Final Check

I think I have finished my little shopping trips to gather final items needed to take to Kenya. I stocked up on razorblades, Tylenol and other things that are more difficult to get in Kenya. I also found a new pair of sandals. I always seem to end up giving them away when I am leaving Africa. My friend George broke his leg and needed some slip on shoes. The other sandals were given to some of the boys in the village. Anyway, I have purchased another cheap pair. Also, Chris bought me a new backpack for the trip. My old one has been through the war – literally. It went with George to Nairobi during the post-election violence, accompanied us to Uganda, went on safari and made numerous beer runs on the back of a motorbike. My record is carrying 16 bottles of beer in the old backpack up to the village – no broken bottles! The old one is filled with rips and holes.

I received some budget figures for funding a water project from Mwololo in Kenya. We are hoping to get some assistance to fund a clean water project among the Masai but there are three options for us: drill a borehole, have water piped in from Athi River, or have water delivered by truck to large tanks. All three options are expensive and have their good and bad points.

Today I had breakfast with the three kids. It is rare that all three get free form work at the same time. I’ll be with the boys in London. That should be cool. I wish they could all three come to Kenya for a while. It is difficult due to their jobs. But I am glad they have jobs!

I downloaded to an IPod, some talks and presentations that I can use as meditations and things to think about when I have some time to myself. I am not sure but am thinking I will have a lot of time to myself – at least many nights will be spent with little if anything to do. Athi River is not the kind of place where you can move around freely at night. I kind of stick out, as most white guys do, and would be considered someone who has money. You can easily become a target of robbery and pick pockets. Where I will be staying is off the main road, a distance from the town of Athi River along a dirt road. You don’t want to be caught away from home on that dirt road at night. Not to worry, I have friends in Athi River town and Kitengela if I do happened to get stuck away from home. I know the towns pretty well, where to go and where not to go!

It is becoming easier to travel back and forth to Kenya. I know what to take, what to leave at home. It will be even easier if I can leave stuff in my room in Athi River and not have to lug a big suitcase through two or three airports.

Masai Food Relief Video

MASAI PROJECT WEBSITE

www.mwep.blogspot.com

For information on our work at Athi River

Another Tragic Death

I received an email from my friend Mwololo at the Athi River Masai project. He informed me that another child died last night, this time because of a fire. A twelve-year-old girl with mental challenges apparently tried to cook in the house and a tragic fire started. All cooking is done within the Masai houses made of branches and mud. She died in the fire and the funeral is today. So sad. This is the fourth death in the Masai village since I have been involved with them… Two children died from eating poisoned meat. One other drowned. It reinforces the fragility of life in Kenya. These are not the only deaths I have been close to in Kenya. You’ll remember that two boys drowned at the Village last year. I also came upon a man dead in the streets of Nairobi. And then there were the thousands who died in the post-election violence – some of whom were family members of Kenyan friends. A couple of the day workers died of malaria in the Village as well. Life is short. Love hard.

As my time to leave for Kenya nears (I will fly Friday, Feb 28) I am very excited about my new living situation. I will have my own place, one room, cloister-like I assume. I want that. My friend Mwololo is buying me a bed and a tank of propane gas and cooking burner. That’s about all I need to start out. Everything else I will need I can gradually gather. I look forward to a more monastic lifestyle. That will take some work since my contemplative side needs some help! My room is close enough to the manyatta that I can yell to the Masai houses and can walk to the site. I was promised by a couple of the Masai men that they would take me out with them and the herds as they search for grazing land. Sleeping under the stars, keeping a lookout for wild animals, eating meat as a white Masai . . . who could ask for a greater experience? They said I could go for 28 days. I’ll take two or three! The tribe has also promised that I could live with them in the Manyatta as a Masai. I look forward to the experience of living in a traditional mud house . . . at least for a few days.

I have packed, unpacked and packed several times. I am convinced I can get all of my belongings into my one big suitcase. I also want to take a sheet, towel, computer printer, laptop, etc. I’ll keep packing.

I am trying to make email contact with a Nairobi Rotary Club. Together with the Florence Kentucky Rotary, we are trying to get some partnering to fund the Masai project. I will be talking with parishioners at a Brooklyn parish as I travel through NYC to London, to Nairobi. I love New York.

All else goes well. Thank you - thank you!

Back to Kenya Soon

I arrived back in the States from Kenya right before Christmas. My return was a compromise I worked out with my mom. I have had a great time in the states. I have visited with my children, my mom and wonderful friends. I have spoken to some groups and come classes. I visited with my friends at the Rotary in Florence and was able to tell my story on Christian radio with Brian Patrick. Some friends from IHM also gathered to welcome me home and I visited an assembly at the school. It has been a profitable time but after a month or so at home, I get excited about returning to Kenya. Two or three months at home has been my usual length of time. With no real job – my days can get very long.

I am looking for the best date to return but it will probably be in about two weeks. (the end of February) The boys are going to London to see two soccer games and it would be great to be with them for a day or so. Flights to Nairobi have come down in price (British Air from London to Nairobi) and my flight to London is fairly cheap due to discounts. I’ll probably stay three months this trip.

My Kenyan friend, Mwololo, has found a place for me to live in Athi River, the site location of our Masai project. www.mwep.blogspot.com Next to the Masai houses is what can only be described as an apartment complex! The apartments are actually condos, not for rent. But there is a servants’ quarters on the property. Mwololo describes the room as 7-foot square. After talking to him, we decided he does not know how to measure and the size will be fine. Even some of the Masai guys I work with are night watchmen and security guards there. I am excited. I can walk to work.

Today I went to the stores to buy little supplies I need – Advil, razor blades, socks, etc. It is fun to prepare and I know what I need, after three prior trips. I also met with a board we put together to oversee my work and help support the efforts. They are a great group of people with great ideas, great energy and a willingness to help the cause.