Day 9 - lake Victoria and a long drive

This morning, we met up with one of the community directors, Christine, and heard her inspiring story.  I also got some beautiful clothes from her.  She runs a sewing center where she employs women in need. She has been through some of the worst conditions a human can endure, even being a victim of human trafficking due to poverty, and has risen above and now is helping other women in situations like she was in, to survive and thrive. You can listen to her speak about her mission here: https://youtu.be/9MSpsz7xeqU

We had a lot of driving on this day, but we took a little time to go see Lake Victoria, and enjoy a boat ride.  This lake is the second largest freshwater lake in the world.  We hoped to see some hippos, which proves to be elusive, but we saw many other animals and interesting sights.  

 

Our guide was a volunteer who loves to educate people about the lake and the animals who live there.  He works to help maintain the delicate ecosystem and the balance between that and the needs of the fishermen.  

We passed some fishing villages, where families including small children could be seen working on the boats and on the shores.  We also saw many interesting water fowl. The lake was beautiful and peaceful.  It’s so big that parts of it are in several countries, including Tanzania and Uganda.    

After our boat ride, we drove several hours to get to Lugari.  We stopped in a big city where they had a shopping mall and the first grocery store I have seen.  Weirdly, they also had a KFC.  They had a nice bathroom with flushing toilets, but you had to pay for toilet paper. 

On the road again

We get to stay most of our remaining days at the retreat center there called Bustani Siri.  It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been! This is very different from any buildings I have seen in Kenya.  Almost like a castle!

  The founder, Khayanga, built it as a place of healing, and she runs a camp every year for underprivileged girls to come and heal, learn leadership skills, and chart a better future for themselves.

Dinner with Khayanga

  She put so much thought into every detail and it shows, from the beautiful landscaping and flowers, to the architecture.  She is originally from Kenya, but went to Canada to go to college.  After staying there for many years, she decided it was time to go home and serve her people.  She is the program director for 100 humanitarians in Lugari now, and has done amazing work there. 

Here’s a video interview about what she is doing in her community: https://youtu.be/AOLzTXinbAs

Views for miles