Kenya North of the equator, Kenya's land is hot and dry. South of the equator are the humid coast, the temperate highlands, and tropical Lake Victoria. Almost 75 percent rural farmers and herders, Kenya's people represent more than 30 ethnic groups. Family homes often consist of one or two rooms sonctructed from materials such as thatch, clay, wood, and tin. Many fathers are absent from the home, and parents most often work as subsistence farmers or run small businesses. Common health concerns include malnutrition, malaria, scabies, air-borne diseases, and poor sanitation. Poverty and neglect keep many children from attending school. The harsh climate in this region also adds varied hardships for families. Swahili is the official language.

School

The typical school year runs from October to July. About 80 percent take advantage of a free elementary education provided by the government. The literacy rate is 86% male, and 70% female.

Converse was in the fifth grade last year. We have not gotten a report card for last year yet. Kiswahili (Kenya's national language) is his favorite subject, and soccer is his favorite activity.

Food

Maize, ugalie, rice, chapati and beans are typical foods eaten in Kenya. Here's a recipe for Sukuma Wiki which can be eaten with chapatis.

Sukuma Wiki: 2 Tbsp. oil, 1 cup chopped tomatoes, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 cup finely chopped onions, 1 Tbsp. tomato paste, 3 bunches collard greens. Saute onions in oil until tender. Add tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add tomato paste and salt. Strip leaves from stems of collard greens. Wad the leaves tightly in your hand and begin slicing off thinly with a sharp knife. Scrape into sink of cold water for rinsing. Remove from water and put directly into tomato/onion mixture. Cook over medium heat for 40 minutes. You may need to add a little water. Serve with chapatis (a whole wheat flat bread), eating with fingers. Use a piece of chapati to pick up the sukuma. Serves 6. 

E-mail Converse

Now an easier way to send your letters. If you'd like to write Converse, you can email your letter to us and we'll send it to Compassion International.

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Letters from Converse

Here are a few of the letters we've received from Converse:

Dear Casas Youth,                                                                                                                 March 20, 2008

Get much greetings from me. I hope you are fine as I am fine here. After this I would like you to know how I am at home. When I am home I wake up early and read the Word of God and then I help with the homework. In the church, I am very much concerned with one area of sharing the Word. I like participating in dramas. At school we have gotten a new teacher. We like him and we respect him. I still have time to learn so pray for me that God may give me success. At the project we are going on well with our teachings. They are teaching us good things about God. I like my teachers and compassion because if I were not there, I would not be who I am now. Thank you for the letter you sent to me. I received it and read it and it was good. I may say thank you for being concerned with me. During the Christmas holiday I was in church celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. It was very enjoyable. Thank you for the Christmas gift. I bought a blanket and a pair of bed sheets. Thank you. God bless you. Converse Abuli.

Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,                                                                                      October 31, 2007

Get warm greetings from me and my family members. We are all fine and we hope you are also fine in the name of Jesus. At home we are busy working on our crops. I am especially pleased that our brother who was usually idle has decided this particular time to help us with the daily housework. He discovered that keeping himself busy is good. At home we are happy. At school I am so near to my teacher because I really want to perform well. Last term I was toiling to be on the top but I failed. I am still trying to be the best this year so I beg you to pray for me so that I may succeed. At the project I wake up early in the morning and start off on my way to Compassion program. I like the program because they are teaching us the Word of God and other activities. I have memorized verses from the book of Ephesians 5:6.

“In the church I only considered what we have been learning and meditate. We learn how to grow in the Lord. We always are encouraged. Do not let anyone deceive you with empty words.”

Thank you for the letter you sent to me. I read it and it was very enjoyable. You asked if joinery works with wood. Yes it works with wood. Things I have tried to make on my own are a kitchen stool and chair but I am still struggling to have more skills.

May God bless you, your son, Confas Abuli

Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,                                                                                    July 25, 2007

Accept warm greetings from me and my family members. We are fine and I know you are also fine in the name of Jesus. At home we are glad God is keeping us well. Last month I lost my grandfather but we are still praying God to favor us. This particular year in our family we have decided every Wednesday to be praying for ourselves and others. At school we are still going on well. This year I have decided to work harder. Last term I performed well but I was not satisfied with the performance. My target was to score 18 marks. Since I joined the school and up to now my favorite lesson has been practicals. Please pray for me to perform well in my class work. In the church I like singing and praising my God because He is the One who is a true God. Through the help of God I have memorized the whole chapter of 3 rd John. Surely, we can compare the love of God with nothing. At the project center we are going on well together with our social workers and pupils.

Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,           March 21, 2007

 

Accept warm greetings from me. I am still going on well in the name of Jesus Christ. I hope you are still fine in Jesus' name. at home God is still keeping us well. When I am at home I like doing some jobs like digging the garden and planting vegetables and caring for our cows. I like my uncle and aunt. We are walking together in the truth. I love you because you are the ones who are supporting me. I pray that you may enjoy good health. At the project center we are going on well. Every Saturday we have some activities we do. In December we went to Kima for inter-project centers music competition. I recited John 3:16, a memory verse. We competed against other project centers. It was very much enjoyable. At the project center I like all teachers. They teach us the Word of God. Thank you for the Christmas gift you sent me. I bought a mattress. Also I thank you for the January gift. I bought trousers and food. Thank you for supporting me. At school I am going on well everyday from Monday to Friday. I have done my 3 rd grade trade in carpentry and joinery last year. This year I am advancing in the same course. Pray for me that I may do well in all things. In our church we are many people and doing well and I like participating in dramas and singing. I like reading the book of Isaiah. On

Easter Sunday I will be in the church and present an Easter drama. Thank you for your letter I have received. I like our cows. I take care of them and they provide us with manure and milk. I liked the Christmas card and stickers you sent me.

 

Your son, Converse

God Bless You.

Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,                                                                                                March 21, 2007

 

Accept warm greetings from me. I am still going on well in the name of Jesus Christ. I hope you are still fine in Jesus' name. at home God is still keeping us well. When I am at home I like doing some jobs like digging the garden and planting vegetables and caring for our cows. I like my uncle and aunt. We are walking together in the truth. I love you because you are the ones who are supporting me. I pray that you may enjoy good health. At the project center we are going on well. Every Saturday we have some activities we do. In December we went to Kima for inter-project centers music competition. I recited John 3:16, a memory verse. We competed against other project centers. It was very much enjoyable. At the project center I like all teachers. They teach us the Word of God. Thank you for the Christmas gift you sent me. I bought a mattress. Also I thank you for the January gift. I bought trousers and food. Thank you for supporting me. At school I am going on well everyday from Monday to Friday. I have done my 3 rd grade trade in carpentry and joinery last year. This year I am advancing in the same course. Pray for me that I may do well in all things. In our church we are many people and doing well and I like participating in dramas and singing. I like reading the book of Isaiah. On

Easter Sunday I will be in the church and present an Easter drama. Thank you for your letter I have received. I like our cows. I take care of them and they provide us with manure and milk. I liked the Christmas card and stickers you sent me.

Your son, Converse

God Bless You.

Casas Adobes Baptist Youth                                                                                        December 7, 2006

 

Get much greetings from me here. I am still fine in Jesus name. we are very happy because of the free gift of life. We thank God for that. Our family members are fine. We like working together. My favorite work at home is cleaning the homestead. At school I report every day from Monday to Friday and I like our teacher called Zadock because he is a good teacher and he is teaching us well how to make different things. I like practical's. I am doing well in practical's. Please pray for me so that I may do much more than this. Also, I am training to work hard. In our community we are well because we have security and people live without fear. In our church I am going on well. I worship and praise God for what He is doing for me. I like singing worship choruses. During Christmas Holiday we shall have drama about Jesus birth and we shall act in church on Christmas day. My memory verse I like reading is from the book of Jeremiah 29:11 which says: God has good plans for us. On Christmas day I will enjoy in our church because we will have many activities which will be taking place like songs and we shall have dramas too. How will you celebrate yours? Do you like reading the Bible? God bless you.

 

Your son – Confas Abuli

Dear Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,                                                                              September 2, 2006

 

How are you? I am fine in the Lord. Also our family members are fine. The weather is good and it is harvesting season. When I am at home I like cleaning our compound and mending our fence. Nelson is my best friend at home. At school my best subject is practical's in carpentry. I enjoy making different kinds of joints on wood. Our school is called Emmabwi vocation training center. My favorite teacher is called Mr. Zadok who helps us so much to understand spiritual things. My hobbies are cycling and playing football. I also help my parents to do home activities like digging and looking after our cows. Our church is called Emmabwi. I go there every Sunday to worship God. Our community is Emmabwi Vibiga District. The distance from the nearest city is 37 km and our town is Luanda about 7 km from home. We use vehicles and bicyles. The weather is good, warm and dry. I thank you for supporting me. May God bless you. Do you like sports? I am requesting prayer from you so that I may grow up spiritually. I thank you for the July birthday gift you sent me. I bought a pair of leather shoes and a pair of trousers. God bless you.

Dear Casas Youth,                                                                                                          July 2005

 

How are you, friends at Casas? I hope you are fine. I am fine. We are also will through God. My parents are still find and working in the name of God. I like digging our small garden and planting things there. We plant things like potatoes, carrots, etc.I also give food to our cow. It eats grass. At school we are also well. We learn carpentry. Here we learn to make furniture. Please pray for me so that I can acquire this skill for my future life. I also pray for you. We are very well at the project in Jesus name. We have programs every Saturday and we're doing well. We have video shows and also learn computer. I am a member of agricultures skills. Here we have planted different types of vegetables. Thank you for your letter that I received recently. I was happy to learn that sometimes you even pray for people in the city. I am happy that you also help other young children. I like attending Sunday School. Our Sunday School teacher taught us about the temptation of Jesus. Please pray from me to get God's protection every where I go.

Converse

Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,                                                                                           April 4, 2005

 

Accept warm greetings from me here hoping that you are still fine in the name of Jesus Christ. We are working together as a family and we have already planted crops which are doing very well. I thank God for the rain that he has given us. At home we have cows, chickens, and dogs. This year I have joined a carpentry training course and we are doing well. We learn from Monday to Friday. I enjoy doing my work practically. Please pray for me so that I perform well both in theory and practical carpentry.

 

At the project center we are still going every Saturday. We learn skills like carpentry. WE have video shows once a month. God is good because we have new social workers and they love God very much. Thank you for the Christmas gift of 1076.65 Kenya Shillings. They bought for me a mattress and a pail. Thank you for another gift that you sent to me and I bought a sheep and clothes. How did you celebrate your Easter? During Easter I went to church to sing to the Lord. I gave thanks to him. This is the day I remember when Jesus was crucified on the cross because of our sins. Thanks. I wish you well.

Converse

Dear Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,                                                                Dated December 14, 2004

Get much greetings from me. I hope that you are fine in the name of Jesus Christ. At home we are fine in the name of Jesus. God is good because in our home we have rain very much that we have planted crops that are growing well. We have planted cossavos, bananas, and potatoes. In our home we have three cows, one cat, and two dogs. We are working together with my sister called Mary and my guardians are all fine. I like eating ugali. And my best friend is called Tabley. I am a boy and I know God. I like going to church. We are working together with Tabley. He is a boy. I like playing football. In our school I am in standard six at Emmabaui Primary School . My best subject is math. My class teacher is called Tom. At the project we are going every Saturday. We eat beans and rice at the Project. I thank you for your support. God bless you. At Christmas as I will play drama in the church and recite some memory verses. Pray for me as I also pray for you. God bless you.

Converse Abuli

Dear Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,                                                                            Dated October 2004

Get much greetings from me. I hope that you are fine in the name of Jesus Christ. We have planted maize (corn) and beans. I am now in class six. I was position 54 our of 89 pupils. My school is Emmabwi Primary School . My best subject is science and best game is football.

We go to the project every Saturday. Thank you for the gift of maize (corn) and beans that I received last month. God bless you. I go to church every Sunday. We sing and praise God.

What is the name of your group? What games do you like?

Pray for me as I pray for you.

Converse Abuli

Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,                                                                                          March 13, 2004

How are you? Accept warmest greetings from me and my family members. I hope you are fine and my family members are fine.

At home I am doing very well. My aunt and uncle are both fine, only our neighbor has a problem in their house. Their youngest child is very, very sick. She can not speak, she is only sleeping. I help my aunt's at home with looking after my three sheep, and a cow. My two sheep gave birth to the young ones and they like eating grass and I watered them.

Last month our cow gave birth to a calf and we are enjoying milk and I look after them by providing them with grass and water to drink. My favorite friend is called Richard. He is doing well. He likes playing football. He visits me at home and I also do the same during weekend. We are both in grade seven. We are trying to work hard. We play together football. We are preparing to plant crops where the rain falls. My favorite foods are ugali* rice, potato's and meat. I like them and I enjoy eating them.

Our school is called Emmaabui it is rooted with iron and the classes are cemented they are colored with red. Now I am in seventh grade. In our school our head teacher was transferred to another school, he is very good teacher. He likes teaching science, math. My favorite subjects are English, kiswahili, and GDE. I like playing football.

In our church they have colored the roof. I attend Sunday school every week and I like the verses in the book of Psalms 119: 17-19. It says "Do good to your servant and I will obey your word. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your love. I am a stranger on earth, do not hide your commands from me." Our church is called Mwllsabakobo Pag. In our community is called Ebusekwe community H is 3 km to reach to the nearest house, as means to transportation is good. We have many vehicles in our country.

I thank you for the gift I got from you, I got a mattress and I am using it. The total amount I received was 937 and I was very much grateful.

During Easter holiday I will go to church and praise to Him.

 

*Ugali is a staple food in Kenya . It is made with corn flour.

 

The subject I got the highest marks is English. The subject I got the lowest marks is Science.

I will be promoted to grace 7 in year 2004.

 

Converse Abuli

Dated October 1, 2003

Dear Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,

Get much greetings from me hoping that you are fine in the name of Jesus Christ. I am fine too.

At home we are now sad because our grandmother died. We were happy that our sister gave birth to a baby boy. In our country we are grieving for the death of our Vice President honorable Michael Christopher Kijana Wamalwa. We are very grateful because our president has chosen another vice president, that is honorable Moody Awori.

At the project we are going on well, although our cow died. The remaining one is almost calving down. We also have various skills. This are agriculture, tailoring, home science, carpentry and embroidery. I belong in the skill of agriculture. We have plant a variety of crops. Thanks for your letter that I received. I like going to church where we learn more about Jesus. I like the book of John 3:16 which says for God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. We do have breaks from school in April, August and December. Thanks very much Stephanie for praying for me. I also do pray for you. Thanks so much for the stickers I really appreciate. I have no much to tell you otherwise God bless you.

Yours loving child,

Converse Abuli

Dated June 24, 2003

Dear Friends of Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,

Get much greetings from me here hoping you are also fine as I am. Here at home we are fine. At home we have planted maize (corn) and beans. Beans are almost ready. In Kenya people are suffering because of hunger. I am in standard (grade) six. I learn at Emmabwi Primary School. This term we are having athletics. I like cheering the participants when they are running. We also have blessings of free primary education. We are also given books and pens. Last term I was position 36 out of 84 pupils at the project. We go there every Saturday. We are fed well at the project. We were given (school) bag, books, pen and soap. I use the bag to carry books to school. I like going to church. I attend Jerusalem Church where we sing and play drums. I like dancing to the Lord. Our pastor is called Mr. David Oficeno (Oheno). Our pastor (teacher) in Sunday school teach is Mr. Gibson Risana. I like the verse of (found in) John 3:16. I like reading this verse from the bible that I was given at the project. I always pray for you and your family.

Yours faithfully child,

Confas Abuli

God bless you.

Dear Friends of Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,

I send you warmest greetings. Now, I would like to inform you that in our home area, we have harvested a lot of corn. We ate some and kept others. We have started clearing the garden and we help each other.
I am learning at Emmabui primary school. I am in grade five. We are all studying hard. All of us like all subjects.
Through your love you send me adequate gifts. We receive gifts from you and therefore, I will continue praying for you to succeed and you will live for a long time on earth. Continue in that same spirit and God is watching you.
I go to church on Sunday. We are taught quite a lot in church. God watches over me. He has protedcted me ever since. God be with you for ever.

Dear Casas Adobes Baptist Youth,

I am greeting you in the name of Jesus Christ. We are fine. At school I am going on well. Our readmaster teaches us Kiswahili and English. There are heavy rains, people are weeding their crops. I am in class 5 (grade 5). Thank you for the Christmas gift. I received a mattress and a tray, and slippers and a basin. Thank you very much.
At the project our cow gave birth to a calf. We are now using the milk for making tea. We have 3 cows now. One of them died.
On 25th December, I went to church. Then I went to watch a Christmas play in another church. There was good enjoyment. God bless you as you pray for me. My aunt and uncle are fine.