Monday 30th November 2009

Firstly i want to thank my husband Jonas who understands and supports my passion for MIA... i will miss you. x

I left Australia at 2.45am and did not sleep for the next 40 hours... tired to say the least but the excitement of seeing the kids made it all worth it.

I was greeted in Nairobi by the beautiful Mary and one of our volunteers Erin who had also just arrived. I slept as soon as i got to the guesthouse and had the best sleep of my life (exaggeration?)

Off we went to do a few jobs in Nairobi and i can tell you, i have NOT missed the horrible traffic conditions of this big city. Just closed my eyes most the time and wished for the best.

We headed to Nakuru after lunch time and I was super excited to see the kids. when i saw the 'blue roof' on MIA i got butterflies in my stomach. What a wonderful welcome i received... "SARAH! SARAH! SARAH! I LIKE YOU!!" so excited they remember me and especially excited that they like me ;-)

A small warning: internet and power are not great here so i will update my diary everyday as i always do but cannot guarantee i will be able to upload it as the internet folk here in Kenya like to frustrate me by making it go down all the time...

Tuesday 1st December 2009

1st day waking up and i have forgotten the noise you wake up to sharing a house with over 43 children. mmmmm...

It was the first time i had met our 3 new family members, siblings: Franko, Njao and Miriam... They came to us in very sad circumstances. Their father abused their mother and also the children. He killed the mother in front of the children approx 6 months ago and they came to live with us at MIA.

We had recently found out that the Granparents(their mothers parents)of the kids had been searching for them around Nakuru. They did not know where they had been taken and the local children's department where no use as they sent them everywhere but here. We finally got word to them that they could find the kids here.

The grandparents had not seen the children for about 1 year.. they were very close with the children when the mother was alive. When the grandparents arrived i ran out to get the children and called Franko's name.. well, when he turned around and saw them his face lit up and he ran so fast up to them and jumped up to hug and as you will see from the photo on the left he was more than thrilled to see them. Njao was the same when he saw them.. big smiles and straight to them... it was so beautiful.. yes, there were tears!!

We will now investigate if they are able to take care of the children or if they will remain here with us. Stay tuned!

Wed, 2nd December 2009

Today we had a bunch of interviews for teachers to work at the new school. I sat in on a few of them with Mary and i think i was as nervous as they were! i hate job interviews!!

They all did really well and we will be short listing the group soon to bring in for second interviews which i think i will skip. not good for my stress levels.

Franko and Njao told me many times today that their grandparents came to see them and that they will be back again soon. they were so excited and it breaks my heart to think that children of this age (any children) have had to go through such heart ache. i could look at these boys all day long.. they are so sweet and funny but franko looks to me as tho he has lived a long life.

I just had to share this other photo i got of when the grandparents came and how excited franko was... ->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Thursday, 3rd December 2009

Some of you may now Martha who works for us here at Mission in Action. She is 'Manager' of MIA and does so much and is loved by many.. well, bad news fellas... she is getting married!

I had the pleasure of meeting Peter yesterday and he is so so so so so sweet! i couldn't be happier for my sister.

I have been busy helping Martha with her wedding invitation and have made up an invite that i have sent to martha's friends around the world.. if you know martha, and didn't get one.. its not coz your not invited but we don't have your email... but i have included it on the left :-)

Our 3 volunteers Erin, Sarah and Nicole went shopping today with 'Mrs Pastor' (yes, she is the pastors wife) to get a bunch of supplies for some hygiene kits and christmas hampers today, they will deliver these tomorrow. we have lots to buy for the GIfts in Action project.. thanks to those of you who have donated!

Feel Free to email Martha and say Congrats!

Friday 4th December 2009

Busy day again... We started the day by taking a couple of our visitors to 'Bensons Home' also known as Fiwago Home in town... the kids there did the most wonderful performances for us. such wonderful singers and beautiful children..

We then went into town for the 1st time since i have been here.. all is still the same but the popular sweet mart is no longer open.. WHERE ON EARTH WILL I GET A CAPPACINO??! all is ok.. found another place ;-)
I purchased about 30 back packs for my education packs so thats 1 job off the list. phew...

When we came home, we drove in and Mary pointed out 'the mole man' im like 'what the?' so she explains to me that he is paid to catch the moles so they dont burrow around the place. he gets paid per mole and then he gets to take it home and eat it! what a legend! he was happy for me to take a pic of him and his dinner.

We also picked up the final sample of school uniform and you can see that modelled by the beautiful millie here on the right... so cute!

Saturday 5th December 2009

Today is 'Sabbath' for the children and they are all very excited that they get to put their good clothes on and go to sabbath school.

After a yummy breakfast of Uji they all got dressed up and we headed over to the school and had sabbath school.

Not much else happened today... my back gave me grief so i rested alot... just as they say i should do on the Sabbath!

Sunday 6th December 2009

Today was a MISSION. Sarah Ward, one of our wonderful supporters
and sponsor of many children wanted to take most of the kids on an excursion to the Lake Bogorio Hot Pools.

Well, Mary was organizing the swimmers and floaties and clothes the night before for the morning... then in the morning we need to get them ready for the big day.. SO EXCITING for them all...

It was a huge effort getting 22 kids in the buses plus 7 adults and then of course having to stop for a toilet break where EVERY ONE needs to get off and go.

Then getting to the pool and getting everyone in their swimmers, giving everyone a turn in the pool (as they wanted to be held by the adults) and then ordering 29 plates of hot chips for all of us. The 2 year olds ate just as much as the adults! then its time to turn around and head home... i am not sure how the kids felt but they are all sleeping now and i am on my way as well...

Thank you Sarah (Ward) for being so kind. xx