Street Kids of
Africa.
Hi
May I introduce myself, Mike McCarthy, Everton Supporter! But more importantly may I tell you of my forthcoming trip to Africa.
I am not asking you to provide money for a jolly jaunt as I am paying all my own expenses having saved the necessary funds for the trip. Please take a couple of minutes to read on and find out more about my aims for Africamp.
The Street Kids / Kibera
Kibera, estimated population 230,000 is a huge slum area just outside Nairobi. Next to this slum area is Rowallan Camp. The camp has become a safe haven for children. A place to learn basic hygiene, have a meal, an opportunity for education and a place to meet in safety.
Most of these children will have, thieved and scavenged at rubbish tips. Some will have suffered crippling disease like tetanus, spent years with a pot of shoe glue stuck in their mouth, being horribly beaten in public, sleeping rough on a rubbish tip for years, sometimes eating just one meal a week. Many will have been members of gangs terrorising tourists, and or prostitutes and unknown to them causing untold damage to themselves. Considered an embarrassment to the government special squads of riot police have resorted to mass beatings and even killings.
I am staying 14 days at Rowallan helping in whatever way I can to try and make their lives better, even if only for a very short time. Life for me will be extremely basic but with a future. Theirs is unknown and it is impossible for you to conceive to the lives these children live. I am about to find out.
Mount Kenya
Over 4 days I will make it to the top of Point Lenana, the 3rd highest peak on Mount Kenya at 16,450 feet. Difficult. No, very difficult, but not impossible. So what is the problem? Altitude sickness, fatigue and the cold are the main worries. To help I will have the support of 2 porters and between the 3 of us I will reach the top.
The Safari
Now for the jolly jaunt. Two days visiting Tsavo National Park, the largest park in Kenya famous for its elephants and black-mane lions. One night is spent at Crocodile Camp. This is a luxury lodge owned by the African Safari Club. Myself, I will be in a tent by the river sleeping with one eye open, wearily watching for crocodiles looking for their next meal.
The Coast
Silver Sands Beach Resort, fronting directly onto the beach and the Indian Ocean. Windsurfing, sailing, swimming and a more relaxed routine. This is the life. Suntanned, bearded may be, and so much richer for the experience.
Here are my suggestions:
- A photograph of me with a group of Street Kids. Framed and signed by me with the inscription, “ ABC Ltd sponsoring Rowallan Camp for Street Kids in Africa”. Or something else that you may choose.
This can then be displayed in your reception or other public area of your premises.
- To go along side I will write a short report describing the activities/ goods/ food you have sponsored. Remember the only cost to be deducted from your contribution is the photograph and frame. I will buy food, books and other items. The money will not be lost in some big pot. I will be able to tell you exactly what I spent your money on.
Cost, let’s say minimum £100 per photograph.
Thank you for taking time to read my page.
Kind regards
Mike McCarthy
As for the trip I fly out from Heathrow on Friday 13 July at 8.00pm. Arriving at Nairobi, local time 8.00am. Returning 15 August.
During my stay I will help to build what in England is a classroom but to the Street Kids it will be their school. When we arrive the foundations will have been laid and the rest is up to us. Build, decorate and furnish within two weeks. A bit like the TV programme, “Changing Rooms” without Carol Smillie!
Your money will buy the tables and chairs, textbooks, a sewing machine with a selection of cloth and material. And if we have some change we will buy a second sewing machine. Spending the money in Nairobi, buying local materials, helps to put money into the community, thus, you are helping the Street Kids and the local economy.
I received a note from someone who visited Nairobi last year. He said not to second guess what it will be like because nothing will prepare me for the horror and stench of open sewers and the rubbish tips where children as young as 2 live and scavenge for food.
I will update the website a couple of weeks before I go. In the mean time if you know of any
organisations/ individuals who would like to sponsor a Street Kids photograph please Email me at
Thanks again, kind regards
Mike McCarthy
-http://www.adventurealternative.com/
