I was introduced to Rafiki through the mission of the CapSquare Rotary Club in March 2012. I joined them on a visit to Rafiki to give music lessons, perform two fundraising concerts, meet the kids, and begin a music project. Rafiki has hired a part-time music teacher and I'll be helping him develop a program for music instruction on a variety of instruments. This year I will be bringing instrument
s with me and am looking for funding to ship the frieght, pay taxes, and get the instruments to Rafiki. Rafiki is a self sustaining orphanage that provides amazing care for their children. Since it's beginning in 2005 they have built a 5 acre farm, 2 tilapia ponds, a fresh water well, care for livestock, a school, dormitory, medical center, and dining hall. This year we are intending to give them the gift of music. They will be awarded the opportunities they would never have dreamed of if not for Rafiki. A chance to learn music is not one that many Kenyan Orphans have. I am imagining just what they will create from learning music, what songs will they play, what will they write, how much will their community benefit from their involvement with this art form? Jesse Henry
more about The Rafiki Project:
The Rafiki Project is a unique effort joining the resources of numerous charitable organizations and individuals. The project grew out of a need to care for children left behind by parents taken by the devastating AIDS epidemic. Conceived in 2004 by John Nganga, the Rafiki Orphanage opened its doors to these children, providing food, shelter and education. In 2005, several Central Ohio organizations came together to raise funds to establish the Rafiki Farm. The Farm is being built to allow the children to provide their own food by raising crops and tending livestock. Ground was broken in May of 2005, and a great deal of progress has been made...including the purchase of 5 acres, construction of animal shelters, fencing and initial preparation of the land for crops. During the initial phases of the Farm Project, it became clear that one of the most pressing needs is fresh water. Currently, water for drinking, cooking and bathing is brought in via donkey from a remote location. Rotary District #6690 Clubs Capitol Square, Columbus, Whitehall-Bexley, Westerville, Gahanna, Belpre, Cambridge and Byesville all joined together to make a push to build a well on the Farm location, and the effort has paid off. On November 2nd, a team of 20 from Columbus is traveling to Nairobi to dedicate the Rafiki Farm, and conduct a ground-breaking for the water well. Your donations and energy have helped make this possible. In order to keep everyone up to speed on our progress, we've established this blog. In the Blog section of this site, you can read the daily posts of the Rafiki team as they work on the farm and interact with the children and Rafiki Orphanage Managers and Trustees. In the Multi-media section, you can view photos, video and listen to podcasts of interviews with Rafiki Farm Managers and some of the children.
