Today we visited a rural project 220 kms east of Nairobi. No-one had ever visited this project before, probably on account of the 4 hour journey from the city!The project is short on classrooms and we took our seats in the welcome shade of a mango tree as the project director explained the benefits of sponsorship.
It was fascinating to tour around the compound afterwards and see the project workers in action teaching arts and crafts, brickmaking, agriculture, music, tailoring, home economics and computing - all designed to equip the children with the ability to earn an income.
The 7-9 year olds expertly demonstrated how to weave a mat from maize stalks that could then be sold in the market. 90% of the project children's parents are subsistence farmers so the agriculture class was invaluable in teaching them skills they could employ at home, like how to plant a banana tree so that it would thrive.
The importance of these vocational skills came into sharp focus during the home visit to a 15 year old sponsored lad, Evan. The burden of caring for his entire family had fallen on his small shoulders.
His grandfather was very elderly and frail, whilst his mother and younger brother clearly suffered with mental disorders. Please pray that God would strengthen Evan as only He can and enable him to support his family. We know He is able to do immeasurably more than all that we can ask or imagine.
We won't be able to post a message tomorrow as we're flying up to the Masai Mara for some much needed rest and recreation. Catch you later....
Clare (Compassion)
