Benalla thanked for supporting Miles of Smiles in Kenya, but more help needed

By Simon Ruppert

Feb 11, 2025

Rose Bugasu founded, and runs, the Tumaini Miles of Smiles Centre in Western Kenya. Photo by Contributed

The Tumaini Miles of Smiles Centre in Western Kenya is transforming lives, empowering underprivileged women and children to break free from the cycle of poverty.

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It features a children’s home, a primary school and a trade school.

It brings hope and a future to orphans, widows and other underprivileged people.

But it can‘t operate without assistance.

For many years, people in the Benalla community and across the north-east, have donated their time and money, with several even visiting to assist in building projects, delivering books and supporting it’s residents and students in various ways.

Rhonda Boer, is the sponsorship coordinator and treasurer for Tumaini Miles of Smiles Australia Inc.

She recently shared a message that the local arm of the charity received from Rose Bugusu, who founded and runs the amazing facility,

It included an update of the centre’s activities in recent months.

A message to Benalla from Rose Bugusu

Thank you, for all the ways you support and change each child’s life for the better.

We received numerous donations to make Christmas special for the children – and special it was.

What a thrill for the littlies and the children who had no one to stay with during the holidays when they were taken to Kisimu for a Christmas treat.

The special outing (a treat in itself) included time spent swimming in a pool, and a variety of other fun experiences, including a ride on the whizzy wheel, followed by a special lunch.

All the Tumaini children received special gifts, ranging from brand new mattresses for those beginning high school, (where they will board during the term) to new school bags for many and new shoes and clothes for others.

Art is a new elective starting in 2025, but the school lacked the basic art materials necessary for this subject.

A special thank you to Jean and Andrew Bates, who have taken it upon themselves to raise money for the Art program for grades 3 to 9.

To date $5910 has been sent to Tumaini to pay for much-needed supplies and equipment so that this subject can be taught effectively.

The camp and the soccer outreach program both were very successful and popular.

Many lives were changed as people heard about Jesus.

Bibles were distributed to new Christians.

There is always something happening at Tumaini.

Work on the foundations of the new Junior High buildings is about to start.

This is expected to be our big project for 2025.

This phase will comprise a two storey building, housing laboratories and administration.

We are ever so grateful to our sponsors and appreciate your commitment for as long as you are able.

There is currently an urgent need for more sponsors to assist the Tumaini Miles of Smiles Centre, as there has been a change in circumstances for many of its children.

By becoming a new sponsor, you'll ensure children can continue their education and receive vital support without interruption, directly shaping their futures.

For some children, your sponsorship commitment would be as brief as 11 months, supporting them through to their high school completion.

People and organisations in Benalla, and the north-east have been assisting for years.

Ms Boer said there was too many to mention them all, but some notable assistance has come from the Benalla Baptist Church, Euroa Baptist Church and the Wangaratta Wesleyan Methodist Church.

If you (or someone you know) would like to sponsor one of these kids, for $42 per month, please email Rhonda at rhondda.roelf@gmail.com.

All sponsorship payments are tax deductible.