Northern Kenya is a land of vast expanses of dry acacia bush, and dusty clay, with a rugged, mountainous rocky backdrop. Hidden in its seemingly deserted and wild immensity lie many small villages, a thousand or so people in each living in small mud houses; living close to the land; in harmony and agony with…
There is a frustration that builds in a volunteer in Africa. Sometimes it just has to come out. It may not be the rational response; it may not indicate time for a change but it is raw emotion – so here it is. Gotta Get it Out! By Nobody who is Somebody like Anybody else…
The wind comes in the night rattling the open flaps of my tent. Is that rain? The long waiting dry hopes for rain. Crinkling, electric wind but no rain, moist winds teasing at the thirsty ground, picking any remaining moisture from the soil to tease another waiting ear.
People often ask how the decision of which children to accept into the Joseph Waweru Home School is made. The short answer is that it is not easy. The long answer involves each individual story, lots of prayer and a vote. Personal referrals, churches, Children’s Bureaus, missionaries, serendipitous meetings on the street – all are…
Expanding Opportunities selects children from the millions of orphaned, rejected and destitute children in Kenya. The selection process is a painful privilege. This is a story of one child who was NOT selected. Many ask how the decision of which children to accept into the Joseph Waweru Home School is made. The short answer is…
After several years of trying, finally it will happen. With a rented van, traveling companions and our Baobab Bag finisher, we are off to the ladies who harvest, prepare and weave Baobab bags. Traveling the first day on what we once thought were rough roads, potholes and speed bump ridden wide dirt roads, our journey…
Mama Mwangi: A Special African Woman Her name is Theresa, but she is Mama Mwangi to all who know and love her. She rises early to be sure her adopted boys have their breakfast and get off to school. Then she tends the cows and begins breakfast for everyone else who is around. Her husband…
A story of the origins of Expanding Opportunities and a peek into the life of Street Children in Kenya. The ragged dirty boy held out his hand. My heart tried to ignore him. But there he was standing in front of me. I shake my head and move on, a bundle of mixed emotions. I…
