It is a great privilege to update you on the centre. We have seen the hand of the lord in our work as we serve the Meru community. There have been numerous activities here at Hope centre as we have had new girls admitted at the centre and others discharged back to the community. We are also pleased to inform you that community awareness campaigns are bearing fruits. The community is now more aware about Hope centre and we are getting more referrals and more people coming to seek assistance.
We currently have eight rescue girls and one baby admitted at the centre. The girls are doing20well and enjoying their stay here with us.
Stella
She is still with us and happy at the centre. We had planned to discharge her back to the community but it wasn’t successful because the proposed guardian refused to sign the legal foster parent forms. Stella is neither ready nor willing to be discharged back to her father. So it remains a challenge for us because we are looking for a guardian who is willing to sign the legal papers and who Stella is comfortable to stay with .We are trying our best to discharge her so that she can continue with her education. It’s so unfortunate that she won’t be doing her national exams this year because she is not registered in any school. All in all Stella is fine and happy.
Mercy
Mercy is also with us but we are very happy to inform you that her case is going on well and she got a sponsor who will fund her education. We are hoping to admit her to a boarding school very soon. We are hoping to admit her at Meru Junior Primary school. It is located within Meru town so it will be easy to monitor Mercy’s progress and also get her to attend court proceeding whenever she is required to do so.
Moreen
Moreen was admitted t o the centre on 9th May 2008. She was referred by Muthara D.O in Meru North she was raped by her father. We rescued her, had her taken to a gynecologist for a medical examinations and she is continuing with her counseling sessions. She is doing well and we will be attending the first hearing of her case on 28th July 2008.
Linet and baby Maxwell
Linet and her baby were admitted at the centre on 9th May 2008 after they we re referred to RI by Isiolo Hospital social worker. Linet had delivered through cesarean section and her wounds were not healing well. She could not get proper medical attention at the hospital because her grand mother was not in a position to pay the hospital bill. Linet was also traumatized and was=2 0in need of counseling and medical attention. She has been seen by a doctor and her wounds are all healed. Linet and baby Maxwell are strong and ready to be discharged back to the community.
Idah
Idah is one of our girls from Mbeu in Meru North. She was defiled by her neighbour. She was referred to BBHTC by one of the organizations in Meru (Save the children Canada) she is being provided with the shelter, protection, counseling and legal support. She is happy and doing well.
Purity
Purity was referred to Hope centre by Meru District Childrens’ Officer for shelter and counseling as she is transitioned to her new home (Flomina Children’s Home) to be reunited with her siblings. She is an orphan who had been engaged=2 0in child labour. She had gone missing when her siblings were being taken to the home. After she was found she was working in a farm and didn’t have a place to spend at night. She was rescued and referred to the centre for comprehensive counseling as she did not understand the reasons why she was being taken to her new home. She has gone through counseling and it is felt that she is ready to reunite with her siblings.
Carol
Carol was admitted to Hope centre on 12th June 2008 due to teenage pregnancy crisis. She conceived out of rape but the case was not re ported because she didn’t identity the perpetrator. She was referred by Lewa wildlife conservancy. She is due in August 2008. She is hoping to go back to school in January 2009. She is happy and doing well.
Community Support Program
Our girls in the community support came for the aftercare session on 21st June 2008. They are progressing well in the community. They had counseling sessions and we had a good time with them. One of the girls we discharged in February- Janet has a two months old baby and Purity is pregnant and she is due in August. The girls in school are fine and we are challenging and motivating them to do exploit in their exams and to purpose to be role models.
Income Generating Activities
We sold the chicken after their egg productivity decreased. Accounting is in progress to evaluate the project. The vocational girls are making beads products and tie and die materials with the help of their teachers and one of the volunteers from Japan (Satomi). We are hoping to get market both locally and internationally.
Vocational Girls
Our vocati onal girls are doing well with their training. They are to start their placements /attachments in August when they break for their holidays.
Staff
All the staff is well and happy in service of humanity. Everyone is taking his/her responsibly as it is required.
We are very grateful for your continued support to the centre in service of the community. You have touched girls’ hearts in a special and great way! We thank God for you and pray that he will richly bless you in all you endeavor.
Regards from the girls and the staff.
God bless
Merci
