. Thanks for the new ideas team of bringing the students and the schools together to learn from each other.

Our Ubuntu days have been so successful in bringing the community together to address the issues of environment and health in Maai Mahiu. We were joined by friends from Texas last Saturday and we did it again. Cleaned the town, planted trees and talked about our responsibility and involvement in making this exercise successful and sustainable. We are on the move.

The climax of the month was the visit from Bristol Myers squibb – Technical assistance Program faculty. They led us in rigorous workshops to help our staff focus on the issues at hand. We can’t thank that team enough for the good work the did with us for those days

Please check out this space and keep yourself updated on what is coming up. Stay or become involved in the different programs that we are running here and welcome to Kenya to see it happen.

Jeremiah Kuria.

Rafiki link

2010-09-20T00:48:00.000-07:00

Active and interactive is the Rafiki Link club whereby students in the west get to communicate and share ideas with those in Kenya.

last week was all about introductions and communication.

This week is pure fun with 'chalk for peace' .

lets come together and share this fun moment by sharing peace messages on side walks, walls, black boards e.t.c. using chalks.

By Rebecca Daniel

Rafiki link coordinator

CTC starts a HIV/ AIDs program

2010-09-13T05:42:00.000-07:00

CTC HIV/ Aids program being our newest program has started on very well and we have started with weekly trainings for community mobilizers who will be our target group in Maai- Mahiu community and will be helping CTC in community mobilization as far as HIV/ AIDs is concerned.
CTC has opened a VCT clinic that was officially opened on 4th of September 2010. The turn ups for VCT services offered by CTC has been overwhelming. So far we have been able to test over 150 clients.
CTC in its endeavor to care for people living with HIV/ AIDs has been able to buy an ambulance due to the transportation problems that they face when going for their medication to the nearest hospital that is about 5 kilometers up the hills from Maai- Mahiu town.
We are hoping that this program will be of great benefit to the community of Maai- Mahiu where HIV/AIDs has been a great epidemic.

By
Charles Wachira
Program manager

CTC YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

2010-09-07T02:35:00.000-07:00

The main aim of this program is to empower our youths through their talents. The peer leaders usually meet twice per every month to organize for youth variety shows, the following are the recent youth shows that took place in Maai Mahiu where 250 youths came together for shows and 130 youths were HIV tested in this service that was offered by CTC HIV clinic during these shows before they went back to school.

Youth community service days (ubuntu)
Youth talent show
Youth back to school games

You could also follow up on the youth empowerment blog at http://ctcyouthprogram.blogspot.com to see our weekly updates.

By Bernard Owino
Program manager

Beberavi orders for CTC L.I.F.E bags

2010-08-23T01:26:00.000-07:00

Economic project is proceeding well as Malaika mums are working harder for a tender of 1000 bags from Siamanda Chege who has a company by the name Beberavi collections. This company employs 100 women from rural villages in Kenya, devasted by the HIV/ AIDs virus and high unemployment. (http://www.beberavi.com/)
Siamanda visited CTC Kenya offices where our Malaika mums work and after realizing the good work that CTC does for these ladies, she felt a need of working with them in a way that will help the ladies to earn something for their living.

Malaika mums have also been doing more practicing on dresses and shorts making and this is really helping them to be more perfect.

By Liz Josiah

We are back!

2010-08-17T00:50:00.000-07:00

It has been a quiet time on the blog but not on the ground. The last couple of months have been very busy and we have witnessed tremendous growth in all of our programs.
Starting with our Malaika kids Program which has seen some new children come in, while some of our children who has been in the centre has moved on to regular schools after performing so well. Go Malaika kids!! We love you so much.
On the Health initiative, we finally have opened a clinic. Such a blessing! We started officially at the beginning of this month of August and the community has now started to enjoy the testing and counseling services right at our centre. We can’t wait to be able to offer complete Health services, but one step at a time. This program has not only seen the clinic open, but we have 3 new employees to CTC to help run the program. Welcome to the CTC family guys.

On the Education initiative, Rafiki Link has not been left behind. We have a new employee to help out with this growing program that has unlimited potential to help our students. Welcome

The environment program is enjoying a boost from Albion heights school in Canada, with our Initiative to make Ngeya a beautiful school for the kids to learn and enjoy now the botanical garden is looking very beautiful. Thanks Albion heights and Anita specifically for all the efforts to keep the partnership going.

Mama hope has helped us push our gardens to the next level. We have started a tree nursery and hope to run three gardens in the near future. Thanks Mama hope, there is true hope in the lives of our community through your support.

The economy program received tons of blessings beginning with Cucu Alice and the visit of the ASG team that has seen the mums with brand new energy to keep sewing. Please keep those bag orders coming.

I want to thank all of you who have had an opportunity to visit us this summer. It has been a joy to host all of you and thanks for your input in what we are doing in Maai Mahiu. We request you to remain connected and check us out often as we have opportunities with your name written all over them. Bring those gifts and talents as we need them.

Welcome back and stay updated.

Jeremiah Kuria

Faith and Community: Ubuntu Day

2010-08-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

Two Saturday’s ago, our team were witnesses to the strength of the human spirit and the power of community. For the first time in Maai Mahiu the five major tribes of this village came together to celebrate Unity in Diversity. Nearly 1000 Maasai, Turkana, Kamba, Luo, and Kikuyu people came to dance and sing and be witnesses to how important standing together as a community is for the future of Kenya.

For the past year CTC has sponsored an Ubuntu Day once a month. Ubuntu is a Zulu word that translates, "I am because we are." CTC was able to bring these groups together because of long-term cultivated relationships. One person and family at a time. There were no handouts at this gathering, no empty aid with strings attached, no free rides; simply a promise from CTC to walk with the people and to seek solutions to their struggles in relationship, together.

The day began with the Environmental Club from Ngea Primary along with children from other local schools planting trees along the highway that runs through Maai Mahiu. What followed was a day of dancing, singing, laughter and fun.

The new Art, Culture, and Peace Center at CTC was officially dedicated by the tribal groups, an amazing goat stew was prepared by the ShoSho’s (grandmothers), and all was supported by Jeremiah, Rocky, Bernard, and the whole CTC staff. They did an amazing job.

The day ended with a football (soccer) tournament between teams from CTC/Maai Mahiu, Maasai, and IDP (Internally Displaced Persons). 100’s of people, mostly kids, circled the field to watch the side take a run at each other. As the sun was setting and a storm was moving into the valley, on the eighth penalty kick CTC defeated IDP 2-1. The World Cup final had nothing on this “beautiful game.”

As dusk was turning to dark, the kids gathered and asked Jeremiah to bless them with words as they had blessed us. A Beautiful Day concluded with the Beautiful Game. If there is a better way to embody Ubuntu, I don’t know what it is.

“I am because we are!”

peace,

Ken

Note: The Faith and Community team has completed its trip to Kenya. This journal entry and the ones to follow document a piece of our experience.

Faith and Community: Initiation

2010-08-04T09:13:00.000-07:00

There is a moment in every journey where expectations, anticipation, and excitement come face to face with a new reality, a new place, a new culture. Our team host Charles Wachira introduced us step by step into the world of Maai Mahiu and the work CTC is engaged in.

But, there is a moment when the joys and struggles of the people become incarnate in relationship. For many members of our team that moment came at standing in a demonstration garden at Ngea Primary School. Ngea is a public school with about 1000 students and 10 teachers.

The garden which is used by CTC to teach the kids in the Environmental Club how to plant and raise vegetables to help feed their families, sits on the corner of the school campus, bordered on one side by the school’s kitchen (basically s storage building with an open pit fire in one corner) and on the other by an orphanage.

Charles was explaining how the school serves a hot lunch to the kids whose families can afford to pay 50 Kenyan shillings per term (less than 1 US dollar) and it is the only meal most of them get a day. “Does everyone eat?” “No,” said Charles, “Only about half of them.” After a long silence when we were all trying to process what he just said, Charles told us the story of his own struggle to find money to finish 8th grade and then later secondary school. The sacrifices his mother made was the only reason he was standing there with us. He now spends all his extra money making sure his siblings, not to mention children he does not even know, stay in school. “Education is everything. It will make the biggest difference.” After a long pause he finished, “I love my mother very much.”

It is easy to be overwhelmed by the intensity of the need. Everywhere one looks, there is need.

But still, in Charles’ story (and many others we would hear), there is hope.
Education begins with one person trying to make a difference, and finds its completion in a community transformed.

This Friday, Charles will turn in the final chapter of his Masters Thesis. The transformation continues.

Peace,
Ken

Note: The Faith and Community team has completed its trip to Kenya. This journal entry and the ones to follow document a piece of our experience.

Faith and Community: Separation

2010-08-02T12:55:00.000-07:00

Adventures come in all shapes and forms. Some are grand and epic, about which books are written and tales told. Others happen in the imagination of a child and only require space to play and to dream. But, no matter what kind of adventure, the common element is separation. Separation from the normal, everyday, run-of-the-mill happenings of life, and diving into a new reality is how all adventures begin.

The journey began for our Faith and Community team back in November 2009. Several of us with connections to CTC gathered at Mozart’s Coffee Shop in Austin, Texas to talk about coming together as a team to travel to Kenya and experience for ourselves what Zane had been telling us about for years.

At that first meeting we decided we did not want to focus on a particular project or element of CTC, we wanted to focus on relationship. A common belief that all people are created in the image of God drew us together, and a common experience of the power of community brought us to Kenya. Relationship.

Money was raised (easier than most people think), bags packed, tears shed, and 24 plane-airport-taxi hours later we were in Nairobi!

The excitement of our arrival temporarily overcame any notion of jetlag (an 8 hour time difference). As I drifted in and out of sleep that first night, I was startled awake by the sound of two monkeys arguing (how can you tell?) in a tree outside my window. Yep, we are in Kenya!

The next morning we headed north out of the city toward the town of Maai Mahiu. As the road swung to the right on the edge of the Rift Escarpment the whole beautiful, amazing, Rift Valley opened before us. Its scale defies description. Beth, Sandy, Sam, Judy, Lysle, Emily, I let out a collective, “Wow.” Definitely a new reality! Separation.

Peace,

Ken

Note: The Faith and Community team has completed its trip to Kenya. This journal entry and the ones to follow document a piece of our experience.

The diary of a team.. part two

2010-07-22T09:55:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone that is following the journey of this team. More to come soon.

The diary of a team

2010-07-15T16:08:00.000-07:00

Over the next two weeks we would like to welcome you to follow the diary of our Community and Faith team. They will be blogging from Kenya over the next three weeks and sharing the adventure with you. So please follow their journey.

If you would like to meet the team, watch these video

Rafiki link

2010-06-22T03:58:00.000-07:00

Everything here is moving on very well and Kenyan students have worked very hard to finish their history essays competition and they are now eagerly waiting for their results and not forgetting about prizes that will be awarded to the best students in this competition.

Students at Longonot secondary have been posting information on their blog on weekly bases at http://longonotsecondary.blogspot.com and they are very excited in this, also not forgetting our little kids at Ngeya who had no laptops are now again back to their Rafiki link activities and they are also excited that they will be learning computer skills again. They have been able to post little information on their blog at http://ngeyaprimary.blogspot.com

It has also been a pleasure for us to receive a team of 6 people from the USA who are spending time with our students at Maai- Mahiu secondary sharing about girl child life experiences since they want to look for ways that they can use to empower Kenyan girl child, we are praying for them and wishing them all the best in what they are doing.

Rafiki link main site rafikilink.blogspot.com will be updated twice per month, follow up with us to see what is happening.

Lastly, we are not forgetting to remind you to vote for CTC on the Chase community giving challenge on facebook, click on this link to vote for CTC http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/412123008-ctc-international-inc

Knowledge that brings freedom

2010-06-10T01:03:00.000-07:00

It has been an amazing time for the malaika mums as our vistors has been with us for two weeks. It was good to see old friends and also to make new friends who came with the team.

The climax of this teams visit was the seminars that malaika mums attended with other 50 women. In a patriachal culture that has little or no place for women, this seminar meant everthing for these women. They learned about boundaries, communicating with their spouses and how to relate and talk to their kids on sexuality and other sensitive issues that affect them every day. The seminar also covered an important training on health and nutrition and how to use the available resources and foods to provide the healthy bodies. The conference room was full of energy with women getting the sense empowerment and hope of freedom. It was a great time together.

During the seminar the women experienced art therapy for the first time. They learned about colors and how to communicate feelings using colors. It was sad to see some with their life sorrounded by red signifying danger while others painted black as a sign of hopelessness in life. They were in tears while told to share their stories.

Finaly the all the women went to the mural wall and practice what they hd learned. To express their feelings through art and it was so powerful to see all of them scrambling for paint brushes to paticipate in the gratest mural they have ever seen. Thanks to Kaitlin and her sister Leah for coming for the first time in Kenya to help all of us experience the joy of art.

At the end of the day, it was very evident that people need the information and knowledge to be given to them so that they can exercise the freedom that belongs to them.

Will keep you updated as more continues to unfold.

By Liz Josiah

Its Worth the Effort and the Trouble

2010-05-26T12:41:00.000-07:00

A year is gone now since I came back from the comfortable and convenient Unites States of America. With a little hesitance and apprehension I started working for CTC. I was not sure how things will work out for my family, myself and for the big CTC family.

There was a ton of changes for all that were involved. We were not sure how things will turn out as we started together. New faces all over, big expectations and low expectations, Good things expected while others were not sure. Confidence and encouragement flowed freely from all who were involved. It was a time full of mixture of emotions.

I now look back and appreciate the opportunity to serve with CTC. We had an Ubuntu day last Saturday May 22 2010. Just a normal day when we give back to the community. But this one turned out to be an evaluation Saturday. We planted the trees as usual and then gathered together for a drink after some good hard work. One person after another gave their comments on how CTC have affected and impacted their lives in one way or the other. They all loved the work they have been doing with their own hands. A sense of pride and ownership of the good that is happening in our town. And then we wondered what the future holds for CTC in this community. There is lot of hope and expectation due to the performance of all the other activities.

Thanks to our sponsors and donors; Your work is not in vain. Through our relationships and being there to listen, many are experiencing the love and the acceptance that every human being needs, and even so those that are poor in the community that we are serving.

Being a full time community servant by profession and a minister of the gospel by calling, I love the opportunity to share this love by doing more than by words and hence the extra opportunities to tell the Story.
Our work is worth all the effort and the trouble we have to go through to accomplish the mission.

Thank you to volunteer Alice Johnston for sharing your story!

2010-05-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

Big thanks to Alice Johnston for her television debut on Topeka local news. She was invited to tell her story as well as the story of the Maliaka Mums. Alice has launched her very own campaign to raise funds for new sewing machines for the women. We are so proud of her work for CTC International.

Also big thanks to CTC Volunteer, Aimee Lirette, for her public relations skills. We knew that Alice had a story to tell of her own and are so thankful that she was able to share with her community.

2010-05-18T06:26:00.000-07:00

Malaika mums project is still progressing as mums are working harder to make their ends meet.
The amazing thing is that from the previous month, mums made 700 L.I.F.E bags. still on that month we had a tour to Gilgil during the national field day which was very educative to our people and they were also very excited.
Members who were present were anxious and curious to learn more about us after finding out the amazing work that CTC have been doing to the community of Maai- Mahiu.

An all new look and some exciting news

2010-05-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Hopefully by now you have noticed that CTC has gotten a makeover. We have changed our look and are so excited to share these changes with all of you. Please be sure to visit our new website. We are just working out some finally things on the site but are really pleased with the way that it is turning out. http://www.ctcinternational.org

Some other great news is that Zane Wilemon(Founder/Executive Director) is in Washington D.C. right now preparing for the annual D.C. Summit Series. DC10 is an invitation-only event that connects top young minds and inspires a new generation of leaders to succeed in business and in life.
With over 700 guests and panels including President Bill Clinton, Blake Mycoskie(TOMS shoes), and John Legend we were more than excited to be invited to attend. However, we were ESTATIC to be asked to be the offical bag of the event. That is right over 700 of the L.I.F.E. bags made by our Maliaka Mums will be sported around all weekend at this event by attendees.

When we learned of this we immediately called up our friends at Veritas Fashion and the H.O.P.E. campaign and asked that their artist collectives create designs for these 700 bags. We were so happy to get such amazing designs and to be able to include our community of like minded people who want to use their art to give back.

We are wishing the best of luck to Zane on his trip to D.C. and are so proud of everyone that came together to make this work out.

Special props to the women that make these bags and have found a sense of empowerment with a skill that is quite literally being used on the other side of the world.

Thanks to all of you that have made this possible from our screen printers at Under Pressure(Austin),to the artists, to our FABULOUS intern Cali Huffman for her graphic work on our new L.I.F.E. Bag tags.

For more info about
Veritas Fashion visit http://www.liveveritas.com
H.O.P.E. visit http://hopecampaign.org
DC10 Summit Series http://dc10.summitseries.com/

More Pictures from the Field Day

2010-05-10T07:36:00.001-07:00

Our staff at work:

NATIONAL FIELD DAY

2010-05-10T07:06:00.000-07:00

Well, things are good here in Kenya, We have been enjoying a good climate as it raining quite regularly. We are hoping that the community will have a good harvest this year if it continues like this.

We had an educative trip to Gilgil last Friday; it was a national field day in Kenya where we were able to demonstrate what CTC is doing to over 5000 people from different parts of our country. We were also able to learn what other people are doing and we achieved and it was a great learning experience.

Malaika mum’s, youth program, caretakers and environmental club members had a wonderful time. They were able to visit over 40 different programs that were being exhibited in the site. The theme for that day was sustainable resource use for social-economic development.

On other programs : The Shosho shamba is doing good and they are ready to train others. This is shown by what they are doing back at their homes and at the demonstration garden. The ministry of agriculture is impressed with what we are doing and they want to partner with us and work with environmental club at Ngeya primary school and at the demonstration garden. We are glad to be able to do something that the government officials appreciate and recommend to people in the community.

Thanks for your support

By Rocky Muuri

Thankful

2010-05-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

We are back!
We are thankful to God for giving us a good quiet week. Things have been happening one after another and sometimes its only through His Grace that we can be able to confidently face another day. Thanks to all of you for following with the things going on here, your prayers and encouragement has been a great support to all CTC family and Maai Mahiu community.

In brief for those who did not know what was going on. A car accident took a close friend who was a CTC volunteer and the wife of our printer. It was very sad. Same week the man who led with the funeral arrangements passed away after an hour's illness. Same week a bus accident killed ten people still in our town and one man hang himself. Very chaotic but we are thankful to be able to serve and support those who have been griefing among us.

The Mums were so thankful at the same time as they completed making 700 bags, a huge order that left their faces smiling at the end of the month.

We are also thankul for DWC team nd their great work at Maai Mahiu Secondary School. The project was a success and Mr. Mwangi The head teacher is still getting creative and making it look even better. Pictures will come once its finally done.

Maai Mahiu is finally green. We take some things for granted but this place was desperate, dusty and in need of rain but now it looks wonderful. We are so thankful for the rain.

Bodwell team enjoys their trip to Kenya

2010-04-19T03:56:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! at long last the team that students have been waiting for a long time is here with us. Canadian students are really enjoying building girls toilets at Maai- Mahiu secondary which I believe is their first experience. Kenyan students also enjoyed working alongside the Canadians which was a great fun, Mrs. Ameti couldn't believe how strong and hardworking these kids are.
It has been a great opportunity for both students from Kenya and Canada interacting and attending lessons together in the same class, Daniel a student from Canada who I think is the youngest in this group has been doing very well in class especially in English subject, he has been challenging his new English teacher Mr. Maina and the teacher says that this young boy is a genius. Longonot secondary students were also not left behind in this joyful trip to the animal orphanage and Safari walk in Nairobi, they had a great chance of interacting with students from the three schools coming together in this fun moment. we are thanking Bodwell High school for sacrificing their time to come and visit us and moreover donating girls toilets in Maai- Mahiu secondary and also having an opportunity to let our students join them in their trip. we greatly appreciate all their efforts towards the success of "Rafiki Link" (Friendship Link) program.
Below are photos that have been taken, we will post more photos from this team, for our blog followers you could check them before the end of this month on our site at http://rafikilink.blogspot.com

Paul Mwaniki
Education program coordinator.

DWC is here and ready to work

2010-04-12T12:17:00.000-07:00

We received the DWC team yesterday. Most of the team members are here for the first time. We just love their enthusiam and readiness to be part of what CTC is doing in Maai Mahiu. In the next two weeks we will be working on a project at Maai Mahiu Secondary School with Rafiki Link students. Everyone is excited for the time they will spend together and the tranformation that brings in everyones life.

It was fun taking the team through our programs and introducing them to what CTC has been doing in the community.

We are happy to have DWC and Bodwell students among us to help make a difference in all our lives and especically those forgotten in this community. WELCOME and enjoy your stay in Maai Mahiu.

When It rains, it pours

2010-04-12T11:44:00.000-07:00

I was involved in a car accident the Tuesday after Easter Monday. It was a bad impact for the cars especially the other persons car that was badly damaged. After a huge hussle with the Police for half of Tueday, I was asked to report in court the following morning. Little did I know that I was going to be locked up in a tiny cell full of people accused of being drunk and disorderly. Saying the cell ws stinky would be an understatement, I realized that fresh air is luxury in jail . Never in my life have I ever imagined being locked up. After the court was over they alowed me to pay for the fine and I was let go late Wednesday afternoon.
Real life experience. I am thankful no one was hurt.

Late Saturday night, I received a call from John our printer, that his wife was involved in a car accident that had left one woman dead. The name of Johns wife was nowhere in the records of those involved in the accident and only one person was not identified, the dead woman. Lots of mixed emotions, trying to stay strong for John and still worried for the life of dear Elizabeth, my legs were letting go as we waited to know the whereabouts of Elizabeth. She was not the one in the morgue but we could still not figure out where she was. Looked for her in all the sorrounding hospitals all night long, we also looked for her in the accident scene but it was too dark to see anything. After a long search we found her in Naivasha hospital with bad bruises the following morning. A good samaritan had dropped her there unconcious and so no one knew who she was. She was transfered to Kikuyu Hospital, but now she has been put in the ICU at Kenyatta National Hospital, still unconcious.
Please pray for Elizabeth, John and the whole family.
They need us so much right now. Thank you CTC family for your love and support at such times.

A boost for Ngeya Students

2010-04-08T01:45:00.000-07:00

Our volunteers who has been to Kenya know the story of Ngeya Primary School. It is an overpopulated school with little or no facilities to enable kids to learn smoothly. This school has over 1600 kids with only 17 classrooms. This means that some classrooms have over 100 kids with one teacher. Desks are scarce among other desparate needs in the school.
With a gift from Cucu (Grandma) Alice we were able to deliver these desks to the school and the kids could not hide their joy.
Most of them have been sitting on the floor as they listen to their teachers and do their homework. They sang hymns and jumped around as they took the desks to their classrooms. It was a joy to see them appreciate this gift of love. Blessings to Cucu Alice.

A video for the volunteers

2010-04-06T06:24:00.000-07:00

Rafiki Link

2010-03-22T03:18:00.000-07:00

Students who have been participating in Rafiki link are doing great, they have been able to send their profiles to Canada that is in Bodwell High school & Albion Heights junior school so that the students there can get to know them better.
we have received some Rafiki Link 2010 calendars from Bodwell High school that were designed out of photos that Kenyan students took last year on April during Bodwell trip, students here were very to receive those calendars and they were also very glad to see their photos & a little of their profile information appearing on those calendars. they also requested if this could be done every year.
CTC Kenya is also happy about Maai- Mahiu secondary school where we had about 40 students who came to participate during our Ubuntu day that involved cleaning up of town & installation of trash cans.
we have been updating the school blogs & you can visit our blogsites at the Rafiki main site at http://rafikilink.blogspot.com
lastly, the Rafiki Essay competition is in progress.

Focusing on the future

2010-03-15T09:31:00.000-07:00

Economic project is still going on as Malaika Mums are working hard to make their ends meet. Believing that this is an year of commitment to learning new things. We were celebrating our 2^nd anniversary on 25^th February 2010 this year; it was a good time to recount where we have come from and to see how far God has brought us.

Still on this month we started learning how to make a pair of short/Trouser for men. As of now we are going step by step with each individual practicing to do each part by themselves.

The Mums are all excited that summer is coming quickly and they can reconnect with their friends from American Sewing guild led by Denise.

Welcome to Kenya ASG.

By Liz Josiah.

RIGHT TO FOOD

2010-03-09T11:41:00.000-08:00

As we would all agree, every person has a right to food, which means that all people including those in Maai Mahiu have a right to feed themselves and their family with dignity. To fulfill this, we have to ensure that people have the knowledge, the skills, resources and opportunity to get food for themselves.

Women and children are particularly affected by the risks of environmental damage that has been done to Maai Mahiu. It is for all of us to do something to improve the situation. CTC is making efforts to empower the environmental club, women , the youth and shoshos because their right to food will ensure food security.

Our projects are running well and we are working hard to improve them so that we can effectively empower those that need us the most. Please join us in this noble task. We are soon going to bring you a clear guide as to how to get involved. Just a little could make a big difference. Stay tuned.

By Rocky Muuri
Environment Coordinator.

Rafiki Link

2010-02-21T23:56:00.000-08:00

Rafiki link has been moving on very well this year, students have been very much cooperative and are very eager to know how to use technology. They have been able to learn how to send and receive emails which they never did before, some of the students who had been given an email exam last year did not get the email format right but they now know how emails look like.

Ngeya primary has been affected in that the laptops that we use there were stolen and this has greatly affected our activities but we hope to get some computers that we can be using with the kids at Ngeya.

Issuance of certificates to those students who graduated last year has been of great motivation to those who are still in school.

For more information on what we are doing visit our site at http://rafikilink.blogspot.com

Lynch Them or Save Them

2010-02-15T11:21:00.000-08:00

I will start by apologizing to all who have been checking the blog to catch up with the latest of what is happening in Kenya. Just to let you know that our programs have been running very well despite all the challenges we have been facing recently.

On Thursday the 28th we had some thieves come to our office and stole our laptops. It was mysterious as they stole them in broad day light. Everyone was wondering who might be involved as it appeared like an inside job. After our staff were grilled by the police for a few hours they let all go home. On Monday February 1st we were called by some friends to go and witness some thieves who had been caught stealing electronics from peoples houses. After being questioned by the angry people who had lost their items, they named a list of other suspects who have ran away from the Town since. With tires around their bodies and gasoline poured on them, they had to plead for their lives from the bitter crowd that was ready to lynch them. Tension had gripped the whole town wondering what would be a good lesson to these thieves. In one way or another, the police arrived and intervened. Though badly beaten, they are still alive and in the police custody. We have not recovered our laptops yet.
Yesterday, Sunday the 14th other two people were caught stealing electronics in Kijabe(the neigboring mission station) and two car jackings on the Kijabe-Maai Mahiu road. Everyone is feeling pressured between the rock and a hard place. Should they lynch them or save them. This is another great reason the ministry of CTC is so much vital to Maai Mahiu village. Poverty, lack of opportunities and idleness have led to all this. Not forgetting the human depravity. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we need that so much right now.

Despite all that!

Liz had written a good blog update on what the malaika mums are doing but we were unable to put it up last Monday due to the computer problems.

The mums have continued to build a strong bond with each other, supporting one another with deep issues going on in their lives. Looking into the future and wondering what it holds for them, they have continued to be thankful for the opportunity to be at the CTC center. They have also continued to put efforts in learning the sewing skills and have been revising on what they can do other than make bags. Its a strong team that has been empowered and through them, a few homes have a hope of continuous supply of the basic needs.

We are working hard to keep all of you updated every monday and hopefully we will get a way sooner than later so that we can update our blogs consistently.

We are not giving up.

Jeremiah Kuria

Environment club ngeya

2010-02-03T05:22:00.001-08:00

Environment club ngeya

2010-02-03T05:22:00.000-08:00

The Environmental club at Ngeya

The week has been interesting for me, Tony and Dan, our visitor have been assisting us at Ngeya by working in the garden as well as taking care of the trees. The garden is looking great, we enlarged the remaining part and planted spinach and onions. The environmental club coordinator has been of great help, making sure the project is running smoothly even in my absence.

We have been doing well in sensitizing our community on issues of environmental awareness, although we are working with the young environmental club members and the youth.

The soccer team members are also interested and working hard in assisting us and making sure the trees look good and are watered before they start their training at Ngeya.

The demonstration garden is amazing and the shosho are working together to make sure that everything is okay and more than that they are showing a good example to the community by establishing small garden back at home and creating awareness to community.

All is well.

by Rocky

How quick things can change

2010-01-28T02:00:00.000-08:00

On Monday I wrote about the arrival of Freshia Wambui and narrated the excitement of the mother with all the hope and dreams of her new born baby. But Tuesday turned out to be a very devastating day for that family and for me too. The family sent me a message that Agnes the mother and Freshia were at the local clinic but Freshia had passed away. I quickly went to see them and know what had happened.
Freshia fell sick at around 4 am and by the time they arrived at the clinic she was pronounced dead. It was a very sad day for all friends and family. After the funeral which I helped to conduct, we received a report that evening that the father of Jane, our caretaker had committed suicide. What a day!

Remember our CTC family at this time as they ponder on the difficult challenges that have befallen them and thank you for your thoughts and prayers

Jeremiah

Tribe Hotel Orders

2010-01-27T22:21:00.000-08:00

Malaika mums were given a bag order by a local hotel that has been very supportive of what we are doing for the empowerment of women.
You can visit the Tribe Hotel website at http://www.tribes.co.uk/countries/kenya/accommodation/tribe_village_market_hotel_nairobi and see their offers next time you visit Kenya.

Freshia Wambui arrives

2010-01-25T03:17:00.000-08:00

Among other good things that have been happening with CTC this new year is the arrival of Freshia Wambui. She is the daughter of Agnes Wambui who was brought to our medical camp during the the last doctors' visit, June last year. With serious complications that she had, there was no way of keeping her baby. Our visiting doctors gave her the required first aid and refered her to Kijabe hospital. She has been on and off Kijabe hospital since 27th June 2009 and on 9th December 2009 Freshia was born with a low birthweight of 2.28 pounds. She had to stay in Kijabe Hosptial until January 21st and thankfully Freshia left with a stable weight of 4.5 pounds.
Agnes is thankful to CTC and the medical team for walking with her the long distance of waiting for her new born baby. "There was no way I could be having this baby as I had kept trying and the same situations would arise. Now my son who is nine years old is happy to have a sister. "Praise be to God and thank you CTC for bearing the cost and encouraging me through this journey that was tough, my hope is that Freshia will grow and one day serve the needy in our community" says Agnes.
There has also been good rains and in some areas too heavy but all in all Maai Mahiu is now a green place and the grey dry, ugly picture has disappeared for a while. We are trusting God that things will change for the better. We planted 100 more trees in Ngeya primary school during the last Ubuntu day. Thanks to all the partnering groups for coming out to make "Ubuntu" in Maai Mahiu a reality.
On January 15th, I attended the District Health Stakeholders Forum in Naivasha for all groups and individuals who are directly and indirectly involved in health work. CTC was recognized by these District leaders for the efforts they have been showing in taking care of Maai Mahiu community. Now CTC is officially a member of this forum and with blessings to continue doing health work. We have been given the details and requirements for opening a health clinic and now the ball is on our side to locate for funds that will enable us to meet this need. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we pursue this noble task.
Blessings to all of you our friends and supporters for being there for us. We are praying for a great year of 2010 and desire more of your input to keep us going. Thank you all and wishing you all the best.

Jeremiah Kuria
Kenya Director

KARIBUNI

2010-01-18T11:26:00.000-08:00

Malaika Mums are back for the new year with lots of energy. They all send their warm greetings for the new year and best wishes to all their friends who closely follow what they are doing.
The Malaika Mums boasted the achievement of making school uniform shirts for Ngeya primary school. It was challenging as their machines don't do a few things and the shirts were needed quickly, but they survived. We wish and hope we can get a few more opportunities like those ones to try our abilities.
What does the new year hold? We may not know what is coming to us or for us in the new year but we are willing to give our best so that we dont miss an opportunity of what we could do or become. We welcome and eagerly await all those who are planning to come visit us this year. Blessings to you this year and as you plan your trips.

Liz Josiah

ngeya environmental club

2010-01-12T00:31:00.000-08:00

Happy new year guys, hope you had a wonderful holiday same case with us. The year started well with a lot of rainfall that has not been there for a long time. Environmental club is doing okay and we intend to achieve a lot this year

We will start a botanical garden naming all the trees , environmental awareness by holding workshop with the help of one of our partners care of creation, we also plant grass and fence where we have planted trees.

Over the holiday we planted the garden with vegetables with the help of environmental club members and they are so determined to improve the school and also their homes.

Below is environmental club members over the holiday all excited and looking forward to a better tomorrow.

By Rocky

CTC begins the process of making a feature length documentary

2010-01-11T14:00:00.001-08:00

CTC Documentary Teaser from Aaron Bratcher on Vimeo.

The Center Opens for the year 2010

2010-01-05T21:50:00.000-08:00

We are back for the year 2010. Everyone was excited to be back and to see each other again after the holidays. The wishes of a happy New Year were more than anything else early when we opened. A pile of dust had accumulated on the floors and on the windows from the dry dust that was blowing before the rains. Now the rains are here in plenty and we can have a break from the dust.

We received a number of visitors on our first day which is a good sign of blessings in the new year. I was checking to see if there would be a tall handsome man with long hair as the myth goes and believe it or not there was one fresh from America. So we may be looking at a great year full of blessings. But jokes aside, we had a good start and everyones prayer was that God will walk with us in this year and unfold what he has for the community of Maai Mahiu, to strengthen our relationships and grow us into the next level where all will feel the empowerment.

The Mendosas treated everyone with Sodas, Mandazis and Chapatis. It was a room full of joy. Community Health workers from Kijabe came to wish us a good year and to confirm that we have a great year ahead as partners to continue the fight against AIDS. The District Medical Oficer of Health (DMOH)Naivasha with the District Head of Nurses stopped by and were thankful for all that we are doing for our Malaika kids and the disabled community. Not to mention the individuals who came to see if we have opportunities for them to work for CTC.

We are thankful to all of you who have faithfully kept us in your thoughts and prayers and who have joined to support this needy cause so that our center can keep running. We also invite many others in this new year so that they can be part of the blessings we are going to share.

May you all have a wonderful year and may we continue to follow what CTC is doing in Kenya Maai Mahiu.

Jeremiah Kuria

Merry Christmas

2009-12-15T02:48:00.000-08:00

Malaika Mums Project is moving on; Mums are working very hard. For now we are busy working on Green and Black canvas bags, as we wait to start a tender for shirts for Ngeya Primary School. They gave us to make 54 pieces. Though it will not make much but we love the challenge and the confidence to make items for the community out there. After learning how to make skirts, the mums are very happy coz they are now sewing for their daughters, themselves and friends too.
The Mums appreciated a discussion they held a week ago on how to cope with family issues, because despite all the difficulties and challeges they still want to hang on to their marriages.
On our tour to Naivasha we learnt a lot and witnessed that we are not the only one’s bearing kids with disabilities. We are thankful to CTC for making us enlightened and empowered women, so we can make a difference in Maai-Mahiu. Glory and honor to the Lord all days of our lives. We wish all our friends a Merry Christmas and Prosperous, Happy New Year.

By Liz Josiah

Sarakazi visit to CTC facility
The day started well and all the kids were eager and asking when sarakazi was coming, they intertained and drew with Malaika kids and everyone was fun of it including Dan.
George was so happy singing christmas song and all the others spent the day wishing everyone a happy christmas.
Sarakazi has been visiting us every first Wednesday of the month and they have been of great help to us and we greatly appreciate all their efforts towards our Malaika kids program. They made christamas cards with the kids and hanged them in their class rooms wishing them a merry christmast and a Happy new year.
By Rocky

Quick Video from the Austin CTC Christmas Party

2009-12-14T12:04:00.000-08:00

If you are wondering why we are all dressed so foolishly it's because this party was an "Ugly Christmas Sweater Party". We invited all of those here in Austin that have been involved with CTC and wanted to share this with everyone back in Kenya.

We love you and miss you.

Merry Christmas Kenya.

Some exciting things that are happening in the West

2009-12-14T07:55:00.000-08:00

As we get closer to closing up another amazing and successful year of work in Kenya, we are reminded of all of the great things that we have accomplished. It's been a busy year for CTC International in Kenya but we can't forget about all the work that has been done here in the west by our volunteers.Comfort the Children would literally be nowhere if it weren't for all of the volunteers that host fundraisers, awareness events and save up money to make the journey all the way over to Africa.

We just wanted to give you all a quick update on an exciting event that took place last month in Kansas.

In November, CTC joined K State for their Fairtrade Marketplace. CTC was invited to set up a booth and sell our L.I.F.E. bags.The marketplace, which was open to the public, is sponsored by UFM Community Learning Center and K-State Fair Trade Advocates. It features quality-made products from impoverished countries. Items available will include handmade jewelry, clothing, coffee, greeting cards, handbags, home decor and more.

We would like to thank all of the volunteers that worked for two days for hours straight at our booth. The ladies all volunteered to work at our booth and sold bags and educated people that stopped by about CTC and the L.I.F.E. bag project.

Special thanks to Courtney Held, Valarie Stull,Laura Banks,Sandra Proctor,Sarah Rajewski,Mary Higgins,Allison Mcmillan,Dena Bunnel and our volunteer of the month Alice Johnston.

Thanks to all of the volunteers that continue to spread the word for CTC.

Mindy

Njuguna Walks to the Lunch Room

2009-12-07T05:03:00.000-08:00

We are celebtrating Njuguna's walking among other good things that have been going on in our programs. He takes himself to the lunch room without any support or the caretakers holding his back. Elizabeth Wambui, Njuguna's mom is overjoyed as she thought at one point that her son would never walk, but now he is happy to watch him walk himself to places. "Soon he will be an independent person" says his mom. We are thankful for this success in our Malaika kids program.
The shoshos have not been left behind in the share of joy. Their garden is doing great and they will soon be harvesting and enjoying the fruits of their labor. It is always good to see them beeming with joy and so hopeful as the things continue to work out.
We will be working on the Ngeya garden this month. This will be in preparation for the school opening so that they can continue to have some greens in their meals. Maai Mahiu has seen no good rain and so the need persists. This garden is a great resource of the so much needed nutrients by these kids. Our hope is to make it bigger so that we can supply enough and even more to make the garden self sustaining. We also need to rebuild the stand that supports the water tank as it is falling.
The trees planted during the ubuntu day continue to do good although they need more water due to the dryness. We are keeping up to keep them alive and keep the school beutiful. Lets stay connected and will update you on more good things hapenning.

By Rocky Muuri
Environment Coordinator

Ladies soccer team

2009-11-27T06:29:00.000-08:00

At long last the girl’s soccer team is here with us, the team was launched by CTC Kenyan director where he presented some uniforms and also bought a soccer ball for them. The girls gathered at the office in the evening where they eagerly waited for the team to be launched and afterwards proceeded to the playing ground where the launching was done and later in the day they started their first training. The girls played soccer and they said that it was fun. Some of them never played soccer before and they could not tell the difference between the two teams even after being given some uniforms but we are hoping that they will get to learn how to play soccer as they continue practicing.

CTC soccer team launching

2009-11-23T06:43:00.000-08:00

CTC soccer team was officially started by CTC Kenyan director where he presented the team with two pairs of soccer uniforms (they could play without their T-shirts on as you can see in the photos). The purpose of the team is to empower the youths in Maai-Mahiu through sports,to nature their talents and also keep them busy after graduating from schools since they stay idol in town doing nothing. We are soon launching ladies soccer team so that we can also empower ladies in our society where they believe ladies cannot play soccer.

Town Clean Up Mobilization accelerates

2009-11-23T05:28:00.000-08:00

We are just about to close the month and we are thankful that CTC is still encouraging the community to step up and do the things that we can do without outside support. The Town clean has caught the momentum after C.T.C. has done that for two consecutive months. Now the County Council have launched a clean up that will go for one hundred days from from 16th of this month. CTC was invited to partner with the Town council during the launching ceremony and was highlighted as great role model of what needs to be happening in our Town. That day we collected 10 tons of trash with a few volunteers who came up.
Last Saturday was another ubuntu day for CTC in Maai Mahiu. It turned out to be more successful that all the rest. The turn out was better than the previous ones. We targeted about 150 volunteers and we had 120. Thank you friends for coming out to support us. More organized groups are coming up to partner with us and we thank each one of them for their efforts.
We created a positive stir in the town as we walked through from our offices to Ngeya primary school where we helped collect trash and planted 100 trees. We only have lost 16 trees out of the 220 trees we planted before. That is 92% success in the dry Maai Mahiu. What a joy! We are trusting that the trees will do even better as the environment club has been so proactive in taking care of their school.
This month we also encountered an incident that have been very challenging. As the World AIDS Day approaches, we have been visiting those that have been benefiting from our HIV/AIDS program, during the visit we identified a case of one woman who is not only ailing from HIV but also has a broken leg and four kids to take care of. One of her daughters who is 13 years old is also HIV positive and not able to go to school. Hunger is the number one need for this family. We were able to give them a weeks worth of food but we concluded that we still need to do a lot in our program and we are hoping to create a way that these families could do activities that can help them feed their families.
Finally we can say we have put a soccer team together of young men who share the vision of CTC. They have been joining us in our Ubuntu days and have been working hard to give back to the community. We gave them some soccer Jerseys that we received from Free State High school and have been so excited about the newly found adventure. All we need is more equipment to keep them going and keep them practicing together. Very soon we are trusting the girls will come out too so that we can have an active youth program.
Thanks again for your interest in what we are doing and the passion to help us develop our community. Keep us in your thoughts as continue to see other possibilities of the things that we can do together to uplift lives.

Jeremiah Kuria

Ubuntu day photos

2009-11-23T04:07:00.000-08:00

Rafiki Link.

2009-11-16T00:55:00.001-08:00

Rafiki link has been moving on well and as the last term in school this year is now ending we accomplished several goals that we had for this month, all the students are now able to transfer photos from digital cameras to computers which they did not know before.

Kids at Ngeya Primary school also went ahead and put it into practice where they made a newsletter which is shown on this blog.

We also had students who were Rafiki link club members who graduated from form four and they were awarded some certificates that showed that they participated in the Rafiki (friendship) connection with schools in Canada. They greatly participated in this connection and we thank them for their commitment, we now hope to recruit new members who will replace them for next year.

The schools here are now preparing for their end of year examinations.

Program co- ordinator

Paul Mwaniki.

Appreciation

2009-11-09T04:22:00.000-08:00

The Malaika Mums project is still proceeding. The Mums are working very hard as usual, hoping for a better tomorrow. More than anything else the Mums are appreciating the skills they have learned to be able to bring food on the table in times of Crisis. The information and the activities of World Food day still lingers so clear on their minds. They evaluated their participation on Ubuntu Day and they all agreed that they have lit a light and kept it high for all to enjoy the brightness. They have vowed to continue to do good and mobilize more to join them.
They have been congratulated for working hard to reduce the social stigma of the disabled kids. Bringing them to CTC center through the Town everyday not only makes the community aware of them but they also start saying hello to them and the anxiety goes down. We appreciate the Mums for accepting the situation of their children and being bold to bring them out.

By Liz Josiah

UBUNTU DAY

2009-11-02T06:46:00.000-08:00

We had a successful Ubuntu dayand everyone in the community recognized the good work that we are doing.
The county council officer attended the event together with county council employees, commuity members, malaika mums, disabled group, Maai- Mahiu secondary students and also Kids from Ngeya primary school attended the event.

October Highlights

2009-10-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

The month is about to end and we had some great things happening at our center this month. Special Education Professionals came to Maai Mahiu on the 9th loaded in two big SUV's for disabled kids assessment. Not only did we have kids come for assessment but the adults came too to see if SEP could fix some things for them. Some needed Walking sticks while others were looking for special shoes. SEP continues to partner with us and recommends a physical therapist for the malaika kids as a matter of priority. CTC is now known to care for the disabled community in the town and some came as far as Nairobi for the assessment.

Lisa Mizell made the malaika kids day on October 13 when she showed up with back packs, hats with CTC logo and a peace sign in the middle and lots of Halloween goodies. Kool aid was so cool for George and he kept coming for more. Very new experience for all! powder that makes the water sweet and fruity. Ooh we need some more!!. Thanks Lisa for your love for CTC and malaika kids.

Last Saturday the 24th we held our second monthly Ubuntu day. We had a great number of new volunteers and the county council boss was with us too to keep the city clean. The Ubuntu days are picking up and next month, we will hold it on the 21st of November by public demand so that they could make it to partner with us. Thanks to Nuru group from the IDP(Internally displaced People) for coming to support us in this great cause and the Maai Mahiu County Council for recognizing CTC's efforts within this community.

Let us stay connected.

WORLD FOOD DAY -KENYA

2009-10-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

We just received some footage from last Friday's World Food Day. Comfort the Children hosted an informational day for those of the community in Maai Mahiu. The community learned about CTC's programs which include the drip feed irrigation system gardens as well as the bag project. It's wonderful to know that we were here in the US and Canada gathering and donating food to local food banks for WFD, this was taking place in Kenya.

Check out some of the footage from that day.

CTC gets recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture

2009-10-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

Octoeber 16 was the World Food Day. For the first time we had this event going on in Maai Mahiu Town. Many people from the New formed Naivahsa District came to see and acknowledge the efforts of different individuals and groups to fight hunger that has continued to torment many especially in the Africa continent.
Many farmers who have been working so hard to grow some food despite the harsh conditions in this dry region came to bring the ideas and sytems that have worked.
CTC was not left behind. The drip irragation systems have been attracting many in this community as they have seen them thrive in our demontration gardens at Ngeya Primary school and the Shosho Shamba.
The ministry of Agriculture in Naivasha District recognized our efforts and gave CTC a certificate to recognize the good work CTC has been doing in this community. Malaika Mums and the shoshos were dancing with joy as their efforts were being mentioned among the many who attended.
We are now having an extra problem to deal with. People want to install drip systems on their pieces of land, especialy those who have som water. I think this is a good problem to deal with.
Our exhibition was attracting many as we had a big banner printed with our mission. The winner system of the day was the bucket drip system as the guests acknoledged that many could afford it and provide some food for the needy families.
We are keeping up the spirit as we continue to serve, bring sustainable change and make a difference in peoples lives. Go CTC, Go all our Partners.i
Here are some links of the event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIut8pA57yk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1tbehzkePo

Thanks

Jeremiah Kuria

Rafiki Link still going Strong

2009-10-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

Rafiki link has been moving on well and I started with holding meetings with the Rafiki Link volunteers at the schools to see what we could do to make Rafiki Link a successful program. Some of the issues that we discussed are the equipments that are needed in this program, the activities that we are going to do this term and what are we going to do to motivate the students.
I was so encouraged by the teachers who have great passion and vision for this program.
We have the equipments that we require in the program though we still have problems at Ngeya because this school has no computer lab and I usually carry two of our office laptops which are not enough comparing it to the number of students that am working with, this has also been bringing inconvenience in that whenever my workmates are working on these computers I am forced to tell them to save their work and shut down the computers so that I can carry them to the Ngeya. We are hoping in future we are going to have more computers at Ngeya.
Maai- Mahiu secondary and Longonot secondary have enough computers though we still need some more internet connection, we have three modems that are being paid for by Bodwell High school and other two more modems that we are not able to use as they need some funds to run them.
At Maai- Mahiu secondary, this term I have been training the Rafiki club students on the basic computer skills because they doesn’t do computer packages as a subject though they have a computer lab but there is no teacher. I trained them how to use Microsoft office word because we will be mostly using it in making of newsletters which was our main target for this term and we also want to make a school magazine and this would be very helpful to the students. The students are very happy on knowing how to do text formatting spell checking and others though they say that something that they don’t like is typing, it has been a difficult thing for them to do. I think they need some typing programs that teach typing. The students are looking for some information that they are going to put together to make a school newsletter.
As I had said earlier on my last blog, there are some students who have some plastic bags recycling skills; they trained their friends how to make various items using the plastic bags that people throw everywhere in Maai- Mahiu town making the plastic bags look like flowers in the town. This has been a good way that people could utilise this bags in making such items. The students who are good in making those items made samples that were later sent to Free State High school in the US. The students worked very hard to get these items together and they said that they were making them also in the dormitory at night while sharing some stories with friends who also gained interest in making those items and were requesting to be part of it.
I also brain stormed with the students at Maai- Mahiu secondary about getting a market for our products. If the products would sell, their hope is to install internet in their computer lab so that even other students can learn how to use internet and this would be a very good research centre to get learning materials and also allow a lot of flow of information from school here and the schools in the west. Another idea was paying school fees for those who do not afford to pay and they also thought they could use the income to go for field trips which they have been longing to do. Others thought about beautifying the school compound by buying and planting trees. We are hoping that their dream will come true as time goes.
Longonot secondary Rafiki link has not been that smooth because here we usually use solar panels to power the laptops and mostly when I get there in the evening the power by that time is less and during this time the laptops goes off one by one making it very hard for the programs that we are working on. With the little time we have, the students have also been gathering information so that they will also make a newsletter.
In conclusion the program has been moving well and I have also been recording some videos of some of the events that we have been having here in Maai- Mahiu and you could check on our you tube videos .
By Paul Mwaniki
Rafiki Link coordinator.

The Joy of Hope

2009-10-12T03:52:00.000-07:00

Malaika Mums project is still progressing very well; the mums continue to work hard to make their ends meet for their families in the world of canvas bags. Up to now we are still looking forward for more orders to keep them busy and provided for. Apart from making bags I have introduced a new skill of dress making. As I write, the Mums have already made shirts and dresses. They are very excited and happy too.
One of the Mums has impressed me by her eagerness to learn and a great positive attitude toward the training she receives here. I would love to introduce Susan Njeri to you who is the mother to Teresiah, one of our Malaika kids. Before she joined CTC she was staying at home with nothing to do and depending on her husband who was still jobless and had to wakeup very early in the morning to go and look for casual jobs to support her family. Many times without success due to the hard conditions of Maai Mahiu.
She remembers one day that a friend visited her home and was to spend the night with them. Unfortunately that night she had no food in the house to feed her family or the visitor. She felt embarrassed and frustrated as her problems were not a secret anymore. She even wondered why her friend visited. The family was used to spend several nights without anything to eat,but would not let anyone know as they felt like outcasts and the poorest in the neighbourhood. The friend was surprised and worried about Susan’s kids and offered to give her a free course to enable her to earn a living and to at least put some food on the table for her family.
Deep inside her heart she was happy about the idea and said to her husband “this is God’s time”, but something was hindering her from embracing that golden chance, her level of education. Susan was only able to go up to class two. She can hardly read or write anything much. The husband tried to encourage her and tell her that she could make it “a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step” her husband said.
Time came for her to start a dress making course; for the first time it was good coz she could only see the finished dresses not knowing all the process she had to go through. Here in Kenya it’s very rare to use patterns or draft to get the original thing which can be very easy for people interested with the course, but we use the fabric itself. So if you happen to mess up with the material you have to replace. One of the obstacles she faced is calculating and applying the measurement, which made her friend, get annoyed and felt embarrassed .As days went by she was only doing finishing, ironing and at the end of it all she only got a hundred and fifty shillings($2) at the end of the month, which could not cater for her and her family as well.
She went back home heartbroken and with very poor self esteem. She had failed and cannot make it in life. She was unable to socialize or even participate in anything as she not only failed herself but the family as well. Until when a Good Samaritan told her all about CTC, she took a step to know more from the horse’s mouth. “Always wait upon the lord for he knows the plans he has for you” Susan was among the ones chosen to join the Malaika Mums. Right now she can make a whole bag, a shirt and a dress. She is very thankful to CTC and this program in particular for bringing back her life. She now can believe in herself and encourage others for the short time that she has been with CTC. She thanks her teacher too for encouraging her and motivating her to work hard, “never give up and always have a vision for tomorrow.
At the moment we are making black canvas bags and am hoping as soon as we are through I will start teaching the Mums how to make a pair of shorts. We are hoping that we could get some tenders for school uniforms from the surrounding schools. Thus I feel we need an embroidery machine coz we have none. Susan says that in future, she is hoping to start her own business and she will also want to get some students who she will train as she was trained with a lot of humility and patience by her teacher through CTC International.
Together let us join hands in one spirit to uplift the lives and the living standards of the Mums. Thank you all for partnering with us and follow up in our next blog in economic project.
Liz Josiah
Program Manager.

1ST ANNUALWORLD FOOD DAY CHALLENGE

2009-10-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

OCTOBER 16,2009 WORLD FOOD DAY

WE ARE CHALLENGING YOU TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR VILLAGE !

It's SIMPLE and EASY !
STEP 1 CONTACT YOUR LOCAL FOOD BANK AND FIND OUT WHAT THEY ARE IN NEED OF

STEP 2 DESIGN YOUR OWN POSTER (be sure to include the handprint) FOR WORLD FOOD DAY AND SET UP A BOX FOR FOOD DONATIONS ON YOUR FRONT PORCH, YOUR OFFICE, CHURCH OR SCHOOL. AND TAKE PHOTOS

STEP 3 TURN IN ALL DONATED FOOD TO YOUR LOCAL FOOD BANK AND EMAIL YOUR PHOTOS TO mindystallings@ctcinternational.org

YOUR PHOTOS WILL ALL BE SUBMITTED FOR OUR WORLD FOOD DAY POSTER FOR NEXT YEAR AND THE PERSON OR TEAM WITH THE MOST CREATIVITY AND SPIRIT WILL BE CHOOSEN FOR CTC'S VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH !

Just remember............
Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart. ~Elizabeth Andrew

Harvesting and World Food Day

2009-10-05T13:43:00.000-07:00

Rocky and Tony visited Ngeya Primary school and harvested Cabbages after a successful project supported by Mama Hope. Malaika kids have enjoyed sharing the harvest while Ngeya Primary school kids Continues to enjoy the cabbages and the sukuma wiki (kale) that have been doing great considering the harsh climate that we have in Maai Mahiu. The harvest is sweet but the garden is too small for the two thousand kids going to Ngeya primary school. Hopefully we could get more support and enlarge the garden which has been so helpful to these needy kids. The community has been watching the progress and are so much interested in learning how they could adapt the new technology and conserve agriculture.
Most of the people in the community are interested in the new farming method that CTC has introduced to the community of Maai-Mahiu and we hope to start a pilot program. We also have assessed five homesteads that are ready to start the new farming method. Maai- Mahiu is one of the semi arid areas where we hardly receive enough amount of rainfall and like this year there has been drought in many parts of the country and many of the people go without food for some days. We are trying as much as we can to utilise the little amount of water that we get by using drip irrigation system. I was able to visit one of our partners in Naivasha who donated drip pipe that we will use to install drip irrigation gardens in Maai Mahiu. We are alsolooking on how we could introduce green houses if we get materials that need to be recycled from the flower farms.
As we talk to the community that is so interested in trying the drip irrigation, many are pushed away by the initial cost of installing the drip kit. Although it costs about ten thousand shillings ($150) the needy in the community can never come up with such an amount of money as they are now struggling to put some food in the table. It becomes hard to talk about the future while the now is so desperate.
The shosho shamba has kicked off with five very excited and enthusiastic grandmas who are ready to give this garden a new look. They have been working hard every day and learning how they will be doing it in the future. I believe that we will be planting by the end of this week. Our meeting with them was successful and very fruitful. They all welcomed the new business plan and hope to work at making it succeed.
As we talk about introducing the new way of farming in Maai Mahiu, this year’s world food day will take place on the16th October with a theme is fighting food crises in future. Maai Mahiu has been picked as the place to do an exhibition on what the community is doing to make sure people don’t do hungry.
CTC is in the forefront in preparing for this exhibition together with Red Cross, Naivasha flower farms and several others. We hope to do a small drip irrigation demo and take other products from Malaika Mums. Everyone is very excited abut the day and more than anything else about the achievements of CTC within this community. We hope to have a great day and an opportunity to train many people who will attend this event. Let us join hands and reduce the number of people that are suffering from hunger in Maai Mahiu and other parts of the world.
Rocky Muuri

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2009-10-02T14:41:00.001-07:00

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