Our experiences in Kenya and surrounding Africa are soon coming to an end. This has by far been one of the most moving journeys of my life. I have witnessed acute poverty that makes our poor in Canada look like princes and princesses. I have seen corruption beyond comprehension. I have seen hope and resilience in the people that puts me in awe. I have talked with people who have experienced war first hand and lost almost all. Here are some short excerpts of their stories;
Elizabeth was born in Uganda and fled during the latest upheavals in 1998. Her mother and father were executed, her husband was also killed. Elizabeth has children that live in Uganda/Kenyan boarder around Soroti area. They are cared for by surviving family. Elizabeth works as our house maid, speaks very limited English. Upon translation via a friend Jeff, we discovered Elizabeth's butchered story. Elizabeth sends some of her earnings home to Uganda to support her family. She told me (as she cried) that she is very much going to miss us when we go back to Canada. She said that we were the first people she has ever met, let alone worked for that treated her with dignity and respect. She said that our home is like her home away from home. Her strength of spirit and ability to survive amazes me and my family. It was and is an honor to have known Elizabeth. I will miss her.
Jacob is trained in computers and works with AMPATH. He comes from a family of 10. All ten of the children have University degrees. Jacob's mother Helen is a teacher. The family has land in a remote area up by Turbo. Helen and her husband, while working their land also run a small private school on their farm land for the local children who do not have the opportunity to make the long journey to the next nearest government school. Helen and her co-workers teach about 100 local children out of a shanty. Half of the children are orphaned because their parents have died of AIDS and other diseases, while the other half have parents who can scarcely afford the minimal tuition.
This is a picture of where the children go to school.
Lori and I have agreed to work towards fundraising and building a school proper. Helen and her husband have donated five acres of their land as a new site for the planned school.
This is the bathroom for the 100 children....
With Jacob's help and his families dedication we hope that people we solicate in Canada will support this project.
If we achieve our capital and operational fundraising goals I will return to Kenya in about a year or so and help in construction.
This is a photo of the outside of the existing school structure. The building is in severe disrepair and affected me greatly. What affected me even more were some of the children hanging around who are in dire need of help.
This family is one of hope, perseverance and strength in Kenya. I personally would be honored to spend my time and donate my experience to this task.
Jeff is an amazing young man about 30 years old. Jeff's father was 'framed' when Jeff was about two years old. His father spent about six years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Jeff, his mother and siblings lived in acute poverty in a small village. Jeff would walk seven hours to town every day (when he was six years old!) to sell items at the local market, then walk home the same evening to bring any money made to his mother. Jeff went to school and told a story of how the headmaster took his tuition money, did not give him a receipt and when Jeff showed up for school was not admitted. Jeff informed his mother, was allowed to attend but was severely beaten by the headmaster each and every day he attended. Jeff persevered, continued at another school, lived in an IDP camp for some time with his family (the one outside of Nairobi). Jeff was always at the top two of his class!!! He eventually spent a short time in the military then went on to University on scholarship obtaining his psychology degree. Jeff is married with two children aged seven and nine. Lori and I hope to sponsor Jeff to come to Canada to attend University so he can obtain his PhD.
So those are just a few of the profiles of people we have met that move Kenya forward. There are many more stories to share and so little time before we leave. I know for myself, Africa has left me humbled, sad, hopeful and when I leave a piece of me will stay here.
If you are interested in some books to read about our area here in Africa I might suggest the following as they will give you a feel of how difficult and how layered things are.
CANADA IN SUDAN; WAR WITHOUT BOARDERS.
FIRST KILL YOUR FAMILY; CHILD SOLDIERS OF UGANDA AND L.R.A.
DANCING IN THE GLORY OF MONSTERS; THE COLLAPSE OF THE CONGO AND THE GREAT WAR OF AFRICA.
SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL.
DEAD AID; WHY AID IS NOT WORKING AND HOW THERE IS A BETTER WAY.
THE SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICAN OIL; OPPRESSION, CORRUPTION AND WAR FOR CONTROL OF AFRICA'S NATURAL RESOURCES.
ANOTHER MAN'S WAR; THE TRUE STORY OF ONE MAN'S BATTLE TO SAVE CHILDREN IN SUDAN.
MONETARY AND FINANCIAL INTEGRATION IN WEST AFRICA..
CORRUPTION IN AFRICA; THE KENYAN EXPERIENCE
FACING A PANDEMIC; THE AFRICAN CHURCH AND THE CRISIS OF AIDS.
THE POLITICS OF AID; AFRICAN STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH DONORS.
IT'S OUR TURN TO EAT.
We will be going to Bantu Lodge in Laikipia District at the foot of Mount Kenya to see the Black Rhino's. I will then be flying to Rwanda on my own to see the Memorial Museum and some other sites. After that it will be packing up and heading home to Canada.
Love most of you. Try to be kind to one another.
Elizabeth was born in Uganda and fled during the latest upheavals in 1998. Her mother and father were executed, her husband was also killed. Elizabeth has children that live in Uganda/Kenyan boarder around Soroti area. They are cared for by surviving family. Elizabeth works as our house maid, speaks very limited English. Upon translation via a friend Jeff, we discovered Elizabeth's butchered story. Elizabeth sends some of her earnings home to Uganda to support her family. She told me (as she cried) that she is very much going to miss us when we go back to Canada. She said that we were the first people she has ever met, let alone worked for that treated her with dignity and respect. She said that our home is like her home away from home. Her strength of spirit and ability to survive amazes me and my family. It was and is an honor to have known Elizabeth. I will miss her.
Jacob is trained in computers and works with AMPATH. He comes from a family of 10. All ten of the children have University degrees. Jacob's mother Helen is a teacher. The family has land in a remote area up by Turbo. Helen and her husband, while working their land also run a small private school on their farm land for the local children who do not have the opportunity to make the long journey to the next nearest government school. Helen and her co-workers teach about 100 local children out of a shanty. Half of the children are orphaned because their parents have died of AIDS and other diseases, while the other half have parents who can scarcely afford the minimal tuition.
This is a picture of where the children go to school.
Lori and I have agreed to work towards fundraising and building a school proper. Helen and her husband have donated five acres of their land as a new site for the planned school.
With Jacob's help and his families dedication we hope that people we solicate in Canada will support this project.
If we achieve our capital and operational fundraising goals I will return to Kenya in about a year or so and help in construction.
This is a photo of the outside of the existing school structure. The building is in severe disrepair and affected me greatly. What affected me even more were some of the children hanging around who are in dire need of help.
This family is one of hope, perseverance and strength in Kenya. I personally would be honored to spend my time and donate my experience to this task.
Jeff is an amazing young man about 30 years old. Jeff's father was 'framed' when Jeff was about two years old. His father spent about six years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Jeff, his mother and siblings lived in acute poverty in a small village. Jeff would walk seven hours to town every day (when he was six years old!) to sell items at the local market, then walk home the same evening to bring any money made to his mother. Jeff went to school and told a story of how the headmaster took his tuition money, did not give him a receipt and when Jeff showed up for school was not admitted. Jeff informed his mother, was allowed to attend but was severely beaten by the headmaster each and every day he attended. Jeff persevered, continued at another school, lived in an IDP camp for some time with his family (the one outside of Nairobi). Jeff was always at the top two of his class!!! He eventually spent a short time in the military then went on to University on scholarship obtaining his psychology degree. Jeff is married with two children aged seven and nine. Lori and I hope to sponsor Jeff to come to Canada to attend University so he can obtain his PhD.
So those are just a few of the profiles of people we have met that move Kenya forward. There are many more stories to share and so little time before we leave. I know for myself, Africa has left me humbled, sad, hopeful and when I leave a piece of me will stay here.
If you are interested in some books to read about our area here in Africa I might suggest the following as they will give you a feel of how difficult and how layered things are.
CANADA IN SUDAN; WAR WITHOUT BOARDERS.
FIRST KILL YOUR FAMILY; CHILD SOLDIERS OF UGANDA AND L.R.A.
DANCING IN THE GLORY OF MONSTERS; THE COLLAPSE OF THE CONGO AND THE GREAT WAR OF AFRICA.
SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL.
DEAD AID; WHY AID IS NOT WORKING AND HOW THERE IS A BETTER WAY.
THE SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICAN OIL; OPPRESSION, CORRUPTION AND WAR FOR CONTROL OF AFRICA'S NATURAL RESOURCES.
ANOTHER MAN'S WAR; THE TRUE STORY OF ONE MAN'S BATTLE TO SAVE CHILDREN IN SUDAN.
MONETARY AND FINANCIAL INTEGRATION IN WEST AFRICA..
CORRUPTION IN AFRICA; THE KENYAN EXPERIENCE
FACING A PANDEMIC; THE AFRICAN CHURCH AND THE CRISIS OF AIDS.
THE POLITICS OF AID; AFRICAN STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH DONORS.
IT'S OUR TURN TO EAT.
We will be going to Bantu Lodge in Laikipia District at the foot of Mount Kenya to see the Black Rhino's. I will then be flying to Rwanda on my own to see the Memorial Museum and some other sites. After that it will be packing up and heading home to Canada.
Love most of you. Try to be kind to one another.
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