Flood bring water worries

The rains have come with such force that they claiming lives,displacing families and wreaking havoc in many  parts of the country.

Our coastal region has got off lightly. The rains are quenching the thirst of our parched earth. helping crops to grow,  and when the rain is at its heaviest we pump the water from the compound on to the garden.

But the the floods are affecting our fresh water supply.

The main water pumps to Kilifi and Mombasa were destroyed in the foods and according to the county reports it could take more than a month to fix them and get water running again.

This is because  of the extent of flooding the area where they are located.

At the moment we are using the fresh water we have  stored in the tanks at the same time harvesting rain water, we can use  salt water for flushing toilets and household purposes.

We are hoping the water we have will sustain us until when everything is back to normal.  . 

Mama's cooking is so good

One of our older kids,Brian Isiah,  writes today's blog:

In the holidays, our lovely Mama cooked delicious food for us her  children to eat and enjoy it.

 When it was cooking it smelled good.

 Some of the big kids went and help to cook the burgers. That day I was so happy because it was a special day for everyone.

 At lunch time the burgers were ready to be eaten by the kids.

The kids were called to come and have their lunch.

 Everybody ate them and they said that it was very delicious and juicy. We ate them until we were all full of the burgers.

We thank our Mama for the burgers that she cooked for us and we are happy because of her.

Hair we go ...

 When it's time for our girls to get their hair braided, the older ones are always on hand to help their younger "sisters",

After carefully helping each other to take out the braids they have, which is time consuming in itself, they make sure it is washed and squeaky clean.

Rukia and Janet were in charge of checking the younger children's hair this time and for getting them ready to go to the salon.

While some of the girls know how to plait we prefer them to go out, to enjoy a walk and to be in the community.

They divide themselves into small groups and go to different salons, with each group supervised by one of the big girls.

Porridge power

Mama has been giving our aunties,and Uncle Foleni,  a lesson on how to prepare porridge.

They had been making porridge there way but the children didn't like it until Mama made it and they ate it all up, enjoying every mouthful!

.The kids admitted that Mama’s porridge was the best and thus they would like to continue taking it.

The ingredients were the same but the quantities and cooking method was where the Aunties were going wrong. 

Mama showed them how to measure the mixture of oats, milk, water, salt and to serve it with a little sugar and milk on top.

 After the lesson, everyone had a taste and it was delicious.

Now they will be putting their masterclass skills into action, cooking and serving porridge just like Mama's for breakfast.

New help in the kitchem

 We have a new pair of hands in the kitchen.

Auntie Carol has had an accident and injured her foot which is now in plaster and has put her out of action.

Auntie Phyllis couldn't manage to do all the cooking for our huge family on her own so Uncle Foleni, one of our drivers has joined her in the kitchen

He has experience of working in kitchens and is very interested in cooking. He had often helped in the kitchen after his morning school bus run.

So when he was asked if he could help Auntie Phyllis he was delighted to have the chance.

Our pictures show him with Musyoka  (top left) and with Mr Steve (right) who were also helping out.

Timely reminders

 There was a big welcome for all the children who have returned from visits to relatives  at Kidz Club, which was held a day early as May 1 is a bank holiday in Kenya.

Their friends so pleased to see them back again,  sang them the welcome song and then it was biscuits all round!

The kids were reminded to be ready for the new term and were encouraged to take their studies seriously as education is the only way for a bright future. 

Also all kids are expected to be self=disciplined and do what is right, at the right time andin  the right place.

We had our two choirs competing again. 

Papa was the judg and the girls’ team won again

. We also celebrated Hussein’s birthday, he is now 10. Aunty Millicent presented him a birthday gift.

Super snack

Saturday mid morning snacks went down a treat.Mama and Papa surprised the kids by arriving with trays of cooked sausages ready to make into hotdogs,
Mama and some f the older children helped to prepare them and to make sure everyone, children and staff, had one.
And they were tasty and delicious.