Kisima academy

For people who send Kisima Academy donations directly to FTKI, the address has changed. It is now: FTKI, 6614 Van Winkle Dr., Falls Church, VA 22044.



Kisima Academy, a mission of COS, is a Christian orphanage and school in rural western Kenya.


Many of you know that I returned recently from a visit to Kisima Academy. It was a great trip. There were twelve people, six from here, four friends from Michigan, one from Ohio, and one from New Jersey. We went with two 50-lb. suitcases each, filled with 300 books, about 250 pairs of shoes, 14 tablet computers from TAP, curtains for the 29 windows of the dorms and dining hall, 20 dresses sewn by the Women’s Ministry Group of the Community Church, lots of sports equipment and lots of school, sewing, and craft supplies.


Everyone went with lots of plans and lots was accomplished. My primary aim was to set up a library. First the Director and the staff had to be convinced of the importance of recreational reading--how it broadens horizons and improves reading skills. Only one of the teachers had been in a library and the concept of checking out books was foreign to them. Another former librarian on the trip spent the entire time working with the teachers and training the teacher librarian and student aides. The kids were so excited to check out books! Nearly everywhere I went there were kids reading.


Other activities: teaching sewing to the older kids, doing vision testing on all the students, teaching music, coaching sports, doing crafts, and generally interacting with the kids. One person planned and created a carnival for Sunday after church including face painting, making origami frogs, playing pin the nose on the clown, fishing in a “fish pond,” bowling ping pong balls into plastic cups, playing a corn hole game, and having tortillas with butter and cinnamon sugar. The grand finale was breaking a piñata which was great fun for the spectators as well as the participants.

Here's a link to a photo album from the trip: (Kisima Visit Album)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/8PxzhD7pvYNC4PXFA.
You might know that we also went on a short two-day safari after we leave Kisima. If you’re interested you can click here to see some of those photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/YWpaWHqGsyowMWes5. (Masai Mara album)

This is the first year that we’ve had kids graduating from high school. We’re trying to work out how to handle their future training or college. Of course we’re hoping that their sponsors will continue sponsoring them but in most cases their financial needs will be greater than in high school. If you would like to help give a scholarship to a deserving orphan or contribute to the final building project, a much-needed computer lab/library, please go to the website www.friendsofkisima.org.


Gerda Fink, COS Kisima Committee Chair-person, www.friendsofkisima.org, on Facebook at Friends of Kisima Academy.

update

2018 was another successful year at Kisima. Heartfelt thanks go to the sponsors and donors who helped make the care and education of the children possible. Everyone in the Kisima community is deeply appreciative of their support. Last year 75 orphans were cared for and educated, another 170 community students were educated, and 58 Kisima graduates were supported in high schools, most of them in boarding high schools.


In December the exam results were released for primary and secondary school graduates. There was a huge celebration for the record five 8th grade students qualifying for the elite na-tional high schools.


The high school seniors did very well also: our students qualified for universities. These are the first Kisima students to graduate from high school and we’re working at figuring out what’s next for them. Those not going to universities will go to colleges, VO-tech schools, or various training programs. Please pray for guidance as we feel our way forward.

Gerda Fink