The security wall at Faraja is completed! View a picture here. Tell us what you think! Due to the amazing amount of support we received, we spent a bit more on the wall than originally planned—about $10,000. We think it was worth it though (that’s razor wire on the top by the way…) as no one will be climbing over that wall anytime soon. See a few more pictures below.
About three weeks ago we asked for help building the security wall to replace the existing wooden fence in order to protect the orphanage from thieves and other invaders after Omari was wounded in the face by a machete during an attack. Now, thanks to all of your incredible generosity and support, the orphanage has that wall and the children of Faraja can sleep soundly tonight for the first time in over eight years. The orphanage is as safe as possible now as we’ve also hired a very foreboding security guard, added improved locks, etc.
We have now raised nearly $100,000 for the orphanage and children in Kenya, so we’ll be able to do much, much more for the children at the orphanage. We have some leftover building materials so are contemplating building a small guard shack next to the gate. Next we’ll purchase bunk bed frames as all the children are currently sleeping on mattresses on the floor (sometimes more than 1 per mattress)—the bunk beds will give everyone more space and comfort. And overall, we are working to set Faraja on a path to long-term financial sustainability. We want to ensure it can ably serve the vulnerable children of Ngong now and in the future. Part of this will be to buy the land the orphanage is built on for which we will need to raise more funds (renting like this is a common arrangement in Kenya). For now, we have secured discounted rental agreement which will pay for the cost of the wall.
Follow us on Twitter @LongonotEd and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LongonotEducationInitiative for additional ways to get updates on our progress.
Thank you again for your support, encouragement, and interest!
Here are a few more pictures of the wall and Faraja:
The wall
Freshly painted gate
Cleaning up inside the compound
About three weeks ago we asked for help building the security wall to replace the existing wooden fence in order to protect the orphanage from thieves and other invaders after Omari was wounded in the face by a machete during an attack. Now, thanks to all of your incredible generosity and support, the orphanage has that wall and the children of Faraja can sleep soundly tonight for the first time in over eight years. The orphanage is as safe as possible now as we’ve also hired a very foreboding security guard, added improved locks, etc.
We have now raised nearly $100,000 for the orphanage and children in Kenya, so we’ll be able to do much, much more for the children at the orphanage. We have some leftover building materials so are contemplating building a small guard shack next to the gate. Next we’ll purchase bunk bed frames as all the children are currently sleeping on mattresses on the floor (sometimes more than 1 per mattress)—the bunk beds will give everyone more space and comfort. And overall, we are working to set Faraja on a path to long-term financial sustainability. We want to ensure it can ably serve the vulnerable children of Ngong now and in the future. Part of this will be to buy the land the orphanage is built on for which we will need to raise more funds (renting like this is a common arrangement in Kenya). For now, we have secured discounted rental agreement which will pay for the cost of the wall.
Follow us on Twitter @LongonotEd and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LongonotEducationInitiative for additional ways to get updates on our progress.
Thank you again for your support, encouragement, and interest!
Here are a few more pictures of the wall and Faraja:
The wall
Freshly painted gate
Cleaning up inside the compound
