I am very sorry to have to announce that our support for the Grandparents with Orphans project at Chiga will cease.

We have not been able to donate more money for Chiga during our October 2007 visit.

We found that here have been no children at the unit for over a year.

The money that we paid for land, ploughing and seeds has been wasted. They had one crop, and it stopped there, with no further crops being planted.

The money Ksh 30,000/- (£221.00) that we donated to purchase a cow was wasted and not accounted for. There was no cow, despite the fact that we had been sent a photograph of a cow.

The proposed plans for hairdressing and dressmaking programs was not for Chiga, but for another project in the city of Kisumu, and was not carefully thought out. The idea of buying a motorcycle to provide earnings for Chiga was not feasible, and we doubted that it would help Chiga in any way.

Therefore we very reluctantly decided to cease providing more funds for Betty Mutere for her project.

It has been a learning curve for us, where we have seen that money can be used in a more structured and transparent way by a tried and trusted team of local people within a community (such as the schools at Dago Kokore and Alara), where it is being monitored.

Regards
Rod

Oh goodness, how disappointing!
Must have been awful for you to find out.
Its a bit like the shoes scenario.
Its a good job you and Gaye are so on the ball.
Jo

So sad that when so many people are in dire need others are so willing to cheat


Sure you will continue to make sure the money goes where it is needed Rod

What a terrible shame, it's a good job you went out there Rod- but I bet you were gutted to think that such a thing could happen to what sounded like a brilliant idea.
The only good is that it releases more money for the other schools projects.

Terrible news, Rod, and even more terrible is that by their deceit these people are the losers in the long run. Does this mean that since there will be no dressmaking scheme there will be no uniforms for Alara and Dako Kokore or do you have an alternative plan ?

You must be pleased that you went to Chiga and found out what was happening before more money was wasted.

Eileen

That is bad news.

It is a good job that Rod is able to go out there and check up on the projects.

I feel sorry for all the needy cases who have been deceived.

Yes, there is an alternative plan, where school uniforms can be made for Alara and Dago Kokore in the local community. (See details in one of my other messages). We have a lady at Alara who will be teaching teenage orphan girls how to do dressmaking, and we have purchased one new sewing machine already. We have money to buy more machines when they are needed. The good thing about this alternative scheme is that it will be monitored constantly by head teacher Perez and deputy head Tom at Alara school.

Regards
Rod

So sorry that this venture has turned bad....it is such a shame that people seek to exploit those who are ready to help them. I am only glad that you have discovered this before too much money has been wasted for nothing.

Glenys

Dear Rod,

Only just got logged in again after my move (never again!!). Was disappointed by the collapse of the Chiga project but I am quite happy for the funds I donated for Chiga to be redirected to Alara School. Best to focus on where the money is making the best impact.

Warmest regards and deepest apprecition for your generousity, guidance and dedication,

Terry

Thanks Terry. I knew that you were involved in moving house, and therefore left you alone for a while

You will have seen that I already "diverted" some funds to a sewing machine project based at Alara. We'll see how that goes, and then I hope to expand on that with more, creating a "work/teaching/cooperative business" based at Alara for sewing.

Regards
Rod

Dear Rod,

Many thanks , I am pleased we are of one mind here. Besides education, vocational training and small business seed-capital projects that help the people within the community to earn a living and be self-sufficient should be our secondary goals. Families that can be self-sufficient have a better chance of bettering the life for their children. It is particularly poignant when we read the special cases you recounted. My heart wept at the pain and suffering and frustration at not being able to do more. At least I consoled myself with the profiles on the 5 chosen students for the high school scholarships and the progress on Alara school.

Thank you again for all that you and Gay have done to help us help others.

God bless you both,

.