The Foundation's Child Support Programme based in Kibera is currently providing 100 vulnerable children with food, a school uniform, tuition fees and an after school programme to support their basic needs and enable them to attend primary school. Kibera is one of the largest slums in Africa with a population of around 1million. Children who live here are some of the world’s most deprived, with approximately 50,000 orphaned, many as a result of their parents dying from AIDS related illnesses.

We recently moved to a new premises for our after school programme and one of the first activities we ran was a Christmas card competition. The children had a great time drawing pictures of what Christmas means to them, and a lot of happy pictures of people, biblical characters and flowers were produced. Christmas in Kenya is a far cry from the commercial event that happens in the UK – with a much bigger focus on church, family and feasting.

We received lots of fantastic entries from the children, making it a difficult task to judge, but the final design that won us all over was the beautiful flower picture by Snaida Kavetsa. Snaida’s picture is being printed and will be used as Sumerian Foundation and Sumerian Europe’s official Christmas card this year.

Snaida is 16 years' old and lives with her Aunt Phyllis in the small village of Makina, situated in Kibera, Nairobi. She is the second last born in a family of six and comes from Vihiga district in Western province. Snaida’s parents passed away in 2003.

A community worker, who is assigned to Snaida, has been visiting the family frequently. As they work together, Phyllis is happy about the Child Support Programme and appreciates the good work of the Foundation. Snaida herself is very thankful for the care it provides, particularly the story books and food she receives. She says the Foundation should continue with the good work.

Here's a personal message from Snaida:

My name is Snaida Kavetsa. I am 16 years old, and have five sisters and one brother. I am an orphan, my parents died when I was seven years old and then my aunt came and took me to her home to live with her. I have lived with my aunt for four years then she died too in 2007. Now I live with my aunt's family from that day I don't have any problem with anybody or anything. I am happy and very thankful for the feeding programme. For God's prayer can make me live without any problem.

Yours faithfully, Snaida

From all of us at the Sumerian Foundation, in Nairobi and the UK, we wish you a very happy Christmas and thank you for all your support. We look forward to continuing our programmes and making a difference to children's lives throughout 2009.