Nasio Newsletter Issue 7

Ephesian 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

NASIO NEWS Issue 7

The NASIO Trust, Jennings Business Centre, 7 Nuffield Way, Abingdon, Oxfordshire,OX14 1RL Telephone: 01235 856290 eMail: info@thenasiotrust.org Web: www.thenasiotrust.org The Nasio Trust is registered by the Charity Commission - Registered Charity No. 1104542

A Thought from the Chairman Being a charitable organisation you can imagine that ‘giving’ is at the centre of everything we believe in and practice from day to day. We are constantly learning about the power of giving.

This was evident recently when we were donated a virtually brand new van. Not only where we shocked by this amazing act of generosity, when we came to pick up the van we learnt a valuable lesson. The owner had taken the trouble to have the vehicle valeted, serviced & filled the tank full of petrol. This was giving at its very best. A big thank you to Mr Paul Rennie and his family.

I could not help but personally reflect and ask myself – when I give, do I give my very best, the best of my time, the best of my resources, the best of my finances. Or am I sometimes guilty of giving my leftovers or the things I don’t really value?

Jonathan Hunt

Chair

Charlotte Bennet (18 Years old) Volunteers for 3 Months From the very beginning I knew my life for the next few months was going to change rather drastically. After being pestered at Nairobi airport by various taxi drivers, I was pestered by pretty much everyone I came across. Most of the time it’s quite flattering as I know I’m the first muzungu (white person) many people have seen! However, when I’m on my own it can get a little intimidating. A word of advice for you: smile politely and walk on.

Some of the sights I have witnessed here have had me close to tears. One of the biggest eye openers was the standard of living the children have to cope with. Not only do a lot of them have to walk miles to school to get their only meal of the day, but once they are home again, they have nothing ... literally nothing. I met one little boy who lives with his elder brothers. They had all their furniture stolen and then had to share one blanket between the four of them. It was one of the most emotional experiences I’ve had since I’ve been here. Fortunately, Sue, Phil, and Freda took it upon themselves to buy them two mattresses, four chairs and three blankets for them!

Over the past two months, I have visited both Noah’s Ark and St Irene’s Day Care centres. From the first time I arrived until now, all the children run up to me as soon as I enter the gate, with beaming smiles on their faces.

Not only have I heard about inspiring people such as Mother Irene, with her truly emotional story: how she found a baby, who had been abandoned by a tree for three days, and then cared for him until she unfortunately passed away. She named him Moses and I now have the privilege to stay in the same home with him! I have also met some truly inspirational and courageous people, who have become great friends! The Nasio Trust itself has the most noble, benevolent, and loving story I’ve heard. I’m so proud of everyone working for the Charity and I am so happy they have allowed me to be a part of it!

Charlotte

Nasio Exit 7 – Oxfordshire Groups (Dalton Barracks & Wallingford School) Young people at Dalton Barracks have been meeting regularly under the leadership of Nikki Nunn one of the parents and Nasio Volunteer, this will be the second group out from the barracks to volunteer at Nasio projects in Kenya. They plan to visit Kenya in 2015.

Nasio Trust and two local churches in Wallingford have gone into partnership to run a Nasio Exit 7 Programme with Wallingford School, the programme has 28 pupils involved.

Fund-raising is underway for travel plans to work on Kenyan projects in February and October 2015.

HEZRON & PATRICK WERE Hezron (aged 14) and Partick (12) have suffered the loss of their carer this month.

Carolyn, their aunt, had been battling throat cancer for several months. Hezron has been badly affected by this sad event. Their father had been jailed for 3 years after beating their mother to death for asking for medicine. He is out of prison now. Our Kenyan board will decide the best outcome for the boys.

Earlier this year Hezron was presented with a new bike from his sponsor having achieved a second position in his class.

My Nasio Adventures. Freda Skinner 86 My first visit to Kenya was in 2012 when I was 84. I was given a wonderful welcome by the children when I visited the two centres.

During my week I visited St Mary’s Hospital with “rainbow hats” for the premature babies. I sat and learned how to weave baskets; visited orphan’s homes with food supplies bought at the market, helped to give out “jikos”, d-lights and mosquito nets to guardians. I planted a tree at a local school, distributed tooth brushes, and sat in with some lessons which was amazing.

My third visit was in May this year and I took in my suitcase – 72 knitted teddy bears, red pullovers, and more hats, all made by ladies from the church and 4 teddies knitted by schoolgirls in Scotland. I was involved in helping the children make cards for their sponsors – lots of glue and glitter! On Sunday I played the keyboard at church and in the afternoon we took food to five of the poorest families. I still have memories of the four orphaned boys, the eldest was just 17. While at school their home had been burgled, leaving them without chairs, mattresses and only one blanket – how can they survive?

My memories are of children eager to learn and play, smiling faces and children wanting to be cuddled. Even though they have so little they are so happy. I hope I will be able to visit once again

VICTOR OULO (19) - We’re so Proud of You! Victor’s parents died when he was very young. He is one of the original children with whom The Nasio Trust commenced in 2002, when we were feeding just 15 orphans. He is now taking an Agribusiness course at a local Youth Polytechnic. Currently, he is one of the best in his class. He believes that by qualifying as an Agriculturalist, he will be able to play his part in helping Nasio to become self-sufficient in food production. This will address issues of continuity of food supplies and overcoming malnutrition, especially for orphans like himself, many of whom have to struggle continuously to get their daily food.

Join Us For Up-Coming 2014 Events!

Kilimanjaro Climbs - visit climbkilimanjaroforcharity.com Livingstone 4X4 East African Drive Challenge – 16th October - places still available visit www.thenasiotrust.org/4x4-livingstone-challenge Open Volunteer Trips - Contact us for details Oxford Half Marathon - Contact us for details Organise Your Own Event - and be sure to let us know!

GEOFFREY KADIMA LUTTA (New Staff) Geoffrey is the new Head of Farms at The Nasio Trust. He is an Agriculturalist from a local college. His vision is that The Nasio Trust should have an abundant supply of nutritious food for all our children. He wants to ensure that every one of our farm projects is sustainable and self–generating, in order that the Charity can maintain and develop its vital operations.

SCOVIA SAKALA – 8 Years old Scovia is eight years old but had never attended school until 2013, when she was admitted to St. Irene’s Day Care Centre. Scovia’s mother died whilst trying to rescue her from a burning house.

At least 60% of Scovia’s body was covered in burns. After her mother’s death, this so traumatised her that her recovery took three years. She was not sent to hospital to be treated for the burns because her family are so poor. She is now in the Top Class and ready to go to Primary School next year. The family have been provided with a solar powered lamp to help prevent a similar accident. Scovia has a UK sponsor but to help prevent such traumatic fire accidents you can donate towards our D-light Appeal. www.thenasiotrust.org/solar-power-lighting or call Sue Russell on 01235 856290

Livingstone Amwoma | October 20th 2008 - November 5th 2013

JAPHETH MUSINDALO - First Nasio University Student

Japheth is a total orphan: his father died in 1999 and his mother in 2009. The same year, his brother was killed in a tractor accident which as he tried to get some sugar cane from a moving trailer. Following these tragic events, we started to support Japheth the same year, 2009. He worked hard and finished his secondary education. With the support of The Nasio Trust, he achieved grades, which qualified him to go on to university this year. Meanwhile, he is working with our Agriculturalist as a caretaker for our poultry and on other farm projects.

Stolen Childhoods - By Carlos Benigno S. Gallardo (Kenyan Director for The Nasio Trust) In many countries of the world, children enjoy the rights attributed to them by society. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child says that every child has: The right to a childhood (including protection from harm) The right to be educated (all girls and boys should complete primary education) The right to be healthy (including the availability of clean water, nutritious food, and medical care) The right to be treated fairly (laws and practices that are unfair to children should be changed) The right to be heard (including the consideration of children’s views) Many of our children do not even know the meaning of childhood. They do chores that adults should be doing for them. Sharon, one of The Nasio Trust children, was six years old, when I first met her. For some time, Sharon had Carlos working with the kids to care for Eugene, her nephew. He is only three years old. Sharon would cook, when food could be found, do the laundry and make sure that they both get to the Day Care Centre to receive medical care, nourishing meals, and education. It is a big responsibility for Sharon to take such good care of her nephew, in addition to her own needs. It also means that in more than one way, she has lost her childhood. Her biggest worry was to find food for Eugene and herself on Saturdays and Sundays, when our centres are closed. When we know about this kind of problem, we take action to help, immediately. However, the fact is that Sharon and Eugene are just two of nearly four hundred children who are all facing similar problems. This area has been hit hard by poverty and the aids pandemic, many children have lost both their parents. How can we improve the lives of these families to help them become independent and not have to rely on charity? Read more at www.thenasiotrust.org/blog

Welcome To Roz:

Welcome to Roz Pacey – Our New Events and Fundraising Co-ordinator I started working in the charity sector at an environmental charity where I gained experience in events and fundraising. I am keen to get started at the Nasio Trust and find out more about all the wonderful projects going on.

Thanks to all our Knitters This year we have received 47 jumpers for Baby classes.

To buy a jumper would cost us £4.41, so by your kind donations we have been able to divert £207.27 to our special diet feeding programme. If you would like to support our knitting Appeal and receive a pattern please contact Sue.russell@thenasiotrust.org or call 01235 856290.

Martin Carby Ultra Marathon Runner Raises over £1,500 for Nasio Martin decided the London Marathon was not challenging enough so he decided to enter the Comrades 90km ultramarathon in South Africa. Martin ‘writes’ “The brutal part was the distance the terrain and the heat. The brilliant part was the history, the camaraderie of the runners and the energy of the supporters who lined the route from start to finish.” A Big thank you to Martin.

A big thank you to all our supporters!

To all those who have taken part in various fundraising events and raised lots of funds which are making a huge difference to lives in UK and Kenya.

THANK YOU!

To all our supporters, check out thenasiotrust.org/annualreport to see how your generosity blesses others in need. Please send us your email so we can keep you informed!