St Vincent Small Home for Physically Handicapped Children
Kiminini Small Home is another project which helps to give disabled children an opportunity to complete education. Like Birunda the home is on the same compound as the local primary school and all those children able to attend go to school with the main stream children. Most do a fantastic job against all odds, such as one boy has no control over his hands and arms movement so has adapted to write fluently with his feet!
The small home is home to up to 20 children, 10 boys and 10 girls. They all arrive at the home either sponsored by somebody or paid for by their parents. Each has their own unique disability but from this they all have the best spirit and determination to succeed as well as the next. The head of the family is Mama Rose, who is one of the most amazing women. Astonishingly up until recently looked after all the children on her own, on call 24/7 and sleeping in the home. Now Rose has a helper by the name of Margaret who assists several mornings per week, however Rose is still doing the majority of the work. For such work in the UK you’d expect a fair wage but for Rose she can expect less than £20 per month.
Most of the children spend the entire school year at the home and only break for a couple of weeks three times during the year. They face huge challenges, both physical and mental but always manage to be cheerful and have a smile upon their faces.
I enjoy nothing more than spending my Saturday mornings baking something for the children as a small weekly treat and then spending the afternoon with them playing, having fun and enjoying the cake or biscuits. On the occasions that I have a not so good day the children and Rose always make my troubles disappear.
The home is made up of a large kitchen, two dormitories, two bathroom areas (this has changed but the story is too long), a large main room, a small bedroom for Rose and it is set on a small plot of land within the compound of Kiminini Primary School, where most of the children attend.
The home is well funded and fairly well resourced due to it sponsors. The thing that is needed the most is time. A few hours with these children and Rose after school or on a weekend would make the most difference. Everyone at the home is so happy and cheerful even if they have very little; they are very welcoming to visitors. One visually impaired girl Naomi has a beautiful singing voice and sings some great songs accompanied by the other children.
The small home is home to up to 20 children, 10 boys and 10 girls. They all arrive at the home either sponsored by somebody or paid for by their parents. Each has their own unique disability but from this they all have the best spirit and determination to succeed as well as the next. The head of the family is Mama Rose, who is one of the most amazing women. Astonishingly up until recently looked after all the children on her own, on call 24/7 and sleeping in the home. Now Rose has a helper by the name of Margaret who assists several mornings per week, however Rose is still doing the majority of the work. For such work in the UK you’d expect a fair wage but for Rose she can expect less than £20 per month.
Most of the children spend the entire school year at the home and only break for a couple of weeks three times during the year. They face huge challenges, both physical and mental but always manage to be cheerful and have a smile upon their faces.
I enjoy nothing more than spending my Saturday mornings baking something for the children as a small weekly treat and then spending the afternoon with them playing, having fun and enjoying the cake or biscuits. On the occasions that I have a not so good day the children and Rose always make my troubles disappear.
The home is made up of a large kitchen, two dormitories, two bathroom areas (this has changed but the story is too long), a large main room, a small bedroom for Rose and it is set on a small plot of land within the compound of Kiminini Primary School, where most of the children attend.
The home is well funded and fairly well resourced due to it sponsors. The thing that is needed the most is time. A few hours with these children and Rose after school or on a weekend would make the most difference. Everyone at the home is so happy and cheerful even if they have very little; they are very welcoming to visitors. One visually impaired girl Naomi has a beautiful singing voice and sings some great songs accompanied by the other children.
Below is a photo of me with Caroline a girl whom I met on my first visit to Kenya. I met her in Mrs Mayer’s garden when she came with Paul Holgate to receive a gift of a new wheel chair, I shall never forget the look on her face she was so shocked and happy. Now she is been trained up in sewing and garment making and already she is very skilled and made three shirts which I brought back, including the one in the photo.
