Maisha ni Matamu

Karura Forest

2012-01-22T21:00:00.002+02:00

This year started with a trip to Karura Forest, a magical little gem in the suburbs of Nairobi. We learnt lots about the plant and animal life there as well as the brave conservationist, Wangari Mathai, the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

It is thanks to her and other conservationists, that we have this beautiful urban forrest in Nairobi today. Today was definitely a day inspired by nature and the movie Avatar! The kids had so much fun running and swinging around the forrest.

We were joined today, by a Chinese friend from Washington DC, Danqing Zhu:

After a short walk in the forrest, you reach these beautiful waterfalls:

Gitau up on a tree above the waterfalls:

We stopped here for a picnic:

Melody swinging:

Also within the forrest are these big, beautiful caves, where the controversial Kenyan freedom fighters, the Mau Mau used to hide out:

Mungai on a vine swing:

Mungai and Gitau find a way to climb this one way up high:

Mungai swings from one end of the forrest to the other...

Eric swings from one end of the path to the other...

This isn't a great picture, but the kids in the valley below are surrounded by butterflies, that made them so happy!

Our big gang for the day - thank you Danqing for joining us, we had such a fun day and learnt so much from you about China and USA!

Christmas in Karura

2011-12-26T21:00:00.005+02:00

This Christmas, I was invited to grandma's house. Cucu (Kikuyu for "grandmother" and pronounced sho-sho) is a woman in her 60's. She has raised 5 amazing children and has over 20 grandchildren who she loves and watches over like a hawk:

Our international real estate celebrity, Ken Marine joined us for some Christmas cheer. Here he is with Joy and Maureen:

I guess they didn't teach arm extension, aim and shoot camera skills at real-estate school!

Little Maina:

Maureen and Joy getting silly:

Joy (and Maureen) the divas make Karanja giggle!

I love these girls like cray-zee! Melody, Joy and Maureen:

Melody jumping in on a photo-op

Sing-song time!

Cake time - thanks to the beautiful angel Ashini Patel for helping with the baking and icing!

Ken and Cucu:

And just before we left, we found this little chic paradise up above the cow shed!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, world! And remember, it's easy to teach fire prevention under water.

It's Always Sunny in Nairobi - Splash!

2011-12-11T21:00:00.007+02:00

We were going to spend our Jamhuri (independence) Day weekend commemorating our nation and woking on some good patriotic songs, but decided instead it was too beautiful and sunny a day to spend away from a nice cold pool!

So after a last minute call Mr. Kuldeep Awesome Nayer, 15 of us made our way to Splash!, the water slides next door to Carnivore on Langata Road.

Thank you so much Mr. Kuldeep, you are always so generous to us - rock on!

Little Joy on our way there:

Sydney, Naomi and Wangari on their way up to the big slide:

And here they come, led by Wangari:

Mungai after his big landing:

Boro pointing something out to Melody:

Maureen, Joy, Sydney and Melody:

Alice and Joy:

The girls:

Maureen, Mungai and Joy soaking up the sun:

Sylvester, Karanja and Eric:

Melody being photo bombed!

The boys playing ball:

Mungai, Eric, Boro, Gitau, Karanja and Sylvester all being camera shy:

The impossible group shots:

Chips, chicken and Soda at Caprice Frys (previously Mac Frys) in Westlands to end the beautiful day:

Happy Jamhuri Day, Kenyans!

Monster Paintings!

2011-10-16T21:00:00.000+02:00

This month, we celebrated Halloween early by painting monsters.

First drafts:

Some of the monsters on canvas:

More pictures to come...

A big thank you to the beautiful, kind, creative, fun and inspiring Aleya for hosting us. We were a big group this week - she crammed 18 little monsters into her tiny living room. All that drawing, colouring and painting were followed by chicken, chips and sodas. But of course!

Off to the smurfin' movies!

2011-09-04T21:00:00.002+03:00

This month, the little troopers were treated to a movie night at Westgate NuMedia Theaters. We watched The Smurfs - a heartwarming tale of the adventures of a mythical race of little blue creatures in medieval times that must deal with each other and humans, particularly an evil wizard obsessed with capturing them for his own sinister purposes. The official trailer can be seen here.

We weren't allowed to take pictures, but I managed to sneak one in:

Thank you to the NuMedia Group for extending us a discount on ticket prices.

Kinanda, Colouring & Hailstorms

2011-06-28T12:05:00.004+03:00

This month's outing was a bit of a disaster. We went to the Kinanda Arts Festival, a monthly extravaganza of music, poetry, visual art, creative writing, spoken word, film and street art. This is usually held on the last Sunday Afternoon, every month. Within minutes of getting there, settling into a nice grassy spot and enjoying the first musical performance, the heavens opened up and it began to pour! Everyone gathered under the few tents that were out and huddled together for about an hour or two. When the rain eased up a little bit, we made a dash for the van and headed home.

The kids were really looking forward to Jason Sibi-Okumu's performance. They were equally thrilled, however with tiny ice cubes falling from the sky!

While we waited, we managed to do a bit of colouring. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to take many pictures:

Mungai, Naomi and Joy:

Gitau:

Karanja (best viewed with your head tilted to the right):

Alice helping Melody:

Sylvester and Gitau:

A big thank you to Ken Miller of Oracle University, Ireland for the colouring books and supplies. The children do not have art classes at school, so whenever they get a chance to unleash their artistic brilliance, it is a real treat for them.

Daphne Shelrick Elephant Sanctuary

2011-05-08T21:00:00.003+03:00

This week, our large group of 15 finally managed to leave Nairobi in time to visit the baby elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (you have to be there before 11am!). The trust is dedicated to the protection and preservations of Africa's wilderness and it's denizens, particularly endangered species such as elephants and Black Rhino.

All the elephant orphans raised by the Trust are gradually rehabilitated back into the wild elephant community of Tsavo National Park when grown, a transition that is made at their own pace and in their own time, but usually taking approximately eight to ten years. A number of our ex Nursery orphans have now had wild born young which they have brought back to show their erstwhile human family, and others are now pregnant and living free, yet keeping in touch with those who are still Keeper dependent. Amongst these are many orphaned too young to have any recollection of their elephant mother or family.

Waiting for the baby elephants to come:

When the baby elephants trot in, they go straight for the milk - bear in mind that the composition of the fat content of elephants’ milk is very different from that of cows’ milk, added to which evidence suggests the actual protein and fat composition of elephants’ milk varies during different stages of lactation (usually up to 2 ears) to cater for the growing needs of a baby:

Karanja and Gitau were really keen to pet the elephants:

After feeding, the baby elephants like to play in the mud (it protects their skin from the sun, but also looks like incredible fun!)

Some elephants choose to poop right there in front of everyone too:

Whaaaat? You would have taken a picture too, if you had seen it!

Sylvester and Karanja look on as the elephants play in the mud:

This baby elephant loved Gitau and would not leave his side!

On our way out, we saw Maxwell, the blind but gentle rhino:

A big thank you to Tal at the David Sheldrick Trust for sorting us out :-)

Quattro Charge

2011-03-28T16:09:00.007+02:00

This week, the folks over at Rob's Magic were kind enough to sponsor us free tickets to theQuattro Charge.

With the passion for off-road 4X4 challenge gaining popularity in Kenya, Rob Collinge incepted the Quattro Charge in 2001 to raise funds for Rhino Ark's Aberdare Fencing Project (seewww.rhinoark.org for more info). Organized by Rob's Magic, the event is usually held at various challenging 4x4 locations on the outskirts of Nairobi.

The Quattro Charge is an exciting, highly challenging off road competition in which competitors are required to navigate an obstacle course comprising a mix of wet and dry river beds, swamps, large deep dams, sheer climbs and oversized boulders. Competitors must demonstrate that rare combination of skill, courage and finesse and sometimes outright lunacy to overcome the challenging course. The close proximity of the event venue to Nairobi makes it a highly accessible to spectators, sponsors and competitors alike, and the event organizers have endeavored to make the Quattro Charge a great outing with excellent catering and full bar facilities, children's bouncing castle, face painting etc.

The Quattro Charge also provides a great teaser for the more extreme annual Rhino Charge event www.rhinocharge.co.ke The Quattro Charge has raised since its conception in 2001 over 15 Million Kenyan Shillings.

And I'm sorry, I had a serious case of "fingers all over the lens!"

Joy, Naomi, Maureen, Simon and Joyce look ok while sipping on a drink and snacking:

Maureen with my finger:

Karanja and Martin (there's that finger again!):

Looking on at the action from a rock away from the bog crowds:

This car was stuck in the mud for AGES, we had to leave, but hope Caroline made it out ok...

Here we all are with Zebunissa of Rob's Magic:

Melody and Mungai cooling off before we headed home with some Ribena:

On our way home...

A big thank you for the generous folks at Rob's Magic. Especially Zebunissa and Jeremiah!

Next month, we'll try our best to stay away from cars and do something artistic instead.

KCB Safari Rally

2011-03-20T21:00:00.004+02:00

This Sunday, we went to the KCB Safari Rally in Athi River again, as the kids had so much fun the last time. The Safari Rally is considered by many to be the world's toughest rally. It first took place from May 27th to June 1st 1953 as the East African Coronation Safari and ran across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11. In 1960 it was renamed the East African Safari Rally and kept that name until 1974, when it became the Safari Rally.

These Petrol-head kids just couldn't get enough of the loud mufflers, the mud and the spirit of rally!

Mungai gets a good view from the top - on the shoulders of a big brother:

We had a really good view:

Mother and daughter - Alice and Melody:

Gitau and Sylvester

Joy of my life!

Joyce, Melody and Joy get some shade:

We are all geared up for next week's QUATRO CHARGE!!!!

Mamba Village and Ethiopian Food

2011-02-27T21:00:00.000+02:00

Mamba Village in Langata, Nairobi has EVERYTHING to keep kids amused for hours on end!

Boating (unfortunately, our boatman cheated us out of 10 minutes, but we believe in smiles and karma!)

Crocodiles

Yes, this is Karanja holding a baby croc - he was feeling very brave today!

Melody was happy to look on from a safe distance:

Fascinating creatures

Ostriches

A 55-year old, 15kg tortoise that Mungai just couldn't get enough of:

Reticulated giraffes:

Camels:

Fake rhino for Kennedy and Sylvester to goof around with:

After Mamba Village, we went for Ethiopian food - it was a little spicy, but something new and exciting for the kids :)

India - Zindagi Badi Meethi hai!

2011-01-09T21:00:00.002+02:00

The year started in India for Maisha ni Matamu (or "Zindagi Badi Meethi hai" in Hindi!)

Boys playing cricket were awarded trophies, balls, bat and wicket set for staying off the streets and out of trouble:

Girls at a magical little school in Ulhasnagar were taught life lessons through origami and kendama - perhaps the only 2 things in the word that I know how to do and teach well!

I was even treated to a special impromptu dance performance:

Saw this little fella on my way out!

And finally:

Big thank you to my family and Nilu Didi in particular - you are the most inspiring beam of love and fierceness I know!

SAMOSA Kids - Mombasa

2010-11-13T21:00:00.000+02:00

November took SAMOSA Kids to Mombasa - a phenomenal event hosted by Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa (AKAM). AKAM is one of the 16 global centres of excellence and is a stunning school where the children clearly embraced all forms of education.

The Rangoli workshop was led by Suraj Shah who is an inspiringly beautiful person.

Just have a look at what he inspired the kids to do:

The yoga workshop was led by yours truly.

I tried to channel the graceful Fazilah Bazari all day!

Music and dance workshops were led by the energetic and enigmatic SAMOSA Band and Sarakasi Dancers:

A big thank you to George Killein and the management, staff and faculty of AKAM for hosting us; the workshop leaders as always; and a special thank you to Karim Kara of Megapixels Productions for the great pictures!

Lunar Park

2010-10-03T21:00:00.003+02:00

Because we were a little late for the Storymoja Hay Festival, we ended up next door, at Lunar Park, the amusement park.

Mungai - king of the bouncing castle

...but Naomi and Melody soon brought his kingdom down

I love it when Alice gets the chance to stop worrying about the kids and have some fun herself:

Sydney:

Gitau and Karanja whizz past...

Sydney, Naomi, Melody and Mungai:

Joy and Alice:

PS: If ever you're in the market for a jamping caso or a tlamoline (thanks Rivs!)...

SAMOSA Kids

2010-09-26T18:24:00.002+02:00

The SAMOSA Festival 2010 event was held at Brookhouse School, Karen on 21st and 22nd November. Children from Mogra Star Academy, Mathare and from the Albinism Foundation of East Africa gathered to learn various cultural activities.

Yoga Toto's led by Fazilah Bazari:

Rangoli led by Usha Shah:

Fusion Dance led by Tribhangi:

Kendama led by Mr. Imada:

Kids Festival - Carnivore

2010-08-29T21:00:00.004+03:00

August ended with the Kids Festival at the Carnivore grounds in Langata. There was SO much to do there, the kids were almost overwhelmed!

Other than the kooky characters...

There were a lot of educational activities for the kids.

There was also a great band
Standing for the National Anthem

Alice:

Maureen:
Mungai didn't give up with this wall...

He made it to the top on his 6th attempt!

A big thank you to Azham who came along with us and bought chips and soda after the festival:

Nairobi Railway Museum

2010-07-11T21:00:00.001+03:00

This month, Mr. Partho Chakrabarti sponsored a trip with lunch to the Nairobi Railway Museum. The kids just couldn't get enough of this beautiful little museum hidden in Nairobi's CBD.

There was a significan portion of the museum dedicated to Ships for some reason...

Mungai and Melody spin away

Gitau:

Queens!

This very unusual bench was fitted to the locomotive footplate above the cowcatcher to allow distinguished travelers on the lunatic line an unsurpassed view of East Africa's scenery and wildlife. Among such visitors were the former American President Theodore Roosevelt, the Prince of Wales, Melody, Joy, Sydney and Mungai!

Levi:

The kids were a little more interested in these ancient typewriters than anything else in the museum!

Kennedy has a go:

One of them typed this message:

Was it little Mungai? Probably not...he wasn't strong enough to hammer out his own name, let alone a whole sentence - look at his tiny little fingers!

Ha!

Edwin spoke to the kids about the history of railway - how local chiefs in Tsavo had long ago prophesized that a great iron snake would invade their land; and how Colonel James Patterson, an Engineer working on the Tsavo bridge killed the infamous man eaters of Tsavo.

Levi pops his head out of one of the old trains they have in the yard:

Melody helps joy down:

Sidney sees how many passengers he can "beba!

Mungai the little monkey:

Don't worry, the trains weren't moving!

This is coach from which Superintendent Charles Ryall was killed by a man eating lion in 1900. Now it is being hopped around on by Mungai and Sylvester:

After the museum, we ate some pizzaaaaaa :-)

On the way home, we sang (screamed at the TOP of their lungs) along to Shakira's "This Time for Africa" for the millionth time:

That was a suberb Sunday! Thanks again to Mr. Partho for your kindness :-)

Splash!

2010-06-19T21:00:00.007+03:00

This month, we went back to Splash hoping for one more warm weekend before the Nairobi winter kicks in. It started a little cloudy, but turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day!

Thanks again, to Mr. Kuldeep Nayer and all the staff at SPLASH! for opening their hearts so warmly to us yet again.

Thanks also to the FRYING SQUAD Rhino Charge team for donating a disposable underwater camera which the kids almost figured out how to use (pictures coming soon)

Little Joy all wrapped up like a little Russian doll:

After the swim, we had a little picnic lunch in a field just outside Wilson Airport, watching the planes land and take off:

It never ceases to amaze me just how much these kids love airplanes - they could have sat here ALL day!

The ride home...

Alice in Wonderland

2010-05-19T17:43:00.006+03:00

Alice is one of the most amazing women I know. She is a widowed mother of 5. Somehow between the few odd jobs she does, she manages to always:

Send all her children to private schools and encourage them to excel
Set an example for her children to be beautiful human beings
Put food on the table for all 5 of the kids (who all have huge appetites, I might add!)
Welcome anyone who passes by her small house in Gachie for tea
Have a smile on her face that can turn the worst of your days around in a flash
Keep the children in check on our Sunday outings when I have given up

So, maybe Alice came to Earth from Wonderland? Wherever this angel came from, we are blessed to have her in our lives.

Thank you Maureen and all the staff of Fox Theatres for hooking us up with a great deal and a fun day at the Capital Center Cinema!

Blogcrastination

2010-04-19T15:15:00.000+03:00

Since the breakdown, we've been facing some problems getting the kids around, but have still been out and about. Apologies for my blogcrastinating!

In April, we visited the Nairobi National Park Animal Orphanage:

The Breakdown

2009-03-17T13:30:00.003+02:00

After a long break, Maisha ni Matamu got together again this week for a special art trip. Unfortunately, our beloved van broke down on the road.

All the kids were very helpful and co-operative in getting us safely off the road and towed back home.

While we waited for Bernard to tow us, the kids all got a pack of colour pencils, a rubber, a sharpener and a ruler - courtesy of "The Chets and Sona Art Fund"

Hopefully, we'll be back next week!

URGENT CALL FOR ACTION

2009-02-19T10:42:00.003+02:00

A very good friend of mine, Philo Okonya was arrested yesterday outside parliament. Last Sunday, Philo spent the afternoon with is reading in Uhuru Park from her latest book, "The Kenyan Boy Who Became President of America.". She mentors Kenyan girls raped in the post-election violence, protests government corruption, wields her pen with fierce, lyrical intelligence in the global media. Philo organizes, campaigns, writes, sings, publishes and raises her son single-handedly. Yesterday, along with other activists, she stood outside Kenya's Parliament, holding a 2-kilogram bag of maize flour in silent protest at the government corruption that has led to mass hunger in Kenya. She and two other activists, Chrispus Fwamba and Patrick Kamotho, were grabbed and manhandled by the police, and are now being held, without charges, in Nairobi police stations.

An email from the PEN Kenya treasurer, Khainga Ookwemba, says:
Philo has been physically brutalized by a police officer, who pulled her chest as she demanded the police give her a phone, which had been taken away. Lawyers Elisha Ongoya and Anne Njogu are demanding her release so that she can receive medical treatment. By the time of writing this note, they had denied her bond and release.

A press release from the Mars Kenya Group says:
Philo Ikonya's clothes were ripped off and the police have refused her access to clothing. Please ACT TODAY, to have Philo Ikonya, and the others arrested with her, released. Take the steps below. Post this call to your networks, websites, listserves.

1. Send a text message TODAY, to Kenya's President and Prime Minister. Use the one below, or craft your own.
To President Mwai Kibaki (via his spokesperson, Alfred Mutua):
Cellphone number + 254 721 240 443
To Prime Minister Raila Odinga
Cellphone + 254 733 620 736
Attorney General:
Amos Wako + 254 722 772 453

Mr. Kibaki / Mr. Odinga - we hold u accountable 4 police violence and illegal arrests of Philo Ikonya n other civil society activists. Release them NOW and fire Police Commissioner Ali!

2. Send an email
To President Mwai Kibaki president@statehousekenya.go.ke
To Prime Minister Raila Odinga railaodinga@yahoo.com

Suggested Message:
Mr Kibaki / Mr. Odinga, I urge you to act immediately to release Philo Ikonya, Fwamba Chrispus, and Patrick Kamotho from illegal police custody. Police Commissioner Ali must be fired for presiding over escalating police violations of civil and human rights in Kenya.
Signed: Name, Organization / Affiliation (if any), City, Country

3) If you are a Kenyan repeat steps 1) and 2) with your own MP and other parliamentarians. Contact details for Kenyan MPs here or here

4) If you live outside Kenya, repeat steps 1) and 2), directing the texts and emails to the Kenyan Ambassador or High Commissioner in your country.

5) If you are a foreign national living in Kenya, repeat steps 1) and 2) with the Ambassador or High Commissioner of your country in Kenya.

6) Copy to the Feedback Form on the site of the Kenyan Police Force: http://www.kenyapolice.go.ke/contactus.asp

7) Copy Kofi Annan, in his capacity as the head of the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation Process, through his spokesman: Nasser.Ega-Musa@unon.org

And they asked him:
Why do you sing?
And he answered, as they seized him:
I sing because I sing

And they searched his chest
But could only find his heart
And they searched his heart
But could only find his people
And they searched his voice
But could only find his grief
And they searched his grief
But could only find his prison
And they searched his prison
But could only see themselves in chains

From Poem Of The Land, by Mahmoud Darwish

The Jungle Playground

2009-02-15T21:00:00.001+02:00

After a failed and somewhat disturbing attempt to visit this interesting art project in Kibera, we decided to go instead to the Jungle Gym Playground on Limuru Road.

Maisha ni Matamu has to take a break for a couple of weeks, but we'll be back on March 15th. And we will see the art project in Kibera!

Levi ponders the futility of it all:

There's nothing these kids love more than chips and soda.

Levi and Karanja take a break before busting out the ice cream:

Sylvester and Kennedy took home all the "silliest beans" awards:

Mungai and Gitau:

Gitau sandwiched between the Karanja's:

Uhuru Park Book Reading

2009-02-08T21:00:00.001+02:00

Uhuru Park was buzzing when we got there. There were preachers, musicians, families, horses, boats and an endless supply of vendors trying to entice the kids into buying balloons and toys.

We were so lucky to have Philo Ikonya with us. She is the author of the children's book "The Boy Who Became President of America."

Before she arrived, we begun our picnic with ham sandwiches, crisps and juice:

Maisha ni Matamu purchased a copy of Philo's book for each of the children:

Although all the children knew of Barack Obama, they were inspired and amazed by the stories about him and his family.

Philo and her protege, Rene (left) began reading:

All the children had a turn:

After the reading, they all had their books signed by the author:

A big thank you to Philo and Rene for their time and kind words.

Ramoma - Museum of Modern Art and Arboretum

2009-01-18T21:00:00.000+02:00

This week, we visited the beautiful Modern Art Gallery - RaMoMA on 2nd Parklands.

A beautiful and creative Christmas tree made out of recycled bottles:

Mungai and Melody:

After the amazing dose of artistic inspiration, we went to the Nairobi Arboretum for a picnic and some football.

Thanks to the beautiful Susan Njuhi for coming along with us!

Village Market - Dreamzone

2009-01-11T21:00:00.001+02:00

We started the year by hanging out at the Village Market Dreamzone play area near the upstairs parking. Afterwards, we ate at Steers.

Naomi:

Melody:

Sydney:

Gitau

Joy:

Christmas Cards Art Day - City Park

2008-12-23T17:00:00.007+02:00

After running into some trouble with the Narobi City Council for the Partnership for Change T-Shirts we were wearing, we finally managed to make some beautiful Christmas cards at the City Park in Nairobi - Thanks to the random act of kindness from Elias and his lovely wife.

After the creative afternoon in the sun, we headed out for a picnic at Aga Khan Junior Academy. Thanks again to Jyoti for sponsoring the afternoon.

The little revolutionaries of Maisha ni Matamu:

If these children can understand our constitution, our leaders should be able to too!

Join us in the fight for:

Implementation of the Waki Report - End to Impunity

No Taxes for MP's, No Taxes for Ordinary Kenyans

Reduced taxes on: Food, Electricity and Kerosene

Read up on what your leaders are doing with your taxes.

Every rose has a thorn - Naivasha

2008-12-14T21:00:00.001+02:00

This week, the wonderful Mahmud Abdulla of Lake Flowers in Naivasha treated us to a tour of his greenhouses. The gorgeous roses they grow at Lake Flowers are sent all over the world.

Our tourguide Yobes gathers the troops and sets some stern ground rules before we begin:

We see how roses are cut:

And grafted:

Yobes tells us lots of interesting things about the right temperature, humidity levels and even the reasons why every rose has a thorn.

Cheeky little Joy on Alice's back:

We see 5 of the greenhouses

On our way out, we see these 3 workers carrying the cut roses to the grading room:

In the grading room, flowers are categorized by height and packed in bunches of 20:

Then put into the cooler:

We leave with this beautiful bouquet of roses:

Thank you Mahmud, Yobes and everyone at Lake Flowers for this funucational Sunday.

And a special thank you to Bernard Muinde for driving the kids to Naivasha. We hope you and your kids enjoyed hanging out with us for the day!

Blankets and Wine (Juice) Concert

2008-12-07T21:00:00.001+02:00

This week, we went to the second Blankets & Wine© music festival at Tayiana Stables, near the Windsor Golf & Country Club. Blankets & Wine© is a picnic style Afro based music festival designed to showcase outstanding musicians creating the emerging genres of Afro fusion music.

Maureen and Mungai:

Ham sandwiches and juice, not wine!

Naomi, Melody and Yvonne:

Karanja and Levin:

Muthoni (right) is one of the most talented singers, songwriters, poet and performer to hit the East African music scene. Using a blend of rhythms, Muthoni's music is a collection of conscious messages informed by the urban African experience. Her running commentary on Afro- politics, Love, Relationships and New Spirituality, delivered in song and a type of spoken poetry called "Floems" is entertaining and awakening.

Other performers included Valerie Kimani: the stunning, fresh new face of world music, her debut album 'Baisikeli' reflects her jazzy influences while its maturity is reminiscent of Cesaria Evora with a youthful energy; and Hellon: East Africa's premier Jazz recording saxophonist.

Thank you to Shane Solanki for sponsoring Kshs 3,000/- for festival entrance costs and also to the angellic Muthoni Ndonga for comping the rest.

Football and Trampoline

2008-11-30T21:00:00.004+02:00

This week, the ever lovely Ashini Patel had us over for some football, trampolining, sandwiches and lemonade.

Ken and Sylvester:

Mungai:

Ochieng:

Eric:

This week's relatively small group with our wonderful hosts Ashini and Rohan:

Village Market Water Slides

2008-11-23T21:00:00.004+02:00

Thanks again to John Muranda and everyone else at Village Market for making this fun afternoon possible

Maureen and Joy:

Naomi, Sydney, Melody and Eric:

James and Joy:

After our swim, we went to the Nairobi National Museum to watch Sober Sunday Movies, part of the SAMOSA Festival.

James with Joy and Maureen:

We hung out with the very cool and very funny Shane Solanki, the star of the SAMOSA Festival. The kids love this man, he is one in a million. And we will miss him. A lot.

These group shots are so hilarious, I had to post them all. Check out Mungai, the lil thug:

Crafting fusion with children

2008-11-21T21:00:00.006+02:00

Maisha ni Matamu organized SAMOSA Festival Children's Activities which were hosted by Braeburn School. The workshops included: Classical Indian Dance, Drama/spoken word, African arts and crafts, yoga, rangoli and Bollywood dancing. In line with the festival's celebration of cultural fusions, the activities are not only celebrations of culture in themselves, but aim to bring together children from very different cultural, social, racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds that we have in Kenya. Children from the Braeburn School learnt, played and befriended children from: Gachie Primary School, Kamuiru Primary School, Red Apple Junior Academy, Rise and Shine Academy, Elim House of Grace Kawangware and some children from the Albinism Foundation of East Africa. Most of the kids from these schools had never been exposed to dance, poetry, art or yoga classes before in their lives.

These are the workshops the children worked on:

Monday 17^th November:

Classical Indian Dance began as a spiritual expression of praise to the lords. The dance is not just about doing a little jig - it is a training and discipline in respect, grace and generally being attractive. It's not just for girls! There are lots of types of Classical Indian Dance. The workshop leader, Harsha Shah specializes in Odissi (pronounced Orissi.) She has been dancing since she started walking and begun formal training at the age of 13. She is one of the best teachers in Indian Classical Dance in Kenya. We were very lucky to have her with us. If you want to get in touch with her, she can be reached via email on avinashshah[AT]nbi[DOT]ispkenya[DOT]com

Theatric drama workshop: Yusra Warsama led the kids in a spoken word and drama workshop backed up by the musical talents of Tony Juma on the drums and Joseph Canton on the guitar. Yusra is a spoken word artist from the UK who stunned the standing-room-only crowd at the Festival launch the night which she both co-wrote and starred in. Seeing Yusra interact with the children made my eyes water. They were all so captivated by her energy and charisma. At the end of a series of fun and physical drama exercises, she guided them through a writing exercise.

Tuesday 18^th November:

African Arts and Crafts: Kenyan born international fashion designer John Kaveke led this crafty workshop. John has been drawing since he was in nursery and once his work was featured on a children's show on local TV station, he knew that he had a real talent. His interest in fashion started when he was in high school. He went to Spain to study fashion design, and the rest is history! He has had his own beautiful clothing line since 1997 and has done fasion shows as far as Bosnia. He can make custom made to measure clothes on order (call him on 0723 376 665) or you can see his clothe range at the Kiro Shop in Yaya Center. For more information about John, visit his website: www.kaveke.com

Yoga Totos: Fazilah Bazari led this fun, creative and vocal class. She has been practicing yoga for 12 years and teaching for 8. She teaches Yoga, Yoga Nidra (a deep relaxation technique), Yoga Therapy and Meditation to children, adults, pre and post-natal women and children with special needs. She helped the children use their imagination with posture. And also taught them learn how to breathe and relax correctly. Yoga is beneficial to balance, co-ordination, emotions and overall well-being. If you would like to know more about Yoga, Fazilah, or the classes she teaches, send her an email at fbazari[AT]hotmail[DOT]com

Wednesday 19^th November 2008

Bollywood Dancing: Bollywood is the Mumbai based Hindi film industry and it is the largest film industry in the world. That's right, Bollywood makes more movies than Hollywood every year! The dancing in Bollywood films in modern films often blend Indian and Western dance styles. The workshop leader was Deip from the UK who started dancing professionally 3 years ago after getting spotted by a Bollywood music group in nightclub. Other than dancing part-time, Deip also exports lorries! You can read more about his dance troupe on their upcoming website: www.fusedancers.co.uk

Rangoli is the Indian art form of sandpainting that uses finely ground coloured powders. The term rangoli is derived from words rang (colour) and aavalli ("coloured creepers" or "row of colours"). Like Hindu and Buddhist Mandalas, the reason for using powder, grains or sand as a medium for creating Rangoli (and its resulting fragility) is thought to be a metaphor for the impermanence of life and maya. The workshop leader was the lovely Mrs. Usha Shah. There is not enough to be said about the achievements of this amazing, kind, compassionate and culturally dynamic lady. But someone once said of her: "In this world, there are people who don't care at all about others, there are philanthropists, and then there are angels like Usha Shah."

Friday 21^st November 2008
We wrapped up the week's activities with an afternoon of performances and demonstrations.

Harsha Shah and her student Suki Mwendwa performed a beautiful Odissi dance:Fazillah Bazari and her group of kids show what they learnt:Past winner of Miss India-Kenya, Dr. Amritpal Kalsi inspires the children with a short talk:Shane Solanki purchased copies of "The Boy Who Became President of America" by our very own Kenyan author: Philo Ikonya for all the children from the schools in Gachie.

You can read about the Festival in this East African Newspaper article.

The event was a huge success and we would like to thank the following for all their time and hard work:

Braeburn School: Joanna Garner, Charlotte Hilton and James the bus driver in particular. The parents, teachers, faculty, staff and students were all very welcoming to their new friends from the visiting schools.

Teachers and Supervisors at Gachie Primary School, Kamuiru Primary School, Red Apple Junior Academy, Rise and Shine Academy, Elim House of Grace Kawangware and The Albinism Foundation of East Africa.

Workshop leaders: Harsha Shah, Yusra, John Kaveke, Fazilah Bazari, Deip and Usha Shah

Zahir Daya of Portrapix and his team of cameramen and photographers: Eric Gitonga and Simon Mbugua

Organizers of the SAMOSA Festival - Dipesh Pabari for his support and mentorship

All the children whose enthusiasm and good nature made such a memorable week for all involved!

Nyumba ya Wazee

2008-11-09T21:00:00.002+02:00

This week we visited the "Little Sister's of the Poor - Nyumba ya Wazee." This is a home for the elderly located off Thika Road opposite Kasarani/Moi International Stadium. Mother Helen (an Irish missionary) and all the sisters at the home have devoted their lives to giving about 100 elderly people peace, comfort and happiness in their dotage.

We took a rose for all the old folks. We also gave them a day full of joy, smiles and excitement.

Little Joy:

Melody and Naomi getting some help on their puzzle:

Karanja didn't get any help, but I think she enjoyed just having him there while she drank her tea:

Maureen, Gitau, Karanja and Eric had a little difficulty with this puzzle:

But everyone chipped in to finish it:

We did a little sing-song for them:

This old lady still had all the moves:

Not everyone was as energetic.
All the excitement was obviously too much for this old man:

Cartoons, Dinner and Balloons

2008-11-02T21:00:00.000+02:00

We had a small group today, so had a fairly quiet evening. The kids came over to my house and we watched cartoons for a while before going to the Village Market for dinner.

They love swinging and hanging out with my dad:

This is my lovely mum, resting her feet after a long hard day:We had dinner at the Village Market. Prime Cuts does an amazing Mongolian barbecue over the weekends:

This lovely gentleman, Abbas, is at the Village Market all the time giving away balloons to children and those who are young at heart:
He is a really sweet and kind person who wants nothing in return except to bring happiness and joy to the children around him.

Art Day and Church Concert

2008-10-26T21:00:00.001+02:00

For Halloween, we worked on some crafty masks. We then went to the Parklands Baptist Church for a concert hosted by the United Church of Gujarat. The kids had a long, but enjoyable day.

It was dark by the time we had all finished making our masks:

Eric and Melody:

Eric, Karanja and Ken:

The church had put up some beautiful, big tents outside where the concert was held. My friend Paul Murage told me about this concert, and I knew the children would have a great time.

Levi dancing to the Gujarati gospels:

Alice and Joy:

The train:

Nairobi National Park

2008-10-19T21:00:00.001+02:00

This week, we went to the Nairobi National Park. We have visited the animal orphanage before, but never took a a drive inside the Park itself. Despite the rain, the children had a great time spotting and naming all the animals we saw.

As soon as you drive into the park, you are greeted by these obnoxious baboons:

Chomping on Acacia:

There are two female ostriches here if you look carefully:

Gitau, Karanja and sleepy Mungai:

I swear there's a herd a buffalo in this picture:

And a giraffe in this one...

The kids were very quiet as we saw a pride of 6 lionesses walk right by us to surround a herd of zebra.

Then it began to rain and the herd of zebras caught on that the throng of 4-Wheel Drives that had gathered weren't hanging around to see them eat grass!

Mungai, king of the shot-gun crying fits:

Heading back home after a long day in the rain:

Bomas of Kenya

2008-10-05T21:00:00.004+02:00

This week, we visited the Bomas of Kenya for an amazing dance show that is put on everyday.

These cultural fetes are intended to yield cultural ambassadors from virtually all the 42 tribes in the country who promote Kenya’s vast culture and showcase a rich array of artistic talent.

The acrobats were by far the most popular with the kids:

Gitau, Levi, Mungai and Karanja:

After the show, the children put on a show of their own!

Ham sandwiches, crisps and juice before we headed home:

Thanks to Mr Berry of Mzuri Sweets for donating these delicious Mr Berry Whistle lollipops. He sent us so many, that we have more than enough to last us another year or two!

Splash Water Slides

2008-09-28T21:00:00.004+03:00

Thanks again to Mr. Kuldeep Nayer of Splash Water Slides (near the Carnivore restaurant) for this amazing treat on a hot Sunday!

Melody's horrible teacher shaved all her hair off at school for not having it braided. She's still gorgeous:

Poor Joy is always so afraid of the water at first:

Karanja and Fredrick:

Melody and Naomi:

Ken, Mungai and Elington:

Sydney and Naomi:

Naomi and Joy

Naomi, Alice, Joy, Melody and me:

On our way home, we stopped at the Wilson Airport to watch some small planes landing and taking off. The kids love watching planes, but had never been this close before. I promised to take them up in the sky one day.

Some pilots who had just landed were kind enough to humour the kids by posing for a picture with them. As you can see, the kids were over the moon:

Art Day

2008-09-21T21:00:00.002+03:00

Chets and Sona's Art Fund has given the kids the chance to make art and crafts every month. This week, we worked on the beautiful grounds of Hillcrest Secondary School - thanks again to Chris Drew!

Mike and Mungai:

Those pesky group shots...

Mungai leads the pack through the Hillcrest hallways back to the van:

Bowling at the Village Market

2008-09-14T21:00:00.002+03:00

Thank to Dixon Karani, a business associate and very good friend of mine for sponsoring this fun day at the Village Market Bowling Alley. Today, there were 20 of us in all and we all had a terrific time!

Sorry for the poor picture quality - poor lighting and moving objects are too much for my little camera phone to handle. I'm looking into buying a good camera soon.

That red and white blur is Gitau moving at the speed of light:

Karanja getting ready:

Sylvester is big on dramatic finishing:

Delmond:

Mungai stopped using the baby tracks after a few turns:

The ever elusive group shots:

Rift Valley

2008-09-07T21:00:00.000+03:00

This week, we went to the Rift Valley to see the view and have a picnic. On the way, we stopped to see and play some football.

Sydney and Melody being as silly as ever:

Naomi couldn't resist but to join the fun!

The boys playing with their makeshift football. We forgot ours at home.

Karanja watches as Fred and "Bongey" go at it:

This was the professional team warming up before their game:

There was another game on too:

The girls:

Alice and baby joy:

The hat just isn't glamorous enough!

Kenyatta National Hospital

2008-08-31T21:00:00.001+03:00

This week, the children wanted to visit the Childrens' wards at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Other than lifting the spirits of the sick children, they distributed almost 200 packets of milk and cereal.

Here they are rushing the supplies around on a stretcher:

We started out in the Cancer Ward:

Levi, Karanja and Gitau getting to know their new friends:

Joy and Maureen with Trevor:

Alice speaking to a young boy who was recently amputated:

Singing and dancing with these kids was so much fun, but they were hard to keep up with!

At this point, my phone/camera battery died and they didn't let us take pictures in the other wards anyway.

Thika Falls and Bread Factory

2008-08-17T21:00:00.004+03:00

We started out at the animal orphanage at Blue Posts Hotel, Thika

Karanja & Mungai:

Melody:

The Porcupine family:

The little monkey who tried for ages to get into our picnic basket:

The boys:

The girls (and Mungai)

Group shots are impossible with this lot!

I think you can just about see Thika falls in the background:

Chania falls:

Dancing in front of the live band:

Thanks to Niraj for organizing a tour of the Kenblest Bread Factory in Thika

Art Day

2008-08-10T21:00:00.002+03:00

This week, Chets and Sona started the Maisha ni Matamu Art Fund which will allow the children to practice art every month.

Art has been shown to instill foundation skills for reasoning, making decisions, thinking creatively, solving problems and visualizing. Art can also help children increase their attention spans, and levels of commitment and tolerance.

Most of the children don't have the opportunity to do any art at their schools.

Former U.S. attorney general Janet Reno said, "Young people who are involved in making something beautiful today are less likely to turn to acts of violence and destruction tomorrow."

The world today doesn't make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do? ~Pablo Picasso

For young people at risk of delinquency, school failure, substance abuse, teen pregnancy and other problems, involvement in the arts can improve academic performance, reduce school truancy, provide positive outlets and build new skills that give them a chance at a better life.

As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life. ~John Lubbock

Art programs targeted toward very young children help prevent negative choices later on.

Arts learning experiences can alter the attitudes young people have about themselves and toward learning.

What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit.
~John Updike

Sarit Center - Arcade

2008-07-27T21:00:00.001+03:00

Thanks to Jyoti Mukherjee for contributing to this fun Sunday at the Arcade!
Sorry the pictures tend to be blurry in poor lighting.

Paradise Lost

2008-07-20T21:00:00.001+03:00

Thanks to Tobias Mugiira of Paradise Lost for subsidizing the entrance costs and offering complementary boat, horse and camel rides!

Captain Karanja sets sail:

After the boat rides, we had burgers, fries, juice and cake for lunch.

Fred and Johnny:

Naomi, Sydney, Mungai and Melody:

Karanja and Fred:

Karanja, Mungai, Gitau and Karanja

Sylvester, Fred and Johnny play some football while they wait their turn:

Fred, Sylvester, Johnny and Ken:

Karanja, Mungai and Me:

Ken and Fred:

Little Joy was too afraid to ride on the boat, horse or camels.
After all, this was her very first outing without mum.

Melody, Karanja and Mungai:

Brother and sister, Karanja and Sydney:

Gitau and Fred:

Brother and sister, Sylvester and Naomi:

Fred and the Canon lady:

Paradise Lost is a beautiful picnic spot with lots to see and do on the way to Kiambu, past Windsor Golf and Country Club.

Giraffe Center

2008-07-13T21:00:00.002+03:00

Dave McCallum and Kirstie Smith sponsored Sunday's trip to the Giraffe Center. Kirstie and Dave are touring Africa on their way back home to Canada. They had been teaching in Hong Kong for 3 years.

We picked them up at their campsite in Kileleshwa and took them to the Giraffe Center

Ham sandwiches for lunch:

Made a short stop at the Village Market:

Headed over to Alice's house:

Dave and Mungai:

Had a cup of Kenyan coffee with Alice and family in Gachie before taking them back to their campsite.

Thank you so much Kirstie and Dave for your kindness.
The kids had a lovely day and especially enjoyed touching the hair on Dave's legs!

If you are visiting Nairobi and would like to sponsor a Sunday out with the kids, please get in touch either via email: amkakenya[AT]gmail[DOT]com or phone: +254 726 67 39 31

World Literacy Day

2008-07-08T15:47:00.008+03:00

For World Literacy Day last year, we collected over a thousand books from the generous residents of New Muthaiga, Nairobi. These books were distributed to children in Machakos and Kisaju. We have already started collecting for this year's book drive, so call 0726 67 39 31 to get your donations in.

SS Secondary School, Kisaju (8th September)

Kithangaini Primary and Secondary Schools, Machakos (15th September):

Please be a part of this year's literacy campaign and donate as many books for children/young adults as you can.
Think of this not only as an opportunity to clean out your cupboards, but also to give the gift of joy and magic to a child.
Contact us at amkakenya[AT]gmail[DOT]com or +254 (0)726 67 39 31

Gravity Defying Kituluni Hill in Machakos

2008-07-07T11:18:00.005+03:00

The Kituluni Hill, just outside Machakos town is known to "defy" gravity.
Water is said to flow up a particular stretch of the hill.
So we went to investigate...

Little Mungai fell asleep during the long, bumpy ride there:

Melody called shot-gun and didn't budge even when we made a short pit-stop:

The car also rolled up the hill when out of gear:

You're not supposed to drink the water Mungai!
Pour it down the hill, and watch it flow up!

It wasn't as blatant as we thought it would be

But we definitely saw water flowing up-hill

Maybe the slope of the hill was just an optical illusion?

Either way, we had a good time :)

Safari Rally

2008-06-30T18:25:00.010+03:00

Patriotic!

A bundle of "Joy"

Fredrick:

Fredrick and Naomi:

Sydney:

Joy and Alice catching some shade:

Sylvester:

Athi River was hot and dusty on Sunday

They were trying to race us back to Nairobi:

Back at KICC for the award ceremony

Joy, Alice, Jomo Kenyatta and Sydney:

Naomi, Joy, Alice, Sydney and Melody:

The winners of the rally - Rose and Daykin:

Albinism Awareness

2008-06-30T17:40:00.004+03:00

The Albinism Foundation of East Africa (ALFEA) held a forum on Saturday to raise awareness about Albinism. The guest of honour was Ms. Al-Shaymaa Kwegyir, a member of Parliament in Tanzania.

MP Kwegyir distributing Hats:

Mumbi Ngugi, one of the AFEA trustees:

A poem performed by students of St. Lucy's School

Mary and me:

Mary and Carmile from Thika School for the Blind:

AFEA trustees Mumbi Ngugi and Dr Prabha Choksy (Opthamologist):

Albinism is a genetic condition characterized by a lack of melanin pigment in the eyes, skin and hair. As melanin helps protect the eyes and skin from ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun, people with albinism are unusually sensitive to sunlight and thus very susceptible to sunburn.

In addition, their irises do not have enough pigment to block the light that enters the eye. However, not all people with albinism are blind. Children with albinism in Kenya are often placed in schools for the visually impaired for no reason. Such stigma's can only be overcome by spreading awareness about the condition.

Light sensitivity (photophobia) generally leads to a dislike of and discomfort in bright light, but does not prevent these children from enjoying the outdoors, especially when using sunscreen, sunglasses and/or brimmed hats.

Contact us at amkakenya[AT]gmail[DOT]com or +254 (0)726 67 39 31 if you would like to donate: hats, sunscreen, sunglasses or prescription glasses.

Snake Park Picnic

2008-06-23T16:05:00.010+03:00

The snake park was closed, but we enjoyed ham sandwiches in the sun all the same :)

Desmond:

Karanja:

Gitau, Mungai, Fred, Sylvester and Eric:

Beautiful ladies - Melody, Sydney, Alice and Joy:

Mamba Village - 25.05.08

2008-06-16T18:38:00.009+03:00