Thursday, January 13, 2011

We've Moved Our Blog :)





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

Monday, January 10, 2011

Lets make our homes better places.

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.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

WELCOME 2011

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

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

WORLD AIDS DAY CELEBRATION


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 1st 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

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 6th 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.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Happy Holidays Our Friends

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

Monday, December 6, 2010

technology for the youth.

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.