Final Quarterly Progress Report 2016

Final Quarterly Progress Report 2016

Sakala Benson, Mutende & Nathan Serving with SIM in Kenya

FAMILY UPDATE

Calvary greetings from Mutende and Nathan in Kenya. We are all doing very well and in good health by the grace of God. Thank you very much for your love, care, prayers, dialoguing and muchfinances invested during the final quarter of the year 2016.

The Sakala family would like to express our gratitude for your monthly and extra support. Together as a team we are achieving much greater results by the grace of God.

Nathan is now 2 years and 4 months. Mutende and Nathan returned to Nairobi very safely. We are very grateful to God for providing the air tickets through my parents in law.

NEW LIFE FOR THE DIASPORA

Vision

The New Life for Diaspora is designed to help them and their families. It is by biblical teaching; vocational training and economic empowerment that we envision this change take place among these communities.

Background

At least one million refugees have fled their home country and have found refuge in the neighboring countries.

Whenever Diaspora come into contact with us, we seek to help them by discipling them, helping with basic needs, engaging them in vocational training and enabling them to care for their own financial needs through microfinance projects.

Fourth Quarter 2016 Progress Report for various projects

Tools With A Mission – TWAM

Praise the Lord! We finally received the following tools:

Manual Sewing Machines [4]; Electric Sewing Machines [1]; Carpentry Kits Trade [1]; Saws Pack [1]; Computers [2]; Scanner/Printers [1]; Shoe Repair Kit/Leather Worker Kit [2]; Boxes of books-Bibles and Christian books [3] and Catering supplies /pots/pans/utensils.We are very grateful to the Peter Fisher and his team for the tools.

OPAL Trust and Book Aid in UK

Praise the Lord! We finally received 52 Bibles requested by 3 group leaders Alfred, Joseph and Rev. Peter. We are very grateful to Geoff Rustton and Opal Trust management team.

Joseph from Nairobi already collected one box containing 13 Bibles. Rev. Njronge from Northern Kenya will collect his box in January, 2017.

Type Touch Read Spell and Quail Books:

TTRS project need a lot of follow up. There hasn’t been much feedback as I anticipated from the two schools and individuals. However, I will keep on following them up.

Is there anything else I can do to assist there....?Will it be possible to search for second hand computers?
What do you identify as the challenges?

Few schools and individuals that I have approached have very limited access to the internet.
Schools principals are very slow in making decision.
Some schools and individuals do not have access to the computers
Lack of logistics for us to set up Computer Training Centre.

Is there potential among other groups or areas in Kenya, do you think?

Yes, there is potential and will explore among other groups or areas.

Regarding the Quail Books, we have managed to sell 57 copies at 100 Ksh with the total of 5,700 Ksh. The sales are slow but it will pick up as I continue building relationships with local church leaders.

Internship Nurses from UK visiting Nairobi:

David is in the process of organizing internship Nurses to visit Nairobi. I shared with Joseph regarding medical health sessions and have agreed with his team to facilitate the sessionsfor the Nurses. Joseph and his team have facilitated medical camps as well as community health trainings. Therefore, they have experience in coordinating such activities.

A Pound A Day Concept:

This is an initiative of David to set up a pound –a-day fund. The idea behind this concept is to help us to supplement our monthly support. The concept will have a one year trial period and therefore, it will be evaluated on the progress made. We already received 183 Pounds and another 183 Pounds was sent recently through SIM UK. We are very grateful to David for the initiative.

Mechanics Project:

Steve and his team of mechanics are ready and looking forward receiving the training by Jonathan and his team of mechanical experts from UK

Books from Dar es Salaam Tanzania:

I have not yet received any feedback from Francis regarding the books from Logos Hope so that it can be transported to Nairobi. I will follow it up in January, 2017.

Book Sellers Kenya:

The purpose of Book Sellers Kenya is to provide valuable community services while also generating funding for individual families.

The Business Plan has been completed and we are currently trying to find potential partners for the project and forming a team of at least 2 people.

Manna publication Project:

I have not been very successful in looking for the replacement for Raghe who has resettled in the States to complete Mark 8 part 1 Bible Study material in the Diaspora language. I trust the Father to help me to find a suitable and a reliable translator.

Business Plans Entrepreneurs:

Harriet

Tailoring project

Harriet had a scrap sewing machine beyond repair. Fortunate enough, her machine was repaired and her journey of success began.

During my visit on Saturday 29th October, I was amazed how she is utilizing the sewing machine with her creative mind. She is able to make ladies suits, dresses, children outfits, school uniforms etc.

She purchases secondhand women trousers at a very low price and makes them into skirts and sells it at a profit. She also buys second hand women tight elastic pants and makes about two or three shorts for kids. Mothers like the shorts for their children and she sells the shorts at a profit.

Jane and Alfred

Business Plan; Baby Care Project

Jane and Alfred have similar business plans of starting a school in Nairobi. Currently, they are not in a position to kick start their business due to other logistics. I had shared with both of them regarding the idea of starting a baby care project [small beginning concept]. They agreed to combine their experience and knowledge together and elevate the disadvantaged kids through education.

The idea came when I first visited the fellowship which is headed by Alfred and Jane. I saw many kids in the community and shared the idea of starting a baby care. The community is in fully support of the initiative. Jane and Alfred already have a room with the capacity of about 20 kids. They have already completed the baby care concept paper and are planning to kick start the baby care in January/February

Halima and Tato:

Business Plan: Restaurant

I had assisted Halima to be employed in a Restaurant as a waiter and cashier. She stopped working in October and she is very grateful for the experience and knowledge gained in preparing different types of foods and cash reconciliation.

Part of Halima saving, she started a small second hand clothing business outside Nairobi. She purchases cheaper ladies jackets about 5-8 pieces and transport the parcel by bus. The first parcel 3 pieces were missing but still managed to make a profit of $15. The second parcel reached the destination intact and made a profit of $25. Halima is currently working as a Liberian. Two days in a week and still saving some money to open the Restaurant Business.

Halima has found a place to start the restaurant business. She is hoping to open the restaurant in January 2017. The catering supplies/pots/pan/utensils which from TWAM tools are for her to kick start her Restaurant Business.

Julius

Business Plan: Mission of Hopes Education Centre

Julius opened a Pre-School in Siaya about 325 Km from Nairobi. He regularly visits his school for assessment meetings with the staff/parents and the community leaders. The information is very helpful to him in evaluating the progress and the performance of the school. Currently the school is on right course and progressing very well.

The school started with 123 underprivileged children and 7 orphans. Currently the school has 146 children- Baby class 35; Nursery 39; Pre Unit 41; Class one 31.

Education advisor:

Julius visited his school in Siaya in November and contacted Edward Wata the education advisor. They did not meet. However, Edward is willing to discuss on the progress of the school and share his experiences in the education sector. I am very happy that they are now in touch.

Fouzia

Business Plan: Food supplement

She sells Edmark International food supplement products to a good number of clients. [ and her business is doing well. Currently she has been trying to market the products to Chemists/dispensary and hotels and there is a good indication that she may be supplying her products to the Chemists and Hotels. This would boost her business tremendously.

She has recruited two [2] women who sells her products at a commission. She is very grateful to the Lord that she is able to assist other women.

Rose

Business Plan: Ubax Spring

Rose is specialized in craft designing with an African theme and inspirations. They make aprons, bags, potholders, African wear, tissue holders, coasters, gift bags poach, curtains, children wear and beddings.

Their products are uniquely designed high quality crafts ranging from cushion covers to bags and many other items that portray features of Africa e.g. mountains, animals, culture, tress etc.

Rose mostly targets local and international markets, tourists, guest houses, conferences and hotels and her business is doing well.She is hoping to start a bakery in 2017. She already has a locally made Oven.

Harriet and Juma-sewing machine

On 8th November, 2016, I gave a sewing machine to Harriet in the company of her husband Juma. She is the first person to have received the tool. She was overjoyed and could not express herself well. The machine is very strong and durable and can sew all kinds of fabric materials.Inside the case, was almost 4 meters piece of cloth. Harriet will use the material to generate more income for her family.

Harriet is also using the machine to impact the lives of young women and mothers with her skills through training them in sewing different designs for women and kids etc. One of her possible future plans is to set up a tailoring workshop to train both the Diaspora and Kenyans.

Sophia and her business partner

Business Plan: Selling DVD movies and Playing Station [Video game] for kids.

They really want to implement the idea of internet café which would generate extra income for the business. I am considering giving them one computer from the Tools With A Mission to put the idea to test and assess the performance of the internet café business. I have also asked them to get a quotation from various outlets and then compare the prices.

Ngongo and Abu project:

Business Plan: Hand craft/Jewelry and Handbag/Traditional slippers Products

Ngongo and Abu will work together to strengthen their businesses. Abu is skillful in making handbags and Kenyan traditional slippers and he is planning to make samples for such products. Ngongo is willing to assist Abu marketing his products because he already has a good base for his products.

The plan is first to find a local market for his products and assess the stability of the market which will determine the production of his products.Regarding the TWAM tools - shoes repair/leather worker kit and carpentry kit trade/saw pack tools will be used by Ngongo and Abu project. Part of the plan for this project is to offer training in the areas of handcraft/ jewelry products and maasai sandals/handbags subsequently creating employments both to the Diaspora and Kenyans.

Praise items:

Praise God for your continued support through prayers and finances.
Praise God for providing air tickets for Mutende and Nathan through my parents in laws
Praise God for ongoing businesses and are progressing very well by the grace of God.
Praise God for the provision of tools through Tools with A Mission [TWAM]
Praise God for the provision of 52 Bible through OPAL Trust

Prayer items:

Please kindly pray for various projects for 2017. We need a lot of fuel [prayers] for drastic breakthrough.

We greatly appreciate your commitment and very strong partnershipthrough your generous giving and prayers. You are very special to us and we value your support.

Kind regards to your families, mission committee, leadership and the whole congregation.

Warm regards,Benson, Mutende and Nathan Contact details: Email address:

Skype: benson.sakala5

+254-725-238-551

Postal address: P.O. Box 60875 00200 Nairobi Kenya