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NEWSLETTER FOR DECEMBER 2009
Hello Everyone,
First of all let me wish you all a very Happy New Year and a prosperous 2010.
Things are always relatively quiet in December in the office as people start to think more about Christmas and the Festivities rather than gap years in to next year.
Nevertheless we still found time to have an office party with all our helpers and local volunteers.
Whilst we have been enjoying a snowy time here in Chaldon people from around the World have been wishing us well…
SEASONS GREETINGS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Xavier in Southern India sent his best wishes as a Christmas card:
We want to thank Xavier and his team at PCTC for all their support to our volunteers
You can find out more about Xavier and his community work at: www.pctcability.org.
The hill tribal primary school in the mountains of Kerela, Southern India were also keen to send their season greetings:
Jay in Argentina wrote:
Hi David & Shirley
Everthings going well, can´t believe its nearly been 3 months! For however much I miss home, I don´t want to come back!!!!
Currently in Buenos Aires, and then going to head to Salta in the north east, then Chile in the early new year for the visa. Looking forward to meeting all the others when they come out soom.
There is one thing which has annoyed me, the one year I´m away for Xmas, it snows!!! Typical!!! Heres wishing for another white xmas next year then!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you both,
Jay
You can find out more about Jay and his adventures at his blog: offexploring.com/jayharlow
Jon in the outback of Australia wrote:
Hi David,
Happy New Year! Sorry I haven't e-mailed in a while, out on the station I don't get too much time to use the net and there always seems to be something important to sort out!
Its been going really well, I can't believe its now 2010 and I've been here 4 months! Time really does fly! The story so far is I've been at Mentone till the 22nd December and I'm currently at the end of a 2 week stay in the Gold Coast with my friend Matt who emigrated over here 8 years ago. Tomorrow (Tuesday) I'm flying up to Cairns for 5 days to have a bit of a look about before going back to the station on the 11th. In theory I'll then be at Mentone till the end of January before I go to another station nearby, Sesbania, for the rest of my time as Jess the oldest child is starting school of the air.
Since I've been in the Gold Coast one thing I'd like to do now, though I know it may not be possible, is if it would be feasible to rearrange my flights and come back a week earlier. Reason being is Matt turns 21 on the 6th March so it'd be really nice if I could come down and celebrate it with him, though it wouldn't make much sense to come down for the weekend, to go back to the station just to turn around and come back again a few days later! What I was hoping was that instead of flying home on the 15th, it could be the 8th and if possible my flight out of Mt Isa either be cancelled or if that isn't possible, to move it to the 4th or 5th of March. I know this is a big ask and understand that none of it may be possible at all either because of terms and conditions or ridiculous cost to changing or whatever else so its no problem if it can't be changed, however it would be great to end my time here on a note like that!
Hope you are well and have had a fantastic Christmas and great start to the New Year and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Regards,
Jon
Jon can be contacted at: jdrich1@hotmail.co.uk.
Zoe in Nakuru, Kenya sent this lovely photo:
To find out more about Zoe’s adventures in Kenya contact her via Facebook – look for Zoe Kelland.
Abby also in Nakuru wrote:
MERRY CHRISTMAS TOOOO!!!!
thanks so much for everything, got so much to do before i leave.
Will just let you know what we have been up to,
we did a huge street feed for 100 boys 2 days ago, we are taking cookies and presents to all the orphanages we know, we redecorated an orphanage a few weeks ago and we babysat 4 orphans for the night from a lady named sherry who has her own orphanage/rescue home, we plan on taking food to the mums and children on ward 6 on christmas eve too!
xxxxxxxxxx
Sounds like a Christmas with a difference!
Jane, mum of Christie- Lee in Kenya wrote:
Christie-Lee is having an amazing time in Nakuru.She loves it there.
She has told us that things are uncertain with St Stephens orphanage, and it's difficult to find out what is happening. At our church we have pondered raising funds towards the orphanage.I wonder whether you are able to enlighten us further about the situation- whether it is formally shutting, or whether the girls who were fund raising and hoping to provide a permanent building are continuing with this plan.kind regards
I wrote in reply:
Hello Jane,
Happy New Year to you.
It is great to hear that all is well with Christie-Lee. I have not heard
from her for a little while although Karanja does bring me up to speed
when we chat.
I too am not so sure what is happening at St Stephen's orphanage at
present - however the situation is not good.
Let me tell you what I know whilst copying in Karanja as he can add
further details.
Changing Worlds has been associated with the orphanage for the last
three/four years. It has always proved an excellent placement for our
volunteers as there are many opportunities to help and assist.
During this time the orphanage has been financed by a local lady called
Mrs Maina. Mrs Maina is infact one of our host families and has always
welcomed volunteers.
Whilst I was in Nakuru last Summer I was made aware that some of our
volunteers had raised serious amounts of money to help the orphanage -
there were plans to buy a house (the old place was rented and all the
time the children were having to move from one house to another as the
lease ran out - hardly satisfactory!)
It was a chance conversation Karanja and I had with some teachers at
Nakuru Workers primary school that they mentioned they had some spare
land available.
We saw the land was in a good position in town and was at that time not
built upon.
Karanja mentioned this to the volunteers who decided that this was the
ideal site for construction.
Since the Summer the construction work has gone on - however my
understanding is that the funds have now run out and the roof has yet to
be built.
The volunteers who helped fund the construction have now returned to the
UK but continue to look at opportunities to provide financial
assistance.
The situation has worsened because due to her personal situation Mrs
Maina has now unable to finance the day to day running of the orphanage.
As a result the children are being despatched to other institutions and
families in Nakuru.
The volunteers back here in the UK are not sure what to do next.
I have suggested that some of them create a trust here in the UK (I have
done this with an orphanage we have in Southern India). I made this
suggestion in November and have had little reaction since.
However the problem as I see it is that the finances of that trust fund
would need to be managed in Kenya.
The volunteers need to find a reliable and trustworthy individual based
in Nakuru who has both the time and the expertise to manage the finances
and maintain the day to day running of the orphanage.
Now with time moving on and with the children going to new places and I
am not sure where this leaves the situation. I would hate to think that
all the efforts made by the previous volunteers is coming to nothing.
Jane - this is my take of the situation sitting here in the UK. I am
hoping Karanja can add further updates.
Do come back to me if you know more.
Regards
David
OTHER NEWS
Other exciting news came from India and Brazil:
First we learned that Amy was returning to India. Amy completed a medical placement with us to Chennai in April 2006. She proved an excellent volunteer and subsequently helped us out at various events and courses.
Amy and Anna on their medical placement
In the meantime Amy was training to be a full time nurse. Now she has qualified she is keen to return to India.
Krish our representative in Chennai writes:
Hello Amy!
Here is Dr Viswanathan's reply So now it is for you to initiate.good luck!
I am sure your cv and the covering letter reflecting active interests in child welfare that earned you this placement so quickly ! Good wishes!
When you are here you will be able to decide on attachments with appropriate units in consultation with Dr V
Love
Krish
Amy replies:
Dear Krish,
I hope you are having a good week. Thank you so much for all the help you have given me and the time you have taken to do so. It is difficult to express how thankful I am to you, without flying over to Chennai and giving you a big thank you hug!
I have emailed Dr Viswanathan (which I have copied you in on). I will also send a letter to the Medical Director so hopefully he will confirm that they have accepted me.
I will let you know as soon as I hear back,
Love
Amy
We wish every success to Amy on her new placement.
…and from Brazil our representative in Canavieiras confirms that his new school has now been built.
Aldo writes:
Hi David, how are you? Happy New Year. I am in England for a few days before I go to Italy for my work.
Not heard from you for a while so thought I drop you a line to see how is looking for our project.
The school is now finished and opening 11th January for the enroling of the students and the planning for the first course which will start on 8 Narch, after the official opening.
The new project for the sport centre is also going well and work should start in March.
Best Regards
Ciaoooooooooo
Aldo Nocita
This is a photo of the new school in Canavieiras, Bahia, Brazil. This is a school for young adults who want to work in hospitality and includes a kitchen, restaurant and a computer network.
If you are interested in teaching English to students coming in to the hospitality industry then this will be most welcomed. Do find out more from our website at: http://www.changingworlds.co.uk/Content/Destinations/Brazil/Overview.aspx
TANZANIA
It has taken a little while for me to get things together but we are delighted to be now working in partnership with Village to Village.
V2V offer work placements in rural Tanzania in East Africa. I have been working closely with Libby James to put together a marketing profile for their charity on the Changing Worlds website.
To find out more do look at our website at:
http://www.changingworlds.co.uk/Content/Destinations/Tanzania/Overview.aspx
To find out more about Village to Village do access their website at:
http://www.village-to-village.org.uk/site/
We felt that Village to Village were doing some excellent community work in Tanzania and we wanted to help where we can.
PHOTO COMPETITION
We have been running a photo competition for the last month and the response as usual has been most impressive.
The competition asks ‘Where do you think Claire is spending her Christmas?’
If you want to have a go then do go to this link:
http://www.changingworlds.co.uk/Home.aspx?vurl=%2f%2fRoot%2fContent%2fCompetitions%2fHoldingpage
The competition closes on Sunday 10 January 2010 so you will need to hurry.
The winner will be announced in this news letter in our January 2010 newsletter.
AND FINALLY
Thoughts from the Friends of Kinangop (see their Facebook group) with words of wisdom:
Subject: MERRY X-MAS
In democracy it's your vote that counts; In feudalism it's your count that votes
A bicycle can’t stand alone Because it is two-tired
Time flies like an arrow Fruit flies like a banana
A backward poet Writes inverse
What's the definition of a will? It's a dead giveaway
She had a boyfriend with a wooden leg, But broke it off
With her marriage she got A new name and a dress
A chicken crossing the road Is poultry in motion
If you don't pay your exorcist You get repossessed.
The man who fell into an upholstery machine Is fully recovered
Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft And I'll show you A-flat minor
When a clock is hungry It goes back four seconds
You feel stuck with your debt If you can't budge it
He often broke into song because He couldn't find the key.
Local Area Network in Australia : The LAN down under
A boiled egg in the morning Is hard to beat
Every calendar's days Are numbered
A lot of money is tainted 'Taint yours and 'taint mine
A plateau is a high form Of flattery
He had a photographic memory Which was never developed
Those who get too big for their britches Will be exposed in the end
The short fortuneteller who escaped from prison Was a small medium at large
Those who jump off a Paris bridge Are in Seine
When you've seen one shopping center You’ve seen a mall
Bakers trade bread recipes On a knead to know basis.
When an actress saw her first strands of gray hair She thought she'd dye...
Acupuncture is a Jab well done
Marathon runners with bad footwear Suffer the agony of defeat
Santa's helpers are Subordinate clauses
MERRY X-MAS ALL.
Have fun!
Regards
David
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