Julie provided a powerpoint presentation on the history of the Umoja Orphanage in Kenya which is a RAWC project. Julie first went as a volunteer in 2015 with Kate Hodge. Cathy Booth was holidaying in Kenya when she developed the idea of building an orphanage. Julie attended again in 2017 with Steve Mills & Kate Mills to do various jobs including erecting 15 acres of barbed wire around the boundary. It is Cathy’s intention that the project will eventually be self sufficient. They assisted with running a health clinic & assisting at a feeding station which is run by a Hindu family which feeds up to 5000 children weekly. These children often walk up to 15-20km to get the food, when they attended there was only enough food for 4000. Each child received a hot meal & received a bag to take home which contained a bottle of soft drink, banana, big bun & some maise flour & some lollies for the week. Corruption was ripe in Kenya, it is not easy doing business & the Government wants a cut out of all aid work that comes into Kenya. Another tour with volunteers is going over this September. The second house is nearly finished with 12 children currently in the first house. Cathy’s biggest vision is that it is a children’s home until they can go back to their own families if possible, or learn skills rather than being an orphanage. The Government Children’s Department determine which children are placed at the home. An Australian mining company is mining titanium near by & they have made the furniture for the home & have helped with the permaculture courses. The Manager, Patrick, was previously a safari driver & in safari season they hire out their trucks etc for $100 to raise additional funds. All the children are sponsored, cost is $100/month $1200/year.

Another container is nearly ready to be shipped over which is hopefully expected to leave in mid August which holds numerous goods including a tractor, clothing etc.