Below are just a few photos from my trip that have become part of my favorite group. They capture some of the reason why I, and every member of the group of forty three people that I worked with, took the time and made whatever sacrifices necessary to go.
This first shot captures the essence of the purpose for the creation of the guitar dedicated to the orphanage there in Nairobi. It now houses only ten children who have not only been orphaned by the plight of AIDS, but who have also fallen prey to the disease themselves. They were excited to be able to hold and to touch the guitar even though they have no concept of the help that it may be in completing the facility that may house and provide a loving home environment for one hundred others who are in the same seemingly hopeless situation that they are in. The orphanage is aptly named the Tumaini Home For Children since the word Tumaini means Hope.
I explained how you all took part by supplying materials and parts to make it a reality and it was just another testament to how we, as Americans, are willing to do what small things we can to help the Kenyan people and to ease their suffering. When you're there and can see the magnitude of the suffering, the size of such a contribution takes on a reality that can only come with true perspective, but many small efforts like this one can add up and will begin to make a difference that will be felt by thousands.
The staff and children of the orphanage loved the guitar and asked that I forward a heartfelt "Thank You" to all who contributed.
This photo was taken during a stop at a large slum outside of Nairobi. The sewage runs in open ditches on the ground and there is no electricity. The smell from the open sewage drains was almost unbearable and we remembered that it was winter and the temperature was only about 75 degrees. We were told that it is much worse during the summer months when temperatures exceed 110 degrees and the smell draws animals in from the surrounding forest and causes a whole new set of problems for the people living there.
The children seem to have a joy that can only be exhibited by children in such horrible living conditions, but many show that there is something missing with their eyes as they smile. I could have been happy spending most of my time in Africa right here in this small play area outside of the makeshift school of the slums just touching and loving the children. They are funny and fascinated by us and our light skin with hair everywhere. Not alot of affection is shown by parents so a gentle touch was always welcome and quickly returned. They made me realize how much I've been able to do for my children...even in my trade. The whole situation is a sobering thing to experience and could never be communicated with just photos or words.
This little hand found its way into mine within two minutes of our arrival to those slums. The first small group of children we came upon as we entered just brought me to tears and I had a hard time even staying on my feet as I was confronted with their living conditions. I immediately stooped down and touched this little girl's cheek and greeted her with a typical Kenyan greeting of "Jambo" and she peered out from under her little bonnet that she wore and smiled saying, "Karibu" or welcome. She was probably three years old and followed me for the entire two mile walk through the slums as we climbed steep and hills up and down the community with treacherous rocky sections where I carried her so she wouldn't hurt her tiny bare feet.
Here she is in her little bonnet as she stopped with us along our walk through the slums.
Thanks again to all who helped to make the guitar a possibility and for being able to sense the need for it. I hope these and future photos that i post will make you feel some of the satisfaction that I do for taking the time to do it. My part in the project was no more important than the part any of you played as it came about.
My airconditioning in the shop just died today so I'm unable to get out there until I can either get it straightened out or replaced. I'll have a bit more time later to post a few more photos and some commentary on other parts of the trip.
Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars
