Kenya travel blog
On December 29, I board a plane to Nairobi at Frankfurt Airport for the second time in 2023. I am excited to see our local partners, my dear friends and all the children again.
During THIS second trip to Kenya, I will again be able to visit all four partner organizations supported by Tuma Kimbi e.V. and explore new corners of the East African country.
Mary Faith Children Center
On the first morning after my arrival, we go right to the Mary Faith Center. I am very happy to see the children again. Some recognize me immediately, others are still shy at first. After a brief greeting, Mary Njeri wants me to visit the new center, which is currently under construction. As I now learn that the children have not yet been to the construction site either, we decide to go there together with the older ones. The new building is only a few minutes' walk from the old site. The construction work is well advanced and gives an idea of how much bigger and more homely the new building will be. Mary shows us around the building site. I capture a few moments.
Many of the girls and boys at the Mary Faith Center have experienced sexual or domestic abuse in their families. We therefore offered the children psychotherapy in a pilot project in 2023. Thanks to the successful Christmas fundraiser, we were able to finance the continuation of the group therapies. A good feeling to come to Nairobi with this positive news.
On site, I meet with the two therapists Judith and Faith, and we have the opportunity to talk for a little longer. I learn that the tragic fire that destroyed two dormitories in October 2023 caused many new traumas for the children or reopened older ones. But they also tell me about breakthroughs in therapy and how much they have noticed after only six months that the therapy sessions are starting to bear fruit and some children are already beginning to see life in a more positive light: Our plan to unleash hope through therapy seems promising.
Unleashing HOPE
New Year’s & Graduation
During my visit, I am lucky to share two very special moments with the children at the Mary Faith Center: first, I came at the right time to celebrate New Year together with all the children: lots of games and a big party where all the children sing and dance with us until well after midnight - even Armin takes to the dance floor for a brief moment. We will probably never forget how much joy the children had as they started 2024.
A few days later, Armin and I are able to celebrate the college graduations of Doris and Chebet: graduates who grew up at the Mary Faith Center and are now starting their professional lives and have an independent life full of opportunities ahead of them: This is exactly why we do what we do: to help children grow up and create educational opportunities that allow them to determine their own path forward.
Faraja Children center
We leave the city behind and make our way to the Faraja Children Center. Shortly after leaving Nairobi the scenery changes significantly: traffic chaos, high-rise buildings, dust and exhaust fumes give way to a wide, hilly landscape characterized by plants in all shades of green and red earth. After a good three hours' drive, we reach our destination at the foot of the Aberdares mountain range. Jane and Moses give us a warm welcome. Some children approach us curiously, but then keep their distance. It won't stay like this for long.
Moses gives us a guided tour of the extensive, idyllically green and above all quiet grounds - a clear contrast to the centers in the big city. We inspect the avocado trees that we planted together on our last visit nine months ago. Then we have tea.
While Armin drinks his second cup with Nduta, who drove us from Nairobi to the Faraja Children's Center, I play soccer with the younger children - or rather, I try to; my lack of ball skills causes general amusement. Laughter brings people together. The children slowly start warming up. While Armin continues to sit around drinking tea (and chatting with Jane), I get to work and unpack the camera.
The Faraja Center looks after children from very difficult family backgrounds, often children with drug-addicted and abusive parents. The children are cared for at the center and have a safe place with permanent social contacts and educational opportunities. Tuma Kimbi primarily finances school fees here. Where possible, Jane and Moses try to reintegrate the older children into family structures, usually with more stable relatives.
On the first evening, we visit a family near the center and are very happy to see Lucy and her siblings again. Armin and I met Lucy during our last visit and she really inspired us: while she ist giving her best to be a good big sister to her fours siblings she is also pursuing higher education.
The next morning we visit Brian, who proudly shows us his garden and explains what he has grown and how, and when the harvest is. Then we head back to the center, where I take a few more photos before we make our way back.
Shiprah center
Back in Nairobi, Armin and I visit the Shiphrah Center together with Mary. We are warmely welcomed with tea, conversations, and the best mandazis in Kenya by the director Martha Njeri.
Mary and Martha have been working together for years: they have a close friendship and, in many respects, have overcome similar challenges.
While we're on the subject of similar challenges: like the Mary Faith Center, the Shiprah Center doesn't have enough space and is currently getting a new building. As the same construction manager is responsible and construction is already well advanced here, we get a nice insight into what the new house for Mary's children will soon look like. The children certainly seem very happy about all the extra space.
Because the centers are cooperating closely, it is no big, but a nice surprise, that we meet Susan here. Susan is an older girl from the Mary Faith Center and is currently helping out at the Shiprah Center.
Nairobi family support service
In a slightly different mood, I make my way to Tuma Kimbi's fourth partner project in Kenya: the Nairobi Family Support Service (NFSS). The small clinic is located right on the edge of Kibera, the largest slum in East Africa. An estimated 700,000 people live here. It is a difficult journey for me to go here. The poverty and desperation of the people are palpable. For this reason, I hardly took any photos during my last visit and this time, too, I only take very few.
NFSS looks after children with handicaps, often with severe physical disabilities. Tuma Kimbi tries to support them with physiotherapy, everyday aids and walking aids. From lengthy conversations with some of the mothers, Armin and I learned that it is at least as important for them and their children to have a point of contact with the NFSS: There are people here who care, listen to them and try to help as best they can. But it is also a place where mothers can talk to each other. Again, this is testimony to the fact that personal exchange is often an important step in itself.
Roundig off my trip
A two-day trip to Transmara for an alumni meeting with adult women from Armin's former NGO rounds off my trip. I am delighted to meet the young women in person, whom I have only known from Armin's reports so far, and I receive a very warm welcome. We visit many of the women at home and get to know their families. But then it's time for me to return to Nairobi and spend a few last days with my friends and at the Mary Faith Center.
The two weeks are over in a flash and suddenly I'm standing at the gate waiting for my flight back to Frankfurt with packed suitcases, lots of photos, new and stronger friendships and even more beautiful and intense impressions. It will take me some time to process all the experiences and to come to terms with the fact that I can't be there permanently at the moment - even though having a fixed social circle is what the children need.
What I can do at the moment is to tell the stories of these courageous children. In personal conversations, in travel reports like this, in the short documentaries that I will edit. And through my photos.
