OCTOBER 2023

At the end of October the BBC published an article titled "Kenya's school floggings: The children suffering from a hidden epidemic" (you can read the article by clicking here). It is a harrowing read and describes the very sad reality of cultural norms and expectations of many schools here in Kenya. Despite the Kenyan government banning corporal punishment in schools in 2001, it has been hard to change people's attitudes and it is still very common. In the article, an employee at the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), states "It is becoming a crisis and… we feel it is going out of hand now. Cases of children being injured and maimed. Some of these cases have resulted in very severe consequences, even death." In fact, in the last five years, more than 20 deaths linked to school beatings have been reported in the Kenyan media. This should never happen and it is not fair or right that a number of barriers prevent some children from having the same opportunities as others. That some children may not return from school and could die at the hands of education professionals, who are supposed to protect and support them, is devastating and unimaginable. It is in this context that Naomi's Village is writing a different story. In Isaiah 1:17 it says “Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” Through the five initiatives run by Naomi's Village, they are pursuing justice, doing what is right and lifting up the fatherless and widow; those living in extreme poverty and orphans and vulnerable children.

Over the last few weeks preparations have been in place for the new school year which starts in January. Teams from Naomi's Village, led by the ministry social workers, have been going out into the surrounding communities to carry out poverty assessments. Each year 50 children are added to LEAP, the pre-school run by Naomi's Village. The poverty assessments identify families who live in extreme poverty (extreme poverty is defined by the United Nations as "a condition characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information"). It is these families that are offered a place at LEAP. Once the children have spent two years at LEAP they graduate to Cornerstone Preparatory Academy. As part of Sean's role he was again invited to participate in some of the assessments this year. It was a very tangible reminder of why we are here; to educate, equip and empower a generation to change their community and break the generational cycle of extreme poverty. Sean heard first hand from parents who were grateful to Cornerstone Preparatory Academy and Naomi's Village for helping them with their daily burdens and providing their children with a place in school.

This month we also welcomed the last of our visitors for 2023. We had the Yeo family, from our sending church in Greenwich, as well as Rachel's cousin, Rosie. It is always a blessing to us as a family and to the ministry to have visitors and to be able to share what God is doing here. It was also very helpful timing, as The Yeos arrived a few days before Jonah's birthday and were able to bring out some gifts for him! We had great fun celebrating Jonah turning 10 and took him and a few of his friends into Nairobi for the day.

We are well aware of the difference education can make in creating pathways out of poverty and we long to see children educated, equipped and empowered. Thank you for joining in and partnering with us as we help to write a different story in the Great Rift Valley.