When Mr. Mukalukha visited TYSA ofice last week, his intention was to be suported to participated in the forthcoming Nairobi International Standard Chartered Marathon on 25th October 2009. Mr Mukalukha has a physical disability( See picture).He hope to participate in the wheel chair competition.

With 350 US$ he will manage to actualize his dream.
With your donations, he can seta great inspiration to the children and youth.

With Warm Regards from TYSA

Gichuki Francis

Pictures:

• Mukalukha Wabwire at TYSA resource centre (JPG)

Samson Taboswa one of the child with disability that you support has shown great improvement. Please read the attached progress report form his school.
We look foward to your continued support and feedback.

Gichuki Francis

Attachments:

• TABOSWA_PROGRESS_REPORT.pdf (PDF)
  

Impressive Improvement

Samson Taboswa is one of the student your donations support. He is a student at Eldoret Special School for Mentally Handicap.

We want to let you know that Samson has greatly improved. We are equally impressed with his performance. Samson is now able to recognize things much more than one year ago. Samson can now start learning how to write slowly.He can now play with various items like balls.’ I cannot believe what aiam seeing in my boy. Thanks to TYSA and donors who are heling my boy’ Mr Kitiyo, the father of Samson

We want to thank you so much for your continued support to children with disability.Samson opens school on 08/09/2009. Your donation will help us pay his school fees.

Community Appreciates TYSA efforts

The local community is increasingly accepting the situation of children with disability. They are coming out more openly to support these children. As demonstrated during the community meeting held two weeks ago.

‘I had hidden my child for 11 years fearing being accused of witchcraft’ I wish I had known all these before, that disability is not a CURSE’. Mr Kibet a father to Collins. I want to thank TYSA for this initiative and support to the community. ‘We are now 5 families with children with disability in our local community who have come out to protect and support children with Disability’ Mr Kitiyo whose child is in special school in Eldoret Town.

We want to welcome you to give us your feedback on this project. We want to interact with you. We want to listen to you and share your comments with our beneficiaries.

TYSA would like to thank you for your continued support to this project. Without your support, this community would still be viewing disability as a curse.

Give now to ensure Masters Collins, Taboswa, Mss Wanjiru, Eunice, and many more disabled children who depend on your donations access school next term which starts on 7th September 2009
Warm Regards

Gichuki Francis

Pictures:

• community_together_with_disabled_children.JPG (JPG)

A day well spent!
We had estimate 40 children with disability and 30 parents/guardians will participate and over 60 children without disability will participate. We were overwhelmed by the turn up as 87 children and youth with disability were served, 100 children and youth without disability turned up, and over 300 parents/ adults turned.
   
Munyaka Kambi Centre village – an isolated area that of late had become a gun battle zone between cattle rustlers and local community came a live as community members, youths, children and Persons With Disability all came together to receive information or assessment of disability. ‘ I have never seen such an event targeting the disabled since I settled here in 1969’ an old lady in attendance

Association of Physically Disabled Kenya doctors and Kapsara District Hospital Occupational Therapist offered services as long queue of children and youth waited patiently. Aged peole with disability also turned up.

The nominated counselor Mr. Manyonge was present to offer inspirational speech and hope to the disabled.He assured them that with determination and focus, all is possible. As a nominated counselor of Kitale Municipal council, he represents the interest of all the people with disability in the three districts of Kwanza, Trans-nzoia West and East.

We want to thanks all those who in one way or the other contributed to this unique project to e successful. In a special way the Association of Physically Disabled Kenya and Kapsara District Hospital for spearheading the assessment of children and youth. We are indebted to the great financial contribution of Globalgiving Sponsors.

The challenge has just started;to support these children and youth who lok upon us to offer nmdical, education, and livelihood opportuniA day well spent!
We had estimate 40 children with disability and 30 parents/guardians will participate and over 60 children without disability will participate. We were overwhelmed by the turn up as 87 children and youth with disability were served, 100 children and youth without disability turned up, and over 300 parents/ adults turned.
   
Munyaka Kambi Centre – an isolated area that of late had become a gun battle zone between cattle rustlers and local community came a live as community members, youths, children and Persons With Disability all came together to receive informstion or assessment of disability. ‘ I have never seen such an event targeting the disabled since I settled here in 1969’ an old lady in attendance

Asssociatin of Physically Disabled Kenya doctors and Kapsara District Hospital Occupational Therapist offered services as long queue of children and youth waited patiently. Aged peole with disability also turned up.

The nominated counsellor Mr. Manyonge was present to offer inspirational speech and hope to the disabled.He assured them that with determination and focus, all is possible. As a nominated counsellor of Kitale Municipal council, he represents the interest of all the people with disability in the three districts of Kwanza, Trans-nzoia West and East.

We want to thanks all those who in one way or the other contributed to this unique project to e successful. In a special way the Association of Physically Disabled Kenya and Kapsara District Hospital for spearheading the assessment of children and youth. We are indepted to the great financial contribution of Globalgiving Sponsors.

The challenge has just started;to support these children and youth who lok upon us to offer medical, education, and livelihood opportunity

Make your contribution to help 20 disabled children go to school and 15 to get medical attention

Pictures:

• assessment_2.JPG (JPG)

Attachments:

• Project_Report_Parenting_Children_and_Youth_with_Disability__2009.doc (DOC)

Leah Ambwaya visited this project as part of a GlobalGiving evaluation. She met some of the people affected by Trans-nzoia Youth Sports Association. Here are their stories:



Metrine Chelgat.
When we met Metrine a 20 year old girl she is jovial and full of life standing out like a girl who comes from a well off family, but this is not the case when you listen to her, “When I did my primary education I knew that was the end of my life” she poses and looks down shyly “But why?” I ask, she looks up confidently and continues “ I come from a very poor family and nobody goes beyond primary, and my life was complicated further when I got pregnant” this come as a surprise as she doesn’t stand out as a mother, Metrine goes on to narrate on how poverty and lack of basic needs led her into early motherhood but she later beams with a smile and says “Thanks to Tysa because due to counsel and support I am a dependable footballer striker in position 9, after my talent was realized I am now in Kapenguria polytechnic undertaking a two year Tailoring course”.



Lameck Nyadenga
Lameck is 26 years old, when we sat down with him in the Tysa resource centre he stood up as one of the youths milling around the sports ground, anxiously waiting for the whistle blow so as to start playing there favorites sport which is soccer, after we introduce ourselves and mission of the visit we ask the gentleman to introduce himself. My partner and I look at each other in amazement when Lameck introduces himself and goes further to say “I am a farmer from the nearby villages but volunteer my services here at TYSA as a sports facilitator” we are surprised because the rains have just come and everybody is busy working on their farms either planting or weeding since the grounds are soft. To answer our question Lameck takes us through his experience during the post election violence and how TYSA really helped in the healing process and him being a victim of this violence the least he could do to appreciate the efforts by Tysa was to offer his services, he quips “I feel great when I sacrifice an hour or two just to volunteer my services, to an organization that’s helping in the peace building initiative after the post election violence” Lameck explains to us if the youth are not engaged in such initiatives on how to live in harmony they are the same people who will turn against each other, butchering each other like chicken in 20212. They are the key to peace in the community. “I need to go clear with the boys before going back to my farm” we thank him for his time, at the point he runs back to the field where girls and boys are involved in different activities.



Mercyline Ipara.
From her dressing,Mercyline is a modern girl, after we introduce ourselves and request to know her, the young girls goes on without posing on how she used to be a very shy girl after her final year of Kenya secondary certificate of education ,we interrupt her “What happened?” with a lot of pride she continues “I joined Tysa and after counseling and empowerment I realized as a young growing woman I need to actively find my place in the society, and that’s when I joined the soccer team” she goes on tell us about her prowess in the field before adding “ I am now a form 6 student in Mashariki high school Kampala Uganda, Infarct I am a professional y unstoppable no. 7 player” she prides “After my high school I will be a lawyer putting behind bars anybody who treads on children and women rights ,If not I will be a journalist to highlight on this issues”. We wish her all the best in her Endeavour’s believing she will definitely achieve her goals and beyond.



Collins Samuel
Collins Samuel is an 11 year old boy behind a wheelchair beaming with smiles, pushing the weel chair is his mother Elizabeth Ng’aleche.The mother goes on to narrate how Sammy was born prematurely at 7 months and placed in an incubator. She tells us how they thought the boy was a curse forcing them to hide him as an outcast until God brought Gichuki who has helped her and other parent who have children with special needs to appreciate the facts this children are just like any other. “As you can see, now Samuel has a wheel chair and Tysa has found him a school in Kisumu and he is joining very soon.” “You see that man”, she quips referring to a Mr. Francis Gichuki the Director and founder of TYSA, he has spend so much time with me and my family, encouraging us to give Collins a chance, he took us to Joy land school in Kisumu to have Collins assed by experts, we always pray for him”.



Samson Taboso
Samson is another 11 year old boy with special needs, quite special because his is mentally challenged. The father, Michael Kitio is says Samson is his 3rd born “We first noticed Sam had a problem when he clocked 4 years without walking” as he narrates Samson is sharing a bottle of water with my collogue Leah, who doesn’t seem bothered with his state. The father goes on on tell us how he dug a whole neck high the height of sam and would burry him inside everyday for 2 hours for a period of 4 months until he started walking. At this particular moment Samson is comfortably patching on Leah’s laps and in deep conversation, this is quite hilarious since from when we got here is it’s the only time I have seen the boy settle and sit down, “Its motherly communication” I tell myself.
The father is very grateful “Thanks to Tysa,after some therapy he can now feed himself, he is able to play and do some activities like move things from one point to another” .Tysa has managed to secure and sponsor Samson to a special School in Eldoret town about 100 miles from the village. I am forever grateful to TYSA, they have taken a big burden off my shoulders, my son can now walk and he is attending school.” We learn that the Director of the project has a very special interest in this children with special needs, he does school visitations all the time, Samson love Gichuki.



Leah also spoke to many of the beneficiaries. Here's what they had to say:



Pascilia Osere:

"TYSA has enabled me complete school after being out for one year. I have attended various training workshops which have built y capacity in leadership, community mobilization and event management.

TYSA offers excellent opportunity and space for build our future. You can buy a car (Prado) through this leg, by playing football. Through sports, we come together here in the field and this reduces our involvement in social ill activities



Francis Ojilo:

"TYSA sponsored my secondary education. Through TYSA, I have trained as a soccer coach and currently am in charge of sports and recreation in the organization. I stand in for the Director when he is out of the office. I enjoy every moment in the organization as I get mentored into leadership.



Mary Juma (community parents’ representative):

"TYSA has offered support to the many girls and boys in this community to access education, training and exposure. As a community we are happy with the work of this organization and we shall continue to support it.

My own daughter refused to participate in the TYSA activities and now she is married; I was telling my daughter to come to this field and play with other girls but she refused, only to learn later that she was planning to get married. I am so disturbed."



Joseph Marube (Community parents’ Representative):

"TYSA has shaped the minds of the youths as today they are involved in sports and do not have time to participate in ad behaviors. As parents we are aware of the children movement. If I want to know where my child is, I just come to the field here and I find him."



Lameck Nyandega:

"I was affected by the 2008 post election violence and lived in the Noigam IDP camp till it as closed. It is here where TYSA found me. I volunteered to work with the organization in running daily sports and games activities. Since then I have remained with the organization. TYSA has trained me in coaching and have attended training workshops.

Through TYSA, many girls who were in the IDP camps were sponsored to secondary schools. Counseling of those traumatized during the violence has assisted many to return to normal life."



Mercyline Ipara:

"I am a student in Mashariki High School in Kampala Uganda. TYSA played an important role in supporting me. Initially I never knew what to do. I was so enclosed in our home. One time, I walked out and came to the field. I found so many girls playing different sports. Slowly I was attracted and joined the group.

While at the sports ground, I discovered myself more and TYSA opened up more opportunity for me including access higher education. I was very shy and unable to talk in public unlike today when I am very confident."

Leah visited this project as part of a GlobalGiving evaluation. She said:

If I have ever seen a community mobilizer, then it is this man called Gichuki. We give him a call on a cold and wet Saturday morning just to let him know that we had spent the night in Kitale town. He gave direction to the project, but he cautions, “We are a little out of town” that is fine. About fifteen minutes drive we met him at a small shopping center, around him, there were young people. Both boys and girls milling around his Toyota Mark II. It was about five of them and they all screezed themselves in his car, he tells us to drive behind him. He drives ahead of us on a wet marrum road at high speed, I tell my colleague this guy has the right car for this road, will our car make it. Anyway we successfully followed him. About kilometer away, he stops the car, and we pull off the road next to his car, here we notice a little building on the roadside painted in green and yellow colors and branded Tysa. The colors are fading away, he notices the shock on my face and reckons, “this is our old office, we had rented it, but due to financial constraints, we can’t afford the rent so we are moving out to a new place, allow me to pick some records” I wonder, how much rent would they be paying for this facility? Probably USD 100 per month.

He jumps in his car and zooms off at high speed again as we follow him, he realizes that we are not in his sight, so he stops at bridge that is flooded for the previous nights’ rains. Our car wades through the water slowly and we cross to the other side, the story is the same, we drive behind him in hot pursuit again and we stop at a large field soaked in rain water and wet soil, he gets out of his car and tells me , “this is our stadium “ there were tented latrines { long drops} around this big field covered with UNDP tents, Goal posts and netball/ handball posts, the marks of an athletic truck had been washed away by the heavy downpour, but we could see some signs of it.

There were young people both boys and girls, busy with different sporting activities, a small boy was brought in on a wheel chair, other kids pass on the ball to him and that excites him, next to us is another child who seems to be mentally challenged trying to climb on Gichukis back , and another small girl calling out uncle!, uncle!, he talks to her while the other boy is still perched on his back, he puts him down and consults with a group of young girls standing in one corner for the field, so many things are happening, some old women and men suddenly appear and are just hanging around , who is this guy? I wonder silently, surely there is something about this guy, I tell my colleague, I just can’t wait to hear the story of this man.

This guy is so popular within the community; I was forced to ask him, if he has ever contemplated trying his hands in politics, he gives me a big NO. You see that problems we are dealing with now were caused by politicians; we are spending a lot of time and energy doing fire fighting through peace building, psycho social support for IDPs, and resettlement of families and formation of peace clubs in schools. All this energy would have been directed to building the capacities o f this young people through sports and education.

With the tribal dynamics in Kenya, I can’t help, but ask him how he survived the post election violence, now that he belonged to the perceived “wrong tribe”, I was born and brought up in this community, and this is my home. This people are my fathers, mothers, daughters and sons, I am a Kenyan. The realization that I am Kenyan made me survive the violence. Through sports, I visited Rwanda, and what I saw in that country, sharpened me, I can never think tribal. My experience from the trip helped a lot in putting together the peace meeting; some of the youth who travelled with me were the facilitators of the peace meeting. Leah said she would tell her friends that this project is great: They are making a difference.

He ushers us into a small newly constructed building with iron sheet walls and roof, the floor is made of mad, they have improvised timber for seats. “This is our new premise, the little extension at the far corner will act as our office and the rest of the room will be a youth friendly counseling centre. This brings all services closer to the people” This unsung hero has donated his own land that he inherited from his father to the community, and he has no regrets whatsoever for that action. “While other farmers plant maize on their farms, I plant the future of this nation on my farm, the youth” he says. I was shocked by what he called his house, simple and the boys just walk in and out at will.

I ask about the levels of Global Giving funding to TYSA, “They have been funding our girl’s education and disability project for which we are forever grateful. You can see that we have been able to take these children to special schools, and the young mothers back to school, we held one disability day and we are planning the next on 1st of June.

We had a peace and reconciliation meeting with all IDPs in this area and the local community, that’s why you can see those latrines {long drops}, this was in partnership with UNDP, and they put them up. We are still using sports to enhance the capacity of young people while at the same time preaching peace.

What are your future plans? We ask? “The list is long, but if we can have this building completed, the young people can have a place to access information, read watch movies, learn how to use the internet, interacts with the rest of the world, but look at our situation, we trust God that will touch the hearts of our friends to help us reach there. You see we need electricity, the power line is just next us here, but we need about USD 1000 to have the same fixed in out new building.

Truly this project has lifted this community to a new level; all that is left is a strategy to sustain the same I tell my colleague. This mother Teresa has done so much with so little, how much more could he do if he had enough?, that was the question that still lingers in my heart to date. “The needs are overwhelming, the resources are minimal, we cant do it alone, we need all of you out there” appeals Gichuki.

Leah said that she would tell her friends this project is "incredible: You need to see this!"

GlobalGiving is committed to incorporating many viewpoints on our 600+ projects. We feel that more information,especially from eyewitnesses helps donors like you continue to support organizations doing great work in the community.

Last month Kara and Michael visited over a dozen GlobalGiving projects in Kenya, including this one.

Kara wrote:

"While recently in western Kenya, I had the pleasure of spending the day with Gichuki Francis, the executive director of TYSA (Transnzoia Youth Sports Association). After an early start, we visited three schools – all located in very rural parts of Kenya. As Gichuki described it, we were “deep in the bush.” These schools had all received assistance from TYSA, especially when many of the rural families were displaced after the post-election violence.

Throughout the day, I realized that TYSA is doing many diverse activities to help the poor in rural western Kenya. What hit me most during the day was visiting with a widowed woman who had ten kids – four of them had mental or physical disabilities. But living in extreme poverty, she lacked the resources to do anything about their situation, so they all remained at home. A community health worker discovered the situation and referred them to TYSA, who has adopted the care of the rural disabled as one of their priorities. TYSA took them in to medical specialists where they were diagnosed for the first time in their lives. TYSA now hopes to get them into specialized schools, but they don’t currently have the funding to do so, since such expenses are costly and they are already paying school expenses for other disabled poor. I was struck by the isolation and lack of care that exists for many of those who are disabled and born into rural poverty.

I also met a young boy – about 10 or 11 years old – who had received a wheelchair from TYSA. Until recently , he had never been able to leave the house, because his legs are crippled. Once he got his first wheelchair, his life completely changed. Both he and his father were beaming as I spoke with them. They were incredibly grateful for the gift of the wheelchair. Gichuki says that this boy is now a completely different person. And Gichuki is trying to find a suitable yet affordable school for this boy to go to, where his needs can be met, and TYSA hopes to cover his school fees. TYSA is a great organization, not only focusing on sports for social change, but also extending care to the rural poor in other ways."



Michael wrote:

"TYSA works on many projects both with Global Giving and with C.A.R.E. Gichuki had a full day planned for us. We started by visiting an elementary school that was greatly affected by the post-election violence in 2008 Most of the students were forced out of their homes and into camps for IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). They were unable to grow crops and have to rely on the government for food rations. Gichuki often comes to this school to engage in play and counseling for the students to help them process the atrocities they witnessed during the violence.

We then visited a nearby school, where Gichuki pays for the tuition for a couple young ladies who were child brides in Kisumu, but later escaped back to their home area.

Next we visited a family where the single mother had several mentally disabled children. Some of her children got married and some are working nearby, but still she has three at home who are of varying functionality.

After that we visited another school whose football/soccer program was one of the top in Eastern Africa. It had won many regional championships. TYSA gave scholarships to several young ladies at the school and we spoke to an enraptured student body.

Then we visited a technical school where some of TYSA's students were attending to get skills. Gichuki spoke with the principal about strengthening their partnership. To be honest, I think this visit was more for his benefit than ours.

We visited TYSA's soccer field and office last. There we tested our survey and met several other beneficiaries we didn't have time to visit, including Collins.

Gichuki strikes me as very open and excited about using technology and networking skills to the benefit of those in his organization. He is well known and respected. A local KBC correspondent visited him to discuss ways to promote his projects while we were talking at our hotel. He definitely has a more proactive and western view on how to find funding for his programs."

When asked what they would tell their friends about TYSA, Kara said, "Great: They are making a difference" and Michael said, "Incredible: You need to see this!"

GlobalGiving is committed to incorporating many viewpoints on our 600+ projects through Visitor Postcards. We feel that more information, especially from eyewitnesses helps donors like you continue to support organizations doing great work in the community.

Upcoming Event: Parenting Children with Disability- Next Steps

In the first week of June 2009, children with disability and their parents/guardians will benefit from a one day get together to promote healthy living among children with disability.

The parents will trained by volunteers from Nairobi and local experts. The theme being Parenting Children with Disability- Next Steps. They will gain vital information on different types of disability and how to handle them. Referral Services for cases will also be made on this day. Inspirational talk by Persons With Disability who has succeeded will offered. I never knew what to do with my children, thought it will be ok at one time. It is now when I am realizing that my children have a disability. Is it too late to help them!! Parent of 5 children with disability

Children with disability will also have their fun, sports, games, music etc as they interact with normal children in the field. Parents will later join them in the afternoon in the field to play together.

We estimate over 60 children with disability and 30 parents/guardians will participate. It is our deep conviction that the event will open up opportunities for both the children and parents and that the entire community will appreciate and offer equal chance to all children.

‘My child has never left this compound for the last 11 years. It is only today when you (TYSA) came to take them to the hospital for check up’ a parent

It is with such comments from parents that we strongly feel a lot can be achieved from this event. It is the first of its own in the community which does not bring out their disabled children out in the open. This project has helped a few to come out and have gained a lot.

What can you Do!!!
Help us meet the budget of 500 US$.
•10 Dollars pay transport for 5 participants
•10 Dollars makes pays lunch for 10 Participants
•20 Dollars buys materials for face painting for all children
•20 Dollars buys Playing materials
•30 Dollars hires 2Tents and 50 seats

Be part of this great initiative and bring a smile to a child!!

Pictures:

• On_a_wheel_chair_collins_with_peers.JPG (JPG)

Accounting for all funds received up-to-date 17.04 .2009

Accounting for every penny donated:

We want to thank you for your contribution which has amounted to 1,765 US Dollars. It is real encouraging to see how little contribution put together makes great difference.

This is how your contribution has been spent:
1.300 Diapers bought for 20 children: 65 US$
2.20 portable toilets bought : 150 US$
3.55 Parents trained in Toiletry skills: 150 US$
4. 6 children school fees paid: 1000 US$
5.1 wheelchair bought: 400 US$

Beneficiaries Served
We have so far been able to serve 55 parents and 105 children with disability. We are so far impressed by the positive response by the local community

Challenge:
Our main challenge now is that there are more children with disability coming up for services from us. We are now the main focal point for all disability cases in the district with a population of over 700,000 people. We are overwhelmed by high number of children with disability seeking our services. To date on our Educational Support waiting list are 45 children while for medical Support are 67 children.

Hope
We believe with your continued support we shall be able to provide support for these needy members of our community.

Donations Helping the Neediest: 22 years in Bondage

It is sad that a family of 10 has four of its children with disability. Unfortunately, this is a window that has to feed, shelter and cloth her children. This widow, Ms Wangare is living in impoverished condition.

In a remote and isolated village of Munyaka on the slopes of cherangany hills, 35 kilometers from our office, Ms Wangare house looks like an isolated island. Surrounded by deep valleys on all sides. Her four disable children seat around the house each doing his or her own things. The next nearest house is 500 meters away. The children rarely interact with the other children in the community.

For 22 years, Mr. Maina, who has mental retardation and suffers from Epilepsy, has not had any medical attention. His sister Ms Wanjiku 18 years old also with mental retardation and not be given any medical diagnosis. Two other children aged, 12 and 14 have not been taken to hospital to medical care either.

With your donations, we have now been able to take the four children for medical check up and bought medication for epilepsy child. We have the next appointment in the next three weeks to assess educational need for possible placements in special school. Initial assessments show that they have mental retardation though isolation has contributed to worsening their situation. The good news is that, with proper medication and education, they can be useful members of the society and live their independent life. This is the journey that we are undertaking- helping the children finding meaning in life.

We want to appreciate your donation which is helping us to support the neglected disabled children in the rural community. With your support, the four children future is now looking bright. For 22 years, nobody even took Mr.Maina to Hospital for diagnosis.

You have done it first time, keep your support coming and share this with a friend
“This is the happiest moment in my life. For 22 years I have been suffering alone. I had lost hope completetly.May God bless all those who are donating to support my children and others'' Ms Wangare, a widow and mother to four disabled children.

Pictures:

• Disability_in_the_family.JPG (JPG)

Wednesday to Remember

It was around 3.45PM on Wednesday 14th January 2009 when the vehicle carry wheel chair for Collins arrived at his grandmother home, 70 kilometers from Kitale town. Word had gone round the village that Collins was going to receive a late Christmas and New Year gift, so the community gathered to witness this rare occasion.

Collins was so excited and looked jovial throughout the short ceremony to hand over a modern, more comfortable and portable wheel chair. For long (11year), he yearned to join his age mates in play and school.

The sinyereri village members want in a special way want to thank all of you whose donation has enabled Collins receive a wheel chair which costed US $ 750. We also want to Thanks Handicap International for the continued support.

We look forward to your continued support so that Collins can now join school to start his academic dream.

Pictures:

• Collins seated on his new wheel chair, looking on TYSA executive (JPG)

A wheel chair to take Collins to school

We are grateful for your continued support. Since this project started, we have served 52 children with disability. This week schools have opened. We have paid school fees for those children in special school, and those in normal schools. In total we have supported 25 children with school fees, books and uniforms.

Up to date, 27 children are undergoing toilet training so that they can be admitted to school next year. We have trained 35 parents on toilet use of children and provided them with simple portable toilet kits.

Master Collins is an 11 year old child with physical disability. He walks using the hands and legs. Collins is staying with his grandmother. Last week he lost his dear grandfather whom they were great friends.

After training him on toilet use, Collins is now ready to go to school. We are in the next four weeks hoping he will join an integrated school if we can provide him with a wheel chair. Your continued support is vital to help us purchase a wheelchair costing US$ 300

Your support will give Master Collins a chance to access education.

Pictures:

• Collins now ready to go to school but only a wheel cair is the o (JPG)

Happy New Year
‘My name is Lorna, a beneficiary of your donations which is helping me as a blind child to access education. Am writing on behalf of my friends to wish you all the best in 2009. We want you to know that we are very encouraged and inspired by your kind donations through global giving. We receive all that you donate. Remember us in this new year.’

Braille Machine for a blind pupil

Lorna is a 13 year old primary 7 class pupil. She plays with her other friends normally. She interacts with her peer well. She is a student at Bokoli Primary school in Trans-nzoia East District. Lorna is a HIV/AIDS peer educator.

This is a unique experience in this local community. Lorna is a blind girl who has outshined her other friends and she is a leading example. Trans-nzoia Youth Sports Association with your input has built confidence, equipped her with necessary skills to manage her situation.

This week, Lorna was playing her part in peace building initiatives after the post Election Violence in Kenya. She interacted with the local community and taught them various games.

Through your continued support, we can together make Lorna achieve her dream. She urgently requires; Braille machine so that she can do her studies well. The Braille Machine Costs US$ 1000. She currently depends on hearing what the teacher is saying and her sister helps her in the evening. Now her sister in proceeding to secondary school leaving her alone.
   

Make 2009, a memorable year for Lorna, Donate NOW


'Wishing you a merry christmass and Happy new year' Lorna

Pictures:

• Lorna actively involved in sports for peace (JPG)

Taboswa Samson, mentally disabled children has continually to improve over time. When he went to the school early this year due to your enormous contributions after 4 years of waiting at home, we have witnessed great improvements in areas of sanitation, socialization and general health. Being in a boarding school, he also learns life skills which are vital for his interactions.

Next year he will be continuing to second year and we look forward to your continued support to ensure he gain useful skills to socialize and interact with his community.

This project Supports 250 disabled children learn toilet skills, and sponsor them to get special education. Disabled children are forgotten in the rural Kenya and most can not access education because of simple reasons; they are not trained in toilet use.

Do you think it is right that a child is denied access to education just because he / she cannot go to toilet on her / his own!!! With as little as 250 US$ it is possible to toilet train the child and he / she will be right into a classroom!!!!

Master Moses in the picture, ius one scuh child who needs support in toilet training.

Pictures:

• Master Moses, needs toilet training skills (JPG)