Back From Uganda Break

I returned from Uganda for a couple days relaxation (but for the thirteen hour plus bus ride each way!) I had a good time, met some good people and stayed in a resort-like setting. Uganda has no tourist business (other than searching for the giant gorillas!) So the rates at this place were amazing - about $28.00 US and this included a BIG breakfast brought to the door in the morning. The location was in the hills outside Kampala - beautiful with a distant view of Lake Victoria. The people are amazing, if you know any of the bloody Ugandan history.

Now I am back after the long overnite ride to Nairobi and head in a few minutes to the Village. Very Nice. Here is a pic of the place.


PICS and BLOG of Masai

Thanks for Contributing

Thanks to all who contributed to the Masai Women's Empowerment Prject. As you know, the project has been temporarily suspended while there is a tragic food shortage at the site. Becasue of your donation, Mwololo and I purchased maize flour, dried milk, uji (porridge) and rice for the Masai. Mwololo goes again to the largest section on Saturday, with your funds to purchase more. I'll try to put some pics online when I get a chance. The money comes at such a crucial time and I was so happy to be able to purchase the food, hand it out and visit with the women and children first hand. We believe we will have to support these women and children through December, until the rains come. Once the rains are here, the cows will drink, eat and give milk. I saw two cows dead, some with broken legs. There continues to be sicknesses from bad water ad poisoned meat.

I head to Uganda this evening. We will travel by bus overnite to Kampala and purhaps cross over into Rwanda. We shall see. I should be safe and sound back in the village by Tuesday at the latest. I haven't ventured far from Kenya and this is just a little exploration outside its borders. More soon. Thanks again for sending the aid for the Masai. www.mwep.blogspot.com

Some Pics from Spencer - Volunteer in the Village

SPENCE PICS

Extending Visa in Nairobi

I am in Nairobi with three teachers from World Teach. Our aim is to extend our visas for an additional three months. My return date remains mid December. I spent some time at the Athi Rive site. As you may have heard, there is a severe food shortage, effecting the women and children at the Masai menyatta. We hope to deliver some food rations on Thursday is all goes well. The Masai are herders and eat meat, milk and blood. They are not traditionaslly farmers, so some of the things we will provide may be foreign. We will by maize flour, some uji or porridge for the little ones and other products to help stretch things until the December rains. The cattle that have been left by the men are sick and have many broken bones. The milk is not good. We made "home visits" ands there is much sickness and disease present these day. Eye problems and food poisoning from bad meat. We have suspended other projectwork until the food situation is taken care of. It is not only among the masai but all over this area. No rains, food prices, post election violence all play a part. It will probably get worse before better.

The village goes on well. The children are achieving and seem happy. We met with some and some Kenyan psychologists ran a survey of questions dealing with trama. Interesting work but no surprises.

Recently the generator went crazy. It surged causing my laptop power cord to be fried. We are searching for another - a difficult thing. All my new videos of the Masai and the village are on the computer but it cannot be recharged. We shall see.

That is about it for now. I am doing well, feeling good, a little lighter in weight; a little darker in skin color. I continue to do invoicing, database, touring visitors and making sure volunteers are healthy, happy and working hard. It's an easy job. The chicken biz is in full swing. We look forward to many chicks hatching in the ew incubator soon - kerosene powered. All the best to my friends and family. Thank you so much for you support through IHM Mission Fund. Here are a couple pics of village kids.

Pics