We stop for lunch in Nairobi and set our itinerary for the trip and review upcoming projects for Flow of Hope. John Njane is the heart of Flow of Hope in Kenya. He started his efforts in 2004 to make a difference in his fellow Kenyans lives and he has not stopped for an instance. His philosophy is to provide a hand up not a hand out. We were all moved by the simplicity and power of his mission and established Flow of Hope in the US as a non profit organization after our trip to Kenya in 2010. Please see "The Lionrider" post for more about John.
Today our plans are significantly impacted by the current political climate. Kenya is in the midst of its presidential, parliamentary and local elections. The process includes a nomination election much like our primary elections followed by the final balloting on March 4. Historically the election cycles have been fraught with corruption and explosively violent with the 2007-08 election resulting in over 1000 Kenyans dead and over a half million displaced from their homes. It is a country trying to find the candidate who can unify the forty plus tribes into one Kenyan nation. Easier said then done. There is a tremendous concern that the upcoming election will be equally as violent as the past. John felt it best to delay our trip to Thika until after the nominating election is over this Thursday. We will stay in Kijabe until Saturday and head to Thika on Sunday.
Campaigning matatus stopping traffic on Nairobi highway.
John has taken us off-roading to avoid the melee.
Spectator view of the traffic chaos.
Kenyan Peace
Kijabe
Kijabe
Back in Kijabe (elevation 7217 feet), it was great to see Sarah at the Duka, enjoy Chai and coffee at Mama Chikus and yes even the Kijabe Guest House. We ended up in the same room Jess and Tom had three years ago--go figure. Last time we were in Kijabe we were fortunate to stay at the home of an Australian physician's family who were away for the month. Holly's previous blog in 2010 certainly captured the atmosphere..."White-washed with a faded blue metal roof, set in exquisitely manicured gardens. There are clipped lawns, pines, magnolias, acacias, hibiscus and bougainvillea in reds, pinks, peaches and yellows, brightly colored ornamentals and huge red poinsettias. The butterflies and birds are just as multicolored. I'm sitting on the back covered patio watching the effervescent Sykes monkeys frolic in the forest to my right as the sharded sun and storm front vie for the soul of the Rift Valley to the west. The exploded crater of Mt. Longonot seems unperturbed. "
We walked to the Bird's house in hopes of seeing Mama Joshua (housekeeper) and Peter (gardener). Mama Joshua recognized us from the kitchen doorway and ran out for hugs all around. She looks great. Amazed that we had come back and so happy that we came looking for her. It is so nice to be remembered! She asked about Jess and Tom. We showed off pictures of their new daughter Sadie and our group photo from 2010.
Peter was under the bough of a tree, his profile instantly recognizable in the idyllic surrounds. He is quintessentially Kenyan---soft spoken, quick to laugh, unassuming. When last we saw him he was saving to go to electrician's school, trying to guarantee his future in the event his current employer decided to leave and his services were no longer required. Unfortunately a big chunk of his tuition money went to help pay the hospital bill for his young niece. In the Kenyan healthcare system, medical services are provided only after guarantee of full payment. The bill must be cleared prior to leaving the hospital. This financial burden is absorbed by all members of an extended family. We have talked to John about Peter. He is such a good hard working young man. It would be nice if we (Flow of Hope) could help him in the future.
Peter
Kijabe Duka (Market)
We walked to the Bird's house in hopes of seeing Mama Joshua (housekeeper) and Peter (gardener). Mama Joshua recognized us from the kitchen doorway and ran out for hugs all around. She looks great. Amazed that we had come back and so happy that we came looking for her. It is so nice to be remembered! She asked about Jess and Tom. We showed off pictures of their new daughter Sadie and our group photo from 2010.
Mama Joshua, Beth, Holly, Peter, Tom, Jess 3/2010
Peter
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