TRLF Mitumba 2016

Dear friends

I hope this note finds you and your families well.

I am now tying up matters over here in Tana as I prepare to make my trip to Asia at the end of March. It has been extra hectic because of the on-going construction of the new school ( Emmaus Centre Project Phase 1) which restarted late last year and also because we expanded our bursary programme to assist students from Term 1, especially those who performed well in the primary school leaving exams and were not able to continue to secondary school because of financial limitations. Thank you very much once again for your support for our work here in Tana Delta.

I expect to be at my mum’s place in JB by 1st April and in Singapore by the evening of 3rd April. I hope we can meet up sometime in April or May. I will be in Singapore the whole of April and again in the last two weeks of May. I will be in Malaysia during the first two weeks of May as well as the first two weeks of June before returning to Kenya by mid-June.

We will have our Mitumba Project collections again this year from 8 – 16 April at Nativity Church Kindergarten, the same venue as last year. Collection details and wishlist are available for download here.

• Collection details : https://tanariverlife.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/mitumba-project-flyer-2016-short.pdf
• Wishlist : https://tanariverlife.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/2016-mtb-request-list.pdf

In the last year, together with a few volunteer friends from Singapore and Malaysia, we registered Tana River Life Foundation Pte Ltd. One of its activities is the sale of Kenyan handicrafts in Singapore & Malaysia, with all profits going to support TRLF projects in Kenya. Soapstone carvings featuring safari animals and Christmas figurines have been the first products. If you would like to view or find out more, please contact Iris Tay at tanariverlifefoundation@gmail.com.

When in Asia, I will be contactable at +65-98338401 (Singapore) / +6012-6237040 (Malaysia) or Whatsapp to +254723521774. I look forward to meeting you during our time in Asia.

Until then, may God bless you and your families.

5^th March 2016
‘Like’ us on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/tanariverlifefoundation/
Follow our blog : https://tanariverlife.wordpress.com/

Letter from Gabriel – Feb 2014

Dear Friends,

I hope this letter finds all of you in the best of health and blessed with a good start to 2014. This letter is long overdue, and I sincerely apologize for the delay. It has been an eventful year with a lot of unforeseen challenges. I am grateful however, because it was also a year of much growth in faith and inner strength.

It is now a year since the ethnic clashes in the Tana Delta ended as abruptly as it started and life has slowly returned to normal. TRLF was invited to be part of the Tana Delta Peace Forum set up by the Deputy County Commissioner’s office, aimed at conflict resolution. I believe that our human development initiatives can bring about not merely periods of normalcy but long term peace and sustainable development for the people of Tana Delta. The following report elaborates on this conviction:

https://tanariverlife.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/2014-trlf-education-and-peace-final.pdf

As part of our efforts to support the areas most affected by the conflict, we started a mobile library this month, initially serving two schools in the delta, including Buyani Secondary School which was vandalized and forced to stop operating for almost a year as a result of the clashes. Our school The Delta Mustard Seed Academy is now registered with the Ministry of Education as a Private Nursery and Primary School, with an enrolment of 115 children from all the delta tribes. You can read more about these and our other educational initiatives at :https://tanariverlife.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/2013-pdf-part-b-and-c-education-support1.pdf

We terminated the services of the contractor responsible for constructing Phase 1 of the Emmaus Centre (i.e. the school building) in the middle of last year on grounds of non-performance. We were unable to proceed as planned as he refused to return the original building plans to us. The case is currently pending a court decision with a ruling date set for 17^th March. Meanwhile, construction of Phase 2 of the Emmaus Centre (i.e. the Community Centre housing the library, computer room, meeting room, auditorium and cafeteria) will begin this month under a new contractor. This phase is expected to be completed by August. Details about the ECP are available at:

https://tanariverlife.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/2013-pdf-part-k-and-l-scaling-up.pdf

To better manage these new initiatives, I have delayed my annual trip to Asia. I will arrive in Singapore on 21^st March. Collections for the Mitumba Project (i.e. sale of recycled goods to improve rural livelihoods) will start on Saturday 22^nd March and run through to Saturday 29^th March. The venue remains the same as last year, i.e. the Nativity Church Kindergarten at Hougang Ave 8 (opposite Punggol Park). I look forward to your support once again. Full details can be obtained from :  https://tanariverlife.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/2014-part-b-pdf.pdf

This project, with your generous support, benefited over 50 families last year. I write about this and other entrepreneurship programs at:

https://tanariverlife.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/2013-pdf-part-g-and-h-entrepreneuship.pdf

The farm project has progressed very well in spite of being partially destroyed during the floods that hit the delta in May and June last year. More information on this is available at:

https://tanariverlife.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/2013-pdf-part-d-e-and-f-sustainable-agriculture.pdf

This was largely due to the efforts of the present group of youth under formation who are also the farm managers. They have matured tremendously in the past year, and are very responsible and honest. I explain more about the youth formation project in the following write-up:

https://tanariverlife.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/2013-pdf-part-i-and-j-integral-formation.pdf

We were blessed with many visitors last year. A compilation of photos of 2013 visitors is available at:

https://tanariverlife.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/2013-pdf-part-m-donor-visits.pdf

I am grateful for these visits, as it enriches the life experiences of our youth. I trust that every one of our visitors were also enriched in some way, and I welcome more such visits in the coming years.

I am very grateful to all who have helped us in one way or another, making possible so many initiatives last year. May you be blessed abundantly for your generous spirit.  Below is an acknowledgment of the help we received in 2013, and I apologize if I have inadvertently missed mentioning anyone:

https://tanariverlife.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/2013-pdf-part-n-acknowledgements.pdf

Highlights of our 2013 initiatives can be downloaded at: https://tanariverlife.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/2013-pdf-part-a-cover-and-intro.pdf

The complete 2013 Annual Report comprising all the above sections is available at:

https://tanariverlife.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/2013-trlf-annual-report-final.pdf

We have made major changes to the administration of our school fees sponsorship programme with the aim of assisting the most marginalized students from every location in the Tana Delta. This and all our other plans for 2014 are outlined in the following report:

https://tanariverlife.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/2014-part-a-pdf.pdf

I hope you will be encouraged to continue to journey with us this year as we work towards a more complete humanity for all.

I created a new email address for the foundation: tanariverlifefoundation@gmail.com, and will be sending all future reports through that address. Please save that email address in your contacts list/address book to prevent our future reports from inadvertently being sent to your spam folder.

Lastly, I look forward to meeting you during my stay in Singapore and Malaysia from the end of March until the middle of May. I will be contactable at both +65-98338401 (Singapore) and +6012-6237040 (Malaysia) from 21^st March. Please note my new permanent mobile number in Singapore.

Thank you once again, and I wish you all a year of peace and fulfillment. God bless.

Gabriel Teo Kian Chong

Idsowe – Tana Delta

February 2014

Mitumba Used Goods Collection 2014

Many of you are in the midst of spring cleaning this first weekend in January and have asked when we will be collecting the used goods for Tana River Life Foundation. Aside from the usual clothes, bags, shoes, bedsheets and curtains, I’d like to highlight that we also collect the following :

– old mobile phones which can be repaired and sold Tana Delta

– CDs / DVDs for recycling : content does not matter. They could contain music, movies, software, backups, or even annual reports

– empty CD / DVD covers for recycling

The venue and dates have been decided.

We’ll be at Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the same venue as the past 2 years from 22 – 30 March. Click here for a map of the location.

Click here to download the letter from Gabriel, the dates and times of the collection and a  list of items needed : https://tanariverlife.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/mitumba-2014-final.pdf

See you in March and Happy Spring Cleaning !

 

Thanks to one and all who supported us over the last 2 weekends.

Tana River Life Foundation Jumble Sale 2012

Thanks for supporting the Tana River Life Foundation Bake Sale and Jumble Sale. The bake sale raised over $7,000 for the Education Centre Project, where every dollar raised will be matched by Joneron Trust, making that a total of $14,000. The Jumble Sale raised over $8000 which will pay for the shipment of the used items collected for the Mitumba Project.

Special thanks to Siewfan Wong of Gallery Helios for allowing us to setup stall at their Open House, Gina Choong of Kitchen Capers for supplying our packaging and Esther Wee of Halia Restaurant for sponsoring the ingredients !

Here are a few photos of the yummy cakes and cookies

Our youngest supporter who loved her find, a gorgeous pink backpack :

Jumble Sale in aid of Tana River Life Foundation

Thanks for the items you’ve donated. We are now almost done with the sorting and packing all the donated reusable items for the 2011 Mitumba Project. We intend the ship the items over to Kenya in a single 20 footer container in March 2011. Gabriel is very grateful to all who offered their time generously to help Eddy in one way or another with the mammoth task of sorting and packing through the mountain of goods. Thanks also for bringing down all the food, Gabriel & Eddy probably added on a few kilos during the past two weeks.

Some of the high value items which will not be shipped to Kenya including some pieces of bags, toys & furniture will be available at a jumble sale this weekend to raise funds for the shipment of the goods to Kenya. Proceeds of the jumble sale will go entirely towards the freight forwarding and clearing charges for the shipment. Our aim is to make the Mitumba Project a self sustaining endeavour. Join us this weekend at the Nativity Church, the collection venue. 2 pieces of lightly used chinese furniture will also be available.

Details of the jumble sale are below :

Venue: St. Joseph’s Pavilion (outside Casa Maria)
Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
1259 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534759

 

Click here for the map : http://www.streetdirectory.com/asia_travel/travel/travel_id_1724/travel_site_85524/

Can you help with the packing ?

Thanks for all the used goods you have contributed to Tana River Life Foundation. It’ll great if you could help in the packing. Contributions of packing tape and carton boxes are also welcomed.

The used goods are being packed at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Upper Serangoon, the same venue as the used goods collection. Gabriel and Eddy will be packing from 14th to 24th Feb. Would be great if you could join them. Email Gabriel or call Eddy at 92320222.

Here’s the schedule :

Mon 14 Feb : 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm
Tue 15 Feb :10.00 am to 8.00 pm
Wed 16 Feb : 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm
Thu 17 Feb : 10.00 am to 8.00 pm
Fri 18 Feb CLOSED
Sat 19 Feb : 12.00 am to 5.00 pm
Sun 20 Feb CLOSED
Mon 21 Feb : 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm
Tue 22 Feb : 10.00 am to 8.00 pm
Wed 23 Feb : 10.00 am to 1.00 pm
Thu 24 Feb : 10.00 am to 8.00 pm

 

Click here for more details : Sorting Schedule 2011

Updates from Gabriel

Gabriel is back in town and has provided an update on his progress in the past year as well as some pictures.

Here are the documents.

TRLF 2010 report : 2010 report by Gabriel Teo

TRLF SLIDES (JAN 2011) : Pictures of some of the initiatives this year

TRLF SHB SLIDES (JAN 2011) : Pictures of the sustainable agriculture project

TRLF GHS SLIDES (JAN 2011) : Pictures of projects completed at Garsen High School

Collection 2011

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year. Another year is over, and a new one has just dawned.
It’s time once again to spring clean and set aside things for those less fortunate than us.

As in previous years, I’m once again reminding you that Tana River Life Foundation will be collecting used goods to be shipped to Kenya. This year we’ll be collection from Jan 22 – Jan 30 at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Upper Serangoon, the same collection venue as in 2010. Please use the entrance on Hougang Avenue 8. Click here for a map.

Collection times are as follows :

Sat 22 Jan & 29 Jan : 9am to 7pm
Sun 23 Jan & 30 Jan: 2pm – 7pm
Mon 24 Jan – Fri 28 Jan : 5pm – 7pm

I’m enclosing the request from 2010, as the items requested remains largely the same. In addition, they need a small number of used mobile phones in good resale condition as well as metal book shelves for the school libraries. If you have any contacts at schools or libraries who are looking to replace their shelves please let me know.

Mitumba Collection Request List 2010

Thanks & have a good 2011,
Iris

Gabriel is back in town

Hi All,

Gabriel is back for his annual visit in this part of the world. He’ll be here till April 20th, and in Singapore till 11th April. He’s sent out the appeal for second hand goods required this year. Most of you should have receive it, if not you’ll find it at the bottom of this post.

The usual rules of thumb apply for the collection : Clothes, shoes, bags, bedsheets, curtains, bicycles in resale condition.

• No white clothes for men & children.
• No short skirts, sleeveless tops and pants for women.
• No slippers for all.
• Curtains and bedsheets are welcomed, again No whites

Like previous years, the collection point would be at St Anthony’s Church in Woodlands. Here’s the map.

We’re looking forward to a great collection this year. Here are the details :

Venue :

Church of St. Anthony

25 Woodlands Avenue1

Woodlands New Town

Collection Schedule:

Day	Date	Duration
Thursday	12th March 2009	8.30 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Friday	13th March 2009	8.30 a.m. to 9.00 p.m
Saturday	14th March 2009	8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m
Sunday	15th March 2009	CLOSED
Monday	16th March 2009	8.30 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Tuesday.	17th March 2009	8.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m

Please hand over items directly to Gabriel Teo at the loading bay at the far end of the church carpark. For further information, please contact Gabriel Teo at telephone no.96337421

2009 GUIDELINES FOR DONATIONS TOWARDS REUSABLE GOODS PROJECT

Click to download

Children’s Clothing	Coloured	White	Remarks
Baby Size	Y	Y	No colour restriction
Kids Size	Y	Y	All sizes, but strong preference for coloured items
Adult Clothing	Coloured	White	Remarks
Caps	Y	Y	All sizes, but strong preference for coloured items
T-Shirts	Y	Y	All sizes, but strong preference for coloured items
Blouses	Y	Y	No colour restriction
Office Shirts	Y	N	STRICTLY NO WHITE ITEMS. Short sleeves preferred
Casual Shirts	Y	Y	Strong preference for coloured and short-sleeved items
Neck Ties	N	N	STRICTLY NOT REQUIRED
Men’s Shorts	Y	Y	All sizes
Women’s Shorts	N	N	STRICTLY NOT REQUIRED
Tight Jeans	N	N/A	STRICTLY NOT REQUIRED
Loose Cut Jeans	Y	N/A	All sizes
Bermudas	Y	Y	All sizes
Men’s Trousers	Y	N	STRICTLY NO WHITE ITEMS. Up to size 36 only
Skirts	Y	Y	Knee length or longer, preference for coloured items
Dresses	Y	Y	Knee length or longer, preference for coloured items
Ladies Slacks	N	N	NOT REQUIRED UNLESS PART OF OFFICE SUIT
Women’s Suits	Y	Y	No colour restriction
Jackets	Y	N	Nairobi can have temperatures as low as 10°C
Sweaters	Y	N	Nairobi can have temperatures as low as 10°C
Undergarments	N	N	STRICTLY NOT REQUIRED
Bedsheets	Y	N	STRICTLY NO WHITE ITEMS, all sizes accepted
Towels	N	N	STRICTLY NOT REQUIRED
Curtains	Y	N	STRICTLY NO WHITE ITEMS, for regular sized windows

Footwear		Required
Slippers	N	STRICTLY NOT REQUIRED
Sandals	N	STRICTLY NOT REQUIRED
Open shoes	Y	Required in all sizes
Children’s shoes	Y	Very useful as students use black leather shoes in school
White rubber shoes	N	STRICTLY NOT REQUIRED
Men’s leather	Y	Required in all sizes
Women’s leather	Y	Not too high heels. Flat or medium heels preferred
Sports Shoes	Y	Very useful for school going children and youth
Football Boots	Y	Required in all sizes, i.e. kids, youth and adults
Bags		Required
Wallets	Y	Required in small quantity only
Pouches	Y	Required in small quantity only
Baskets	N	STRICTLY NOT REQUIRED
Plastic Bags	N	STRICTLY NOT REQUIRED
Handbags	Y	No restrictions, as long as in good resale condition
School Bags	Y	No restrictions, as long as in good resale condition
Travel Bags	Y	No restrictions, as long as in good resale condition
Suitcases	Y	Please indicate lock combination if any
Briefcase	Y	Required in small quantity only
Others		Required
Bicycles	Y	In good condition, i.e. not rusting. Punctured tyres are acceptable.
Spring Files	Y	Used but in good condition only
Any other items	Please check with Gabriel at gabrielteo@yahoo.com before packing