So it seems that Kenya can keep me awake! I quiet obviously
still “granny nap” to keep myself up to Olympic standards but it’s fair to say
that the least amount of training has been completed in the weeks that we have
been here! It maybe that in North Kenya I physically couldn’t because of the conditions
of the roads, (I mean I know I’m in a third world country but surely in the
last 90 years that the car has been around something could have been done to at
least smooth it over??? I’ll cease the wingding-must be because of the lack of
sleep!!) or the amazing wildlife and scenery that has surrounded me but there
is definitely something about this
country that keeps my eyes open!
The projects we have visited have been awe inspiring, with model Africans running the show and adding to my list of most amazing people. It is here in Kenya that I have found worthy causes to hand out the donations that I received from friends and family and it is her that I would like to recognise those special people that have supported myself and the Football Africa cause.
I have to start firstly with my school, Cranford Community College, (brap!brap!brap! Sorry had to!) for their generosity in support and collections by both staff and students. Nairobi took me to St Johns Church where they house and look after orphaned children and a fantastic teacher, Grace, who’s school (Kitui Village Nursery School) had been burnt down. Out of the three classrooms, two were destroyed in the fire and for learning to continue they had to share the one remaining classroom amongst the 200 students. It is here that I thank the Year 9 students for their valiant effort in collecting pens, pencils and calculators that will contribute to the start of a new school. Vanessa Tutt for her large contribution of pens that have been given out along the African roads but that here went to the teachers of the school. Maria Bramwell, Sarah Brackley and Hiruni whom donated football shirts and children’s clothes that were greatly received by the orphans at St Johns Church.
The Simba Maasai Outreach Programme whom had Tackle Africa trained coaches gained much needed cones for their drills, a kind from Susie Finn donation from Susie Finnis, Sports Co-ordinator at Kingston University.
And lastly but by no means least, my last thank you goes to Tony Pike of *Parafricta and my very own father, Chris Kennedy who donated much needed money for Football Africa’s medical needs. I’m sure they’ll both be glad to hear that not only have we benefitted from this donation but we are playing the good deed forward by donating our remaining supplies (thankfully we haven’t been too sick!) to The Mango Tree, Malawi, where the drugs and medicines can be used to help children whom have lost either one or both their parents to HIV.
Many Thanks to you all!
Charlotte
*Parafricta is a revolutionised material that has been designed to eliminate the effects of bed sores. For more information visit www.parafricta.com .
Good to see you guys visiting some of the dudes I met earlier this year like James and Daniel from SIMOO and Julius (Jr) at St Francis in Kisumu. It sounds like you're having a fantastic time, I'm liking the blog a lot. A reet adventure
I stayed in Masai land for a week and it was some experience. Very, very dry but it looks like there has been some rain with the ever so small amount of grass on the pitch. Good to see you roped in some of the kids from the school for your match too, I was invaded by about 200 of them every day. Still got some good memories of them trying to take each other on!
Anyway hope its going well and good luck for the rest of you trip
Alistair
Posted by: Alistair Magowan | 05/28/2009 at 01:55 PM