Nairobi Experiences

We have an exciting few days in Nairobi. The most exciting was visiting with the Maasai group that was started by Sister Carolyn, who began the group and helped them until her passing two years ago. We were able to see Raymond that young Maasai boy that she had been raising.

The team was very moved by the women and the wonderful beading that they do. The drive out was an experience in itself over more very bumpy roads but the view of the Ngong Hills was worth the experience. The women work out of a small plot of land that they have fenced off and have a few buildings on it where they do their work.

After that visit we were able to go to the Unique Eco centre where Kenyans are recycling old flip flops into the most amazing and useful products. We were able to visit the pile of "garbage" that they use and then the different workshops where the articles are made.

After this we went to the Kazuri bead factory. It was started by an English woman and upon her death another English couple took it over. They employ 340 people, mainly single moms, and all of the beads are hand made. The clay is found in Kenya and mashed into a workable form and then the woman hand roll the beads in different shapes. There are many different steps until it gets to the jewellery phase. They also make and hand paint pottery. It was an exciting experience to see so many women employed.

We visited the Hope Bright Future School in Soweto. This is the school where we feed the children 5 days a week, 52 weeks of the year. The team was a bit shocked by the abject poverty and the despair that permeates this slum. I think everyone has begun to realize just how fortunated we are to live in Canada.
The youth on the team have developed a great singing repetoire and it has been amazing to watch them perform their songs for the children and adults everywhere we go. This has never happened before and the Kenyans have always entertained us in the past and they are so appreciative of the youth performing for them. It certainly makes me proud every time they get up to sing!!!

One of our team members, Sally, has come down with a bit of a bug and stayed in bed today. Hopefully she will be up and around tomorrow when we go off to see the Elephant Sanctuary and the Giraffe Retreat Centre. It will be a fun day with no hard work involved.

This really is just a great team of people.
Sandy