Kailend Newsletter Issue 2, August 2015
Sports Development Project: Street Children Kailend’s sport development project involves mentoring and coaching football skills to some of the most vulnerable street kids in Lomé. The project has been going on for over a year and a half now. We recently moved the training sessions from the beach where we trained for free to a nearby mini stadium that we hire to use to ensure better security for volunteers, staff and the children as well as better structure and the possibility of expanding sporting activities to include basketball and handball. We also donated some clothing and shoes to the children, and it was heart-warming to see how much they appreciated it. Kailend also funded the purchasing of new football boots for the whole team and we received donations of socks and several new goalkeeper gloves from our generous donors and supporters.
(Sammy)
How To Help Volunteer to help coach and mentor on both sport projects, visit www.kailend.org for details. We also gratefully receive any donations
Sports Development Project: Kpomé Village
In the past few months we started a new sports coaching project in Kpomé group of villages. We’re mentoring and teaching both boys and girls basic soccer skills and fitness drills. They have a beautiful full size grass pitch and during the last training session the children’s parents came to cheer on and watch their children play a test match against another local team. Kailend recently funded the purchase of new football boots for the whole team and received donations of socks and some new goalkeeper gloves. Our long term goal is to set up a recreation and skills training centre for the children of Kpomé and the eight other surrounding villages. (Sammy)
Kailend Newsletter Issue 2, August 2015
Vogan Orphanage Kailend works with multiple partners, one of them being an orphanage in Vogan, The Orphans and Underprivileged Children Support Centre (CPJEDO). The centre was opened in January 2015, and currently has 5 workers and 2 volunteers. There are in total 41 orphans, 16 girls and 25 boys. The children are between 2 and 23 years old. Ms Antoinette is the head caretaker of the orphanage. “Recently, I went to Vogan to stay at the orphanage for a few days. On the first day of arrival, I donated school materials and clothes collected from friends back home in the Netherlands who responded to Kailend’s appeal for donations letter. The main activities I enjoyed the most were assisting in preparing meals, playing with the children, washing them and teaching the children English twice a day. Helping to carry out these activities and showing affection made a difference in the lives of these children. To see the joy in their eyes when you play, care and teach them has been truly a delightful and fulfilling experience I will cherish.”
(Kim)
Mama Charity Orphanage This month we are thrilled to tell you that we reached our fundraising-goals and were even able to raise more money than we initially budgeted. Thanks to our volunteers, who did a great job, we are now able not only to pay the deposit of six months ,but also pay for one year of rent and fill up the new house with the most necessary everyday supplies, such as food and diapers. Our volunteers also started an afternoon hang out, where they bring the kids from the orphanage to spend time at Kailend HQ. Our volunteers also started English-classes with the older kids at the orphanage, the kids are very excited and looking forward to be able to speak with all volunteers, even those who don't speak French. The orphanage always needs help to care for the children or other tasks, visit www.kailend.org to apply. (Amanda)
Kailend Newsletter Issue 2, August 2015
Women’s Empowerment project Kailend’s Women’s Empowerment project has sought to teach basic proficiency in skills that might help local women from impoverished communities set up side-line businesses or small streams of income for themselves. So far, the ladies have learned how to bead a variety of styles of bracelets, necklaces, and earrings and they have also mastered basic knitting. They continue to strive to increase their
How To Help
Recently we launched a GoFundMe page to support the projects, please visit http://www.gofundme.com/j72wpvak to make a contribution, all donations would be highly appreciated and very useful. Positions available for volunteer teachers skilled in jewellery making or any other art & craft needed to teach groups in the city as well as rural areas. Visit www.kailend.org to apply.
comfort level with their new skills by teaching and encouraging one another. It has been great to see the women grow closer as a group and begin producing items of which they are proud. We also all have a bit of a happy dance every time someone finally masters something new! We look forward to learning more complicated beading styles, producing some knitted glasses cases and change purses, and making these handmade items available for purchase internationally. (Elyan)
Kailend Newsletter Issue 2, August 2015
The Living Stones English Language Resource Center (TLERC)
The TLERC Book Club is one of Kailend’s partners. the book club will resume and there will be donations of books to schools, rural communities and teaching organizations again. The Book Club is expecting to welcome during the next coming school term, more kids to come and participate to the activities of the club. Kailend hopes to receive new volunteers soon to help TLERC in the fulfillment of all its tasks effectively through our good and friendly partnership. (Christian)
Reflection on my Summer with Kailend After spending two energising months with Kailend, leaving Togo felt like leaving my home. The experience I have gained and the inspiring people I have met whilst working with the children of Mama Charity’s orphanage and Kpomé, and the street kids of Lomé has renewed my motivation for studying back home, as I now know the impact my education can have in the future if I continue to work hard and take a more global outlook. Kailend has helped me to acquire a stronger understanding of the cultures and areas of need within Togo, as well as emphasising the importance of making changes that are sustainable to avoid hurting the people you set out to help due to shortcomings in finance or manpower.
Now as a Kailend ambassador in the UK, I hope to promote the great work of Kailend particularly in universities by making talks with Q&A sessions and promotional stalls at fairs, as well as via social media. I am passionate about the projects Kailend offers, having been here to see them in development from a seed to a shoot. What I miss most about my time in Togo (apart from the mango and yam) has undoubtedly been the spirit and strength of the people, and I know that Kailend will do its best to empower and nurture this to help with the development of West Africa.
(Sheridan)
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