Hello to everyone, I am back from Kenya now and wanted to thank everyone again for their kind donations I received before I left. During my time in Thigio I was teaching 17 little amazing children all of whom had special needs. They came from exceptionally poor backgrounds and many had parents who were mentally challenged or suffering with HIV. The group was mixed with some having severe learning difficulties while others had physical disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy. Academically they were all at mixed levels with some unable to do the small things like colouring while others were very intelligent and gave me a run for my money when it came to maths class!! Their classroom in Thigio is called "KISIMA" which translates to Well of Hope and it really is a place of hope.

Everyday when I turned up to teach at the classroom I was met with screams of excitement and big hugs. There was never a day that they bored of this and everyday me overwhelmed as much as the first. These children are the poorest of poor, they have so little, but you wouldn't think they have a care in the world when they get into the classroom. They all adore school and learning in particular. In Kenya education means hope and to have hope is vital.

There is one child in the class called Martin. Martin in in a wheelchair made from some plastic patio furniture with wheels attached. He cannot walk and everyday when his mother carries him to school the children rush to greet him when he arrives. Some of the older boys take the responsibility of getting Martin into his chair and they care for him throughout the day, bringing him to the toilet when he needs to go.

Their kindness to one another and the way they protect one another is something we could all learn from.

With some of the money raised I was able to buy the children in Kisima two sets of tracksuits each with little t- shirts to go underneath them. They had never had a uniform before and in fact had never received new clothes before so it was a massive deal to them the day I gave them out. At the end of October the Sisters in Thigio had organised the first ever Mini Special Olympics for all special needs children in the area. They told me that close to 1000 people turned up on the day and the Kisima children did very well in the sports activities. They were also delighted to have an audience to show off their new tracksuits to!!!

Letter from the sister in charge in Thigio
thanking the residents of Blessington for their donations

Needless to say I have had the most amazing experience and would return to Kenya in a heartbeat. I have seen first hand what a difference €2 can make to a mother who is struggling to feed her children. Im not sure I would have ever fully appreciated the difference such a small amount can make had I not seen it first hand.

No matter how big or small your donation was it meant a huge amount to the children and adults it has gone to help. Thank you all for your support and to those who continued to support me while I was away.

I am contactable on sazzler@gmail.com for anyone who would like any further information on my trip.

Sarah Curry
Burgage Moyle
Blessington