Archive for June, 2011

Some government officials misled the youth by giving money to them and ordering them
to kill and destroy anything and anyone that they came across. The incidents
were terrible and many people were killed, others became homeless and landless
and finally ended up I camps. Is this building Kenya? The memory of this still
scares the people in the regions that were most affected.

Those people who led  the killings and destruction of properties
should be made to face the highest court, i. e. the International Criminal
Court (the I.C.C.) and be tried. Luis Moreno Ocampo, the Prosecutor for the
I.C.C. on 15 December 2010, mentioned six hooligans. They include: Henry
Kosgey, Uhuru Kenyatta, Francis Muthaura, William Ruto, Joshua Sang and Hussein
Ali. The six are accused of having given a hand in the 2007 post election
violence. Actually, these are the people who should have stopped the violence,
but instead they turned against the law and the people.
The other problems that are making Kenya a bad place in which to live is that
the basic needs are not being provided for the thousands of people who are in
the camps for the displaced. The government is not intervening to help them out
of their doomed lives. Others are starving to death in places like Poket and
Marakwet. The most fascinating thing is that you can hear our politicians and
the clergy donating relief food and preaching unity and peace in war torn
countries like Sudan, Somalia an Iraq while their own country faces a host of
self-created problems. Corrupt politicians turn to the poor, not to give any
aid, but in greed they buy votes from them promising to boost the economy, but
as soon as they get the seats in the government they forget their promises and
by poor governing they actually lower the economy. They must change their way
of leadership. Good government leaders would think of the suffering rather than
pocketing the money meant to help those in need. If the president was kind, I
think he would scale down the defense budget and use the money for other
priority projects such as boosting the living standards in the places that are
hit by the drought and offering educational facilities to the children from
poor backgrounds. If the government leaders sit back and relax, the country
will lead nowhere but to e a laughingstock to many other developing countries.

Irene is a Form II and in the picture she is back row, far right side.

HOW TO MAKE KENYA A BETTER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE

BY IRENE

           
Kenyans must make Kenya a better place in which to live. What do I mean by
saying this? Here are my thoughts.

           
What ruins this country is the big question in the minds of many concerned
citizens.  The answer lies within the citizens, i.e. lack of transparency,
accountability, ethics, and bad morals and attitudes. Kenyans who are aged 60
years and above have the responsibility to encourage and direct the youth to
take up leadership and full responsibility for the entire country. There are
brilliant, talented and knowledgeable individuals among the youth. Kenyans must
love and respect their country and leave a legacy for the future.

           
Being inconsiderate is another major problem in the country. People who have
more wealth use it for their personal needs without thinking of those who are
suffering. Kenya should be a role model for countries of Africa. This can only
be done when Kenyans learn from their past mistakes and opt for a new Kenya.
This can be achieved with proper planning and the good intention of solving
problems that are arising. But how can Kenyans solve the problems when they are
part of the problem?

           
The corruption, tribalism, and religious differences are the major causes of
all problems experienced in Kenya today.  A few selfish, greedy and
inconsiderate people, most of them being religious leaders and politicians, are
inciting the public and causing confusion. These vices are clearly seen in the
2007 post election violence where people killed those who belonged to different
groups than their own, especially tribes. The government should have been
responsible so that the killing of people and destruction of property would
have been stopped. It is clearly stated that some government leaders gave a
hand in causing all the chaos. As the culture of the above-mentioned vices
rises in the country, the poor will continue to suffer and the country will not
develop economically.

*Irene is a Form II (sophomore year) student at St. Clare*

The 6^th grade students at Seneca Middle School in Clinton Township, Michigan heard a presentation about the Children’s Village and decided they could help. They brainstormed ideas and decided selling snacks and accessories at school would be the most effective. They were able to raise $480 to sponsor a young girl at St. Clare.

                                                     They wrote:

“Since Mrs. Ozar visited our school and shared the many stories of Fr. Riwa’s schools, we have been collecting and raising funds to help out. We are continuing to raise more funds, but we wished to send our first contribution so that you know that you have a new group of friends United States who are working to assist you. Sincerely, Your Seneca Middle School Friends.”

Mrs. Karen Lizza, a teacher at Seneca commented: “It is amazing how many ideas and creations our students continue to come up with to earn money for the girls’ school. From candy sales to bows, bags, purses, and wallets made from duct tape, to locker decorations, they have spent much time at home and on their lunch periods creating things to sell. It has been wonderful to watch!”

Joseph Mutuma was in the first graduating class at the Children’s Village. Sue was able to get him a full scholarship at her alma mater, Chestnut Hill College, where Joseph is excelling. He carries 18 hours and manages to work 20 hours a week and still maintain a 3.83 GPA. He is a great example of the type of young people  at St. Clare and St. Francis.

At a recent scholarship event Joseph wrote to Sue: “Everybody knew about you and your work at today’s scholarship gala. Your work was the hallmark of today’s speech by the college’s president. It was just fantastic and I would want to see that your work continue to be recognized after I graduate. I have countless stories to tell, but just know that so far this has been my best moment in CHC.”

Jim McLaughlin, the director of International Students at Chestnut Hill College, has been Joseph’s guide into the American culture on campus. He wrote “Joseph is truly extraordinary; we are so lucky to have him on campus. He continually amazes me.”

Joseph is a living witness to the importance of the Children’s Village.

The front entrance has seen several stages. None of them were artistic. The first (on the left) was made of discarded wood and rusted tin sheets. Last year an all wood gate (on the right) replaced the rusting tin sheets. It is an improvement but is only temporary for a secure entrance is needed.

Plans call for a stone entrance with a place for a security guard to insure the safety of the girls, especially at night. However this project must wait until the more critical projects, such as the sanitation and septic systems are completed. Then the proper gate and entrance will follow. This could be the Year of the Gate!