I was going to do long posts about all that we have been doing…but instead I will give you all a brief update on all that we have been doing.
For my birthday Shawn, the Felkners and some of my friends from TWU took me to Ethipian food restaurant for dinner. We then had cake and ice cream…it was a good day. I have to admit that I missed my family and friends!
On Friday the Felkners, shawn and I left to go up to Nakuru. We spent all day at Cheppema Children’s Home. This day was by far a highlight for us. This home was initiated by a Kenyan family. It is so exciting to see nationals taking care of their own people rather than people from England, Canada and the US doing all the work. When the local people run projects like this, they are sustainable.
In two weeks time they will be getting a water line into the home itself. This is so exciting since it will revolutionize the way these people live. I thought that it only meant that laundry and showering would be easier. It means so much more. As they say here: water means life. Once they have the water close (right now it is a two km walk) they will be able to irrigate fields which means they can grow cash crops in order to make money to pay for food. Food is their biggest need right now.
We are presently in Nanyuki. This is a town just east of Mount Kenya. We are currently travelling with World Vision. They are showing us all the work that they care doing in this sector. So far we have visited farmers who have water to irrigate their fields, thanks to the help of W.V. We even helped one man harvest peas, which is a cash crop that will be shipped overseas. Without the water, people can only grow maize. We visited a dispensary (a clinic) where a new maternity wing is being built.
Today we hiked on Mount Kenya in order to reach a pipeline that is being layed in order to bring water to communities who don’t have any. People from these communities walk up to 8 km to reach the pipeline. Many of them are carrying long pipe sections on their back. They have been working on this line for four years and will probably be done by February. We hiked up to the intake and saw the whole line. It is amazing seeing a hundred or more people working together for this project. The community digs the trenches and lays the pipe by hand. Some times these trenches go as deep as 12-15 feet.
I hope and pray that this finds you all well. Our time in Kenya is rapidly coming to a close and I want to thank you all for your prayers and emails.
Posted by dani at July 27, 2004 04:49 PMWow, Danielle, you sure are seeing Kenya from the inside; and at the people level. It must be fascinating to see first hand what an organization like World Vision can and is doing in a land so needy. We complain when watering restrictions here restrict us to 2 nights per week to water our lawns and there… people hike several kilometers to have any water at all.
Sounds like you and Shawn are feeling better now and are enjoying all the experiences you can. Glad to hear that you’re keeping safe and wish the best for your last days in Kenya.
We miss you both like crazy
Love from all,
Dad
Wow! A happy surprise! Shawn had not anticipated a link, so I did not check yesterday… Something in my quiet time this morning nudged my going to the computer to there see this from you! Sure gald for the care WV is taking of you and for the special insights you gain as a result of being with them. Our next prayer is for contacts in France. Keep us posted!
Love ya both,
Dad K.
Hi there!
I was so glad to hear that you had a neat birthday… I know that when you’re away from home…and family…that your special day can sometimes seem to be missing something. But it sounds like Shawn & the others helped it be a fun day anyway. Thanks for your great updates — you two have made it so much fun to follow, almost day by day, what you’re experiencing & seeing. Pretty awesome! We finally got our prayer letter written, so we’ll get it e-mailed to you tomorrow. Take care! Love ya’! … Mom K