Dear Friends,

This is an update of the Northern Magic Fund for International Development’s activities in Kilifi, Kenya, since the start of the year.

On 1^st January 2004, I left my regular job in the hotel industry. I did this to enable me dedicate more time on the Fund’s projects both as its agent and coordinator. This was borne out of a desire to see that the noble cause for which the Fund was founded was sustained and its objectives achieved to the satisfaction of both the beneficiaries and you, the benefactors, who, with your incredible generosity, have been able to touch the hearts and ease the pain of many who had otherwise lost hope in life. For this turning point in many young people’s lives – including my own – I say thank you very much.

This year alone we were able to pay school fees for 110 students in high school, one in elementary boarding school and one in university. We also expected one student who had completed his high school studies last year to join a college or university.

Elementary (Primary) school students

At the moment we have only one student who was specially picked out by one of you – Holly Basha – who goes by the name; Vinani, but whose official name is Mtawali Saniti. Vinani is now in a boarding school and his grades have dramatically improved. Most importantly, he seems to be enjoying himself in the new school. His widowed mother and siblings are also happy for him.

High school students

This year we paid school fees for the whole year for 110 students in 15 high schools, including Boniface, who, together with Hamisi, first met the Stuemers at the beach in Kilifi during their four-year tour of the world.

Most of the students had, before you came to their rescue, been forced to stay away from school for lack of school fees. Inevitably, this affected the academic performance of quite a number of them. It is, however, worthy reporting that since the start of the year, most of the students have satisfactorily improved their grades in class and are looking forward to doing even better.

Although only 110 students benefited from your generosity this year, more than 100 other students were on our waiting list. More would come to join the list after their standard (grade) eight final exams this year and expected to join high school next year.

Boniface suffered a setback. The school he was attending did not register its final year students for their exams. Expectedly, it caused a national outcry with all the media houses picking it up. But that is as far as that goes. We are still waiting to see what action the government here is going to take against the authorities of the school, but the upshot of all this is that more than 600 students of that chain of schools will have to repeat a class and do their final exams next year. Sadly, Boniface will be one of them.

Post high school students

Joram George Ouma, who is in Kampala University, Uganda, pursuing a diploma in medicine, has just started his second year. George, as you might all be already aware, was at the top of his class in high school in his final exams. He is, no doubt, at the moment the best example of our success in the high school students sponsorship programme.

Alfred Mwaro, another student from Majaoni secondary school, the same school that George used to attend, is now looking for an affordable college that one of you has already committed funds to send him to. We will keep you informed of his progress.

Mtondia Primary (Elementary) school Renovation Project

Renovation of Mtondia Primary School has just started and will continue well into next year. This will be a similar project to the one we carried out at the Majaoni Primary School last year. Three other Primary schools will, hopefully, have been renovated by the end of next year.

Hamisi and his ‘magic’/necklace projects

Hamisi Chengo has continued to do well in his ‘magic’ cow project. The cow has so far given birth three times. He sold the first one, while the second calf died at infancy. ’Magic’, the cow, is now 3 months pregnant. He has also been able to buy another cow with proceeds from the one that he sold. With the income from the milk sales, he is able to take care of the immediate needs of his family.

The shark tooth necklace project has not been doing well. Although he is able to make as many as possible, it appears like they are not selling as fast as he would have wished. He is appealing to all of you to make big orders for them to keep him in business.

Mark Thuva

Mark has not been doing very well in his salon business and has largely been surviving on call-ups to make clients’ hair. He has to date incurred a premise rent balance of Ksh 33,000.00(about C$495.00) which he has to clear before he is allowed into the premises by the landlord. Although he intends to move to another cheaper place to rent, he can not move with his equipment, which is locked up, until he clears the outstanding balance.

I was personally involved in a road accident last year and had to be in hospital for a few days. This was the subject of a court case, which was decided in my favour on 24^th November 2004.

In order to ease communication, I have applied since July this year, for a telephone landline to enable me access the Internet from the house but have not been provided with one yet. I am still waiting and hope this will be availed soon.

Lastly, I wish to thank all of you for your unwavering support in the implementation of our projects. Needless to emphasize, without you, nothing would have been possible. Thank you very much, all of you.

Sincerely,

Andrew Thuva