Story
January 2008
Every new year is a time for optimism and fresh starts. We had our hopes, our plans and our dreams for greater fundraising in 2008. Now all hangs in the balance, the future so unpredictable and the sadness in the air. People want to be optimistic and it seems like it wouldn't be so hard just to "get back to normal" but at this point "normal" will be a facade when companies have no jobs for their employees, the killings and burning continues around the country. There is a tremendous amount of healing that is needed in Kenya...
We shall resume our campaign for Nanyuki Cottage Hospital's Dialysis Fund in a few weeks' time. At present, our energy has been diverted towards prayer, peace and to help rebuild our country. Our fundraising has temperorily found a different receipient... to help all those who have lost their homes, their businesses, their jobs and their loved ones. If you wish to donate towards Save Kenya Fund, please indicate in the comment box on the sponsor page of our website.
Early December 2007
We receive a generous donation of £740.- (Kshs. 100,000/-) from Steve Simon, from St John, Virgin Island. Thank you Steve, for your beautiful music and donation.
In October...
The week before the Jazz Fest was a busy one... finalizing arrangements for the event, collecting the raffle prizes from various donors, sending out last email shots of the event. On Friday 12th evening, over many glasses of wine, at Alpana's house in Nanyuki, we gift wraped the raffle prizes, compiled lists of things-to-do for the next day.
Sophy was up early at Barney's, setting up the marque tents as there was signs of rain. It is , afterall, October, the short-rain season. Di Allen and Fiona were putting final decor of flowers at Barney's; Neesha, Shamas and their son Sheehan, packaging the animal applique stickers (for cars or windows). This is another side project that we started for raising funds for the dialysis unit. Alpana was busy arranging the ice for Jos Hansen, the wine sponsor; delivery of the jumping castle to Barneys. Wanjiru was printing out the raffle prize vouchers. Joost and Particia of B'ware Studio, set up the sound equipment. We had pre-sold 30 tickets, and most people said they'd buy tickets at the gate. Despite the grey sky, people braved the short rainly spells to attend one of the most enjoyable afternoons in Nanyuki. People came from as far as Timau, Lewa, Laikipia, Rumuruti, Nyeri and Nairobi to support us and enjoy the Jazz.
From 3pm onwards, the guests started arriving... the wine perfectly was chilled, plates of finger food were being served by very pleasant Barclay's Bank staff, a wonderful platter of local cheeze stationed in the middle of the hay-stack seating area and the beautiful Jazz... by Hellon and the Black Keys, joined by Steve Simon on the clarinet. Guests stayed till late... and everyone who bought a raffle ticket went home with a prize! After paying out all the expenses, we banked £2424.- into Nanyuki Cottage Hospital's Dialysis Fund. A very enjoyable and successful event!
Our sponsors of the Jazz in Nanyuki were: Soho's, Tropic Air Nanyuki Airstrip, B'ware Studio, Highland Water, Ooh! Ice Cream.
This is now... 6 months later, in September
The premiere of Harry Potter movie in July, in Nairobi was not as house-full as expected. There were 6 other theatres in Nairobi screening the same movie premiere, sponsored by big Corporations. We bagged only 370.- UKP. However, we met many of our supporters, who showed up from up-country and within Nairobi. And everyone enjoyed the free ice-cream!
Alpana and Sophy have done extensive marketing for Nanyuki Cottage Hospital. Them two are like the "off-licence" dukawalas down the road, who know everyone by name and house number; who has been having visitors and from which part of the world; who's coming home for Christmas etc. Locally, the farmers and ranch-owners around Mt.Kenya and Laikipia have given generously to the building of the Renal Unit, to mention a couple: Impala Research Centre and the directors of Loisaba. There are a number of semi-permanent residents around this area, who want to remain anonymous, have donated big amounts. They appreciate that Nanyuki Cottage Hospital (NCH) will become fully serviced and equipped in the near future, and that for such medical care they would have to travel to Nairobi, being 3 hrs dirve or 1 hrs private charter plane ride far away.. These residents have family, friends and business associates visit them for short breaks throughout the year.
To-date, locally between Nairobi and Nanyuki, we have collected 5,185 UKP.
Neesha organized a slide presentation on Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb to a group of YPO Kenya and was "paid in kind" (UKP 150.-) to the Renal Unit NCH.
We have now taken, under our wing of fundraising, the up-grading of the Accident and Emergency Unit of NCH.
We are excited about our next fund-drive, the Jazz Fest, that's happening on Saturday 13th October @ Barney's, Nanyuki Airstrip. The Jazz group is being organized by Soho's, a fine Wine Bar in Nairobi; Jos Hansen will be selling some good wine, cheaply; Barclays Bank, Nanyuki branch are turning their banking staff into waitrons! and their sponsorship is to match the total sale of tickets penny for penny! Highland Water from Nyeri will give away free water to all those merry-makers. Finger food throughout the afternoon into evening will be courtesy of Barney's. So... even if you're not attending the Jazz Fest for whatever reason... do buy a ticket to support us. The Awesome 4Some girls will be merry-making..oops.. how did that slip out! whilst Shamas will be testing people's shooting skills @ Target Archery... on the airstrip! We hear that friends from as far as Lewa, Timau, Kisima, Meru, Nyeri, Aberdares, Laikipia, Ol Pejeta, Ol Jogi and Nairobi are coming...
We have a couple more fundraising events up our sleeves... Shhh...You didn't hear this from us... a cycle ride from Nanyuki to Mombasa (700kms!) by Neesha and the other three as escorts in a Tuk Tuk! What a sight! What a laugh! What fun way to fundraise!
Keep it posted on our webpage for more news... Thank you for your support... Keep well YOU ALL!
This was at the beginning... in March 2007
Sitting in Sophy’s living-room, at her Nanyuki home, with all the dogs warming around the fireplace, the discussion took a turn towards how our close family members and friends could have benefited and have the need for dialysis treatment. That discussion took yet another bigger turn and gave us enough reason to start up a fund for purchase and installation of dialysis equipment at Nanyuki Cottage Hospital and to set up a renal unit… We are now 3 months into that fundraising and really fired up to carry on…, with very encouraging support by the local Nanyuki residents as well as friends from Nairobi and Naivasha.
A brief on the Awesome 4Some… Sophy and Alpana are “dukawalas” and live in Nanyuki, whilst Shamas and Neesha work and reside in Nairobi. We are friends and work as a team. If you present us any reasonable challenge for fundraising for this cause, we shall take you on! Support us!
Dialysis, A simple definition
Dialysis is a method of removing toxic substances (impurities or wastes) from the blood when the kidneys are unable to do so. Dialysis is most frequently used for patients who have acute or chronic kidney failure , but may also be used to quickly remove drugs or poisons in acute situations. This technique can be life saving.
Alpana
Our Organizer
An organizer, keeps cheque and balances, a culinary expert, loves fun, wine and party, supports orphan chimps program.
Neesha
Our Energizer
Has the energy of an elephant, programs charity events, action woman, and blonde, at best of times.
Sophy
Our Peace-keeper
Brings harmony to the Awesome 4some, damn hard-working, never whines, great sense of humour.
Shamas
Our Strength
Our support and full back-up, meticulous, creative and can fix everything and has a solution to any thing , tolerates the above 3!
Fund-raising Events
The Awesome 4Some walked (and one ran) the Safaricom Lewa Half Marathon on 23rd June 2007, in aid of the Lewa Education Trust, supporting 13 schools in and around Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. At this time we had already creating an awareness campaign for the dialysis machines fund for Nanyuki Cottage Hospital.
We “premiered” the release of the new movie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, in Nairobi on Saturday 14th July. Great support from friends in Nanyuki, Naivasha and Nairobi. Good fundraising too.
On Saturday October 13th, (mark your diaries), the Jazz Fest for the Nanyuki Cottage Hospital’s Dialysis Fund and Accident and Emergency Unit (AE Unit). The event will be held at Barney’s Nanyuki’s Airport 3pm on… We have major sponsors from Jos Hansens, Kenchick, Soho’s, and Barclays Bank Nanyuki Branch. We invite corporations to give us hampers of your products as raffle prizes.
We will host a fund-raising Nanyuki Ball (auctioning some must-have items from “soko soko” and fabluous weekend breaks). This will happen in February 2008.
More events are being planned…. keep it posted on our website…
OUR APPEAL
Please sponsor generously. UKP 5, 10, 20, 50 or 100;
We have a target to raise £50,000.- You can make out a standing order with your bank to donate a small amount to our charity.
NOW... please send these two web address options to all your friends and work colleagues...
http://www.justgiving.com/lewawildlifenanyukicottagehospital-dialysis or access to www.justgiving.com homepage and in the box "sponsor a friend" type: Neesha
With much love
Alpana
Neesha
Sophy
Shamas