Resisting materialism

I am a minimalist- meaning I try to keep the least amount of items I need of something. For example, I share a closet and a bureau with my husband. I use 1/3 of the closet and only 1 drawer of the 4 drawer bureau. I wash my clothes every day so I don't need much of anything. Recently I was going to the eye doctor's office and I saw a sign at a consignment store to fill a bag for $15. I was SO SO tempted just to pick out some new items, but I resisted. Just mentioning this as the temptation to BUY BUY BUY and SPEND SPEND SPEND i s all around us. Now I think of how I can use that money towards a visit to a country to visit our sponsored children and how that will bring me much more happiness.

A transformed room

 In the back of our house on the second floor is a relatively small bedroom that has had various occupants over the past 36 years we have lived in our house. At one time it had a built in bookcase and had lots of toys in it. At another time, my daughter Bridget, who loved cats, agreed to foster a mother cat with seven kittens who lived in the closet for about a week. At another time it housed a bunk bed with two boys and the last occupant is our youngest son, Francis. It was painted an ugly color of bright blue with yellow trim because one daughter decided that's what she liked.
     We decided to raise the ceiling to the roof line and add new flooring and paint and recessed lights. The room had foam insulation in the ceiling that had to be adjusted for the skylights. Below are some photos during the process, showing the finished product.Here are the before photos:

Here are the after:

Posh public toilets in USA!!!

I recently read about how a public restroom in New York City received a $300,000 makeover. Here is part of the story:

A toilet fit for royalty is open for business in Bryant Park after a $300,000 makeover added luxurious touches including self-flushing toilets, fresh flowers and classical music.

A "toilet paper ribbon" cutting ceremony for the newly-renovated, Beaux-Arts bathrooms near the New York Public Library and the subway entrance unveiling the classiest public restrooms in all of New York City Thursday.

"At Bryant Park, we strive for perfection and only settle for excellence," Dan Biederman, executive director of the Bryant Park Corporation, said.

"This philosophy pervades every operational aspect of the park, including the restrooms. We have created a facility that rivals even some of the finest hotels."

Among the new improvements: imported floor and wall tiles, coffered ceilings, crown moldings, all-weather temperature controls, energy-saving LED lighting, self-flushing toilets that have alternating seat covers, fresh flowers and a sound system playing classical music.

All I could think about after reading this article was the lack of toilets I saw when I visited Kenya and Honduras. A whole community may have one public latrine, A whole school may have one pit latrine. Here are some photos of public toilets from these countries:

It seems so sad that in the USA we spend $300,000 on fancy public toilets while so many in the world suffer.

Reboot with Joe feature

So excited to be featured on the blog for Reboot with Joe-
http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/maryanne-weight-loss-success-story/

Coming home- don't people listen?

     Coming home from Abu Dhabi gives you some insight into human nature. The first aspect is at airport security. At Abu Dhabi, they have a unqiue set-up. If you are flying DIRECT to Dulles, Los Angeles, or Dallas  you can go through US Customs and be cleared for entry into the USA in Abu Dhabi!! The downside is that it takes a really long time.
    Here is the explanation on the web:The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Terminal 3 in Abu Dhabi Airport is a purpose-built facility that allows U.S. bound passengers to undertake all immigration, customs and agriculture inspections in Abu Dhabi, prior to departure.

Abu Dhabi International Airport is one of only a handful of airports in the world that offers the CBP facility. Having cleared CBP, guests can check through their baggage to their final destination in the United States. On reaching the U.S., guests will be treated as domestic arrivals, which allows for faster processing at their arrival airport.

     What adds to the time is that even though there is a video explaining what to do in the security checkpoint that runs about 100 times while you are in line, people mosey up to the security line and aren't prepared.

They still have on their shoes and belt and don't have their laptops out of their luggage as well as their cell phones.They even come with drinks in a bottle!!! Why ??? They simply don't pay attention.   For some reason, I was selected for more enhanced pat down and had to go to a room to be groped by a female security person. Great!

       The same thing happened on the 14 hour flight. Repeatedly during take off and landing it was announced that all mobile devices needed turned off or in airplane mode, you needed your seatbelt on and your chair in the upright position. Over and over again the flight attendants walked up and down the aisle correcting people who were not following the rules.

I really felt for the attendants. To me they were like parents correcting little children. One woman even got out of her seat while we were still moving at landing to start getting out her luggage. The pilot expressly told everyone "DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR SEAT UNTIL THE PLANE IS STOPPED!! " No one can claim a language barrier as everything is said in English and Arabic!

Lake Nakuru National Park

One of the highlights of my trip to Kenya was visiting Lake Nakuru National Park. You can read and see more at:http://www.kws.go.ke/lake-nakuru-national-park
We were in vans that had the tops pop up so you can look out and see the animals.

We saw the usual African animals except NO lions or elephants. We got there at 7 am. to get an early start.

     One of the sad parts was see the trees in the water all white because the water has become alkaline.

In addition, this has caused the disappearance of the flamingoes. The government is doing nothing to combat this problem. Here is an explanation from the web:

Lake Nakuru was traditionally viewed as a flamingo lake par excellence. Several decades ago, up to two million lesser flamingos (maybe a third of the world’s population) could be seen here massing in the warm alkaline water to feed on the abundant blue-green algae cultivated by their own droppings. However, rising water levels in recent years – due to the significant flooding that has affected all the Rift Valley lakes – have caused a big drop in salinity, and the flamingos have simply flocked elsewhere.

     Another is that 2 guards are assigned to every rhino because of poaching.

If something happens to the rhino, the guards are held responsible. According to sources, there are 53 rhino in the park.
     I  also learned that one of the  park rangers assigned to the rhino was recently killed by a buffalo. The buffalo had rolled in the white mud and it camouflaged it. She did not see it until she was too close.
     Fortunately we stopped at the Lake Nakuru Lodge to use the rest room facilities.

Here is their website: http://www.lakenakurulodge.com/ The one in the park are just pit latrines. The Lodge seems like a beautiful place to stay in the park.

   Surprising in July 2015, over 100 animals in the park were killed by anthrax!! This was never mentioned on our tour..http://outbreaknewstoday.com/kenya-anthrax-outbreak-kills-more-than-100-animals-at-lake-nakuru-national-park-66124/

No electricity-monkey business!!!

   In the USA, we see it as very rare that the electricity goes out- maybe in a storm, but not a regular occurrence. In Kenya it is a different story. When I arrived at the Dow Family Home, it was still light outside. The children all crowded at the gate

to welcome  home Dad-Greg Dow- and the rest of the children.

When they saw me each one asked,"Are you my sponsor?"

    Then I learned there was no electricity. Everyone assumed it would come on in a few hours. However, by the time it was dark, out came the candles. I luckily brought a flashlight. The big problem was the food in the refrigerator. I had just bought food at the local grocery store.
      There was a back- up generator, but there was no gasoline to run it. The next morning the electric was still out. However, thanks to a delivery of gasoline, the back -up generator was running in one section of the home.We transferred our food to a working refrigerator. Luckily the stove was gas and could be lit with a match.
       By about 3 in the afternoon, power was restored!! However, that's  when I learned that last year the power at the home was out for a month!! Also,  on June 7, 2016, there was a 4 hour blackout throughout ALL of Kenya due to a monkey!!

 Here is the story from the  BBC:

"A single monkey caused a nationwide blackout in Kenya after falling on to a crucial piece of equipment.

The monkey fell on a transformer at the Gitaru hydroelectric power station on Tuesday, electricity provider KenGen said in a statement.

The transformer then tripped, resulting in the loss of 180 megawatts of power and triggering a blackout across Kenya.

Power was restored almost four hours later and the monkey survived its adventure, KenGen said.

It has now been taken in by the Kenya Wildlife Service.

"KenGen power installations are secured by electric fencing which keeps away marauding wild animals," the statement said.

"We regret this isolated incident and the company is looking at ways of further enhancing security at all our power plants."

The Business Daily Africa website reported that businesses bore the brunt of Tuesday's blackout.

Many had installed generators as a result of previous blackouts, it said."

Another source had an additional perspective:

Businesses have to rely on expensive diesel generators. Foreign investors are often wary of Kenya because of the frequent power shortages, caused by anything from the rain or a stray animal. Blackouts are such a disruption that lawmakers are considering a bill requiring Kenya Power to compensate customers if a shortage lasts for more than three hours. During a parliamentary debate in April on the bill the power went out.

In some ways, the power sector is a microcosm of some of Kenya’s biggest problems: corruption, poor infrastructure, and inequality. Only 5% of rural Kenyans have access to power compared to 50% of urbanites. Last year, a Kenyan official and senior technician at Kenya Power were arrested for taking bribes. Critics blame the poor state of the power grid on the company’s monopoly. Illegal power lines and theft from the grid are common as well.

The government aims to double the percentage of Kenyans with access to power to 40% by 2030, but most analysts say that’s a farfetched goal. Wind power plants in the Turkana region as well as a new coal plant on the coast will require over 400km of new transmission lines to reach Nairobi, responsible for more than half of the country’s total electricity consumption.

God moment #3- donated food

     When I was with Mary Rose and Greg Dow from The Dow Family Home in Litein. We were at the Buffalo Mall in Navaisha, Each of the children was allowed to pick out one fruit

they would like to have as a special treat.

Then unexpectedly, the owner of the store generously offered to donate several boxes of produce

as well as a case of water for the children.

Mary Rose was overcome with tears and she publicly witnessed saying, "Look at what God has done!" The owner, Ruth, also started crying with joy.The store has a poster with Jesus on it

and the owner allowed us to take her photo. She also said that the Dows should stop by whenever they are nearby for more donated food.

God moment #2

    Back at Amani Garden Inn in Nairobi, I came across two women named Mary and Fran

 from the USA that are here in Kenya doing water projects. They said they are connected to the Presbyterian Church  of Detroit Michigan. They said they use the company Biselex for their water drilling needs. Here is the company's website:http://biselex.co.ke/
     Then I met a man from Michigan named Jereme Lambert.He has a company called Business Connect and he works with local businesses to get projects done- including water projects.

God moments-#1

   During this trip to Kenya, people would come across my path and I felt as if God arranged it.
When I was at a hotel in Kisumu, a woman named Jackline

sat down to eat breakfast with me. She told me she was the manager of a family owned sugar plantation called Ogent. They sell their sugar cane to a South African company called Transmara. However, she said she is running to be a member of the Common Assembly in Kenya. She said in her spare time, she works to help the people in the Kisii area to have water. She said the living conditions are unimaginable. We exchanged contact information.By cincidence, I learned there is a big African sugar conference April 4-6 in Nairobi. (www.africasugar.com)
     Right after that I went into a mall in Nakuru and saw this office for  a company that does water boring. I was given the name of a contact. Here is the link to their profile:http://www.fountainvent.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Fountain-Vent-Profile-final.pdf

Karura Forest vs. Nairobi Arboreteum

    A visit to Karura Forest is a special place.

It costs 600 shillings to get in ($6.00USD) and I bought a laminated map for 200 shillings.($2.00 USD) I am really glad I did because I would have been afraid I was lost.
For most of the time I saw no one. The silence is peaceful, but a little scary as there are signs about being on the alert for wild animals.

I made my way to the waterfalls

and then to the caves.

     You do not venture inside the caves. They have a sign saying that the bats are roosting and not to disturb them. However, there is a sign that says an archaelogical dig found evidence of cave men living there long ago!! There were lots of steps, so I got a good workout.

     I made it to a restaurant in the forest- a true oasis with beautiful modern bathrooms and an upscale menu. I asked why all the people were dining there in suits etc.

The waitress said they come from nearby offices. I learned that many embassies surround the forest.I was  very glad to get a bottle of cold water!!
     It is definitely worth your time to visit. On another day, I went to the Nairobi Arborteum. It is was just 50 shillings to get in (50 cents USD) and there were no maps. While it was marked with paths,

I was still afraid of getting hopelessly lost and missing my ride back. However, people were helpful and they got me back to the gate. There were fascinating trees of all kinds!!

    I discovered an area where they were setting up for a wedding. Looked like a very beautiful setting.

As I was leaving I noticed this sign saying the Arborteum is a "corruption free zone".

That's says a lot about Kenya and its system. I was told that many times police stop vehicles on the roads and threaten to arrest them unless they pay a bribe. I never experienced this,but I heard it from a person who did.
For more information, please see:http://www.friendsofkarura.org/  and
http://www.naturekenya.org/content/nairobi-arboretum

Lake Victoria and Water Hyacinths

 We tried to see Lake  Victoria  in KenyaT

when we went to the Impala Sanctuary but it  was completely covered over with water hyacinths.

They are an invasive species that are doing a lot of damage to the ecosystem and to fishing in the region. Some people have tried to harvest the water hyacinths and then use the stems to make furniture.Because the furniture made by water hyacinth does not require any extensive processing, it is termed as a green or eco-friendly material to be used within the home. It only requires a basic wooden frame around which the material is woven

to create unique furniture items.

However, on January 17, 2017, the following has been reported:

The British government has intervened to safe Lake Victoria from water hyacinth which has invaded most of its shores within the Kenyan waters. British High Commissioner to Kenya Nic Hailey says his government is at advanced stages of negotiations with the Kenyan government in an agreement which will see British companies invest in biogas production using the stubborn weed. At a meeting with area Governor Jack Ranguma, Mr Hailey said his government has keen interest in Kisumu as an investment pivot for the east African countries, and Lake Victoria was one of the key areas of investment targets. "We have a number of British companies with expertise in biogas generation and a lot of those companies have interest in investing in Kenya. Water hyacinth is one of the areas of focus," said Heiley. He said negotiations through the Ministry of Energy would see water hyacinth and solid waste turned into energy for electricity production.The companies are already discussing a power purchase agreement which I hope will be complete soon so as to have the projects kick off," said Hailey, adding that the project will be used to kill two birds as it will promote environmental management. Water hyacinth has become a menace for the lake users in the recent past with fishing and transport activities within the lake paralysed since late last year, affecting economies of the 13 counties bordering the water body. 
 Read more at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000230264/britain-intervenes-to-save-lake-victoria-from-water-hyacinth

For a video and the effect of elections in Ksiumu see:https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/ktnnews/video/watch/2000121754/ktn-prime-water-hyacinth-issue-could-tilt-vote-in-kisumu-county

For more interesting facts about Lake Victoria, please see:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Victoria