KCDN project and Year-end Summary (thanks!)/More Help Needed

[Guest guest]

Dear Odhiambo, , Matunda, Irene, and All,

This is very inspiring and uplifting!! Thanks so much for posting it, and I will pass this along to my own networks too! The focus on children, education, and peace is vital and exciting, and the "Peace Run" is something I'm sure lots of folks will be excited to hear abt and take part in.

Do you plan to continue addressing IDP needs and the challenging situation that still exists for so many, one year after the post-election violence? I ask in part because I know others who are trying to do the same, and there may be strength in greater numbers.

With greatest appreciation and blessings to you all, and wishing you a world of support (literally ), Janet (Feldman, kaippg@...)

[KOL] Mr Maina; Thank you

Mr Maina has been in Kenya for the last month on holiday. He went across the country visiting those that were displaced by the madness that befell Kenya in December 2007. He also had time to visit Mama Obama, whom she had known earlier in the US.When he came back to Nairobi, gave me a call and we met for lunch yesterday in town. That was a pleasant surprise. We shared talk on our mutual interest and passion. I learnt that has a deep concern about Kenyans staying together in harmony and at peace with each other. These are areas that are at the heart of what we are doing at KCDN. was deeply touched with what we have been doing at KCDN and he immediately gave me Kshs 2000.00 in support of our on-going activities. On behalf of KCDN, I say, thank you so much.s call and support comes in shortly after a similar call of support from Migosi Matunda Nyanchama from Canada and Nyadendi Irene Ngugi from South Africa.At KCDN, we want to rally all like minded individuals and institutions to come to the support of children who are orphans and vulnerable by rallying educational support for them. In doing this, we appreciate the role the government is playing vide the Free Primary Education.As a community, we must rally behind the government and offer mitigating mechanisms that add value to the provision of quality education to all children without hindrance.To Maina and other people of goodwill, we are truly indepted.Odhiambo T Oketch,CEO KCDN Nairobi.this was our end year summary;At this very moment last year, Kenya was pregnant with hope.We were looking forward to an election which had all the indications of changing the face of Kenya and Kenyans. Politics was at its highest, and the people were excited either way.But it reached an anti climax on 30th December 2007 when the Hon Kivuitu made his announcement and pronounced Mzee Kibaki as having won the elections. Kenya erupted and fighting broke out all over.The fighting that I saw, the blood letting that I saw across the country made me change. Time had come for me to do something useful for Kenya and Kenyans, than to engage in endless political discussions which added no value.I made up my mind that from that time on, I would work with forces that focused on the plight of children. I had seen that in times of conflict, men would fight leaving the women and the children vulnerable.In worse case scenarios, women would trade off their security for sex while the child had nothing to trade off. These were the scenes that were obtaining in conflict zones. Property was burned; women were raped; children got lost; some lost their parents; and many more lost their homes and education become a pipe dream.In January, I started discussing this with friends like Mr Jairus K'Onyiego from USA. He would call me long hours on phone and I would update him on the situation in Kenya. Thereafter, Sam Okello, also from USA would join in and we discussed more.Out of these discussions, KCDN was born. It had been registered in May of 2005 as a Community Based Organization, but we were dormant. In February, with the support of Mr K'Onyiego and Sam Okello, I was able to open the KCDN office in Komarock. Thereafter more support came in; Mr Joram Odus, Ms Pamela Ohonde, Mr Dick Aduong'a, Mr Sebastian Onyango, Ms Caroline Otieno, Mr Mungla, Mr Lenny Amolo, Mr Otiende Amolo, Mr Rodgers Orero, Mini Bakeries Ltd [Mr Mwaura], SGS Kenya [Mr Aswegen], Ms Irene Ngugi, Phoenix Aviation Ltd [Mr Barretto], Mr Ragem Lugonzo, Ms Irene Wasike, Aristocrates Insurance Brokers Ltd [Mr Kasim], Express Connections Ltd [Mr JM Mugo], Capital Airlines Ltd [Capt Vaghela], Ms Onyango, Mr Owino Olendo of Taxplus Consults Ltd, Tetra Pak [K] Ltd [Ms Mwihia}, The Cradle [Hon Millie Odhiambo] and many more.It was not easy. We first wanted to group vulnerable people into self help schemes where they could mobilize their own resources for self sustainability. We soon found out that in the wake of the Pyramid Schemes syndicates, this was going to put us at loggerheads with the people whom we wanted to help.We immediately changed focus and identified 3 issues that we wanted to address namely;1] The immediate plight of IDPs2] National Healing and Reconciliation3] Child Support.1] The immediate plight of IDPsOur immediate task was to call for material support for Kenyans who were internally displaced following the post election violence. We got very favourable responses, more so, Caroline Otieno from Arusha Tanzania came in handy with massive mobilization of friends in Arusha and he consigned to me many bundles of used clothes, shoes and beddings in support.We gave these out to two groups; one in Karachuonyo and the next to a local church in Kayole where some IDPs had taken refuge. This first phase was a resounding success.2] National Healing and ReconcilaitionThis was our second phase. We thought of better ways by which we could preach the gospel of National Healing and Reconciliation and we settled on organizing a peace run in May.KCDN Embakasi Peace Run was hence conceived, and initially we settled on 31st May. This date coincided with a presidential function in Embakasi and the PC Nairobi informed me of the need to make changes. We hence settled for 15th June 2008.With financial support from SGS Kenya, Rachier & Amolo Advocates, Jairus K'Onyiego, Rogders Orero and Mini Bakeries Ltd and material support from Text Book Centre Ltd, Phoenix Publishers Ltd and East African Educational Publishers, we were able to host a very successful KCDN Embakasi Peace Run.We were able to assemble a galaxy of guests who added their voices to the need for National Healing and Reconciliation. The Commissioner of Sports was ably represented by Mr Karinga, the Assistant Commissioner. In attendance we had Ms Kiwanuka, Chairperson Athletics Kenya Nairobi Province, sports officials from Nairobi Province and many more guests besides the occasion being graced by school children from different schools, athletes from several athletic clubs and the general public.This second phase of our programme was also a resounding success.3] Child Support.Our last focus was on child support and we decided on December 24th as our due date. We later revised this to 5th December 2008.The KCDN Child Support Initiative was meant to give educational support to as many children from vulnerable family backgrounds for their schooling for 2009. To get the right mix of children, we worked in collaboration with the various Head Teachers. The number of children who need help was so overwhelming, but we settled on mobilizing support for 250 such children.This was not easy. We made several appeals and when it all looked like getting lost, support started coming in. We have made our public appreciation to all those who helped this day to become a resounding success. We have also made our public appreciation to all our guests, starting with the Director Basic Education in the Ministry of Education.This is a challenge we want to take into the new year where we hope to retain your support. It is you who have made us succeed with the 3 initiatives we undertook this year. God bless you so much.We have 4 things lined up for which we would solicit your support in 2009;1] In March 2009, we will be launching the KCDN Quarterly Newsletter. We will invite your support and sponsorship for this. Through this, we will be articulating what we are doing for the society and the children in particular. We will invite teachers and pupils to post their challenges and aspirations. We will also be inviting policy issues from the Ministry so that the parents and guardians know what the government is doing in support of the Free Primary Education.2] In June 2009, we will host the second edition of the KCDN Peace Run. We will not call it KCDN Embakasi Peace Run since this is limiting. We will invite support and participation from you all as we preach the virtues of National Healing and Reconciliation. We will mobilize participation from all our children, their colleagues from the surrounding schools, parents and the general public.3] In September 2009, we will organize a KCDN Child Day Out for our children. Many children of privilege often have days out where they have lots of fan. We will mobilize your support to make this day out a success. This will see us organize tours to the parks for these children. It will be lots of fan for the children.4] In December 2009, we will again mobilize the second edition of the KCDN Child Support Initiative. Through this initiative, we will mobilize support for educational materials for these children. The best gift we can give to our children is EDUCATION. And this we can only achieve by actively helping the government as they provide for Free Primary Education, by providing the remaining necessities.As we close the year, we must thank you all for your support. We could not do any better, but we appreciate the little that we have done in support of our country and our children. In our collective responsibility, we believe. And Yes, we did it.May we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2009. God bless, God bless, Amen.Odhiambo T Oketch,CEO KCDN Nairobi.this was our thank you note to all those who helped make the KCDN Child Support Initiative on 5th December 2008 to be a success.Dear Friends,We hereby replicate the speech delivered by the Director Basic Education Mrs Leah K Rotich during the KCDN Child Support Initiative Day on 5th December 2008 at our offices. The speech was read on her behalf by Mr Mungai, Assistant Director of Education, Ministry of Education.We also take on this opportunity to sincerely thank the following for both financial and material support that enabled our day to be a success;1] Phoenix Aviation Ltd2] Capital Airlines Ltd3] Express Connections Ltd4] Mr Leonard Amolo of AIG5] Aristocrats Insurance Brokers Ltd6] Ms Irene Wasike of Barclays Bank7] Ms Irene from South Africa8] Mr Lugonzo9] Mr Chacha Odera [Oraro & Co Advocates]10] The Cradle- the Children's FoundationWe also want to appreciate the following for having taken their time to be with us on this day;1] Mr Mungai, Assistant Director of Education2] Ms Irene Wasike, Manager, Barclays Bank of Kenya, Haille Sellasie Avenue Branch3] Mr Mwangi, District Education Officer, Nairobi East District4] Ms Grace Ngine, SQASO Nairobi East District5] Ms Edna Ambasa, SQASO Nairobi East District6] Mr Muli Makau, PA to the MD, Aristocrats Insurance Brokers Ltd7] Mr Arthur Kibisu, representing the MD, Express Connections Ltd8] Ms Teresia Muturi, The Cradle9] Mr Juma, Chairman, Komarock Residents Association10] Eng Barrack Okal, Secretary, Komarock Residents Association11] Mr Meshack Kimathi, member, Komarock Residents Association.We know that we have friends whose support we will still be receiving, those who had called and written to us pledging their support, we want also to appreciate your envisaged support.We will account to all our benefactors. This is just the beginning of what we want to do, and it is a journey of a thousand miles. We have only made the first step. We hence still need all the support we can get.To you all we say; Thank you, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, 2009.Odhiambo T Oketch,CEO KCDN Nairobi.Tel; 0735 529 126, 0724 365 557,Email; komarockswatch@...

[Guest guest]

Dear Odhiambo, , Matunda, Irene, and All,

This is very inspiring and uplifting!! Thanks so much for posting it, and I will pass this along to my own networks too! The focus on children, education, and peace is vital and exciting, and the "Peace Run" is something I'm sure lots of folks will be excited to hear abt and take part in.

Do you plan to continue addressing IDP needs and the challenging situation that still exists for so many, one year after the post-election violence? I ask in part because I know others who are trying to do the same, and there may be strength in greater numbers.

With greatest appreciation and blessings to you all, and wishing you a world of support (literally ), Janet (Feldman, kaippg@...)

[KOL] Mr Maina; Thank you

Mr Maina has been in Kenya for the last month on holiday. He went across the country visiting those that were displaced by the madness that befell Kenya in December 2007. He also had time to visit Mama Obama, whom she had known earlier in the US.When he came back to Nairobi, gave me a call and we met for lunch yesterday in town. That was a pleasant surprise. We shared talk on our mutual interest and passion. I learnt that has a deep concern about Kenyans staying together in harmony and at peace with each other. These are areas that are at the heart of what we are doing at KCDN. was deeply touched with what we have been doing at KCDN and he immediately gave me Kshs 2000.00 in support of our on-going activities. On behalf of KCDN, I say, thank you so much.s call and support comes in shortly after a similar call of support from Migosi Matunda Nyanchama from Canada and Nyadendi Irene Ngugi from South Africa.At KCDN, we want to rally all like minded individuals and institutions to come to the support of children who are orphans and vulnerable by rallying educational support for them. In doing this, we appreciate the role the government is playing vide the Free Primary Education.As a community, we must rally behind the government and offer mitigating mechanisms that add value to the provision of quality education to all children without hindrance.To Maina and other people of goodwill, we are truly indepted.Odhiambo T Oketch,CEO KCDN Nairobi.this was our end year summary;At this very moment last year, Kenya was pregnant with hope.We were looking forward to an election which had all the indications of changing the face of Kenya and Kenyans. Politics was at its highest, and the people were excited either way.But it reached an anti climax on 30th December 2007 when the Hon Kivuitu made his announcement and pronounced Mzee Kibaki as having won the elections. Kenya erupted and fighting broke out all over.The fighting that I saw, the blood letting that I saw across the country made me change. Time had come for me to do something useful for Kenya and Kenyans, than to engage in endless political discussions which added no value.I made up my mind that from that time on, I would work with forces that focused on the plight of children. I had seen that in times of conflict, men would fight leaving the women and the children vulnerable.In worse case scenarios, women would trade off their security for sex while the child had nothing to trade off. These were the scenes that were obtaining in conflict zones. Property was burned; women were raped; children got lost; some lost their parents; and many more lost their homes and education become a pipe dream.In January, I started discussing this with friends like Mr Jairus K'Onyiego from USA. He would call me long hours on phone and I would update him on the situation in Kenya. Thereafter, Sam Okello, also from USA would join in and we discussed more.Out of these discussions, KCDN was born. It had been registered in May of 2005 as a Community Based Organization, but we were dormant. In February, with the support of Mr K'Onyiego and Sam Okello, I was able to open the KCDN office in Komarock. Thereafter more support came in; Mr Joram Odus, Ms Pamela Ohonde, Mr Dick Aduong'a, Mr Sebastian Onyango, Ms Caroline Otieno, Mr Mungla, Mr Lenny Amolo, Mr Otiende Amolo, Mr Rodgers Orero, Mini Bakeries Ltd [Mr Mwaura], SGS Kenya [Mr Aswegen], Ms Irene Ngugi, Phoenix Aviation Ltd [Mr Barretto], Mr Ragem Lugonzo, Ms Irene Wasike, Aristocrates Insurance Brokers Ltd [Mr Kasim], Express Connections Ltd [Mr JM Mugo], Capital Airlines Ltd [Capt Vaghela], Ms Onyango, Mr Owino Olendo of Taxplus Consults Ltd, Tetra Pak [K] Ltd [Ms Mwihia}, The Cradle [Hon Millie Odhiambo] and many more.It was not easy. We first wanted to group vulnerable people into self help schemes where they could mobilize their own resources for self sustainability. We soon found out that in the wake of the Pyramid Schemes syndicates, this was going to put us at loggerheads with the people whom we wanted to help.We immediately changed focus and identified 3 issues that we wanted to address namely;1] The immediate plight of IDPs2] National Healing and Reconciliation3] Child Support.1] The immediate plight of IDPsOur immediate task was to call for material support for Kenyans who were internally displaced following the post election violence. We got very favourable responses, more so, Caroline Otieno from Arusha Tanzania came in handy with massive mobilization of friends in Arusha and he consigned to me many bundles of used clothes, shoes and beddings in support.We gave these out to two groups; one in Karachuonyo and the next to a local church in Kayole where some IDPs had taken refuge. This first phase was a resounding success.2] National Healing and ReconcilaitionThis was our second phase. We thought of better ways by which we could preach the gospel of National Healing and Reconciliation and we settled on organizing a peace run in May.KCDN Embakasi Peace Run was hence conceived, and initially we settled on 31st May. This date coincided with a presidential function in Embakasi and the PC Nairobi informed me of the need to make changes. We hence settled for 15th June 2008.With financial support from SGS Kenya, Rachier & Amolo Advocates, Jairus K'Onyiego, Rogders Orero and Mini Bakeries Ltd and material support from Text Book Centre Ltd, Phoenix Publishers Ltd and East African Educational Publishers, we were able to host a very successful KCDN Embakasi Peace Run.We were able to assemble a galaxy of guests who added their voices to the need for National Healing and Reconciliation. The Commissioner of Sports was ably represented by Mr Karinga, the Assistant Commissioner. In attendance we had Ms Kiwanuka, Chairperson Athletics Kenya Nairobi Province, sports officials from Nairobi Province and many more guests besides the occasion being graced by school children from different schools, athletes from several athletic clubs and the general public.This second phase of our programme was also a resounding success.3] Child Support.Our last focus was on child support and we decided on December 24th as our due date. We later revised this to 5th December 2008.The KCDN Child Support Initiative was meant to give educational support to as many children from vulnerable family backgrounds for their schooling for 2009. To get the right mix of children, we worked in collaboration with the various Head Teachers. The number of children who need help was so overwhelming, but we settled on mobilizing support for 250 such children.This was not easy. We made several appeals and when it all looked like getting lost, support started coming in. We have made our public appreciation to all those who helped this day to become a resounding success. We have also made our public appreciation to all our guests, starting with the Director Basic Education in the Ministry of Education.This is a challenge we want to take into the new year where we hope to retain your support. It is you who have made us succeed with the 3 initiatives we undertook this year. God bless you so much.We have 4 things lined up for which we would solicit your support in 2009;1] In March 2009, we will be launching the KCDN Quarterly Newsletter. We will invite your support and sponsorship for this. Through this, we will be articulating what we are doing for the society and the children in particular. We will invite teachers and pupils to post their challenges and aspirations. We will also be inviting policy issues from the Ministry so that the parents and guardians know what the government is doing in support of the Free Primary Education.2] In June 2009, we will host the second edition of the KCDN Peace Run. We will not call it KCDN Embakasi Peace Run since this is limiting. We will invite support and participation from you all as we preach the virtues of National Healing and Reconciliation. We will mobilize participation from all our children, their colleagues from the surrounding schools, parents and the general public.3] In September 2009, we will organize a KCDN Child Day Out for our children. Many children of privilege often have days out where they have lots of fan. We will mobilize your support to make this day out a success. This will see us organize tours to the parks for these children. It will be lots of fan for the children.4] In December 2009, we will again mobilize the second edition of the KCDN Child Support Initiative. Through this initiative, we will mobilize support for educational materials for these children. The best gift we can give to our children is EDUCATION. And this we can only achieve by actively helping the government as they provide for Free Primary Education, by providing the remaining necessities.As we close the year, we must thank you all for your support. We could not do any better, but we appreciate the little that we have done in support of our country and our children. In our collective responsibility, we believe. And Yes, we did it.May we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2009. God bless, God bless, Amen.Odhiambo T Oketch,CEO KCDN Nairobi.this was our thank you note to all those who helped make the KCDN Child Support Initiative on 5th December 2008 to be a success.Dear Friends,We hereby replicate the speech delivered by the Director Basic Education Mrs Leah K Rotich during the KCDN Child Support Initiative Day on 5th December 2008 at our offices. The speech was read on her behalf by Mr Mungai, Assistant Director of Education, Ministry of Education.We also take on this opportunity to sincerely thank the following for both financial and material support that enabled our day to be a success;1] Phoenix Aviation Ltd2] Capital Airlines Ltd3] Express Connections Ltd4] Mr Leonard Amolo of AIG5] Aristocrats Insurance Brokers Ltd6] Ms Irene Wasike of Barclays Bank7] Ms Irene from South Africa8] Mr Lugonzo9] Mr Chacha Odera [Oraro & Co Advocates]10] The Cradle- the Children's FoundationWe also want to appreciate the following for having taken their time to be with us on this day;1] Mr Mungai, Assistant Director of Education2] Ms Irene Wasike, Manager, Barclays Bank of Kenya, Haille Sellasie Avenue Branch3] Mr Mwangi, District Education Officer, Nairobi East District4] Ms Grace Ngine, SQASO Nairobi East District5] Ms Edna Ambasa, SQASO Nairobi East District6] Mr Muli Makau, PA to the MD, Aristocrats Insurance Brokers Ltd7] Mr Arthur Kibisu, representing the MD, Express Connections Ltd8] Ms Teresia Muturi, The Cradle9] Mr Juma, Chairman, Komarock Residents Association10] Eng Barrack Okal, Secretary, Komarock Residents Association11] Mr Meshack Kimathi, member, Komarock Residents Association.We know that we have friends whose support we will still be receiving, those who had called and written to us pledging their support, we want also to appreciate your envisaged support.We will account to all our benefactors. This is just the beginning of what we want to do, and it is a journey of a thousand miles. We have only made the first step. We hence still need all the support we can get.To you all we say; Thank you, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, 2009.Odhiambo T Oketch,CEO KCDN Nairobi.Tel; 0735 529 126, 0724 365 557,Email; komarockswatch@...