Kenya Updates - June 2012

Bret has been in Kenya for nearly 2 weeks.  There is a small expedition there now, with more board members to arrive this week, and 2 large expeditions coming in July.  There is a lot of activity going on.  Here are a few photos and explanations of what they are from Bret:

The innocent eyes of young Kambi (Cam-bee) look curiously into his first camera, fearful of the white man smiling at him.  He is the son of our seamstress, Mbeyu (Mm-bay-you), so he had better not shed those tears every time he sees one of us, or he'll surely become dehydrated.

Halee cuddles a newborn that she helped deliver at our dispensary.  Although she has a nursing background, helping bring this baby into the world was a special experience.

Sandra Dahl stands in front of the bore hole that is being drilled courtesy of the generous students and parents of Orion Junior High.  Once finished, this water well will change the lives of more families than any other single project in the area.  Clean drinking water, an additional growing season for vegetables, and the eradication of many water-borne diseases that are so common to surface water.  Priceless!

As the outside walls are completed, roofing begins on the youth group huts.  Within a couple of days the initial mudding will be applied, and by the time our youth group arrives they will assist in the completion of these palatial dwellings, spending two weeks walking in the shoes of the Kenyans we serve.  This group of young adults will have an experience that even the most veteran Koins supporters have never enjoyed.

I believe that Bret Matano was the first "Bret" in the village area.  There is rumor that one exists who is just a little bit older, but I don't know to whom they are referring as there are a few within this age range.  I believe this one looks more like me than the others, plus he practices his English and can communicate with me while the others cannot.  He knows I'm good for a few cookies when he walks the 2 miles of paths from his house to the Koins Center.....a journey well worth the effort.

The heavens opened yesterday washing away the dust while it washed away many concerns about the survivability of our villager's crops.  The level of humidity skyrocketed after the storms passed, but so did the water behind our Dam on Kevin's Creek.  The outlook on our gardens, construction projects, and interactive programs for our upcoming expedition could not be better.

I will post more as photos come my way.  There is so much happening in Kenya! 

Asante Sana, 

IVL