written by Lia

The world is small and the coincidences large... we heard that the singer and social activist,
Rick Sharpe, was coming to Kimilili this week to visit the children and widows of the OMWABINI Rescue Steps Charity. One of our UN volunteers contacted him and told him about the Kimilili Football Tournament. Not one to be shy of making a spontaneous commitment, Rick Sharpe has promised to perform at the tournament! What wonderful news this is!
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Rick Sharpe has been travelling to Africa for the last 25 years and has been engaged as a volunteer both on the ground and back in the UK for most of this time. He raises funds and awareness by putting on gigs and events, visiting Kenya when he can to work with the children. The projects that most interest him are those that promote the construction of traditional housing for the widows and children, freshwater projects, education, and work in the AIDS clinic.

During this trip, Rick is making a documentary about the OMWABINI Rescue Steps Charity, recording the children’s choir singing SwahiliGospel music, as well as working in the AIDS Hospital at Webye.

With all this on his plate, you can imagine how delighted we are that he is taking time to support CBSM’s fundraising efforts and perform at our Kimilili Football Tournament on July 3rd.
 
written by Lia

We have been experiencing further pressure from the landlord of our school to make the down payment towards the purchase of the land that our temporary facilities are built upon. If we do not manage to do so before September there is a real chance that we will be out on the streets, as it were, come the end of this year.



So far, ten community members in Kimilili have pledge funds (a total of 200 USD). Steve in the States has made a private donation of 100 USD. And we are hopeful that members of the betterplace.org might also find it in their hearts to contribute.  



Even though the amounts given are a good start, we must show resilience and invent other ways to raise funds for the needed deposit (1,5000 USD). With the help of Christina, a volunteer in the UK and two other local volunteers in Nairobi, we have requested CBSM Kimilili to organize a fundraising football tournament involving CBSM children and other schools in Kimilili Town.



The district sports officer of Kimilili is on board, as is the chief executive of the Citizen TV/radio station and they have promised to cover the event. As you can imagine we are very excited about this news and hopeful that we will raise the needed attention and funds to make the down payment.



The tournament will be held on July 3rd, 2010. There will be a total of 16 teams, each with 6 players (10-12 years old). Each game will be 20 minutes long and the winning team will receive a trophy. 



We are also planning to run three other events in between matches - a singing and dancing competition, an art auction and a costume race using recycled materials.



We would appreciate it if you could please spread the word of this tournament to your friends and family.



In this time of Football/Soccer fever, it does well to think of about how this game is about good fair competitive spirit and how it can bring about positive change in children’s lives. Please do consider donating 5-10 dollars towards this cause. Every bit helps.