Dear Friends and Family 

I am writing to you as I have done for the last 3 years to ask your assistance in raising money for the Lewa Children's Home in Kenya, through Bread and Water for Africa (UK). As before, Bread and Water for Africa has agreed to match your donations 1:1.

I was again in Iten, Kenya two week ago, training in the highlands. It has become an annual self-indulgent retreat on my behalf. But while there - running twice a day and feeling remarkably slow at altitude - I had the chance to visit Phyllis and Jos and the children at Lewa's Children Home. I was again reminded of, and absolutely bowled over by, the success of Lewa's approach.

Phyllis and Jos have created a tremendously sustainable organization where the activities on the farm - dairy herds, meat herds, cheese processing, wood fuel provision, cash crops, and agri-tourism - are all now helping to fund the ongoing activities of the orphanage. Today, Lewa still takes care of 80 abandoned and disadvantaged children.

You will see a photo of me holding a young girl called Adija. She is a loving, playful bright spark. As I was holding her, Jos mentioned that she had been badly beaten by family members before being removed by police and placed with the home. She had scars all up and down her back. It was a heart-breaking sight, but also affirmation of the critical work that Lewa does.

Since I started running the New York Marathon in 2010, we have together raised ~ 15,200 GBP, which has been matched by Bread and Water for Africa for a total of more than 30,000 GBP. In 2010 we raised ~7500 GBP (~15,000 GBP with matching funds) towards building two reservoirs on the farm that now provide water security for the farm's operations as well as the children. In 2011, we raised ~5,000 GBP (~10,000 GBP with matching funds) for the new cheese factory and dairy farm that will help to bring in significant funds for the home. Finally we raised ~2700 (~5400 GBP with matching funds) for 2 extra social workers (for 24 hour care of the children) at Lewa and support as well to Kabwata orphanage in Zambia that Bread and Water for Africa strongly recommended for help. 

During my visit this year I could see how well these funds have been spent. The reservoirs are well constructed and full - doing their job of providing water security to the Lewa home and farm. The cheese factory is fully equipped, and waiting for electrification by the utility which has been delayed the last 9 months. In addition I was happy to hear that children from the orphanage are now being prepared for and admitted into the Kip Keino school which adjoins the home (thereby giving them an excellent education). Also that the cheese and dairy business is going strong, despite waiting for electricity for the new larger factory. And that the farm now has diversified revenues from: a cattle herd for meat, maize, wood fuel, agri-tourism, etc. Phyllis and Jos are building a truly sustainable enterprise to continue to care and nurture for disadvantaged children.

So this year, I am running for Lewa in a more general capacity. To support a range, and effectively all, of their initiatives. For instance, Jos is setting up an agricultural training college to deepen ties with the local community - by helping local farmers improve productivity. Also to ensure that electricity is finally brought to the new cheese factory to start production, and to then increase the dairy herd to support cheese production. And to kick-start the new agri-tourism business - please see the photo of the new lodge that has been built for guests (do btw consider now staying at Lewa!)

I cannot thank you enough for your generousity over the years. Having seen Lewa develop and grow since 2010 I can assure you that your donations are being well spent. I would like to encourage you to please donate again this year. First and foremost for Lewa. And second to give me that added bit of motivation when the going gets tough out on the course this year. As it invariably will!

What your donations have achieved to date is nothing short of incredible. If the children of Lewa could give you a hug to say thank you, I have no doubt that they would. 

All the very best to all of you,

Damian Miller