It's really strange how things happen...
In January this year 2 Aussie friends who I became close with returned to Australia. I was very sad about this as I am really missing people who understand my bogan jokes and who share a love of tim tams, vegemite and all other things Aus. It was about that time that I received an email from an Aussie friend, Anna, who I knew, who used to live in Nairobi with her husband for many years! She wanted to introduce me to an organisation which she was a big part of during her time in Kenya. God knew what I needed at that point!
To cut a long story short, I decided to go and see the boys home that she was involved with! It is called Immanuel Afrika. http://www.immanuelafrika.org/ It is about 1 hour 15 minutes drive away from my current house.
This centre is a home and rehabilitation centre for former street boys in Nairobi. It is clean, tidy, well kept and smelt amazing (VERY rare for places which have children!!). I met the Kenyan director Opi, who showed me around the centre and told me many, many tales of the boys struggles and lives. He also started to tell me all about the home and it's connections with Australia! Amazing, connections! To other people I also know! hehe. He also has many Australian friends in Kenya! YEAH! :)
The boys seemed shy and quiet...that was until they decided to perform! And my, my. It was amazing! We then went and sat on the field and dug holes and played soccer. It was wonderful.
I have since been back to the centre several times. Each time I go, the boys have been more and more willing to chat and play with me. It is a beautiful place.
Opi asked me to join the board of the home, to which I agreed. It is very interesting to now be a part of this organisation and to watch as it grows and to be of some small help.
It is amazing to see how the lives of these boys are being transformed in this place. Please pray for Opi and the boys and for Immanuel Afrika.
Blessings,
Me.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Poverty
This post may be a bit of a ramble...but I have so many views on poverty to think about.
I first came to Kenya as a naïve, 23 year old girl. Over the past 7 years I have seen people working hard to relieve the impacts of poverty. It's been fascinating watching and working with many different organisations and seeing their view on how to overcome and provide.
Can I say...poverty is simply so frustrating. Witnessing it is even harder when your hands are tied and your wallet is small.
I really enjoyed watching an Eagles Wings Documentary "The headwinds of Poverty"- http://vimeo.com/46291707 (Check it out!) It's provides a FANTASTIC analogy, of poverty. It says that just like riding a bike, poverty is relentless, there are headwinds that just keep coming at people when they are in poverty. One step forward and then a wind comes and they are swept 2 feet back.
I have been seeing this very clearly in the past few months. When working with people in poverty and trying to establish effective management and communication systems so that funding and resources can be managed and used effectively. Sometimes I feel as if my head may explode. At times I feel like I'm working 2 full time jobs.
I don't know how many times one must be told and reminded that protocol has been established for the good of all people. It is a frustrating, relentless task that I'm involved in. One which I'm not currently enjoying much.
In saying this, I am continually reminded by God that he has me here for a purpose. Even when I'm annoyed and frustrated and feel like screaming into the middle of the night (and may have done on several occasions!!)
It's an interesting journey I'm on and one which I know will have changes for me personally. I feel as though my future in Kenya is long. How I will continue serving here is yet to be determined.
This is very cryptic, I know...just wanted to vent a bit!
Much love from here.
Waithera x
I first came to Kenya as a naïve, 23 year old girl. Over the past 7 years I have seen people working hard to relieve the impacts of poverty. It's been fascinating watching and working with many different organisations and seeing their view on how to overcome and provide.
Can I say...poverty is simply so frustrating. Witnessing it is even harder when your hands are tied and your wallet is small.
I really enjoyed watching an Eagles Wings Documentary "The headwinds of Poverty"- http://vimeo.com/46291707 (Check it out!) It's provides a FANTASTIC analogy, of poverty. It says that just like riding a bike, poverty is relentless, there are headwinds that just keep coming at people when they are in poverty. One step forward and then a wind comes and they are swept 2 feet back.
I have been seeing this very clearly in the past few months. When working with people in poverty and trying to establish effective management and communication systems so that funding and resources can be managed and used effectively. Sometimes I feel as if my head may explode. At times I feel like I'm working 2 full time jobs.
I don't know how many times one must be told and reminded that protocol has been established for the good of all people. It is a frustrating, relentless task that I'm involved in. One which I'm not currently enjoying much.
In saying this, I am continually reminded by God that he has me here for a purpose. Even when I'm annoyed and frustrated and feel like screaming into the middle of the night (and may have done on several occasions!!)
It's an interesting journey I'm on and one which I know will have changes for me personally. I feel as though my future in Kenya is long. How I will continue serving here is yet to be determined.
This is very cryptic, I know...just wanted to vent a bit!
Much love from here.
Waithera x
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