Change of dates

Dear Patrons, We have faced unprecedented financial constraints forcing us to revise our budget from a five days/four nights to one day/one night event. This owes a large extend to this year's double holiday season, i.e. Eid Al Adha and Christmas holidays' mergers resulting to tight budgets on the part of portential donors. However, we have noted with gratitude your deep desire to support the X-mas Torch initiative, the results of which have made it possible to proceed with at least one day/one night joyous moments for the children. The promise to the children is steadfast. They will celebrate the Christmas Day in a special way that will remain forever engraved in their memories, part of which you are. Thank you so much and looking forward to your presence those who are able to make it to Nanyuki on Monday 24th and or Tuesday 25th. The Christmas Day celebration will proceed as earlier planned. God Bless you all.

Thank you 98.4 Capital FM, Nairobi

What a great way to support the Xmas Torch this morning! It was a grand opportunity to air the children's plight with you live on air and that was invaluable. We believe this has without doubt brought greater awareness of the little things that matter to the less fortunate in the society, which is one of the key objectives of the Xmas Torch intiative. Thank you once again 98.4 Capital FM.

IRANIAN MEDICAL CLINIC SUPPORT

We are very grateful for the Iranian Medical Clinic - Kenya for their support. They will be offering free medical care to our Xmas Torch children after the vacation. They will pick them up from wherever these children are and drop to their clinic in Nairobi to offer their services. We are humbled by this very kind gesture. God bless you.

Privileged to have Dr. Japhet Joel Muthuri - Peadiatrician for 25 years

Dr.Japhet Joel Muthuri a practicing paediatrician for 25 years will be present from 20th December and will examine the Xmas Torch children and will be there throughout offering his services to the children

MEET THE CHILDREN (more photos coming up)

Thank you Nairobi East Rotary Club

You bought 40 school bags for the X-mas Torch children and that was an invaluable contribution that cannot go unnoticed. Rest assured that the children will be immensely grateful and would have wanted to thank you in person. On their behalf, thank you once again.

NAKURU TRIP

Hey friends, This Sunday December 9th we had a great day with the Bethesda children. These are the rehabilitated street boys. We were also joined by some of the street children from Nakuru town and it was such a beautiful day! The joy seeing those boys change their clothes into the clothes we had taken for them was so overwhelming! Attached is one of the pictures taken with the boys. Your contribution with anything that you wish to dispose of is all that is needed. The joy will be yours as you give to these children.

Correspondent Bank Details

Account number 0170191636954. Lolaine Karwitha Kirigia and others. Equity Bank. Community branch. CORRESPONDENT BANK DETAILS GBP LONDON : Correspondent bank: Citibank N.A. London Swift code: CITIGB2L IBAN Number GB90CITI18500811111108 Beneficiary bank: Equity Bank Ltd GBP Account No: 11111108 For further credit to: (A/C no……………, A/C name and Branch……………………..) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- USD NEW YORK Correspondent bank : Citibank New York Swift Code: CITIUS33 Routing Number:- 10998978 Beneficiary bank: Equity Bank Ltd USD Account No: 36247363 For further credit to: (A/C no……………, A/C name and Branch……………………..) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ EURO FRANKFURT: Correspondent bank :Citibank Franfurt Swift Code: CITIDEFF IBAN Number DE48502109004116931007 Beneficiary bank: Equity Bank Ltd Euro Account No: 4116931 007 For further credit to: (A/C no……………, A/C name and Branch……………………..) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ZAR SOUTH AFRICA: Correspondent bank :Standard Bank of South Africa Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ Beneficiary bank: Equity Bank Ltd Swift code: EQBLKENA Account No: 7221583 For further credit to: (A/C no……………, A/C name and Branch……………………..)

FROM HUMBLE HEARTS

THE FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF CHILDREN AFFECTED WITH H.I.V - AIDS 1. Name: Betty Paul Age: 13years Born 7/11/1995 Betty Paul is the second born in a family of four. The grandmother died of AIDS in the year 2006. 2. Name: Joy Chepngeno Age:11 years Born:19/8/1996 Joy Chepkengeno is the first born in a family of two. The mother left her in the care of the grandmother who later on died of AIDS in the year 2006 November.She was later left with the care of neighbor but decided to run and come to Nairobi to stay with the mother. 3. Name: Hilda Anyuolo Age:14 years Born:1/1993 Hilda Anyuolo is the last born in a family of 5. She is an orphan. Both parents died when she was very young. The parents died of AIDS 4. Name: Mercy Njeri Age 9 years Born 1998 Mercy Njeri is the last born in a family of six. She has a twin sister. She comes from a single mother family. Her cousin past away with H.I.V – AIDS 5. Name: Ruth Muthoni Age 9 years Born 1998 Ruth Muthoni is the last born in a family of six. She has a twin sister. She comes from a single mother family. Her mother separated with the dad. Later on the passed away. Also her cousin died of H.I.V AIDS. 9. Name Joyce Wamboi Age: 8 years Born 4/7/1999 Joyce Wamboi is the first born in a family of three from a single mother. Her cousin died of H.I.V.- AIDS two years a go. 10. Name: Charity Wamaitha Age: 6 years Born 18/8/2001 Charity Wamaitha is the second born in a family of three. Her cousin died of H.I.V - AIDS. She comes from a single mother family. 11. Name: Grace kalondu Age:7 years Born 1/2000 She is the last born in a family of three from a family of single mother. The Uncle passed away with H.I.V. – AIDS. 12. Name: Mumbua kalondo Age: 9 Years Born 1/1997 She is the second born in a family of three from a family of a single mother. The Uncle past away with H.I.V. - AIDS

GUIDELINES FOR 6 DAY XMAS TORCH ADVENTURE with RVA

Youth at Risk Development Programme Trip Objectives • Participate in a beneficial community project for a local school or Community Group Ranch. • Challenge the students physically and mentally in a wilderness setting. • Learn new skills and have fun in the outdoors. • Instill confidence and self-esteem. • Expose personal strengths and weaknesses and deal with them. • Explore and understand the natural environment. • Push the boundaries of students comfort zones. • Exposure to leadership and teamwork functions, styles and responsibilities. • Understand local flora and fauna. Outcomes • Tolerance and understanding of different lifestyles and cultures. • Mental and physical well-being. • Understand the natural environment and enjoyment of the wilderness. • Sense of achievement of completing a multi-activity expedition. • Students are more committed and focused with more energy and skills to creating an environment of trust and open communication. • Students promote and develop leadership and teamwork. • With new found skills, confidence and self-esteem they can arise to challenges, problems and pressures in school and society.

THANK YOU!

We want to say a big Thank You to all those who have continued to support us. Mr. Cecil Miller of Miller & Co. Advocates has paid for the printing of the t-shirts that our children will be wearing on Christmas day and we can't thank him enough for his generous support to us. Thank You Mr. Miller. Our many thanks also go to Mr. Ben Oluoch and his firm Oluoch Olunya & Co. Advocates also for his generous support. Mr & Mrs Oscar Kangoro who have bought our children water bottles and Christmas hats. We truly are grateful. We continue to receive a lot of support and we shall keep you all updated. God bless you all.

XMAS TORCH 2007 LETTER

Dear Friend, RE: XMAS TORCH 2007 I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the XMAS TORCH 2007. It is about reaching out to less fortunate children and giving them the most unforgettable Christmas ever. To achieve this, we will require some financial and other assistance some of which we are hoping to get from you our friends and your friends. XMAS TORCH 2007 will host a five day event in Nanyuki for fifty children from various homes.(Please visit www.riftvalleyadventures.com who will be hosting us). During the five days, the children will participate in various activities which will be educational, motivational and fun. On Christmas day they will invite twenty children from a home in Nanyuki to enjoy Christmas lunch and gifts. We have opened an account with Equity Bank where all donations can be sent. The account number is 0170191636954. So far we have received donations in the form of clothes and toys. We have also received pledges from various friends around the world. As friends who are trying to put together this event, we have bought various gifts for the gift bags. We have also contributed the initial deposit to the account to help meet the costs for Rift Valley Adventures and purchasing other requirements for the event. However, this is not nearly enough and your kind contribution will be greatly appreciated. Please find attached a summary of the XMAS TORCH 2007 proposal. It is our humble request that you support this worthy cause in any way you can. We look forward to your favourable response. Lorraine Kirigia Founder 0729 527 860 Bella Omino Co Founder For XMAS TORCH 2007

XMAS TORCH 2007 SUMMARY

XMAS TORCH 2007” INTRODUCTION Xmas Torch was conceived over a year ago when an act of kindness towards disadvantaged people in South Africa inspired a young Kenyan to reach out to disadvantaged people in Kenya. Together with a group of friends and other well-wishers, Xmas Torch has developed into a concept that is intended to impact less fortunate kids in a lasting and positive manner. Xmas Torch will be a time when this group of friends will give less fortunate children an opportunity to enjoy Christmas in a way that they have never experienced before. OBJECTIVE The main of objective of Xmas Torch is to spend 5 unforgettable days with children who are affected or infected by HIV & Aids, incurable diseases, poverty, orphans and rape victims among others. The children will be identified from Bethesda in Nakuru, Galilee in Soweto Nairobi, Humble Hearts and Oasis Children homes. Over the 5 days, the children will engage in various outdoor activities which will be educational, motivational and fun. At the end of the 5 day stint, it is our hope that they leave there feeling more confident and positive about life. WHERE & WHEN Xmas Torch will work closely with Rift Valley Adventures, a company based in Nanyuki that has offered to host the event for the 5 days at a small fee. The children will leave Nairobi on the 20th December 2007 for Nanyuki and return to their respective homes on the 26th December 2007. BUDGET To pull this off, there will be a small financial requirement. We believe with an estimated budget of Ksh 3 Million we should be able to put together an unforgettable Christmas event. 1). Rift Valley Adventures at a cost of 16,000/= per head. 2). Gift bags at a cost of 10,000/= per bag, 5000/= of which will go towards a voucher that the will go towards school expenses. 3). Christmas day wonderland for 70 kids. 4).The miscellaneous budget should cover media coverage for the days leading up to the event and the big day. To date, we have received pledges from friends around the world and donations towards the gift bags. We are seeking contributions, be they large or small to help meet the costs to put together this event. Xmas Torch will be an annual event and the media coverage will highlight this so we are able to reach more kids next year.

The Children Profiles

CHILD PROFILE FORM Child: Dunstan Otieno Date of Birth: 12th September 1995 Gender Male Shoe size: Five School Information School Year Level Grade 6 Class Favourite Subject/s Maths Science English Social studies Hobbies Playing and watching football Ambition/s, becoming a Soldier or Driver Family Information Child Lives with Father and Mother Brothers 1 Sisters 3 Environment Information Home Location Silanga village (Kibera) Transport to School Walking Type of House Mud/Clay Electricity in the House NO Food Source/s Feed the Children Org. Parents/Guardians Main Daily Food/s Ugali Rice Fish Language/s English Kiswahili Luo (vernacular) Chore/s undertaken at home Being sent to shop and fetching water END CHILD PROFILE FORM Child: Christine Imbira Date of Birth: 24th February 1994 Gender Female Shoe size: Five School Information School Year Level Grade 6 Class Favourite Subject/s Maths Science English Kiswahili Hobbies Hide and seek and watching movies Ambition/s, becoming a Doctor Family Information Child Lives with Father and Mother Brothers 5 Sisters 2 Environment Information Home Location Silanga village (Kibera) Transport to School Walking Type of House Mud/Clay Electricity in the House Yes Food Source/s Feed the Children Org. Parents/Guardians Main Daily Food/s Ugali Rice Fish Language/s English Kiswahili Luhya (vernacular) Chore/s undertaken at home Washing utencils, sweeping house, and being sent to shop END CHILD PROFILE FORM Child: Selina Injau Date of Birth: 23rd July 1994 Gender Female Shoe size: Five School Information School Year Level Grade 6 Class Favourite Subject/s Maths Kiswahili Science Hobbies Rounders and pebbles Ambition/s, becoming a Teacher Family Information Child Lives with Father and Mother Brothers 3 Sisters 3 Environment Information Home Location Laini saba village (Kibera) Transport to School Walking Type of House Mud/Clay Electricity in the House Yes Food Source/s Feed the Children Org. Parents/Guardians Main Daily Food/s Ugali Rice Fish Language/s English Kiswahili Chore/s undertaken at home Washing utensils and fetching water END CHILD PROFILE FORM Child: Justin Omunywa Date of Birth: 19rd July 1994 Gender Male Shoe size: Five School Information School Year Level Grade 6 Class Favourite Subject/s Maths English Science Hobbies Playing and watching football Ambition/s, becoming a Engineer Family Information Child Lives with Father Brothers 1 Sisters 2 Environment Information Home Location Silanga village (Kibera) Transport to School Walking Type of House Mud/Clay Electricity in the House Yes Food Source/s Feed the Children Org. Parents/Guardians Main Daily Food/s Ugali Rice Language/s English Kiswahili Kisii (vernacular) Chore/s undertaken at home Washing utencils and fetching water END CHILD PROFILE FORM Child: Winnie Apondi Date of Birth: 22nd July 1994 Gender Female Shoe size: Five School Information School Year Level Grade 6 Class Favourite Subject/s Maths English Social Studies Science Hobbies Rounders and Pebbles competition Ambition/s, becoming a Pilot Family Information Child Lives with Father and Mother Brothers 4 Sisters 6 Environment Information Home Location Silanga village (Kibera) Transport to School Walking Type of House Mud/Clay Electricity in the House Yes Food Source/s Feed the Children Org. Parents/Guardians Main Daily Food/s Rice Fish Language/s English Kiswahili Luhya (vernacular) Chore/s undertaken at home Washing clothes, sweeping house and fetching water END CHILD PROFILE FORM Child: Kennedy Angi Date of Birth: 24th April 1993 Gender Female Shoe size: Five School Information School Year Level Grade 6 Class Favourite Subject/s English Science Maths Hobbies Playing and watching football Ambition/s, becoming a Footballer Family Information Child Lives with Mother Brothers 1 Sisters 1 Environment Information Home Location Lindi village (Kibera) Transport to School Walking Type of House Mud/Clay Electricity in the House NO Food Source/s Feed the Children Org. Parents/Guardians Main Daily Food/s Ugali Rice Language/s English Kiswahili Luhya (vernacular) Chore/s undertaken at home Washing clothes Fetching Water END CHILD PROFILE FORM Child: Alex Wambete Date of Birth: 16th June 1994 Gender Male Shoe size: Five School Information School Year Level Grade 6 Class Favourite Subject/s English Science Hobbies Playing and watching football Watching movies Ambition/s, becoming a Doctor Family Information Child Lives with Mother Brothers 1 Sisters 1 Environment Information Home Location Silanga village (Kibera) Transport to School Walking Type of House Mud/Clay Electricity in the House NO Food Source/s Feed the Children Org. Parents/Guardians Main Daily Food/s Ugali Rice Language/s English Kiswahili Luhya (vernacular) Chore/s undertaken at home Washing clothes Fetching Water END CHILD PROFILE FORM Child: Fredrick Cheseremi Date of Birth: 3rd August 1994 Gender Male Shoe size: Four School Information School Year Level Grade 6 Class Favourite Subject/s Maths Science Hobbies Playing and watching football Ambition/s, becoming a Engineer Family Information Child Lives with Father Brothers 4 Sisters 3 Environment Information Home Location Lindi village (Kibera) Transport to School Walking Type of House Mud/Clay Electricity in the House NO Food Source/s Feed the Children Org. Parents/Guardians Main Daily Food/s Ugali Rice Fish Language/s English Kiswahili Luhya (vernacular) Chore/s undertaken at home Washing utencils END CHILD PROFILE FORM Child: Jackton Okuku Date of Birth: 6th August 1995 Gender Male Shoe size: Four School Information School Year Level Grade 6 Class Favourite Subject/s Maths English Kiswahili Hobbies Playing and watching football Ambition/s, becoming a Doctor Family Information Child Lives with Uncle Brothers 4 Sisters 2 Environment Information Home Location Lindi village (Kibera) Transport to School Walking Type of House Mud/Clay Electricity in the House Yes Food Source/s Feed the Children Org. Parents/Guardians Main Daily Food/s Ugali Rice Fish Language/s English Kiswahili Luhya (vernacular) Chore/s undertaken at home Washing utencils Fetching water Being sent to shop Taking care of siblings END CHILD PROFILE FORM Child: Flavian Kamonya Date of Birth: 1994 Gender Female Shoe size: Five School Information School Year Level Grade 6 Class Favourite Subject/s Social Studies Hobbies Rounders and pebbles Ambition/s, becoming a Lawyer Family Information Child Lives with Father and Mother Brothers 4 Sisters 2 Environment Information Home Location Silanga village (Kibera) Transport to School Walking Type of House Mud/Clay Electricity in the House Yes Food Source/s Feed the Children Org. Parents/Guardians Main Daily Food/s Ugali Rice Fish Language/s English Kiswahili Luhya (vernacular) Chore/s undertaken at home Washing utensils and fetching water END

XMAS TORCH UPDATE

We have great news to report. Thanks to our good friend at the World Vision we have all our 50 children confirmed and ready for a Christmas to remember! The children come from Humble Hearts which is located in Dandora, Oasis Africa which is in Kibera, Bethesda in Nakuru and we have 3 children from Kangemi. All these children are living with either HIV/Aids, are orphaned or live in dire poverty. We have rehabilatated street boys from Nakuru some of whom have gone back to school and are doing very well. Please visit all the webistes linked on this blog to learn more about these children and the homes they stay in. Rift Valley Adventures (RVA) will be hosting us from December 20 - December 25. We have linked RVA on the blog so please visit them to learn more about them and what they do.

The Xmas Torch Logo!

Dear Friends, Here is a logo created by one of the friends of the Xmas Torch project that I have adopted I hope you like it. There is alot of update that I will be posting this week. Thank you for all your support. I have been touched, moved and very Inspired by all of you! It is the little things that we do indeed that make a difference in the world like Mahtma Gandhi said "We must Be the Change we wish to see in the world" God bless you. Look out for the exciting news coming this week.

Follow Up

I am so grateful for all the feedback I continue to receive. It is amazing to know how many of you out there are aboard this journey with us and God bless you all. A few things to clarify though: 1. Objective of this Project: I have received alot of concerns on how giving such an elaborate Xmas may not be such a good thing for these children in the long run. Please remember our main goal is to let these children for once be children and give them a Xmas they can never forget. I know we can't handle all their problems with this one visit but it will be a start at least. So please know that we have considered the repercussions this is why we chose to Xmas as a start. 2. Selection of the Children Joseph Mwenda who works with World Vision has suggested good ideas on how to go about the selection of the children. He's already looking at a few children since he works with most of the right people he will be soon advising us accordingly and I will be putting up as and when I receive this information. Please keep writing and again I can't tell you how grateful I am for all your support. God bless.

introduction

Over a year ago I received what is my best gift yet. Steve my good friend brought me Oprah’s 20th Anniversary DVD as a New Year’s gift. Anytime I am down or feeling discouraged I play this DVD and I have asked almost everyone in my life to get this DVD. The 5th disc is my favorite and after watching Xmas Kindness that Oprah did in 2003 in SA, which has absolutely changed my life, I knew I was in this world for a higher purpose than I know. However I didn’t know what it is I really wanted to do but I knew I had to do something special for another human being. This is how ‘Xmas Torch’ was born it will be a time that you my friends and I will spend 5 days with children worst affected by HIV & Aids, incurable sicknesses, poverty and rape victims.

Objective

Christmas is one of the best holidays for many. It is that time of the year that we all try to get time off work and spend it with our families. However there are those that have no idea what is Christmas because for them it is life as usual with nothing different but the same hard life they are used to. All I want to do for these children is give them an unforgettable week where they will think of nothing else but let them be children for 5 days! Let them party and have fun for once in their lives. Validate them, have a more meaningful Xmas one that is more than just eating and merry making with family. This is jsut a beginning of better things to come and better things for them to look forward to in life. It is important for them to know that there is more to life than the problems they face daily.

Target

The children will come from different homes that our good friend at the World Vision will help us with. They must all meet our criteria which is they must be either children that are worst hit by HIV & AIDS, orphaned, rape victims, they should come from extreme poor backgrounds etc. We do understand the responsibility that comes with dealing with these children and this is why we are working with the best in the industry. My target number is 50 children.