Hey Max!!! It's only water.

 

 Shower Time ......

 

Getting the stink eye from Max

 

There are two dogs with me here in Kenya. And while Lucky at 15 years old is decidedly senior and sedentary, Max at 9 months old is anything but. Hiking and playing in the dirt is a ubiquitous part of Max's life as is the shower that inevitably comes after such activities. 

 Like most Labs (Max is a Yellow Labrador Retriever) he is accustomed to  - nay - addicted to anything wet or dirty. Lake a moth to the flame - Max makes a beeline for anything resembling a swamp or puddle and frolicks with joyous abandon. He and I don't share this enthusiasm for mud and dirt as I am the reluctant "cleanup crew" in charge of ensuring that the grime stays out of the house.

Until recently Max loved the shower reveling in the warm water and attention. But suddenly - he has decided that there will be no more showers. He stubbornly sits on the deck as we engage in a contest of wills. He is steadfast in his position and gives me the stink eye when I try and coax him inside.

His resolve softened last night when it was time for dinner. As I prepared both dogs' meals - he watched with interest clearly confused about how he would stay on the porch AND have dinner. I walked over and put Lucky's food bowl down and left Max's on the counter. Now - the contest of wills was fully on. He deliberated for a full minute - then slowly and with great reluctance and not a single glance at me walked into the house, down the hall and into the shower room.  As I followed him into the bathroom and turned on the water he gave me another stink eye from where he sat in the middle of the shower. Despite the stink eye - I win this round !!!! 😆

I'm clearly enjoying my time with Max and really glad he came into my life.

No!!! Thank you!

Marketways guys loading up.

 Last Saturday I spent about $300 of the money so generously donated to this small project here in Nairobi. I left my house early picking up a cappuccino on my way to Marketways where the goods were waiting. Curiously - my mind turned to examining the slightly guilty moment I had as I sipped a cup of coffee --  the cost of which would feed a family for a couple days. That can be a difficult circle to square at times as I am indeed lucky to be so privileged. 

And speaking of privileged, as I assisted with the delivery of our carefully purchased goods I was so full of joy, it's hard to explain the feeling. To be given the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others who are clearly so thankful is an honor. I wish that those who so kindly have donated money to this project, had the opportunity to come face to face with the impact we have had. I'd like to thank the donors for giving me this opportunity. Thank you!!

 

I've included below a couple videos as I walked down into Majengo slum where we provide food for the about 300 kids who's lives are spent here. Featured as usual is Amazing Grace who gives generously of her time running the informal school that brings both structure and hope to these kids lives. You'll note that there is an open sewer running down the left side of the track. With no running water and little electricity - this is just how it is. Once used to the strong smells, it becomes normal but can be a pretty shocking at first.

 

Marketways, our supplier and partner generously donated  some extra goodies again!!!!. They also gave me a 2 for 1 deal on suckers. 😉Gotta love that. Please ignore the obvious joke about me being a sucker as it clearly does not apply - this time anyway.  Amazon and Ali Baba both called asking how such deep discounting was even possible. Thank you Peter and the entire Marketways team. Also many thanks to Gerry & Cliff for your very generous donations. It's really helpful.

 

 

WE Charity farm ( part of my management responsibility) had some left over strawberries that the WE team kept cool and fresh so that we could bring them to the kids. In the picture beside, Amazing Grace shares them with some of the kids who were delighted to share in the bounty. I suspect for many  - it was the first strawberry they had ever tasted.

Also a big thanks to my Mom who among so many other things got me reading at a very young age. It was from her encouragement that my interest in stories became an important part of my life. And because of that, I'm able to share my stories with those of you who so magnanimously take the time to sift through my drivel.

Below are a few shots from my perfect Saturday morning in Majengo and Kibera.

I next traveled to Kibera slum and met with Jeff who manages the school there.  I dropped off 90kgs of beans that I had purchased with the donated funds and shared out the second bag of suckers. I had forgotten the simple pleasure of working away on a grape sucker. The kids (big and small) were clearly enjoying as well.

Jeff stands the the right clearly enjoying his grape sucker!

 

If you would like to donate to  The Majengo Kids - The Kibera Kids - or Jake's Education:

E-interact -- laynemahon@live.com or Paypal -- laynegmahon@gmail.com

 

 

 

Thanks for reading .....Layno!!!

Mount Meru and other maniacal hiking adventures

 

 Mounting Mount Meru

 

Bold and beautiful, Mount Meru juts up magnificently from just behind Arusha Tz

Kilimanjaro from Meru at sunrise - worth a look.

Those who have summited Africa's 6th highest peak in Tanzania say that the sun rising behind Kilimanjaro -- a scant 70 kms to the east -- is one of the world's greatest natural sights. I'd like to see if that is true or not so along with my intrepid hiking partner Andy - we'll try to summit this beautiful chunk of rock in a couple weeks time.

At just under 15,000 ft (4565 m) it's no joke and will take a bit of training and convincing to get this rapidly aging overly enthusiastic amateur climber up to the top. Wish me well!!

And speaking of amateur hikers, I have been dong a bit of training and last weekend set out on a 10k training hike in a nearby forest. Max and I left the truck in a parking lot and set out for a couple hours of hiking in the mid morning sun. What could go wrong?

Water? Naw!!! - while a fairly warm day - it' only 10kms. 

Phone? Naw!!!  it's only a 10k hike. 

Jacket? Naw!!! - it' only a 10k hike.

And when the trail marker indicated a choice to go 15kms rather than 10km .... why not? What could go wrong.

 

 

After 5 hours of effectively going in circles and seeing no one, much to my relief I finally saw 2 people laying down ahead of me. In a slightly delirious state I wandered up excitedly to ask directions. My relief changed to surprise as I realized just what this couple were doing alone in the forest ...far from anyone and anywhere. In that moment when our eyes connected - it was clear to me that despite my circumstances - there would be no "probing" questions regarding my current whereabouts. 

Onward Max and I hiked hoping this nightmare would end. Knowing there were Hyenas and bandits in the area made the circumstances a bit grave and an overnight stay a fairly undesirable prospect. To top it off I was beginning to hallucinate a bit due to fatigue and lack of water. Suddenly a large cow came charging down the trail directly at me - I wasn't entirely sure if this was really happening or a figment of my imagination.

You see this cow was stealthy. He didn't make a sound as he charged at us. We both took refuge behind a tree and as he charged by -- was glad to see the back rather than front end of that damned cow. Or so I thought.

As we walked on, I was reminded of a scene from the movie The Pink Panther where Kato, the karate expert would suddenly and without warning attack Chief Inspector Clouseau. I believe this cow to be the reincarnation of Kato as again and again it came out of friggin' no where and charged directly at us.

It was with considerable relief that we were able to get to the parking lot with that fucking cow still sneaking up and scaring the bejeezus out of me. I briefly fantasized about running it over with the truck and having a nice steak dinner but was pretty thirsty by that point. Best to drive home and leave that mad cow to terrorize the next hiker who carelessly wandered off the clearly marked trail while on an easy 10km hike.

 

 Lions and Wildebeests for days.....

 

 

 

 

Essie and I took a day to check in on the migration and while enjoying the scene of thousands of Wildebeest on the move - stumbled across a pride of 11 lions perfectly happy lying in the morning sun. It's likely their bellies were full of Wildebeest as you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting one. ... so to speak.

 The big male pictured beside was a great surprise when he stood and sauntered past. Wow!!! Magnificent. We stayed for a long time only meters away enjoying the sense of communion and while conscious of the fact that we were interrupters, it was impossible to leave. It was so peaceful. The only thing that would have made it better -- is if that damned cow had wandered along. 😉

 Note the open Land Cruiser in the foreground. That was not us as we had sensibly used my Land Cruiser that has doors. I think it's only a matter of time before there is a terrible bloody incident that severely curtails the freedom that people can enjoy inside the park.

Below is a video of Wildebeest crossing the road just in front of the truck as we sat mesmerized by the spectacle. Impossible for the camera to capture -- is the sheer number of animals in the valley. It was just impossible to count. Maybe 10,000 or 100,000...who knows - but I do know that I had this overwhelming sense that it's not too late for Mother Earth and all her creatures, we haven't fucked it up completely.

And a bit of time on the coast

Even many kilometers before reaching the shores of the Indian ocean, everything changes. Smells, humidity, sites and sounds all conspire to gently tug you from your day to day existence to this magical place. Essie Max and I enjoyed a week of playing in the sun and swimming while contemplating existentialist conundrums and such. Max less so - but he definitely enjoyed eating coconuts and chasing sand crabs.

Jake, Majengo and Kibera

 

I would like to again thank both Barry and DJ for their amazing generosity. I received their donations that will go a long way to helping to positively impact kids lives. Jake is doing well in school - and next week we'll deliver food to both the slums (Kibera & Majengo). 

 

I've arranged for an escort next week so intend to do a video of Majengo to share. I think next week I'll also but some lolly pops for the kids, Why not - I don't have to deal with the sugar buzz 😊

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to donate to  The Majengo Kids - The Kibera Kids - or Jake's Education:

E-interact -- laynemahon@live.com or Paypal -- laynegmahon@gmail.com

 

 

Thanks for reading ...Layno out scouting tea fields with old yella.

No Green Bananas

 

Take that Dad!!

 

Matt Berger - deadly on the rail!!

Though it's been about a year and a half since my Dad passed along -- my life is as peppered with Dadisms today as it was while he was alive. One day as he battled through cancer, bravely I must add, I asked how he was doing; "well I'm not going to buy any green bananas". Ah!!!  such was his humor and it is dearly missed. 

Unfortunately he left the planet prior to me communicating all the "I told ya so's" I would have liked. You see -- proving my father wrong was and continues to be a necessary preoccupation for reasons not abundantly clear. They are however of critical import.

 

 

 

So it is with great pleasure, glee and something approximating euphoria that I share the names of the 3 men that make up the Canadian Skateboarding Team for the 2021 Olympics. In 1976, I argued with my father about my passion for the piece of wood with roller skates screwed to the bottom I'd been riding. 

 

 

"Skateboarding is not a sport" he said. "Baseball is a sport - Soccer is a sport.  Do you see skateboarding in the Olympics?!!!"😀 I rest my point. Smugly I might add. Good luck to Andy, Matt and Micky -- the men representing our country in this fine fine SPORT!

The Belay King

In what can only be described as a horror show in real time, I attempted rock climbing with a group of intrepid adventurers. To the far right of the photo my good friend Andy surveys the sheer cliff that we had foolishly agreed to climb. His expression is clear. What The Fuck!!

He did however do wonderfully well as 6 hours of challenging ourselves to feats of strength and courage slipped away surprisingly fast. The view from the top (I understand from talking with others) was absolutely spectacular. 

The African Savannah stretched out in front of us forever bathed in the glorious afternoon sun. Baboons danced on the cliffs making fun of our awkward attempts to do what comes so naturally to them. Interestingly, I noticed some baboons were wearing masks. It's good to see them taking this Covid19 thing seriously. 

Actually I did make it to the top on a few occasions but found I was much better at Belaying than climbing. Later - looking at this picture, I noted that I have a big fat ass. Could that be the problem?

Some Charitable Flap doodle and Folderol

Many thanks to my friend George and my Mom's friend Gail for their generous support. George was kind enough to drop off this maize flour for the kids a Kibera and Gail sent along some much needs funds to help out Jake's Education fund. Thank you very much.

Jake has finished the term with flying colors and starts the next term this Wednesday. Yvonne and I were busy this weekend getting his new books for the upcoming term. Very exciting!!! I'm curious to read all 3 required books but Just like me in particular. 😀

If you would like to donate to  The Majengo Kids - The Kibera Kids - or Jake's Education:

E-interact -- laynemahon@live.com or Paypal -- laynegmahon@gmail.com

No Leopards so far Layno!

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading....Layno!!! (and Max of course)

Watching Sports is Exhausting - but is it important?

 Jake's Sports Day at Le Pic

 

 

 

This week has been absolutely exhausting!!!! With 3am Hockey games (as a Canadian I take my Stanley Cup support obligations seriously) Euro 2020 games starting at 10pm and going to midnight, the COPA America soccer matches at 3am (Congratulations Argentina) and last but not least, the Tour de France which has been spectacular this year. Go Micheal Woods - an amazing Canadian Cyclist.

 

I love them all, enjoying the emotions that run through you for reasons that are not always clear. For me, I always find that I enthusiastically tag my allegiances to one team or another.  Joy or sorrow are then inevitable. 

I recall from my University Days Noam Chomsky ( a noted and popular philosopher and contrarian) saying that organized sports are "manufactured" to distract people from the really important issues that face us. At the time - I though that was probably true, but have to say that when Montreal beat Tampa Bay the other night, I was thrilled even though I spend my days as a humanitarian, confronting some of the tough issues Noam spoke of and face our Global community.

So with all that said, most of the readers will know that we support Jake with our donations so that he can attend school. Above are a few shots of sports day for his school. With some pride, we should celebrate his participation and opportunities that arise from learning to work play and relate to others in such a cool environment. Well done to Le Pic School, and Jake's Mom Yvonne for working with us to get Jake in there!!! Maybe he'll play for the Montreal Canadians some day and kick those Tampa Baybuggers to the curb!!

What have WE been doing?

 

 

While the Canadian and Global media have more or less relented from their onslaught of castigating the Charity I work for, little has changed on the ground where arguably it really matters.  The Team continues to provide drinking water, health care and Education to the community. 

 

• That means repairing bore holes and filtering equipment for fresh water. 
• That means delivering babies
• That means making sure 400+ kids have are learning from a proper curriculum
• That means that all those kids can sleep peacefully - and safe from harm
  

And speaking of kids sleeping peacefully, pictured below is part of the 42 member Security Team that patrols night and day to ensure the safety of kids and staff. A couple weeks ago, security guards discovered a liter of Leopard pups beside the boys High school. Clearly it was time to speak to the grounds crew about being a bit more diligent with the slashing of brush in and around the school. 

 

On this day, (again pictured below) the team leaders are going through training with the security team to make sure everyone is committed to the same goals with the same understanding. The Masai and Kipsigis (members of the community we support) are particularly good at this kind of work and carry it out with pride and distinction.

 

 

 

We also have a couple projects on the go that help members of the community earn income. Below are Mamas beading moccasins which will find their way back to South America and then -- probably (and ironically) Amazon 😆 

I slipped into this room to speak with the supervisor about the progress and as we talked quietly I mentioned that another order for 5000 pieces had come in. She immediately shouted out that information to the whole room at which point the entire room started shrieking with joy. I tell you, it was a moment I'll never forget as the gratitude for our work often doesn't make it's way to the operations team working behind the scenes, I quickly left the room so that my stupid tears would not give away my emotional overload.

Lastly, we went to Majengo yesterday with our monthly food contribution to keep those kid's bellies full for the next month. Rather than photos, I chose to include a couple videos of the trip from pickup to into the tummies. Again a thank you to WE charity for letting me use the company car to transport the goods to the kids.

 A massive thank you for the generosity of Jill, my Mom's close friend, also my lifelong friend of 40 years Ms Carla Piscopo --  and my friend Adrienne for their very generous and thoughtful donations.

Above is a video of the guys loading up at our supplier in central Nairobi, an area called Kileleshwa. Below, driving into Eastleigh (Majengo community), the Somali part of town generally considered to be one of the most dangerous areas in Nairobi. Thirdly, the big smile from Grace as we unload. Lastly (and many thanks to Peter at Marketways for the free cookies) the kids clearly enjoying the offered cookies.😅

 

  Thanks for reading ..... Layno and Max!!! - who really wants up on the bed. (come on Layno - just this once) 

If you would like to donate;

E-interact Laynemahon@live.com

Paypal Laynegmahon@gmail.com