WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED

All children now have school uniform – they are not permitted to attend without this

Hair trimmers supplied for regulation short haircut

Stationary, pens, pencils, geometry sets

Money sent for exam fees – compulsory from aged 12-16. Cannot continue without passing these each school year

Ongoing school fees paid

Boarding fees paid for those who are summoned by the education authority to attend schools farther away

Compulsory kit for boarding – bedding, crockery, cutlery, uniform, stationary etc

Reusable sanitary towels so girls not missing school due to periods

The schools now require the children to have sports kits & gym kits which also have to be purchase for every child

Water came from a village pump, shared by many, and often dry. When dry a dirty pond was used. Now a second village pump has been fitted.

Rainwater collection system fed from the gutters on Fabian’s house to a 10,000-litre water butt with tap.

A second rainwater collection butt and drip watering system to water the food growing within the greenhouse

Fallow field ploughed after years of disuse and planted with maize, now ploughed yearly to encourage good growth

New greenhouse approx. 15ft wide and 40 feet long and planted with Kale and onions, now being used to grow tomatoes, a cash crop.

Kale and onions, a large part of the staple diet now grown outside on raised beds.

Also growing bananas, sweet potatoes, carrots, mangoes, coriander

The harvest was excellent in 2025 but the harvest in 2026 was very bad due to heavy rains and then drought – spare food is bartered for goods and school fees

Two chickens were bought in 2024 – there are now approximately 40 chickens. Both chickens and eggs are used for bartering.

A pregnant cow was purchased in 2023 but failed to fall pregnant again so was given to a farmer in exchange for maize in 2025

In 2024 a female goat called Hope was purchased. In 2025 a male goat, Dean, was purchased. By the end of 2025 Hope gave birth to Elvis, who will be sold to bring in cash.

In 2024 a fish farm was funded and established, Fabian now grows Talapia a local fish and sells these at various markets, the income restocks the fish farm, and the profit is used to pay for fertiliser for the maize and buy new seeds for the greenhouse.

In 2025 the greenhouse was turned over to growing tomatoes and the profit from these is also used within the farm

In November 2021 disaster struck and the dormitories where the children slept were subject to an arson attack, damaging the walls and roof and destroying stored food, seating and other items. They were uninhabitable and the children had to be found places to sleep around the village, mainly with local widows.

The building has been fully repaired

A perimeter fence was constructed

Money was provided to replace the lost food and other items

Bunk beds are gradually being provided so the children won’t have to sleep on the floor

JUNE 2024 UPDATE: We were informed that the local Educational & child welfare officials who we met with, will no longer allow the children to return to Hilltop. The site is too small and doesn’t meet any of the 2023 regulation guidelines. We need a new larger site with a newbuild orphanage. This is a huge challenge but one we are still determined to meet.

Reusable sanitary towels and underwear for the girls in 2024 & 2025

Underwear also provided for the boys.

Toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap were given in 2024 & 2025

Mosquito nets purchased approx. 20

3 courses of Malaria treatment paid for in 2024. In 2025 Fabian suffered from 3 episodes of malaria and is currently awaiting vaccination

The younger children all received malaria vaccination via the school paid for by the charity

Clothes and shoes provided from donations given to us and brought from Scotland.

Cooking utensils and enough plates and cups provided so that the children no longer have to share.

Latrines emptied and treated in 2024 at Hilltop. In 2025 the ones at the farm were treated with chemicals

Sanitary products were donated by several companies in 2023 and 2024

In 2025 they were donated by a group of volunteers in Dunoon, Scotland who are making them

Small Christmas gifts for all through the sponsor a child for Christmas scheme in 2021, 2022 & 2023

Toys and games gifted in 2023, 2024 and 2025

David built 2 swings (the first they’d seen) when he visited in 2023

Christmas treats and a goat for Christmas dinner in 2023. In 2024 they had chicken for Christmas dinner

Toys and communal games, gifted in June 2024 and in 2025

Someone bought Fabian a bike. Now he has had driving lessons and passed his driving test

A laptop and a mobile phone have been a godsend

So, what next? Our main ambitions are:

Building a water irrigation system with water pipes coming from the water butt to irrigate the greenhouse and field. (COMPLETED AUGUST 2024)

Continuing to grow the farm

Continuing to support the children’s education – through sponsorship and donations

A motorbike for Fabian

To buy 4 acres of land approx. £25,000 and build a new orphanage and school.