Here is the latest news from Makeni Centre, the second newsletter of 2013.
On May 10, 2013 Makeni Centre presented letters of offer to Mwembeshi Settlers as the first step towards having certificates of title. The occasion was attended by member of parliament Keith Mukata, the Deputy Minister of Finance. In his address to the settlers, Mr Mukata urged the settler farmers to utilize the land efficiently amd thanked the centre for empowering people who could not afford to buy land at astronomical prices
We also give thanks to the Friends of Makeni for their ongonig support and in particular to Tieneke and Henri Zwarts for organizing workshops for teachers. A variety of educational materials and equipment covering pre-school up to Grade 12 have been contributed that will help to improve the school’s educational standards. The teachers also received training in the use of play corners, which are used to promote children’s understanding of their home environment, to help them express their creativity, to practice story reading and telling and to solve problems together.
In March this year we had a special visit by Vera Ootes and Paul Jongeling, who came to offer strategic technical assistance to the institution. This was Vera’s third working visit to MEC and Paul’s second. The dynamic duo had previously visited MEC from December 2011 to January 2012 with their son Geert to upgrade the computer laboratory. On this occasion the team worked on helping the centre to perform a SWOT analysis of its activities and to map out a plan for the future. The centre was honoured to have their assistance.
St Nicholas Children’s Village had a visit from Barclays Bank under their corporate responsibility programme. The team from Barclays brought donations of blankets, kitchen items, mosquito nets, shoes and food and also shared with the children their inspiring stories about their own childhood, and how they reached their present positions.
In August 2012 Joke Ruiters from the Netherlands visited the orphanage for four weeks, training staff in tailoring and helping staff and children learn how to make shorts, skirts and gym dresses.
The Seventh Day Adventist Makeni Mission District Dorcas Mothers donated items including toiletries, under-garments and cosmetics among others, to St Nicholas Orphanage. Their representative, Mrs Mpikwa, encouraged children to use God’s Words to live better lives morally and spiritually.
We are also very glad to note the progress of Nicholas Tembo, who is now 4 years old. Nicholas arrived at the orphanage as a baby and has now started pre-school at MEC. Although his speech is not fluent, he is getting on well.
Finally we have news of Makeni School’s participation in sector sports events held at Mt Makulu Secondary School, where the team placed second out of eight schools.
Well done Makeni!
