Signs of the Times

This week we visited Alice Atieno (below, second from the right) at the Karen Technical Training Institute for the Deaf. We are so pleased to report back that she is making huge progress there, and has achieved good term grades.

We found her cooking up a storm with her fellow students - but whilst the class room was quiet there were obviously many animated exchanges going on, and the ingredients were being mixed with much culinary cheer! 

In September, Alice will be going on attachment, which she is much looking forward to. She spoke to us of her excitement at being exposed to more of the outside world and of how much she wants to learn new techniques and meet new friends and colleagues. 

When we asked her if she had encountered any particular challenges this year, her confident reply was that challenges are normal and to be coped with on an every day basis - one way or another, without fuss. This pragmatic approach to life was echoed in her recommendation to the Dean that it would be great to have more items available for their practicals - budget permitting. 

On our way out, Alice, realising our inability to follow what she was  'signing', rushed off to bring us her signing text book - which we will now do our best to delve into and learn from - so that on our next visit we can do better than our weird and wonderful gestures, that must have made a few of her class mates giggle! 

Alice with Catherine in the Dean's office and Catherine with Alice's 'signing' book.

Alice with Norah Joy Iganza, the Dean of Students

AGM - Tuesday 12th May at 3pm

We would like to announce that our AGM will be held on Tuesday 12th May at Mahali Pa Watoto School, Karinde, (off Dagoretti Road) at 3pm. Refreshments will be served afterwards. We do hope that many of you will be able to attend as it is a great opportunity to meet committee members and students alike!

DIRECTIONS TO MAHALI PA WATOTO SCHOOL

• Take road from Karen roundabout to Dagoretti Market

• Past the road bumps outside the Bible School, the road curves to the right.

• Shortly after the curve there is a sign “FREE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH” on the right. Take this rough road, which goes uphill and past a number of kiosks. There are three or four turnings to the left. Take the one with an FDC sign (which we will put up that afternoon).

• A little less than 100 yards along there you will see the school on your right. No sign, but quite obvious.

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.

Happy New Year! 

Friends of Dagoretti Children would like to wish all its students, friends and supporters a very Happy New Year - with good health and much happiness and success during 2015!

FDC's Fabulous Fundraiser of 2014

Many thanks to all of our sponsors and to all those who attended our annual fundraiser at Karen Country Club, which went off so well again – we were incredibly lucky with the weather as we were all packed into the tent like sardines, and Alastair Addison once again worked his magic with the auction and the band played on into the small hours – keeping everyone entertained! Fundraising at its best – and we think it is true to say that everyone really enjoyed themselves!

Readers will be pleased to hear, that thanks to the auction and raffle, we managed to raise a very respectable sum of money – matching last year’s total of Ksh 1.4M! This is a great achievement and brings some peace of mind to our treasurer, as the cost of education continues to rise! 

It only remains for us to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

All the best from the students and committee members of FDC.

Many thanks to the following:

Karen Country Club; Wines of the World; Soul Syndicate; The Cake Lady; Alastair Addison.

Sponsors:

Governors' Camp; Hemingways; Air Kenya; Safarilink; Emakoko Tented Camp; Rea Vipingo; Patrick Mavros; Karen Rowe; Crista Cullen; Stuart Cohen, The Talisman; Joss Taylor; Neil and Linda Cuthbert.

Graduation Glory and Pride

On Saturday 23rd August, FDC held its first Graduation Ceremony for eight of its students. Rather than read all about it, sit back and enjoy this short 'movie':

(Warning - this is a large file and may not play on an ipad or smart phone).

Our graduates and their courses:

Bernard Kibera - Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology
Aaron Njoroge - Diploma in Telecommunication Engineering
John Chege - BSC in Mathematics and Statistics
Harrison Mugo - Certificate in Food Technology
Fred Opel - Diploma in Clinical Medicine
Catherine Kangethe - Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies
Susan Mbugua - Diploma in Beauty Technology and Hairdressing, Revlon College
Paul Waruhiu - Degree in Sociology and Diploma in Business Management
Zacharia Gakunju - Diploma in Clinical Medicine

Absent:
Veronica Robe - Degree in Electrical Engineering
James Muniu - Diploma in I.T.
Winnie Njuguna - Diploma in Teaching
Margaret Ngugi - Degree in Business Management (Aviaton option)
Anthony Njuguna - Course at Graffins College
Joseph Kamau - Diploma in Electrical Engineering

Some additional photos:

Pop with John

And with Paul

With Aaron

With Bernard

With Susan

Limbering up for the award ceremony

Bernard with Linda

Susan, Mary, Linda and Catherine

Work Experience

Thanks so much to John, Patsy and Derek for taking Hannah Mbugua on for some work experience at the Sercombe Veterinary Practice this week! 

We visited her there yesterday where we found her, all smiles, helping with the various pets and learning all about daily life at a busy vet's practice. Hannah is keen on pursuing a career in animal husbandry or agriculture and this experience is invaluable in giving her a glimpse of working with animals - and their owners too! 

Welcome to Friends of Dagoretti Children's blog - a new venture to make finding out about us easier and more interesting!

Please bear with us, whilst we set up the posts and pages, and once up and running, we would love to receive your feedback!