Dear Friends and Supporters, we are excited to share the wonderful news about our recent events across several communities. Over the past few weeks, Just be a Child organized three vibrant sports days with the children of Chidzangoni, Dzunga, and Kombani communities. These events, held on consecutive weekends from the third and fourth weeks of July and the first week of August, saw enthusiastic participation from 50 to 80 children in each community. The energy was palpable as the children enjoyed a variety of games and activities, creating lasting memories. We were heartened to see several librarians from each community library volunteering their time to make these days even more special. Their dedication reflects the spirit of collaboration and unity that is at the core of our mission.

The communities were overwhelmingly pleased with the events, and the joy on the children’s faces was a testament to the positive impact of bringing people together through sports. These events have not only provided fun and excitement but have also fostered stronger community bonds and encouraged healthy living among the children. We are thrilled to announce that we will be bringing the same enthusiasm to the remaining three communities: Tiwi, Msambweni, and Shimba Hills. We look forward to more joyous gatherings in these areas, where children and community members can come together for a day filled with laughter, learning, and sportsmanship.

In addition to our sports initiatives, we are also proud to highlight our ongoing writing competition, which began in the third week of July and will conclude in the fourth week of August. All six of our community libraries are actively participating in this competition, which has sparked creativity and a love for writing among the young participants. The culmination of this competition will be a special awards ceremony in September, coinciding with a visit from the Just be a Child team from the UK. During this visit, we will personally hand out certificates and gifts to all the participants, celebrating their hard work and creativity.

Both the sports days and the writing competition are more than just events; they are opportunities for the children to develop important life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and creative thinking. These initiatives are helping to nurture a sense of community pride and encouraging the next generation to explore their potential in various fields. We are deeply grateful for the continued support from our community members, volunteers, and donors. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of these children and helping to build stronger, more vibrant communities.

With gratitude,

Jay