Living amongst extreme poverty is opening my eyes to how easily I getting bogged down with self-centred worries over my perceived position in modern sociality (size of my car/house/job title etc.). Yet, I do and will always enjoy material benefits including a hot shower, a Starbucks, electricity 24 x 7 and more (inc. car / home). Speaking for myself, I have found that an extreme challenge, climbing a mountain or helping others, creates changes in me in varying degrees, some little and some bigger. Certainly each small step alters my perspective of my place in this world. I notice that I am like a recent non-smoker who doesn’t want to…

Sharon Apiyo was brought to the orphanage at the age of 6yrs after mother died. Her father is an active alcoholic. When Sharon was admitted she had really bad Jiggers and insecticide had to use to remove them. Enthusiastic at school and wants to be a teacher. *Jiggers is the local name for a flea size parasite that lays eggs in our flesh, the eggs grow in numbers and seriously irritate.

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 was cared for by his Grandmother, who sacrificed a lot for him. Due to circumstances it was best if 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.

Ruth Auma Onyango at 7yrs old was found wandering the streets and in need of medical attention. She remembers staying with her Mother, but reveals very little else, which is hardly surprising after she confided to Mama Rose, that her mother tied her hands together and burned them with a giko (charcoal oven/grill), then told her to leave. The parent were looked for but have remained missing! She works hard at school, is well disciplined and organises others well.

In 2008 two young brothers were taken into the Orphanage Andy 3yrs and Chris 18 months. The family background is vague; it is suggested strongly that the Father was mentally challenged and the mother was not around. Andy did not speak, he was terrified of people and was constantly missing. He did not respond to calls and was always eventual found usually hiding under one of the beds. Younger brother Chris had seriously burnt buttocks from falling into the cooking fire. Also he was very thin, suffering from malnutrition. He required a months treatment in the hospital before being brought to the Orphanage. Both are in infant school ,Andy wants…

Personal hygiene is paramount for me, a Mgeni, whose internal system is relatively fragile compared with locals. Everything I touch has some form of bacteria on it, in it and around it; this is the case everywhere except possibly in sterile labs and hospital theatres. Lucky most ‘English Bacteria’ my body is capable of dealing with when in the UK; but here in rural Africa those little bu…ers will run riot if I let them in! It has become a pastime for locals to bet with each other on the number of visits to the long drop a queasy Mgeni makes per hour! Records are made to be broken Shower…

I have been given access to the children’s records and whilst reading them I realise many are just to difficult to record here. Donathan Ochieng was born in 2009, his parents divorced shortly after he was born. At the tender age of 18 months his mother brought him to his fathers home and then ran away, deserting him. Don’s father worked, when he went to work he locked him in a room for the day. Having watched Don play with the other kids I have problem imaging as a toddler how he must have felt being locked up on his own every day. The nightmare culminated in Don getting his…

I am living in a small room within the Orphanage, along with the staff; all of whom are locals. I am the token “White” or Mgeni, for many miles around. Actually I have not seen another white face. Kenya’s national tongue is Swahili, and official language is English; which they are taught from year 4 (9 to 10yrs old). Conversations I have are ‘interesting’ and punctuated with laughter, yet somehow lacks informality and comfort of home. Education in Kenya is free but over subscribed, hence shortages in all areas e.g Teachers, classrooms, books and money. Often all parents are asked to chip in to pay for extra Teachers 25 Kenya…

Working in an Orphanage in rural Kenya has given me time for reflection. All starts with the first step of a journeyTravel time from the south coast to Heathrow 2HrsBooking in and waiting time 3Hrs9pm Flight from Heathrow via Abba Dhabi arriving in Narobi at 1.20pm the following day.Airport Taxi to Campsite 45minsOver night stay , very basic room , small hard bed covered with a good quality mosquito net and communal toilet end of hall6am Taxi to Nairobi Bus TerminalNairobi 9 hour bus ride to the Orphanage . The orphanage is home to 14 Girls and 16 Boys from the age of 5 months up to 18 years: many…

Interesting Airports 1          Sierra Leone > A security guard approached me waving a very big gun; he pointedly asked me for money. Quote “What you got for me?” 2          Orlando Airport > I was a 58 year old, white, middle class, grey haired Dad and accompanied by my 14year old teenage blonde daughter; we were pulled randomly out of the line to be questioned and searched as suspect terrorists, pre 911 and pre Donald T. 3          On arriving at Lagos Airport, Nigeria; the staff openly asked for ‘dollars’ at each stage of entry; passport control, customs and more. Later it became obvious I had not greased enough palms or…