Zac and boat near Lamu

To Nairobi with 40 kids

SPENCE HELPING DELIVER FOOD TO MASSAI

This week marks two anniversaries at Nyumbani. First - this is the second year since Fr. D'Agostino, founder of Nyumbani, passed away. It also marks the one year anniversary of the death of two boys at the village (See blog from this date a year ago.) To remember and celebrate, Nyumbani held a mass and reception also meant to dedicate a new building in Fr. D'ag's honor. The Village was well represented with a group of 40 students and some staff. A busload was sent from the Village Saturday night and we slept on the floor at the Children's Home. These kids are great! We had a great time despite the lack of sleep. It was interesting to see the reaction the kids had to Nairobi - a city they had never seen. The boys I stayed with were up half the night, flipping electric switches, flushing the toilets and getting up at 4 a.m. to take a hot shower. These were all new experiences for them. They had heard about and wanted to see the machine that made clothes clean. They could not understand how another machine made clothes dry without the sun. In the kitchen of the Children's Home was a large institutional potato peeler. Put a potato in and in comes out peeled! On the ride home they screamed when we drove past NBO (the Nairobi Airport). We also saw zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, and a herd of camels on the way home. None of these got a reaction bigger than the washing machine. The kids sang a choir piece and danced some original Kamba tribal dances in full dress. The Village was well-represented. I was so proud. Present at the gathering was the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya and the Apostolic Nuncio (Archbishop) from Italy - among other guests. I went back to the Village with the kids last night but traveled back to Nairobi with Spencer, a volunteer returning to the states for Christmas. We traveled by matatu and bus and I wanted to accompany him to make sure he arrived in Nairobi safe and sound. We did.

North of Lamu

Below are a couple pics from Kiwayu, an island north of Lamu on the African coast. It is not far from Somalia. We had a great time sailing for seven or eight hours to the island and then snorkeling, fishing etc. Great fun and one of the most beautiful places I have seen. Below shows the boat and the place on the beach where we slept. Very cool.

Some Pics from Kiwayu Island

Here are some pics - clic to enlarge.

Zac's Here

My son made it to Nairobi via London. It was great to see him once again. I think he put on a couple pounds and I lost 27. He looks great - I don't. But I feel good. Today is Obama day in Kenya. The President of the country made today a National Holiday. Everyone was celebrating the night before so doubtful that many would make it into work on time! It was a great election to witness in Kenya. This is my second election, the first being the Kenyan election that turned so violent last December. For Kenyans to witness one of their own take part in such a peaceful transition, well run voting polls etc. . . the guys at work just look at me and say 'ah America, what a great country you have!' They were amazed that I could vote absentee ballot and that the results were so fast. Even McCain's gracious speech came quickly. "ah America!' Erin and I watch some of the pre-results television coverage from a little 30-seat bar in Kwa Vonza. We watched the TV by generator but the lighting in the place was by kerosene lamp. It was a bit surreal, although beautiful as well. All these black faces fixed on the TV, anticipating a son of Kenya winning the highest office in the land. It was a great night.

I left for Nairobi the next morning. The town was buzzing about Obama and locals would yell to me on the street = Obama (and give a thumbs up)

So Zac is here. We go tomorrow to the coast and sail to a remote island. We are still a little concerned about the Somali pirates so close. This will be fun!

Lamu - on no money per day

Some pics from Lamu - click to enlarge



I have had some exciting weeks at the Village. Things are going well and lots of work accomplished. I have continued to work on some PR presentations and some other database things as well as doing the normal Volunteer Coordinating. This weekend 16 girls from an American University come to the Village to see and experience some of the life there. 16 girls - wondering how they will like the Village an I am hoping they have sleeping bags and good water!

I have come once again to Nairobi, bringing one of the volunteers to the hospital for some testing. He will be fine. I also brought with me a third year high school student to see the Doctor in Nairobi. He will also be fine and we should be heading back to the Village tomorrow with a new volunteer from Norway.

I was able to go to Lamu - an island off the Kenyan coast. It was my first trip to the coast and it was amazing and very beautiful. We flew from Nairobi to Malindi and then on to Lamu. Once there we took a small sailboat out, went fishing and then anchored off the beach, cooked the fish and swam. What a beautiful day, so unlike anything I have seen in Africa. The island is predominately Muslim, having close to 32 mosques. I am also reminded that it is close to Somalia and probably home to some more radicals. But . . .a great place and I am planning to return with my son in about a month.

Zac is coming back to Kenya! I am so excited to know he is planning another visit. We will go to the Village for a while and also to Lamu, although this time we plan to sail for 6 and a half hours to a remote island for some snorkeling etc. I can't wait to see him. I am also looking forward to seeing Rachel and Jonah in mid December - mom too!

I always wanted to live simply - but having my wallet and credit cards stolen in a matatu in Kitui was not my plan. I had some decent cash in my wallet, hoping to purchase chairs for the library. Someone obviously watched me from the bank. I was sick about it for about a day. I couldn't believe it. I stopped my cards and am in the process of having them replaced. But for a while, I had no money, no phone credit, no way to leave the village, unable to pay for transport. All the other volunteers were out of town and my good friend George was in Machakos. I was stuck and panicking. It was a strange feeling, felt daily by so many in in Kenya and the U.S. for that matter. Rachel was so helpful, wiring me money to have in Lamu.

One of the problems with no credit card, we could no buy food for the relief effort in Athi River. They remain in desperate shape; bad water, illnesses, dead cattle, disease and the kids are not going to school due to hunger. The replacement card should come soon and we will begin once again. Thanks for your donations. See www.mwep.blogspot.com

Enough for now - know that I think of my family and friends daily and remain grateful to the many donations and prayers.

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.