A Window Office

Kenya is famous for some of the most breath-taking views in the world, but this is one of my favorites: the view from the visitor's seat, next to the desk in the office of Moses Machara, the Manager of Cura Rotary Home. I'm looking forward to getting back to Cura next week, to catching up with the kids and with Moses and the mothers, with the staff at the Clinic, and with everyone who works so hard on behalf of that incredible community. Watch this space for updates...

100% Sponsorship in 2013!

I am thrilled to report that sponsors for the last three children have stepped up in December -- resulting in 100% sponsorship for 2013! This was a goal for the year that I was resigning myself to not quite achieving... but you all came through for the kids in Cura. What a wonderful way to end the year. 

THANK YOU!

Warm Holiday Wishes from One World Chorus

I was invited to represent Cura at the holiday concert given by One World Chorus in Lake Oswego, Oregon yesterday. Aaron and Diedre continue to enrich children's lives with music... in the US, in Jamaica, and, of course, in Cura. We hope to get Aaron back to Cura soon!

Successful Cura Health Day -- Thanks to Lake Oswego Rotary!

On Saturday, 16 November, Cura Clinic held a successful Community Health Day, funded by a generous grant from the Lake Oswego Rotary's International Committee. Jane, Margaret and Perris put this event together with one week's notice, distributing flyers around the village and into Wangige, and even doing a morning walk-about to spread the news (and to simultaneously participate in the nation-wide Polio Vaccination effort scheduled for the same weekend). Jane reports that the event was an enormous success...

95 community members were tested for HIV, and all of the results were negative. Excellent news!

 200 people were tested for diabetes, and those who tested positive were started on a course of treatment.

Beverages and snacks were served under a festive tent, bringing nearly 300 Cura community members together over the course of the day.

 The volunteer lab technicians and health workers made sure everyone received de-worming medications, Vitamin A, and polio vaccinations -- and free mosquito nets were given to expectant mothers and families with new babies. The event was a hit, and the community says THANK YOU to Lake Oswego Rotary for making it happen!

Thursday is Boot Day

We made the distribution of new gum boots today, and you can see pictures and video of the highly anticipated event on our Facebook page! We also:

chased giant spiders

pulled a lizard out of a hat

pleaded with the cow to finally give birth already

signed up for cycles and cycles of computer time

handed out glow bracelets for bedtime

filled in the remaining Hello Kitty coloring book pages

discussed this weekend's Clinic event

celebrated the end of Primary school for our Class 8 students

wandered around the field to pick up garbage

had a top-spinning competition

gave lots of hugs

laughed

visited with Mama Grace, who's on leave but came by to say hi anyway

It was a good day.

KCPE and Corn and Lilly

All of Cura Primary's Class 8 students were busy taking the KCPE standardized exams today, and a group of mothers (including some of those from Cura Rotary Home) gathered to make the kids a fortifying batch of chapatis for lunch. The aroma was intoxicating!

The long-awaited rains seem to be coming (mostly at night lately, which is just fine with me), so the mothers are prepping the maize field for planting. It looks like really hard work, but they claim "it's enjoyable."

 Lovely Lilly joined me in Cura today, bringing donations of new shoes, clothing and swim suits. The girls were in shopping heaven, and the boys were pretty excited, too.

Monday in Cura

 Cura Secondary School's Form 1 student, Beatrice, placed as 1st Runner Up in a recent race, and her Deputy Head Teacher and Head Teacher are so proud!

Jane and her colleagues at the Clinic are busy preparing for next weekend's event..

The Computer Lab remains in high demand... and Alex was pretty proud of himself to have gotten the last sign-up of the day!