We thank God for giving us this opportunity to update you on our progreess at the centre.We are doing well and all the girls are moving on with their lives.As we come to the close of the year we can say that God has been with us and for the many lives and souls we have touched and helped we give thanks to him.
We have received many referrals this year from varoius institutions, individuals,organizations and from different areas in the country.The RI Community Support Groups,The District Children’s Office, Meru General Hospital ,among many others have been very close partners that we have worked with in the year 2008.
The table below shows the Number of girls that have been supported by Hope centre since 2006.
NEW CASE
We have received one new case of a nine year old girl who was raped on 27th October 2008 by a young man aged 17 years as she went back home from a nearby maize mill . She is a class three pupil at Giatune Primary school in Magundu Location. The girl did not speak about it to anyone until she developed some pains in her genitals and was unable to walk. The case was reported at Meru Police station and the girl was taken to Meru general hospital and treated on 31ST October 2008.The perpetrator was arrested on 8th November 2008 and the case was mentioned on 11th November at Meru law courts. The 1st hearing was on 2nd December 2008 at Meru Law courts in court three. The court file number is 1649/11/08. The girl was to be put under community support. Counseling sessions were organized to have her get through the trauma.
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
Girls referred to Hope centre are supposed to stay at the centre for a maximunm period of six weeks before they are discharged back to the community. We have prioritized their education and over this year have strived to ensure that the children have a teacher at the centre who can take them through their class work so that they don’t lag behind with their school work as they get over their trauma and are discharged back to the community. We have however, faced a challenge with some of the cases where by the guardians are not willing to partner with us to have the child’s rights protected and justice done.Most of these cases arise from a situation where the perpertator is a close member of the family.Owing to these challnges,we have found ourselves with some girls who have stayed at the centre for a longer period due to lack of family support. We however, thank God that we have been able to put them up in school through the RI Special Sponsorship Program. One girl has already been put up in a boarding school and we are trusting God to enrol three other girls in boarding school come January 2009.
LEGAL SUPPORT
It has not been very easy to have justice done to the victims of abuse at our courts because of the long period it takes to have a ruling made. We have had judgement made five cases: The perpetrators were sentensed to: life imprisomment in two cases, 15 years imprisomnet and 20 years imprisonment in other two cases . In one of our most challenging case the family testified ( not gulity ) in favor of the boy and he was sent free but it was a good fight as our Director stood firm in support of the young girl even after her own parents failed to.
We have ten cases pending in court and we hope to have justice done to the little girls who barely understand what happened , were traumatized and need to move on with their lives.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOL
The vocational school students did their national examination as planned on 6th December 2008.We had our second vocational school graduation on 8th December 2008 and we thank God for its success. It was a colorful ceremony which was well attended by the guardians and other guests. It was a happy moment as we reflected and gave thanks to God for his providence and mercy through-out the year. The best students were awarded and we thank God for his mercy that he showed to our best girl from the Tailoring class. She was given a job by Mrs. Fridah Kithinji of Barani Ltd.
We have received 12 applications for next year’s class and we are hoping to get more applicants by the end of the year. We plan to have the interviews on 12th January 2009 for next year’s class.
POULTRY REARING
We received 200 young chicks on 3rd December 2008.The chicks are doing well
Below is a bunch of chicks in our IGA project.
DECORATION OF FESTIVE GREETINGS CARDS
The rescue girls are busy preparing Christmas cards for the organization which will be sent out to various organization and individuals who have stood with the organization and have partnered with us in our various programs.
HOMEMADE DETERGENT
We are still making the home made detergent which we have been selling to various RI deparments . We are looking forward to increasing our market come next year.
STAFF
Ms Mercy Anando our Home management Instructor officially left the centre on 9th December 2008.She is planning her wedding which will take place on 3rd January 2009. And thereafter relocate to Nigeria where her husband is. We wish her well.
All the staff members are doing well.They all send their love to you and best wishes during this festive season.
FROM THE GIRLS’ CORNER
Mum we love you so much and all that we are sending out to you this festive season is much and much love .We appreciate all the wonderful gifts sent to us through Aunt Mercy. May God bless you and be with you as you celebrate the birth of Christ and as you plan for the new year.
We wish you a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year mum.
