Sechs Wochen lang kam im Januar/Februar eine internationale Künstlergruppe ins Nest um mit den Kindern zu basteln, zu malen, zu singen, Geschichten zu erzählen und zu spielen. Für die Kinder eine unvergessliche Zeit! Zwei Monate später sind die Erinnerungen unter den Kindern noch so lebendig, dass sie es kaum erwarten können bis die Gruppe im September noch einmal ins Nest zurückkehrt!

In January 2007 Wendy Andrew and Bee Birken, both friends of The Nest, brought a six week arts program to the home. They got together to arrange the program through their respective charities: “Will’s Africa Trust” and “Anno’s Africa” – both charities set up in memory of their two sons William Andrew and Anno Birken. Will’s knew The Nest before he died and it seems fitting that good things should happen there in his memory. The arts project was funded by “Anno’s Africa” which raises its money through the sale of Anno’s many beautiful poems that he wrote before he died.

The program ran twice a week and was designed to enrich the lives of both the children and the staff, teaching them, through different mediums, about their own identity, an issue that is especially important to children in institutional situations. It was also designed to stimulate and encourage creativity and the sheer enjoyment on. The children’s faces during the six weeks told its own story.

The two main teachers, Karen and Marie arranged a varied and exciting program of puppeteering dance, music, storytelling, painting and model and mask making. One day the children made a beautiful triptych of their own footprints and handprints whilst dancing to the music and rhythms of local musicians. The result is stunning and will be exhibited in London in the near future!

On another day Juma, a wonderful story teller, came bringing the children from the local village into the home to listen to his magical stories, it was very moving to watch so many enraptured faces. Juma will be coming to The Nest on a regular basis to continue telling his tales, all of which have a moral meaning to them.

Bee and her team will return to Kenya in September to continue with this wonderful project and in the meantime Karen and Marie have left behind instructions and materials to allow the staff to continue their good work with the children. Indeed the talent for creativity and enthusiasm discovered amongst some of the staff added greatly to the success of the program.

“KARIBU TENA!” – WELCOME AGAIN AT THE NEST!!!