Real Stars’ Volunteer Programme (RSV)
Real Stars is a community-based organization serving the poor and vulnerable groups in the Nairobi slums. RSV provides the opportunity for limited number of volunteers at the office in Nairobi. This programme offers an opportunity to acquire direct exposure to the realities of the slum communities. It is designed for people who want first hand experience with the slum community and also those who have benefited from Real Stars and want to give back to their communities. There are many ways in which you can get involved in Real Stars and being a volunteer is one of them. This entails giving out your services to serve these communities by either assisting in the office work or going for home and school visits for the Real Stars Beneficiaries. Are you a dynamic, self-starter, creative and a person who is interested in getting experience in social work; then this is an opportunity for you!
The objective of RSV is to enhance the Volunteer’s educational experience through practical work assignments and it allows the volunteer to gain insight into Social Work especially relating with children in the slum areas.
Eligibility
• Education
Completed high school and currently is in a higher education institution or is aspiring to pursue a degree or an equivalent, and must be Computer Literate. Holders of a first degree have an added advantage.
• Field of Study
Development related field such as Sociology, Community
Development, Social Work, Project Management and other
fields that relate with children.
• Language Skills
Proficiency in written and spoken English and Kiswahili. For the
overseas volunteers, willingness to learn the local language.
• Demonstrated Interest in the Field of Development and Social Work.
General Terms and Conditions
• Volunteers are accepted any time of the year as long as there is a vacancy.
• The Volunteer is required to keep confidential all information made known during the time of volunteering and may not publish any reports or papers on the basis of information obtained except with the authorization from the organization.
• A volunteer must conduct himself/herself at all times in a manner that is compatible with his or her responsibility as a volunteer.
Financial Aspects, Expenses and Medical Benefits
For the Local Volunteers: Since Real Stars is a Charity Organization
We are not in a position to give a Salary although, a stipend maybe
issued to cover for transport.
Volunteers from Abroad are to raise their own support in order to
support their Accomodation and Food. They are also expected to have
a medical Coverage from Home.
Career Benefits
The purpose of RSV Programme is to give you first hand experience in
work and to compliment the Volunteer Studies and does not lead to
further employment with the Organization. But there are many other ways
in which a volunteer can benefit through working at Real Stars. These are:
a) Gaining a wealth of experience in social work and report writing.
b) Expansion of general knowledge and social relations because of interactions with overseas visitors.
c) Development of better communication skills due to day-to-day interactions with people.
d) An opportunity to interact and learn more about the African culture for volunteers from overseas.
Time Frame
At least 3 – 6 months with a possibility of extension if the volunteer is interested.
Applications should be forwarded to the Executive Director of Real Stars.
An applicant is required to submit a recent Curriculum Vitae and a Cover Letter indicating the motivation and reason for Volunteerism with Real Stars.
N.B Only the short-listed/selected candidates will be contacted.
I have read and understood –
Name _____________________________
Signature ________________________
Date _____________________________
Jul 20, 2010
APPLICATION FORM FOR VOLUNTEER
(Please also submit a passport photo and your C.V.)
PART I
Name of applicant _____________________________________________
Surname First name Middle Name
Date________________
Address _____________________
Tel(o) ______________(h)_______________
Identity Card No ____________________________
Passport No _________________________________
Parent’s/guardian’s Name and contact___________________________
Tel no._______________________
Contact person in Nairobi ________________________________________
Address B0X _________________________
Tel(o)_____________(h)_______________
PART II
PLEASE FILL IN ALL THE QUESTIONS IN CLEAR, LEGIBLE AND NEAT HANDWRITING. USE SMALL SCRIPT SO THAT YOU HAVE ADEQUATE SPACE FOR EACH QUESTION. IF NEED BE USE THE BACKSIDE OF THIS FORM
1.How did you get to know about Real Stars?
2.Briefly share your motivation to becoming a volunteer in REAL STARS (not more than 40 words)
3.What is your highest level of education?(tick where appropriate)
High school__________diploma/certificate__________degree__________masters___________
4.Do you have brothers and sisters? Where do they live, what do they do for an occupation?
5.Where do you currently live? Where will you live if you are accepted as a volunteer?
6.Are you married or intend to get married soon? If married, do you have children, what ages and do you intend to have any others during the year of volunteering?
7.In what ways are you currently involved in the community?
8.What are your expectations for this volunteer program? (Please be detailed - share 5 or 6 expectations - use back of paper as is necessary).
9.Have you been a Real Star beneficiary? If yes in which way?
10.What areas of your life do you wish to grow in as a result of the volunteer work?
11.For how long do you want to volunteer at REAL STARS? (tick the appropriate place)
3 months_________ 6 months__________ 1 year___________ More than 1 year_________ (specify)
NB: If you want only to volunteer for some hours and/or certain days of the week, please give the details below.
12.Are there specific areas of work that you are hesitant to participate in?
13.Are there any medical needs that we should be aware of that may make it difficult for you to meet our expectations?
14.Please give us the names, and address of 3 referees who know you and your character well.
PART I
Name of applicant _____________________________________________
Surname First name Middle Name
Date________________
Address _____________________
Tel(o) ______________(h)_______________
Identity Card No ____________________________
Passport No _________________________________
Parent’s/guardian’s Name and contact___________________________
Tel no._______________________
Contact person in Nairobi ________________________________________
Address B0X _________________________
Tel(o)_____________(h)_______________
PART II
PLEASE FILL IN ALL THE QUESTIONS IN CLEAR, LEGIBLE AND NEAT HANDWRITING. USE SMALL SCRIPT SO THAT YOU HAVE ADEQUATE SPACE FOR EACH QUESTION. IF NEED BE USE THE BACKSIDE OF THIS FORM
1.How did you get to know about Real Stars?
2.Briefly share your motivation to becoming a volunteer in REAL STARS (not more than 40 words)
3.What is your highest level of education?(tick where appropriate)
High school__________diploma/certificate__________degree__________masters___________
4.Do you have brothers and sisters? Where do they live, what do they do for an occupation?
5.Where do you currently live? Where will you live if you are accepted as a volunteer?
6.Are you married or intend to get married soon? If married, do you have children, what ages and do you intend to have any others during the year of volunteering?
7.In what ways are you currently involved in the community?
8.What are your expectations for this volunteer program? (Please be detailed - share 5 or 6 expectations - use back of paper as is necessary).
9.Have you been a Real Star beneficiary? If yes in which way?
10.What areas of your life do you wish to grow in as a result of the volunteer work?
11.For how long do you want to volunteer at REAL STARS? (tick the appropriate place)
3 months_________ 6 months__________ 1 year___________ More than 1 year_________ (specify)
NB: If you want only to volunteer for some hours and/or certain days of the week, please give the details below.
12.Are there specific areas of work that you are hesitant to participate in?
13.Are there any medical needs that we should be aware of that may make it difficult for you to meet our expectations?
14.Please give us the names, and address of 3 referees who know you and your character well.
Jul 19, 2010
MAY- JUNE NEWSLETTER
Shalom Everyone!
We thank the Almighty for yet another chance to share with you about His blessings upon us. 2010 is coming to an end so fast! All Glory and Praise we give to God for bringing us this far. As a country we are now in a crucial period of getting a constitution that would be beneficial to the future generations. The proposed draft is out and the voters’ registration exercise is also completed. The “NO” and “YES” supporters have been holding their campaigns only until recently. This is because the campaigns were banned from happening after there was an explosion from an underground grenade at a rally held by the “NO” supporters. Unfortunately 6 people have lost their lives and 70 others are nursing injuries at the national hospital. Besides that the news all over the country is also centred on a self confessed serial killer who has been moving up and down with the police to help them find the bodies of his victims. He publicly said that he has been committing these murders since 2007 and managed to kill 19 people all of them women and children. This has caused care-givers to be extra careful with their children. The Lord’s protection is with our children because none of them was victim to these cold blood murders!
“I Will Extol Thee My Lord and King and Bless Your Name Forever”
The month of May started on a busy note. Our children were going back to school and things were hectic for us. By God’s help we managed to get all the shopping done and the children reported to school in time. God blessed us with several visitors in the month of May. Firstly we had a young lady named Vinnia from Germany who was with us for a day. She came to see what we do at Real Stars. Then we had a family of 4 from the Minnesota, United States. They wanted to see what Real Stars does and also get to visit a home in Kibera. We visited a home of one of the children in the programme. They expressed surprise at the fact that 10 people could squeeze themselves in a 1-roomed, earthen-floor mud house. Since the mother of this child had prepared some very tasty peanuts they requested that she makes some for them to carry back to their country. Though they had little time they were grateful for the experience. Two of our sponsors, Iris and Andreas visited us with their children. We had called Faith Mwikali, one of the children in our programme to come with her mother as Andreas and family had brought her a gift from her sponsor. We had some snacks together and a group photo. In the course of the month of May, Rose was doing final touches concerning her visit to Germany. “The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want” By God’s favor she had been granted a 1-year visa by the embassy!! We had most of our children who were of age opening personal bank accounts. This helped in minimizing the petty cash transactions in the office during the time that Rose is away. On May 25th Rose finally left for Germany. Her flight was scheduled for 10p.m. We thank God for granting her a safe journey. We pray also that she accomplishes her mission in her visit to Germany. The month of June came with showers of blessings from above! Angella joined us as a new volunteer!! She is a Secondary School Chemistry teacher but has a great desire to work for the needy in the society. Due to her busy schedule she is only able to come on Wednesdays during the morning hours. However, her input to Real Stars is felt. She is now revising the children’s profile records to ensure that data in the computer is similar to data in the personal files of each child who is in the programme. Angella will be with us for at least 3 months. She is a Heavenly miracle to Real Stars because Agnes will leave when she is in her 3rd month with us. In the course of this month Rose Muiu has been able to travel to Switzerland from Germany. The journey was by fast train and the Lord granted her a safe journey.
“Let Me Introduce A Real Star”
Diana Wanyenze is the 5th born child in a family of 5 children. She is 8 years old. She lives in a 1-roomed mud house in the slums of Kibera. Here she lives with her immediate 2 elder siblings Richard and Miriam, her maternal aunt and a young cousin, Scorvia who is daughter to her aunt. They have electric connection but buy tap water from a nearby vendor. Their house has 2 beds 1 of which is a makeshift bed.
Diana at home
They have only 2 seats with no cushions. The mattress on the makeshift bed is worn out and so are the beddings. They store their clothing in bags which are a little worn out. They have few utensils which are beaten down and few water storage Jerricans. They have a large round African drum for a table.
Diana at home with family, from left; Richard, Miriam, Scorvia and Aunt.
When it rains water gets into their house. She is a total orphan and her aunt does odd jobs such as laundering in order to provide for their food. Diana used to study at Wall Unity primary school but had to drop out due to lack of school fees. She later joined a school run by some Brothers but had to drop out again. This time due to lack of exercise books as she was exempted from paying school fees. One day as she was roaming around looking for food Diana and her siblings met Rose. In fact they were borrowing from her and then Rose decided to ask them about their life. Rose found her to be needy and embarked on getting her a sponsor. She succeeded and enrolled her to a school in Kibera.
Diana in class
Diana in the school compound.
Since Diana had been out of school for a while she had problems catching up. However, looking at her school report form a lot of improvement is seen!! We are confident that she is set for greater heights in life!
“Meet Another Real Star”
Fredrick Kimeu is a 10-year-old boy who is in class 4 at Kilimani Primary School in Nairobi. He lives in forty-two area in Kibera slums with his mother, 3 elder siblings (Esther, Anthony and Boniface) and 2 nieces (Dorcas and Witness) and a nephew (Stephen)
Fredrick at home
Fredrick at home with family, from left; Dorcas, his mother, Fredrick, Witness, Stephen and Esther
Their house is made of Iron Sheets and it is very congested with hardly enough space to move around. They have electric connection and have piped water coming to a tap outside their house. They have 3 seats 1 of which is used as a stand for the paraffin stove. They have 2 beds which are kept from view by 2 curtains. His mother is the only parent they have since the demise of his father which happened in 2004 out of an illness. None of his siblings were able to go to secondary school as there was no money to cater for that. When Fredrick was barely a year old he got sick. She took him to hospital and while receiving treatment his mother began conversing with the doctor. This doctor realized that he was a needy case and offered to give her mother a job as her househelp.
Fredrick in the school compound
Fredrick in class
After a while this doctor thought of helping Fredrick to attain education in a formal school. She therefore introduced his mother to Rose. Fredrick’s mother explained her case to Rose who managed to get him a sponsor.
“World Cup”
It is finally here and happening in our own soil!! Almost every employer has purchased a television set for the office. This is meant to prevent employees from leaving work early in the name of “going to watch the World Cup” Some primary school pupils from various parts of Nairobi were lucky to win air tickets to attend the opening match in South Africa. This happened in a competition for poem presentations and talent show. We are hoping that an African team performs this time even if it goes as far as the semi-finals.
May The Favor of the Lord be always upon you – we leave you with this bible verse; Revelation 3:21 “Those who prove victorious I will allow to share my Throne just as I was victorious Myself and took my place with My Father on His Throne”
Shalom,
Rose Muiu.
We thank the Almighty for yet another chance to share with you about His blessings upon us. 2010 is coming to an end so fast! All Glory and Praise we give to God for bringing us this far. As a country we are now in a crucial period of getting a constitution that would be beneficial to the future generations. The proposed draft is out and the voters’ registration exercise is also completed. The “NO” and “YES” supporters have been holding their campaigns only until recently. This is because the campaigns were banned from happening after there was an explosion from an underground grenade at a rally held by the “NO” supporters. Unfortunately 6 people have lost their lives and 70 others are nursing injuries at the national hospital. Besides that the news all over the country is also centred on a self confessed serial killer who has been moving up and down with the police to help them find the bodies of his victims. He publicly said that he has been committing these murders since 2007 and managed to kill 19 people all of them women and children. This has caused care-givers to be extra careful with their children. The Lord’s protection is with our children because none of them was victim to these cold blood murders!
“I Will Extol Thee My Lord and King and Bless Your Name Forever”
The month of May started on a busy note. Our children were going back to school and things were hectic for us. By God’s help we managed to get all the shopping done and the children reported to school in time. God blessed us with several visitors in the month of May. Firstly we had a young lady named Vinnia from Germany who was with us for a day. She came to see what we do at Real Stars. Then we had a family of 4 from the Minnesota, United States. They wanted to see what Real Stars does and also get to visit a home in Kibera. We visited a home of one of the children in the programme. They expressed surprise at the fact that 10 people could squeeze themselves in a 1-roomed, earthen-floor mud house. Since the mother of this child had prepared some very tasty peanuts they requested that she makes some for them to carry back to their country. Though they had little time they were grateful for the experience. Two of our sponsors, Iris and Andreas visited us with their children. We had called Faith Mwikali, one of the children in our programme to come with her mother as Andreas and family had brought her a gift from her sponsor. We had some snacks together and a group photo. In the course of the month of May, Rose was doing final touches concerning her visit to Germany. “The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want” By God’s favor she had been granted a 1-year visa by the embassy!! We had most of our children who were of age opening personal bank accounts. This helped in minimizing the petty cash transactions in the office during the time that Rose is away. On May 25th Rose finally left for Germany. Her flight was scheduled for 10p.m. We thank God for granting her a safe journey. We pray also that she accomplishes her mission in her visit to Germany. The month of June came with showers of blessings from above! Angella joined us as a new volunteer!! She is a Secondary School Chemistry teacher but has a great desire to work for the needy in the society. Due to her busy schedule she is only able to come on Wednesdays during the morning hours. However, her input to Real Stars is felt. She is now revising the children’s profile records to ensure that data in the computer is similar to data in the personal files of each child who is in the programme. Angella will be with us for at least 3 months. She is a Heavenly miracle to Real Stars because Agnes will leave when she is in her 3rd month with us. In the course of this month Rose Muiu has been able to travel to Switzerland from Germany. The journey was by fast train and the Lord granted her a safe journey.
“Let Me Introduce A Real Star”
Diana Wanyenze is the 5th born child in a family of 5 children. She is 8 years old. She lives in a 1-roomed mud house in the slums of Kibera. Here she lives with her immediate 2 elder siblings Richard and Miriam, her maternal aunt and a young cousin, Scorvia who is daughter to her aunt. They have electric connection but buy tap water from a nearby vendor. Their house has 2 beds 1 of which is a makeshift bed.
Diana at home
They have only 2 seats with no cushions. The mattress on the makeshift bed is worn out and so are the beddings. They store their clothing in bags which are a little worn out. They have few utensils which are beaten down and few water storage Jerricans. They have a large round African drum for a table.
Diana at home with family, from left; Richard, Miriam, Scorvia and Aunt.
When it rains water gets into their house. She is a total orphan and her aunt does odd jobs such as laundering in order to provide for their food. Diana used to study at Wall Unity primary school but had to drop out due to lack of school fees. She later joined a school run by some Brothers but had to drop out again. This time due to lack of exercise books as she was exempted from paying school fees. One day as she was roaming around looking for food Diana and her siblings met Rose. In fact they were borrowing from her and then Rose decided to ask them about their life. Rose found her to be needy and embarked on getting her a sponsor. She succeeded and enrolled her to a school in Kibera.
Diana in class
Diana in the school compound.
Since Diana had been out of school for a while she had problems catching up. However, looking at her school report form a lot of improvement is seen!! We are confident that she is set for greater heights in life!
“Meet Another Real Star”
Fredrick Kimeu is a 10-year-old boy who is in class 4 at Kilimani Primary School in Nairobi. He lives in forty-two area in Kibera slums with his mother, 3 elder siblings (Esther, Anthony and Boniface) and 2 nieces (Dorcas and Witness) and a nephew (Stephen)
Fredrick at home
Fredrick at home with family, from left; Dorcas, his mother, Fredrick, Witness, Stephen and Esther
Their house is made of Iron Sheets and it is very congested with hardly enough space to move around. They have electric connection and have piped water coming to a tap outside their house. They have 3 seats 1 of which is used as a stand for the paraffin stove. They have 2 beds which are kept from view by 2 curtains. His mother is the only parent they have since the demise of his father which happened in 2004 out of an illness. None of his siblings were able to go to secondary school as there was no money to cater for that. When Fredrick was barely a year old he got sick. She took him to hospital and while receiving treatment his mother began conversing with the doctor. This doctor realized that he was a needy case and offered to give her mother a job as her househelp.
Fredrick in the school compound
Fredrick in class
After a while this doctor thought of helping Fredrick to attain education in a formal school. She therefore introduced his mother to Rose. Fredrick’s mother explained her case to Rose who managed to get him a sponsor.
“World Cup”
It is finally here and happening in our own soil!! Almost every employer has purchased a television set for the office. This is meant to prevent employees from leaving work early in the name of “going to watch the World Cup” Some primary school pupils from various parts of Nairobi were lucky to win air tickets to attend the opening match in South Africa. This happened in a competition for poem presentations and talent show. We are hoping that an African team performs this time even if it goes as far as the semi-finals.
May The Favor of the Lord be always upon you – we leave you with this bible verse; Revelation 3:21 “Those who prove victorious I will allow to share my Throne just as I was victorious Myself and took my place with My Father on His Throne”
Shalom,
Rose Muiu.
My Grace Is Sufficient For You!!
Shalom Everyone!
We are very glad to have this opportunity once again to share with you on how God has been gracious and merciful towards us! I hope that your 2010 is still very new and you have the enthusiasm you had on December 31st 2009 for this New Year! The December rains stopped for the past two months but with the beginning of March came the rains again! We call this “Showers of Blessings from Above” because the few cows that survived the drought produced more milk causing the price of the commodity to go down!! Something we have never experienced in our country! Our kids are celebrating Kenya has done it again they scooped 8 Golden Medals in the Athletics. Many of these athletics come from every poor background, therefore our Children identify with them having Kenyan National Anthem Song being sang 8 times! The competition took place in Poland. They all knelt down & thanked God! This was a good lesson for all Real Stars Kids in that if they work hard they will indeed reap the Fruits with God’s help!
I personally thank God for His protection. This year came with a lot of challenges for me. First my Email was hacked & they were able to get over 2,500 Euros from my yahoo address contacts. When I think about it am still very appalled at how evil happens. Please, let us continue praying for protection all around. My New Email: rosemuiu@gmail.com. Another big challenge in my life! I have to move houses from where I have lived for 14 years. The house belongs to my cousin & he needs it back. Since, he is getting married in August this year. I am so thankful for living in Woodley. Please, Pray I get another convenient & affordable apartment. Otherwise, am doing well. Right now, am reading the Psalms & Studying a book entitled ‘Experiencing God’ It is wonderful to see how God is at work around us inspite of the Challenges we face everyday.
Thanks to God who has helped us to tackle the months of January and February. They were two very busy months especially because; every Real Stars’ Child was going back to school. Majority of them were going back for the normal school routine and the rest were joining secondary school for the very first time - Praise to God – and also thanks to you Sponsors for your commitment! Most of the children who had gone for mid-term break at the end of February were reporting back to school at the beginning of March. We had quite a hectic period getting them the things they needed for school. However, God is always gracious and they all reported back to school in time. Christine Amanfu, from Ghana had to leave us because her internship period with us came to an end. We are very grateful to God for her because she has done a great Job in the profile records of the children already in the Real Stars Programme. The month of March had also begun on an anxious note; the results for the national examination done by form four students (zwolfte klasse) to qualify them to join University were released. Our children had an average performance.
Real Stars had a visitor! Roland from Switzerland visited us and we managed to make a home visit in Kibera Slum (the most densely populated). Our hostess was Mama Kule, a single mother of 4 Children; she has lived in the same one room for the last 25 years! This is what you call abject poverty. She made Chai (Kenyan Tea) for us; you could hear from her voice that she yearns for a better life for her Children. We encouraged her not to loose hope and that God has wonderful plans for her Family. One of her Kids will be joining Real Stars Programme soon.
Mama Kule preparing some tea
Meet A Real Star – Caroline Aoko Nyamanga!
Caroline is a 26-year-old lady living in the slums of Kibera. She lives with her aunt and four other children. Though none of them are the biological children of the aunt, she supports them all (Caroline included) from the meagre earnings of her Roast Maize business. One day, while Caroline was preparing to go to school a fire broke out which burned her arms severely.
One arm was completely amputated and the other one was amputated up to the elbow. With the aid of a sponsor, Caroline joined class 1 at Joytown Primary School in Thika, a School for students with special needs. She left at class 4 due to hardship in the school. She then joined Maxwell Preparatory School in Nairobi where she was until she sat for her final examinations, i.e. K.C.P.E, in class 8. She scored 324 marks out of 500. This was excellent! She joined Compuera Girls’ Secondary School in 2003. She finished in 2006, She was introduced, Bernard Rebsch who sponsored Caroline to a Bible school in Germany for one year (Bodenseehof). Mr. Rebsch introduced Caroline to Rose. Caroline is now taking a Pre-university programme at The African Nazarene University in the outskirts of Nairobi.
Caroline at the University
She is a boarding student. Despite her handicap, Caroline is well able to take care of herself, using the remaining stump of her hand to use the computer and to knit with the machine. We are so proud of her achievements. She says,’ with God’ I can great things. Her positive attitude towards life is amazing!
Caroline with finished sweater.
Happy Easter!!
We are very grateful to God for taking us through the Holy month of April. It is “Holy” because of the spotless cleansing of our sins by the Holy blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that your Easter celebrations were lovely and full of the Grace of God! We had peaceful and joyous Easter celebrations. It was quite a busy month for us especially during the last weeks. This is because the children were preparing to go back to school for the second term and this means that a lot of shopping was done (almost at the same time) for several children. By God’s Grace everything was accomplished in time and our children reported back to school well-rested and prepared to tackle the busy and lengthy second school term.
We greet you wholeheartedly, With the Words from Psalms 145:10 ‘All thy Works shall give thanks to thee, O LORD, and all thy saints shall bless thee!’
Shalom,
Rose Muiu
We are very glad to have this opportunity once again to share with you on how God has been gracious and merciful towards us! I hope that your 2010 is still very new and you have the enthusiasm you had on December 31st 2009 for this New Year! The December rains stopped for the past two months but with the beginning of March came the rains again! We call this “Showers of Blessings from Above” because the few cows that survived the drought produced more milk causing the price of the commodity to go down!! Something we have never experienced in our country! Our kids are celebrating Kenya has done it again they scooped 8 Golden Medals in the Athletics. Many of these athletics come from every poor background, therefore our Children identify with them having Kenyan National Anthem Song being sang 8 times! The competition took place in Poland. They all knelt down & thanked God! This was a good lesson for all Real Stars Kids in that if they work hard they will indeed reap the Fruits with God’s help!
I personally thank God for His protection. This year came with a lot of challenges for me. First my Email was hacked & they were able to get over 2,500 Euros from my yahoo address contacts. When I think about it am still very appalled at how evil happens. Please, let us continue praying for protection all around. My New Email: rosemuiu@gmail.com. Another big challenge in my life! I have to move houses from where I have lived for 14 years. The house belongs to my cousin & he needs it back. Since, he is getting married in August this year. I am so thankful for living in Woodley. Please, Pray I get another convenient & affordable apartment. Otherwise, am doing well. Right now, am reading the Psalms & Studying a book entitled ‘Experiencing God’ It is wonderful to see how God is at work around us inspite of the Challenges we face everyday.
Thanks to God who has helped us to tackle the months of January and February. They were two very busy months especially because; every Real Stars’ Child was going back to school. Majority of them were going back for the normal school routine and the rest were joining secondary school for the very first time - Praise to God – and also thanks to you Sponsors for your commitment! Most of the children who had gone for mid-term break at the end of February were reporting back to school at the beginning of March. We had quite a hectic period getting them the things they needed for school. However, God is always gracious and they all reported back to school in time. Christine Amanfu, from Ghana had to leave us because her internship period with us came to an end. We are very grateful to God for her because she has done a great Job in the profile records of the children already in the Real Stars Programme. The month of March had also begun on an anxious note; the results for the national examination done by form four students (zwolfte klasse) to qualify them to join University were released. Our children had an average performance.
Real Stars had a visitor! Roland from Switzerland visited us and we managed to make a home visit in Kibera Slum (the most densely populated). Our hostess was Mama Kule, a single mother of 4 Children; she has lived in the same one room for the last 25 years! This is what you call abject poverty. She made Chai (Kenyan Tea) for us; you could hear from her voice that she yearns for a better life for her Children. We encouraged her not to loose hope and that God has wonderful plans for her Family. One of her Kids will be joining Real Stars Programme soon.
Mama Kule preparing some tea
Meet A Real Star – Caroline Aoko Nyamanga!
Caroline is a 26-year-old lady living in the slums of Kibera. She lives with her aunt and four other children. Though none of them are the biological children of the aunt, she supports them all (Caroline included) from the meagre earnings of her Roast Maize business. One day, while Caroline was preparing to go to school a fire broke out which burned her arms severely.
One arm was completely amputated and the other one was amputated up to the elbow. With the aid of a sponsor, Caroline joined class 1 at Joytown Primary School in Thika, a School for students with special needs. She left at class 4 due to hardship in the school. She then joined Maxwell Preparatory School in Nairobi where she was until she sat for her final examinations, i.e. K.C.P.E, in class 8. She scored 324 marks out of 500. This was excellent! She joined Compuera Girls’ Secondary School in 2003. She finished in 2006, She was introduced, Bernard Rebsch who sponsored Caroline to a Bible school in Germany for one year (Bodenseehof). Mr. Rebsch introduced Caroline to Rose. Caroline is now taking a Pre-university programme at The African Nazarene University in the outskirts of Nairobi.
Caroline at the University
She is a boarding student. Despite her handicap, Caroline is well able to take care of herself, using the remaining stump of her hand to use the computer and to knit with the machine. We are so proud of her achievements. She says,’ with God’ I can great things. Her positive attitude towards life is amazing!
Caroline with finished sweater.
Happy Easter!!
We are very grateful to God for taking us through the Holy month of April. It is “Holy” because of the spotless cleansing of our sins by the Holy blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that your Easter celebrations were lovely and full of the Grace of God! We had peaceful and joyous Easter celebrations. It was quite a busy month for us especially during the last weeks. This is because the children were preparing to go back to school for the second term and this means that a lot of shopping was done (almost at the same time) for several children. By God’s Grace everything was accomplished in time and our children reported back to school well-rested and prepared to tackle the busy and lengthy second school term.
We greet you wholeheartedly, With the Words from Psalms 145:10 ‘All thy Works shall give thanks to thee, O LORD, and all thy saints shall bless thee!’
Shalom,
Rose Muiu
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