Hi, Here are some reports from Ann Mwangi about the Eastleigh programs.  Ann has been supervisor of the Eastleigh ministry since July 2006.

Young mothers (Catherine, Eunice and Yvonne)

At the beginning we realized Catherine and Eunice did not know how to read and write. In the area of knowing about God, Catherine knew God only in times of getting food. Eunice, when her mother was alive, used to teach her some of the bible stories and she also knows the importance of depending on God. For Yvonne she used to go to church, and she has some idea about God. Mrs Jane (our other addition team member in Eastleigh), after realizing their problem, she suggested that she would be teaching alphabets and sounds. This would help them to learn quickly. Eunice has shown a great interest of learning although it took time because she was afraid. This was a hard thing to do because of the mentality that they are mothers and they are past the times of being taught how to read and write.  I remember one day having a talk with them. I realized that they also shyed away, but it was a matter of understanding them and making them feel that they can do it. It was like preaching to them and letting them know there was nothing impossible to do in life. I had to make them think positively towards their life and education. Eunice has made us happy by the way she has come up in education and Jane has been so patient with her.
Catherine has been a little bit slow but we are trying to find ways of making her be interested in education.  We realized she has low self-esteem. They have been enjoying the bible class, which is taught by Kennedy. He had to start by explaining what is the bible and the books in it.
 
Wednesday Program girls treat

During this time there have been young girls of age 9, 11 and 12 who have been coming from Korogocho. There are others who seem to be of ages between 14 and 16. On the 27th of February the team with the help of the Conways had a surprise for the girls.  We took them shopping to buy clothes at Gikomba Market. They were very happy about it; each got to buy items worth ksh 500 ($8).  We all went as a group; the girls were 13 and we were three female team members. As we were walking in the market and looking for the clothes that they were interested in, some of the men abused them loudly in Kiswahili, yelling “chokora” (those who scrounge garbages). The amazing thing is that the girls restrained from abusing them back.

Compiled by Francis Mbuvi, 13 March 2008

CONNOR BROWN MEMORIAL BUILDING

LIFE AT KAMULU 

Hope you are fine. We have been doing great here. Church was wonderful. We have boys like Cugia, Titus and George who like helping in singing and Wahome and Morris help with passing the Lord's table and offering. This week we had Lucy Muthoni stand with Joel and the others upfront as they led songs!!!! Being quiet as she is and mostly silent, this was going an extra mile for her. In the afternoon we had competition with questions from the LifExciting lessons we just concluded. It was so much fun; we got to the eighth lesson. We decided to continue again next week.

RELATIONSHIP TO THE GOVERNMENT
As you already know, we have been pursuing the re-registration of MITS for the last one year where the Government had many requirements. They lost some of our documents and we had to re-do them again. Joel has attended many meetings concerning this and finally this week he received a Certificate at the children's office for our registration. The certificate is valid for 3 years and we will reapply after that period. We are so happy to get this new certificate. No. 000284

Monday Programs
Monday program is always fun and encouraging to be in. This Monday the mothers were shown a movie and so they could concentrate the children had a lesson and played games. Hollye brings lots of toys and play stuff that the children enjoy. Jane does very well with them. Jane is also on a probation period for taking care of the children when the young mothers go to college.