Mediation and other updates

Collision among the older guys in the bases has erupted. The base called 7th street base and center line base were affected. Two guys from the 7th street base went and forcefully got a hand cart form a guy from center line base.  Later on they went and sold the cart to another base at a throw away price. Both these bases have older guys.

Feeling extremely angry the center lines guys took law in their hands and went for the two guys who had sold their cart to another base. They bet them up serious, the local chief and police station were involved , but washed their hands off the case. It later came to our doorstep at Eastleigh. The team there heard the story for both sides. A meeting was arranged for mediation. During the meeting that happened today, the center line base appeared. They agreed to solve the issue, and get compensated by the 7th street base. Issue is the 7th streets base never appeared for the meeting. MITS offered to help raise the funds half way to help purchase another hand cart, commonly known as 'mkokoteni'.

Today we also took our students for a shopping trip, the kids got to buy new clothes, shoes and other necessities they required. Thanks to those who always make this possible for our kids.

Future projects for MITS, are a new girls' dorm, a building for sewing plant to move into, a stone wall around the learning center. 

Since the breakage into the computer lab three weeks ago, we have temporarily stopped all computer classes that the literacy classes were having daily. Though the skills training guys are still on. Plans are in place to restore the stolen laptops.

We recently added a new team member that will help in the girls compound. Her name is Jane Kiama. She will be teaching SRA classes, English and help out in supervision of the girls. Jane has had vast experience in dealing with children.

Our cow, named Susan gave birth to a calf, three other goat have also given birth. The farm is in its planting stage, the kids with the help of the team are planting crops such as maize, beans among others. Healing Hands International donated some food stuff to MITS, this will really help to reduce the strain in our food budget, They donated 30 boxes of rice mixed with soya.

Medical issues amongst the kids are, Lucy Akinyi and Mercy Wasike regularly complain of back aches, Salim Mohammed had bilharzia and was quickly attended to, Charles Kimani was taken back to hospital for check ups, he started complaining of aches near the area where his growth on his back is, Doctors took samples and are testing it to see whether its cancerous or not, other minor cases are that of allergies. All kids are under medication of have been refered to professional help from hospitals in Nairobi. 

Anthony, one of the newer boys lost his step father. His mother insited on him attendinng the burial. Anthony was never close with is step father hence refused to attend the burial. His mother just wanted Anthiny to attend the burial so as the clans people would recognise her and allow her to inherit the small wealth that the step dad ahd left. We also noticed that Anthony also feared his mother, since he claims that his mother would beat him up and take him to witch doctors. The Eastleigh team had difficult time during intake process.

Exit Students updates

This is an update of the students that exited this year:

  

 1. Jackqueline Njoki: - Stays with Mary Wangui in an apartment in Eastleigh and works in Amani ya Juu. We have only one month of rent support for them and report from her work is that she is doing very well.

2. Mary Muthoni: - stays with her cousin Mary Waithera in Banana (a suburb located on the far west side of town) and works at Amani ya Juu with Jackqueline with a side job to bring in extra income on Saturday teaching students in Westlands.

3. Titus Musyoki: still in college in Revlon Professional School of hair dressing this year. He also goes for attachment at Narcisse salon in the Sarit center run by Nargis Manji who has employed a lot of girls trained in our hair dressing program.

4. Lucy Akinyi: she finished her intern ship last year, was to start her on attachment but we discovered that she has a back problem because of lifting heavy things as a mechanic and she was advised to change her career. The next alternative that she wanted was Hairdressing or work at an office for a garage as a secretary.

5. Mwanahawa Simaiya: she finished her internship last year, got a job in a shop in Ngara market near where Cecilia Mwinza is doing her attachment.

6. Anastacia Njeri: Moved from the Platinum foods two months ago because of poor pay and long hours of working. She stays in Huruma but works in a small hotel in Kojen area downtown near Grogon area.

7. Jackson Issac: finished college at Kenya Institute of Professional Studies and was in the process of looking for a job, He was dismissed because of indiscipline cases together with other students.

8. Dennis Kamau: finished college at Kenya Institute of Professional studies and still looking for a job, currently an opportunity in a town called Nakuru which is 2hrs drive from Nairobi has risen working in a church that needs a camera man and editor for their video ministry. Stays in an apartment in Mwiki area in Nairobi 20minutes drive from Kamulu.

9. David Mutimbi : works at 4wheelers garage in the up-market area of village market. He is finishing his attachment this month of July 2012 and they will permanently employ him in August 2012. He is also supposed to move from MITS in August and MITS will cover his rent for 3 months and fare for the month of August as he awaits his salary at the end of the month.

10. George Omondi: was on attachment at 4wheeler with David but he decided to quit and go back to the streets. He went missing for one week before we found out that he had gone back to the streets.

11. George Mwenda: On attachment in Eastleigh in the street ministry. Had a job in Ruiru in a foodmart called Iruga foods but had to stop because of his health condition from lifting things and his one eye was also giving him problem from the dust working with the foodstuffs

12. Charles Kimani: on attachment at MITS woodshop under Robin. He is hardworking man. From time to time Charles has back pains where he had an operation towards the end of last year.

13. Kevin Mweti: had just finished training in auto-mechanics but was dismissed because of indiscipline cases and use of drugs while on our property.

14. Paul Zakayo: was working at a restaurant called M & S, but had to quit because of the poor working conditions that was there and had been sick several times. Was later dismissed from MITS because of indiscipline and use of drugs and alcohol

15.Duncan Mwangi: had gone several opportunities at Milele Salon where Mary Wangui was working and another place called Roots salon but was not very committed to his work thus lost the opportunities and later was dismissed because of indiscipline and drug abuse. After several weeks in the streets he repented and came back to apologize and said that he was ready to work, he personally when to the manager of Roots Salon as asked if he could be given another chance where he was told to come back in August. In Eastleigh we have met him back home with his mother and we are currently helping him acquire an ID so that he can start work next month. Duncan is  an example of the prodigal son. 

16. Mary Wangui: Working in Milele Salon in Hurlingham area which is an up-market area. Reports from her employer is that she is doing well. She shares an apartment with Jacky and they still have one month support from MITS.

17. Elizabeth Wanjiku: has moved out of MITS, was staying with the aunt but did not work. She is staying with a friend and she has looked for another job which will be starting in August 2012. She is yet to use her 3 months support from MITS.

18. John Mwangi: working at the MITS photo shop and still at MITS. The next plan is to move him to his own apartment and he has already gotten his ID

19 Veronicah Wambui: moved from her job in Ruiru at Eagles Foods because of complain of mistreatment from the employer, works in Industrial area at a small bakery called Omega bakery. She is doing well and has gone back to staying with her month. Veronicah came under the teenager mother program and she gave birth to a daughter called Hollye when she came to MITS. The daughter is all grown up and doing well

20 Fredrick Otieno: works at MITS café and doing a good job. He is a hardworking young man.

21. Cecilia Mwinza: still on attachment in Ngara (local market that deals majorly in dressmaking) at a place called Winnex fashion for sewing, she still requires food,  fare and housing.

22. Edward Muhea: - Started College at Kenya Institute of Professional Studies doing Computer Mass media for one and half year, was also excited to have also gotten his ID this month. Edward is an intelligent and obedient young man. We are pleased with his participation in the church and encouraging his peers.

23. Alexander Atema: still studying at Nairobi Great Commission for Pastoring. He has been doing well working with Kamulu Church in helping out in Lord table and encouraging his peers.

24. Priscah Kerubo: MITS is still supporting Priscah as she stays with her parents. Priscah had at the beginning of this year run from MITS and gone to the streets but later repented and decided to leave street life and go back home. Daniel Meeks had counseled her to go back home and rebuild her life and she done just that. She attends a catering school and has been learning a lot of things. We praise God for that also.

By Joel Njue