On the 20th September 2008, four Vision Africa projects from the Murang’a area joined forces to take part in a fundraising walk. This was the result of several months of planning and groundwork and the efforts of all involved certainly paid off.
Kandara Children’s Home hosted the event with Kariti Seed of Hope and Kirunguru and Kambiti Special Schools participating. Guests for the day included Rev. and Mrs. Packard who had the lead and sweeper cars for the Ng’araria leg of the walk and the wife of the local MP who came along to support the event at the thanksgiving ceremony. Also representing Vision Africa were Deborah, Vincent, Rebecca and newlyweds, Henry and Jocelyn, from Riandu Children’s Home.
To maximise fundraising efforts, the walkers were divided into two groups and started at two different shopping centres. They then met at the centre before Kandara and walked together up through Kandara market before returning to the children’s home. Some of the children carried collection tins (and collected and amazing 9000ksh) and others received donations of vegetables from local vendors. Local businesses and organizations had been given donation cards prior to the event detailing the various needs of the projects. KCB (Kenya Commercial Bank) arrived with donations of blankets, toiletries and foodstuffs and have subsequently made a generous donation of desks and chairs to Kambiti Special School.
The purpose of the walk was twofold – to raise funds but also to raise awareness. Many donations were received on the day and subsequent donations have followed as more people know about the needs of these projects which exist in their local community.
One of the highlights of the day was the performance of KKrew, led by Deborah’s fiancé DJ Moz. This got the whole crowd up dancing, including Rev. and Mrs. Packard and the other board members and guests at the top tables.
All in all, a great day was had and it is hoped that this becomes an annual tradition for these four projects to work together to benefit their projects and have some fun.
