Pamoja

AGM 23rd June 7.00pm at Velmore Church, Chandler's Ford

Richard — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:15:00 GMT

Everyone interested in the work of Pamoja is invited to our Annual General Meeting which will be held at Velmore Church, Falkland Road, Chandler's Ford, SO53 3GY on Saturday 23rd June 2012 at 7.00 pm. To get to Velmore Church:

From the M3, exit at junction 13. At the traffic lights turn left on to the A335 (Leigh Road) signposted Chandler's Ford. After ¼ – ½ mile, turn left in to Falkland Road (signposted Local Shops, Hexagon Centre). Velmore Church is on the left just after the small shopping precinct. There is car parking behind the church (accessed from Kent Road).

There is a map (and more details about the Church) on www.velmore.org.

We know that an Annual General Meeting sounds as though it's going to be really boring, but those of you who have been to a Pamoja AGM before know that this is not the case! It's a great opportunity to hear about our projects in Kenya at first hand from those who have actually visited them over the past year, to catch up with the very latest news from Kenya and to meet the people who run Pamoja from the UK. After the official meeting is over, there is always a chance to talk informally over refreshments, and to stock up on Pamoja Crafts!

We look forward to seeing you!

Visiting the Endau clinic November 2011

Richard — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:18:00 GMT

In November 2011, Sue, Tim's sister, travelled to Kenya and was able to make a visit to the clinic at Endau. She travelled with Eric and Millicent, who head up Pamoja's work at Magina, but who had not previously visited Endau. The party was completed by Francis, their excellent driver on the long trip from Nairobi. The journey from Nairobi as far as Kitui is on good roads, but the last 3 hours are on dirt roads into a very remote region.

The main purpose of the trip was to see the clinic in action, meeting Stephen the nurse and the local people who use the clinic. The original idea was that the group would see a 'normal' day - but this being Kenya, that was never going to happen! Having spent the night in the local hotel (rooms complete with en-suite...but not quite as we know it in UK!), Sue, Millicent, Eric and Francis drove out to the clinic in the morning to find that word of their arrival had spread and a large group of people had gathered. Eric gave a message from the Bible to the assembled company, and Millicent and Sue spoke to individuals about what the clinic meant to them. Many testified of the help they had received, speaking warmly of the Christian care and good treatment they received from Stephen. During that day, Sue (a qualified UK nurse) and Stephen saw over 60 patients!

Please pray for Stephen in his work at Endau. He is a young man, quiet and gentle, who is doing a good job in difficult circumstances. He regularly sends reports back to UK Trustees on the patients he has treated, but he was much encouraged that Pamoja people had been able to visit him where he works. As I have written in previous posts, there is still a need for regular funding for the work at Endau. If you are able to give, your donation will be much appreciated.

Alternative Gifts are not just for Christmas!

Richard — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 13:36:00 GMT

Christmas may have come and gone for 2011, but don't forget Alternative Gifts are available for birthdays or any other special occasion!

So if you don't know what to buy the person who has everything - the answer is easy! You buy them something on behalf of the people who have nothing! Welcome to Pamoja Alternative Gifts. All sorts of gifts are available, ranging from school dinners (£1) and vegetable seeds (£2) up to a house (£250) and a posho mill (£900) - with everything in-between.

Purchasing your gift is an easy 4-step process:

Select a present from the list
Contact Pamoja with your selection (gifts@pamoja.org.uk, or PO Box 341, Eastleigh, Hants SO53 2RJ)
Send your payment (cheques payable to Pamoja)
You will then receive a card detailing your chosen present, which you can send to your friend or relative

Full details of the gifts are available on the flyer at this link: Pamoja Alternative Gifts 2011.pdf

And if you are one of those who has been much blessed with good things in this life, if anyone asks you "What would you like for your birthday?", why not ask them to send you a Pamoja Alternative Gift? You will then have the joy of sharing in what Paul wrote in Acts 20:35 "It is more blessed to give than to receive" - and Pamoja gifts are much more exciting than another pair of socks!

Endau clinic: it really makes a difference!

Richard — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:45:00 GMT

Each month Stephen, the nurse at Pamoja's Endau clinic, sends a report on his work to the trustees. The "Our projects - Endau" section of our website gives more information about the remote area of Endau (in SE Kenya) and why Pamoja built a clinic there. The monthly reports are regular reminders of what a valuable work it is: here is a small selection from Stephen's July report, which gives a flavour of the range of the needs and of what a difference it makes to the people to have the clinic in their village, rather than having to travel many miles to the government clinic or even further to the hospital in Kitui.

A 10 month old girl brought in with Malaria - treated at the clinic and now recovering well
An elderly man with prostate problems brought in 50 kilometres on a motorbike by his son, having attended a local clinic without any improvement. Catheter fitted (which brought relief), drugs prescribed, along with advice to attend the hospital for possible surgery.
A 85 year old woman (again brought on a motorbike) with gastroenteritis and other infections, very weak. Intravenous line fitted for fluids to restore electrolyte balance, further drugs prescribed. Woman now much better. Relatives very grateful to receive such treatment without having to make the long and costly trip to Kitui hospital.
A 2 year old boy with very unpleasant swelling and itchiness. An acute bacterial infection was diagnosed and appropriate treatment given, whereupon the child recovered.

Stephen also passes on his thanks to the American team who provided a good supply of medicines for the clinic: this donation enables the clinic to provide its facilities at reduced cost, or free for those who simply cannot pay anything.

Challenges are that the area is experiencing a drought - the expected April short rains failed. People are being forced to buy water. A borehole in the area would help! Stephen mentions too that having solar power in the clinic would be a great help in providing light for when he has to attend emergency cases at night (e.g. in July he delivered a baby at night).

If you are able to give towards the work of the clinic, either on a 'one-off' or a regular basis, details of how to give are on the 'You can be involved - Donate Now' button on the right of this screen, or follow this link.

Of course, most of all we value your prayers, without which nothing worthwhile would be accomplished. All Pamoja's work is done in the name of, and for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Finally, some words from Stephen which sum up both his positive outlook and why Pamoja is working in the area: "Here at Endau-Kamusa everything is going well and I am still offering health services to the community and giving them hope."

Food relief distribution: report from AEPC Kawangware Church 5th June 2011

Richard — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 14:44:00 GMT

Earlier this year, Pamoja received several reports from Kenya about food shortages. As ever, it is the poorest who suffer most when there are shortages - prices go up and they cannot afford to buy even the basics they need. Pamoja asked its supporters if they could give money so basic food could be bought locally and distributed through our trusted partners. Many of you responded - thank you!

We have recently received a report from the pastor of AEPC Kawangware Church showing how the food was distributed earlier this month. We have posted some photos from the food distribution on our website. Here are some extracts from the pastor's report.

"We thank you so much for the gift of food you provided to AEPC Kawangware on behalf of the whole church of AEPC Kawangware and the community we give our regards and appreciations to all of you who participated in this life saving event to provide some food to our community especially during these most needed times. Many of our citizens are suffering so much and dying of hunger in most parts of the country.

"All the members sent their appreciations to you all and they are tirelessly praying for you all that your ways may prosper. They are also praying for the group that will be coming to Kenya very soon.

"To members of the community, we identified some families who were desperately in need but what we had could not reach to all the needy families but we promised them that in case we are blessed again, we will be able to reach them.

"We as AEPC KAWANGWARE CHURCH want to thank every one in the UK who contributed towards this food and we are tirelessly praying for them!!!"

Pamoja = partnership! We are glad to have been able to help some people in this way - and it is always good to know that what has been contributed here really does reach the people who need it. But the report also reminds us that the partnership works both ways - our Kenyan friends are praying for us!

Famine in Kenya continues... our help is needed

Nick — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:56:00 GMT

We have received the following request from Rev Daniel Mathuva. Please pray for the overall situation in Kenya and consider making a donation. If you make a donation to support this need please also contact us so we can make sure your donation gets allocated to famine relief. We will see how we can respond at the next trustees meeting in early September.

Dear Pamoja trustees

Greetings to all, hope this finds you fine. As much as we are doing well spiritually and we have every reason to thank God for life, things in Kenya are getting out of hands. The drought is so servere that in many places people are going a week without food and only boiled water. Animals have died and people are following. It was report in the news that last week alone 7 adults passed away due to lack of food. Where there has been hope in passed rivers have dried and have affected the main rivers in kenya. No doubt whatever means the government has, it can not by itself do this alone. No amount of money is able to support kenya and sustain its people this point of time. This kind of situation needs God's intervation. You cannot imagine a country without enough water for its people, no food, and every thing seems to be getting worse every day. In such country life is unberable.

For one visiting the city of Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, one will not be able to tell the suffering in the country. One is welcomed by modern buildings like any other city in the world and many people moving and very welcoming but the truth is outside the city, in the villages, slums and the country side many people are at risk. They go without food for days, the government food is not for all and only few get that food. In the slums people are considered to be in the city and non boths abpout them.

Friends and God's people the famine in Kenya reminds me of the famine which was during the times of the prophets and one prophesied that God will send a famine in the land that has never been seen. Is Kenya suffering due to its own sins, might been, but will God's people that are called by his people close their eyes and watch when their feelow human being are dying. Please dear friends and God's people am sounding a trumphet call and let it be heard by all and come for our rescue. I do know that everyone is affected by the world resession but ours is more of a curse than economic resession.

Come for our resue, speak with friends and fellow believers.

Thanks

God bless you

Daniel Mathuva

Famine in Kenya

Nick — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:53:00 GMT

In the run up to the UK Trustees meeting on the 20th Janurary we received the following request from Rev Daniel Mathuva:

Many people are going without food, already about 6 children have been announced dead due to lack of food. This might not be understood well by most UK people who have never gone hungry, but brothers and sisters I humbly appeal to you if there are some extra coins in our account or there are some kind people willing to support in providing food, we welcome this. The drought is bad and rains have failed in some areas for years.

In response to this a significant some of money was sent to Kenya and is now being used to address some of the needs. We expect this will be an ongoing situation. Please pray for the overall situation in Kenya and that the rains will come. If you make a donation to support this need please also contact us so we can make sure your donation gets allocated to famine relief.

Times columist states "As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God"

Nick — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:21:00 GMT

Times columnist Matthew Parris wrote an article stating that "As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God". We thought this provided an interesting perspective on the work of Christians in Africa.

Here is a quotation from the article:

Now a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.

The full article can be found here:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article5400568.ece

Pamoja News Letter August 2008

Nick — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:07:00 GMT

Please find attached our latest news letter with an update on the situation in Kenya after the election violence, news of the Endau clinic, information about the tractor that we have been donated, a progress report on the classrooms at Magina, the background to a new work Daniel is doing with the street children in Nairobi and various other updates.

Kenya in Crisis: Pamoja Emergency Appeal

Nick — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:42:00 GMT

Riots in Kenya

Many of you will have heard in the news of the crisis in Kenya since the election results were announced in December 2007! The opposition party has challenged the result, which saw the incumbent president Kibaki returned to office. Many independent observers believe the result was rigged.

The demonstrations and rioting that followed have led to the death of several hundred people and much of the killing seems to be tribally motivated. The governing Kikuyu tribe have been targeted by the opposition, which is mainly Luo. The Kikuyu have then retaliated and very quickly chaos has spread.

Slum areas of Nairobi have been badly hit with hundreds of people being evicted, fleeing for their lives, or having their homes burned. Many are now homeless finding shelter at sports stadiums or at the show ground.

The situation remains tense as peace talks broke down on Friday and the opposition has called for more demonstrations this week starting Tuesday until Friday. This is a discouraging development as things had begun to quieten down but the demonstrations could very easily spark more violence. People are already nervous about moving around and the children who were going to return to school this week will no longer do so.

Further information can be found on the BBC News web site.

Pamoja families

We have spoken to Daniel Mathuva (Pamoja Country co-ordinator) this past week. One of the worst areas that experienced violence was the Kawangware slum area. This is one area in which Pamoja works and sponsors children to go to school. We do not know the full extent of the impact on Pamoja families but do know of some families that are homeless. Most shops have remained closed and many have been looted.The food supply chain has been disrupted around the country and as a result food prices have more than tripled. People are coming to the churches looking for help, shelter and food. Many mothers are saying that the only thing they have to feed their children is water.

Kisumu

Kisumu is another area that experienced much rioting. Millicent who runs the Pamoja Care Centre outside Kisumu (in Magina) has sent a message to all the kids at the Centre not to come back after their break with their families and guardians because of the violence in that area and the lack of food.

How can we help?

We have had requests for assistance at this very difficult time. Daniel has visitors to his church everyday looking for help and the church wants to assist, not only with food but with temporary shelter. Some families have have lost all their things so blankets, sheets, cooking pots, stoves, utensils are all needed to help these people to become independent again.

Please consider helping our brothers and sisters in Kenya at this time!

Please PRAY:

for peace and a resolution to the fighting
for a just resolution of the crisis
for churches as they seek to help those around them
for those affected - that they can piece their lives together again quickly
for the children who have witnessed atrocities during this time of unrest

God commands us in the Bible to take care of the poor, the widow and the orphans.

If you feel able, please DONATE:

you can now donate directly on line via the charity choice web site
or send your cheques made payable to "Pamoja" to P O Box 341, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO53 2RJ
gift aid forms are available on the giving money page

Thank you for your support!
100% of any gift you give will go to Kenya

Pamoja Newsletter November 2007

Nick — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 20:42:00 GMT

Attached is the Pamoja newsletter published November 2007. Please feel free to pass it on to anyone who is interested.

Magina Primary School Building Work Continues

Nick — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:40:00 GMT

The first Pamoja primary school is being constructed at Magina near Kisumu. We plan to open this in Jan 2008. The school will have some fee paying attendees that will (we hope) cover the costs of the school and also contribute to the orphanage at Magina. This will also give the kids on the education program access to good education in English.