Rainbow House children's Home is now open. We have 28 children resident who would otherwise be left to fend for themselves on the streets of Malindi. the girls would surely have become prostitutes and the boys thieves in order to survive and to buy food.
We have places for 32 children but because of lack of money we can only currently afford to support 28. We have taken them in slowly, so we can counsel and understand their backgrounds. All of the children have been abused in some way either sexually or physically. All of them arrived starving and sick. We have dealt with several cases of Malaria, this is the biggest killer in Africa. We have also treated 1 case of pneumonia, dysentery and typhoid.
None of our children have had any form of schooling and many couldn't even hold a pencil. Their ages range from 1 year to 15 years. The staff and myself have given 1-1 teaching and within 6 weeks all the children over the age of 6 can write the alphabet and up to 30 and also count and read simple English words. Three of our children have shown great aptitude its just that no one has ever given them the chance. Please allow me to say a big thank you to all who have supported us. Without your finance and prayers this vital work would not continue.
We are currently taking in children from the local village in to our nursery school to give them free education, without this they cannot start State Primary School. Nursery education cost a considerable amount of money and many families cannot afford these fees. If the children do not get this education, they have no chance of entering primary school and so are condemned to a life of illiteracy which in turn will lead to a life of crime or prostitution.
Government schools have up to at least 88 pupils in each class and the children learn little. With our own classroom and teacher I am sure the children will excel and then be ready to attend senior school. We also have a ever increasing food and medical bill and need people who are willing to commit to sponsor Rainbow House by standing order. As little as 20 pounds a month buys a great deal of food here and if you are a tax payer we can claim all that tax back as well. Please speak to Kate MacFadyen who will send you instructions on how to support us.
The population of this area is 33350 there are also 3365 orphans. Mostly due to AIDS. We are blessed that after two tests only one child has tested positive, although we can only be certain that children are free of this terrible disease after a third test . The last test will be done at a later date.
There is much 'good news' from Kenya, the children are learning so fast, all doing exceedingly well considering that none of them had held a pen or seen a piece of paper three years ago, their grades at the local school far exceed the rest of the class. Their understanding of who Jesus is, is a picture to experience, they get good RE teaching from Lynda using UK Sunday School Study books weekly, combined with traditional Sunday School & Church on a Sunday. They also benefit from an annual outing, usually a visit to the sea, (much organisation for 28 children!!!)
They are healthy and well fed with 3 fresh meals a day, cooked on a 'jiko' (a kind of barb-e-que), including Porridge, Ugali/Rice/Spaghetti, being the staple diet, with Fish, Beef & Eggs weekly, or dried Beans, with Spinach/Cabbage, and Oranges daily, with Mangoes and Bananas as available from the shamba, sometimes a goat is killed when they have over bred, and milk.
There are many dangers around the compound including, Snakes, Jiggers (they bury themselves in the children's feet & have to be cut out with a razor blade, ouch!), Mosquito's, Head lice (but we keep their head shaved to stop this). A nuisance but no danger, are huge seasonal Frogs & Rats, and other 'things' at different times of the year.
All children have two changes of clothes, they have clean clothes after their evening shower, & coconut oil smoothed over their shaved heads which makes them smell delicious!
The daily routine;-
5.30am...Shower & breakfast. 6.00am...walk to school for 7.0am. 12.00...return home for lunch. "2.00pm...the older ones return to school, the younger remain for additional teaching from Matron Jennifer & or Lucy (Deputy) 4.30-5.00....Showers. 5.30-6.00....Meal then playtime-bed..
Saturday...cleaning around their beds & compound, washing up at the well (the older ones). & playtime. sat pm...they all walk to the local church area where they mix with the village children & have playtime. Sun...Walk to church for 9.00am for Sunday School till 10.00, they then join the adults in church till 2.00pm...walk back to Rainbow for lunch and playtime....
There is so much fun and laughter, they have grown into a very happy family, of course there are normal kids problems, but the staff are well able to deal with them. We have a total of 15 staff, 5 members 'live in', the other work 6-2 & 2-9 shifts, & we have a night watchman on duty.
All the children speak 'Giriama' which is the local dialect, they also now speak English (or are learning) and also Swaheli, which is the national Language of Kenya...
Now that our older children are at school, it enables us to invite free of charge about 15 children from outside Rainbow, in the village to an education as Nursery Standard, which would never have happened if Rainbow wasn't there, so we are serving the local community, also of couse, giving employment to 11 local people.
We have had many visitors, 3 lads arrived last year from Guildford, they spent 3 weeks digging a much needed well, (which the children also use for washing up the dishes), this then saves on some of the water bill. Anne Stone a teacher from Gosden House in Bramley has spent two weeks, two years running teaching the children in August, and whilst I was there in Sept another two girls, one of them from Guildford came for a week and they painted the boys dorm. & tidied & logged all the clothes in the store cupboard...
FUNDING & LONG TERM NEEDS FOR RAINBOW HOUSE
1) Building in 2 stages, approx cost £4.000....
Stage 1... To convert an existing small house in the corner of the compound into a suitable office for Lynda/room for sleeping visitors to stay in, or for Lynda in an emergency. A shower & toilet to be added and additional windows put in for 'air', a verander to the front for shade & a fence of Bougainvillea planted around for privacy.
Stage 2...Building Male/Female shower/toilet facilities for staff and day visitors, near the staff quarters. The staff and any visitors use the older children's toilet/showers, at the moment. We know the Kenyan authorities will require us to build this soon anyway.
2) Pick up Truck, approx cost £5.500-£6.000.. Originally we wanted a mini bus, but we now believe a pick up would have greater use, the children would still go in it as families in that area use them all the time, but we would also be able to use it to purchase provisions, eg, sacks of ugali/rice/charcoal, when needed. We have no transport at the present time, only Lynda's own car. Rainbow need to be more self-sufficient!
3) A Bicycle, approx cost £35... This can be invaluable for the staff to collect small items instead of walking the mile to the local shops. I also think we can teach the older children bicycle repair....which will be useful for them as they grow up.. Bicycle's are used all the time
4) Power, approx £9.000, (but we think more likely to now be £12.000). ( the quote we had was early 08 and prices have risen much, and it was only a quote!..) Rainbow has no power, we use paraffin lamps, and on occasions a generator, but that costs a lot to run it ... The main electricity cable has to run the mile from the main road first.
5) We have space for 4 more children, but not enough monthly income to feed the children at the moment. It costs approx £4.00 per day per child (all incl.) to live at Rainbow.
With the ever increasing demands on Lynda's personal resources, she needs your support to continue her great work with Rainbow House. We know, that the Lord supplies our every need, but sometimes He calls on our brothers and sisters to help!
If you feel you are in a position to help, we would encourage you to partner Lynda in prayer and give as you feel the Lord leads you!
You can do this through a Christian banking company called Stewardship, who claim back any tax you pay (PAYE, Savings or Pensions) and give it direct to us.
We have two separate accounts, one for Lynda and one for footprints which finances Rainbow House.
Both of these forms are available from Kate MacFadyen.
If you are planning to visit Kenya for a holiday please contact Kate by email or you can call or text Lynda direct on: +254723145575 and she will advise you what is needed as most things can be bought in Africa.
As there is so much corruption and theft in Africa I intend to remain here and administrate this project personally. Every penny we receive goes straight to the work of the children and the charity is fully accountable. No payments are given to me or any of the trustees. My African colleagues and I will provide all the love and care it takes to raise responsible children but we can’t do it alone. We need your help financially. Please helpus to help them.
We are still looking for people who would be able to sponsor this project on a monthly basis. £20 a month doesn't even cover the cost of a daily newspaper in the UK but here in Kenya it would buy 20+ bags of maize flour. This is part of the staple diet of a child here. 20+ bags would feed 15 children for 3 days.If you feel able to help please contact Mrs. Kate MacFadyen. 01483 421223. Kate is a trustee of Footprints and handles all finances.
·December 8th. 5 of our children and 2 from our outside nursery school sat their exam for entrance to Primary school. No child can enter primary school until they are literate and numerate. Nursery fees are expensive and many families cannot afford the cost. Therefore their children never attend school and are forced to earn a living selling fruit or their bodies as prostitutes. Because we do much one-one teaching all our children passed with flying colors taking the top 7 places with marks of 269-296 out of 300 marks. Please remember these children had never held a pencil before they came to Rainbow House. So far we have educated and sent 8 children to primary school at no cost to the families. All outside children are provided with a uniform, bag, exercise books and pencils. Also each child must pay £2.50 as an entrance fee. This money goes towards wages for another teacher that the government doesn’t supply. There are also charges for mid and end of term exams. These charges are also met by Rainbow House. If the child is unable to pay they are not allowed to sit the exam thus they have to sit the whole year again. Contrary to popular belief schooling is not free in Kenya. There are many hidden charges. Jennifer (our senior matron) returns to college for 4 weeks to continue working for her nursery school certificate. The education department insists we have a qualified teacher.
·We had an enjoyable Christmas with many games and on Boxing Day we visited the beach where we took a picnic of Biriani. I think I ate more sand than food! After which we went to a pub garden where juice and biscuits were laid out for us. The children were thrilled.
·January 2009 With much excitement on 4th of January our children put on their uniforms. It is every child’s dream to be educated in Africa and they couldn’t wait to set off. Our nursery school opened with 10 children from the ouside.
·February 2009 Our smallest child, Jennifer is rushed to hospital with pneumonia and Malaria. We wait and pray. She is very weak. Mercy, our nursery nurse sits at the hospital all day and night. Elizabeth relieves her after 2 days. I’m running backward and forward getting food (3 times a day) for our staff. No food is provided at the hospital. Medical services are not great either. So we give her to God and pray for her healing. After 5 days she is allowed home. I’ve made good friends with the Doctor on duty. His name Dr. D. Doktor!
·March 2009 I’m so tired. I have worked setting up Rainbow House and dealing with official people for 6 years who are not helpful. I always seem to have a stumbling block in my path. I have also lived in sub standard accommodation for that time. Putting up with my house flooding twice during the rainy season because our roof is not properly constructed. I baled out 85 liters of water on two occasions. Many of my possessions are spoilt. Rains bring the in rats looking for a safe haven, my house! They have eaten my computer printer amongst many other items. I am at war with rats and other long legged beasties! I badly need a break but am scared to in case Rainbow breaks down. The children are all settled and happy. They are growing stronger and bolder everyday. I receive an e-mail from Gareth, Tom and Josh They are gap year students and are looking for accommodation in exchange for work. They tell me they are youth leaders and have teaching qualifications. I test all ‘would be’ volunteers and mail back saying I need help digging .5 acre of land ready for the long rains and planting season. They were thrilled and agreed. I collected them from the bus stop . They stayed with us for three weeks and worked their socks off!
·April 2009 Tired and frustrated with the Kenyan system of constant delays, corruption, power cuts, rats and water shortages. I make an impulsive decision to take a holiday. I enter the Kenya Airways’ office on Wednesday 3rd April to enquire about flights. I am told the price is £660 but will rise by £100 by the following Sunday as Easter is just round the corner. I agree to travel on Saturday 7th. The staff were shocked by my decision and some of them cried. They thought I was not going to return. The children were not told as they would have been too upset. With energy I didn’t think I possessed I organized the store cupboard, staff rota’s, made sure bills were paid and administration was up to date. The time had come for the staff to ‘grow up’ and not rely so heavily on me.
I arrived at Heathrow Airport. I was freezing! Even though the temperature was 18 degrees. For the next 8 weeks I met friends did deputation work and attended bible seminars. I visited Eternity Church who are among our supporters and made many new friends. I sent money each week via Western Union to my husband George who was overseeing Rainbow House.
May 2009 All is well at Rainbow. The children sat and passed their mid term exams. Once again Rainbow children took the top class places. Jennifer returns to college for 4 weeks to continue with the teaching course. She rises at 4am. Travels to Malindi to be at her desk by 7am. She is under tremendous pressure and is feeling the strain of the hard work. However, she is determined to finish the course and become a qualified nursery teacher.
June 2009 I returned to Kenya on 6th June a stone heavier due to all the hospitality I received. Doughnuts & cakes (3 birthday cakes!) Dinners, so many care of the Ryan’s hospitality. Chocolate cake- delicious! Care of Rachel Bennet. My body has grown used to a simple diet of rice and beans. Certain foods that I was used to eating in the UK have to be imported. This raises the cost beyond my budget. A small jar of marmite is £6.50 and Weetabix costs £4.90! A big thank you to all who looked after me during my stay. Tanya and Dave Brookes, Jean Edgington, Mary & Tony Johnson, Rachel & John Bennet.
As I approached Rainbow House I could hear the children singing a song of welcome in Swahili. The gate was covered with flowers. I had been missed so much!
12 June a transformer close to my house blew up when a tree fell on it during a storm. 500 live volts had to go somewhere. My house! Standing in the kitchen I witnessed live power shooting out of my sockets. If I had been standing 5 feet closer I would not be here today. A great deal of electrical equipment blew up including my iron, kettle, fans and phone chargers. It seems that God is not finished with me yet!!
July 2009 Baby Jennifer is rushed into hospital. Its winter in Kenya now with temperatures at 20 degrees and constant rain. 20 degrees and English people feel quite comfortable; in fact most of you would have the B.B.Q out by now! Jennifer was so malnourished when she came to us and has dysentery. She is severely dehydrated and is placed on a drip. Once again I’m rushing around organizing food for the careers. This time Jennifer is so weak we feel we are losing her. Prayer requests go out big time and once again she pulls through. I’m happy to report she is gaining weight. Many of our children are sick with flu like symptoms. This is the re-occurrence of Malaria. All Africans have had Malaria and the virus remains in the body for life.
August 2009 Anne Stone a semi retired teacher from Gosden House School in Bramley comes for a visit. Anne came last year and we are happy to welcome her again. Her help is very valuable to us. She is used to teaching children with learning difficulties. She has immense patience with our children and they greatly benefit from her visit. Once again our children achieve high marks at the end of term. The headmaster sent this message ‘Rainbow makes my school shine.’ What a compliment!
September 2009 Two more volunteers arrive. Sahara & Jane. I give them the job of sorting out our clothes storeroom and painting the boys dormitory. They did a wonderful job and I’m sure were richer for the experience. They stayed at Rainbow for 2 weeks. I was also eagerly awaiting a visit from Kate Macfadyen, one of our trustees. She arrived on the 1st of September and stayed with me for two weeks. Kate was able to understand some of the frustrations I have to experience living in a third world country. It was wonderful to have a good Christian friend here. I love Africa but miss speaking in my mother tongue.
October 2009 The rains are over and we are collecting our first harvest of maize. Temperatures are rising. The maize harvest is good and will help to feed our children. We have over 20 goats that we either sell or eat. They bread faster than rabbits!
November 2009 Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink! (Who said that?) Surrounded by the Indian Ocean but no clean water because Kenya Power have not paid their bill to Kenya water. Kenya Water now refuses to pump. We have been in this situation before, therefore we are prepared. We have 100’s of litres of water stored in jerry cans but once again water usage is severely limited. We have a well but the water is slightly salty. We are able to wash dishes and flush toilets. Washing of clothes with well water is false economy as we need extra soap power to combat the salt water. We already use 1 kilo of soap powder every day. At home I have no water either; my well is much more salty as I am closer to the sea. We are to be without fresh water for 4 weeks. Please think very carefully the next time you flush your toilet or take a bath how much water you are using. Temperatures are rising to over 95 degrees. However, with all the running around I do I can happily report I am once again a ‘member of the size 12 club!
December 2009 Our children who already attend school are sitting their end of term exams. December is our ‘long holiday period’ the children will be home for 8 weeks. However, that doesn’t mean they will be idle. They will carry on their studies with Lucy (our Deputy Matron) Jennifer teaches the new entrance kids. When they are ready they are promoted to Lucy’s class where, as she says ‘I polish them ready for their entrance exam.’ December 8th and we take 8 children to Primary school to sit their entrance exam. 5 of the children are from Rainbow House and 3 from outside. ‘Well’ I enquire ‘How did the exam go’? The reply? ‘Aunty Lynda ni rahisi sana! (It was so easy)Three days later Lucy and I went to the school for the results. Yes! You have guessed Rainbow House has taken all top places. Highest score was 297/300! I’m so thrilled with my kids! We often have tourists visiting us who leave biscuits, sweets, orange squash and toys. The children are not given these items until Christmas. No other Kenyan child receives such items and I don’t want my children spoilt. I have a Rainbow Cupboard at home and store all items. Now is the time to bring all the ‘goodies’ back to the store room. I hear cries of excitement as the kids see me unload the car. Four of our boys are being circumcised today. Western thinking is this is unnecessary. However, in Kenya this operation is performed for hygiene and cultural reasons. The boys will have recovered by Christmas and the operation only a distant memory. I have all the presents wrapped and labeled and a ‘Pass the parcel’ game ready. Today the female children will work on each others hair braiding and putting in colourful beads.
I am a member of The East African Women’s League (E.A.W.L.) this organization has been running for 100 years and raises money for charity. Rainbow has benefited by receiving a donation of 18 school desks last year. All charities who have profited are asked to submit end of year reports. I was therefore overwhelmed when I was informed that Rainbow House has received 10,000ks (£85) as a Christmas gift. I intend to use this money to take the children on an outing over the festive period.
On 14th December we close the school. However, I continue with my teaching. Every Thursday I teach a bible class. After school and with high temperatures the children’s attention span is limited. Therefore I keep classes short and use lots of ‘props’ to reinforce the message. Its Christmas teaching now. I teach the truth, not the ‘romantic’ version of the tiny baby born in a stable. Today we are decorating our dining room with paper chains. Like last year I suspect there will be more glue on the kids than on the paper!Christmas Eve- the children all receive ‘new clothes’ ready for Christmas day (so much excitement) Jennifer is now taking her final exams after two years at college. I’ve no doubt that after her hard work and determination she will pass with flying colours. We have a family visiting us for Christmas day. Jonathon and Kathy Cowan. J&K sponsor Baraka & Rehema’s school fees. They both attend ‘The St. Francis Primary School Academy’ The cost of these fees? £200 a year. Christmas day is met with great excitement, why? food? presents? NO! They are excited because it’s the birthday of Jesus! How refreshing! All the staff help one another with the day’s jobs and I officially open Christmas at 11am with a welcome speech for our guests. A new video will be taken for you all to share in our Christmas. We slaughtered a goat (great treat!) ate cake, biscuits and drunk juice. Opened presents and played games. A great day had by all.Boxing day we piled into my pick-up truck and headed for the beach (4 kilometers away) another rare treat. After the beach we returned once again to the pub garden for biscuits and soda (fizzy drinks) twenty eight very tired children (and Lynda!) were then transported back to Rainbow. Happy and satisfied. School will begin again on 4th January-so until next year we wish you all A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR. Lynda and all at Rainbow House
THANK YOU TO;
·All our supporters. Without your generous giving Rainbow House would not be a viable project.
·To all who believed in my vision to build Rainbow House.
·To the Lord Jesus Christ for making Rainbow possible in the first place. For looking after me and my kids. I consider all 28 to be my children not orphans looking for sanctuary.
·To the UK trustees who do a wonderful job fundraising and advising.
PRAYER ITEMS.
·I have 12 empty beds but not enough finance to fill them with destitute children. It costs £15 a week to keep one child. All offers are greatly accepted.
·Ever rising food and petrol costs
·The health of Jennifer. That she will go from strength to strength. Without your love and finance she and many others would have died.
·Protection for me. People are starving here and robbery common. Often violent. I know at first hand as I have been attacked before and nearly lost my life.
·Personal finance. I am not supported by the charity. I have started a hen farming project and sell eggs to make money for George and I to live on.
·That Kenya Power will lower the price and connect us to mains electricity. We use paraffin lamps but these can be dangerous and a fire hazard.
·The political climate will calm down and we don’t see a repeat of the violence we saw two years ago.
·My health. I’m getting older! Have no medical cover or insurance. There is no free medicine in Kenya. No money no medicine!
·It is my intention to oversee Rainbow until my youngest child no longer needs me. I will be 73 years old by then! Now-pray that one through!!!!!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
LYNDA, GEORGE, STAFF AND CHILDREN OF RAINBOW HOUSE
Rainbow House is a Children's Home just outside Malindi, Kenya. The home provides a safe and caring environment for Thirty-two orphaned children from Malindi.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
Updated January 2010
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