Veronica is a widow living on the Rift Valley floor whom we met in March of 2010. She was caring for her three grandchildren and her son David at the time. Instead of enjoying a weekend trip to Lake Nakuru we pooled our resources to help build her a new house. We left the house without a roof and windows which were later finished by another group from Seattle (Peggy Sarjeant, her daughter and parents) that same year. Today we are heading out to see her and to drop produce and staples off to the widows of Old Kijabe.
The photos below speak for themselves. Again, we were honored to be welcomed and remembered so warmly by all but Veronica holds a very special place in our hearts! The house and shamba (small farm) are thriving and includes three goats, two donkeys (one pregnant) and a coopful of chickens.
March 2010-construction in process
January 2013--Fait accompli
Suffer through horizontal scrolling on the two following photos. Trust us it's worth it. The panorama is breath taking!
Veronica
Photo courtesy of the long arm of the Lionrider.
John, David, Holly, Veronica and Beth
Old Kijabe Town
Prepping the bags--maize, flour, salt, sugar, potatoes, carrots, cabbages and beans
Little mouths
Rain water harvesting simplified (plus Holly's finger).
Shamba panorama
Virginia and her grandchildren
We had to include a photo of the goat John treated with a wood splint and ibuprofen. Its fractured leg is well healed. The family still has a healthy goat! A simple act!
John, Mary and her daughter in laws and Holly. Happy reunion!
CuCu (pronounced Shosho)Esther
Esther's dining guest
We finished off the day with a stop at Thread of Hope. A division of Flow of Hope, Thread of Hope is a sewing school which provides students the opportunity to learn pattern making and sewing skills on treadle sewing machines. They then have an opportunity to sell their products in Kijabe which provides a continued source of funds for thread and material. The shop has provided over 20 women with the opportunity to learn a skill and become a breadwinner for their families...again a hand up not a hand out.
Women's Educational Program
Thread of Hope
Current student on the left with Thread of Hope teacher. Her annual salary is $1200 USD. Her salary has been subsidized through June 2014 thanks to a contribution to Flow of Hope.
Old but reliable manual machines.
New student
The product lines today--skirts and purses.
The day was complete after a stop for nyama choma--grilled goat and cold Coca Colas! Priceless!
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