The Amazing Team

I am finally doing a blog after all the team has written about their expereiences. Today was an emotionally exhausting day for the entire team. It is always a day during my Kenyan trips that I most enjoy. Today was food distribution day in Malie Saba, a very poor village area and Shimo La Toya slum, a slum that is known for alcoholism, prostitution and extreme poverty.

There were two truck loads of corn and beans delivered to Malie Saba. When we arrived we were greeted by the widows and children singing for all of us and it was so incredible to hear their voices. The Hope2Kenya team responded by singing a couple of songs for the widows and children and that had never happened before. They were laughing and so appreciative of the team's efforts and I was so proud of them.

WE handed out the food and then went to see the sewing project that the women there have been working at. Their small business employs 7 women and they are self sufficient. They did ask for a new sewing machine that does embroidery and we will purchase that before we leave. They are an incredible group of 7 women who are now earning money for support their families.


When we arrived back at the compound we had some lunch and everyone was emotionally drained. We left for Shimo slum and some walked and some of the team rode in the back of the truck with the rest of the bags of corn and beans. Shimo is a much poorer place and we were greeted by singing again. The team again responded but this place is difficult to see. Some of the widows had been drinking and the many many children were small and not very clean. It was difficult for some team members to see and they were saddened by the plight of the children. After 6 trips to this country I often feel that the children are a disposable commodity.

Tomorrow is a more relaxing day. My running team that the McCallums and us sponsor are doing a 15 kilometer race and we will hand out rubber braclets from Canada to all the participants and Canada pins. Cathy and I have some monetary prizes for the first few runners. We will then hand out the running shoes that were donated by local North Bay runners and collected by Active Running and cleaned to look like new by the Thomsens company. It should be a fun day and the girls are all happy that they don't have to wear skirts.

This team is incredible. They work hard and have a lot of fun in the evenings. The team is realizing just how fortunate and blessed their lives are at home. They all love children and holding kids and playing with them has become something that we all do well. They have not refused to do anything and are willing to try everything including the interesting food that we have eaten.

I am truly priviledged to be leading this team.