Monday 29th October
Today was an action filled day!
We headed off with a car load of people including a lady named Elizabeth from the Nakuru EARC (Education Assessment Resource Centre) into the village community to see about 2 cases. First of all we went to see Warimu from the Maturi family (the family we just built a house for) we wanted to see if there was anything EARC could do for Warimu. She is left at home, sometimes locked out of her house and she is very vulnerable and is often raped by the neighbourhood men. Today Warimu was very excited to see us and came running to the car hugging and grabbing everyone (sometimes she is very upset/she is mentally challenged) Elizabeth said that there is a lot that could be done for Warimu such as putting her into a boarding home and school for special needs children. She will donate some money and we will raise the rest if we have to for her school fees as she is a very special girl that we have grown to love and care for
The next place we go to is to a cripple girl names Suzy who we heard about this week. She lives not far from us in the village but along a VERY bumpy road (ouch) Her sister came to us and told us about her when we were handing out clothes and food through the community this week. She asked if we could go and see her and see if we could help her. Suzy is severely crippled and drags her self along the ground to get around. She is approx 17 years old. She has never been toilet trained and it seems that her mother hasn’t given her as much care as she should have. It seems like she kind of gave up on her. Anyway, Suzy was thrilled to see us and she had the BIGGEST smile on her face. We checked out the situation and Elizabeth from EARC said straight away that they would donate a wheelchair for Suzy to see if this will make her life more comfortable. We went straight into town to the EARC office to collect the chair and took it straight back to Suzy. She was so happy and she automatically looked a lot more comfortable and so so happy. We will make sure that we check back on her and see that she is using the chair properly and also that it has not been sold by her mother. btw, Suzy's sister could not keep the smile off her face she was thrilled.
These actions took up most of the day. It was a huge accomplishment and we are all very happy with the outcome of both cases. It makes you look at your life and realise once more how lucky we are. We are all very fortunate.
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Me and some of the kids today at the school for deaf children which is located at the Nakuru EARC office. These children are great! all they wanted was for me to take photos and show them, take photos and show them, take photos and show them etc etc.
Not sure if you can see clearly but the girl in the very front of this photo has the most stunning bright blue eyes. Apparently all of her family does. It is very rare in Africans to have such blue eyes. She was gorgeous.
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ELizabeth, Suzy, Mary and I when we first went to see Suzy this morning.
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Ivan and Suzy when we took the wheelchair to her... |
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Tuesday 30th October
Today was a 'day off' for me (from the children any way - not the computer work)
Martha and I headed into town early this morning and we met up with her mum and dad for a coffee. They are such wonderful people who I just love!
Then it is time to head around town to check out the shops... i really want to go to the markets but just dont feel like getting hassled. It is so full on at these markets.. you cant walk past them without getting grabbed to 'look here' 'come see this' 'looking is free' etc etc. then you ask for a price and they start at 3000 shillings for something that you know is worth 150 shilling so you have to bargain and bargain and it is such hard work. So instead i go to the 'curio store' that has all the market stuff for a little bit more expensive but the price is set and you do not have to bargain. well worth it! so i have so many nice new things for my house. this stuff is awesome.
One of our volunteers Kara and her boyfriend Adam kindly donated 4 grid iron helmets for our guards as we recently got broken in to and the guard was badly beaten around the head. So our 'Massai's' tried them on and they were so excited! they thought they were motorcycle helmets but we explained what they are which was quite interesting to do when they speak no english at all. So when they are guarding the house at night and they hear trouble they will put on the helmet and will be ready to protect us....
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Wednesday 31 October
It is shopping day once again and we wonder how it has come along so quickly?!
Mary and Ashley head into town to take little Antony into the Nakuru EARC to get his hearing checked which we have been wanting to do for some time. It seems that he is quite deaf and requires hearing aids. They are saying the cost of this will be 20,000 shillings each which is approx $400 AUD each. Does anyone out there know where we can get hearing aids from i.e. hospital, hearing centers? we cannot afford these at this stage.
I am so busy with all my admin work for MIA. We have so many ideas for the Mission and trying to get it all on 'paper' is a real effort. I am working on my computer alot ... I can hear all the children playing and alot of the time i would love to be there with them but i know the work i am doing is for them so it makes it easier. I am becoming so attached to these children I am not sure how i will say good bye to them all. They are a huge part of my life and I am falling more in love as each day goes by.
Staff meeting this afternoon and this is a chance for us to discuss any issues we might be having with the staff or any issues that they may have. Kenyans are funny because when you bring up any issues they are all very very quiet and will not ever comment. It was a lot of management talking and not many staff talking but hopefully it was a good meeting had by all. Conratulations Wesley for getting staff of the month!
2 weeks till my Mama arrives!
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Thursday 1st November
Today we are having our board meeting for Mission in Action. I have been busy all morning preparing everything i have to submit and talk about today. We have so much more that MIA needs to do... Community Center, School, buy more land, build more mud huts, buy tractors etc. see our projects page for all and today we will talk about how on earth we are going to get it all done!
Alot of our volunteers have been sick recently. I dont know whether it is the food or just them adjusting to Africa... but i am thankful that i have not been sick yet as i dont have the time! I have my health drink every morning with out fail so hopefully that keeps me on top of things.
Alot of the children are very excited today as they are in their 'new clothes' which were donated from some of my friends from Australia. They all look so adorable in their new outfits. They are wondering if they have new pyjamas for tonight as well... he he
The beautiful, shy Warimu (pictured) looks so cute in her 'Miss Haidee' pants. We have 4 girls running around today in the same pants and they all keep coming to show me that they are all the same! Yes, our children are only dressed in the best designer clothing! hehe Thanks to Miss Haidee for your donations.
Click here see Miss Haidee website and buy these beautiful clothes!
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Friday 2nd November 2007
We have a gorgeous girl from Australia visiting us for 2 weeks and she was lucky enough to be able to have her birthday with us here at MIA i mean, we were lucky enough to have her with us!! The children thought so as this meant that they got to have some birthday cake!
If you know me then you would know that I have been feeling a little sore. 3 weeks without any therapies and the trip over here and picking up the children every day is having its toll on me. So... today Mary booked me in to get a massage. It was a 1 hour, full body massage.. it was only $15 which was much cheaper than what i pay at home! it was good relief for me but the environment wasnt really the same as i am used to! people talking all through out, the therapist was answering her phone... hair dryers going, radio on full volume... i laughed most of the time.
As soon as we arrived home we got a call to go to Piave Dispensary to meet with Dr Kaleb. So Mary and I hop straight back into the car and head along the very bumpy road towards the building. Today Dr wants to talk to us about a 'Disability Awareness Day to be held there next week. It will be held on Thursday and will be a day for all the members of our community, with any members of their family that might have a disibility, to come and be assesed and see what help they may be entitled too. There is no need to make flyers, or posters to promote this day as word spreads fast in these parts and we are sure it will be a huge success! |
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The crew waiting for their biscuits |
Saturday 3rd November
We reach 'Sabbath' once again and its time for church but i am thinking i will give it a miss as it will give me some time to finish some work. Well, was I wrong! As soon as everyone left Baby Purity (or 'Peanut' as we call her) started crying... so i changed her nappy and fed her and then she would not let up... for hours.. then its time to prepare lunch for the children. wowee... by this stage i was wishing i was at church. Kids were screaming, advocado was flying everywhere, i am trying to feed Purity another bottle while stirring the soup and cutting the bread and screaming for the kids to wash their hands for 'yum yum' time. haha, lucky they are so well behaved.. it all came together quite well. As soon as the crew came back I went straight up stairs to rest these old hips.
Then it is time for the 'Bisquit Run' MIA often take the volunteers to do this for the local community on Saturdays (their sabbath) The community children LOVE IT and all wait out on the road when they hear us coming for their bisquit. After we give them one they will run so far for our next stop to try and get another... i say, if they have run that far they well and truly deserve to get another one! It was a great to see all these beautiful children smiling and excited.
Tonight, I have sent Mary, Ivan, Rachel and Sarah away for a night at a 'resort' style accom not far from town. They NEVER have time alone or family time or even a chance to sleep in. They have their accom and food all paid for. All they have to do is go and enjoy and relax. It was hard to get them out of here.. they were so worried about everything and all the children and they just are not used to taking time for themselves. It is only for 1 night, i wish it could be longer for them as they deserve it. They do a job not many of us could do.
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Sweet Ashley...
Sweet, Sweet Milly and Eliza...
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Sunday 4th November
Today has been a 'Lazy Sunday'
All went well last night while Ivan and Mary were away. The Masaai's protected us. Martha and I were in charge and did a good job (yeah sure) so good in fact i was worried that Ivan and Mary might decide to go away for longer and leave us here alone! I couldnt do it...
Mary and Ivan had a nice night away and came back this afternoon with some colour from laying by the pool. I am so happy they were able to get away even if it was just for 1 night.
It is raining really hard right now and very windy. We are all very safe and warm in our building here but it makes me think of the surrounding community members who are not and who are sitting in their huts freezing from leaks and holes. These children and very lucky to have Ivan and Mary as Mum and Dad.
We have a wonderful, helpful, fun volunteer staying with us named Ashley. She is such a joy to have around and we were all very sad to see her come in from her morning jogging session with scratches and road rash all over her. She totally stacked it running along our road out the front (not surprising as they have MANY holes) and she explains that she just got straight back up and ran home - poor thing! Mary and Sarah have played the nurses and hooked her up with some Tea Tree Anstiseptic and Pain Killers ;-)
OUCH
Get Well Soon Ashley xx
I cant believe that I am half way through my trip already. 3 weeks until i go home back to my normal life. It will be hard to adjust back into it I am sure but will just be counting down the days until i return once more.
1 week till my Mama arrives !!
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