The Road to Kisumu

Today we left Nairobi and headed NW to Kisumu and Lake Victoria. Kisumu is the 3rd largest city in Kenya and 40km south of the Kakamega Tropical Forest. Within a few hours we crossed into the highlands area of lush green rolling hills of fertile soil. Quite different from South East Kenya where we traveled a few days earlier.

We then reached Limuru – which is the leading producer of potatoes in Kenya. From a popular overlook we viewed a stretch of the Rift Valley (divides Kenya from Ethiopia in the north to Tanzanian border in the south)

Making good time we stopped at the Lake Naviasha for a boat ride and tour of the national park. During the boat ride we saw different birds and group of hippos just lazily taking it easy in the water. Being used to visitors they kept a side glance at us but otherwise continued their leisure swim.

After crossing the lake, another guide took us on a walk through the park. To our surprise we were able to walk among various wildlife (only because they are not considered predators): zebra, water bucks, gazelles, blue wildebeest, giraffes and a camel were there for our entertainment and education. This was Africa!!!!! But not as I expected --- so much, much better!!!!!

As we continued on the road to Kisumu our eyes witnessed a breathtaking landscape change – luscious, green tropical forest trees and rolling hills known as the highlands. This was Londiani. We stopped to purchase vegetables from the kids selling them – huge bunches of carrots, peas, and cabbage! Bigger than I have ever seen! So here there is more rain, more food, more of anything that is not in Northern Kenya where the worst of the drought is occurring. The farmers in this area have worked hard to produce their best harvest, but there is no way that all this food can be consumed by their families or in their markets. The harvest is plenty! Irony maybe, tragedy definitely! Adequate infrastructure does not exist that could be used to transport this food to places in Northern Kenya and beyond to places that are in desperate need.

As we contemplated the reality of our situation we continued on the road to Kisumu. Due to road construction we were diverted into an alternate route that took us around the construction. This road was quite bumpy and definitely not one for the faint of heart. Thank God for such a skilled driver, Silas! Unfortunately, because of the rain and condition of the road we were soon met with a traffic jam - many other travelers taking this alternate road which typically carries travelers going to Uganda. We learned the traffic jam was due to a tour bus and transport truck that was stuck in the road. Well, we learned that the less traveled road is not always the easiest road, but it is the one that has many lessons for us to learn. Looking at the bright side of the situation, we noticed that the entire village had come out to see the traffic jam. This was a rare opportunity for them to look at the travelers and provide fresh discussion for the next month. They smiled at us, we waved at them, the kids gave us their most serious expressions and then broke out into grins when we took their pictures – of course they quickly ran back to the safety of their parents soon afterwards.

After a few hours we made our way through the alternate route and joined our original road to Kisumu. We arrived safely and definitely quite tired but learned much this day. This 2011 Journey may not just be about the fabulous work that World Neighbors and their partners have accomplished, but how many obstacles they (and the communities they support) face each and every day to create and maintain sustainable livelihoods. One drought, one road diversion can mean the difference between a community having enough food to eat or getting adequate supplies to where they are needed. The best lesson of all is that perseverance, patience, a lot of hard work can make the difference in any situation – even on this less traveled road. I’m very glad we took this road today.

- Beverly Thompson

Another day, another exciting experience

We visited two women's groups today in the villages near Tarime, Tanzania. The work focuses on child and maternal health challenges.

A school health club has been established to teach children early in life about the importance of personal hygiene, proper sanitation and nutrition. Secondary students are encouraged to practice abstinence and are educated about reproductive health issues.

There are very well established women's savings and credit groups, vital and thriving crops and kitchen gardens, and improved stoves for cooking, instead of the unhealthy indoor three-stone and open-fire previously used.

Together, the villagers are working hard in this early stage of development and had much to share about how their lives were much improved since beginning work with World Neighbors. I was thrilled to see they were growing okra!A little bit of home for this Oklahoma girl.

- Jan Taylor

Kenyan Developments in Agriculture & Economics

Before leaving for the Voi Wilderness Lodge this morning, we drove down the road where we were told there had been a "kill." We were able to see a pack of lions sitting full and content under a bush and right beside them their water buffalo kill. Rather glad we happened on it "after the fact."

We returned to the Ngua Mlambo Development Trust (NMDT) program so that we could follow the director to the village we were to visit. After a bumpy dirt road ride, we arrived and were joyfully greeted by a group of women and men singing and clapping for us. After our extremely warm welcome, we sat on benches outside, opening with a prayer, introductions, then explanation of their goat raising project. World Neighbors gave them their first buck and two does in 2006 and since that time they have bred and upgraded their herd so that they were producing more milk and becoming more valuable animals. The villagers told us of their challenges and future plans. Very touching and humbling how special they made us feel. Spirit filled pastor gave awesome closing prayer. I have no idea what she said but I felt prayed over and blessed!


- Jennifer Estes
Wichita Falls, TX

Hit the Ground Running

The group for the 2011 Journey to Kenya and Tanzania arrived to cool and overcast weather in Nairobi, an amazing change for the travelers from Texas and Oklahoma who have had many, many days of 100-degree summer heat.

This is a special trip to East Africa for us all. Mark Estes and his mother, Jennifer Estes of Wichita Falls, Texas, have made the trip, following the footsteps of Mark's grandfather, Pete Estes. Pete is a lifetime supporter of World Neighbors, has traveled to many countries with World Neighbors, and is a personal friend of our founder, John L. Peters. To think that three generations have now come to understand the impact of this life-changing work is very gratifying.

Beverly Thompson of Washington, DC is making her first Journey and brings a great deal of experience in international development on the trip.

Everyone arrived safely and timely, if a bit tired from the days of travel. We have spent the first morning meeting the East Africa field staff, led by Dr. Chris Macoloo and have been warmly welcomed and prepared for our trip.

We are departing to visit our first program village in Voi, seeing a well established program village, functioning beyond expectation several years after World Neighbors has moved on to work with new program areas.

We will make every effort to share our rich and exciting travels through East Africa. Kwa heri! (Good-bye!)

- Jan Taylor

Oklahoma City, OK

World Neighbors Programs

Hello, fellow travelers!

For the next two weeks, we are going to travel to some of World Neighbors 70 program areas around the globe. We will be in Kenya and Tanzania, learning about the people who live there and about the work World Neighbors is doing to fulfill our mission of eradicating hunger, poverty and disease. Here is a little bit of basic information to get you started on our journey.

The map above shows Kenya and Tanzania in the context of World Neighbors 11 other programs. Community members in these areas have asked that we focus on the following problems in order to help villagers best improve their lives.

Kenya

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  Increasing food security


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  Expanding income-generating activities


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  Decreasing environmental degradation


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  Establishing savings and credit groups


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  Creating mobile HIV/AIDS voluntary testing and counseling programs


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  Developing Farmer-Field schools

Tanzania

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  Encouraging efficient use of natural resources


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  Expanding capital for savings and credit programs


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  Facilitating group organizational skills


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  Promoting HIV support groups


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  Establishing individual and school nurseries

Consider this your invitation to join us virtually on our journey to Africa!- World Neighbors

- Headquarters Staff
Oklahoma City, OK