CARING AND SHARING AT ST PETER’S CHURCH BEXHILL
Link to Caring and Sharing Website
The Caring and Sharing scheme is based on the idea that by making a small, regular sacrifice members can turn away from the material values of the western world; the saving from our comparative wealth is sent to projects which help people in poorer countries with the basic needs of life.
At St Peter’s we have about 60 members and raise about £4,000 annually. We support 3 projects. They are:
1. True Love Waits: AIDS education at the KwaSiza Bantu Mission, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
2. The nurseries of 27 de Julio and the Holy Trinity, Lima, Peru
3. St Nicholas’ Children’s Home, Nakuru, Kenya.
Details of the first two projects can be found through the Caring and Sharing website www.caringandsharingeastsussex.org.uk
St Nicholas’ Children’s Home, Nakuru continues to thrive under the leadership of the present warden, the Revd James Thuku, who took over in 2005. There are 70 children at the home. Education at primary level is free in Kenya and the 33 younger children go out to schools near the home; many of the older children can now attend the St Nicholas Secondary School which shares the site with the Home. (The oldest children who had already started their studies before the school opened and are now completing their studies elsewhere.)
This school is in its third year and the headmaster is the Revd Samwel Nduati, who was for some time warden of the Home. The aim is to have one class of 40 students for each year, but this year Form 1 has 43 students! The school is seeking funds to pay for equipment, especially science equipment and a laboratory. There are six non-teaching staff - the matron, the herdsman/messenger, two cooks and two watchmen.
The Home also provides a sewing class and the children continue to grow their own vegetables and raise a few animals. The don’t have the chance of many hobbies but football is a great favourite.
All the children have a guardian in their home area, usually a grandparent or other relative, and during school holidays they are encouraged to visit their guardians so that they do not lose touch with their home areas
It now costs £120 per year to keep a child at the Home. St Peter’s Caring and Sharing group sends £1500 every year. This pays for 12.5 children!
The photo shows one of the children talking to the Bishop of Nakuru, the Rt Rev Stephen Mwangi.
