I live in Toronto Canada and always dreamed of visiting Africa. When the opportunity arose to help chaperone some young women on a trip to Watoto, Uganda, I did not hesitate. Unfortunately, that trip was cancelled but I decided I was GOING TO AFRICA, alone. I did not know anyone in Africa but I knew I was GOING TO AFRICA. A friend gave me the contact information for Esther Wanjohi, a Kenyan lady she met at the 2006 Aids Conference in Toronto. I contacted Esther of The Ecumenical Day Care and Support Women Project and my big African Trip was on.
I WENT TO AFRICA in Sept 2007. It was a very fulfilling and successful trip; I felt right at home there; it was like I belonged.
I spent my vacation in Ngong Town volunteering with the women of the Ecumenical Centre. I showed them how to finish their beadwork neatly and how to better market their jewellery. I also did some computer work for the Centre. The women and I talked, laughed, drank lots of tea; I had a grand time.
I also visited Motherly Care Children’s Home and met some of the orphaned children living there.
I visited slums and saw families living in shacks beside garbage dumps and open sewers. I heard that some of these families search the very dumps for anything to salvage and reuse. Germs and diseases were rampant there, but they are desperate and desperate times call for desperate measures.
What a joy it is to visit this beautiful country every year and enjoy the culture, cuisine and friendly people.
I continue to solicit money from my family, friends, co-workers and even complete strangers to help fund projects.
Our donations have funded micro loans, bought dairy goats, water tanks, school uniforms, foodstuff and blankets.
My GOING TO AFRICA has put everything into proper perspective.
Life is a field of unlimited possibilities……..Deepak Chopra
