New Life International Rotary Update

Terry Bivens-Fry staff member of New Life International and Clarksville Rotary Club member, visited several different Rotary Clubs in Kenya during her recent African trip,  Muthaiga Rotary Club, Machakos Rotary Club, Karura Rotary Club, and the Naivasha Rotary Club.  Terry’s visit to these clubs in Kenya was twofold; one, to bring greetings to the Kenya clubs from her home club and her district in the United States and second, to explore some club partnering opportunities on water projects.

Not to anyone’s surprise all of the clubs Terry visited are already working on water projects within Kenya.  Some of the clubs have up to 5 projects currently open but all were interested in either making water purification part of their current projects or connecting with an active clubs in the states on a water project. 

Naivasha Rotary Club

The Naivasha Rotary Club, north of Nairobi,  has an interesting project making progress.  From Jail House to Safe House  that’s what the club calls the Centennial Project of the Rotary Club of Naivasha centre for abused and defiled children.   The “Safe House” is an old jail located within the premises of the District administration offices in Naivasha town.   The original jail was built by the Colonial government between 1939 and 1942 and was used to intern Mau Mau rebels.  Post independence however, the Jail House   was only used until 1967, when all inmates were transferred to the Naivasha Maximum security prison. 

Today, the Naivasha Safe House provides shelter for girls and boys (ages 2 months to 15 years) who are the victims of defilement, rape, abuse, neglect, etc.

Children are given a SAFE, child-friendly place to stay while under-going counseling and medical treatment.  The “Safe House” works closely with the MOH, Police, D.O.’s office, Children’s Officer and various counselors, and psychologists, to treat the affected children.  The Naivasha Rotary Club also seeks legal redress through the court system.  Every effort is made to rehabilitate and re-integrate the children into their extended families once both child and family members are counseled as to the needs of the child.

The Naivasha club has a New Life International water purifying system at the safe house.

The club is seeking ways to have more permanent funding in place because this would ensure they could ensure they could continue to employ qualified persons to manage and operate the “Safe House”. 

Karura Rotary Club

The Karura Rotary Club in the outskirts of Nairobi invited Terry to exchange flags and attend their weekly meeting.  Terry and Jared Onserio invited this club to help with the re-location of a complete water purifier system that had been installed at the Karura Community Church during the rioting in January 2008.  Two staff members from New Life International traveled to Kenya to help with the disaster relief efforts after the post election rioting.   Thousands of families fled to “safe places” where like government schools, clinics and churches for protection against tribal retaliation.  One such internal displaced persons camp (IDP) was the Karura Community Chapel compound where within just a couple of days over 530 people were being served by the church.  The church’s shallow well was run dry after just 3 days so people had to fetch water out of the small polluted river running through the compound.  Everyone started getting sick and when New Life Kenya offered to come in and install a complete water purifier system with two big water tanks, everyone was elated to have safe drinking water.  The river water was pumped directly into the treatment tank and gravity fed into the lower distribution tank.  This system worked beautifully.

In April people started migrating back to their homes and the Karura Community Chapel no longer needed to purify large quantities of water so the Sr. pastor  ask New Life Zambia if the purifier could be moved to a nearby slum that is 3km from the church & desperately needs safe water.   When Terry toured the Huruma slum area and collected information about the possibility of moving  the water purification system, she was astounded at the poverty level in the slum.  Their only water  source is that same small polluted river that runs through the church compound and she saw women washing clothes, children drawing drinking water and garbage being dumped into the river all at the same time.   

 Terry inquired if the water was at least boiled prior to drinking and the answer was NO, they couldn’t afford the fuel such as wood or charcol to boil the water.  There are over 10,000 people in the Huruma slum and seems to be growing everyday.  

The  slum is in the backyard, literly on the other side of a high fence,  from one wealthier parts of Nariobi.  Most people living in the wealthy part of Karura don’t even know that slum exists.  A couple of nights after Terry’s tour of the Huruma slum she met with the Karura Rotary Club and asked for help.   The club voted to work with New Life Kenya in makin g the move of the large water purification system from the Karura Community Chapel to the Huruma slum.   One of the Huruma slum community leaders who is heading up a large community pit latrine project was asked to also head up the water purification project as soon as possible. 

Again Rotarians stepping up and providing funding and physical labor to help some of the poorest of the poor in Africa.  Service above self.     

Date     : 18^th October, 2007

To        : International Training Co-ordinator

From    : Lameck Siamalambo - C.D

Subject : Quarter 3 Activity Report - 1 July, 07 to 30 September, 07

1:  Introduction

The report is based on the activities planned, persued and implemented in the third quarter of 2007. The following were the planned activities of the Quarter.

• Sensitization, Demonstration and Installation of water purifier at Namafulu and Malambo communities.
• Conduct supportive visits to all 22 project areas
• Train Eight (8) water committees on Project Management and Key components to Sustainability.
• Hold meetings with stakeholders in the water sector.
• Attend to administrative issues.
• Writing the Role and Function of the Board.

Generally, NLIZ has performed very well and has made a lot of progress in meeting the above planned activities. Good community leadership, technical know-how and accurate up-to-date information and resources both financial and human created commitment and balanced responses needed during the implementation period.

2: Activity Status

• Sensitization, Demonstration and Installation of water purifier at Namafulu and Malambo communities.

The two communities were highly sensitized to make sure that they understood what they embarking into with NLIZ partnership. The meetings were characterized with drama performed by a group of six (6) focal point persons from other project areas. The sketches/plays ranged from importance of user fees, security of a purifier, community togetherness, appreciation and importance of good health. Two thousand (2000) people were reached with these messages in the quarter. Namafulu community which is 50km south of Siansowa and 200km from Choma draw drinking water from the lake. The government of Zambia tried to drill four boreholes in the area but all were dry boreholes. It is surprising to note that 100 school pupils have bilharzias, a situation which is undesirable and very threatening to the future of the children. The principle of look, listen and touch was followed in both communities during demonstration and installation of the water purifier. More need to be done in this community. NLIZ has also won the confidence of the community people we serve. The committees have been put in place in every project area to ensure smooth running of the program.

• Conduct supportive visits to all 21 project areas

The supportive visits to project areas was conducted with a view of strengthening the existing relationship, sharing the concept of sustainability, spot check on the purifier and answering questions of concern from the beneficiaries. These visits were very helpful both to NLIZ and the communities being served to the fact that interaction among the communities and NLIZ was enhanced to the point of having confidence in NLIZ. During the visits, the following was lessons were learnt:

1. The communities test NGOs to see as whether they are serious with what they are doing. NLIZ has won the confidence of the people.
2. Communities want to participate where they see a future.
3. Communities work tirelessly to improve their livelihood. NLIZ is there to pursue this agenda with renewed vigour to steer the communities to greater heights.
4. People testify that the health of those who drink purified water has greatly improved and they are calling NLIZ to move “from stability to improved service delivery”.
5. The expectation is more than what is being provided now.
6. With the help of NLIZ in terms of seed money, the communities are willing to initiate sustainability activities.

The relative commitment and the achievement in the past months has created the much needed environment conducive for sustained development. To achieve high participation in the process of achieving sustainability, it is important that the financial stability is firmly entrenched, consolidated and supplemented by the application of our mental and physical capacities to rearrange and improve our work culture. The outcome should be better and effective implementation of the development programmes and service delivery.

• Train Eight (8) water committees on project management and key components of sustainability

The one day training was conducted and committees were enlightened on how to manage a project effectively and efficiently, yielding good results. NLIZ user fee monitoring forms, Quarterly report forms, Documents concerning NLI, and water borne diseases were explained and distributed. The following were points of emphasis:

• 1. The committee provides leadership by setting strategy.
• 2. They hold the community accountable for purpose of achieving strategic objectives.
• 3. They serve as the principal guardian of the community welfare.
• 4. With limited resources and unlimited demands on them, the committee must prioritize and select the best option.
• 5. The committee should monitor and oversee by ensuring quality and cost effective programmes and services and allow the focal point persons to conduct and manage these programmes and services.

It is out of this training that made the committees to carry out sensitization meetings within their respective communities. The outcomes of these meetings are slowly being seen now.

• Hold meetings with stakeholders in the water sector

Only one meeting was held with the Department of water Affairs, a government department. The meeting was successful in that the department took kin interest to learn and know as to how the purifier works. The Zimba mission Hospital has shown interest in partnering with NLIZ in order to improve the water quality at the Hospital. The water source and the whole system is contaminated.

• Attend to administrative issues

The administrative issues such as interviews on the work of NLIZ, Meetings called by the District Commissioner etc were adequately attended to.

• Writing the Role and Function of the Board

The role of the board is essentially threefold:

1. To provide leadership by setting organizational policy and strategy.
2. To hold the organization accountable for purpose of achieving strategic objectives.
3. To serve as the principle guardian of the non-profit organization’s welfare.

•1.      Community activities

•2.      User fee collection

The communities have agreed to be collecting minimal amount as user fees from every beneficiary monthly having in mind the economical hardship the people are facing. In some communities, hunger is the talk of the day. NLIZ has collected and banked K1, 000,000 from six (6) communities. If water committees will continue with the good work, then we are moving in the right direction slowly but sure.

•3.      Development

The following are feasible steps towards community development experienced:

• Mulundu community has built a grass thatched structure used for learning for ages 2 to 9 yrs old, adult education (Literacy), and HIV/AIDS education.
• Lessened water borne diseases.
• Improved relationship and unity - people plan and make decisions together as a community.
• Christian messages are shared and enhanced. This is the main goal being pursued in all the project areas.

•4.      Tax Exemption Certificate

The process of application for the above mentioned certificate to the Ministry of Finance was done. The interviews were called and attended to. Letters of recommendation concerning the work of NLIZ were obtained from the Ministry of Community Development-Kalomo Office and the office of the Choma District Commissioner. The Ministry of Finance has assigned unknown officers to take proof of what is being done in different communities. The results are not yet known.

The following were cardinal questions were asked during the interview at the Ministry of Finance concerning NLIZ:

• Legitimacy - for how long will the stakeholders support the organization under the present circumstances?
• Suitability - is the organization suitable for carrying out the tasks as defined by its stakeholders?
• Effectiveness - is the organization effective in carrying out its tasks?
• Internal organization - strategies, structures, and systems, management style, staff motivation, budget, donors and internal culture.
• Strengths and Weaknesses of the organization in relation to its tasks.
• Efficiency - the utilization of resources for achieving results.
• Flexibility of the organization - its ability to adapt to changes in the environment.

•5.      Areas and Project Numbers

For easy identification and support the  operational areas were given the project numbers as tabulated below:

•6.      Recommendations

• Batteries to be provided to the needy communities.
• Intensified training for committees need be conducted.
• Capacity building training for all contact persons.
• Need for seed money to start an Income Generating Venture.
• Empowerment and Increased self-reliance.
• Improved Equity.

A Franklin teenager can’t wait to get to Panama so she can hand over a water purifier she helped build for residents of the Panamanian Indian community….

Miya Gossett story

  But in addition to teaching, Joana is concerned about the health and welfare of women and children in the region.  The water in northern Burma largely comes from hand dug wells, often too close to latrines and open sewers.  Many children, and their parents, are sick from water-borne diseases.  Erv Otte and the Bedford Rotary Club donated a water treatment system which Joana carried into the country.  It was installed at a village church and making a difference in the health of the community.  A local community leader wrote, “The water is very pure and clean.  We are satisfied.  Please bring another water treatment machine.”

  Joana has had to postpone a return trip to Burma twice because of political instability in the region.  She will return to Thailand in late January, and hopes to return to Burma in March. 

We are saddened by the passing of Byron L. McGuire, founder of New Life International.  Byron went to be with our Lord this morning, (October 24, 2007) at 1:00 am. 

Visitation will be on Friday, October 26 from 4 pm - 8 pm at Stewart Funeral Home in Scottsburg, and after 1 pm on Saturday at the Scottsburg United Methodist Church.  Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 27 at 2 pm at the Scottsburg United Methodist Church.  Memorial donations can be made to New Life International 6764 S. Bloomington Trail  Underwood, IN 47177.

Water Purifiers installed in Bombo, Uganda by Align Ministries. www.alignministries.org

Align Ministry installed a H20 purifier right outside the Bombo Church. Many excited villagers helped with the installation. They are so proud that they have clean water in Bombo, not even Kampala has that. Even the “city “ water is not safe to drink without boiling or being treated. Almost everyone has to boil their water before they drink it; however almost all the people can not afford to buy the fire wood or charcoal to boil their drinking water. Many didn’t boil their water and got sick with diarrhea. With all the other issues they face, having to clean drinking water should not be one of them. The McGuire H2) purifier is so easy and inexpensive to accomplish.

These purifiers are a simple, rugged water chlorinator, which dissolves chlorine gas into the drinking water very much like we have for years in the United States. The Bambo Church water purifier treats enough drinking water for the entire village for just pennies a day. There is now a group of men at the Bambo Pentecostal Church ready to install another system.

Align Ministries is partnering with Pastor Jim Welsh in Palos Verde Penninsula, CA.   they will extend ther outreach by retuning in September 2007. They ask for prayers for future projects: installing another purifier, digging a well, mosquito nets, support for family and in the future building a school & clinic. 1 Corthinthians 9:26

Joseph Luyinda, Director of New Life International Africa, has been busy meeting with mission organizations, government agencies and non-government organizations to discuss sponsorship of water purification systems.  Through Joseph’s contacts, we anticipate installing 20 water purifiers in Uganda communities in the next several months.

More Uganda news!  Two regular volunteers at New Life International, Jamie Sandlin and Kim Burns, traveled to Uganda and visited several of the islands on Lake Victoria.  They traveled with a group from the States that worked with local missionaries on the islands on safe water projects.  Water Purifiers had been previously installed at several of the locations that they visited.  The team included a university professor and they focused on conducting laboratory tests of biological contamination of water and the eradication of bacteria due to the use of the water purifier.  The final report has not been published yet, but the results are that the water that went thought the water purification system had zero bacteria remaining.  The health of the islands and reduction of diarrhea diseases is positively being impacted in spite of the challenges of bringing safe water to the people. They also took four additional purifiers with them to Uganda and installed them on the islands.

Joseph demonstrating the purifier in Uganda