Another day another Challenge

Every day at Omwabini seems to present new challenges and surprises, not all pleasant.  Yesterday Kenya’s version of the traveling Department of Transport police from another area decided to set up a vehicle inspection sting operation in Kimilili. Omwabini’s tractor and trailer were confiscated because of a number of infractions ranging from bald tires to no registration plate and on the trailer. I guess trailers pulled by people, donkeys or oxen don’t need a registration plate but one pulled by a tractor does.

 The end result of this sting operation for Omwabini was a hefty $250. fine and yet another expense Omwabini could ill afford and were unable to pay. It it does seem a real shame to spend that much money to solve this "crisis" when there is so much need.

After we paid the fine we were able to get their tractor and trailer back. The next challenge is to come up with a plan that will make them road and field worthy in preparation for the upcoming planting season.

 The cost of tires for the tractor rear tires is 70,000 ks each (approx  $925.CDN) the front tires $250 and 4 good used trailer tires are $530.00 or about $2,880 for both the tractor and trailer,

On a more positive note, the Applied Technologies classes with the older orphan boys wrap up this week . They each had an opportunity to gain an understanding of applied technical concepts and  hands on skills in a variety of areas ranging from electric circuits, hydraulics, dc motors and piston engines. When this wraps up I will then direct my efforts to reviving some of the equipment, tractors, and vehicles etc.. to prepare them for the upcoming planting season.

By Carolyn: I got to join members of the household to sort the bad maize kernels from the good ones in this beautiful Kenyan climate. I didn’t include this on my bucket list, but had I known about it, it would have been sure to make it. Who would have thought that I could be sitting among millions of maize kernels out on open tarps to dry in the sharp sun, listening to workers singing, laughing, talking, birds chirping, a beautiful purple jacaranda tree forever blooming overhead. I could have been sitting alone in my home back in Canada, but I was blessed beyond measure to be here instead.  The harvesting conditions were wet when the maize had been put into the storage crib, so now the rot is being battled.

They empty the 100 lb bags of kernels each day to dry in the sun, then sort, then shovel back into the bags before the afternoon rain.It takes about 5 drying days for the kernels to be dry enough for long term storage.We will soon shell the next batch.  The bad kernels must be taken out or they will cause the cooked maize to be bitter, even poisonous, causing serious digestion problems. Please pray that there will be enough food for the children throughout the year till next year’s harvest.

.

These young boys worked together to complete this 1008 piece puzzle in their spare time