For over 5 years we have
rented premises in the Soweto slums to run our Clubhouse
activities. We have outgrown the place long time ago.
So in May 2005
we bought a
plot in the parallel "street" in the Soweto slums - 15 meters wide
facing the "street" and 20 meters long (around 310 m2),
and put up a new Clubhouse here (see
here for the
building progress). It was therefore with great joy
we could open our new Clubhouse on 24th
September 2005!
Our choir was singing.
All the children and
parents from Soweto were invited, as well as our
Doonholm children. In addition to some
entertainment, several local leaders were also having
speeches. We only have the opportunity to mention
some of the people involved here:
Mr Benjamin Karume
from ANPPCAN (African Network for the Prevention and
Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect) delivered a
speech about Children's Rights and how vital Maisha Mema
now is in the fight for the protection of the children
in Soweto - "Keep up the good work!"
Ms Mary Nyangige
represented the Club House children in her thank you
speech to Maisha Mema. She said that it is nice to
have a place they can call their own.
Mr Trond Hansen from
Norway preached to us - in Kiswahili! His emphasis
was on the value of each individual child (and grownup).
God values each one of us so much that He made the
ultimate offering to save us - letting his only son die
for our sins.
Mr A. S. Hoops, the
Chief of Kayole location, also represented the District
Officer of Embakasi Division, and talked extensively on
globalisation. The world is coming closer, and we
can now talk about a Global Village that we are all a
part of.
Mrs Elenah Kanyugo,
headmistress of Kifaru Primary School, talked about the
good relationship between the school and Maisha Mema,
thanking Maisha Mema for the emphasis on learning.
In her greeting in the guest book she also thanked the
sponsors, pupils and parents for pulling together for
the future of the children.
Mrs Oduor (right)
represented Tumaini Primary School, and delivered
greetings from Mr Ellis Odawa, the headmaster of Tumaini.
She was also thanking Maisha Mema for the good
relationship we have enjoyed for many years now.
With her on the picture is Ms Florence Mkala, one of
Maisha Mema's workers in Soweto.
The Sister in Charge
of PHC Clinic in Soweto also thanked Maisha Mema for the
work they are doing in Soweto and the concern about the
children's health.
Mrs Lynette Bundi, the
Children's Officer in Embakasi division, was in her
speech emphasising the importance of raising the
children in a good way. She also thanked Maisha
Mema for concentrating resources on the children in
Soweto for the betterment of their life. In the
guest book she is writing, "I am too impressed. No
more words. Keep up the good work".
The
'grand final' of the opening was the acrobatics troupe
entertaining the other children, parents and guests.
It is quite impressive to watch these guys in action!
This was only some
glimpse from the opening of the New Clubhouse. The
day was very successful, and we look with anticipation
towards the future of Maisha Mema's work in the Soweto
slums!
Our
slogan is: «Help us to make a change in a child’s
life!»We
sincerely believe we can do this much better by having
our own centre.In
helping us realising this, you also contribute to a
positive change of not only one, but many
children in Kenya!
If you want to know more about this project, or have
any questions, please feel free to write to us!
E-mail:
info@maishamema.org
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