KUAP Pandipieri Newsletter

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Jubilee Celebration
Fr Hans Burgman
THE atmosphere was electric as the compound bubbled with a kaleidoscope of
chatter from the many friends of Pandipieri as they greeted KUAP staff in
preparation of joining the programmes
activities. KUAPs long term supporters,
both new and established had arrived a
week before the Jubilee celebrations of
Father Hans Burgman to experience first
hand how their generous support has contributed to the lives of the community
members who access our services.
The co-ordination and preparation of the
arrival of 25 visitors from the Netherlands,
for a 10 day visit was monumental, but
efficiently executed by Father Hans and
Johan Smorenburg (a regular volunteer at
Pandipieri). Some visitors were here in
Kisumu for the first time, others repeat
visitors, but all were excited and wanted to
help Fr Hans celebrate 60 years as a priest,
of which 35 years were spent in Kisumu as
the visionary missionary who with community members founded KUAP-Pandipieri.
Sixteen of the visitors lived with community members for the duration of their stay.
Most were KUAP staff and some Millimani parishioners who opened their doors and
lives to the visitors with marvelous friendships formed.

Issue 2
August 2013

Friday 12th of July marked the awaited

Celebration day for Fr Hans, held at Pandipieri and organized by an enthusiastic
and passionate group of committee members from KUAP staff.
The day opened with a procession beginning at Mill Hill House, lead by staff, visitors, community members and two choirs
who filled the air with song reverberating
throughout the walk to Pandipieri. Fr Hans
was placed in a cart drawn by a donkey as
a symbolic gesture representing the first
makeshift ambulance ever used at Pandipieri to ferry sick patients from the community to the clinic for medical care. The
singing, dancing and music pervaded the
entire day with the sounds of the choir filling the Hall at Pandipieri and lifting the
spirits of everyone present.
Within the Pandipieri compound the ceremonial planting of 4 trees was done representing Fr Hans, Friends of Pandipieri,
Kerzel and Berghijk, loyal donors who
have supported KUAP over the years. Soil
was also brought from the Netherlands to
mark the strong links to KUAP and added
to the trees. A bronze plaque, placed at the

celebration. Colorful presentations by children and youth from the art school were
done to the delight of all attending the celebration.
In recognition of his tremendous work
with the community, Fr Hans Burgman
was formally given the title of Luo Elder .
This was presided over by four Luo Cultural Elders and he was gifted a traditional
spear, shield, chair and head piece to mark
the honour.
The KUAP compound was also filled with
tents holding pictorial representations of all
the work the three programmes in KUAP
had done throughout the year.
The celebrations were completed with a
sumptuous communal meal that had been
prepared by students from Magadi & Nyalenda Domestic Schools, accompanied by
music and dance throughout the afternoon.
A second event took place on Saturday
13th marking the day for a grueling 30km
charity walk which approximately 300
staff, visitors and community members
participated in Kisumu to raise funds for
KUAP.
Finally on Sunday 14th a mass at Milimani
entrance of the Hall was also unveiled.
Church was held by Fr Hans followed by a
A vibrant, song filled mass was celebrated meal for 150 community members served
by Fr Hans inside the Hall with people
by the visitors from the Netherlands. The
overflowing and spilling out into the com- Vicar General Fr. Moses Omolo who atpound, with approximately 300 community tended both masses stated that the Motto of
members, staff and international visitors
Mill Hill is to love and serve and that Fr
attending the
Hans Burgman is the living embodiment of
this commitment.

Inside:

Vocational Centres - Artist at Pandipieri EDC - Kisumu Artists for Children Programme
Acrostic Poems - Teacher Training - Compound Revamp

Editors Corner
Anna Chinni
THE other day, two young visitors came to
the centre and spent the day with our children in Non-Formal Education (NFE) centre. At the end of the day they blew up
balloons and the compound was filled in a
riot of colours tangled with the delighted
shouts of children and the occasional pop
of a balloon as it touched the ground.
There was laughter, chaos and sheer joy at
such a simple pleasure. This had me thinking of the great work that staff, visitors and
donors alike bring to all the beneficiaries
of KUAP. A simple but effective grassroots approach to what at first may appear
as insurmountable obstacles is dealt with
dignity, equity and passion so beneficiaries
are given a pathway to lead dignified and
fulfilling lives. So next time things seem
not to be working out how we want, take
time each day to see the world through the
eyes of a child taking delight in a balloon.
I hope this 2nd issue of our KUAP newsletter brings delight to our readers. Enjoy!

Vocational Centres
MAGADI and Nyalenda Vocational
Centres bring hope and opportunity to
many vulnerable youth within the community. Through the perseverance and dedication of the teachers and Programme Officer, Frieda Okombo and Manager of
Nyalenda Vocational Centre Caroline Bunde a Government of Kenya employee. The
recruitment of new students was
undertaken and Magadi Centre has 37 students and Nyalenda Centre 80 students.

Also, through the generosity of donors

such as Bergeijk & Heijmerink Rijk
Foundation, students have been supported
through the acquisition of learning
equipment ensuring all activities can be
undertaken.
Students have access to
machines and sewing material for tailoring
and dressmaking courses, kitchen equipment and food items for practical demonstrations in the catering course and equipment for masonry. This learning equipment is vital in retaining students who Agnes (on left) and Faith at Magadi Vocawould otherwise be unable to meet the tional Centre
costs of their course. We thank the
Government of Kenya for their support to
students through the SYPT Project.

Directors Cut

Two inspiring students in their final year at

Magadi Centre, Agnes Akoth Kidenda
(24yrs) and Faith Auma Juma (16yrs) are
two students who would not have been
able to access vocational training if not for
the provision of learning equipment. Both
have lost their parents, could not complete
secondary schooling due to poverty and
struggle to bring to reality a better future
for themselves. They have undertaken
tailoring and dressmaking and catering
courses and will sit for the Government
examinations in November 2013. Agnes
and Faith must work part time in catering
to provide for their basic needs and firmly
believe however much you strain or go
hungry you know that school will provide
the necessary training to rise above the
poverty that threatens to engulf their
future. Both girls have stood firm, despite
ongoing challenges and both dream big for
a hopeful future in setting up their own
businesses in catering. Agnes and Faith
attribute their ability to complete their
training, despite at times feeling
completely demoralized by life, to the
wonderful staff who have offered guidance, counseling and encouragement to
move forward and attain their dreams in
realistic steps. Their wisdom and determination is breathtaking and their advise to
others is if youre not mature you can really mess up so keep hope, faith and stand
firm.
Many of the students at the vocational
centres have similar stories and it is this
training and the compassionate understanding of staff that keep alive their dreams of
a better future. In the past 2 years Misean
Cara from Ireland have supported students
from KUAP Vocational Centre to enable
them to be sustainable and to hold on to
their dreams of becoming future
entrepreneurs.

Sr Bernadette Nealon
THE Management Team congratulate
Fr. Hans Burgman on the Diamond Jubilee of his priestly ordination. We also congratulate KUAP Board Member Mr. Peter
Muhula on his election as County Representative for Siaya and we are very proud
of you Peter. We express sincere thanks to
Fr. Michael Ochwo Mill Hill Missionary
for the tremendous service he gave to
KUAP Board as the Vice Chair for a period of 3 years and we wish Fr. Michael a
successful sabbatical in Ireland. On behalf
of KUAP Board and Management Team I
welcome Fr. Folkert Kruis Mill Hill Missionary as Vice Chair of KUAP Board.
Local, National and International volunteers are the mainstay of the organization
and the Management Team welcome all
our volunteers to KUAP Pandipieri and we
thank you for your contribution to make a
difference and to bring about change.
A very big welcome to Dusica
Naumovska who has just joined the team
and is a VSO Jitolee Volunteer. Dusica
will be with us for a period of 2 years.
Many thanks to VSO Jitolee for this
partnership.
The facelift to KUAP Pandipieri was made
possible because of the generous donation
from a gentleman from Ireland. We thank
you very sincerely for your generosity to
benefit the lives of children, youth and
adults.
Enjoy the next few months until the next
newsletter and I thank each and every
person who supports KUAP Pandipieri in
any way. May God continue to bless each
one of you.

Pandipieri EDC
gets an Artists
Touch
THE Pandipieri ECD was given an opportunity to renovate its building with the assistance of a very talented artist who was a
former student of the Nyalenda Art School.
Eric Obonyo Otieno is a total orphan who
graduated from Art school in 2007 and
since then has been pursuing his passion
for art. He is the eldest of five siblings and
has many responsibilities. Erics first
painting ever sold was of an African woman carrying a child and this gave him a lot
of courage and motivation to persevere
with his talent. He is also a gifted portrait
painter. Erics hope for the future is to one
day have his own exhibition and for his art
to be able to sustain him.
Eric was commissioned to do the paintings
on the outside walls of the EDC. Rhoda
Anyango Ouma, Project Officer, has seen
several direct impacts of this renovation
work. Firstly there is now an attractive
environment for the children to play and

of the backgrounds of the needy children

has been established, with stronger links
with parents created. An inviting learning
environment definitely has far reaching
benefits.

Kisumu Artists for

Children
Programme

and fears for the future. On the day of the

grand performance, approximately 200
children from six organizations all presentONCE again the Children Services Pro- ed colourful and entertaining performancgramme has been given the wonderful op- es. The organizations involved in the colportunity for 27 of our children to partici- laboration were KUAP, CSP, Child First
pate in a very special drama program
which promotes talents and builds confidence in vulnerable children. Francis
Omungo is the artistic teacher who guided
and mentored our children in dance, music
and mask making, with the support of
Mark Owino and Sophie Onyango (NFE
teachers). Francis and the children together

Organization, Cherryberry, HOVIC and

MFA/Salem, who all deal with vulnerable
children in Kisumu. All the children performed brilliantly with the Children Services team showcasing originality, confidence, humour and energy as can be seen
from these photos. Despite the day being
overcast, with the threat of rain and a
decided to name their troupe Theatre for
Young Children Muskateers. The children
did drama every Friday afternoon and
weekends for several months in preparaEric Obonyo Otieno next to his creation at tion for the grand performance that was
held at Hippo Point on 3rd August. Both
Pandipieri EDC
Francis and the teachers felt the whole
drama process was very worthwhile in
learn, enrolments have increased from 47 drawing forth the creativity of our children,
children to 63 as parents view the school as raising their self confidence and helping
being modern and better equipped. There them to voice their dreams, hopes
has also been reduced absenteeism as children really enjoy their learning space. Parents have also had a more positive attitude
towards the school which is reflected in
improvement of fee payments, and regular
visits to discuss childrens progress. The
employment of a third teacher now means
there are three separate classes rather than
a combined class. Also through the work
of the field officer a better understanding

piercing cold wind blowing in from the

lake all the children kept poise and professionalism as they braved the elements to
present a magnificent array of traditional
African stories and fables to an appreciative crowd of onlookers. The day was
filled with music, masks, dance and laughter punctuated with incredible smiles and
pride of the children and mentor artists.
Special thanks to Harber Charitable
Foundation for sponsoring the event and
giving meaning & life to children.

Children's acrostic Pandipieri Compound Teacher Training

THE Child Counseling Project conducted a
Gets A Face-lift
poems
THOSE who have visited KUAP- five day Psychosocial Support Training for
TWO enthusiastic Tenteleni youth volunteers from the UK, Harry & Maddy, who
have been working with the children in non
formal education since July, did an activity
in poetry writing. The children had a great
experience and produced remarkable
pieces of work. We present just two of the
poems composed by our children.

BY GEORGIA

Pandipieri in the past month would have

noticed an amazing transformation in the
old girl. Several buildings and the outside
wall have been repainted, lending a rejuvenating feel to the entire compound. The
community are very pleased and impressed
with the make over and the ultimate
message to all of Kisumu is that KUAP is
thriving and continuing its wonderful
work.
The Patient Support Centre is especially
delighted as the impact of improved
facilities means easy patient flow,
improved confidentiality as patients can
be examined in private, & clients with TB
can be seen in a separate room reducing
risk of infection, with all services under
one roof: Laboratory, Pharmacy &
Reception.

People of Pandipieri
Are very
Nice and good
Delicate to everyone and help children
like
I to learn
Pandipieri will
Ever shine
It will be popular in everything; they
Really help us and others
A warm thank you for all the support and
Its good
goodwill from donors, well-wishers and

12 KUAP teaching staff from ECD, Vocational and non formal education centres.
Robert Omuga, Project Officer, Sarah
Vijzelman and Anna Chinni were the
facilitators. Recognizing the vulnerability
of children and youth who attend these
schools, it was felt staff would benefit
from the training which encompassed topics of stress management, self awareness,
child growth and development, child abuse
and child rights (facilitated by Victorine
Odhiambo, Child Rights Officer) and child
approach strategies.
The 2010 Kenya Violence against Children
Study uncovered current levels of violence
reported by 13 to 17 year olds indicated
that 11% of females and 4% of males

Thank you to our

Donors

BY AUSTIN
People of Pandipieri-we are happy
And God will bless that
Now we are praying for
Dr Hans Burgman
I like all the staff of
Pandipieri and the children
In our school
Everybody in Kisumu
Really wants to see what we do hereId like to show them

partners. We recognize the support from

international donors, individuals, national
and international volunteers who have supported KUAP-Pandipieri programme financially and in kind.
experienced sexual violence and 49% of
females and 48% males experienced physDonations in Euro currency can be made
ical violence.
through Pandipieri Catholic Centre AcIn light of these staggering statistics the
count at Standard Chartered Bank Kenya
training was pertinent to the challenges
Ltd A/c No. 9304055090300 Swift code:
faced by teaching staff. Participants shared
SCBLKENXXXX.
their experiences of dealing with cases of
abused children and greatly appreciated the
Donations in Kenyan currency can be
opportunity to strengthen their knowledge
made through KUAP Pandipieri Health
and ability to work with the children.
Programme A/c at NIC Bank Ltd, Kisumu Another 5 day training will be held in late
Branch A/c No. 1000012137.
November to conclude the modules at
which time teachers will be given a
certificate of participation.

Next issue:

NIC Bank Kisumu, donated a cake which

was greatly enjoyed by our children in
temporary shelter

Grand Opening of a Childrens

Resource Centre at Bala
KUAP to get a new webpage domain,
and Facebook link
News from the Health Programme