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Hygiene for Rural Africa’s Unique Challenges: Best Solutions and Strategies
Personal hygiene is paramount for me, a Mgeni (foreigner), whose internal system is relatively fragile compared with locals. Everything I touch has some form of bacteria on it, in it and around it; this is the case everywhere except possibly in sterile labs and hospital theatres. Lucky most ‘English Bacteria’ my body is capable of dealing with when in the UK; but here in rural Africa those little bu…ers will run riot if I let them in! It has become a pastime for locals to bet with each other on the number of visits to the long drop a queasy Mgeni makes per hour! Records are made to be broken…
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Donathoan
I have been given access to the children’s records and whilst reading them I realise many are just to difficult to record here. Donathan Ochieng was born in 2009, his parents divorced shortly after he was born. At the tender age of 18 months his mother brought him to his fathers home and then ran away, deserting him. Don’s father worked, when he went to work he locked him in a room for the day. Having watched Don play with the other kids I have problem imaging as a toddler how he must have felt being locked up on his own every day. The nightmare culminated in Don getting his…
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Kenyan Orphanage : Assisting in the orphanage Oct 2014
“Education is a Priority to all Kenyans, it is the only way forward“. Mama Obama I am living in a small room within the Orphanage, along with the staff; all of whom are locals. I am the token “White” or Mgeni, for many miles around. Actually I have not seen another white face. Kenya’s national tongue is Swahili, and official language is English; which they are taught from year 4 (9 to 10yrs old). Conversations I have are ‘interesting’ and punctuated with laughter, yet somehow lacks informality and comfort of home. Education in Kenya is free but over subscribed, hence shortages in all areas e.g Teachers, classrooms, books and money.…
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Kenyan Orphanage: Secure Haven for Children of All Ages
Working in an Orphanage in rural Kenya ; Home to Children overcoming horrendous life stories. It was a humbling experience. It gave me time for personal reflection. The orphanage is home to 14 Girls and 16 Boys from the age of 5 months up to 18 years: many with truly horrendous life stories. Many were abandoned in the street; one boy was so ill it was thought he had only hours to live. All have mental scars and some have physical ones. Younger ones smile and want contact , the adolescence boys and girls are somewhat less communicative > much the same as normal teenagers all over the world. On…
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Interesting Airports!
We are being picked up from a very temporary runway at the North Pole.
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Adventures, Camping / Equipment & Accessories, Expeditions, Hiking / Trekking, Hiking / Trekking, My Blog, Speaking
The Polar Race: 648km to the Top of the World
On April 9th, 2009, I faced an extraordinary challenge— “Probably the World’s Toughest Race” At 61, with 28 years of sobriety strengthening my resolve, I stood alongside my 34-year-old teammate, James Trotman. Embarking on the Race to the North Pole was more than just a contest; it was a daring expedition and the ultimate test of survival in one of Earth’s most breathtaking yet merciless terrains. Our epic odyssey commenced at Resolute Bay, Nunavut, situated precisely at coordinates 74°43’N and 94°53’W. Our ambitious quest? To conquer the formidable 648 kilometers (403 miles) that stretched ahead, aiming to reach the elusive North Magnetic Pole. Furthermore to accomplish this extraordinary feat, we…
