Many thanks to the Link Foundation in Maidenhead for their generous support of WORK. Thanks to their generosity, a new classroom has been built at Rehoboth School. The school is built on land donated by a local family who do a great deal to support the school. Another classroom was desperately needed as the school is gaining a good reputation resulting in increased numbers of children. The school has very little in the way of resources but they do now have extra space to teach the children. WORK is hugely grateful to the Link Foundation. The school is trying so hard to do the best for their pupils and they now have more space to divide up the year groups.
Orphan arrives at school
Elisheba Baraka is an orphan with only one brother. They are alone in the world but, thanks to the generosity of a sponsor, Elisheba has started school. Funding allowed for the purchase of a mattress and some basic toiletries so that Elisheba has arrived at school with what she needs to start her new life as a boarder. She will be safe in school, will have friends and will be encouraged to aim high and do her best. Who knows what the future holds for this young person, but access to education means she does have a chance to make something of her life.
New pharmacy and lab
Thanks to some generous donations, St. Bakhita’s now has a new pharmacy and lab. Edmund and Edith are delighted with the new facilities which enable the clinic to improve the care of patients.
Fundraising for St. Bakhita’s
Christ Church Methodist Church in Barnstaple has spent a year fundraising for W.O.R.K. Thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of church members essential equipment can be bought for the new maternity ward at St. Bakhita’s. Read more.
St. Joseph’s Lenten Fundraising
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Newton Abbot is linked with Rehoboth Elite Academy in Misikhu. St Joseph’s pupils are raising money during Lent to pay for a water tank at the school.
The Head Teacher at St. Joseph’s explains “We welcomed the chance to develop a link with another school community. We are excited about extending our pupils’ understanding of ‘universal church’ and children’s lives that are different from their own experiences. Rehoboth Academy was built on land donated by an elderly couple. Many of the pupils are orphans. We have sent photographs and information about St Joseph’s. Elm class have written letters to the children. We aim to involve all our children in regular correspondence with the pupils at Rehoboth.”
You can support the children’s project at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/StJosephsCatholicPrimarySchool
Ambulance:
Thanks to a generous donation from the Catholic Diocese of Plymouth an ambulance has been bought which will allow patients from far rural areas to be taken to the clinic and, if needed, on to hospital. This is a great improvement to the care that can be offered to some of the most isolated people who cannot access health care for themselves and their families.
Water Project completed
Namboboto Health Centre is in an isolated and very poor area. From very small beginnings there is now a minor surgery theatre where almost any treatment that does not require a full anaesthetic can be carried out. This is a tremendous boost to this poor community. A male ward has been added to the female ward and maternity unit. The recent addition of a children’s ward means the clinic can serve it’s community very well.
Importantly, the clinic is sustainable. It can pay staff wages from its income whilst still having the resources to help the very poorest widows who cannot pay anything.
The project to bring water to the clinic is now complete and has transformed the care that can be given to patients. A reliable water supply might be seen as a basic necessity but it has taken a great deal of effort to bring this to Namboboto and W.O.R.K. is very grateful for the enthusiastic fundraising which enabled this to happen.
You can read more about the project in our Fundraising News
Tools of the trade
Providing tools to earn a living.
Sinoko VTC is a unique place which gives hope and skills to some of the poorest and most vulnerable young people. It is one of the few places where young people who have missed out on going to school can be accepted and trained in practical skills.
It produces some highly skilled professionals.
Sinoko offers them a chance to qualify and support themselves and, often, their siblings.
Tools of the trade
When students have completed their course at the Youth Polytechnic, if they do not have the right tools it is difficult for them to find a job. W.O.R.K. provides a few basic tools to get them started then, as they earn a little money, they can buy more. You can provide the funds to help an orphan start their working life by using this form at the end of this newsletter or by donating here.
Here are a few examples of students who have been sponsored and are now qualified.
Damarius qualified as a tailor. She could not buy her own sewing machine. With the machine donated by W.O.R.K. she can now work and support herself.
Joseph receiving his tool kit. He can now earn a living.
Phyllis was one of the first girls to qualify as an electrician; not easy in a largely patriarchical society! She can now support herself.
Augustine has qualified as a motor mechanic. With the tools provided by W.O.R.K. he can now earn his own living.
W.O.R.K has supported Sinoko for some years and helps about 10 youngsters each year to complete their studies. The last couple of years has seen the building of a girls’ dormitory. Homeless girls are very vulnerable particularly during the holidays but also during term time. Having somewhere to stay means they are safe and allows them to carry on with their studies.
From homelessness to successful career
Here are a few examples of how donations to WORK have allowed many young people to complete their education.
As a result of being sponsored these young people who were orphans with little hope of making something of their lives, are now qualified, self-sufficient and are having a positive input to their own communities.
When Stephen was orphaned he walked from Nairobi to a village in Western Kenya to find his grandfather. His grandfather was too old and weak to care for him.
W.O.R.K. found Stephen and supported him through his education. He now has a degree in Forensic Science.
Stephen is giving something back to the community. He is sponsoring workshops on environmental issues and leadership skills.
George was homeless and unwell from solvent abuse when WORK found him. He was sponsored through his education and is now a qualified civil engineer with his own business. His company works in poor areas helping to supply clean water to isolated communities.
Agnes Clare is teaching in a school in central Kenya.
Frederick is teaching agriculture in a Youth Polytechnic. Amongst his students are other orphans who are being sponsored in the same way as he was helped.
Mercy is working as a social worker helping others. She understands what it is to have no hope.
Without the generosity of donations to WORK these young people had no hope. Now they can look forward to the future with the confidence that they can support themselves and, often, their sisters and brothers.