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NLG Trip to Kenya September 2007

The Chance to Change a Life

Director’s Blog

17 Sept. 07

NOTE: Area of travel is too remote for internet access for the team. All reports are via phone.

This article comes to you right 'out of Africa'. So many things have happened since we left Sydney and I can't possibly begin to cover it all in these few paragraphs.

Since landing in Nairobi, we have travelled to several places, the most recent being a Catholic school of 1200 children in a building smaller than most of our houses. The children were so excited to see our team and eager to meet them that they almost stampeded us and Tony and Brad had to be bodyguards for the team!

The trip from Nairobi to Eldoret, where the school is located, took eight hours. It should be a four hour drive, however the roads are very bad and full of potholes so large that the wheels would get stuck and just spin as we tried to move.

We are all in good health however, which is more than can be said for some of the people we have seen in the areas we are visiting. Orphanages are full of children because of the ravages of the HIV epidemic across this continent, and the children also have the virus. Some people live in mud huts the size of our bedrooms and their single meal each day will often consist of only lettuce or cabbage leaves. But despite their circumstances, I see so many happy faces and children with beautiful spirits.

The children are so excited to see our team that if we reach out to shake someone's hand, another 50 appear to do the same. But they are so desperately poor in basic needs – we are looking for ways to support them. As time goes on, we will appeal to the generosity of the NLG students, families and friends to provide what we can to help them. To see their abject poverty really reminds us of how blessed we are, even in the seemingly little we have.

This has been the most awesome experience of my whole life, and I have been to many places around the world. I was in Kenya ten years ago, but this trip has been even more extraordinary. We have already been asked to return, so seriously consider whether you might be a part of the next team to go. I consider it a privilege to be here, as much as they see it as a privilege to host us.

The ladies in our team have been very well looked after by our hosts, giving us access to hot water – an absolute luxury. We have also been well fed, although a couple of us are still adjusting to the change in diet.

We were able to give the medical supplies to Father Vincent, the man who oversees much of the charity work where we are at present. We are now praying that it will be safe as it has a high value on the black market and there is a risk it could be stolen.

We have had some interesting times in the traffic – people often stop their cars in the middle of the road to have a conversation! But one of the most amazing sights is how the people dress up for church on Sundays. They wear their very best clothes and travel through the mud for miles to attend their local church – and there is one on every corner.

By the time you read this, we will have travelled ten hours to reach Kakuma Refugee Camp. The conditions there are much worse – the people have absolutely nothing – so once again we appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Here the team will be performing a special concert, so the video footage of this place will be amazing. We have filmed hours of action and photos of everything that moves (and doesn't move), so be ready for that when we return. This is, and continues to be a life-changing experience for us all. I hope you consider joining us for the next journey into Africa.

Director, Robyn Kassas