I traveled from Siaya District, crossing the Rift Valley, to a small town on the slopes of Mt Kenya, near Nanyuki, where the British Army has a large base. I booked into a Hotel that caters for Mzungu (white people) who are planning to climb Mt Kenya. That evening there was a tremendous storm. I was in bed reading under under the canopy created by my mosquito net. Suddenly there was a build up of crashing and a buzzing racket; my room was being invaded by hundreds of Flying Termites! This particular specie is a similar in size to UK Dragon flies, 4 x 2.5cm wings, with a body length…

Kevin Otieno Obote, both parents died and he lived for a time with his Auntie. He arrive at 8yrs with bad asthma, thin and had ringworm. He recovered well after receiving treatment and enjoying a healthy diet. Now doing well at school, he is usually in the top group, studying so he can get a place at University. He wants to become a Doctor.

I have a choices, Michael Oduor Odimo did not; his father died and mother is still alive. She is poor and unable to provide for his basic needs. Michael was very sick, undernourished and very thin when he arrived. The staff at the orphanage immediately put him on a special diet and he had to be dewormed. During early days he was badly behaved and very anti social. With a good diet his health has returned as has his attitude, he has become a sociable lad, working hard at school and the results now speak for themselves. He got accepted into secondary school where he is studying to go to…

To thank the orphanage, kids and staff a surprise gift If I was asked what strikes me most here in rural Kenya, it is the real depth of poverty and pain. Watching children devouring a meal as if it may be their last or until whenever, certainly highlights for me that those in poverty really do live their lives “a day at a time”; a mantra that addicts the world over recognize, and indeed has proved to be the best way for me too! When lacking gratitude I reminded myself of heart wrenching sights at which I will never point my camera and hopefully never personally experience. Over the last…

Diana Anyango Otieno mother died and later her stepmother forced her into an early marriage at the age of 16yrs. The stepmother was charged by the courts and Diana was brought to the orphanage. She is back at school studying to go to university and train to be a nurse.

Education it is the driving force of economy and the essential preparation for adult life. I am seeing, first hand, the struggles and sacrifices parents make in a genuine attempt to better the lives of their children through education here in rural Africa. Once I was part of the same experience, disappointing my own parents in not taking the opportunity that I was given. However, as parents we made sacrifices, educating my own daughter, Georgina; giving her the very best we could provide, as do a great numbers of parents/grandparents. In the UK we have so much more… In Kenya they have far more challenges including share one book among…

I am no longer painter, there ended up being more paint on the floor, myself and the children! I have a new vocation, as a Teacher, and have been invited around the local schools to give motivational talks about the real benefits of education, and generally discuss modern life in UK and the developed world, which stimulated lots of questions. The Kenyan Government plays a vital role in supporting education by funding a significant portion of schooling. For instance, the government provides eight teachers, while parents actively contribute to cover the remaining two or three teachers as needed. This collaborative effort ensures the availability of adequate teaching staff, fostering a…

In the orphanage there are plenty of chickens with chicks running around and two cows. The larger of the two cows is white and black with “horns”! Fortunately I am not frightened of cows so when the big one decided to have a closer look at me to the amazement of staff and kids I patted its head. What nobody bothered to tell me was this cow was aggressive and had a particular dislike of Mgenis’! It was approaching to attack, as it tried to headbutt me (technically -gore me) and having no cape I grabbed both horns for self protection and hung on really tightly. I proceeded to get…

Collins Omondi Onyango lost both parents; father died before he was born and his mother was found dead with him feeding on her milk.. Initially he was cared for by his Grandmother, who sacrificed a lot for him. Due to circumstances it was best that he was admitted into the orphanage. On arrival he was very cold and sad, always shivering; after about a month he started to be happy. During this brief period his grandmother died. Collins is dedicated to looking after animals, helping with the cows and goats. He enjoys school and want to study at University. He plans to be a farmer.

I experienced the Equator water test; and confirm that I witnessed (with my own eyes, not theory) 10 ft north of the equator when you pull the plug the water goes clockwise and just 10ft south of the equator the water goes anti clockwise. The Coriolis effect makes water drain counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere but clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. On the Equator, no movement occurs, the water goes straight down the hole. Well… not quite. The trick is ‘how’ you pour water in and the shape of the vessel, not the hemisphere you are in!!! The enterprising local’s first container of water was motionless before the plug was…