Updates and News from the Saituni Fund
Newsletter for the friends of the Ringa School and Orphanage
Dear Friend
This is our first newsletter. There will be a letter towards the end of every month to keep you up-to-date of the events and progress at the school.
Many of you first became aware of the Saituni Fund during Bible Week at Grace Community Church earlier this month. Thank you to those who made a donation. Thanks also to those who wish to sponsor a child. You shall have all the information on your selected child when I return from my next trip. Also, thanks to those people who just wish to be informed and receive a newsletter.
So, what's been happening at the school during the holidays?
Firstly, a big event took place as your generosity enabled local men to dig a well. They dug by hand through stony ground to a depth of 32 feet. Then the rains came so the well received water sooner than expected. Digging will resume, if necessary, in the dry season later this year. Just this one well will change and save lives in times of drought. The whole community is grateful to you all.
Next, another three permanent classrooms were completed and ready for use, replacing the mud and stick temporary ones they have so far been using. The walls are up on the remaining two classrooms and we are just waiting for funds to finish them off. Again, we bought locally sourced material and used local labour thus benefitting the local community.
Also, last week we saw our first harvest of maize and beans from the crops planted on the school grounds. This crop was planted to feed the children, but we are a long way off self-sufficiency, which is one of our goals. So, to bring this closer we have decided to rent some good land, 2 hectares initially, for two seasons (that means two crops). Again this has been made possible by a fund raising event we had last weekend. We had a garage sale outside my workshop which raised a total of £398.00.
I will just give you a cost breakdown of the planting programme for two crops.
| Renting 2 hectares for two seasons | £40.00 |
| Seed | £10.00 |
| Fertilizers | £20.00 |
| Ploughing | £20.00 |
| Total | £90.00 |
As you can see, this represents a small outlay but will give a massive benefit to the children.
Well, that's about it for our first update, save to say a big thank you for your support so far.
As a last word, if you or your friends wish to have a fund-raising event in your area, please let me know and I will make sure you get all the posters and signs you need. Also some flyers. In any matter concerning the school/orphanage you can contact me direct
email - oakmanchris@yahoo.co.uk
mobile - 07875694368
Kindest regards to you all and love from the kids.
Chris Hirst