Dear Friends,

Finally the year 2004 is coming to an end!

It has been slightly over 5 years since the Stuemer family was last here in Kilifi, Kenya, during their eventful odyssey of the world. It has also been around 2 years since the Northern Magic Fund was officially born. And not to mention in many words; it has been a rewarding and fulfilling endeavour to all in the Northern Magic Fund fraternity.

Holidays

This being a holiday month in Kenya, all the institutions of learning have taken a break and most are expected to resume learning programmes during the first week of January 2005 – from 3rd January 2005, to be precise.

Final year students

In my November 2004 brief, I mentioned that we paid school fees for 110 students. Of the 110 students, 15 did their final year exams in high school this year (I will give their names in my next brief.). If they do well, they will be expected to join the universities or other colleges. We will be waiting to see how they perform. Students from the primary (Elementary) schools who were in their 08^th grade – which is their last grade - also did their final exams and when they pass, will be expected to join high schools in the year 2005.

Student scholarship applications

We are expecting a rise in the number of students that will apply for scholarships for next year. This is because more and more needy students have come to know about the Fund, you – the people behind it - and our collective cause. They will be coming to us with expectant eagerness.

I am already in the process of giving out the application forms to them.

Mtondia Primary School renovation project

The Mtondia Primary School renovation project in Kilifi, Kenya, is under way. This is a project made possible with funding from the Calgary Rotary Club to whom we say - THANK YOU VERY MUCH. We are about halfway the project and hope to complete it by February, this year. I will be posting pictures of the progress in this project in my next ‘brief’.

As I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, I say thank you for your ‘big hearts!’ MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sincerely,

Andrew Thuva