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We were ion the road by 5:30 am this morning in order to miss the Nairobi traffic.
After a stop at a souvenir store along the way, we slowly and dustily, made our way up a mountain over a narrow, bumpy and switchback road. Workers along the way were repairing the road by hand. We observed subsistance tiered farming along the way but unfortunatley most of the crops were dried up because of the drought. We later learned that the road was only put in a few years ago, and that approx 20 years ago the material to build the school was brought up the path by donkeys. Obviiously this was another remote area and the children and parents were most excited to finally see our arrival. The children were extremely poor with no shoes and tattered uniforms. However after changing into their new clothes, having their pictures taken, and finally receiving their gift, the smilles couldn't get any bigger.
We had a brief meeting with the local organizers of this site and found that the truck carrying the bedkits could not make it up the mountain, so a local resident spent 3 days and nights, pulling a wagon by tractor up, so that they would be there when we arrived!!! Determination to make it right!!!
We were provided another kenyan lunch at the home of a local resident and spoke with some members of the village. As the children were so excited the headmaster decided to send them home after lunch, in order that they may try out their new beds and mosquitoe nets!!!!!
On March 3, we left approx 6am and drove 1/1/2 hours to the centre of one of the slums of Nairobi. Here we were to distribute 1000 bedkits. This was a large centre that educated over 3000 students, provided health services, a nursery and community support. There were many disruptions throughtout the day because of all the other activities, and the only place for pictures was along a road that everyone travelled along inside the compound. In addition right behind our photographer was a construction crew breaking up concrete by sledgehammer!!!! Dust everywhere, yet again!!! And the icing on the cake was that they did not provide us with any volunteers to help us despite assuring Rotarian Larry, that everything was under control. However with the ever present
help of our driver Charles, along with Larry and his dear wife Donna, there were 1000 deliriously happy children with smiles from ear to ear. They literlly ran to receive their bedkits!!!! So we all felt extremely happy about the day!! And kudos to the donors in Canada, that are keepying Murray Dryden.s dream alive!!!! IA Stop at a local bar was in order and we all enjoyed a refreshing beverage, grubby that we were!!!!
We then got cleaned up and traveled to the President of Rotary's home and enjoyed dinner a la fresco, with the full moon shining, and us sitting in the garden overlooking the United Nations buildings.
Our friendly neighbourhood rooster awoke us on March 4th for our final distribution that was located at another primary schoo. This site was extremely well organized by one of the Rotarians who has done it for 10 years. We were welcomed by songs from the children, which was the first singing we had heard, and it was glorious. There were many teachers and older students helping, especially with the younger children who were unable to carry their bedkits because of size and weight. Again many smiles and giggles as we blew bubbles and I playied "Round a bit, round a bit, catch a little mouse" while they waited. How many remember that old game??? It will date you!!!
Afterwards we enjoyed a cup of tea and a kenyan donut with the staff and board administratiion. Then we were back in the van to return to a previious site, where 38 children had been unable to attend. They had their pictures taken, and the smiles were even bigger as they had had to wait so long for their bedkits. Song of thanks were then sung by the children, a perfect end to our distribution of 4000 bedkits. We were so glad to have helped so many, but saddened to know that there are many, many more deserving children and families.
Kenya is the second highest country in the world for Aids orphans. There are an estimated 1 million aids orphans living with relatives, the streets, or in small villagers where people try to help. The population of Kenya is over 44 million and over 40% are below the poverty line. However it is good to know that the life expectancy rate has risen to 64. By the way, the families that we give the kits to, survive on less than $2000 per year.
To celebrate the end of our distribution we all went out for supper at the restaurant across the street, and were joined by some of the Rotariians. A lovely way to end the day.
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