The Good Life Orphanage

With all the Christmas and New Year celebrations over, Kevin returned to Mombasa on January 2nd as it’s going to be a very busy year at the orphanage. Thanks to some very generous donations from individuals, companies, schools and churches over the last three months of 2009 from we are able to put our plans into action!!!

Kilroe House and Keogh House are nearing completion, they are costing substantially more that the previous three due to design changes as they are adapted for disabled children. We can now also extend our hen house and buy more chickens & broilers. By doing this the income from eggs and chickens will increase, also we are buying a greenhouse. You might ask why we would need a greenhouse in Kenya? It is to protect the vegetables and fruit from the scorching heat and heavy rainfall, which over the past two years has decreased productivity dramatically. We hope by investing the money received from these donations we will see our income from the farm increase by about 60%. As you may already know the produce is mainly used for the children and any excess is sold to the locals at a fair price, we are hoping this will be a further step towards self-sufficiency.

Little Naomi has been complaining of headaches, she had an MRI scan in Mombasa and the results were sent to a paediatric surgeon at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, we were advised that she needs an operations sooner rather than later. As we speak, the team from Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital are on standby for Naomi arriving here in the U.K, they have very kindly agreed to carry out the operation free - we cannot express our gratitude for this wonderful gesture. As Naomi will be in completely different surroundings it was decided that her House Auntie Mercy should accompany her, at the moment we are still waiting for an update on their passports. If all goes to plan she should be coming to Manchester in late February / early March for the operation.

Many thanks to everyone who has made donations over the past three months - we can now go forward with the works, and also have the money in place to pay for Naomi’s travel expenses to bring her to the UK for the lifesaving operation she needs!

The photo below sums up just what The Good Life Orphanage is all about, our latest addition Baby Michelle with Kevin

The past twelve months has been very productive at the orphanage, yes yet again we have had our highs & lows but there has been so many more highs. Jackie has settled in so well and has become a very competent manager, the House Mother and House Aunties have given 110% to the project and for that we are eternally grateful. There has been a few problem with the Shamba (farm), see my Swahili is improving, but our new Farm Manager David seems very focused and with the help of Onesmus and Justin we are confident that they will succeed.

Kevin & myself were unable to be in Kenya for Christmas 2009 as our second grandchild Ruby Claire made an entrance to this world on Christmas Eve so we left the orphanage festivities in the very capable hands of Jackie & Co. and boy did they give the children a wonderful day with the help of donations from Tom Howley and Jane Howarth & staff & children from Goodeshaw Kindergarden In Crawshawbooth, Lancs.

Our very good friends who live in Vipingo, Evan & Diane, gave up their Christmas Day going to The Good Life to take photographs so all our supporters could see them on the blog. They also picked up young ladies from SUFFOLK who were staying at Sun n Sands, the girls came laid with gifts to the children as well, our own personal Maji!!! Father Christmas although very busy made an appearance at 12.00 midday when each of the thirty-six children received their own present. After that a feast fit for the Maji along with face painting and other activities, the staff and children had a wonderful day thanks to the kindness of our supporters and Evan & Diane Thanks for your time xx

We know that without the orphanage the majority of these children would not have survived to enjoy a wonderful Christmas and we are so grateful for your continuing support. Along with looking after the thirty-six children, we also employ twelve staff who support their families from the wages we pay. With every penny you donate, it is making a difference to so many,

ASANTA SANA TO YOU ALL xx