Friday, May 18, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
New desks for class 8!
Thanks to Verónica, a volunteer from Malaga, Spain, who raised money at the school she works as a teacher, the class eight at Chazon finally has proper desks!
Here you can see the pictures with the old system that they were using and the new desks that they are already using!
Here you can see the pictures with the old system that they were using and the new desks that they are already using!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
New Kitchen at CCC
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Church Newsletter Article about CCC
OUTREACH news from Asbury First United Methodist Church Rochester, NY
An Update on AFUMC’s Outreach in Kenya
I recently returned from a productive trip to Kenya. I was
picked up by the family of Pastors Samuel and Lucy of Chazon
Children Center (CCC). They were pleased to take me to Molo
as it was mother’s day and they got to spend it with their mother
and siblings. They are a close-knit family, as is not uncommon in
Kenya.
I was excited to go to the school on Monday. There are 350
students. The school is at the maximum it can hold, and they are
using every inch. The students gave me a warm welcome. They
have four new teachers for a total of ten.
I spent the next two weeks working: I did counseling groups for
students with “behavioral” problems (most of them are being
beaten at home). They were happy to have someone listen to
them. I bought them small notebooks to use as journals. I taught
them about feelings and asked them to record how they felt. I am
putting more emphasis on the importance of emotions and how
to deal with them. We also did positive affirmations: “I am smart, I
am strong, I am good.” I developed a class on culture and change. I
also revised policies and website content and took children to the
eye doctor. I do whatever needs to be done, and I love it.
Phillip Moses, a RARE (Receive and Reciprocate Education)
student, and I did a seminar titled Alternative Methods of Discipline
for the teachers and staff. It was well received. CCC is one of the
leaders in the area in trying to stop corporal punishment. This is
common in Kenya even though it is against the law.
With funds from AFUMC I was able to buy them a water tank. This
was desperately needed, as the tap works only when it wants to!
They were carrying jugs of water for 350 kids. As you can imagine
there wasn’t much drinking going on, let alone hand washing.
After a fast two weeks I went to Nairobi for the weekend and had
a very relaxing time with my three RARE university students (and
friends): Liz Njenga, Frank Olum, and Phillip.
Frank and Phillip and I went to the coast to visit with three other
RARE students, where we settled some issues and made some
necessary changes in their educational plans. Frank is the Kenyan
contact and mentor for the RARE program.
In April, 2012 Frank will finish the University of Nairobi with
a bachelor’s degree, earned in three years and with a double
major. He is hoping to come to Rochester to get a master’s in
social work. He plans to apply to Roberts Wesleyan College for
a scholarship. I hope some of you at AFUMC can help with this. If
you want to hear Frank speak about these plans listen to his
video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnE1l39mwNE.
I would love to come and talk to your group, school, or
organization about this project, please just send me an email at
drvduffy@gmail.com.
An Update on AFUMC’s Outreach in Kenya
by Dr. Virginia Duffy
(Upper Virginia with a group of children
at Chacon Children’s Center. The boy to her right is Michael, who
is being sponsored by the guests at Asbury Dining and Caring Center.
He is wearing a jacket that they bought for him.
(Lower) Virginia Duffy in Nairobi with (left to right) Phillip Moses,
Liz Njenga, and Frank Olum RARE program recipients.
I recently returned from a productive trip to Kenya. I was
picked up by the family of Pastors Samuel and Lucy of Chazon
Children Center (CCC). They were pleased to take me to Molo
as it was mother’s day and they got to spend it with their mother
and siblings. They are a close-knit family, as is not uncommon in
Kenya.
I was excited to go to the school on Monday. There are 350
students. The school is at the maximum it can hold, and they are
using every inch. The students gave me a warm welcome. They
have four new teachers for a total of ten.
I spent the next two weeks working: I did counseling groups for
students with “behavioral” problems (most of them are being
beaten at home). They were happy to have someone listen to
them. I bought them small notebooks to use as journals. I taught
them about feelings and asked them to record how they felt. I am
putting more emphasis on the importance of emotions and how
to deal with them. We also did positive affirmations: “I am smart, I
am strong, I am good.” I developed a class on culture and change. I
also revised policies and website content and took children to the
eye doctor. I do whatever needs to be done, and I love it.
Phillip Moses, a RARE (Receive and Reciprocate Education)
student, and I did a seminar titled Alternative Methods of Discipline
for the teachers and staff. It was well received. CCC is one of the
leaders in the area in trying to stop corporal punishment. This is
common in Kenya even though it is against the law.
With funds from AFUMC I was able to buy them a water tank. This
was desperately needed, as the tap works only when it wants to!
They were carrying jugs of water for 350 kids. As you can imagine
there wasn’t much drinking going on, let alone hand washing.
After a fast two weeks I went to Nairobi for the weekend and had
a very relaxing time with my three RARE university students (and
friends): Liz Njenga, Frank Olum, and Phillip.
Frank and Phillip and I went to the coast to visit with three other
RARE students, where we settled some issues and made some
necessary changes in their educational plans. Frank is the Kenyan
contact and mentor for the RARE program.
In April, 2012 Frank will finish the University of Nairobi with
a bachelor’s degree, earned in three years and with a double
major. He is hoping to come to Rochester to get a master’s in
social work. He plans to apply to Roberts Wesleyan College for
a scholarship. I hope some of you at AFUMC can help with this. If
you want to hear Frank speak about these plans listen to his
video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnE1l39mwNE.
I would love to come and talk to your group, school, or
organization about this project, please just send me an email at
drvduffy@gmail.com.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
My Recent Trip to Chazon Children Centre
I have recently returned from a productive and fun trip to Kenya. I arrived in the middle of the night at Nairobi after having slept most of the way. Its a 16 hr trip from NYC with a stop in Istanbul.
I was picked up in the middle of the night by Liz, Patrick and Panena the family of Pastors Samuel and Lucy of Chazon Children Center. They were pleased to take me to Molo the next day as it was mother's day Sunday and they got to spend it with their Mary their mother and Lucy their sister. We also picked up Susan on the way! They are a close knit family as is not uncommon in Kenya.
I was excited to go to the school on Monday and see everyone. There were 350 students, the school is now at the max it can hold and believe me they are using every inch. The students who knew me gave me a warm welcome, it was so nice. They have 4 new teachers as well for a total now of 10.
I spent the next 2 weeks working very hard. I did two daily counseling groups for students with "behavioral" problems (most of them are being beaten at home!) They were so happy to have some attention and someone to listen to them. I bought them each small notebooks to use as journals. I taught them about feelings and asked them to record how they felt each day. At CCC I am trying to put more emphasis on the importance of emotions and how to deal with them. We also did a lot of positive affirmations. " I am smart, I am strong, I am good" ! I developed and taught a class on culture and change. I also revised policies and web site content and took children to the eye doctor. I do whatever needs to be done, and I love it.
Phillip Moses a RARE student and I did a seminar on Alternative Methods of Discipline for the Teachers and Staff. It was well received and CCC is one of the leaders in the area in trying to stop corporal punishment. This is very common in Kenya even though it is against the law.
With funds from AFUMC I was able to buy them a water tank to hold water. This was desperately needed as the water tap works only when it wants to! They were carrying jugs of water for 350 kids. As you can imagine there wasn't much drinking going on let alone hand washing!
After a fast 2 weeks I went to Nairobi for the weekend and had a very relaxing time with my 3 RARE University students (and Friends) Liz Njenga, Frank Olum, and Phillip. If you want to know about RARE , a program I started for education in Kenya go to my causes on Facebook. If you can share this it would be great. http://www.causes.com/causes/546366?m=98657f1f
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Arrived Safely
Hello all, I arrived safely after a good flight with Turkish airlines from NY to Istambul to Nairobi. Patrick Elizabeth and Panina picked me up in the middle of the night! We drove to Molo the next day to spend mothers day with Mary and Elizabeth, Lucy, Samuel and the belle of the ball Jemima. She talks up a storm and quickly let me in to her life!
The school has changed a lot since I was here last June, a big new sign, big new gate, 2 new classrooms, new teachers, but most of all 350 children. I couldn't believe it! Can you imaging game and lunch time?? Some how it all works.
The kids are terrific as usual, some have grown so much since last year. It was great to have them greet me with such love. Most of you know how that feels!
I am so pleased Iratxe is here, I met her last year and it is fun and helpful to work together. The weather is lovely, occasional hard rain that quickly passes. Lots of other things to tell. I will also add pictures and ask other volunteers to blog when I get a chance!
The school has changed a lot since I was here last June, a big new sign, big new gate, 2 new classrooms, new teachers, but most of all 350 children. I couldn't believe it! Can you imaging game and lunch time?? Some how it all works.
The kids are terrific as usual, some have grown so much since last year. It was great to have them greet me with such love. Most of you know how that feels!
I am so pleased Iratxe is here, I met her last year and it is fun and helpful to work together. The weather is lovely, occasional hard rain that quickly passes. Lots of other things to tell. I will also add pictures and ask other volunteers to blog when I get a chance!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Heading For Kenya and CCC
I am excited to be visiting Chazon Children Center again in May. Right now I am trying to pack a very large suitcase with too much stuff, and keep the weight to airline limits. I hate packing almost more then lugging it. I am thrilled that the kids at my church have collected shoes and socks for children of CCC.
I found a great deal by the way for just over $800.00 round trip from NYC. Turkish airlines goes through Istambul what an airport! I use Kayak which notifies you of price decreases then I buy when prices are low.
I found a great deal by the way for just over $800.00 round trip from NYC. Turkish airlines goes through Istambul what an airport! I use Kayak which notifies you of price decreases then I buy when prices are low.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)