Kericho

At many of our locations in Kenya, we try to help the churches do income-generating projects that allow them to help even more orphans that we give them funds for.  At Kericho Feeding Station, we made a significant investment in 2.6 acres of tea land for them.  They use the profits to feed more kids and help widows in their community.  One of the unique side benefits of this tea land is membership in the Kenya Tea Producers Association.  KTPA is a co-op made up of small tea growers that owns several tea-processing plants throughout Kenya.  The nearest one to our farm is called Toror Tea Factory.  Because we are growers, we are allowed to schedule tours of the plant, and that’s what I had arranged for this morning.

We arrived about 11AM and were greeted by the Production Manager and the Tecla, the Production Supervisor.  Tecla gave us a very thorough tour of the entire plant, explaining the processes they use for each step.  Tecla has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nairobi in Food Sciences and she really knows her stuff!  Matt and Mbuvi had never been to a tea plant before, so it was a real treat for them.  Susie and I had been here in 2012, but this tour was way better.  Afterwards we loaded up for a visit to our nearby feeding station.

I love Kericho Feeding Station.  I really try not to play favorites, but this place holds some really good memories for me.  I was with the group that made the first visit by mzungu here, when 500 people showed up crowded onto a half-acre.  The excitement of the kids and church members was so strong you could feel it in your soul.  In 2011, I brought my mother and daughter here, and they were so good with both of them.  The older ladies treated my mother like a long lost sister, and Morgan played with the kids endlessly.

This time was no different.  When we arrived the kids were so excited to see us, especially Susie!  They remembered her letting them touch her hair on previous visits, and that the first thing they did this time.  They were jumping and singing and dancing; it was a huge celebration.  I don’t care who you are, when kids are that excited just to see you, you feel special.

The kids were very taken with Matt as well.  They were laughing and jumping on him as well, even as he was filming them.  They wanted to touch his hair and arms, especially.  He ran with them and filmed them chasing him and laughing until I thought he would fall over.  I was really just an observer, this time; the kids are used to me I guess.

Our worker here, Fracis Chepkwony is doing a wonderful job.  The kids looked great and the buildings were clean and well maintained.  He is a WBS follow-up worker as well, and recently GCR bought him a motorbike to aid in his work.  Unfortunately, he fell and injured his knee.  He led me to believe it was a minor thing, and indeed the motorbike was undamaged, but his knee was pretty banged up.  He was on a crutch and cane and moving very slowly.  He’s getting care at the district hospital and I left him with some Advil, but please keep him in your prayers.

A light rain was falling, so our visit was short.  You don’t want to be caught on that road during a rain.  It’s very slippery and treacherous, but with Mbuvi driving, we were fine.  Tonight we are at the Tea Hotel one last time and then tomorrow we will be at Londiani for church.