3 Oct 2011: Hilltop Perspective of Children's Garden Home

We decided to venture to some nearby high grounds to shoot some perspective shots of Children's Garden Home.

Thanks to our guides - Gabriel, Monicah and Sammy - we enjoyed a nice scramble across the road, across the river, over some farms and up the hill slopes.

Had we been here 6 months earlier, we would have a clear view of the entire CGH compound. Now, a large portion was being blocked by the neighbouring condo under construction.

Up across the road at the hill top, we catch an overall view of our greenhouse, classrooms, dining hall, football field, but the accommodation block is largely blocked by the neighbouring condo under construction.

4 Oct 2011: Seva Project #6 - Firewood Aplenty

There was a windfall offer by one of CGH's board of advisors. Her brother had chopped down the trees at her deceased parents' backyard intending to sell for profit. She stepped in and decided to donate 1 truckload to CGH and also offered the remaining 4 truckloads at a low cost. We decided to sponsor the purchase to stock up half a year of firewood supply.

Project cost = Ksh42,000
Sponsors = 'Friends of Seva' Donors

Half a year's supply of firewood for CGH!

Longer pieces were used for the new cow shed.

5 Oct 2011: Seva Project #7 - Little Fingy's BEADwear Christmas Orders

We have confidence in the design and enterprising spirit of the girls so we decided to support their BEADwear self-help project. Together with Fiona Saunder and Sylvia, we went shopping for beads at the Triangle Masai Market at Westland. It was a great opportunity for us to learn about bead craft and how to bargain well to stretch every shilling. By evening, Phanise, Monicah, Harriet, Keziah and Stella had made some necklace samples.

Production team in action in the volunteer room.

Robyn enjoying bead craft with Monicah and Harriet.

Working with Sylvia and the girls, we launched the 2011 Christmas Series that comprised 3 collections - Safari, Tribal and Waka-Waka.

Once the design was set, and they were really beautifully handmade with love by the girls, we blasted out emails to the world and orders started pouring in from 8 Oct. Another Little Fingy's initiative got started!

It's our hope that this little venture would grow into an ongoing sustainability project that would ensure a source of income for Children's Garden Home.

To order, just visit www.LittleFingys.com.

WAKA-WAKA Collection features 7 necklaces of classic Kenyan greeting terms like Jambo, Asante, etc.

8 Oct 2011: Seva Project #8 - Dairy Farm (Cow Shed Construction)

Carpenter Fester was finally done with the dining hall furniture and commenced building the cow shed. We were grateful to Prof Mutiga for providing us with a well dimensioned cow shed plan. Thanks to Mei Yin and her friends for donating towards this cow shed construction, we would be naming it "SINGA-MOO-LAH", based on their request. Robyn has composed a Singa-Moo-Lah song based on our folk song, Singapura, and we'll video it when the cow shed is ready soon. Next would be getting a second cow for CGH...

Project cost (cow shed) = Ksh83,000
Sponsors = 'Friends of Seva' Donors and Mei Yin & friends

8 Oct 2011: Seva Project #9 - Bathroom for the Boys

The children's toilets next to the library had no taps so hygiene had always been a concern. Eugenio and Alessandra Bozza sponsored the installation of a new washing point and a boy bathroom piping by the sides of the toilets. Moses asked if we could help to erect an enclosure so the boys could shower with privacy. We gamely sponsored this one-time home improvement project that would permanently benefit the children.

Project cost = Ksh16,000
Sponsors = 'Friends of Seva' Donors

Fester building a shower enclosure adjoining the loo.

The plumber and boys putting up the shower heads.

8 Oct 2011: Children's Garden Choir & Dance

We did a video shoot of the Children's Garden Choir at the greenhouse and outside the classroom. We also shot their fav performance - African Child.

They sang and danced so well. We brought all their performances LIVE on Youtube at www.childrensgardenhome.org/downloads.html

9 Oct 2011: Meeting Mask Artists

We met Doreen at the Masai Market and learnt that she and her hubby are mask carving artists who live near to the Children's Garden Home.

We visited their home-cum-workshop and explored possibility of having them coach our children wood carving skill to allow them to learn towards establishing a mask making sustainability venture.

James and Doreen visited CGH and showcased their arts to the children. Some children have signed up to learn this craft skill.

We hope this match-making effort to lead to a long term collaboration between Moses and James.

African wood sculpture is a good livelihood skill.

"You look better with this mask."