Once again we are privileged to greet you, Mum Brenda. We hope that you are doing well in the USA, and please know that we are doing well here in Meru, Kenya.
Life at the Centre is moving quickly, and we are continuing to be blessed to be in a position to help the vulnerable and abused girls in our community.
We have had one new admission since the last update. Her name is Agnes, and she is a twelve year old girl who was raped in March. We were alerted to her case when she reported it to the police mid June. The family states that they reported it to the assistant chief a few days after the incident, who told them not to go to the police. We found this case very challenging, as it shows the corruption and ease for perpetrators to bribe those in power not to follow the proper methods of reporting in cases of abuse.
We are disappointed to share with you that our court cases have had some challenges in the past couple of months. Fatuma, who is doing well living at the Centre again, had her case mid month, but it was postponed once more, because the doctor that was to testify did not come to the court that day. We hope to update you with good news about her case in the next report. Mercy, as well, has had set backs in her case. Her case was to be heard on the 28th of June, but due to problems with the Magistrate, it has been postponed again until the end of July. Jeniffer, by far, has been the most disappointing case for us. The perpetrator has been released, and began threatening her family, especially her mother. Her mother has now left to go to her homeland, and though we are very disappointed that the perpetrator was let out, we are happy that Jeniffer remains safe living at the Centre.
The vocational training girls are all decked out in their beautiful uniforms, and showed them off officially at the Foundation Laying Ceremony on June 23, 2007. The girls led praise and worship, and were excellent! They sang and danced, and it was obvious how much everyone enjoyed it.
Our Computer classes have started up at the centre, and the girls are very excited to be taking part in them. They will each get an introduction to basic computer skills, and girls who show interest and proficiency will move on to obtain a certificate from a local computer college.
Please allow a moment for an update you on the counseling at the centre. We have two new counselors who are helping us out at the centre, and they are doing a wonderful job. One, Lucy, is doing group counseling with the vocational training girls, and they are excited to have someone do teaching for them, and also have someone to talk to and share concerns with. Esther, our second new counselor is helping with our rescue girls. She, along with Monica Gitonga and Jeniffer, our child counsellor, have been able to assist us in all the needs we have for the girls. The rescue girls all have access to counseling, and we are finding that with three counselors we are able to provide each with more sessions, and better follow up.
The After Care programme at the centre is running well. The girls each come once a month to see us, and we are happy to report that the girls in the community are all doing well. They appreciate the continued counseling and support that is offered from the centre after discharge, as it seems to help them get adjusted to life in the community once more.
Our chickens are doing very well, and are almost laying 6 crates a day!! We are also excited to report that our income generating activity of sweater sales was a success, and we are looking at supplying another order in the next few months.
The girls again, pass on their love. I hope that your package with the letters has arrived – they all were so excited to write you!
MERCY CHIDI
