We started the project on School attendance for children in Bonde
In January, the new school year started for primary and secondary schools in Kenya. Despite the difficult process of opening a bank account for a Non-Profit organization in Belgium for donations, we could pay school fees for 16 children. In the old curriculum, day secondary school 4 scholars and 9 boarding scholars. In the new curriculum, 2 junior secondary scholars. One student started her studies in nursing. We have supported her since September 2024.
All children are selected among the most needed in Bonde. Many others need help too but are registered on our waiting list.
Some initiatives to help children with medical needs
In Bonde we were informed of a 20-month-old girl who had undergone surgery for two benign tumors in the lower leg. Since no money was available to buy milk, the healing of the bone with grafts was precarious. This is because not enough calcium in her food.
Besides, no hygienic circumstances for cradling on the earth with a not wholly healed wound and even no possibility of standing from time to time which makes bone healing problematic.
DSIK helped set up and paid to provide daily milk for the girl. Trouser stockings kept the bandage in place.
We also asked a local carpenter to make a play box for the child. This created hygienic circumstances to play and the possibility to stand up with support.
For the young girl with Spina Bifida (open spine), we brought special toys to stimulate her senses. We, as NGO or white people, did not give the toys to the girl. We let the mother give it to her child. This allows us to respect the normal bond between mother and child. We also avoid teaching the child to expect everything from others. This important mindset change is necessary to get the country and their people forward in the future. Helping them to get a decent income is needed to achieve that.
Water for Bonde
An interesting possibility to get water to Bonde is a water dam that exists in the mountains above Bonde. A school gets water from that source now.
Shortly, we will undertake steps to find out the capacity of that source. Can it be used to provide water to the whole of the community of Bonde or only partly? And also which is cheaper?
Drilling for water or bringing the water down from the dam.