The Vision suddenly so Real!

This was my third trip back to Kenya since my first stay with the Muirus in 2006, but there was something really special about this time: it hit me just how much Familia Moja Children’s Home has achieved these last 5 years!

Arriving in Mang’u at dawn, hundreds of birds chirping in the moist air as the mist rose to reveal the lush green trees rooted in rich, red earth - my first view of what will be FMCH’s new two-storey building was the bright metal roof in the sun, gleaming like a lighthouse to welcome me “home”. 

I was surprised how much bigger it looked in reality than in the pictures; impressed by the large windows that let in so much natural light, and the forward-thinking that has gone into its design: a large hall with a stage will also provide a community space for various events and gatherings.  I visited the garden, met the cow, and took great interest in the idea of a small bakery being set up on site to generate income.  The site is a hive of activity and inspired ideas! 

My meeting with the headmaster of one of the schools attended by the Familia Moja children reassured me that they are receiving a high standard of education provided by demanding but caring teachers who understand their pupils and put a lot of thought into their profession. 

But what struck me most was seeing how much the 6 kids who had just spent their first year at secondary school had grown up.  I can no longer call them children.  They are young men and women, who are starting to voice their opinions, and take greater responsibility for their future.  And I was moved because this is exactly what Familia Moja set out to do 5 years ago. 

Wambui’s vision was always to best prepare these young people for the realities of adulthood in a country teeming with both creative innovation and enormous challenges.  And the sustained commitment that Jess and others in Kenya and abroad have shown provide solid roots from which this vision can flourish.  Great things are achieved when individual dreams and the strength of community are united.  To all of you who have participated in making Famlia Moja what it is today – thank you for making this last trip of mine so special!  I am left feeling challenged, and greatly inspired.

Sandra Steiger, Feb 2013

Volunteer project week 4 - tears in Mang'u

The final and undoubtedly most emotional week of the trip saw the majority of the volunteers reluctantly pack up the cosy ‘Mang’u Hilton’ - our home for the past month - and farewell our Kenyan family. On our final night together, expressions of appreciation and love flew around the room, and there was barely a dry eye in the house. To blunt the sting of goodbyes and allow us a moment to mop up our tears, Joe, Matilda, Conor and Stella performed a hilariously brilliant song about our time in Mang’u, set to the tune of ‘Tears in Heaven’. It summed up our experience and adventures perfectly, filling the Muiru house with roaring laughter and applause once more. In all honesty, it’s too hard to define our experience in words; there really isn’t a way to describe what Familia Moja, the Muiru family and the Mang’u community has etched into us.

Earlier in the week before we lost too many hands, we excitedly began painting the dorm rooms in the new home - covering ourselves in the process. Seeing the home reach this point in construction is incredibly rewarding and makes all the aches, pains and calluses absolutely worthwhile. It is really starting to take shape and every now and then a scene of the home fully furnished and full of life and love appears in my mind.

Despite the sheer emotional drainage endured in this final stage of the project, another joyous and productive week was enjoyed with the beautiful children of Familia Moja. On Sunday, Amy took Agnes and Jane to get their ears pierced in Thika.

Agnes getting her ears pierced.

To celebrate four of the older kids completing their KCPE exams and graduating primary school, Jess, Shar, Conor and Amy took them for a Nairobi trip. The intention of this outing was to congratulate them and educate them about the city at the same time. Dinner was an interesting experience – the children had never tried Ethiopian food and found it a real challenge to stomach. The assault of flavours and spices shocked their palate and the injerra was questioned, “What kind of Ugali is this

The next day we threw them in the gastronomic deep end again, with a mix of dishes for breakfast at Nairobi Java House, which thankfully went down a treat. From croissants to Mexican breakfast burritos, there was something for everyone – sans Ethiopian!

Enjoying breakfast at Java Coffee House

The next part of our Nairobi adventure was to pay a visit to one of the slums, namely Kibera. We could immediately see the children’s minds whirring as they absorbed the confronting yet endearingly resilient environment. Our first stop was a small local art space where we explored some incredibly skilful works and spent some time chatting with the group of Nairobi street artists. For the rest of the day we meandered through the community, exploring stalls selling locally crafted goods and learning about their respective causes; income generating activities for HIV positive women in the community for example. We felt very humbled by the experience - impressed but not surprised by the resilience and tenacity of the people we met along the way. To end the day on a more relaxed note, we caught a screening of the Hobbit at a cinema nearby.

Ken at the Maasai Mbili Project in Kibera.

The girls in Kibera

Volunteer project week 3 - a robber, policeman or bank teller...

It’s week three and we’re a few volunteers short of a pack. Jane has gone home to Oz and Tara and Shar are away in Zanzibar until Wednesday. Regardless, work continues. The women scratch, scrape and render the windows in prep for the paint work, collecting bruises, scabs and blisters. The septic tank hole continues to grow, along with Conner and Joe’s guns.

Belinda and Aleisha digging the septic

Art and drama classes are the best so far. We put the kids in groups of three and gave each a character: a robber, policeman or bank teller. We told them they had fifteen minutes to come up with a small story to perform in front of their class mates and teacher, which was initially met with a nervous silence but then excitement and competition kicked in and they were off and running. After five minutes Stella and I looked around and laughed at their ingenuity. We hadn’t mentioned props but we could see the bank tellers counting their wads of leaves and robbers and policemen pointing sticks at each other shouting “surrender!” 

Drama classes at Kamwangi Morning Glory.

Each performance was Oscar winning.  One was even in slow motion. I was laughing so hard tears leaked from my eyes and a little bit of wee came out. When I looked over at Stella she too was bent over in a fit of laughter. The kids loved it. They looked gutted when we told them the class had come to an end. Art was more subdued. We taught them how to paint using only materials they have at their disposal. Dirt, water, coal and chalk. Their task was simply to draw something they love. Images of family members, aeroplanes and pets began to appear. And not to my surprise, a few smiling stick figures of a girl with long brown hair called Stella!

We’re rewarded with a long weekend so on Thursday night all the volunteers go into Nairobi for a big night on the town. Come Friday we join her family in Nairobi for a feast of goat and chicken in celebration of her birthday. James’ impromptu speech was a highlight.

Painting the tanks on Saturday afternoon with all the kids was probably my highlight of this week which was only slightly marred by the fact that dinner was being prepared right behind us so there was no avoiding being witness to the slaughtering of two sweet little black and white goats. One goat even had to watch his mate get skinned and gutted and made into sausages before his turn came along. (Belinda, the only vegetarian of the group filmed it, for those who are interested in some graphic visuals).

Baba painting the water tank.

It’s Sunday morning and we pile into the school bus with all the kids and head into Nairobi to Splash Waterpark. Despite shivering from the freezing cold water the kids can’t get enough and squeal with delight for two solid hours. 

Enjoying splash!

After, we head to Bomas of Kenya for a cultural hit where we visit traditional tribe huts and watch Kenyans in colourful costumes dancing to the bongo drums. Bridget and Agnes fearlessly took to the stage for some serious booty shaking, putting the professional dancers to shame.

Katoni in a tribal hut at Bomas

Agnes and Bridget shaking their booties at Bomas.

It’s a sad feeling arriving back at the house after such a huge wonderful day out with everyone. It’s the end of the third week and I leave in five days. I’ve only just managed to get my head around the kids names and in less than a week we’ll be saying our goodbyes. For the first two weeks their personalities and faces seemed a mysterious puzzle I had no hope of solving but over time, piece by small piece, it’s started to take shape and now each child’s personality and smile seems as unique as a Zebra’s pattern. Imprinted in my brain forever. 

Volunteer Project Week 2 - oh Macarena!

It’s hard to find appropriate words to express your emotions and feelings you develop from meeting these remarkable children. The children of Familia Moja are nothing like any of the kids we have ever met. It make us smile and shed a tear at the same time, as once you have experienced for yourself the beauty, appreciation and kindness of these wonderful kids its sure to change your life forever.

The volunteers have been working hard on the work site. From shoveling sand to let the cars drive in, to the brilliant ‘Maguver’ inspired pulley system to make carrying water easier developed by some of the girls, to sanding and chipping away at concrete to get the walls ready for painting. Every one is putting in one hundred percent!

Some of us over the weekend went to climb Mount Kenya. We were slightly under prepared but managed to survive by sharing clothes, Vicks, good spirits, laughter and cuddles! The summit was quite an experience, breath taking to say the least! The speaker we brought had gone flat so there was no ‘Toto’s Africa’ played on the mountain, instead we danced the ‘Macarena’ with an impressive summersault over a rock by Connor! For me, the way back down was the best- we saw Baboons and a Chameleon that I carried for 2km named Rex ! The bond that has been developed between us after such a tough climb is unbreakable. Our welcome home from the other volunteers was phenomenal with more cuddles and love! It’s amazing how quickly Muiru feels like home and we yearned to be there!

Stella running a drama class at Kamwangi Morning Glory Academy

Some of us have been teaching in the local schools- Art and Drama classes. It’s very different from the schools at home! The classrooms are dark and have small windows and the class sizes vary from 12 to 50. It is amazing how privileged our kids are back home.

The kids at Kamwangi holding aloft their art pieces!

The volunteers are taking turns to spend the night at Familia Moja. This week we had a fun night making Polymer Clay Jewelry.  This caused great excitement at the home and the children’s creativity came through in the amazing designs they created. While we were there we were able to witness the maturity and responsibility of the children. Each kid completed their given duties with a smile- they never complain or whine and it just blows us all away how different they are to the kids back home. For example without being told three children left the fun activity to serve their brothers and sisters dinner.

Cass teaching the kids how to make Polymer Clay Jewelry

Over all every part of this experience so far has been astonishing!

Volunteer Project Week 1 - A kiss from a wheelbarrow...

My first impression of Kenya is that it is quite hot, cramped, lots of people walking and loud music. When I say loud music, I’m not talking about people with headphones on and the music is so loud you can still hear it, I’m talking about blaring Matatus (Mini-bus) and Boda Bodas (Motorbike) and radios.

On our first visit to Familia Moja each of the kids came and greeted us, introduced themselves and then enticed us all into a boogey at 3pm! The kids were having such a good time with no inhibitions; you couldn’t not join in and revel in the freedom of it all. The older kids then put on a singing and dancing performance.

Jess dancing with the kids

Jess also had some gifts for the girls that his sister had made which were lace headbands with neon pink feathers which really looked beautiful on all the girls and Shar (one of the volunteers that has been at Familia Moja for 3 months) wrapped some care packages for the older kids going to school that week and the kids that had improved the most in their schooling.

Jess with the girls of Familia Moja and their new headbands.

During the first week each of the volunteers taking turns in escorting the older kids back to boarding school. Some of the schools were not too far away, others were a 3 hour Matatu ride away – there and back – changing Matatus about 3 times as well. The schools are very strict with what the kids must bring with them and each trunk is checked to ensure that they have all their uniforms, rubber shoes, blankets, pillows, cutlery, bowls – necessities that we would normally get if we were going to boarding school.

Shar with the older kids just before the night before they head off to boarding secondary school.

The new home for Familia Moja is fully erected and has a roof and walls, with the windows and doors being completed as we speak.  Next up the walls will be rendered, and the plumbing and electricity will be completed before the end of the month. Many a volunteer after helping out at the site were sporting the kiss of the wheelbarrow or the kiss of the sunburn or the ache of the unknown muscles previously not used before!

The new home is looking good!

The weekend brought an outing to Bubbles a swimming pool, where we taught some of the kids to float and dive. Afterwards, the kids played chasing games upon an area of manicured lawn and collected grasshoppers to give as presents for the volunteers. All in all a fantastic day!

Rasto and Maina diving into the pool.

Imma and Shar at the pool

Margaret Njoki and Eunice

Overall the first week in Mangu has been a treat. Wambui and her family have made us all feel at home and really welcomed us to their family and the Familia Moja kids are amazing. As with the meaning of the name of Familia Moja – one family, this family and the children’s home together embody what a family should be.

Familia Moja Newsletter – August to October 2012

5^th ANNIVERSARY

On the 15^th of September we celebrated five years since Wambui Muiru opened Familia Moja Children’s Home in Mang’u.

Our aim remains the same as five years ago: to provide the children a nourishing diet, appropriate accommodation, clothing, access to healthcare and quality education; while ensuring that they receive the physical and emotional care required to become healthy, successful and fulfilled adults.

Familia Moja Children’s Home based in Mang’u, Kenya, started with 15 children and now has grown to house, educate and care for 35.  Visitors to Familia Moja have said it has the feeling of one big happy family - the children are happy, healthy, and full of love, energy and laughter.

Without the support from the local Kenyan community as well as people in Australia, Europe and North America our dream could not have come true.

A big thank you to Baba (Wambui’s Dad, who the kids refer to as Guka which means Grandpa) for donating a goat to help us celebrate the occasion.

VISIT FROM STEINER SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM AUSTRALIA

During the month of September, Familia Moja hosted a group of 10 students from Steiner Schools in the Dandenongs in Victoria and Sydney.  This was a great opportunity for the children of Familia Moja to interact with 15 and 16 year old students from another country.  

Whilst staying at Familia Moja the students helped out with day to day running of the home, maintenance of our vegetables garden and helped run art & drama activities with the kids.  Thank you to Julie Sale for her enthusiasm in arranging the school trip. Read more about their trip here

CO-FOUNDER TALKS ABOUT FAMILIA MOJA

Jess White visited Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College during August to give a talk about Familia Moja at the school assembly.  Thank you to Jenny Gibson for arranging this.

EDUCATION UPDATE

Our term 2 school results showed improvement from term 1 to 2, seeing the kids improve their results is one of, if not the biggest rewards of running Familia Moja.  Helping these kids have a good education will give them the opportunity of life above the poverty line, where in the future they can look after themselves and potentially their extended family.

During the month of September Kenyan Primary and Secondary Schools were disrupted due to teachers striking over wages.  Fortunately the dispute has been resolved and all students have returned to normal studies.

BUILDING PROJECT UPDATE

Over the past nine months since we started construction of our home we have completed; excavations, foundations, ground and 1^st floor walls, a site house/future shop and connected the building site for electricity.  We can now proudly say that we have completed the frame for roof, and are putting the iron sheets up next week.

However we urgently need funds to keep the building project progressing, as once we complete the roof we will have zero money remaining to continue construction.  Which means the building will be put on hold for a short period while we raise the funds to commence the windows ($15,000), doors ($13,500), plumbing ($8,000) and electricity ($9,500).

Please dig deep, skip going out for dinner one night this week or some other luxury and make a donation to help Familia Moja finish building it's own home. 100% of all donations go direct to Familia Moja!

Donations accepted via:

Direct Debit in Australia

Account Name: Kesho Community Foundation Inc.

Sort Code: 013006

Account Number: 184143427

Credit/debit card internationally http://www.givenow.com.au/kesho

MPESA in Kenya - Wambui Muiru 0725 698 192

VOLUNTEER PROJECT JAN 2013

We currently have nine volunteers joining us in January for our second ever-volunteer project.

The aim of the second group volunteer project is to help finish the home and set up activities around the home to help Familia Moja take those next steps towards becoming self-sustainable.

Volunteers will raise funds for locally sourced building materials and the wages of qualified local builders as well as assisting with building activities.

The volunteer project runs for 4 weeks from the 7th of January to the 1st February 2013.  Please email jess@familiamoja.org if you are interested in taking part.

FUNDRAISING THANK YOUS

Fundraising events are a great way to support Familia Moja by not only raising money for the home but also spread the word about the work that Familia Moja does in Kenya. We appreciate the time and effort friends of Familia Moja put into organising holding these events in their workplaces, schools or communities.

Thank you to past volunteer Lara Phillips and Mark Shute for holding a trivia night/photography exhibition this at Illawarra Master Builders Club in Wollongong, New South Wales. Mark spent six months volunteering at Familia Moja earlier this year.

Thank you to Simon Nolan from Wembley Primary School in Yarraville, Victoria

Thank you Rachel Ellis from Melrose Primary School in Wodonga, Victoria.

Thank you Rachel & Haley Ensman from Rochester, New York.

Want to help but can’t afford to donate? Organise your own fundraiser for Familia Moja today, email jess@familiamoja.org for more information.

FAMILIA MOJA PARTNERSHIPS

Thank you to Patrick Furze from Lords Lodge Backpackers in Prahran for their first donation from our partnership.

Are you planning a holiday soon? Book your next domestic or international travel through Travel Associates in Melbourne, as they will donate 50% of their commission to the home for any business directed their way by Familia Moja supporters. This includes flights, accommodation, travel insurance, car hire, tours etc.

BOOK YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY AND HELP FAMILIA MOJA 

To ensure Familia Moja receives this commission all you need to do is mention Jess White / Familia Moja Children's Home when you book with Meredith at Travel Associates via phone, email or in person. Contact details below.

Meredith Thompson

Freedman & Turner Travel Associates

Suite 3, 1-3 Faussett Street, Albert Park VIC 3206

Phone 03 9690 0667 Fax 03 9690 0887

meredith_thompson@travel-associates.com.au

BUY ART AND SUPPORT FAMILIA MOJA

A reminder that you can still purchase artwork from both the Three Bags Full photography exhibition and the 31 Pillows exhibition. 100% of proceeds from both go towards helping finish the home.

To view and purchase artwork please visit:

THREE BAGS FULL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

31 PILLOWS

PEOPLE & PLANET CALENDARS AND DIARIES 2013

Last year, Familia Moja partnered with People & Planet in Melbourne raising over $8,750! This was enough money to cover the total running costs of Familia Moja for three months i.e. cover rent, wages, electricity, food & water and medical costs.

Familia Moja is once again partnering with People & Planet to sell Calendars and Diaries for 2013, this year we aim to raise over $10,000.

If you would like to buy a calendar or diary please email jess@familiamoja.org

2013 editions will retail for $25 per calendar and $23 per diary plus postage.

Steiner students visit Familia Moja

I have just returned from a three-week trip to Africa accompanying 10 young people from Melbourne. We spent one week at Familia Moja where we stayed with Wambui and her family.  I was happy to see that work is progressing well on the new building and – the roof is now being constructed.

The children and their carers really are Familia Moja.  They welcomed the tired travelers on our first night and our group could not wait to return the next afternoon to meet the children again.

When the children were at school during the day, we helped out in the vegetable garden, under the ever-present eye of Timothy, the gardener, collected wood and generally helped out at the home.  We looked forward to the weekend when we could see more of the children.  One of the highlights for our students was the day they ran some art classes for the children.  It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm and absorption when the paper and water colours were produced.  The composite painting they produced was uniquely beautiful and we all wished it could be preserved.

The next day we took the children – all 12 of us and all 33 children from the orphanage loaded into two matatus – into Thika to the playground.  We had envisionaged green lawns, swings and other play equipment and had planned some games to play, but ‘playground’ Kenyan style is slightly different.  It was a small and dusty playground at the back of a restaurant.  Nevertheless, the activity was enjoyed by all – young and old alike.

During our stay Familia Moja celebrated their 5^th anniversary.  This was a surprise celebration for Wambui that her brothers planned and executed.  The whole of Wambui’s family arrived for the traditional slaughtering of the goat and a sheep and the children from the home came later to share in the rare treat of a meal of meat.

Even though our time there was short, our young people gained much from their experience.  What impressions will stay with them, time only will tell, but certainly those wonderful children will remain the central part of their experience.

Julie Sale is a Steiner School teacher who brought 10 students from Olinda on the outskirts of Melbourne and Sydney to Familia Moja during September 2012.