Crossroads Springs Institute Children's School/Care Center for African Orphans of HIV/AIDS

CROSSROADS SPRINGS CARE CENTER
Hamisi, Kenya

Newsletter #5 May, 2007  “Save the Child!  Build the Nation!”

Printer friendly PDF with photographs

Several years ago, when Crossroads Springs was first up and running, founder Meshack Isiaho would buy time at an Internet café and send reports to the U.S.A. It was certainly much quicker than sending a letter and much cheaper than making a phone call, but it still required a bit of effort. Meshack would take a “matatu” (hired van) or a bus 45 minutes over broken roads to get to the café in Kisumu. These days, thank goodness, there is usually Internet access in Hamisi, and it is no longer a major undertaking to send email back and forth.

One wonderful bit of news that came via email was that Crossroads Springs now has a water well! They started drilling for water back in January, and three times they struck rock and had to start over. The fourth time — success! Meshack reported in April they have “good, clean, tasteless” water, and it has been sent to the public health office for testing.

By old fashioned telephone, we also heard from Redempter Isiaho, a daughter of Meshack’s who lives and goes to school in Massachusetts. Redempter recently went home to Hamisi for a visit, and she reported to us on Crossroads Springs: “Oh, the children are so beautiful!  The friends in U.S.A. are responsible.  Watching a child receive a cup of porridge for lunch made me so happy—no other schools feed the children.”

BRIEF UPDATES

• Enrollment was up by 30 children this school year, with 165 children attending classes, pre-kindergarten through Standard V (ages 4-9) An August 2007 Kenyan Education Department deadline for adding space for upper elementary grades is fast approaching.  Please spread the word: It is urgent to build a nine-classroom building for about $60,000 (single classroom, $4,500).  Plaques, publicity or anonymity provided for donors!  Let’s get it started before the deadline, and keep children nurtured at Crossroads Springs beyond Standard V.

• A North American group of teenagers and their parents will visit Crossroads Springs and Hamisi for two weeks this summer. They will learn about Kenya, and get to know the students, teachers, and community in Hamisi. They are eager to be put to work! Deb Naybor, founder of Both Your Hands, will travel with this group to Crossroads Springs in June. She will bring back news and photos, and a report on the microloan program she began.

• Deb also has been supporting the Crossroads Springs scout troop; recalling her own youth as a scout, she found donors to buy uniforms and hire a bus to take 30 boys and girls to a regional scouting competition last May. Proving their skills in camping, ecology and honor, the Crossroads Springs troop WON! They then went on to the national scouting competition. Deb writes: “When a REAL bus with padded seats rolled into Hamisi to pick up the scouts, it was quite a sight! Although our small champions didn’t win the national championship, these kids have the heart and dedication to have shown the entire country what can be done, despite the odds.” Anyone who would like to donate camping equipment AND funds for shipping can contact Deb through the Both Your Hands website (www.bothyourhands.org).

• I wish there were space to mention all the wonderful fundraisers spearheaded on behalf of Crossroads Springs – from lemonade stands, to band concerts, an art sale, and a great-grandmother’s fundraising challenge; we have received gifts made in honor of a pastor’s ordination, in honor of school board members (from a parent-teacher association), Mother’s Day, and more. Be assured, you are making a difference in the lives of these children.

If you would like to learn about specific projects in need of funding, or would like to talk about sponsoring a child, please do not hesitate to contact Alison and Arthur Hyde (AHYDE37492@aol.com; put “Crossroads Springs” in the subject line). Remember that 100 percent of your tax deductible gift is transferred directly to the Crossroads Springs account Kenya (97 percent if by credit card online).

 In Peace and Hope! Alison and Arthur Hyde