LATEST NEWS

Lucky Summer Two

Our first apartment construction project, Lucky Summer Two, is nearing completion. Construction started in October 2010 after a successful appeal to raise funds for the building. Three storeys have been built and we are now working on the last floor.

The building has been designed to have 20 units and a shop attached. So far, ten units are completed and ready for renting.  

However, construction has had to stop due to lack of funds. The jobs remaining to be done are: Roofing = Kshs 354,800 = £2,708  Welding steel 11 doors and 17 windows = Kshs 120,000 = £916 30 Wooden doors = Kshs 34,000 = £ 260 Electrical and Plumbing fittings = Kshs 420,000 = £3,206 Plastering = Kshs, 328,000 Ceiling board = Kshs 95,000 = £725 Painting = Kshs 160,000 = £122

VPM estimate that when all 20 units are complete, our local revenue shall increase to Kshs 123,500 or £950 per month. This helps to pay the salaries of VPM’s 26 full time staff.  

Work Aid Donation  

On 28th November 2010, we received a donation of 12 manual, 12 electrical zig-zag, 2 treadle sewing and 1 knitting machines and 1 bag of knitting wool from WorkAid. Most of these machines are to help with the vocational training programme we run in Korogocho. Six of these machines (3 electric and 3 manual), however, were donated to help Eunice Injelwe and her self-help sewing project.

Eunice Injelwe is a young widow, whose husband was murdered in November 2009. She has three daughters to bring up alone. Eunice had been a student at our Vocational Centre and has since set up her own self-help sewing project in Soweto. When Sylvia Parrott, Chairperson of WorkAid, visited Kenya last year, she met Eunice and promised to help. This promise was fulfilled through the donation of the 6 sewing machines. Two of Eunice’s daughters have been sponsored by Mrs Kate Pearmain, who has also helped support the sewing project, providing funds for Eunice to purchase cloth and other sewing materials. Eunice sends her heartfelt thanks to Sylvia and Kate.  

VPM Kenya and UK leadership  

VPM hold an AGM every year to elect new leadership. Mr Jonathan Nazu was elected VPM chairman, replacing Mr Joshua Owiti. Mrs Christabel Anjonjo was elected secretary and Mrs Margaret Wambui was elected VPM Chairlady of Women Affairs. Violet Omollo  was re-elected Treasurer, Pauline Njeri was elected Vice Treasurer and the School Headteacher, Mr Caleb Omollo was elected VPM administrator and deputy director. Revd Franklyn Otwoma was unanimously re-elected as VPM Director, even though he has cautioned the electorate that he has new plans for the coming year 2011. If Revd Otwoma leaves VPM then the executive committee will take control.  

The VPM UK trust officials are: Dr John Preston - Chairman, Janice Mills – Secretary,  Brian Burton – Treasurer. Other members are: William Ascough, John Sippings, David Searle, David Hearnshaw and Franklyn Otwoma.