October 17, 2012 Nairobi

Greetings

I have really been slacking on the blogs lately.  Instead of every day I keep missing a day.  I think it is a deliberate attempt on my part not to write every day.  Yesterday we arrived in Nairobi after another long journey across the country.  The first time you do the drive it is pretty exciting but after the first few times the novelty wears off very quickly.  Of course we spent about eight hours driving from Kakamega to arrive in Nairobi at rush hour(s) to sit in traffic. 

This morning we said our good byes to Hezron and Peter as they journeyed back to western Kenya.  A short while later Pastor Ososo and his wife Hendricka arrived at the hostel to talk a bit.  They had to go in town for a short while and then they would return so we could go to Matasia in Ngong Hills to view the projects they are working on. 

After the Ososo’s came back from downtown I joined them as we ventured to Matasia.  Aaron had a change of plans with work and had to stay behind to satisfy one of his customers back home.  Aaron and I quickly went to get him a phone and a modem at the Safaricom store.  I found it a bit odd that we go to this store that was really just a couple of tables in a high rise building and they just so happened to have one phone and one modem as if it was just waiting for Aaron to pick up.

The Ososo’s and I took Ngong road all the way out to Ngong Hills with our first stop being the cereal shop that was opened in the summer of 2011.  After about fourteen months the shop is still in operation selling the ground nuts, simsims, eggs, and various cereals.  The proceeds of the sales have been able to maintain the salaries, the rent, the electricity, replenishment supplies, assistance with the orphans, and they have been able to make payments to pay back their loan with the UMC Women’s micro-finance program.  Last summer the Ososo’s and the Matasia church had eleven orphans and now they have seventeen that the church is taking care of.  After over a year this project looks like it is doing quite well.  The next step is to expand into cookies and cakes by purchasing a small oven.

In the cereal shop



After the cereal shop it was up to the bone factory to take a look at a new project that the Matasia church has funded through the YSAVE program.  The YSAVE program was started last summer as well.  The Ososo’s took their old chicken coop and turned it into a little processing center to cut beef bones and horns into pieces to make jewelry.  As you can see by the pictures below it really does not take much equipment to process bones to make beautiful jewelry.  After we looked at the bone factory we went to visit the office and place where they assemble the jewelry. They take the jewelry into town to sell at the various markets including the Masai Market.

Some raw bones to make jewelry

How about some horns to make jewelry

Cutting the bones with a saw

Trimming the bones into shape

A finished shape ready for drying and painting

Some of the finished product ready for sale

Some more finished product ready for sale

Bracelets

A necklace

Napkin holders and key holders





After we were done with the bone jewelry project we were treated to a viewing of the security guards that the YSAVE program is funding to provide security around Nairobi.  The YSAVE security venture has been in operation for a month or so and has 4 clients with a total of 18 guards employed so far.  My understanding is that they have a fifth client that will be starting next month with a possible sixth as well.  Let’s pray that they continue to acquire clients and this business can grow too.  YSAVE is also in Busia with their main project a catering business with chairs, tents, etc.

YSAVE security guards



After we left Matasia I couldn’t help myself.  On the way to Matasia we just so happened to pass by KFC at the Junction Mall.  On the way back into Nairobi food was brought up and I asked if anyone was hungry.  I just happen to know where a great little spot is.  I guess KFC last year only had one restaurant in all of East Africa and now they have three.  We stopped and had some fried chicken.  The driver and the Ososo’s had regular recipe and I chose spicy extra crispy.  They all had a three piece meal and I decided on two breasts.  We all had cole slaw and fries too.  It was a very tasty meal and I might not even have to have a Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich for my first meal back in the states.  I called Aaron and told him that we were at KFC and asked him if he wanted me to bring him anything.  If there was ever a stupid question that might just be one of them.  Aaron enjoyed his meal as well.

Tomorrow we are heading to the Wilson airport around 8 am to catch a flight to Maralal for the last leg of our mission here in Kenya.  Both Aaron and I are so thankful that everything worked out so we did not have to do any more major driving.  Those of you that have driven the journey to Maralal can relate to what an adventure it is.            

Take care and God bless                                 

Dave