In 1979 and again in the early 1982/3 I was hired as the “labour trouble shooter” for contracts in the Middle East. To say my CV, references and interviews were bizarre is an understatement. For example in 1979, an ‘employment interview’ started totally by chance whilst drinking in the Cross Keys, Lawrence Street. Chelsea. I got into a conversation about nothing special, just usual the bar bullshit with a random guy who seemed interesting. After a few beers we decided to change pubs. As we walked up Oakey Street, I eyed three ‘jack the lads’ standing by a Pillar box on the corner of Margaretta Terrace. They decided to confront me;…

Which is crazier and/or more dangerous? Being caught in high winds whilst working in a suspended cradle 200 ft above the North Sea? OR Getting involved in blood-splattered battles in the construction camp bar?

We have a number of success stories amongst our boys and girls; many are starting school for the first time and others are returning. There are those who have been on the program and are progressing to secondary, plus there are those who did exceptionally well and are now at University. Some kids have returning to their families, others have establishing their own homes. Through the program the kids, with our support have established Dancer Clubs and the acclaimed Embu County Orchestra, which has toured all over Kenya and won National awards! Not all Kids are academic; so a number of our ex street kids are assisted by us to train…

In many Towns our main priority is the high number of ‘street’ children; to address this serious problem we have created Rescue Centers that ‘each’ provides roughly 200 hot and substantial meals every day for the kids. We do not discriminate between street kids and those attending school who suffer from extreme poverty. In a high number of cases children from poor families, who are attending school, will have had no evening meal and had no breakfast; being constantly hungry seriously limits concentration and the ability to learn. In addition, at the Rescue Centers, we provide free educational classes, toilets and washing facilities. Most importantly of all a “safe and…

There are six small orphaned children here between the ages of 2 and 4 years old who have formed a family bond. When I give one a biscuit he or she will not leave me until I give them another 5 for their chums; if I don’t they will run off and fetch all the others, making certain they all get an equal share. Yesterday I gave Moses (2yrs old) a plate on which there were 6 slices of pineapple, he can’t count. You could see the confusion and fear on his little face. Bless him he did hand the plate out to his chums and the look of relief…

Mama Sarah Obama, grandmother of USA President Barack Obama; whom I was fortunate to spend a couple of hours privately with; before she was due to visit her grandson, Barack in Washington DC. She was remarkably sharp and enthusiastic, with a great sense of humor. She talked passionately about her efforts to promote education. Noting that she herself had never attended school. Mama Sarah told me “I realized the value of education when somebody would bring me a letter and I could not read it!”, so Mama Sarah made certain that all her children received an education “including Barack Obama Snr”; whom she pedaled 6 miles to and from the…

I traveled from Siaya District, crossing the Rift Valley, to a small town on the slopes of Mt Kenya, near Nanyuki, where the British Army has a large base. I booked into a Hotel that caters for Mzungu (white people) who are planning to climb Mt Kenya. That evening there was a tremendous storm. I was in bed reading under under the canopy created by my mosquito net. Suddenly there was a build up of crashing and a buzzing racket; my room was being invaded by hundreds of Flying Termites! This particular specie is a similar in size to UK Dragon flies, 4 x 2.5cm wings, with a body length…

Kevin Otieno Obote, both parents died and he lived for a time with his Auntie. He arrive at 8yrs with bad asthma, thin and had ringworm. He recovered well after receiving treatment and enjoying a healthy diet. Now doing well at school, he is usually in the top group, studying so he can get a place at University. He wants to become a Doctor.

I have a choices, Michael Oduor Odimo did not; his father died and mother is still alive. She is poor and unable to provide for his basic needs. Michael was very sick, undernourished and very thin when he arrived. The staff at the orphanage immediately put him on a special diet and he had to be dewormed. During early days he was badly behaved and very anti social. With a good diet his health has returned as has his attitude, he has become a sociable lad, working hard at school and the results now speak for themselves. He got accepted into secondary school where he is studying to go to…