FEBRUARY 2024

We are often reminded that we are no longer living in London. Muddy roads, power cuts and water shortages are frequent reminders, but every so often we get a truly Kenyan reminder like we did last week when we received this message on our community group chat; "There are a few hyenas calling below near the [hospital] incinerators. People may want their dogs in for the night." Thankfully, Teddy, our German Shepherd and monkey / baboon deterrent, did not encounter the hyenas!

At the start of this month received more positive news about the performance of Cornerstone Preparatory Academy, the school that is a part of Naomi's Village. CPA serves orphans living at Naomi's Village Home as well as orphans and vulnerable children from surrounding communities. Typically the community children come from single parent households without access to water or electricity, living on £2/3 a day. CPA recently received more national exam results. These results were from the national Grade 6 exams, known as KPSEA (Kenya Primary School Education Assessment). In all subjects, CPA pupils scored significantly above national averages. For example, in English the Kenyan national average was 49% and at CPA the average was 74%. It is so exciting to see the impact that we are having as CPA goes from strength to strength and exam results and continue to improve. Nelson Mandela famously said that "Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world" and we are increasingly seeing children educated, equipped and empowered to break the chains of generational poverty and write their own story. Of course there are still significant challenges and some pretty big bumps along the road by we are certainly heading in the right direction. Out of the classroom, the children are also thriving with the girls' football team recently being crowned sub-county champions for Naivasha and are now preparing to enter the Nakuru county championship.

At Naomi's Village Home, the leadership team received news about a baby boy and his twin brother who had been abandoned. The boys were left unattended and abandoned at a local hospital where they were being treated for pneumonia. Unfortunately one of the brothers did not survive. Without being able to locate the mother, the Children's Department contacted Naomi's Village. So on Valentine's Day we gathered to celebrate as baby Noah was welcomed home. Bob Mendonsa, one of the founders of Naomi's Village wrote about Noah's homecoming here. These homecomings are always such a precious and gospel centred occasion as we welcome home children who once were lost, but now are found. Children who are given a loving, safe environment where they will grow up to know they are deeply loved, not just on earth but in Heaven too.

We know that none of this would be possible without your friendship and support. We thank God for you and for partnering with us as we say your Kingdom come, your will be done, in the Great Rift Valley, as in Heaven.