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The attitude and happiness of the kids at Pavilion Village children’s home is incredible. You can see them here helping staff member Rose washing utensils and preparing food. Myles was also teaching them some hop scotch

Check out this video showing how 25 of our volunteers, most of who had no house building experience, managed to build 4 fully furnished houses in 6 days More info on our volunteer trips here – https://gathimbaedwardsfoundation.org/volunteer-building-trip https://youtu.be/227-MSgjd7g

Huge thanks to Riversdale Athletics Club for their amazing fundraising which has completed the building of a new house for one of our families in Tambach (Iten, Kenya) We can’t wait for them to spend a day with our very own David Sagida this weekend to see the impact of their support. They will visit our shop/office followed by the old and new houses of a family we support in Kessup before visiting the house which their fundraising complete in Tambach. The house was built in memory of John McGregor the late father of our awesome supporter Ali Mathers who has also been to Kenya 3 times on our April ‘Kenya 22’ trip. The Kenya Experience very kindly introduced Riversdale to us when they signed up for a running camp with them. They are currently in Iten gaining experience and inspiration..

The children of Pavilion Village writing letters to their sponsors with GEF’s James

This evening saw us say “say you again soon” to our remaining Kenya 22 Trip guests Alan, Ali, Karen and Kareen. They have spent the last 3 days enjoying a well deserved bit of relaxation in the sunshine of Mombasa. They relaxed by the pool, ran along the beach also toured the old town including the historic Fort Jesus. During this time we also had Gilliam climbing Mount Kenya with GEF’s Peter Githingi. They powered their way up to Shipton Camp at 4,200 metres above sea level! The last 19 days have produced memories that will last forever – moments of laughter, sadness, hope, joy and more! Thank you so much to all of the guests for their fundraising, efforts and friendship – we will miss you! Stay tuned for details of our April 2020 trip which will become available here soon: https://gathimbaedwardsfoundation.org/the-kenya-22

“I heard about GEF just two months before I was supposed to come visit Kenya for a running vacation, and right after hearing about the project I decided to sign to it. The trip was in July 2018 and I am happy to say that I am feeling lucky to have experienced the amazing time there and to be an important part of such a life changing project. I think that there is no better way to know the country and the Kenyan culture than volunteering and seeing the problems people have to face with your own eyes. The most special thing about the house building trip is the understanding that change has been immediately done, life’s has been changed in just two weeks and that the houses are going to stand there for a long time. I really recommend every person who wants to truly feel something different to..

Yesterday was another very busy day for our ‘Kenya 22’ Trip guests First was a trip to see the incredible work done to protect elephants at the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi. They look after 21 elephants who have either been orphaned or displaced due to poachers. The elephants come sprinting down to receive milk and then have great fun rolling about in the mud. Next was a visit to Kibera – Africa’s second largest slum to see a family we have supported with a fish selling business. The lady has lost all 8 of her children to HIV or road accidents and now looks after her 7 grandchildren single handily. We aim to do more to support this family by getting the kids into school. We then said our heartfelt thank you’s to the guests for their support, presented them with goody..

When James & the team of 5 were in Masai Mara, Peter trekked up Mount Kenya for the 337th time along with the awesome sister act of Chris and Caroline. They made it to 4,200 metres above sea level at Shipton Camp. Well done team https://gathimbaedwardsfoundation.org/the-kenya-22

GEF legend Alan Brown’s words on the past few days of our Kenya22 Trip…. Friday morning up at 5.45am to be ready for a game drive and to see the sunrise over the Masai Mara, was locking up my tent at 6am to go to reception and one of the staff was waiting patiently to escort me along the path, as it was still pitch black, they think of everything here. A quick cup of coffee and we were on our way with our driver Moses, and our carer, the brilliant James Gathekia. It was bloody freezing so it was lucky I had my hoodie, I don’t do pictures, but Ali, Karen & Gillian got some beautiful photos, although they give you a feel of the Masia Mara, it is a million times better if you see it with your own eyes, this has been a very special three days which will remain with me for ever. Back for a lovely..

These are just some of the awesome photos our very own James Gathekia and the GEF guests managed to snap during an unforgettable safari trip to Masai Mara this week They managed to see 4 of ‘The Big 5’ and many more cool animals! Only the Rhino eluded them. Check out the link below if you’d be interest in coming to Kenya on one of our 2 very different annual trips https://gathimbaedwardsfoundation.org/the-kenya-22

216,331 Kenya Shillings (£1,664) profit raised at our GEF fundraiser at Abundant Blessings Church in Karatina, Kenya! Thank you so much to Pastor George and everyone who made this possible – you have just paid the Term 2 secondary school fees of 13 of our children who do not have sponsors🧡

Today we said a sad and final farewell to 24 year old Joyce who was a heartbeat of the Pavilion Village children’s home. Unassuming, hardworking, jovial and caring, Joyce will be sorely missed by us all. All of the other 43 children who have been or are still part of the Pavilion Village wanted to say their final farewell to their sister today but due to the 100km journey transport was an issue. We managed to source a bus to transport them and would be grateful to anyone who can contribute to the £240 required to pay for the bus that took them there and back. Rest in peace Joyce, to live in the hearts of those you love is not to die🧡 https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/RIP-joyce MPESA Paybill No: 247709 A/C Name: Gathimba Edwards Foundation

A D V E N T U R E Our Kenya 22 team split and went in two different directions today… James lead 5 of them to begin a safari in Masai Mara, while Peter lead the other 2 ladies towards Mount Kenya to begin their ascent Check out some of the pictures so far ☺️ #Kenya22 #MountKenya #MasaiMara https://gathimbaedwardsfoundation.org/the-kenya-22/

Meet Asman He is 19 years old and recently finished school in December with support from GEF. For now he is working in our GEF shop in Iten until he begins college in September to study Geo Science. Asman is our 8th member of staff in Kenya We feel privileged to be able to help young adults, like Asman, work hard to achieve their dreams. #GivingKidsInKenyaAChance Find out more about sponsoring a child here – https://gathimbaedwardsfoundation.org/sponsor-a-child/

Day 9 of Kenya 22! The team started off by volunteering at the Pavilion Children’s Home. From gardening, cooking, and mucking out and helping to shred Napier grass for the cows to eat. In the afternoon we visited Daniel & his 6 children. His wife died in childbirth leaving newly born twin girls. Daniel had broken both arms several years before and had only been able to get one arm cared for. Thanks to donations we were able to help him get his other arm fixed and recently he opened a small shop as part of our Two Feet Business Start Up Initiative! Lastly we visited Alan’s sponsor child James in his home. Unfortunately his living conditions are limited but thanks to Alan’s sponsorship James is able to attend school. Find out how you can sponsor a child here https://gathimbaedwardsfoundation.org/sponsor-a-child/..

This week GEF were happy to receive an update on the progress Fidelis is making with her education. We are delighted to report she was the most improved student this term, position 1 in her class and is gaining A- grades. Despite her families poor living conditions and lack of food, both her and her younger sisters are determined to get the education they rightly feel they deserve. Fidelis is a fantastic example of a child doing everything she can to follow her dreams; she hopes one day of becoming a lawyer. Thank you to the Mann family for sponsoring her education. 🧡 Find out more about sponsoring a child in Kenya at https://gathimbaedwardsfoundation.org/sponsor-a-child/ We are honoured to say we will be building Fidelis, her sisters and mother Elizabeth a new home in October. Find out..