February 2005

A Message from the Executive Director

A New Year is upon us yet again and I would like to briefly reflect on the year 2004’s accomplishments in order to get a sense of what the year 2005 has in store for us.

We began the year 2004 with an aggressive list of goals of which some were accomplished, while others did not capitalize due to circumstances well beyond our control. Nevertheless, we were able to successfully accomplish key goals, and even exceeded expectations in areas we never thought possible. First, we wanted to ensure that we increased the number of children in our Mercy Home in Kericho, Kenya. From our initial goal of 20 before end of 2004, we were able to bring in an extra 10 bringing the total number to 30. Special thanks you to all of you for journeying with us and for strongly believing in our mission. We will continue to consolidate our gains and embark on a living-changing journey of changing one life at a time.

Our Direct Services Program was a recipient of a generous donation of children’s clothing in the tune of two (2) forty-foot containers courtesy of a wholesale company in California. The donated clothing arrived in Mombasa January 19^th, 2005. Plans are already under way to ship the clothes inland and to be carefully distributed to needy children in the entire region.

Plans to establish a clinic in Kericho were almost shelved until towards the end of the year when, by divine intervention, we were able to resuscitate the plan. A generous donor approached Kids Home International towards the end of the year with a contribution enough to pay half of the total cost to procure and ship medical equipment, supplies & medicines to start a clinic!  We thank God for providing when we had given up on our attempts. God showed us how faithful he is. We will be forever thankful for that timely intervention that will ensure that Kids Home International provides high quality healthcare thousands of children and adults that would not have otherwise have access to medical attention they deserve. Our appeal to well wishers is to continue supporting and strengthening this Program due of its vital nature in the community.

Looking Ahead 2005-2006

This year's forecast calls for new challenges and hopefully innovative ways to overcome them. Every challenge has its own set of tools as we have learnt his past year. Our greatest accomplishment has not been how many big projects we have been able to successfully accomplish, but rather the human face that has been the beneficiary of that accomplishment.

Our children in our Kericho Home now know what it means to be loved because through our dedicated staff. They now know what it means to have hope because they can now go to school and start to dream like everyone else. They now know health because now they do not have to die of simple diseases such as malaria, common colds or malnutrition. Our children are now among the healthiest in the community due to access to healthcare and good nutrition. They now also have joy and fulfillment that comes from Jesus Christ whom they have come know & love through example and bible lessons from various denominations /churches all playing a vital role in their lives.

This year our goals are more ambitious than last year and the year before. We have the momentum on our side as we set our eyes to the future. Our strategic goal for the year 2005-2006 will focus on key areas:

Kericho Mercy Home- a number of alternatives are being considered at this time that would accommodate the growing number of children. The current home lacks in terms of play area, flexibility, design, and suitability for future expansion. The ultimate home will be equipped with a library, computer room, a lab, and a workshop for technical skills.

Education- End of year academic report was both encouraging and disappointing in some aspects. Sixty (60) percent of our children posted significant gains in their grades. The remaining forty (40) percent performed well below acceptable grades. The grades are considered unacceptable due to the high standard of achievement we have set for out children. We however, take into account the fact that most of the poorest performances were those of the children that were brought to the home last. Our focus this year would be to elevate their academic achievements of at risk students by hiring a full-time tutor to help bring the children up to par with the national standards in all subject areas. This is a daunting task due to the number of children needing individual attention and the time available after school to carry out the program.

Kids Home International Clinic- will open its doors by May 2005. The clinic will serve the community we operate from with special emphasis on children and underserved communities in the entire District. Our pledge to the community is simple; provide quality healthcare in a timely, courteous, professional and caring environment.

Finally, the clinic will be a resource center for HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy, family planning, nutrition, and eye treatment.

Our appeal is for funds to be able to maintain the viability and vibrancy of the clinic. We are currently accepting donations to pay for the shipping costs of the equipment, medicines and medical supplies for the clinic.

Twin Cities HIV/AIDS Education Programs

A grant from Minnesota Department of Health has made it possible to initiate HIV/AIDS education within the Kenyan Community in Minneapolis and St. Paul areas. Our first seminar was held January 29, 2005 at the Grace Fellowship Hall in Brooklyn Park. Beatrice Getungi, a prominent Kenyan Community leader provided the training On hand to answer questions fielded by the attendees was Elizabeth Namarra with Minnesota Department of Health. Kids Home International will continue to engage the Kenyan community in a serious dialogue on ways to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in Minneapolis/St. Paul in months to come.

Be blessed.

Yours truly,

Eric Chesimet- Executive Director