What a good Mom!!

A Day with Jake and Yvonne

 

Plans and picnic lunch made we fired up the Land Cruiser at 5:45 to get an early and advantaged head start on the other animal lovers heading to the park. Actually, I slept in just a bit so the key turned at 6:30 - which is close 👴. I was also fortunate to have Essie join, a friend who shares my love of getting outside and doing stuff. As comfortable in hiking boots as she is in heels, I'm really grateful that I've met this amazing person and get to share adventures along the road. 

Once crawling along the dirt roads of the NNP and reminiscent of previous visits, I again felt a tremendous sense of privilege. The park is an amazing place. It's a place where the ubiquitous Tik Tok and Instagram fade as real life takes hold of you and captures your attention. Animals go about their business as they have since time immemorial.  I am really grateful for the opportunities life has provided me. This is indeed a treat!
 

My thanks again to the many people that have and continue to support Jake and Yvonne as they make their way through difficult circumstances.  Our weekly assistance (along with help from her brother Walter working as a barista) has made it possible for them to move from a one room dirt floor abode to a 2 bedroom flat they share with Walter and the other 2 brothers.





Jake is a wonderful joyful lad and as he approaches his 3rd birthday this December, I have to say that Yvonne has done an amazing job with raising him. She is patient, loving and protective of his heart and spirit. Just as my mother was to me. The day reminded me of why I took an interest in helping these two people while all the while recognizing that under different times and circumstances, no assistance would be necessary.

As always - if you would like to part with a couple dollars you can do so through: 

e-interact laynemahon@live.com or PayPal laynegmahon@gmail.com

I would like to assist Jake with school fees in the future and if anyone would like to donate to that specifically,  please be my guest 😆

Jake watches intently as a couple baboons groom one another.

The day was particularly  rewarding as we got to see almost everything the park has to offer. There were 2 leopards spotted, but we were unable to get a glimpse. But!! many Lions and Rhino's and Giraffes and Jackals -- each delighting young Jake as he made efforts to escape through the window and join.

As we watched an Ostrich I was reminded of one of my Father's favorite jokes. It goes like this;

An Ostrich is invited to a cocktail party and as he arrives he fumbles with the door making a lot of noise and scaring all the other Ostriches at the party. They immediately stick their collective heads in the sand and as he enter he looks around and says --" hey -- where did everybody go?" 

Miss ya Dad!! Below are a few pictures on the day that you may enjoy. I certainly enjoyed taking them.

Can I get a drink bartender and hey where did everyone go?

A Zebrette watches us curiously. Nothing to say here other than Awwwwwwww

A Lioness (one of the 6 chillin') looks at some gazelles in the distance considering a lunchtime snackaroo.

A big-assed Rhino does what Rhino's usually do - eat grass and lots of it.

A Jackal looks around more even suspiciously than Justin Trudeau at a press conference -- if that's possible.

A Buffalo wishes he'd taken off a few pounds and did a bit of jogging prior to the last attack.

A great shot of Essie enjoying the breeze and view.

Thanks for reading ....Layno - ready for anything!!!

Mpango wa Kando

Cruising to Paradise

Mpango wa Kando is a Swahili expression that refers to someone who is your significant other. And by other - I mean other than your wife! It translates roughly to "side chick" and is generally used in a playful manner. And so I now have to confess that I have a Mpango wa Kando; my side chick is the venerable and sexy BMW R1150GS pictured above.

What better place to take her than the South East coast of Kenya for a bit of R&R and exploration was my thinking -- and so Indian Ocean Africa Pearl resort Diani -- here we come!!



 





It was a perfect work play week particularly as I was able to spend some time with my dear friend Chris who has settled here (Bastard). Tanned fit and remarkably healthy looking we idled over long breakfasts and single malt Scotch catching up after almost 2 years of being in separate places in the world.

Chris and I have been in Diani in the past hanging out and enjoying what can only be described as paradise. There is almost always a breeze, warm and gentle on your cheek and a sweet smell that encourages and invites you to breath deeply. The sound of the ocean rolling onto the brilliant white sand is audible from wherever you park yourself in the village; a comforting sound through the day and night.

The Indian ocean sparkles always luring and giving some rational for Greek Mythological Sirens who lured sailors to ruin on the sea. I get that. A noonday or midnight swim are equally enjoyable in this tropical Elysium.






On the morning of my return to Nairobi, I rose early and packed my gear out to the big BMW. The sun was an hour from rising though the air was warm and a bit sticky as I loaded and secured the gear. It was a bit tricky as I'd broken one of the luggage support mounts on the way in. Road was a bit rough 😏 ... (couldn't be the rider)

I pushed the starter button and the big 1150 rumbled to life. As habit, I checked turn signals, brake light, kicked the tires and a quick once over to see that nothing was falling off. Satisfied, I climbed aboard and pushed her off the stand.

I traveled the coast road as the sun rose, my visor up enjoying the wind on my face, the smell of the ocean and the sun rising over the ocean. The coconut trees seemed to be waving goodby as I at last turned inland to face the 2 hours of rough road ahead of me.

I have to admit that despite my love of 2-wheeled motos, I'm not a great rider and particularly poor off the tarmac. I do however, enjoy that sense of solitude and self reliance that comes with getting off the beaten track. This dirt road is no joke. Worried about getting lost without a GPS signal - worried about a breakdown - worried about a bad fall - worried about an attack - worried about running out of fuel ... my mind was busy thinking through the what if's. The road challenged me thoroughly. Standing up on the foot pegs I tried to pick paths that avoided the dreaded sand traps and worst of the rocks and ditches. Finally and admittedly exhausted, I arrived in Samburu town and turned right onto the tarmac heading to Nairobi.

After riding on the dirt for 2 hours at 30kms an hour or less, I went through the gears, the motor sung it's beautiful tune finally able to rev as I hit the 130 mark and settled into the groove. A group of Zebra's watched me from the side of the road looking sad and forlorn as I passed. Why the long faces I thought😏

A word on Jake and Yvonne

 

 

Jake and Yvonne are doing well. I haven't seen either of them for a few months as it's a bit risky with Covid19 and all -- but looking forward to spending some time with them when this Covid19 thing is done and dusted. Sincere thank you's to Muriel for her very generous donation that I'm sure Yvonne and Jake will really appreciate.

Jake definitely doesn't look like a baby anymore turning 3 this December. :) What a handsome young fella!!

Last but hardly least - my Gran!

This week was also a time to say goodby to my Gran formally. She passed some time ago but the spreading of her ashes was this week as family gathered to share stories and memories. I was a bit far away to attend the auspicious occasion but took time to remember the woman who helped raise me.


Never an unkind word and always ready to make time for me is how I remember her best. A proud woman, she delighted in books and family history, she taught me many things about life. I spent many a day at her home on Salt spring island as a boy eating her famous PB&J sammies and shoveling down great heapings of the Mac and cheese that is to this day unequaled.

Just shy of 100 years on the planet - I share this picture of her from the last time we met just over a year ago. Rest in peace dear Gran - and thank you for your endearing kindness to me.











Thanks for reading ....Layno!!!

PS.. Lucky and Sonny say hello as well

Love you Lucky ...Sonny - get the fuck off me!

And Lollipops!!

A thunderous round of applause please ...

A big thank you to all the people who contributed in helping out the Majengo community. As a team - we were able to contribute almost $3700 in direct food aid the the community. An additional thanks to Peter, our supplier who added a couple bags of lollipops out of his own pocket for the kids. I suspect there will be a pile of smiles from that special treat. He also sent in 10 cases of noodle soup that will be a nice change from the daily rice & beans. While beans & rice are healthy and fill the tummy, I doubt even Gordon Ramsey could make this any more palatable.

The Malezi Technical Education program will continue in January now as schools are closed until then. At that time -- we have negotiated space with the technical college (Strathmore University) to bring the kids there for advanced Computer/ programing lessons. Many thanks to Rose and the rest of the M-TEP volunteers for their work on this.

What now? Well we were able to help the community while they were locked down in Eastleigh and unable to join the informal sector to earn some cash. That situation has improved as the community members have mobility -- though in truth there is less work out there these days. Covid19 is now spreading quickly - and the economy continues to contract.

So if you know someone who has a " ton o' dough" and would like to help out with an annual campaign -- of say $1000 per month - I would be happy to manage that project as a volunteer and ensure all funds are food and delivered directly to the people. At this point - I can't ask friends and family to make any more contributions. You have exceeded my wildest expectations and we should be proud of what we accomplished together. A humble thank you with a Nameste thrown in for good measure. For my part - I'll start searching for a major donor to support.

Who wore it better?

The dude??

Or the Dudette??

As many of you know, I'm a keen (read obsessed) motorcycle dude and very excited to be able to do a bit of exploring on Yellow Thunder pictured above. Many thanks To Michel, my Belgian friend who so generously parted with the machine and did so in such a gentlemanly fashion. You are a class act sir! Esther has tentatively agreed to join in the fun... 😊

Thank for reading.....Layno!!!

Just Fantastic!!

So many to thank!

Lucy was waiting patiently at the Java near the supplier warehouse as I wheeled the Land Cruiser into the parking lot. Her big beautiful smile and hot cup of coffee greeting me on this beautiful Saturday morning. As has become my favorite habit, I'm here to load up the "goods" purchased from the generous donations sent my way and take then over to Majengo where hungry thankful people are eagerly waiting for us. Another 200 families will get a hamper from the generosity of strangers, Isn't that a nice thing?

It's just fantastic that 7 more generous folks sent along over $700 so that I can bring in loads this week  and next.  A big thank you to the inimitable Kimmie Wenner, Ms. Shanen Gerigs, the amazing and amusing Val Sharp, Land Cruiser guy Rob Schultz, Buddy Barry, my lifelong mentor Pat Johnson, and "the warden" Denise Brennan. 

And a particularly special thanks to Peter who spoke with his suppliers to get some free goods and chipped in some of his own funds to help out. "I believe in what you're doing" he said to me ... A very generous and thoughtful man is he! Next weekend we may be able to add in a bit of bread 😊😋

Also a thank you again to Lucy, a long time friend and ally without whom I'm sure I would completely lose my way in this part of the world. She is my Kenyan compass and translator keeping me moving in what I think is the right direction. It was with absolute pleasure that I had the opportunity to meet Lucy's Mom at their home in Kikuyu just outside of Nairobi.

Lucy is a young super savvy professional journalist committed to poking a hole in the social fabric of this country. In doing so, she shines a light guiding youth to find opportunity and purpose in what is a very challenging place. For many, the view of those who have "made it" through misdeeds and thoughtlessness must be very attractive as they cruise by in their fancy Mercedes; Rolex watches casually dangling from their fat overfed wrists. Make no mistake - it's people like Lucy who will make the difference as the culture shifts and those fat fucks look enviously on the industrious youth changing the Kenyan landscape for the better. Too harsh? 😎

Chillin' with Lucy and her Mom  - Kikuyu style.....

Lastly, a comment or two on the organization I work for. This blog is about my own side-hustle Just Food Africa  and other life adventures that I share with a few readers (mostly my Mom 😆 ) and on occasion, I have crossed over to comments about my previous work with Medecins sans Frontieres (Emergency Medical NGO)  and now WE Charity (Development NGO).

And on the subject of my work -- I believe I have a pretty good sense of the world and "read" on people, nevertheless, I am shocked and stupefied by the comments people are making about our organization. Serious allegations of shady dealings populate social media like free chocolates too delicious to pass by without a taste and exclamation of ahhhhh - " I told you it is tasty"!!

WE Charity is an organization that has spent overv25 years improving the lives of people who need a helping hand. In my time with the organization, and within our operations in Kenya, always - yes always our team chooses the path of integrity. From my perspective, It's a well-worn path despite those who would say otherwise. I have no reservations about the organization and stand proudly to continue the good work we are doing.

Thank for reading ....Layno!!!