Chris Loehmer Kincaid's Blog, page 113
May 4, 2017
2017 Kenya Log Entry 8
A little background information first.
Violence following the 2007 Kenyan presidential elections saw houses and businesses burned and over a half million people driven from their homes. 4,500 of these refugees set up camp beside the town of Maai Mahiu in the Rift Valley, building dwelling places out of any material they could find. Most homes were made from rice or potato bags and plastic shopping bags held up by sticks. These families never returned home, but now consider these camps their home.
Luckily, over the years, various charitable organizations have built homes for many of these families. Yet, ten years later, conditions for many have not improved much.
My daughter Val first visited these camps in 2010. I returned with her in 2013. Circumstances have gotten better, but there is still an oppressive air throughout the village. I visited again in 2015 and Val was there a year ago.
With every trip, we think, “something’s got to get better for these people.” But change is slow in coming. First there is the ravine which separates the school from the homes.
The roads into the community are long and dusty. When we were there last month, rain hadn’t fallen in a very long time.
There’s another ravine separating more homes from the outside world.
Many of the homes are now made of cement blocks. But many, such as this fairly new home, are made with cheaper materials.
The family that lives here was so happy and grateful to move into this house.
How’s the kitchen in your house compare to this? Think you still need stainless steel appliances and granite countertops?
Once this project is finished, it will be the best outhouse many of the people in this camp have had in ten years.
But some people are still making due with what they have.
Violence following the 2007 Kenyan presidential elections saw houses and businesses burned and over a half million people driven from their homes. 4,500 of these refugees set up camp beside the town of Maai Mahiu in the Rift Valley, building dwelling places out of any material they could find. Most homes were made from rice or potato bags and plastic shopping bags held up by sticks. These families never returned home, but now consider these camps their home.
Luckily, over the years, various charitable organizations have built homes for many of these families. Yet, ten years later, conditions for many have not improved much.
My daughter Val first visited these camps in 2010. I returned with her in 2013. Circumstances have gotten better, but there is still an oppressive air throughout the village. I visited again in 2015 and Val was there a year ago.
With every trip, we think, “something’s got to get better for these people.” But change is slow in coming. First there is the ravine which separates the school from the homes.
The roads into the community are long and dusty. When we were there last month, rain hadn’t fallen in a very long time. 
There’s another ravine separating more homes from the outside world.
Many of the homes are now made of cement blocks. But many, such as this fairly new home, are made with cheaper materials.
The family that lives here was so happy and grateful to move into this house. 
How’s the kitchen in your house compare to this? Think you still need stainless steel appliances and granite countertops?
Once this project is finished, it will be the best outhouse many of the people in this camp have had in ten years.
But some people are still making due with what they have.
May 3, 2017
2017 Kenya Log Entry 7
Wednesday, April 5, was the big day for our teaching at Southern Cross Academy, the school at the SIDP camp at Maai Mahiu.
First, we gave our presentation to the older kids, grades 6, 7 and 8.
They all know and speak English very well, and actually could have taught us. We gave it our best shot though.
Next up were the younger kids, grades 3, 4, and 5.
Samson, our driver, even gave us a hand.
After our presentation, Kenzie and Rachel sang Old McDonald Had a Farm for them, and they joined right in.
Then they sang us a song. Their little voices are so sweet.
Last we had some play-time with them, before we left for the day.
When we return the following week, we will be delivering the rabbits to the school.
First, we gave our presentation to the older kids, grades 6, 7 and 8.
They all know and speak English very well, and actually could have taught us. We gave it our best shot though.
Next up were the younger kids, grades 3, 4, and 5.
Samson, our driver, even gave us a hand.
After our presentation, Kenzie and Rachel sang Old McDonald Had a Farm for them, and they joined right in.
Then they sang us a song. Their little voices are so sweet. 
Last we had some play-time with them, before we left for the day. 
When we return the following week, we will be delivering the rabbits to the school.
May 1, 2017
2017 Kenya Log Entry 6
Tuesday morning, with our two volunteers back from Safari and ready to jump into things, we headed out to see the rabbit project headquarters.
We met the two people in charge, Isaac and Irene. After receiving some information on the project, we went with Irene to see the rabbit demonstration farm. 
We were shown how to pick up and hold a rabbit. 
And we each made friends with the one we got to hold. 
All of the rabbits were friendly and looked well-cared for. 
Then, since we thought we now knew everything there was to raising rabbits, we went back to the volunteer house to work on our presentation. 
Rachel and Kenzie decided to revisit last year’s chicken project and teach about the life cycle of the chicken. That left the rabbit teaching to me
You’ll have to check back next time to see how our presentation turned out.
April 30, 2017
God Bless the Children
5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever.7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.The Lord sets prisoners free,8 the Lord gives sight to the blind,the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.9 The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.Psalm 146 (New International Version)
Various children we met in Kenya along with their living conditions.God bless them all.
You can help bless them too. Donate here:https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/149000
Or mail your tax-deductible donation to:
Tumaini Volunteers, Inc, PO Box 726, Wausau, WI 54402
April 28, 2017
2017 Kenya Log Entry 5
Finally, Monday afternoon we rode out to Southern Cross Academy to see the work on the rabbit project. The week before, Tumaini Volunteers had wired the money to Marafiki, so that they could buy the building materials to start the hutches.
We were pleasantly surprised by how much work had been done. They assured us that the hutches would be finished by the next week, before the rabbits would be delivered.
When we returned to the school two days later, the hutches were looking good and were almost done. The plan was to take the rabbits to their new home the following Tuesday. You will have to wait a few days to read about how that turned out.
In the meantime, in case you are asking yourself why we started this project, here’s why.
We were pleasantly surprised by how much work had been done. They assured us that the hutches would be finished by the next week, before the rabbits would be delivered. 
When we returned to the school two days later, the hutches were looking good and were almost done. The plan was to take the rabbits to their new home the following Tuesday. You will have to wait a few days to read about how that turned out. 
In the meantime, in case you are asking yourself why we started this project, here’s why. 
April 26, 2017
2017 Kenya Log Entry 4
On Saturday, after Val and I ran a few errands around Kikuyu town, we checked out a park one of the other volunteers had told us about. 
Mugumo Park, for the most part, looks like a kiddy park, with a pool, a pond, kiddy rides and even a bouncy house.
There are things for the adults though, such as these little cabanas for small private parties or meetings. 
And a nice restaurant.
Amenities even include a flushable toilet, albeit a squatting one. 
After Val and I had checked it all out, we decided to order lunch. 
Which took a while to arrive, as they cook everything fresh, which I suspect meant they had to slaughter the chicken, and possibly perhaps even the goat, first.
It was worth the wait though. And worth having our cook chop it up in front of us. 
April 24, 2017
2017 Kenya Log Entry 3
Kenya is such a country of contrasts. From extreme poverty to incredible opulence. Our first full day there, back on March 31, we needed to get some spending money – Kenyan Shillings – out of the ATM and also stock up on drinking water and snacks. It was decided we would take care of this at the Hub shopping mall in Karen.
First, we had to walk for about a half a mile through our little neighborhood.
But it wasn’t boring.
When we got to Kikuyu Road, we had to catch a matatu.
In all my travels, I really haven’t been able to get a credible picture of the inside of a matatu. For starters, it’s not safe to whip out your camera or phone and snap pictures. Someone might just want that piece of electronics bad enough that they will snatch it from you or wait until you pocket it and pick that pocket. Also, it is just plain rude. These people who ride matatus every day of their lives and have no other choice really do not want you trying to capture their mundane lives.
Nope, not a single picture of a matatu, inside or out. All I have are pictures of the roads we traveled, when we were traveling them in a private van.
You will just have to use your imagination. When we got to the Hub, however . . .
Well, we had to try to imagine that we were still in Kenya. We could have been back in the States in any mall in any large city.
The next day, we walked through this market place back in Kikuyu. It just still blows me away. Contrasts. Yup, all about contrasts.
First, we had to walk for about a half a mile through our little neighborhood. 
But it wasn’t boring. 
When we got to Kikuyu Road, we had to catch a matatu. 
In all my travels, I really haven’t been able to get a credible picture of the inside of a matatu. For starters, it’s not safe to whip out your camera or phone and snap pictures. Someone might just want that piece of electronics bad enough that they will snatch it from you or wait until you pocket it and pick that pocket. Also, it is just plain rude. These people who ride matatus every day of their lives and have no other choice really do not want you trying to capture their mundane lives. 
Nope, not a single picture of a matatu, inside or out. All I have are pictures of the roads we traveled, when we were traveling them in a private van.
You will just have to use your imagination. When we got to the Hub, however . . .
Well, we had to try to imagine that we were still in Kenya. We could have been back in the States in any mall in any large city. 
The next day, we walked through this market place back in Kikuyu. It just still blows me away. Contrasts. Yup, all about contrasts. 
April 23, 2017
Love One Another
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 (NIV)
I must admit – I keep going back to Kenya because I get out of it as much as I put into it. I always go planning on loving on these kids, but it turns out the kids have just as much love to give in return.
In the coming weeks, I'll be sharing these pictures, and others, telling you where we were and what we were doing, but some times, pictures need no explanation.
I must admit – I keep going back to Kenya because I get out of it as much as I put into it. I always go planning on loving on these kids, but it turns out the kids have just as much love to give in return.
In the coming weeks, I'll be sharing these pictures, and others, telling you where we were and what we were doing, but some times, pictures need no explanation.
April 21, 2017
2017 Kenya Log Entry 2
Most people give me way too much credit for taking these trips to Kenya. Sure, we have some rough days, but it’s not like we spend two weeks living in a grass hut with no running water.
The volunteer house where we stayed in the neighborhood of Kidfarmaco in Kikuyu isn’t too bad. It’s actually pretty nice. And this was my first trip to Kenya where the electricity didn’t go out a single time the entire time I was there. Which makes me chuckle since the power went out at home while we were gone.
Here’s the front entrance to the house.
One of the office’s in the backyard.
View of the house from the office.
The living room.
One of the bedrooms. As spacious as some of the rooms are, you can imagine them getting a little cramped when each bed is accommodating a volunteer and the remaining space in the room is filled with all they need for anywhere from two weeks to six months.
One of our team members, Rachel, journaling our first morning in Kenya
The other team member, Kenzie, enjoying the morning sun. There was still snow on the ground when we left Wisconsin the day before. Oh, that’s right, there was snow on the ground when we returned two weeks later.
Rachel and Kenzie doing laundry in the front yard. One of the few things I miss while I’m there – the washing machine.
Next time - we actually start doing stuff. .
The volunteer house where we stayed in the neighborhood of Kidfarmaco in Kikuyu isn’t too bad. It’s actually pretty nice. And this was my first trip to Kenya where the electricity didn’t go out a single time the entire time I was there. Which makes me chuckle since the power went out at home while we were gone.
Here’s the front entrance to the house.
One of the office’s in the backyard.
View of the house from the office.
The living room.
One of the bedrooms. As spacious as some of the rooms are, you can imagine them getting a little cramped when each bed is accommodating a volunteer and the remaining space in the room is filled with all they need for anywhere from two weeks to six months.
One of our team members, Rachel, journaling our first morning in Kenya
The other team member, Kenzie, enjoying the morning sun. There was still snow on the ground when we left Wisconsin the day before. Oh, that’s right, there was snow on the ground when we returned two weeks later.
Rachel and Kenzie doing laundry in the front yard. One of the few things I miss while I’m there – the washing machine. Next time - we actually start doing stuff. .
April 19, 2017
2017 Kenya Log Entry 1
Though I’ve been home from Kenya for almost a week, I am still sorting through pictures. Remember back in the day, when we had to wait for all those rolls of film to be developed to see what we did and where we went? Oh, but that’s right, we had to be choosy about what pictures we snapped, and couldn’t shoot over 1500 on one trip.
How had I ever survived?
I can see dragging this trip out over several weeks, so you’ll have to bear with me. Those 1500 pictures need to make their presence known.
Ah, but first the trip there.
Our team consisted of my daughter Val, as our team leader, her co-worker Rachel and Rachel’s friend Kenzie. On Val’s front stoop, ready to pack the car.
Car’s packed.
One last stop for American food, at Gus’s Drive-In in East Troy.
Our home for the next thirteen hours. (What were we thinking by booking a thirteen-hour flight?! In the past, we’ve had two eight hour flights with a reasonable lay-over. This time we didn’t have a layover, just a mad dash to our next flight, which was a mere five hours.)
The girls settling in.
People who complain about airplane food have never taken an international flight. If anything, they feed you too much on those long flights. I did greatly appreciate the three a.m. chocolate Hagen Daze.
Our plane in Doha, Qatar.
And we made it! The most exciting part was that our ride at the airport met us with a sign which read, “TUMAINI VOLUNTEERS”. It made us think that we had actually made it – and not just to Kenya, but as an actual nonprofit organization making a difference in a third world country. That was the picture I wish I would have gotten.
How had I ever survived?
I can see dragging this trip out over several weeks, so you’ll have to bear with me. Those 1500 pictures need to make their presence known.
Ah, but first the trip there.
Our team consisted of my daughter Val, as our team leader, her co-worker Rachel and Rachel’s friend Kenzie. On Val’s front stoop, ready to pack the car.
Car’s packed. 
One last stop for American food, at Gus’s Drive-In in East Troy. 
Our home for the next thirteen hours. (What were we thinking by booking a thirteen-hour flight?! In the past, we’ve had two eight hour flights with a reasonable lay-over. This time we didn’t have a layover, just a mad dash to our next flight, which was a mere five hours.)
The girls settling in. 
People who complain about airplane food have never taken an international flight. If anything, they feed you too much on those long flights. I did greatly appreciate the three a.m. chocolate Hagen Daze. 
Our plane in Doha, Qatar. 
And we made it! The most exciting part was that our ride at the airport met us with a sign which read, “TUMAINI VOLUNTEERS”. It made us think that we had actually made it – and not just to Kenya, but as an actual nonprofit organization making a difference in a third world country. That was the picture I wish I would have gotten.
