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

CROSSROADS SPRINGS CARE CENTER
Hamisi, Kenya
www.crossroadssprings.org

Newsletter #2 October, 2005  “Save the Child!  Build the Nation!”

Dear Friends and Supporters of Crossroads Springs Care Center,

On a May morning in 2005, Standard 3 student Anastasia donned her pink and blue checked uniform and walked to school.  Her mother had died that morning, following the death of her father earlier.  One of the million orphans of HIV/AIDS in Kenya, she has found solace, fellow orphans and caring adults at Crossroads Springs Care Center, founded by Dr. Meshack Isiaho.  The statistics are grim, but at Crossroads Springs a group of young children like Anastasia are finding loving care, food, clothing, shelter and education toward self-sufficiency.

We want to bring you heartfelt thanks from the children and care givers of Crossroads Springs, and to report on all that has been accomplished with your gifts.

 What has been done this year?

1.  About 70 children (an increase from the original 40) are in Early Childhood and Elementary classes and receive nutritional meals.  When asked why they want to teach at Crossroads Springs, here are some teachers’ responses:

“I felt for the children.” “Why sit at home when we have children who need to be taught and taught well to be independent?”  “Children feel safe at this place.”   “Assist children to an age when they can fend for themselves.”  “That they may think in the future that we were their parents, that they had parents.” “Scarce employment, very appreciative to have this job.” “Pass our greetings to the Americans. These children have parents because of the assistance offered.”

2. Crossroads Springs is providing employment for teachers and other local residents. Teachers, cooks, and watchmen look after the children’s well being and a bookkeeper assists with program accountability. Uniforms are made locally and health checks are by local health officers. Construction workers for the constant construction are local.  It is a very lively place!

3. The kitchen is complete!  The underground water storage tank has been built for keeping a safe water supply.  Floor and ceiling tiles have been installed for ease of keeping a clean environment.  Toilets are installed and a sewage system is to be completed.  Safety railings and grates are beautiful, created on site by the local welder.

4. Crossroads Springs is taking steps toward raising funds for its own support.  It provides typing and other services to the community at a reasonable rate.

5. A volunteer member of our earlier North American work group visited in May, bringing school supplies, children’s drawings, and greetings from all the supporters and partners in North America.  She was excited about the kitchen, reported great progress toward completion of the building, and joined in classes, meals and recreation.

 6. A new website has been created by a friend who donated his time and expertise. If you have access to the web, please visit the site and tell friends about it.  You will find the whole story of vision, goals, action and a photo gallery.  The web site address is:        www.crossroadssprings.org  

How have generous donors made possible the care and progress at Crossroads Springs?

Individuals and groups have chosen to contribute the annual cost of a child’s food, clothing, housing and education. Families have decided to give a gift of gratitude together during holidays or family celebrations. Schools, a college, congregations, and youth groups have partnered to raise funds and tell the Crossroads Springs story.  Some have secured matching gifts from their employers, or made memorial and wedding gifts in honor of loved ones.

With your help, we hope to do the following:

1. Furnish the sleeping rooms so that needy children may live there. A child’s bed, 2 sheets, 2 blankets, and a mosquito net costs $50.   A blanket costs $6

2. Finish the sewage system.

3. Purchase vocational education equipment such as carpentry tools, sewing supplies, and computers.

4. Find sponsors at $300 per child, per year to cover the child’s food, clothing, and education.

In this season of Thanksgiving, sacred holidays, and planning for the New Year in North America, please continue your support of the children of Crossroads Springs. Your thoughts and concern, as well as your contributions help them in so many ways.  A gift in any amount is significant in their lives. Remember that 100% of your tax-deductible gift is transferred directly to Crossroads Springs account in Kenya (97% if by credit card on line).

 This year we heard Jim Wooten, author of We are All the Same, talk about his friendship with Nkosi, a small South African boy HIV positive from birth.  Nkosi’s mantra was “Do all you can, with what you have, in the place you are, in the time you have.” Great advice!

In Peace and Hope!  Alison and Arthur Hyde