January 2018 - Head
Trustee Report
Another fantastic year for Rainbow
House.
Geoff Herrington Trust generously donated a substantial sum
of money to dig boreholes. The first is
now complete at Rainbow House but sadly the water is brackish. However, it is a great back up and was used
by the home and neighbouring community when the mains water was cut off for
over two weeks, especially for flushing toilets and washing.
Rainbow Farm is expanding, and we have decided to concentrate
on livestock, including cows, pigs chickens and possibly rabbits. We will certainly be able to grow some fruit
and vegetables if we can get to the water.
However, we will not be taking chances on expensive crop failures,
instead we will focus on easy growing plants to feed the kids, and selling
anything else.
Rainbow Academy junior school has two new classrooms for
2018 The fees at Rainbow are the
lowest in the area and attract children from the local community. We have bought a school bus to offer collection of children at various locations in the area.
All children have good healthcare backed up with the Kenyan
insurance fund. David Ngala, who has been at Rainbow most of his life, received
his first surgery to repair his club feet at Kijabe Cure Hospital in
November. He was accompanied by Kazungu
and our social worked Elena.
Lynda’s fund raising page is showing just under £2000 for this cause. The next surgery is in 6 months’ time. Many thanks to all who generously supported and to Kazungu and Elena who found that not all of Kenya is warm at night! Our sincere thanks to the surgeons and nurses at Cure International who were fantastic
Lynda’s fund raising page is showing just under £2000 for this cause. The next surgery is in 6 months’ time. Many thanks to all who generously supported and to Kazungu and Elena who found that not all of Kenya is warm at night! Our sincere thanks to the surgeons and nurses at Cure International who were fantastic
All the requirements
for the re-certification of Rainbow House at the Children’s department have now been completed. What a
task. It seemed a never-ending list of
paperwork leading to an official inspection.
The whole process has taken around 6 months. But perseverance has paid off, and the
paperwork has now gone to Nairobi for final stamping.
The children remain wonderful, committed, polite
children. Their grades are spectacular
in the main and have turned in some of the best results in the district. They should be proud of themselves and we will
try to make sure they are.
Taking children in at Rainbow House is easy. So is looking after them once they have
fitted in with the values instilled. The
hard part is managing their exit and we are all taking note of what each child
or young adult wants to do.
Some are academic, some are not. Career talks have commenced to see if those in
school without prospects of good grades might be best to switch to a
polytechnic and learn a skill or trade. We
are working with the others that are academic to decide which course is right
for them.
What we are not about is taking kids in, instilling western
values, and then waving good bye when they are 18. We are about seeing each child through to
their chosen vacation. In doing so each
child and many others are assisted in the community.
Heart of Ruth have started work on the transition house for
18-year olds. It is on the land next to
Rainbow. 18+ year olds will sleep there when it is completed, but still have full access to Rainbow for meals and all support.
Further expansion plans for 2018 and to build classrooms for
a secondary school on the adjoining land and starter home accommodation.
The ambition is to create a base level of income from the
school and farm. I have also been
working with local hotels and businesses to create awareness of Rainbow House
and I hope to see positive results in 2018.
Sincere thanks to Mark Belsham who assisted with the funding
of the land, for being a great co-trustee and showing such keen interest.
Thanks also to Tanya Brooks, so much more than the company
secretary in the UK.
And to Lynda who cares passionately about these children and
is assisting them in seeking out their chosen path to education and work.
Finally, to all sponsors – thank you so much. I do hope each one of you will come to visit
to see the amazing progress in this home.
A special mention to Foundation Coramandel, without whose
support we would not have made these substantial moves forward.
Watamu is a fabulous place to visit. There is a strong Italian influence, some of
the finest beaches in the world. Along
with deep sea fishing, kite surfing, all water sports and some of the friendliest
people you can meet. If you are interested
in a trip please contact me for flights and accommodation suggestions.
Final thanks to all the staff at Rainbow. You only have to visit the home and see the
kids to know that these people are deep down good-hearted individuals, most
having been there from the start and having worked through very tough
times.
For my part, it has been an absolute privilege to be
involved with sponsoring this home for the last 11 years, watching the kids
grow with each visit, and now in my current role. It isn’t work. It’s rewarding and enlightening, and I am so
lucky I found it.
Jonathan
jc@rainbowhousekenya.org
07810 634 724 (UK)
0796 19 17 12 (Kenya mobile)
jc@rainbowhousekenya.org
07810 634 724 (UK)
0796 19 17 12 (Kenya mobile)