aloha---this will be my last posting from kenya--as we are leaving tonight---even though i had many reservations about this trip---i am very glad i went---i feel that i have grown from the many experiences we have had here---i have been places i could not of imagined---i will remember the many people that i've met and what i shared with them---also i hope i've been a good chaperone---tried to fit in with the group--and not bug all the kids to much---i am thankful for the full life i have-- my family--and i am ready to come home--we have a long journey ahead of us---but familiar faces at the end of it ---i look forward to seeing you all--and at some point sharing our stories with you--------E

aloha---my first time to a cyber-in a few days---wow--some drive to mombasa--about 8 or so hours most of the road from nairobi was pretty good--but those last hours were rough---our group arrived at the anglican guest house after crossing a ferry and some confusion---we stayed there only the one night--we decided crossing the ferry twice a day at least would impractical---plus we decided it was a little too rough so we moved to a mid - priced hotel in town---very nice and every-one is comfortable---we are now working with members of the kwacha-jump club--part of kawacha-africa-which is a community outreach group that speacializes in hiv and aids awareness--using peer-counseling--dramatic presentations etc. to help educate their community----we went with them on an school outreach to a local primary school--grades 1--8---where all age groups were present to discuss hiv prevention---causes --myths ---they put on a skit about a teacher who is discovered to be hiv positive--and the headmaster makes him leave school---and his grandfather is afraid to have any contact with him---but in the end --everyone becomes aware that he can-not infect them by touching their books or etc.-----today i went with the photography group to the house of one of the kwacha--members her name is sarah --she is 26--she has been hiv positive since she was 16---she has an 8 yr. old daughter-who was at school when we visited her home the photographers took pictures while she told us her story----tommorow we visit a childrens rescue center---several people are a little under the weather---nothing serious---but i think we shall all be thinking of coming home soon---love to you all---E

aloha again--just returned from masai mara--we stayed at a wonderful place in deluxe tents --sumptous dining--i had indian every day--swam laps in the pool --we saw cheetah's--lions,elephants -wildebeasts by the 100's--we saw a group of three cheetah's from no more than 10-15 feet--as the hunted and killed a gazelle--law of the jungle--it was a great break--just having some fun and seeing the mara first hand hippo's croc's---and the best for me --visiting a masai village--they danced for us --it was cooool---we danced with them a little in a jumping dance --the highest jumpers get the most girlfriends--andrew had some pretty good hop,s apparently i did not judging from the laughter--no girlfriends for me--tomorrow we have another long drive to mombasa--thanks for the comments--good to hear from you all-i pass along any messages --love to you all----E

aloha---just got back from nyumbani childrens home ---nyumbani means 'home' in swahili---this home founded in the 90's in karen -is a home for hiv positive children ages infant-to early 20's---these children have largely been abandoned--orphaned or stigmatized because of their condition--so this home founded by Angelo D'gostino--a catholic priest and doctor--basicly rescues them provides food and shelter in a very family style setting with about 5 or so children living in a small house with a nun or house mother--getting very good medical care ,nutrition education and counseling---emphasis is placed on restoring the identity of the individual---we visited a kindergarten class and the sang and danced for us---very touching ---i must admit sometimes i feel guilty or bad or something --like i shouldn't be like some kind of voyeur just passing thru these peoples lives---i know my intentions are good---but sometimes it's just hard not to feel a little uncomfortable-
we visited karen blitzen's home---museum---and tomorrow it's up early for the trip to the mara----the migration is going on now ---at least what i've heard---thanks for the comments i will try to keep posting--miss you all--E

aloha----today is sunday--eric devlin and i walked down to the shopping center next to our hotel to see if thr laundry was open today---no luck --got to do laundry tommorow --we ate lunch- in the compound where we meet with the kibera group- yesterday--peanut-butter and jelly-fruit and crisps---i went shopping with our two drivers--charles and robert--at a great grocery on the way to kibera --puts star market to shame--you know how i like grocery stores- anyway --charles pushed the basket and robert and i hunted down the stuff and of course discussed which brands were superior---yesterday or the day before andrew entertained a group of about--30-40-kids as the passed by the compound on their from school--with his hackey-sack--the kids all crowded around him and cheered his tricks--really fun--today is our last meeting with the kibera group then tommorow we go to a childrens home and karen blitzen's museum--then on to masai-mara--thanks for your comments ---talk to you all soon-----------E