News

Marti's news from Kisumu

 I have just returned from two glorious but HOT weeks in Kisumu in preparation for this year’s summer programme.  I spent the first week catching up with our Project Partners, hearing about some changes and developments and discussing the how the student’s can offer most benefit over the summer period.  All of the partners are doing well.  There are a few changes, notably at HOVIC which has moved to a new location after an unfortunate increase in rent at the old site.  The new compound is a bit smaller than the old but two new classrooms have already been constructed and are crying out for some student ‘brightening’!  Most of the faces of the boys have changed for very good reason as many of last year’s boys have been schooled and/or reintegrated into their communities.  One of the girls from the nightshelter has been entered into Kenyan Government Trade Tests due to her proficient tailoring!  The greenhouse at Ombeyi had a successful first harvest and Ogra are looking forward to planting the next crop of tomatoes.  Five of the children at the Ombeyi Feeding Centre, six of the Vima children and seven children from the Kochogo Nutritional Centre successfully completed their Kenyan Certificate of Primary Education.  Great news all round! 

The Student Programme 2012 is looking to be as exciting as ever!  My second week in Kisumu was spent looking at new projects that are supported by our Partners but that are not supported by KOP.  This year students will be visiting a wider range of projects as we are keen to minimise disruption to the project activities and to maximise the benefit from student participation for everyone involved.  This is hugely exciting for the students that have signed up for the programme for this year as each is guaranteed a unique, varied and proactive experience in Kisumu.  I am hugely excited about what we can achieve together; as are our partners and I hope the students are too!