Safe Arrival

Jo's flight was delayed by nearly four hours on Saturday. She still was asked to report at the airport (Heathrow) as though it was for the original flight time. A long wait from 1600 until nearly midnight before departure. Due to the delay at this end, Fred, the SCI-Kenya Director ws unable to meet Jo at the airport in Nairobi. However, Mike, the assistant coach of the SCI Football Academy, was on hand to meet her. He is always on hand to help ease any problems as they occur.

Mike took Jo to meet Fred at The Life Reformation Centre, another NGO (Non Government Organisation) associated with SCI. After a few greetings they left for Mike's home where there was at last the chance of a little rest and refreshment. Kenyan tea was offered; hot milk and lots of sugar. Once refreshed Jo was taken across the city again to the home of Milka Mucheru, the wife of Steve Mucheru, the head coach of the football academy. From here the group went to Peter Kibukosya Primary School. This is the home of the SCI football academy. At 1730 it was time to return to Githurai to meet other SCI trustees, where there was the opportunity to share and eat together. After a very long day, Jo finally slept at Fred's home, sharing with Marvel and Mordecai, his young children.

Jo woke up today, Monday morning, to a cold shower at 4.30am before heading to the airport with Fred and his wife, Esther. The traffic jam was so heavy we almost missed the flight. We were at the airport just 20 minutes before flight time. After a short 40 minute flight, Jo was met safely in Kisumu by Justine. Justine is the director of another NGO that SCI work closely with, called SAIPEH (Student Activities in Prevention & Education in Health. From Kisumu there is a 90 minute drive to Mumias, where Jo will spend the next few days. Mumias is a very rural area. Sugar cane is the only cash crop. Unemployment is massive, HIV Aids significant. Jo will divide time between teaching sports, especially lacrosse, and computers and visiting SAIPEH projects.

These notes have been written following an email recieved from Fred moments ago. St Ives has had a lot of broadband connectivity problems for the last week. It appears to have returned, at least for a while.

Alan (Director SCI)

The photo shows some of the girls before a basketball match at the school where Jo will be coaching lacrosse.