Kenya

The Dorset/Murugi Community Projects

The Dorset/Murugi link was set up in 1999 by Martyn Hastings(UK) and the late Joseph Timothy Komenjoe (Kenya). Initially the intention was just to provide an affordable Health Centre for the local people, but over the years the links between Dorset and Murugi Location have strengthened. Now, by working together, further projects have been undertaken

The Dorset/Murugi link is affiliated to the Dorset Expeditionary Society and each year groups of students, teachers and other adults go out to Murugi Location to help with the ongoing projects. This may involve assisting with building and maintenance, IT and visiting schools and needy families.
The visitors become involved in the community - they work, socialise and have fun with the locals and thereby come to appreciate their way of life.

Murugi location is four hours drive from Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. It is at the foothills of Mount Kenya near Chogoria.

Over the years we have identified a number of needs within the Murugi Location community and currently have several ongoing projects:

Baragu Health Centre

We have built this facility from scratch over 11 years. In addition to a full medical clinic for all, there is also a well child and sick child unit, a maternity unit and full dental surgery. It also provides an outreach programme to the local schools.
A large extension is being added to provide minor procedures facilities and a much needed kitchen for the 24 hour maternity unit.

HIV Positive Group

We fund regular HIV education and support meetings, as well as giving a monthly handout of food to those who are HIV positive, as the improved nutrition ensures that the ARV drugs are effective.

School Classrooms

Each year we repair and renovate classrooms and sometimes build new classrooms as well as install electricity. Over the last eight years we have helped to build a new Secondary School, Wiru.

Globalschools linking with the British Council

We organise links between UK and Kenyan schools. In 2009, nine Kenyan teachers visited schools in Dorset and in 2010 twenty-two teachers from the Chesil partnership were taken to Kenya. Some of these visites were funded by available grants.

Containers of Equipment

We ship desks, chairs, computer and Health Centre equipment along with other rsources to our 12 linked schools in Murugi location. This includes bags of second hand clothes and shoes for our sponsored children.

Child Sponsorship

More than 100 orphaned and needy children are currently linked with sponsors in the UK. We aim to ensure that these children have the food they need, that their medical needs are met and that they have access and resources for a good education.

Ways you can help Donations are always welcome. As are opportunities for fundraising.We buy Kenyan jewellery and gifts from local people to sell in the UK. If you know of any shops or events where these goods could be sold, please contact Josie.Enjoy knitting? School uniform jumpers are always needed, especially in the larger sizes.Sponsor a child - prices from £25 for a year. Please contact Josie.Second hand clothes, school trousers and shoes are useful, particularly to fit teenage boys.

Please make cheques payable to 'Kenya 2010'

Martyn and Josie Hastings
9 Littlemead, Weymouth
Dorset. DT3 5DL
Tel: 01305 813012

The Dorset/Murugi Location Child Sponsorship Project

We have now sponsors for more than one hundred orphans and needy children, but we have many more children who need a sponsor.
If you choose to sponsor a child you will be linked with one child (or more if you like!) and we will get regular updates, letters and photographs. Ever penny of the money you give for sponsorship will go to assist the child.
Five groups that need sponsorship have been identified and are outlined below...

Katharak Feeding Programme

In this programme, students from Katharaka Primary School cross the road on school days to the church compound for a simple meal of githeri (maize and beans) or a variation of rice and beans.
We have recently been able to extend this programme to 42 children by building a new kitchen.
In addition to this one good meal every day, the programme funds medicines and other medical expenses when necessary.
Morning porridge at school and exam fees are funded as well as some items of school uniform in the most needy cases.

Gitare Primary School Sponsorships

In a similar scheme to the Katharaka feeding programme, the needy children of Gitare Primary school are sponsored for a meal each day.

Kairuni Special Needs Residential Unit

Sponsorship provides resources and support for students with special needs in the new residential accommodation. We are currently completing a new toilet block in conjunction with Westfield School, Weymouth.
£100 a year will support a child in this special needs school.

Wiru, Kiriani and Kianjagi Secondary Schools

Sponsorship not only covers basic items such as school fees, uniform and exam fees, but these students often need extra items such as scientific calculators and paraffin for lamps for evening study and holiday tuition.

Sponsorship costs vary depending on individual needs and are from £70 per year.

Special Sponsorships

These sponsorships are for children and families who have very specific needs. For example we have housed a four year old boy who is HIV positive and living with his Grandmother and helped a mother with two children escape from a violent and drunken relationship.

Several children with specific medical needs have had their medical treatment funded and a blind and disabled boy is now receiving home physiotheraphy and teaching.

The cost of sponsoring these children and families vary depending on their needs and can be subsidised by our sales of Kenyan jewellery.

Although one year sponsorships are accepted and appreciated, it is very helpful to us and the children and their families concerned if they are regarded as a long-term commitment. We will contact you when the year is up in the hope that you will be able to renew your sponsorship.

Groups of UK students, teachers and other adults visit Murugi Location 2 to 3 times a year, so it is possible for you to send small gifts, letters and photos to those you have sponsored.