FDC feels Christmas Cheer at the Christmas Fair
Many thanks to all those who visited our stall last weekend at the Christmas Fair, chatted to our students and bought our Christmas cards, notelets, aprons, etc. It was a fabulous sunny weekend and everyone agreed the set up of the Fair was perfect for vendors and visitors alike!
Many thanks to the organisers, The Christmas Trust, for our tent and the generosity they have shown to Friends of Dagoretti Children over the last few years! We are so grateful.
We had a great weekend, both in terms of sales, and spreading the word about FDC. Likewise, so did many others - some wonderful Christmas gifts bought and many other charities, like us, benefited too! Christmas charity with Christmas cheer! What could be better?
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Marching On
This term has been an incredibly busy one! Catherine assessed many potential new Form 1 intakes and we are delighted to report that we have four new students who have joined secondary schools in Form 1 (David, Solomon, Jackson and Dorcas), and one maturer student (Ann) who is joining St Columba's Technical Training College in Kitui. Well done to Catherine, for the assessment process and home visits undertaken. These are not easy decisions when there are so many worthy candidates to chose from. This new intake brings our numbers up to 61 students - 30 girls and 31 boys. 20 are in secondary schools, 25 are doing tertiary courses and 16 have completed KCSE and are looking at their next options.
We are so pleased to announce that our 14 Form 4 students, who took their KCSE exams in November all did well. Particular praise and mention must go to Mercy Kalekye and Dennis Chomba who both achieved A minus grades, which is a great achievement - we are so proud of them after all their hard work. There are always a few personal disappointments but it is worth mentioning here and reminding them, of the hurdles that a number of them have overcome to get this far!
We are now following up on a number of kind offers to provide work experience, placements or even permanent jobs for our students. Many thanks to all those who are part of this initiative. The exposure these students get from spending time in companies and different departments is invaluable!
Please remember that if you would like to buy Easter cards, you can buy them from FDC - on sale in KPS, Siafu and at the Karen Club shop. Ksh 100 per card.
Last, but not least, we had a terrific end of term and prize-giving in December and are delighted to report that the following students won awards:
Academic prizes to:
1. Dennis Chomba, Francis Kioi
2. Mercy Kalekye
3. Christine Wanjiku
4. Rosemary Nga'ng'a
5. Catherine Muraguri and Grace Wamaitha
Most improved student:
Stephen Njihia
Maths improvement:
Alfred Ndundiro (From a D- to a B-)
Most helpful student during the year:
James Odhiambo
Initiative Prize:
Brian Gitu - chosen to audition for a play with Nation TV
Duncan Wataka: who has lived on his own since clearing Form 4 and done all sorts of jobs to earn his living, while he waits to join tertiary education.
We are pleased to report back that tables are filling fast for our big Fundraiser on Friday 28th November at Karen Country Club, 7.30 pm by the pool. We are still taking bookings, so please contact us if you would like to buy a ticket or better still, organise a table! It is shaping up to be a fabulous evening with some great auction donations and lively entertainment by The Soul Syndicate.
We have also printed a new Christmas card design as they have been selling like hot-cakes! These are available in various Karen shops, at the Karen Country Club shop or via a committee member. 500 Ksh for a pack of five!
Last but not least, we are thrilled to see an FDC photo on the front cover of the Karen Country Club Charity Golf Day magazine, and an article on Duncan Wataka on page 4. Copies of the magazine can be picked up at the Club and once again we would like to thank all our supporters for their continued interest and donations over the years - be it through corporate or private donations, attending our fundraising events or buying our cards, notelets, aprons and bridge pads! It all makes such a difference to our ability to fund the students (currently 56) through secondary and tertiary education.
Our Year 4s have just taken their KCSE exams and we wish them the best of luck in getting the good results that they deserve!
