KIMUKA

Julie's Well

Some time ago, Asterias received a very generous, anonymous donation, on the understanding that it would be used in a "water project" in Kenya. At that time, we had not identified a need and had no immediate plans to help with such a project. However, it was made known to us that The Outreach Foundation (of the Presbyterian Church in the US) were hoping to provide a clean water supply to the developing Kimuka Girls High School—if and when funds became available. We of course said we were very interested. Exploratory tests were made which showed that a bore-hole was feasible and estimated costs turned out to be almost exactly what we had available! Drilling located a strong-flow supply of good, clean water some 300 metres down and the well was capped in preparation for above-ground construction of a header tank, etc. The Asterias team that went to Kimuka in August 2009 was present at a dedication of the well, conducted by the local Masai Presbyterian Minister.

The impact of this well on the school and the village will be very great indeed. The girls will have running water in their classrooms and dormitories and so will be able to shower and wash their clothes as often as necessary. The water supply will also be used to irrigate the community's "shamba" (allotment area) so that the local ladies can grow melons and other produce for consumption and sale. Those of us who stood beside the well during its dedication on that warm, peaceful day out in Africa's Great Rift Valley in Kenya were struck once more by God's hand in providing for this gift and its deployment. Although we are still unaware of the identity of the donor(s) we have been able to pass word back to them through a third party so that they know how their gift was used. What a tremendous and continuing legacy has been provided—one that will significantly benefit the people of Kimuka for generations to come.

Kimuka Girls High School

We are delighted to report good news about Kimuka Girls High School in Maasai Land. The school is running very well, the School Board meets regularly and is making sound decisions. The Principal comes from a very large school in Naivasha and is results-oriented. The girls have already won awards in science. Asterias has been funding this school over the last few years and it is pleasing to see that a wonderful school is developing. Currently, some 200 girl boarders attend but the Board would like to grow the school to 400 girls, which would make it the largest girls' boarding high school in Maasai Land and one of the best girls' high schools in Kenya. It is already being recognised by many throughout the country and is drawing girls from all over Maasai Land, Naivasha, Nakuru and Kajado.

The structures in place at the school at present are 8 class-rooms, 6 dormitories (50 students per dorm), a dining hall and kitchen, administration and teachers' rooms and 2 "duplex" staff houses. Asterias has just agreed to provide further support by funding a further dormitory to be built in November/December 2011 so that next year's new intake of students can be raised to 70 pupils. Everything that is happening at Kimuka is positive! It is being used as a model. Professor Saitoti MP (Member of Parliament for Kajado), has said, " Kimuka Girls will impact the Maasai area forever". That is so true. The school is graduating Christian women annually and the impact will be enormous, maybe more than that of some churches. These girls will mature to be heads of households and will be evangelists in the family context.

Asterias has provided a personal copy of The Bible to every girl in the School and as recently as October 2011 provided each of the most recent intake of girls with their own copy of an NIV Bible. Outside of term time the girls will return to their homes bringing God's word to their families. "Educate a boy and you educate an individual; educate a girl and you educate a family."