Summer 2006 Newsletter

Warm greetings to you all and a big thank you for all you are doing to support Double Joy. As Florence Oyola (Double Joy Correspondence Coordinator) says, ‘your donations are our life blood.’

News from Doublejoy

An account by Glyn Roseden on his Easter visit to Double Joy Childrens Farm

I was fortunate to visit Double Joy during Easter accompanied by two friends: Patrick Jeavons and Scott Adams. For my two companions it was their first trip to Kenya, and to experience the hospitality of the staff and children at Double Joy for a couple of weeks was a lovely and memorable experience for them.

Name Badges

We brought with us personalised name badges made for each of the staff and children. The child’s name and date of birth was printed over a background of the Kenya flag and for the staff, their name and job title.

And so to help break the ice on the first morning parade, there was a ceremony of greeting each person as they received their badge. Being able to call each one by name during our stay helped greatly with getting to know the staff and children.

Toys and activities

We had gone to a lot of effort to bring with us toys and activities for boys and girls of all ages. Junior toy club was established on a previous visit, and we had many small toys to add to those in stock, including little flying toys released by pulling on a chord; balls of all sizes and small musical whistles. All energetic and noisy!

The older girls enjoyed working with beads to make necklaces and bracelets. I had managed to find a 10 000 piece bead set for £5, which was ideal for giving many sessions of fun for about a dozen girls at a time, helped by Madam Gladys.

With the help of Mr Thomas the cycle repair instructor, we introduced Junior and Senior Meccano to the older boys. No one had seen such a thing! To be able to build a wide variety of battery powered vehicles and models from two kits was quite a revelation. Mr Thomas’ enthusiasm for the new activity was infectious, and we enjoyed many afternoon and evening sessions together. The boys learnt new skills, as they followed the three dimensional plans and saw the models coming together.

We introduced the game of chess to a couple of the teachers; Mr Thomas and Mr Onyango (drama and entertainments ) and one of the older boys Calvin, who was keen on drafts. They soon grasped the depth and interest of the game and have written to me saying that they continue to enjoy it and are teaching others to play.

“Warm greetings are coming to you flying like an antelope jumping from highland to lowland.”
Bella Atieno

Mary Hinde

My mum keeps well, and it was lovely to spend time with her most days, having cups of tea in her small sitting room. We just chatted about many things, and each afternoon at 5pm, after games, the routine was to walk the dogs (six of them) in the field.

Our stay

We settled into the guest house, where conditions are basic but improving with each passing year. We employed a cook called George to look after us. He took great pains to prepare tasty and diverse meals using locally sourced produce; fish caught the same day, ugali (maize meal) chapattis, vegetables and delicious tropical fruit salads.

He is also becoming a good friend and invited us to visit Lwak market (where he runs a photo studio) and his home nearby. This gave us many insights into his working and family life.

On one occasion Mr Thomas and I cycled to Aram to get a piece of welding done. What was special was that the metal worker was a young man, brought up in Double Joy, trained through the Polytechnic scheme, who is now making a living for himself.

Electricity

Double Joy now has electricity, which came online in March. The greatest benefit comes after dark, when classrooms and houses no longer struggle under the dim light of paraffin lamps or solar lighting (though this is kept in reserve).

The compound is also adequately lit at night allowing ease of movement and the jobs of the night security staff are made easier too. The clinic now has a fridge, and before long the office can benefit from a p.c. and in time an internet connection for e-mail.

A television has been installed in the hall and, under the strict control of Mr Onyango, can be watched so that the children can see aspects of the world outside. Mary Hinde says that, used properly, it is an important part of their understanding the world in which they are growing up.

To conclude

There are so many other experiences I could relate to you, but overall we saw that the children are happy, contented and secure. The staff are working hard to create an environment where the children can grow and develop in a balanced way.

Gift certificates continue to be available from Pauline Brennan at 25, Watery Lane Lancaster, LA1 2SQ. Please send a cheque (suggested donation £5, £10 or more) payable to Friends of Double Joy.

Bicycle repair workshop

An account by Mr Thomas Otieno, bicycle repair instructor.

Very many children are interested in cycle repair, especially boys, and even girls. They like this training because in this area the major means of transportation is by bicycle taxi, called ‘Boda boda’. These Boda boda are so many because we have few vehicles and also lack good roads, because most of them are murram (not tarmaced).

They are now seeing this training as important because there is high job opportunity, and it is self employment. I as a teacher am trying to convince them and encourage them to like this career, because it has some advantages. The tools they use are not expensive, and also to open a workshop is very cheap because you can only find a shady tree by the side of the road to do your repairs. You don’t need to build a good house for bicycle repair. This training is very profitable due to the fact that Boda boda is the major means of transportation.

Now I would like to open ways for even girls who are having interest in this training, because it will help them on their own bicycle, so that when they get breakdown they need not to worry. They can easily handle the problem.

News from the Treasurer, Chrissie Hinde

Double Joy continues to thrive thanks to your kindness and generosity.

Fundraisers

Thanks to all of you who thought of great ways to make money for Double Joy and to spread the word about Double Joy. Fundraising events have included Music and Dance evenings, carol singing, selling jam, cakes, cards and CDs, sponsored weigh-ins, and Bring and Buy stalls selling a range of goodies.

Fundraising, Donations and Standing Orders

Last year we made £49,702, (up £13,147 on the previous year) and managed to keep our total costs including bank charges down to £253. Many supporters donate by standing order, making a combined sum of £15,991 last year. This helps tremendously as it means we can commit a definite amount to Double Joy, and keep our admin costs low. Our donations fluctuate greatly month-by-month and having a predictable income provided by standing order is vital in ensuring that we cover the day- to-day expenses at Double Joy. If you donate regularly, please consider setting up a Standing Order - even £1 or £2 per month makes a big difference.

Gift Aid

Thanks too to those who have made Gift Aid declarations - we claimed £6535 in Gift Aid last year, a substantial boost to funds!

I can send a form to anyone who donates regularly or makes one-off payments. You only need to complete one form which covers all previous and future donations. (If you’re unsure if you have completed a form or would like to do so please contact me.) Chrissie

Where your money goes

Your money goes towards running Double Joy Children’s Farm, an orphanage which is home to 90 children. We also fund young people leaving Double Joy through vocational training at Polytechnic and then equip them with sewing machines or carpentry tools on completion. This is seen as a priority because it equips these young people to lead independent and productive lives in their community.

An additional expense this year has been to continue to assist with the cost of obtaining a mains electricity supply, now up and running. (See Glyn’s report)

Our funding provides a secure foundation for Double Joy, the children and staff.

Alan Nowell (FODJ trustee) now has two CDs available of his choir, Gladly Solemn Sound, singing selections of West Gallery music, £10 each. (50% goes to FODJ) e-mail: Alan Nowell

Seeking an Independent Examiner

Last year our Independent Examiner, Roger Kemp, stood down after providing us with a splendid service for 5 years. We are very thankful for all his work and support and I will certainly miss him.

We are now looking for a new Independent Examiner . This can be anyone who is independent from the interests of the charity and trustees and has a reasonable understanding of accountancy principles and familiarity with accountancy methods.

The task of the Examiner is to check the accounts of FODJ and Double Joy Children’s Farm, once a year, to ensure that your money is being spent in accordance with our Charity objectives.

If we are unable to find a volunteer we will have to pay an accountant, which we would like to avoid if possible. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please let me know. Chrissie Hinde (Treasurer)

“Wa tugo maber, wa lemo maber, kendo wa chiemo maber.” (We play well, we pray well and we eat well.)
Edward Okoth

Contact details

Friends of Double Joy (Reg. charity no. 1087172) supports Double Joy Children’s Farm, a home and school for children orphaned by AIDS:

PO Box 435
Bondo 40601
Kenya

www.double-joy.org.uk

Cheques should be made payable to ‘Friends of Double Joy’.

UK Head Office

Chrissie Hinde
FODJ
7 Sturton Road
Sheffield S4 7DE

Tel: 0114 242 3382
E-mail: chrissiehinde@onetel.com

Southern office

Glyn & Kristina Roseden
43 Willow Crescent
St Albans AL1 5DB

Tel: 01727 842655
E-mail: glyn@roseden.plus.com