EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA (& Ghana)
Rick and Wendy lived in Nairobi during 2007
then traveled back fall 2008 and early spring 2009. Besides seeing more pictures
of wild animals,
we hope you gain some insight into the city of Nairobi, the country of Kenya; and our
travels in East Africa.
Also please meet the
staff,
projects and positive
impact of TechnoServe Kenya.
For the sadder side of East Africa,
visit
African Poverty. Please see our
BLOG
for the stories behind the pictures.
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On our 2nd trip to Africa in six months--Feb.
to mid-Mar. 2009--Rick taught a project management
class to TechnoServe staff in Ghana '09, Mozambique and Kenya. Wendy visited 8 clients in Accra, Ghana then worked in Nairobi with her prior team. Long-time friend Carolyn flew into Nairobi for her 2nd African trip with us. Wendy and she toured Central Kenya '09, then she, Wendy and Rick had two weeks' amazing adventures in Namibia '09. |
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We taught a class and
visited clients for TechnoServe in September and
October 2008 in Uganda '08, Kenya '08 , and Swaziland '08 . We also attended our friends' wedding on Lamu, and toured the southern coast of South Africa '08 while also seeing our niece. |
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Lasting Impressions on Last Days
in Nairobi including the
TechnoServe Kenya Office
taking Rick and me out to lunch. |
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Our 2007 capstone event in East Africa was a
visit from our
son, daughter, nephew and long-time friends. In Kenya, we safari'd in Lewa Conservancy and The Mara, met Masai tribesman, had animals visit us at The Ark, and spent time around Nairobi (meeting adopted elephants and feeding giraffes). In Uganda, we walked with chimpanzees, trekked to see gorillas and met a "witch doctor." Vicariously enjoy our adventures! |
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Christianity and Judaism and eventually the
Muslim religion grew side by side in
Ethiopia
for 2,000 years. But the Axumite Kingdom (a.k.a. Abyssinia now Ethiopia) reached its peak about 1,000 years ago then again in the 1600s when the rock-hewn churches were created. Today, its people still live, by and large, in its past glories and legends. |
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Our experience in Uganda
shows the majesty and resiliency of the animals, in Murchison Falls (chimps!) and Queen Elizabeth (lions and leopards!) National Parks and the perseverance and resiliency of its people as shown in TechnoServe's Matooke Banana projects. as well as the revitalization of its people and economy. |
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TechnoServe is transforming
people's lives for the better--typically a group, a family or a few individuals at a time. We've added some stories that demonstrate this impact in Kenya and Tanzania. |
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On Kenya's coast north of Mombasa
and south of Malindi is
Watamu, a resort
area we visited with friends where we stayed in a whimsical (Antoni Gaudi-like) guest house. |
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Within one hour of our apartment
in the Nairobi suburb of Karen (named after Karen Blixen of Out of Africa fame), are the internationally renowned Langata Giraffe Sanctuary and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. It's so hard not to love these animals! |
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| Just saying Zanzibar sounds exotic. We had a relaxing few days there so just a few pictures! |
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Tsavo National Park
in Kenya is not as full of animals as the
Mara or other East Africa reserves. But we had plenty of excitement and very close animal viewing, including at the water hole just downhill from the veranda on the former game warden's house, where we and friends stayed. |
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Rick was invited to help out TechnoServe
Uganda's new Country Director, so Wendy tagged along. Uganda was unbelievably wonderful considering its history 30+ years ago. Even the Maribou Storks like to hang out in Kampala now. |
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After friends drove us 3 hours to
Aberdare
National Park, we spent 2 nights at the Outspan and famous Treetops Hotels. So many contrasts between the landscape and the poverty of people living all along the way! |
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Our visit to
Lamu
, an archipelago with oldest town in Kenya, was like stepping back many centuries to when Arab-African trade began to create the Swahili language and culture. |
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Tens of thousands of pink flamingoes along
with the "usual suspects" call salty Lake Nakuru Park their home. |
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The city of
Nairobi
is notorious for crazy traffic and darting pedestrians-- all with a unique African flavor. |
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TechnoServe
Kenya
offices
have about 40 people--in Nairobi plus in key agricultural
regions. Rick and I have visited and participated in many TechnoServe projects that are helping Kenyan businesses to grow, which will lift thousands out of poverty. |
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| Kenya's many
landscapes begin less than 1 hour outside Nairobi. Join our Kenya Travels to villages, game parks, and more! |
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