Chaffinch News: What’s been happening?
The Chaffinch Newsletter
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Recent Newsletters:
Recycle with Chaffinch and Terracycle
“Chaffinch + Terracycle = good news for the planet and for Kibera kids, too!”
When you donate your accepted waste to Chaffinch, it is guaranteed to be recycled. No need to worry that it might end up in landfill or shipped overseas for disposal.
Keep reading to find out more about how it all works and what amazing things can happen to your rubbish…
Silent Auction: Out and About
Get your bids in!
Raise money for Chaffinch and get your hands on some great tickets for venues that will get you and yours out and exploring in the York area. Huge thanks to the venues who have donated these tickets to help us in our work with Kibera’s children. Check out what’s available and get bidding!
Urgent Appeal: Surgery for 11-year-old abuse survivor
Musa’s right arm bears a reminder of an abusive past thanks to a deformity resulting from misaligned bones in his arm. He urgently needs surgery to correct this deformity and we need your help to make it happen. We really hope the world will come together to ensure a boy, who has seen so much suffering in his young life, can receive the care he needs and the knowledge that he is loved.
Chaffinch’s “Post-COVID Pamper Raffle”
With the arrival of ‘Freedom Day’ in the UK, we felt it was time to give you a treat. Clearly, the pandemic is far from over and there are many different views around the easing of restrictions. However, one thing that is not debatable is that it’s been a tough 17 months. The “Post-Covid Pamper Raffle” is here to help even if ‘post-covid’ remains only a hope on the horizon.
I love Chaffinch because: words from the children of Future Stars
Small Charity Week 2021 draws to a close today. Chaffinch is definitely a small charity, but does that mean we don’t make an impact? Some of the children of Future Stars would like to share their thoughts about what Chaffinch means to them. You can decide for yourself whether a small budget makes only a small difference in young lives…
A week of urgent medical care for Future Stars children
It’s been a busy week for Chaffinch and Future Stars with several children needing medical care. In Kibera, even basic healthcare can be extremely difficult to access when the choice is between medicine or a meal. Thankfully, Chaffinch supporters can make a very real difference in allowing rapid access to medical treatment. Here we tell you about four very different medical needs that have given us a varied and emotional week.
Hit-and-Run: The full story of Geoffrey’s medical care
5 months after 10-year-old Geoffrey was knocked down in a hit-and-run, we can bring you the full story of his treatment and recovery. It’s been a long journey for a very resilient boy and it’s largely thanks to Chaffinch supporters that the smile remains on his face. After eight hospital visits, Geoffrey is thriving.
Children in Crisis: an appeal for support
A sudden surge in admissions of children in crisis has stretched accommodation to the limit. We need your help to ensure vulnerable children have a safe and comfortable place to sleep. Amongst the new residents are those impacted by the economic consequences of covid-19, a girl fleeing abuse, and victims of a house fire. The sanctuary offered at Future Stars is vital at times of crisis but, without enough beds, the situation is less than ideal.
More Christmas celebrations with a special day out
December 26th saw the Christmas celebrations continue, for some of the Future Stars children, with a trip to Karura Forest for a picnic, nature walk, and lots of playtime. For these children, it was a very rare excursion out of the slum: providing new experiences and building plenty of great memories. Come and see what they got up to…
Christmas Day 2020 at Future Stars, Kibera
Happy Christmas! The children of Future Stars enjoyed a wonderful day of celebration with good food, music and dancing. Whilst plans were for 50 children to attend for the party, increased need within Kibera resulted in some last-minute adaptations. Much fun was definitely had by all and we have the photos and videos to prove it!
Grade 4 National Exams – how are they doing?
The results are in for Grade 4! The pupils sat examinations at the end of October, set by the Ministry of Education, to help teachers, pupils, and caregivers understand how the extended school closures have impacted on the children’s education and to establish what still needs to be taught for them to graduate Grade 4. See how they did…
Emergency Appeal: ‘hit-and-run’ update
After being hit by a car whilst walking along the road yesterday, Geoffry has spent the night in hospital. This morning, he was seen by the doctor and the dentist to formulate a treatment plan, although it wasn’t without its challenges.
Emergency Appeal: ‘hit-and-run’ hospital bills for 10-year-old Geoffry
At midday on September 14th, we received the awful news that 10-year-old Geoffry had been hit by a car. The driver didn’t stop. Prompt action was needed to access hospital care at St Mary’s Mission Hospital and we need your help to ensure Geoffry’s healthcare needs can be met.
Shop with Chaffinch to support our work
So you’ve got gifts to buy or want something special for yourself or your home. With so many places to buy online, your options can be overwhelming but how about if your purchase could change lives in Kibera as well as getting you what you want?
On September 8th 2020 Chaffinch launched a ‘NuMonday’ shop to complement our own webshop and the eBay for Charity programme, adding to the range of items you can buy to directly support our work. Find out more about what we sell and even how you can get involved.
Future Stars response to COVID-19: education
With ongoing school closures due to COVID-19, lack of education can cause significant problems. Read Future Stars report outlining how education has restarted at the centre’s school.
Future Stars response to COVID-19: residential children
Due to the current pandemic, the routine at Future Stars has changed. Check out the centre’s report outlining how the needs of resident children are being met in these unprecedented times.
COVID-19 response: “Soap Appeal”
All over the world, lives are changing due to the spread of the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19. Kibera has not been spared. In a place where quarantine and social distancing is impossible, and where people face a choice between risking working or starving, this...
Sponsorship priorities: targeted support for ‘at risk’ children
Whilst every child using the Future Stars centre is vulnerable, some are more ‘at risk’ than others. Here, you can see those most in need. For these children, sponsorship could ensure that they have what they deserve: a real childhood.
Desperate for employment: those left behind
Joshua: Another ‘victim’ of employment. With no work in Kibera or the surrounds, his father must travel further afield to earn enough to survive. Future Stars steps in to help.
When finding employment is heartbreaking
Choosing between food and your child is something no mother should ever have to do. Hezron and Cindy are innocent victims of extreme poverty. Read more about two children in need of support.
A safe home for a child in need: Precious Baraka
Precious comes to Future Stars! Another child in need given a home whilst her mother recovers in hospital. Read more of her story and how you can help.
A home for Tashley
January 2020 brought exciting news for a long-stay resident, Tashley Shaniz, who has lived at the rescue centre since she was a baby.
Joining the Rescue Centre – Vionza Atieno
Future Stars is open 365 days a year to ensure the care and safety of some of Kibera's most vulnerable children. Sometimes this involves providing extra food or school supplies to non-resident children and perhaps a bed for the night to help in an emergency. The...
Chaffinch News Archive
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