September 10-12th

One of the benefits of AYA is that it truly is an alliance, both in terms of people coming together to support projects and our partners coming together to support one another. When I visit Kenya and Uganda, I always look forward to meeting with all of our partners together. They are very innovative in looking for ways to collaborate. They formed as an alliance of non-formal schools to advocate for government recognition and to help form curriculum standards. When one partner has an emergency need, they come together to give what they can. They share knowledge and support each other’s projects; if someone has a need like welding, carpentry, or sewing they can purchase items from a partner running a project that meets that need.

On Thursday, we had a partner meeting at Pastor Fred’s school, Candlelight. As usual, everyone was very appreciative of support given and talked about progress and needs within their projects. The overwhelming theme was the need for food. Every single partner said that food was the biggest problem they are facing; prices have more than tripled and with a drought taking place throughout Kenya they are only expected to increase. Our biggest and most sustainable idea for dealing with the food crisis is to expand our farm.

Pastor Fred also arranged for an optetrician to talk to the partners and an arrange free eye exams at each of their school and home. Poor eyesight can be a big learning challenge to poor children that will go undiagnosed. Even if it was found that they need glasses, it would be very rare that they could afford glasses. He then makes glasses for about $20. We also have the possibility of collecting donations of used glasses.

We were also able to distribute boxes of basic medication purchased from MEDS to each partner. They were also absolutely thrilled to receive a picture of Barrack and Michelle Obama from the White House. We always receive local gifts from our African friends, so we wanted to bring them something from the US. Our gift was in no way supposed to be political. Kenyans just have a special affection for Obama because his father was Kenyan. They are very proud of him and often ask us how he is doing or even to tell him hello as if he is our best friend. Most don’t know all of the divisions in US politics; they simply see Obama as a connection and a symbol of hope.

Friday was a long journey to western Kenya. Thankfully, the road had been paved since I was last here which made the trip much faster and more enjoyable. We even saw zebras and baboons along the way (I forgot to mention we say an ostrich, a giraffe, and an antelope on the way to Kibwezi). We made a stop in Nakuru to visit Rafiki Home. Nakuru is an area greatly affected by the post-election violence in 2008. Many people we killed or displaced and the refugee camps are still visible. Rafiki runs a home and school, and although we could not stay long, it appeared they are doing a good job of caring for some very needy children.

After a quick lunch of rice, beans, and hot tea, we kept heading west to Eldoret to see Tumaini Home. As we arrived to the little village area where the home is located, the director, Joyce, came running to greet us and immediately gave us hugs and kisses. This is the first time I have met her and I was drawn to her joy and enthusiasm right away. She has 14 children staying with her; the girls stay in the small house with her and the boys stay in a mud house. It rained hard while we were there and soon everything was covered in mud. As we visited the boys house, I slid down the mud floor as I entered. Joyce told us that one of the boys, Marvin, recently woke up to a rat chewing on his foot. We certainly hope to get them better living conditions, but in the meantime, they hopefully, can get a cat to keep the rats away.

The children then performed for us with songs and drums. Before we left, my mom gave the older girls some nail polish her manicurist had donated. By the expression on their face, you would have thought we were giving them a new car. It is amazing to see how the smallest things can bring such joy.

Nine hours later we arrived in Kitale where we had dinner with Pastor Patrick Kimawchi and his wife Phoebe, the directors of Gospel Believers. We truly had an African feast with chicken, beef, goat, pumpkin leaves, fried bread, ugali, greens, potatoes and mangos. It was great to sit and visit, but we were also very tired. Africans are great about taking time to sit and talk with each other without rushing off. I always feel like a big wimp when I visit. Africans start their day early and don’t stop until late at night. I am always completely worn out by the end of my days in Africa, while the Africans never seem tired and never complain.

Today was a very exciting day. We began by visiting the AYA farm. As I stated, feeding programs are the biggest challenge for our partners and food prices are still rising in response to shortages. As self-sustaining solutions are always our priority, we wanted a way to grow our own food that could be sold to our partners for a very cheap price. We were able to purchase the first 5 acres to begin farming, but hope to expand. I am always amazed with Pastor Fred’s motivation and ingenuity. In addition to planting corn and beans, he has used a water source to create a well and a fish farm. The farm will also be able to have a second harvest of vegetables. He has also taken the soil to be tested to determine which crops will grow best on the land. We will get about 150 90kg bags of corn to distribute to partners in addition to beans they have already received. If we are able to secure additional funding, the farm can be a valuable source of food for a country already threatened by drought and rising food prices.

Finally we made it to Gospel Believers where they were hosting the ceremony to officially open the home. Over the past few years, we have raised money through a few generous donors to move the home from its original location in the Kibera slum to its present location. The change is astounding. They previously lived in a cramped tin shack with no running water and sewage and garbage running through the front of their home. They now have five spacious acres with their own crops, stream, and cows and nice brick structures.

In true African style, it was a grand event. The whole community came out with everyone dressed in their finest. They “slaughtered” a cow to celebrate, which I was relieved to know I was not going to have to be involved in the slaughtering. Of course, we were honored in the most humbling way by cutting the ribbon to the home, having my name put on a plaque outside the dining hall, having a special seat and being addressed as the guests of honor. I was also officially made an African woman and dressed in traditional African clothes. After a barrage of seemingly endless speeches by local pastors, teachers, and government officials, I was asked to make a speech. Although they allotted an hour for me, I took about 10 minutes to thank everyone and acknowledge all of the community members and AYA donors that made all of this possible. Most importantly, I wanted to address the children and remind them that Gospel Believers is their home and we are grateful to know they have a place where they are safe and loved and can have a wonderful future.

Now, we are back on the road to Nairobi and will head off to Uganda in the morning.