Visitors, Volunteers & Donators

The Salvation Army’s Internal Auditor, Major Bilha Rewa and Captain Musa Baraza joined us in October.

Major John Walters also visited the home in October and encouraged the children to focus on education and to live in holy lives.

Sarah and Winnie from the ‘Doing Good’ organisation came in December to volunteer in December. Sarah is from Italy and Winnie is from the Netherlands.

Mr. Cliff visited the home severally whilst in Kenya and brought the children second-hand shoes from his company.

Facilities & Resources

Through the support and efforts from our heatquarters, the following has been achieved:
 The girls exit ladder has been replaced;
 The water tank stand has been repaired and repainted;
 The doors and window panes have been repaired;
 New utensils have been purchased;
 Staff uniforms have been purchased; and
 Clothes, shoes and sandals have been purchased as Christmas presents for the children.
 We are currently drafting a project proposal which seeks to renovate the structure of the home by making changes to the pavement, parking area and Captain offices.

Education Update!

Some children sat for their K.C.P.E Exams and for the majority of the children, their performance was absolutely remarkable and we are very proud of them. As these children have finished this big hurdle in their education, they will now be reunited
with their families.

Volunteers kindly came to the home in the December holidays and gave the children indoor tuition.

Captain Kenneth & Beatrice Muriithi have met with all the children’s teachers to discuss their progress and how to help them improve.

Some children at the nursery school level, finished nursery and attended a beautiful graduation ceremony. The ceremony program included worship, entertainment, award of certificates and cutting a cake.

Testimonials from the children

“I was born in what once was a happy family, however, my father later became a drunkard. Unfortunately, due to his drunk behaviour, he contracted and tested HIV positive and died when I was 5 years old. My mother was also infected and due to her ill healthy our life changed drastically and became unbearable. The people in our community hated and rejected us. One day, a Salvation Army officer passed by our home and having noted our predicaments, he sympathized with me and organized with the area chief to give a report on my condition and family. I was then later enrolled at the Mombasa Children’s Home. I am comfortable with my studies and now I am in class five. My mother’s health, however, is not good. Please keep praying for me.” IBRAHIM MUGERA

“Both my parents are completely blind and I grew up assisting them through begging in the streets. Every-day I guided my mother to various places where we would beg and the money that we collected was our only source of income. My parents were never able to take me to school. One day a Salvation Army Officer visited our home and spoke to us about the Mombasa Children’s Home and requested that my parents surrender me to the Home. Once joining the Home, I was able to start my education and am now in class 2. I am 9 years old.” MARY PENDO

“I am 13 years old and my mother died when I was 4 years old. My father had earlier died when I was 1 years old. Both of them died of HIV related diseases. Afterwards my grandfather took care of me and comforted me very much. He used to tell me that of the circumstances that led to grandmother’s death. He was too old to secure money for food and so I took the responsibility of going to work to for money so as to buy food for us.I did have an uncle, however, he never wanted to see me in his home. My uncle used to chase me away and this made me cry very much. I remember very well on 2/2/2006 when one Salvation Army officer talked to me and then later to my grandfather. Afterwards, I was enrolled in the Mombasa Children’s Home. I am now in class 5 and I thank God that I now have the opportunity to complete my education and there is someone to take care of me.” JASON OBONYO

Quartlery Review

In September 2011, Captain Kenneth Muriithi issued a Quarterly Review for the
Mombasa’s Children Home. If you would like to view this then please contact him
directly.

A summary of the Quarterly Review:

Big congratulations to all the children (in class 8) that tried their best in their
school exams.
 A special big congratulations to the following children (in class 8) who performed well in term 1:
- Steven Kulola
- Samwel Nijiru
- Lillian Maiba
- Janet Mumbua
 A special big congratulations to the following children (in class 8) who performed well in term 2:
- Steven Kulola
- Duncan Mukallo

Since the last newsletter, there were no health or indiscipline reports recorded
at the Mombasa Children’s Home.

The Mombasa Children’s Home’s Territorial Headquarters kindly supplied funds for the children to have new school uniforms and shoes.

Schools closed at the end of July 2011 and during the summer holidays:
 Some children attended tuition classes;
 All children participated in a number of organized field games and
drama;
 Captain Kenneth Muriithi and Beatrice Muriithi held counseling sessions
for the children.
 All children regularly gained spiritual nourishment from:
- Each other;
- Captain Kenneth Muriithi and Beatrice Muriithi and
- Other individuals from the Catholic and JCC Churches in Mombasa.

The Future

Issues and ideas:
 At the moment, we have around 5 children sharing a bedroom. We are concerned about overcrowding and consequently their health. We would very much like to expand the orphanage so that there are only 3 children sharing a bedroom.
 We would like to expand the orphanage so that the children can have more space to live, study and enjoy their spare time.
 The orphanage is running low on a few items, namely uniforms for the children. At the moment, each child only has one uniform. This means that when they come home after school they have to wash, dry and prepare their uniform for the next day.
 We need to raise more awareness for the orphanage.

What can you do?
 The managements urges any individual, organization or company to partner with us in order to achieve our set objectives.
 Donate funds to the orphanage so that we can afford to expand the orphanage and ensure that the children have more space.
 Donate funds so that we can afford another uniform for each child.
 Circulate this newsletter to your friends and family so we can raise awareness for the orphanage.
 Continue supporting us and showing the children that you care.

General Facts

History:
 The Mombasa Children's Home was formerly an elderly people's home and in
1985 it was converted into a children's home.
 In 1985, eight children between the ages of three to eight years were admitted to
the home.
 The Mombasa Children's Home was registered on 2nd January 1987 and the
registration number is AV/1/G.N.I under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Location:
 It is situated in the Kizingo Estate along David Kayanda road, 200 metres from
the Coast Provincial Headquarters.
 It is built on 1.51 acres of land.
 It has a compound where children can play during their free time and enjoy extracurricular
activities.

Our Vision:
 Believes that both girls and boys can live in a society that provides them with the
fundamental rights to develop and acquire protection from all forms of discrimination
and exploitation.
 Believes that we should bridge the gap where society has failed to do enough for
the children.
 Believes that all disadvantaged children should be provided with the basic rights
and opportunities that will allow them to become the responsible adults of tomorrow.

Admissions:
 The Mombasa Children's Home admits children aged between three to ten
years old.
 Children aged between eleven and thirty years can be admitted in exceptional
circumstances (such as when a child is at risk / or has been abused).
 Priority is given to:
 Children who have been orphaned by both parents.
 Children who have been abused physically / sexually / emotionally.
 Children from extremely poor families and who do not have access to their
basic rights of food, clothing, shelter and education.

Education:
 The children are enrolled and attend schools within the Mombasa District.
 Some of the names of the schools that they attend are:
 Mbalaki Girls Primary
 Valentine Primary School
 Star of the Sea Primary
 Mombasa Primary School
 The Mombasa Children's Home supports children in several secondary schools
within the area.

Current Administrators:
 The Mombasa Children’s Home is sponsored by The Salvation Army Church.
 It is among many institutions under its sponsorship especially targeting children
with physical, mental disabilities and marginalized in Kenya and around the
world.
 The administrators are, however, subject to change.

Statistics:
 The Mombasa Children's Home can accommodate 60 children.
 Currently it has thirty-two girls and twenty-eight boys.
 To enable the Mombasa Children's Home to run effectively, it has the following
staff:
 2 superintendents
 2 cooks
 2 house mothers
 2 watchmen
 1 general worker