Omwabini's Reach into the Community

Today we road tested the Fuso and all is well, ready for local runs. It will need new rear tires before they can travel to larger markets. No coin. Clutch and park brakes working well.

This afternoon Carolyn  and I travelled with another Mary, Omwabini's community field worker while she made her rounds. Some homes we visited were once in extreme poverty and have been given  help by Omwabini. Others need our help.

We visited the place of a HIV widow with 6 children who was once in extreme poverty, living in a leaky delapitated house, no income, no hope. A little over a year ago Omwabini built a new house with her, gave her a goat for milk, and worked up her field with their farm tractors. Today she has 5 goats,( two sets of twins).  She plans to sell them and that will give her enough money to buy a cow and give back to Omwabini Rescue.  Her bumper tomato crop and maze (corn) crop will provide enough income to sustain her and her family well through the next growing season. 

We also visited a rural water project that resulted in clean, healthy drinking water. One encouraging aspect of their approach  is that they require the families and communities to both participate in any house building or water project and work toward sustainability.


This proud new home owner, a widow with six young children, is applying a finishing layer of mud to the exterior of her home.

 

A heart breaking visit was to the home with a leaking thatched roof of a widow with 5 kids who is next on the list for a house. It was hard to believe she and her kids could actually survive in that place.

Same home, the excitement of her children (and some neighbours) when they see their own pictures.

 

 

 

 

Mission Accomplished - New Clutch Installed

How many people does it take to change a clutch in a Fuso in a dirt parking lot?  In Kenya it takes one Mzungu (white man) and ten locals, five to help lift the  heavy transmission and five to cheer us on.

      A mid afternoon downpour made it a bit more of a challenge but it did go amazingly well. We should have replaced a few more parts while the transmission was out but parts were not available. At least the truck is mobile again.
I'm realizing us mzungas are a bit of a novelty here; little kids yell out "how are you", their one polished english phrase, as I walk down the street between Mary's house and the center, they sure are a friendly bunch.
 by Albert

While Albert was busy working physically, I was learning all about schooling in Kenya from the deputy headmaster and a brief overview of the operations here at Omwabini from Mary. I also learned that the Fuso (or lorry) hadn't been running since April, 2012, and it is a major source of income for the orphanage. They are able to rent it out as a means of transporting all kinds of goods and materials, much like a transport truck. I'm amazed at the optimism and resilience of these people. Mama Mary was widowed at 29 years of age, worked for CRWRC in the past before taking on this awesome project of housing and educating 300 orphans. A woman of great faith. Also helping her take care of the organization are her sons, James, who volunteers as the operations manager, and Mike, as the accountant. I say volunteers because no worker here draws a salary - they get 3 meals a day, housing and clothing, as do the orphans.
by Carolyn

Off to Kimilili and Omwabini Rescue Steps

Somehow yesterday's post got dropped. Here goes again. Left Nairobi for Kitale aboard a 9 passenger plane. The aerial view of the Rift Valley was spectacular. Our road trip from kitale to Kimilili was very interesting. We shared the roadway with tractors, people, overloaded trucks, vans, goats, cows and motorcycles carrying up to 4 passengers while dodging huge pot holes that one simply couldn't drive through.
We spent a very informative night with Mary the project founder at Omwabini Rescue Steps; she's a saint. They accomodate up to 300 orphans, without government assistance, relying on donations from churches and Christian charities. They grow about 1/2 of their food using donated farm equipment from Europe and North America and then rent the equipment out trying to raise additional funds.

Today we participated in a very long and lively worship service. The Kenyans are a very expressive,  and musical  bunch. Their singing is beautiful. 

 Tomorrow's challenge is will start to change a clutch in a 2003 Mitshibushi Fuso Lowrey withou a transmission jack,  pilot shaft and other needed tools. Improvise... We'll see how that will work.

Day 1 Nairobi Kenya

Carolyn and I flew into Nairobi late Wednesday (Dec 12th) after about 24 hrs of travel time. On the world map we are a few kilometres east of you so we see the sun come up about 8 hours here  before you see it. We'll spend the first few days in Nairobi at the Mennonite Guest house to recover from jet lag and gather a few things before moving on to Kimilili.

We decided to walk to the nearest mall to gather a few things and switch our cell phone to a local number - Wow! That was an experience in itself. Lots of people, sidewalks are in short supply and most are crowded dirt walkways and like the roads are riddled with potholes and rocks. The traffic is crazy! Two lanes become 3 and 4 lanes as traffic gets heavier and the drivers begin to share your walkway. No cross walks so crossing the street can be a bit of a challenge. I felt like an alley cat caught on the Queensway during rush hour. No exhaust emission standards or vehicle safety standard certificates here, the air gets a little blue and you spot the odd vehicle without a door but the drivers are surprisingly courteous.

As for the Mennonite Guest House, it feels like we are staying with family. Basic gated facilities with beautiful grounds and internet access. Staff is very courteous and helpful.

We also have a "shaky" internet back up through a hotspot on my cell phone. I can always use that if access is not available locally. Hopefully we will be able to stay in touch with family and friends  Phone # if you need it is 254 0714 359 299.

Omwabini Rescue in Kimilili, Kenya

Hi All,

A while back while reading an online newsletter presented by CRC  Servicelink I came across a clip titled Mechanic volunteer needed to service and repair vehicles and farm equipment near the town of Kimilili in Kenya, Africa for an organization called the Omwabini Rescue Steps.  Omwabini (Rescue Steps) operates an orphanage and school, and they also reach into their community to help those affected by HIV/AIDS, disease, malnutrition, and extremely disadvantaged in Kimilili, Kenya. Part of their challenge is to grow a supply of food that can be used to feed the children in the orphanage.

 Hmmm... What is a retired Transportation Tech, (Auto Mechanics) teacher to do.

Fast forward to now, mid November. Carolyn and I have bought tickets, had our vaccinations and are in the process of preparing to travel to Kimilili , Kenya to support the folks there. We will be flying out in December and returning in February 2013.
My particular area of focus will be to support them in whatever way I can in keeping the tractors, vehicles and equipment functional during their upcoming planting season. Among other things it appears that Carolyn will be very kept busy in the school and orphanage.

A major challenge for James Bunyasi and his mother Mary, the folks who operate Omwabini,  is to come up with the financial resources they need  to purchase very basic school supplies, food, parts to repair tractors, equipment and vehicles, etc....

 In your all of Christmas giving do consider the children at Omwabini and the most desperate in Kimilili.
Donations can be made to Hebron CRC - Omwabini Rescue,  431 Albert St Renfrew ON K7V1V8.

You can find out more about this organization and see some of the challenges they face on Youtube by typing in Omwabini  using the Youtube  search

We'll keep you posted!

Albert and Carolyn