FROM PILLAR TO POST

FROM PILLAR TO POST!!   Where shall I go NEXT?      This is a  photo of a teenager waiting to be posted to a Foster Home.    He might well be the one mentioned in June 2011, who had written to the British Prime Minister, David Cameron pleading for the Children's Home he lived in not to be CLOSED.    In the GUARDIAN Newspaper of 4th June 2011 we read the headline  

 'ABUSED TEENAGER APPEALS TO CAMERON OVER THE CLOSURE OF CHILDREN'S HOME'

An abused teenager who was rejected by 15 foster families has written begging Mr. Cameron to intervene and stop the closure of Children's Homes.   He writes - 'I come from a background of physical and emotional neglect and have had 15 foster placements before settling in a Children's Home, and in my view there is a need for 'consistent' residential care.'    At the time of the Article Anne Marie Carrie, chief executive of Barnado's commented that closing residential Homes for children could leave many children being 'shifted from pillar to post' with no permanent home.   During 2010 in the UK more than 10% of children in foster care were moved three times or more as placements broke down. Figures then showed that 1200 children had between five and more placements during the year with 130 had more than TEN different placements in the same year.      'It's called 'placement break-down', but that's a euphemism for yet another person failing these children.   Their own parents have failed them, now the system is failing them'     A poor look out indeed.   The situation can only be worse in 2013.      And how has Mr. Cameron reacted?     He apparently ignored it.

In this same article Local Councils in the UK were evincing the opinion that 'children are better of with foster carers...'      This seemed to ignore the fact that at the time there was a nationwide shortage of foster carers, and that in many cases they did not provide a safe or secure home for those placed with them.  

TESTIMONY FAITH HOMES continues to be concerned at the growing trend worldwide amongst sociologists in government to recommend foster care over and against Residential Children's Homes.
This week we have heard from an International NGO that this has become official policy with UNICEF.      The same source has stated that Ethiopia is already complying with this directive, and that many Homes there have already closed.    HOWEVER,   although we have tried to find confirmation for this on the International Web, we have so far failed to do so.     Nothing official, although, we DO see instances in the U.S.A.  Africa, and Europe where this is in fact happening, and official preferment for Fostering and Adoption clearly in vogue.
OUR POSITION remains in opposition to this trend generally.       We do not deny that all children need there own home and loving parents.    We also do not deny that a Children's Home may not be able to replace a child's home or family, especially such 'homes' that cater for large numbers of children institutionally.    HOWEVER, we are not convinced that voluntary or, induced, fostering provides the answer.     We are seeing up to 30% of fostered children failing to remain in their placements.   These children continue to be in need and in situations worse then before.      We cannot see supervision or monitoring of such fostering being possible due to the falling number of those seeking social service as a career.

The big argument FOR Fostering and Adoption is fueled by the many highly publicised instances of child abuse found in institutionalised situations.    Abuse has always been with us, both in families and institutions including boarding schools.     There were laws to provide proper punishment and discipline for such offences.         We live in a world where such perversion is on the increase and indeed the world seems preoccupied with it to the point of distraction.   There is no doubt world society will be more and more confronted by it - perhaps until it is SO aware and conscious of it, that it will not longer CARE about it; it will just take such behaviour as a matter of course - seeing it usual human behaviour in the same way as homosexuality is now being encouraged and accepted.    After all, recognised standards of what is right and wrong are slowly diminishing - even vanishing.......We must remember the comment of Archbishop Carey recently, when he said that within a generation from now God may not be known at all - and, by imputation, His law probably ignored as well.   Be prepared brethren..!      

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THIS WEEK ON FRIDAY, I had the opportunity to be with the Deputy Governor of our County, Daniel Chemno.     He said the County would not support the new Bill in front of the National Parliament, which sought to control the income of NGOs from overseas.   

'The Kenyan Government plans to make large cuts in the foreign funding of non-governmental organisations.    On the 30th October, the Attorney General gazetted the Miscellaneous Amendment Bill of 2013.      This Bill will establish that -                     ,,,,,,,,A public Benefit Organisation shall not receive more than 15% of its total funding from external donors...(unless otherwise approved by the Minister)'

This Bill will also stop donors from funding NGOs directly, forcing them instead to channel funds through a new Public Benefits Organisations Federation..        One wonders what the Government will do with the balance of funds over and above 15% allocated to the NGO, that might be sent to this new 'Federation".
The idea apparently - on the surface - is to prevent NGOs from being dependant and perhaps controlled by external supporters and aid, and to become more 'self' supportive.       On the other hand the Government might be hoping to 'milk the goose that lays the golden egg' to mix a metaphor.

In Ethiopia some NGOs are already closing down due to similar legislation in that Country.
The Chairman of the National Association of Human Rights Activities in Kenya, Ken Wafula, says that the Bill must be withdrawn or there will be public demonstrations against it.   He says that the plan to limit external donors from funding NGOs to 15% is aimed at crippling NGOs since they do not receive funding locally.         MORE IMPORTANTLY it will increase poverty and diminish social services and assistance to the poor.

There is no doubt that pressure is increasing on NGOs.      
TESTIMONY FAITH HOMES could, in no, way find means to survive on 15% of its current income. It would be forced economically to close down -  EXCEPT, of course, we DO have plan 'B' which we have code-named 'FAITH'      We do not see giving in to pressure of any kind as an answer whilst God is with us!    No indeed.    We will remain a Stone of Stumbling to every opposition to the Grace of God.       If this Bill proceeds and is not squashed, and if further pressure is brought upon us to stop accepting children into our Homes, we WILL protest, wherever God might present an opportunity, and without either fear or favour.

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THIS WEEK has been quite busy with Meetings.    There was an Interview for new Teachers for the School on Monday.   Esther and I both sit on the Selection Panel.    On Tuesday we had a Team of medics and sociologists in for the day examining and chatting up all our children - an annual event to double check their mental and physical health -they play games, get involved with all kinds of other activities to gauge unobtrusively their growth and happiness.    On Wednesday Daryl and I inspected the Eldoret Social Hall which is to be used as a Rehab Centre for Street Children.   Thursday I addressed the Court Users Committee as chairman of the Task Force for Street Children.   And on Friday Daryl and I also attended the County Deputy Governor to discuss Street Children more generally.

All time consuming activities in between necessary office works, correspondence, receiving visitors, AND meeting with staff and children.     No day is without its activities - some planned and some unplanned - never a dull moment.     Additionally each day we juggle with the funds we have and the needs we have to cover.    Glory to God!

NEXT WEEK there will be two extra events.     On THURSDAY Esther and I, and Daryl and Carol have been invited, by our American Missionary friends, to share in their Annual Thanksgiving Dinner in remembrance of God's Goodness and Provision over the year.      (always reminds ME of our old Harvest Thanksgivings.)      There will probably be more than a hundred of us all sharing together and having fellowship over the lunch hour.  Prayer, Testimony and plenty to EAT.

THEN on FRIDAY Testimony House has arranged for a Going Away Party.     FIVE of the family from that Home are leaving to start an independent life, having completed their education and training.

This means they will no longer live at home but in their own lodgings in the surrounding locality.  

Three will be taking up posts as School Teachers (one in our own School) Jesse Renata,  Maureen Cherop, and Victor Makokha.     One, Betty Wanjiru, will be Assistant Bursar in our School Finance Office.    And finally , John Kanyingi who will be a gardener helping with our extensive grounds. 

A number of past members of the families of all four houses will join with us for prayer, encouragement, soda and cake.     Presentations of a Bible and Financial Gift to each of those leaving will be made.    Usually an emotional occasion, but also one of satisfaction and achievement in that each has made it through school, and is now ready to start an independent life.     A Break and a change into a new experience, but not too far away from home and those they have lived their lives with.     Out and away, but not beyond reach.     Might put in a few photos next Saturday.

We have reached the END of the month, and are now entering December and the Christmas Season.

The month to be revisited with HOPE as we receive yet again the knowledge of the One born to RANSOM us all from the Devil, and from the control of evil upon our lives.    A JOYFUL month.   Indeed a MERRY month.

God Bless you all with EXPECTATION.

John and Esther