Posts Tagged ‘Nice View Academy’

Lists, lists and more lists

June 3rd, 2011

Spent Thursday at the Academy working on many different projects and thankfully none necessitated the use of electricity since it was out most of the day.  But first here’s a picture of a few students on break:

Now, a few of the projects included:

  1. Pen pal letters handed out
  2. Have the kids write their sponsors
  3. Coordinating schedules with Stella (head mistress/principal) for our group visitors in July
  4. Working on a meal plan for above mentioned visitors
  5. Updating database for borders here at Nice View
  6. Collecting a stack of books for Stella to have in her office for Class 8 students to check out (like a real library!)
  7. Beginning stages of a fundraiser (it’s coming!) for the construction process of TVCH – True Vine Children’s Home

And for me that entails many lists -

I like lists – making them, reading them, organizing them.  They look nice and neat and help me feel purposeful.  Even with a stack of lists I don’t get them confused and love checking off items on said lists.

I wonder if Jesus ever had a to-do list?

  1. heal a leper
  2. make the blind see
  3. love the unlovable

Seems my to-do list is a bit less “spiritual” but as a friend said recently, “God is in the paperwork”.  I’m really starting to understand that and to see my strengths may not be in the arts & craft-sit with the kids and read-sort of activities, but more in the paperwork of behind the scenes and I’m  perfectly happy sitting with God amidst my lists :)

Nice ride!

May 24th, 2011

After almost a year of planning by Gideon (director/founder of Nice View) the new bus for Nice View Academy has arrived!  I was told the night they pulled into the Academy (it was a looong day in Nairobi for Gideon and Pauline finalizing paperwork and finally getting the bus in hand) the kids went wild.  They were scrambling to get on the bus any way they could…doors AND windows.  Pauline had to calm everyone down and assure them everyone would get a ride because remember these were borders and wouldn’t be riding the bus on a daily basis and they felt left out.  So to appease them the bus was taken out for 2 trips so everyone could get a ride on the bus :)

Now with no further delay….

old and new

old and new

old

new

old

new

old

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old

new

It’s a beautiful bus and the kids are really enjoying it…they were saying the old van was like being taken to school in a wheelbarrow (sometimes it had to be pushed like a wheelbarrow)!  Now it must seem like a limousine and I’m hoping to take a ride on the new bus very soon :)   As with most large purchases there is the need of assistance for monthly payments, if you feel lead to help please visit our website where you can donate (please indicate “bus” with your donation).  Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

UPDATE I rode the bus!  It is comfortable and Douglas (the driver) is a careful driver and Kilonzo is very observant with the kids

Crossing the main road

which is a very good thing considering the matatu’s (public transport) seem to have a game to see who can pass the bus the fastest and closest…no red flashing lights on the school buses here so very few people slow down and none ever stop for the kids.  Thankful we have Kilonzo and Douglas watching out for the kids on their way home :)

Milky Way has arrived!

April 28th, 2011

Say hello to Milky Way, the new dairy/grade cow at Nice View!

Big thanks go out to my good friend Bobbie and the AWANA group who raised funds to purchase Milky Way (this group raised the most funds!)

She really had to be coaxed to get into the truck for her ride to her new home

and coaxed into her new stable at Nice View Academy

but once there I believe Milky Way did a bit of stress eating before settling down

And these little piggies were at Milky Way’s old home and have nothing to do with Milky Way but aren’t they just the cutest?

Thanks again AWANA’s for your efforts in raising funds and helping the kids at Nice View Academy have milk!

Another exciting day(s)!

April 6th, 2011

Sorry again for not being here daily but I am having a wonderful time with my girlfriend!

Monday was spent at Nice View where Bobbie read, sang and just basically spent time with the kids.  Tuesday we went back to the Academy because we missed one classroom (the kids were not happy about that but were glad we came back just for them!)  Wednesday was spent at the house while the guys-Team 2-worked at the property.  I will be getting pictures of the fence posts to show you all what’s happening there.  Also please keep the kids in prayer as more children were dropped off with no food available for them.  Believe me, I am putting my trust in God to handle this whole situation but asking for His wisdom and guidance on each and every step along the way.

Now for a look at our last couple of days:

watching the storyteller intently

getting ready for lunch time at the Academy

just hanging out at the Academy

wheeeee!

enjoying story time

getting involved with the story!

Bobbie can read a story like no one else!

a view of Class 4 and the courtyard

a guest in the classroom!

time for morning porridge

Thursday will be spent at the farm so pictures will be forthcoming…thanks for your patience with me while our visitors are here.

Friday’s Child: A Chance to Support an Impoverished Child in Kenya

March 4th, 2011

Antony Iseu Musyoki (Child No. 214)

Antony is an orphan (mother and father have both died) and borders at Nice View Academy in Tala, Kenya.  His grandmother is his guardian but doesn’t work.

He was born in Uamani, Kenya on 2-10-1996 and has two sisters and one brother.

Antony’s favorite color is green and he enjoys playing football (American soccer).

His favorite class is English because he wants to communicate one day in English.  He doesn’t understand Social Studies.

Antony helps at the Academy by washing his clothes and fetching water for the kitchen.  He enjoys doing his homework after his chores.

Antony is among several children who are ready for sponsorship.  To choose a child to sponsor, please visit our Sponsorship Gallery.

Friday’s Child: A Chance to Support an Impoverished Child in Kenya

February 25th, 2011

Peter Mutuku Wambua (Child No. 213)

Peter is an orphan (mother and father have both died) and borders at Nice View Academy in Tala, Kenya.

His grandmother is his guardian but does not work.

Peter was born in Katwanyaa, Kenya on 5-12-1998.

His favorite color is black and he enjoys playing football (American soccer).

Peter’s favorite class is English and he wants to become a pilot.  The class he likes least is math because it is becoming harder but he is working hard at it.

His duties at the Academy include sweeping around the compound and washing his clothes.  After his chores he enjoys doing his homework.

Peter is among several children who are ready for sponsorship.  To choose a child to sponsor, please visit our Sponsorship Gallery.

Friday’s Child: A Chance to Support an Impoverished Child in Kenya

February 18th, 2011

Agnes Mutono (Child No. 208)

Agnes attends Nice View Academy in Tala, Kenya.

She lives with her mother Susan who does not work.  Her father has died.

Agnes was born in Katine, Kenya sometime in 1998 and she has 7 brothers and sisters.

Her favorite color is red and she likes to jump rope.

Kiswahili and math are her favorite classes because they are easy and social studies is her least favorite because it is hard.

At home her duties are washing utensils and preparing food.  She enjoys helping her mom in the evening.

Agnes is among several children who are ready for sponsorship.  To choose a child to sponsor, please visit our Sponsorship Gallery.

Time to catch up

February 15th, 2011

Internet has been fritzy the past couple of days so rather than pull my hair out from frustration I decided to wait until today to catch you up on things around here.  Friday I finally got around to hanging some vinyl wall artwork a friend had sent (thanks Bobbie!) – the first 2 photos show where I put them, the next 2 are closeups of the artwork:

On Saturday I was at the farm (ok this might not have been such fun since I got sunburned) waiting for visitors.  We met face to face with a new friend who we met on Facebook.  Beverly (who doesn’t like to have her picture taken!), Luke and Jena came to the farm for a bit then we came back to Tala and visited until 1am!  Actually it was us older peeps who stayed up, the two younger “kids” went to bed!  But what a great visit we had talking into the wee hours :)

Sunday we had a leisurely breakfast with Beverly, Jena and Luke before they headed back to the Nakura area then Chuck and I relaxed the rest of the day.  Today (Monday) I went to the Academy to meet with a Class 8 graduate to see how she wanted to move forward with her education…she was at the bottom of her class but I didn’t want her to think she has no future.  I gave her 3 things to think about over the next week and get back with me on Monday ready to discuss her findings.  I asked her to think about her strengths/weaknesses, I want her to tell me why she wants to either attend secondary school or a polytechnic/trade school and lastly to think about how serious she is about actually going forward with her education – how committed is she?  She’s not much of a talker but I suggested she write her thoughts down so we can discuss them further.

I think that just about brings it up to speed :)   Hopefully the internet is back up and running (fairly) quickly and the electricity stays consistent – boy I don’t ask for much do I!?

Friday’s Child: A Chance to Support an Impoverished Child in Kenya

February 11th, 2011

Valentine Loko (Child No. 204)

Valentine attends Nice View Academy in Tala, Kenya.

She lives with her mother and father, Dorothy and John.  Dorothy is unemployed and John does various day labor jobs.

Valentine was born in Kyakatulu, Kenya sometime in 1998 and she has two brothers.

Her favorite color is red and she likes to jump rope.

The class in school she likes the most is Kiswahili because it is easy and the class she likes the least is social studies because she “doesn’t get it”.

Her duties at home include washing utensils and taking care of her baby brother.  She enjoys doing her homework in the evening.

Valentine is among several children who are ready for sponsorship.  To choose a child to sponsor, please visit our Sponsorship Gallery.

Friday’s Child: A Chance to Support an Impoverished Child in Kenya

January 28th, 2011

Moreen Nzilani (Child No. 177)

Moreen lives with her mother, Agnes, and her father, Phillip.  Her father does not work and her mother sells fruits in Nairobi.  Her mother stays in Nairobi for the week and visits the family on the weekend.

She was born in Kitunduni, Kenya in 2000.  She has two sisters and two brothers.

Moreen’s favorite color is red and she enjoys playing “off me” (tag).

Her favorite class is English because she says one day she will “talk always in English”.

She enjoys all her classes.

Moreen helps at home by washing utensils and mopping the house.

After her chores are finished she enjoys doing her homework.

Moreen is among several children who are ready for sponsorship.  To choose a child to sponsor, please visit our Sponsorship Gallery.