Jan in Kenya

Children Enjoying Play and Work

2010-11-18T03:10:00.000-08:00

The children have really been enjoying the slide and climbing frame that have been put up in amongst the trees. The sand at the bottom of the slide is enjoyed just as much as the slide. They have had many hours on the equipment and in the sand. They still play some ball and chasing games but are very happy to have some new activities to participate in.

All the children enjoy helping with jobs around the home and compound. The older ones are able to make the chapati (flat bread). This is normally done on Sundays when everyone is around (some attend school on Saturday) and many hands are available to make the 30-40 pieces of chapati. It is quite a process, from mixing to rolling, to rolling again, to cooking over the charcoal jiko.

This was the first birthday balloon game enjoyed by all the 20 children. The balloon game is something that has become a bit of a tradition over the years. The newer children were amazed, excited and really got involved. Basically we divide in two and line up on either side of the room and try to hit the balloons across to the other side of the room. Much screaming and laughter!

School finishes today for about 6 weeks with children returning to the new school year early January. Lots of time for playing, flying kites (if we get enough wind), a walk up the mountain, visits, art and craft and general duties. When everything is done by hand washing, cooking and cleaning for 24 people is quite time consuming.

Will try and get another blog in before Christmas!

Out in the Field

2010-09-12T05:43:00.000-07:00

Just arrived back in Kenya after dashing home as my father's health declined rapidly. Sadly he died several hours before I made it home. After spending a couple of weeks with my family in Australia I've returned to Kenya.

With twenty children needing to be fed each day we need to find ways to make it as cost effective as possible. Some of our neighbours have been kind enough to allow us to use some of their land for planting. Just several weeks ago I was with a number of the children and the house parents planting peanuts. Yesterday we were out planting beans (like kidney beans, not green beans) as we dodged the bulls ploughing the field around us.

At home a large pot of beans and white maize was on the boil for lunch.

We've tried several times to have a camp fire supper on a Saturday night but each time it has rained. We like the rain but we'd also like to have a camp fire one evening. The time will come. I suggested maybe we need to try it for breakfast instead. Oh well at least Friday night movie night has been a success. So far the power has remained on for each of these evenings although it was looking bleak one of the evenings. However the power returned just as we were ready for viewing.

Hoping to go out into the field this week and discover a little more about the 13 children who have recently joined us. Interesting, sad, exciting, unknown!!

Back on Track

2010-08-17T01:26:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, Finally I manage to get back to the blog. I've been here for two weeks now but have been running around trying to get some things in order so we can continue to move forward.

There are now 21 children in the home, three of these belonging to the house parents. Five were originally with us in the home and another 13 have been added. They all seem happy and well.

The photos show the new home with the new drive ways. We are yet to finish the second home but just up to fittings now. (I don't want to move the photos around too much as often I lose them.) The children had a great day with the bicycles. I had my fair share of pushing!!

We planted peanuts on a neighbours property. They are lending us a small portion of land for planting. It is just below the homes so nice and handy.

The teddies are still are great hit!

Dinner time is quite an event but with many hands the work is made light. No arguing over the dishes, everyone just gets in and helps. Thought maybe we could make some money off parents wanting to reform their children.

Hoping to get the second home complete within the next month and to begin bringing in more children.

Thanks for your support!

Moving In

2009-12-19T21:11:00.000-08:00

Much has happened over this past 4 weeks. The iron sheets are going up on the second house. A store of 3 small rooms is almost complete. Tiles are going down in the first home. Plumbing and electrical fittings are going in. A more secure fence has been erected and large iron gates are in the process of being fitted. The days have been full but we are progressing. We are trying desperately hard to be there to celebrate Christmas on the land. In fact we went with the children to inspect the possibilities of moving in. They decided to stay in the cottage with furniture piled up around their ears. They were so excited they didn't mind. Today we'll move the furniture around and begin to fix the beds back together.

I don't get much opportunity to be hands on in helping but try a little here and there. I started to help with some brick laying before being called away to another part of the building project. I'm never very long in any one place. With so many workmen around I'm continually moving from one to the other attempting to solve issues or to encourage the workers to do a good job. Or I'm running into town to collect materials. even the smallest of needs can take an hour or more. Still can't really work out why but customer service doesn't seem to include speedy or efficient service.

Will try to get some time to organise something a little special for Christmas. We will at least celebrate Jesus' birth and what Christmas is truely about. Other things might come in the days to follow. A number of people are telling me they are coming to celebrate Christmas with us...think they are expecting a feast but in the middle of construction, cleaning and moving, hope they won't be too disappointed. The children will enjoy whatever we do.

Stella (the chook) appears to be looking for somewhere to lay eggs so maybe that will be her Christmas present to us if I can ensure her wellbeing before and after Christmas dinner.

We will attempt to send a Christmas message. Hope the internet is up to it.

Hope your pre Christmas is not too crazy. Remember what it is all about!

Meet Stella

2009-11-16T21:41:00.000-08:00

Mostly my days are consumed with building and things revolving around this. One of my days started this way. I went in search of some baked bricks that we needed for the lining of the septic tank. One of the locals took me to two locations, the bricks weren't of great quality and they were asking too much for them. I knew of some bricks at the local Children's Welfare Society and thought I'd like to support them. When I reached there I discovered the ones they were having were sold so I continued the search. I was ringing one of the workers to help me with a number for a truck driver we normally use for deliveries. He told me of another person having bricks. I found them at their market stall. having already seen poor quality bricks I convinced the lady that I needed to see the bricks before I could commit to buying them. This lady is now a generous friend called Catherine. She called a 'pici pici' or what we would call a motor bike. So the driver, Catherine and myself all on the motor bike went in search of these bricks. It was a little way away along dirt tracks. The bricks were good and at a price we were used to paying. Catherine also has a large water melon patch, peanuts and several little projects happening. She picked me some water melons and then took me to her house to meet family that were at home. Generously I was also handed a hen. To my surprise! So after meeting people, seeing the projects and negotiating the purchase of bricks, motorcycle driver, Catherine, myself, the hen (now known as Stella) and watermelons ventured back along the dirt tracks. We dropped Catherine back at her stall as I continued home on the back of the pici pici with Stella under one arm and watermelons under the other. You can see Stella is tied by one leg. there are some neighbourhood chooks that come and encourage her to escape. I asked about 10 local boys to catch her one day. As I spoke I realised that my words were probably futile to the group of boys under the age of about 12 "Try not to scare it" I said. They agreed and then the chase was on. Stella was off and running along the track through the fences across peoples yards. All the while with these energetic young boys following her moves. One proud young boy however, managed to catch her. I bought some chicken wire yesterday.

Somedays can be a little frustrating like taking about 5 hours to try and purchase goods from the hardware. The only things that are in high speed around here are the chicken chases and matatu's (crazy mini bus drivers). But then there are the great moments of generously being given a chook and carrying it home on the back of a motorcycle and the local boys enjoying a great chase.

Yesterday I was introduced to a young girl of about 10yrs who apparently fell from a tree about 3 months ago. Her arm is disfigured and is looking quite broken and one ankle really badly damaged. I'll organise to take her to the hospital today. I have a contact in the hospital who is a paediatric doctor. Once I get to the hospital I can call him and when he can he'll come and get me and push me into the head of the line. The last time I took someone to the hospital he rescued me from the casualty line where I was handed the number 116. I feel bad about pushing in but not so bad not to accept the offer of help. God is good and continually provides for us what we need. To Him be all praise and thankfulness!

My days are full and my communication getting further apart. It's not without trying. May you all see some new blessing in your life today. love Jan

Moved to Blue Waves

2009-10-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I moved to Bungoma. Closer to the building site. The name of the area is 'Blue Waves' as it has a large motel called 'Blue Waves'. We actually live right behind the motel.

We being Darryn, Kevin, Godfrey and myself. Darryn is an Australian guy from Newcastle, visiting for 3 weeks to help with the project and to get some things ready for another 4 men arriving from Australia next week. Kevin is an 18yr old who also works on the property, washes the borrowed car, even if it is 10pm and helps to cook every second night. Godfrey is 26yrs and helps to care for the home where we are staying. He will be making gutters and charcoal ovens for us. He too cooks every second night with Kevin. I with Darryn's help cook on the alternate night. The boys are fun and very helpful. (oops! had a photo of the boys cooking but accidentally deleted it sorry)

Darryn is getting used to the crazy driving here. I've become quite confident on these pot hole filled roads and the driving antics of other drivers. Maybe it was the day of his arrival I was driving. There is often cars overtaking others or swerving potholes and therefore driving head on towards you. You must be alert at all times. As I was overtaking a very slow truck on a road wide enough for 4 lanes but no markings and two vehicles were approaching from the other direction Darryn calmly ask me "Are you sure you want to do this?" He later revealed that while calm on the outside he was not so on the inside. But it was all very sedate and no risk, maybe just not what would happen in Australia on our clearly marked roads. However he is now relaxed enough to fall alseep while I drive. (Or maybe this is to hide the fear factor?)

Blue Waves doesn't get running water to the homes for some reason so we buy it most days from a cart pulled by a donkey. Today it must have been very tired, or just feeling at home, as when it got to the back door it sat down. It is a very placid donkey.

I've been to Kisumu in the last few weeks to look at another school for the blind. The young girl Lydia will most likely go here rather than to the other school I visited simply because it is a little closer and transport a little easier. Things are a bit hectic here with all the building but we should be taking her to school next week.

Also traveling to Eldoret on a number of occasions picking up and dropping off people at the airport, to college and purchasing of materials for the project. Always something different happening.

Otherwise I'm well and continue to be excited about the progress of the land. The trusses for the roof began to go up yesterday and will be completed by tomorrow. Roofing iron next week. Still seems like a lot to happen before we can move in but we are getting closer.

Jotham (house dad) has been working hard on the site. He is our storeman and records all the materials coming and going. He also has been creating some great seed beds and is now transplanting the vegetables out. They are looking great! The climate here is almost perfect for growing crops. Hot and sunny through the day. Rain in the afternoon most days.

The days continue to go past quickly. Each day is filled with checking on the land, collecting materials, following things up, etc. However, no day seems to go as planned. We generally achieve what is most urgent and then slip in other things that come our way. Such as the other day. We had our plans and then along the way we are visiting a school to verify a school girl's story who came to us for help with school fees, we verified then discussed things with the grandmother who cares for her and then took them to the bank to clear the school fees so she would be allowed to return to school. Then an urgent call came from someone we know needing money for surgery, so we went looking for an office where we could transfer money over the phone. All these things are good, all these things take time, not planned but just as necessary.

I trust God to give us the time and energy to do what needs to be done at the right time, in the right manner, for the right people.

Thanks for staying connected with us. Hopefully I'll be able to add more things, more regularly.

2009-09-06T07:04:00.000-07:00

It's been a month since I've posted something here. I've really been trying to get to it but long days on the site and limited electricity have hindered me.

There are quite a lot of funny things that happen and that I see along the way to my various activities. I can't always get a photo. But this driving school has called itself 'Ding Wall' driving school. I wonder how many walls were dinged before they came up with this name. The driving on the roads here is absolutely crazy. Although I think some of the asian countries might come out on top of the crazies. You really have to be very alert whilst driving here. There may be vehicles passing you on the left and right or even over taking something or trying to avoid a pothole and therefore they will be heading straight towards you. Sometimes even flashing their lights so that you get out of their way. Pot holes here can easily remove a wheel. Some appear to be one to two feet deep.

People continue to find it very funny that I go to the site and move about with my tape measure and am able to give useful instructions. They all know my tape measure. A friend working on the site had been borrowing my tape measure for a few days. Whilst I was on the site the other day I went looking for a tape measure as my friend wasn't on site but he had left it behind for me. I must have been looking like I was needing to measure something. I was called by another workman and my tape measure was handed to me. Sometimes when you begin to see the walls come up you can see how you might want something a little different. I only wanted to move three large windows all about 20cm in the same direction. Since our contractor wasn't on site I had to request that no further brick laying occurred on either the back or front of the house until Monday when I'd be back again to direct measurements.

I should have taken on a job that requires measuring things (I guess I have)....I really enjoy it. Whilst waiting for work to begin early one morning Andrew began measuring each persons height. Our masai guard is 7 foot tall. Andrew being 6 ft tall was the only one capable of measuring the masai.

The govt. continue to ration electricity and water. We've had no running water for most of the past week, and electrcity has gone off again since I've started writing this so am carefully keeping an eye on the level of battery I have left.

The buildings are now really happening quickly. This week coming will once again be filled with many things to do. Get a new PO Box in Bungoma, our soon to be new address, apply for electricity, begin digging the septic, planning the roof for the first home, completion of the cottage - plastering, flooring and then fittings. I'm exhausted before I begin but trust God will give me the strength required to complete what He has for me this week.

I've had the pleasure of meeting a man who really has a heart for the children of Kenya and particularly our area. He sits on the national board of Child Welfare, as the vice president. I went on some visits to some homes and a school with him and some Canadian visitors he was having. Some really interesting opportunities keep cropping up in amongst what I'm already doing. He is going to help us get everything in order for the registration of Robin's Nest. We need 20 children before this can happen but there is much to put in order before registration also. God knows our needs and continues to provide!

I continue to try and develop my kiswahili language skills. my time this past few weeks has limited me but I hope to continue to improve. I can understand and speak small, simple sentences. I've improved but have a long way to go.

Hopefully I'll post something again before too long. Thanks to those who follow this site, think of us and pray for us. You are appreciated!

Bricks! Bricks! Bricks!

2009-08-04T07:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the first brick for our homes was made. After the long wait for machine to arrive we finally have it in our compound, it has been serviced and is up and running. Although during the servicing one of the parts were broken. We have had it fixed and after one and a half days we should already have around 2000 or more bricks. Yay! Thank you Jesus! The first brick being the first trial didn't survive. But the ratio of materials is now sorted and the bricks should be better and stronger than ever. We are wanting to make around 4000 bricks for the first round. This will be for two large homes, some fencing and maybe a storage shed. We are borrowing the machine from the Ministry of Housing. They are telling us they will give us a maximum of two weeks. We will be encouraging workers to work long hours so we can attempt to make as many bricks as possible. The bricks then need curing for 14-21 days. We will begin construction as soon as the bricks are ready. We are hoping that the first home will be ready by mid to late sept.

A machine costs around $40-50.000 aud. Just in case someone has some spare money. We would be able to make bricks for ourselves as well as for selling. A great self-sustaining project!

The renovations on the cottage are also moving ahead. The slab has been finished today and brick work will begin next week. Hoping for this part of the project to be completed by the end of August.

For Lydia (see previous post) I went on my first visit to a school for the blind. The children were happy, the teachers seem dedicated and some lovely things were happening in the classrooms. One of the classrooms, in the picture, had students of low vision sewing under the guidance of a totally blind teacher. Another classroom had totally blind students using knitting machines. Another, a pretend shop and many others the teaching of braille. I'm wanting to see yet another school for the blind and meet with the parents before we decide on the best thing to do. The parents have written a letter and informed the school they want the help but we want to investigate things a little further.

School is now on a break for a month for most schools to allow for harvesting. Some schools are in session until the end of the week. Although many schools also provide tuition. This becomes an added income for the teaching staff. It is highly encouraged.

Now while we wait for the bricks and slab to cure I have a few days where I don't really need to be on the site. So I'll use the time to catch up on some paper work, recording of finances and developing policies and procedures for the homes. Still much to be done!!!

Some visitors from Canada next week for a few days. This will be nice. One will be speaking at a conference and the three others, myself and the Robins will fill in the days visiting the new site, visiting families from the Branch and helping to do some home maintenace and gardening where we can.

Thanks for following this site!

Watching Ants!

2009-07-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

We now have the first slab complete! Not without a few minor stresses along the way but it's done. As the slab was being done we had about 30 workers on site. Everything is done manually...everything! Some were excellent workers others need a bit more direction. A couple of weeks ago I saw part of 'A Bug's Life'. I was reminded of it again as I watched the workers, one after the other with a whell barrow, have it filled by the guy who fills, after the guy who mixes, and off they go one after the other to dump the cement for the slab. But a difficulty arose for a couple of the wheelbarrow drivers when their path was blocked by a plumbing pipe. They just stopped still and began to wait. I needed to direct them around the pipe onto another trail - they then managed to keep going. As we were nearing the end of the slab and up to the 3rd lot of bathrooms rain began to pour down. Work stopped during the down pour but then grdually kept going as the rain eased. It was at this point when I left the plumbers side momentarily. But I thought that by the third lot of bathrooms (and this was a mirror image of the 1st lot) that the plumber and his helpers were making good progress. But as I put on a spay jacket and headed back out to the site in the light rain I stood, looked and realised once again that the plumbing was not placed within the correct space. As I pointed this out to the contractor he went into investigate...but of course the ants kept working. It didn't matter that there were people rearranging pipes, the cement just kept coming...right up to the feet of those trying to sort the pipes. Ashame I didn't have the video running! But the slab is now complete with preliminary plumbing and electrical work done. However, we continue to wait for the brick machine.

We were seeking after an electrictian working at another site. This was the construction of a second story. I came across a work of art. Several large steps of corrugated iron which created the platforms for moving cement from the ground to the roof of the building. The foundation for the second story. The cement was mixed on the ground and then shoveled up each layer until it reached its destination. Two workers per platform so they could take it in turns in shoveling. It was quite skillfully done. I was amazed to see such an event!

When visiting a support unit in a local primary school a little girl Lydia, 10yrs, was highlighted. She became blind after contracting measles at the age of two years. Much of her life so far has been spent hidden in a village. A teacher discovered her and has helped the parents to get her to school. The Support Unit however is not equipped to support her needs. An Australian visitor who accompanied me on a visit to the support unit was really touched by this situation and is interested in supporting Lydia in attending a school for the blind. So that is another one of my missions this week. To investigate a school that would be suitable and caring for Lydia. I will be visiting with a man I know who used to be a principal of a school for the blind. So I will be looking to him to help us decide if the school is of a good standard or we need to look else where.

So much need everywhere you look!

Using some of this week to continue planning for our next moves. Next week we get started on renovating and extending the cottage already on the ground. It is so cute now I don't want to touch it but it needs to become more useful. So we will add a kitchen, laundry, bathroom and two bedrooms. The small room already there will become an office, there is a meeting/living room and what is the storeroom now will become a walkway to the new bedrooms and cupboard storage. So there will be extra room for visitors or children if the need arises if the homes are full.

The land is still an issue but we believe God will have victory and that the land will be restored to us in time. And maybe even more!!! We look forward to the day this happens but for now just continue to move forward with what we have and we are thankful!!

Making Progress!

2009-07-04T10:38:00.001-07:00

Its already July. The last couple of weeks have gone by very fast as my days have been full. Mainly with watching over and planning steps forward for the site of Robin's Nest. Its very exciting! I'm told that by the end of next week the slab for the first home will be complete. It looks like we will be held up by the hiring of the brick making machine. It was supposed to come to us last week but it is being borrowed from the Govt. and they have decided that they want it for the next couple of weeks. We'll wait for God's timing. After next week some renovations will begin on the cottage that is being converted to an office and home. It's here that I'll live whilst in Kenya, once it is complete. We are thinking maybe by the end of August the first home and cottage should be ready for habitation. I keep up to date with what they are doing on the site and decide whether it is something that needs input or whether they can be left for a day or so. Monday we will be discussing a wiring plan so I'll most definitely be in Bungoma that day.

Bungoma is about 30 mins from where I stay. I generally go in a car but if that isn't available I go by public means which is generally a mini van for about 14 passengers that will carry about 20 or more. Sometimes the vans are so full that they can't close the door properly or only place for some of them to sit (particularly the conductors) is with their bottom out the side window.

The work here is very labour intensive. I counted 16 guys working on preparing the foundation. Everything is done by hand. All digging, carrying of large stones, cement mixing, etc. It was like watching ants in and out of trenches. Quite incredible. I'll have the video camera ready for the building of the second house.

I'm working on footage from the video camera that was taken at a funeral of a friends's father. It was quite an event. It lasts for about a week. I only visited a couple of times and then was present on the actual burial day. Family and friends and even just the neighbours come and stay around the clock, expecting to be fed, for several days leading up to the burial. It becomes very expensive for the family. In this particular tribe the body has to be returned home for at least two nights before the burial. I went with some others in the procession from the morgue to the home. The coffin is carried in the back of a ute and with as many people s can fit in. This man belonged to a Salvation Army Church. Those in the procession from his church, played the drums and sang as they carried the body and also on and off throughout the burial ceremony. When they mourn they really mourn. Very loudly and openly. My friends were composed but others felt free to express. Quite an experience! On the burial day they have a service on the property. Then they moved in a procession carrying the coffin around property just a little, singing all the while. Then still in song the coffin was buried.
They like having the funerals videoed and I was it. I was concerned about looking like a tourist at a funeral but wanted to help in this way. I'm yet to go through it all and put it together in a sequenced order. NOt knowing the language I don't really know the important bits either. Some parts there were people walking across in front of the camera, people who were beside me knocking my arm, etc. So hopefully I will be able to put something suitable together.

The children have continued to practice the scottish dance taught to them by Cory, a visiting Australian. They have participated in one interschool competition and were supposed to compete again this past week, which has been moved to next week but I think now postponed. I need to get some more information about what is happening. They were hoping to go to the national level as very few participate in dances from other countries. Most of the schools perform traditional dance. It is amazing to watch. I got to go to one of the bigger competions last year.

WoW! Things are really happening here! Looking forward to showing you more and more progress.

I sent a stack of photos through on the last report (29 June) which should have come via email, so will just publish this without photos. They take a long time to load. Let me know if you haven't received the report and I'll send it through.

Just A Quick Note

2009-06-16T07:27:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to keep you up to date with what is happening. I went and bought some string today so we can go and mark out some of the site so we can begin clearing the land where need be, making bricks and then building. I wen and spoke with a man who is using the govt. brick making machine that we are hoping to borrow as early as next week. It is labour intensive but if we have almost 30 men working we should be able to make 2000+ bricks per day. This means that if we receive the machine next week should be finished the first home by the end of July. The bricks are interlocking and go together like lego. So once the bricks are made and cured the house can apparently go up within a week. We'll see!

The land issue isn't really over but the neighbours have fenced their idea of the boundary so for now we will work within that. There is still room for 4 homes, an office, shed, play space and vegie garden. Almost a third of what we thought we were purchasing but grateful for what we have and trust the rest wil be returned to us soon. We have big plans for the land surrounding ours but for now we will start with two homes and see how we are going.

Hopefully more exciting news next week as we begin to access soil, sand, etc and begin the building process.

Thanks for sticking with us!

It's June Already!

2009-06-07T07:10:00.000-07:00

Once again I'm writing in the dark. Hoping the electricity returns to allow me to complete this. We are moving forward. Slowly slowly. I was on site at the end of the week to take measurements. I had a couple of guys helping out. One who I don't think has ever used a tape measure before and the other who didn't want me to do the drawings or take any measurements down who in the end decided that my drawing was better so took mine to complete the task. They patiently participated in the many measurements only commenting once "Oh, I thought we had finished!" I had said to them that I need more than just the perimeter but also of the structures and entrance points, etc. I bought them lunch at the end of the ordeal so I think they went away happy. They always feel they need to have someone with me to do the work. This is often nice but maybe sometimes It would be easier on my own. But I appreciate their help. Fromthese measurements I have drafted a new site map to fit the piece of land our neighbours are allowing us to use until such time as the courts or lands office grant us what we think we should own. But we can at least step forward and begin to work on building up to four homes this year finance permitting. We will also endeavour to plant crops, make a home for a number of hens and a cow. I look forward to sending through photos of this progress. We are hoping we can begin foundations by the beginning of July and have one house almost completed by end of July. Once the plans are oked by those who need to I'll send them through.

Amongst helping things progress on the land and supporting our visitors I've also been helping a family just down from us who has a lovely boy of 9yrsm Gideon, who has down syndrome. I went to visit the local school and support unit which he attends. It was lovely. They have 15 students ranging from about 8yrs to 28yrs. This first photo is of two students one 28yrs and the other about 10yrs sorting colours using bottle tops. They are endeavouring to teach them life skills. Whilst I'm living in Webuye I'll try to go and demonstrate some lessons and activities. I've put together some activities for Gideon and his little brother into a art book which they are working through with chalk so they can erase what they have done and repeat the activities. This second photo is of Walter and his son Gideon. Gideon enjoys using the blocks although there a only a few. Am thinking about finding a wood worker to make a decent set of blocks for him to use at home or even at school. Resources are almost negligible.

We have been blessed with another visitor, Cory. She has been great, fitting in wherever she can. Teaching scottish dance to the local school where the Robins attend, developing a puppet play and running with the boys. She is a marathon runner. Just did a marathon of 90km in South Africa before she came here. She could hardly walk when we collected her at the airport but is now running between towns. She has become a great talking point for the africans.

Battery power is getting low so I want to send whilst I can. Hopefully next week will be sending photos of more progress on the land.

Thanks for following the blogs.

Bits and Pieces

2009-05-15T12:15:00.000-07:00

There aren't any parks or any where really to go (we picnic at the Falls but this is quite a distance and still doesn't have anywhere to play) so we make our own fun in the backyard. It was Leah's (house mum) birthday so after cake and singing we went outside for balloon games. They had so much fun. Never sure if the house parents or the children get the most fun out of it. As we wound up and went inside Jotham (house dad) said "Wow! We are really going to have fun when we are all living on the property together!" He had had so much fun with balloon races, captain ball, tunnel ball and another chasing game. Rather than just sitting around I organise games and activities. Its always easy to do when you have such willing participants. And it always brings a laugh!

Interesting little things happen everyday. Like yesterday I decided I wanted a pineapple so off I set down the road to go to the road stall that I know sells pineapples. I left the house about 7.30am to try and beat the heat. I not only beat the heat but the sellers. I was too early so back up the hill I walked. I popped into the little shop at the end of our lane for some bread and eggs. I was invited into have tea. I've now become used to their milk tea and assumed that this is what it would be and so accepting the invitation should be fine. So I ducked under the counter and waited for the tea to be brought. I was told it was ready and so I should just take tea there before going home to my own tea. The tea wasnt quite ready but rice and cabbage was. Try facing that at 8 o'clock in the morning. I did my best and ate most of it. Then came the soya tea. A bit of a coffee taste but managed to drink it. It wasn't too bad by the time I got to the bottom of the cup. Never drinking tea or coffee in Australia this has been an adjustment. But certainly not the worst thing that could happen. It is nice to accept the hospitality of the locals. A young girl who just finished schooling last year and is waiting to start college in September to become an accountant was my host. She was delightful.

Today I was escorted to the next town by someone practising to drive. Not too bad...still sorting the gears and learning to steer away from the pot holes. Not always an easy task as the roads are sometimes just covered in holes. And some of those holes are enormous. We made it there and back safely at between 40 and 60kmph. I generally drive this road between 80 and 100kmph. Those experienced on this road drive up to 120kmph. I can never remember where the worst parts of the road are so I drive cautiously.

The car is always in the repair shop. These roads don't help and yesterday it had a collision with a cow. No one was injured and the car had minor damage. But there is always something. Last week I think it had 3 flat tyres! We are praying for a new 4WD to try and combat some of the roads. This was one of our sight seeing stops on our way back from Nairobi. We were at the top of a hill. The scenery around us was lovely.

I'll keep this brief as a newsletter will be circulated in the next couple of days with more photos and stories of what we've been up to.

Take care!

Trying New Things!

2009-05-02T05:12:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered that one of the Kenyan's I know, Eric, is baking in the back of a small shop not far from where I live. He used to bake from someone's garage but then the cost of flour became to expensive and the baking discontinued. The oven was moved from the garage to the shop and is now operating again. It is a charcoal oven that was made by a student at some point as a project. I was enquiring how we could possibly get one for our property. But finding out that you can't actually just buy them I'll have to go to plan B. My plan B involves another person (Caleb) I have met on previous trips, although not yet seen them this trip. He is a young married guy who has been taking in homeless boys, caring for them, sending them to school and attempting to set up a trade school to help these boys later find employment. So plan B becomes bringing Caleb to see the oven and see if he can get the boys to produce one or more. It may be able to become an income for them?? Anyway, see how we go. But the real story to this blog is that we visited the little shop with the oven, all 14 of us (orphans, house parents, girls who stay with me, and an extra girl in hardship). We crammed into the back of the shop and covered the pizza's with tomatoe paste, tomatoes, capsicum, onion, pineapple, avacado, mixed herbs and some cheese that I had bought on my last trip to the airport. (Cheese is not readily available here. I bought it from a much bigger town with a dairy factory). We got the oven heated up with the charcoals and it turned out great. A new experience in ovens for me and a new experience in food for the kenyans. Its good having friends!

Off to Nairobi tomorrow to organise another visa. This time it has to be a work visa. It is a 6hr drive but I'm being told that the roads are being upgraded so hopefully this is right. I don't venture far from where I stay so an opportunity to see new things is welcome. Last time I was in a car to Nairobi was in the crazy scramble to try and catch a plane after missing the first plane from Eldoret. Of course we didn't make it to the flight but I think we may have been pretty close to a record time. Sometimes traveling at 160km on an unmarked road in the dark, barely able to see in front....I tended to look out the side window, although that was a bit of a blur. So a more relaxed drive during the day should be good.

Everywhere I walk there are children and sometimes adults calling out "how are you?" in a high pitched voice....they must all think we speak like this. Or they call out "Muzungu" (European) to get my attention. Yesterday some children must have learnt a new sentence they wanted to try out so they were sitting in the field outside our home calling "What is it?" "What is it?"

When many start to call out "How are you?" if I'm walking with the Robins they chime back "We are fine!" The standard answer to this question. I can hear children calling out to me from quite a distance away. I begun just to wave and this is enough acknowledgement for them. There is a little girl who lives near the Nest. When she sees me coming her mouth is wide open and she runs at me with her hand in the air to give me a very solid 'high 5' when she reaches me. I'll try and capture it on video or photo if I can. It doesnt happen every time and when it does happen sometimes she comes running from out of her yard and it is all happening before I can do anything. Except 'high 5' that is! Today I greeted some school children with the expected shaking of hands. Some continued to follow close behind me. I could hear them but didn't really pay attention to them but then all of a sudden one was brave enough to dash up behind me and grab my hand. It gave me a bit of a shock and them an extra laugh. They get so excited when they see a white person. Quite funny!

Water Feature

2009-04-21T22:35:00.000-07:00

This is how it is done. Melody is a carry on your head champion. No ditch or doorway too much of a challenge. But you can see Brian and Haggai struggling with a basin of water between them.

This is how I managed. I needed two hands and much concentration. But think I spilt less than the boys.

Trying hard to upload photos. About to finish with the battery life again as no electricity this morning. Finally have internet working again at home but now no electricity. Maybe a little later?

Thanks to those posting comments it is great to receive news of what is happening at home and in your lives.

Ashlea (Australian who has been visiting with us for the past month) has gone sight seeing and then returning back to Oz next week. I almost felt like I should be packing up and going with her but there is still much to be done here. I was the driver to the airport. The traffic is crazy but I don't think as crazy as Indonesia or Nepal. But its getting up there. I find it to be a bit like my trips to the supermarket. Just when I think I'm 2nd in line to the cashier another two people might end up in front of me. Just when you are traveling behind a vehicle three more from behind will come and squeeze in front to narrowly avoid a head on collision. The roads are in disrepair. To avoid scraping the bottom of the car or driving into a crater we are often travelling on the wrong side of the road and swerving from side to side to try to preserve the car and passengers. No lines are marked, no road signs and generally only police on the side of the road here and there to check the number of passengers being squashed into a Matatu (public mini bus - hiace van). So you are pretty free to do whatever. And most people seem to. I'm beginning to get the hang of it.

A few people are investigating the land issue and following up with the different departments so I'm trusting we will have some better results by the end of the month.

Electricity is back! For the time being anyway. So will attempt to complete this blog with some photos. The computer is telling me they are uploading, so hopefully! Yeah! Completed! Hope they come through OK.

love Jan

In a dash!

2009-04-15T22:53:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to make a mark here so you know I'm still alive. Have been trouble getting to the internet shop and have been unable to get it at home for some reason but there is supposed to be someone coming to check it out.

Finally a fundi has arrived to fix the leak in the Nest. Tradesmen must be the same all over the world!

The house parents have gone away for a few days so Ashlea (from Newcastle, Australia) and I have been staying with the children. They are so capable that even when I cook they come in to check on my measurements.

I need to keep moving. Someone is coming to collect me to take me to a meeting in Bungoma (next town). I will endeavour to go and check on our land as well. No real progress here as yet. A friend who has been helping with this situation has been away but returns friday so I hope we can continue to move towards rectifying the situation.

Take care!

We do things differently here...

2009-04-09T05:35:00.001-07:00

I have been having trouble getting the internet to work the last few days. Both yesterday and today I decided to go to the internet shop. both times I just managed to get the internet up and then a blackout. I just sat and waited today and hooray! The electricity returned!

I was keen to relay to you some of yesterdays happenings before I forgot them.

Currently there are 3 teenage girls and two girls in their twenties also living in the home. Some have returned from studies so it is quite fun having them all around. Yesterday morning I decided I wanted french toast for breakfast so went to the little shop at the end of our lane for bread, milk and eggs. I always give the eggs the float/sink test before opening them. I found one of the four eggs to be floating and therefore assumed rotten. I put the egg aside. One of the teenage girls decided that the egg must go back to the shop if it was rotten, that they shouldn't be selling rotten eggs. So off she went. The shop lady asked how she new it was rotten if she didn't crack it open. I'm not sure of her answer as I hadn't explained this to her before she went to return the egg. She returned with another egg. It too floated. I gave the brief science lesson to the girls. They were determined that we weren't going to be sold a rotten egg so back they went but this time with a cup of water to check the egg before leaving the shop. This time there was success. Guess I need to go with a cup of water next time as this wasn't the first time I had had a floating egg from there.

Once again the water stopped flowing. But this time it was just at the orphanage. we had running water from our outside tap but not the inside taps. I had the use of the car yesterday so took some large containers back to our house to fill for the Nest. Leah (house mum) wanted more water so went to one of the neighbours about 50-100m away who had a well and hand pump. How do you carry basins of water without spilling them...on your head of course. Yes I managed two trips. Only spilt a little when I had to step down and when I removed it from my head. There is a photo to prove it. If I can get a better internet connection I'll try to upload it. Ashlea managed one trip. The young girls do it with ease, up and down hill, through small gates, etc. One lady saw me with the basin on my head and quickly opened the larger gate for me. Just as well. Another boy walking past congratulated me. It was quite a spectacle for the locals seeing white women with basins on their heads walking the main road.

Nearly forgot...I knew there was something else...
Myself, Ashlea (Australian) and three of the girls from where I stay went to the weekly food market. Since I had use of the car we were going to use it so we didn't have to carry everything home. The gilrs tried to direct me to somewhere, where I could park the car. They gave all sorts of suggestions but all were kind of dodgy. However, the Police station had a big car park near by the markets and surely didn't need all that space. So I went in. The girls didn't think it was such a good idea as it was for the police and police matters. Had I left the car where they suggested it may of become a police matter. Also being white sometimes you can get a way with a few things..although often it involves money. I parked in teh police station and saw one of the police wandering around outside. I asked if I could leave the car in the car space while I went shopping. "Of course" he said "This is the police station. Just lock it up." I started to wonder about the security of the police station then. Any way, I'm going to remember that parking station for next time. Much more space than on the streets with all the mini buses and bicycles.

No progress on the land so far but have discovered some interlocking bricks that the Ministry of Lands has begun to use in research for affordable housing. Apparently it can almost halve the cost of building. This is great if it is true. We will investigate further. We hire a special machine and then make the bricks on the property ourselves after some instruction. Half of the costs means double the buildings. Just need to solve the land issue now! Keep praying!

Easter here doesn't have any sign of the easter bunny or chocolate eggs. We will celebrate Easter in church with the sunday school children and teenagers participating in the service with songs and stories. We have been working with the Sunday School children.

Happy Easter. May you share in the celebrations of Easter and Christ's death and resurrection for our sake.

Still trouble on the land..but not all bad news

2009-04-01T22:36:00.000-07:00

We are still trying to sort out issues on the land. The people wanting to take our property (or some of it) seem to be in a relationship with one of the officials. Money has been paid somewhere along the line and maps have been redrawn. We have some good and knowledgeable (sp?) people working with us. And of course God, who is bigger than all of this. No final decisions over boundaries etc have been made yet so we hope to have things turned around. We wait. While we wait we continue to plant and will try to have some crops for harvest.

A local doctor/pharmacist came and offered our children free medicines, medical check ups and his phone number in case we need him to transport the children to hospital at any time night or day, and to pay for the medical expenses incurred. Wow! We continue to be looked after! We have a great provider our needs will not go unmet!

I was so excited to have cold running water in the house for almost three days straight! But today no running water and no electricity. So I am typing this quickly before the battery on the computer runs out as well.

The rainy season has begun so we are having storms and rains each evening and sometimes of a morning. The temperature has dropped a little but still quite pleasant. Actually probably more pleasant as the perspiration has reduced considerably.

The children are now on holidays for 4 weeks although here in Kenya they use the holidays to have tutoring. Education is a very serious matter here. However, I'm planning to keep the children home from all day tutoring and just creating some individual programs for them that would probably target their areas of need more, in less time and it means we have them around which is always nice.

Battery running low! Must go! Have tried to include some photos but they are taking a long time to upload and the battery is about to give up. Will try next time with more power.

Fighting for Our Land

2009-03-19T23:42:00.000-07:00

This week has been a bit disturbing for those who have had to contend with police and arrests. Moving from one department to the next to try and verify that our land is our land. Our paperwork and records, title deeds etc are all in order but it doesn't stop others from claiming that they own the land.

Last week whilst we were on the property we came across a woman and a number of sons (late teens, early twenties) destroying the property adjacent to ours. They had already run the new owner from the land who in turn has run the old man from which he bought the land from his new home.

On Monday the people who had begun to claim the adjacent land thought they would continue onto our land and remove the fence between our properties. At this point Jackson (co-founder RNCH) was contacted. he quickly went into action taking police with him to the property to remove the trespassers. They then went to the homes of the people responsible and had them arrested. When negotiations began the people were released and have been summoned to a meeting today.

Our paper work is all in order. The trespassers appear to have forged documents and paperwork that has been left unsigned. The land they are claiming that is theirs appears on a map but not on the ground. We'll see what happens?!

Always something! Just when I was surprised at our progress in just a week of me being here and the things that were coming together to begin the building process. However, we will continue to move forward!

I was beginning to think that no running water for two days was about to become a problem...especially since the last of our reserved water was used this morning...but with bigger issues some things don't seem to be such a problem.

I have no doubt it will all sort. It has been given to a big God to handle.

Still in the Planning Stages

2009-03-16T01:31:00.000-07:00

Lots of things being discussed at the moment. The plans have been submitted to the council and other depts. We are hoping to begin the digging of a well and restoration of a small cottage that is on site.

The well is very important for building and daily living. There are two options. One to contract a machine from another town although it is more effecifient it is very expensive and may take some time to come. The alternative and what we have decided for now is to have it hand dug, which can start straight away and is less expensive. We need the money we have to go as far as possible.

There is a small cottage on the property. When you buy property you don't automatically get the buildings. They are usuually destroyed or pulled down and the materials taken for the owner to build on his new property. So the little cottage was not destroyed but the roof, windows and doors were removed. We are wanting to restore it (this week) so that a caretaker can begin to live here and also it will be a store house for tools, equipment and other needs. Currently surrounding neighbours are wanting to take claim to the property and are cutting fences for access and allowing their cows to roam. So we will quickly make the property looked cared for and have someone there at all times. Although building and preparation of land will begin this week and increased activity over the coming weeks.

Big storms are beginning to come in the evenings. Rain is on its way. The locals are saying that it has been very dry and that planting has been delayed. This could cause problems with the harvests.

We are about to start planting the part of the property not yet being developed so that we can have a harvest of food coming up to the time of moving in (mid year).

Hopefully some photos of progress next week.

Jan

Here in Kenya

2009-03-11T04:38:00.000-07:00

I have arrived safely and already we are making plans to get the building underway. This week we will have the house plans drawn as per the local council regulations and hand them into the several offices required for approval. While we wait for approval we will mark out the site and look for quality materials at a good price.

It has been dry here but the rains are expected within the next month. Apparently we can continue to build in between down pours.

With so many things to organise several of us will be meeting to create a 'to-do' list...hopefully this will be of some help.

I'll keep you posted!

Just Two & A Half Weeks to Go

2009-02-15T22:53:00.000-08:00

Just two and a half weeks to go. Trying out this site to see if it may be a good way to share information and photos. Let me know what you think and if it is working. I still have quite a lot to do before leaving Coffs Harbour airport at 5pm on 4th March and then flying from Sydney 12.40pm 5th March. Just the beginning of 5 flights: Coffs - Syd, Syd-Singapore, Singapore - Doha (Qatar - Emirates), Doha - Nairobi, Nairobi - Eldoret, then a 1 1/2 hr drive to where I'll stay. I'll be staying in Nairobi over night and then traveling onto Eldoret the next afternoon. It will take approx. 38hrs of travel to get to Nairobi. Very long!!!

Having difficulty loading a photo...maybe this isn't the way to go. I'll persevere for a little longer and see how it goes.

Take care

Jan