An appeal for help/funds: Embu Don Bosco Secondary School

Dear Kenya friends,

I am forwarding the proposal of the Don Bosco Fathers whom we met during our visit to Embu.

Damian John Formosa is a Maltese student going for his last year in theology and who has been in Kenya for many years. During our visit we went to this vocational school that he is asking for help. Essentially the Salesians are planning to expand the vocational school they have already to accommodate more students. They will carry the work themselves.

Those of you who went to this college knows that it is quite big and houses thousand of Kenyan students. A look at the attachments you'll find all the details of this project.

This is an appeal for help as educating students is the real answer for the future of Kenya.

Fr Maina is following our water purification project that our engineers built while we were there.

I intend to go to Kenya for ten days to follow up the work and to plan other projects with the Bishop. I would like to visit the Seminary as there will be the future religious leaders of Kenya.

Training the trainers would be the new thrust we want to follow in our future projects.

Once we have trained leaders on the spot we can have a reasonable guarantee that work will be done and completed.

I am sure that one thing we learned from our Mission is that unless the local people are motivated and have the know-how all projects started will remain the same. It's when we train the locals that there would be greater chance that the work will continue even when we leave.

As you know our dear Bishop Paul, whom we all met, is ready to accommodate us to further our projects. The Orphanage which we have begun had to stop as they don't have enough funds. It is our commitment to continue the work begun.

Those who can help: can you please contact me asap as we have to plan the short visit to Kenya together. My idea is to go a very small group to do specific work in a specific place. That will help us to do ten days intensive work on the spot without wasting time in travelling etc.

Probable dates will be the first week of September before the rainy season.

On behalf of the Orphans, the children and youths,  our Beloved Bishop Paul, the very dear Sr Florence and the wonderful priests we met I encourage you to continue the work we started.

Please contact me either by email or sms or mobile 7999 14 59 .

Colin

Photos from the Orphanage

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Photos from Don Bosco in Embu,Kenya

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Photos from Kenya

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An update from Kenya - Settling down and fervent activity

Sorry for not writing earlier but we had internet problems.

We are now settled in quite location in Sagana. After a  long day of missionary work and a two hour drive, we attend mass followed by dinner.

A short break and the group meets for an evaluation of the days work.

MY AFRICA: A SPIRITUAL SAFARI IN KENYA

MY AFRICA: A SPIRITUAL SAFARI IN KENYA

This is the first chapter of a Book of Life – my Book of Life. A sort of Journal of a Soul.

Within hours we will be travelling towards Cairo Airport. It’s a transit flight but still scary. I am afraid of the unknown. Not only for me but for the thirty volunteers who will be with me for twenty days in Embu, Kenya.

SAFE JOURNEY TO KENYA

My dear Bishop Paul, 

Thanks for your prayer and concrete support. 

Within few hours we will be boarding to Embu ... and we will meet face to face.

Fr Colin's Update - Residence in Kenya

Dearest Bishop Paul, 

Thanks for the early reply. 

I feel much better now that we have all the assurances that we need. Yesterday all the group met to discuss the latest developments and planning. We prayed together that this Mission will be a Mission so that Jesus will be known more and loved more. We prayed for you and for our Diocese of Embu "terra amata" - anche da noi tutti qui a Malta. 

The Marmara' Family - 'Why don't I try to do my part?'

SAVERICK MARMARA' 13YRS OLD FROM M'SCALA - STUDENT AT DE LA SALLE COLLEGE.

Saverick Marmara'

It wasn't at all my wish or desire to go to do voluntary work abroad especially that much far away. I'm still very young to even think about it.

But after my father and older brother went to do missionary work and said it leaves behind a great incredible impact,I thought a lot about it.

Inspiration from Embu - Discipline and hard work begets success

Discipline and hard work begets success

Fr Colin's Update - The time is fast approaching ...

The time is fast approaching and I am sure of your prayers and support.

This is the first time we are coming to Embu Kenya - and I am sure it will be a Divine Adventure.

Media Reports

Doctors, nurses, engineers, builders and a family of four are among the 35 Maltese volunteers who will be heading

Fr Colin's Update - Our Water Projects in Embu. Kenya

There are many places in the world where mothers must walk hours upon hours -- with their children in tow -- just to fill a few jugs of water to bring home to their families.

Appeal for Bible and book donations - can you help us?

We are still short on Bible, prayer or holy books- if you have any books such as Bibles, Children's Bible, and books with a spiritual theme suitable for children aged 10 and over,  please contact us since we are still short of these books. Please contact us if you can help us.Thanks for your support.

Donation by M Demajo (Wines & Spirits) to Kenya Mission International

Kenya Mission International would like to thank Mr Matthew Miceli Demajo, General Manager of  M Demajo (Wines& Spirits), a member of the M Demajo Group, for donating three boxes of wine, for our fund raising campaign.

Fr Colin's Update - The heat is on !

Dear Bishop Paul,

Things are getting hot in Malta....

The temperatures are soaring to nearly 40 degrees....

And the heat of love for Kenya is increasing the load....

What I want to bring with me ? Memories of Happy African people and the urge to go again- Michael Attard

Africa is closer to home than we want to think ! 

At a latitude of 35°53′N 14°30′E our Island lies within the Northern tip of Africa putting us geographically  part of this continent. 

Our language originates from this continent. 

The "Out of Africa" theory, is widely accepted describing the geographic origin and early migration of anatomically modern humans. 

We now accept African people in our country and live side by side.

Africa is closer to home than we want to think ! 

Its’ mention flashes thoughts of famous discoverers, wild animals, jungles, deserts, forests, famine and Maltese Missionaries. 

Michael Attard

One of my friends travels to Kenya every year for six weeks and I somehow live the build up to his annual trip helping were I can. 

This year, my wife and I celebrate 30 years of marriage and we thought a long haul trip to the United States would make an ideal holiday. However, when Fr.Colin came to my office and asked me to join his planned mission, I suggested that if he asked my wife and she accepted I will surely follow.

Our change of plans also sees my daughter Deborah joining in, leaving our two boys at home.

An oppurtunity to give to others - Deborah

When the opportunity comes for me to give to others, I get a million questions of the what's and how's of what I can do. 

But then I realise, what do we have to give if not ourselves? 

When this Kenyan Mission came along, I said yes, because although I cannot change the world, I can make a small difference which means the world to someone.

 And that seems like a good place to begin... 

Deborah

Esperjenza li dejjem xtaqt naghmel - Charlo

Jiena Charlo,sejjer volontier Embu il-Kenja fl-20 ta'Awwissu.

Din l-esperjenza dejjem xtaqt nghamilha imma qabel kont bil-hanut u ma stajtx.

Wara li ghamilt habib ma Fr Colin hajjarni biex din is-sena nghamel din l-experjenza.

Jien ninqala biex inbajjad,inkahhal,nizboh u anki insajjar.

Sejjer naghti sehemi f'dak li jkun hemm bzonn.

Ghajnuna najnu billi toffru donazzjoni u titolbu ghalina.Grazzi

Charlo

Fr Colin's Update

Kenyans,

Yesterday was the B'day of (Dr) Josie Muscat. He was one of the speakers during the Festive 15-days Fiesta celebrations of Qrendi Parish Church. During the Mass each one of us explained to the congregation what are the motives why we are going to Embu. 

Besides the awareness message it was another occasion to work together. I think this is the most important.

We wanted to give a surprise b'day occasion by going to Ghar Lapsi restaurant to be together....but Franca anticipated us by bringing the whole tribe of the Muscats to celebrate the big day in the life of Josie that changed contemporary history in the Muscat families....

I wish to thank Jesmond and Nathalie who invited those who came at Qrendi Parish Church to join them all together at Blue Creek. A wonderful setting in front of Kemmuna, a good meal and the joy of being together. It was another occasion to know each other better - Marisa 1, Marisa 2, Michael, Jesmond, Nathalie and myself .... a good bunch. 

I appreciate Franca's inititative to ask our point of contact in Embu to clarify things. 

Are the responsible of the other Teams getting the same feed-back?

I have received very good feed-back from the Engineering Team and their counterpart in Embu. 

I don't have enough feed-back from the Medical Team.

The sewers of curtains etc are getting very well response both from Embu and the local help so as much as possible we prepare the curtains etc already from Malta. I know that several maltese called to give a helping hand. Several outlets provided materials needed. A very good team indeed!

Florence (not Nightingale) of Embu is indicating some work to be done with students. I appreciate her determination to make our stay the best possible. Her email is also useful to other groups besides the Educational/Social Team.

I am because we are....

Colin