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Glimpses from our 2010 Project Voyage to Kenya — Highland Views
Office of Foerderkreis Kenia Freudenstadt e.V., Germany. Updated version. Original English version first published September 05, 2010. Page 1/6.
The following pictures show some of the snapshots taken by our society's members in the Kenyan Highlands at the beginning of our journey. You may view additional snapshots by clicking the Next Page link in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
Wednesday, 02/03/2010: Nairobi
In February 2010, four members of our society went to Kenya to visit our projects: the society's project coordinator; one of the society's board members; and two individual members of whom one authored the German version of this report.
After arriving at Nairobi International Airport early Wednesday morning, we took a cab to the Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church's (KELC) headquarters in Jerusalem, a city district of Nairobi. During sunrise and amidst the chirping of local birds, Ireen, a friendly member of the church's hostel, served us a delicious breakfast.
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Skyline of Nairobi, the capital of the Republic of Kenya.
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A few hours later, Bishop Kahuthu, head of the KELC, welcomed us in his office in the friendliest manner. He thanked our society for the support given to the charitable work of the KELC, and gave a comprehensive overview on the use of our and other persons' donations, which help pay the schooling of local children in need. Our board member was given a list of those students supported by our society. Jonathan, a KELC employee, organized a short sightseeing tour through Nairobi's government district before transporting us to a German-language protestant church. Their parish comprises mostly Germans, Swiss, and Austrians. Pastor Dorothea Schulz-Ngomane showed deep interest in our society's projects and surprised us by having invited a representative of the German embassy who stressed that privately organized aid is both indispensable and in every respect as important as government-backed development programs.
Thursday, 02/04/2010: Ride to Embu
It was still night when Peter, a KELC reverend, took us with his SUV for a long 280 mile ride to Embu. This evolved into being a very interesting day, not only from a tourist's point of view. We took a small detour to the well-known "Fourteen Falls" system of waterfalls before paying tribute to the tomb of Robert Baden-Powell, the well-known British officer who founded the worldwide Boy Scout movement.
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These society members visit Fourteen Falls, the famous set of waterfalls situated some 14 miles outside the industrial town of Thika in the Kenyan Highlands.
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Our members paid a visit to the Kenyan tomb of Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Boy Scout movement.
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While circumnavigating Mount Kenya, we crossed the equator twice. Mount Kenya causing sufficient rainfall, the region is a very productive rural area entirely characterized by farming.
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At this location in the Kenyan highlands, the equator intersected the road to Nanyuki (height above sea level: 6389 Feet).
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During supper, we met Jane, a representative of the Anglican Church who is managing her church's administration in Embu. She introduced us to her husband, Elijah, who is also working for the church. St. Stephen's Children's Home, sponsored by our society, is a project of the Anglican Church.
Friday, 02/05/2010: St. Stephen's Children's Home, Embu
Street children, orphans, abused children, and children abandoned by their parents — all are given a new home in "St. Stephen's Children's Home". Founded some 20 years ago as a small transportable field kitchen, it has now evolved into a veritable project of its own.
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Entrance to St. Stephen's Children's Home, Embu (visit to the street children project).
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The buildings are simple but well constructed with the kids getting sufficient food. In the protective environment of a friendly building right in the compound's center, they are given the opportunity of doing their take-home assignments, play together and share the experience of large family. Sister Jesse cares attentively for "her" kids and Ron, a Canadian volunteer of many years, almost had to hold back tears while showing us around the buildings.
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Elementary school students in St. Stephen's Children's Home.
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Proudly we were told that our support from Germany is helping two young men attend university. Our board member thanked all those working there, and promised we would do everything possible to continue support for the street children's home in the future.
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Inscription on wall of St. Stephen's Children's Home.
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Educational advice on a building's wall of St. Stephen's Children's Home in Embu.
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Due to the large number of tea plantations in the Embu region, we decided to visit a cooperation processing tea in the afternoon. In the evening, we additionally visited Rtd. Bishop Moses Njue, an acquaintance of our society's project coordinator having numerous contacts to the protestant churches in Germany. Before becoming retired, Bishop Njue actively supported the establishment and founding of St. Stephen's Children's Home.
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These society members visited Rtd. Bishop Moses Njue (center) in the Kenyan highlands.
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