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People I met during travel to, in, and from Kenya have become new friends, business contacts, protégés, and charitable causes. Starting with Mahinda, now a friend and protégé – a young entrepreneur with more opportunities and ideas than he can handle. I have to agree with him that Custom Africa Tours is a lot better business name than Cheap Africa Tickets. Growing CAT is now a project.
Brian
Brian, Mahinda’s cousin, set a lot in motion. He, with some help from other cousinsm set up the interview on the PowerBreakfast morning TV show. Host Jimmi Gathu asked Ed and I to talk about why we chose to visit Africa and how President Obama will make a difference in Kenya and its relationship with the US. Brian also made the introduction to Lucy Yinda and the Wema Centre, a home and program for street children and community orphans. While in Mombasa (at the end of the trip), Ed and I visited the centre and were extremely impressed with the difference Lucy and her staff have made in the lives of the children and teens we met. They showed us the facility, which includes dorms, classrooms, a computer lab, a garden, cows, and green technology that produced methane for cooking and electricity from solar panels. The kids also performed for us; an award-winning choir and exciting dancers and acrobats. I am now in the Circle of Friends that supports this program, looking for more ways to help.
Samuel
At a curio shop ont the equator, we met Samuel Magua Kiiru, who champions the Ivory Prep School in Nyahururu. He’s introduced me to Erika Wandel, a wonderful retiree from Germany who also want to help. Based upon what I’ve observed and learned about education in Kenya, we are so fortunate here is the US to have the education opportunities given to us. Families must pay for education in Kenya and even with the limited incomes and means of support, the give priority to at least a grade school education for kids. Whatever he can do to help with supplies, etc., is greatly appreciated.
Alfred
Golf with Alfred at the Windsor in Nairobi has led to the pursuit of a basic understanding of how solar energy systems work and the opportunity for application of this technology in Africa. Alfred has some great ideas for making it available, affordable and sustainable in Kenya. Ed and I will be his feet on the ground here in the US.
Anne
During the weekend midway through the trip, we also met Anne. Anne is a young nurse, currently working with Doctors Without Borders and loving what she does. She wants to build upon her experience here in the US and has found some opportunities. She has asked us to advise her.
Lucy
I’ve already mentioned the connection we made at the end of our tour in Mombasa – Lucy and the Wema Centre heroes. Being there was as uplifting as the thought of having Barack Obama as President. Hopes and possibilities realized. And you want to do whatever you can to sustain it.
Anthony
On the flight between Amsterdam and SFO, we met Anthony Vonsee. He was sitting across the aisle from Jesse in an exit row seat. Shortly after takeoff, I overheard him tell Jesse, “whenever you want to stretch your legs, let me know. I’d be glad to switch with you for a while.” What an empathetic offer, I thought, who is this person? The conversation began and continued until it was time to rest for the long flight. We exchanged contact info and Anthony and I got together while he was in the Bay Area for headquarter meetings. What an authentic person! I admire the shared success he’s had in Africa and he put me in contact with Luc Tengueu, one of the founders of The African Network. I’ve joined and met Luc. I’m not sure how I can help Tan but I want to. Our meeting inspired an idea for research that may improve the connection of the African Diaspora.
Each of these new relationships have unlimited possibilities, which I share to illustrate why this journey was so transformational and has just begun.
