Final Appeal for a Young boy and His Family

About two months ago I introduced you to a young boy named Kigen, his mother and younger brother, Tiktik. They live in a very remote village with the closest largest town being, Marigat, Kenya.

Kigen needed medical attention and I appealed through this blog for financial help.  It turns out his little brother, Tiktik travelled with him and unbeknownst to me at the time, he has a similar condition as Kigen.

This is Kigen.

We did get some financial help and for those of you who contributed I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Unfortunately the financial support received has not been enough to cover the costs to date and we have been stretched far beyond our ability as individuals to help this young family.

For those who don't know, this young family has been staying in the hospital.  Lodgings, food and medicines must all be paid for the two month period of their stay at the hospital. We have been able to feed the family and  cover the cost of medicine and medical attention for little Tiktik who is doing much better.

Originally we were told that Kigen was going to require surgery. However as time went on it was clear that the doctors think that Kigen's condition is hereditary and cannot be fixed by surgery or indeed be completely treated. However hee has improved under medical supervision and has grown stronger while his little brother was pronounced ready to be discharged a few weeks ago.

Kigen in hospital

Medical personel at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital have told us that they cannnot do more for Kigen so they are ready to release him.  In turn, we are ready to get him and his mother and brother home as soon as possible but we need your help.  The remaining costs we need to cover are the medicines and medical services for Kigen (at least $250 Canadian)  and the return trip home by bus to Marigat from Eldoret, then by taxi from Marigat to the nearest station to their home (another $200 minimum) and a bit of food ($30 or so,for the journey home).  When the taxi has taken them as far as they can go they must walk another  six (6) hours to get to their home where they will be reunited with the father of the boys and the other children.

Admission to the hospital.

We have done what we could to get Kigen the medical help he needs and though he is not completely healed we are happy that he is now stronger and has shown some improvement. We are also encouraged by his brother's remarkable improvement. We continue to pray that Kigen will improve more on his own and that he will not have any setbacks in his condition. We are also encouraged that his mother has been able to learn some of the national language of Kiswahili while she has been at the hospital because she could only speak her native tongue.  This new skill will serve her well in years to come.

Kigen's mother.

If you can help, please send your donation as soon as possible. You can find a donate button by clicking here  (see upper right hand corner).

Perth Here We Come

Some time ago I signed up for a dish cloth swap being organized by Rhonda and Sharon over at the Down to Earth blog. I guess I didn't remember to specifically leave them my email post so I got left out of the swap but was kindly picked up by Judith from Perth, Australia.

I had an olive coloured dishcloth set with mixed light yellow and cream colours but I thought that those colours would be too dull for a place like Perth, Australia. So I came up with these tropical, summer colours instead.

There are two simple dishcloths in this set.

I thought Judith might also like some photo postcards of Vancouver.

This was a fun swap. I can't wait to see what my dishcloths from Australia look like.

Judith said she was aiming to send them about a week ago and I'll be interested in seeing how long it takes a small parcel from western Australia to travel to me here in western Canada.

To see more Mellow Yellow submissions click here.

Join Smiling Sally and the gang for Blue Monday by clicking here.

African Arts and Crafts

Thank you and welcome to P-ter for the recent follow ;-)

It's been awhile since I've posted about my travels to Kenya. I do have several more posts before I conclude the series. I thought rather than show you more travels today, I would instead focus on some of my purchases. It was the first time I'd purchased so much at once and I love all my purchases.

Candlesticks made of ebony wood. I think they are beautiful but I found it difficult to find candles to fit the base. In the end I purchased votive candles and cut down the bottoms to fit.

A pair of elephants carved from ebony wood.

Soapstone carvings. I love the globe sitting on the base.

A game to play. I think it is called "Solitaire" and is like playing checkers except you play yourself.

A close up of the game board.

Soapstone plate and zebra mask. 

Same zebra mask and a different soapstone plate. 

Some calabashes. First time I saw them tinted dark. I purchased these on the highway on the journey from Marigat.

A drum. I was told this drum is not actually a Kenyan drum but comes from Tanzania.

This drum is a Kenyan drum.

Soapstone carving.  Map of Mount Longonot and other areas.  Click photo to get a better view.

Maasai wedding necklace.

I hope you enjoy the art. Please check out my travel posts on Kenya. You can find some links here.

Kenyan Skies

Many of my readers will know of my love for Kenya. I thought it appropriate for Skywatch Friday to feature the Kenyan skies. I have some of my own photos here of Kenya but I also wanted to introduce you to a wonderful new gospel singer in Kenya by the name of Alice Kamande.  Ms. Kamande has a beautiful voice and here is her video where she sings "Wewe Pekee".

Nairobi skyline

Clouds over Nakuru National Park

Skies over Lake Elementeita

Skies over the village

Now here is the video featuring the beautiful, Alice Kamande. If you look you will see the beautiful Kenya skyline.

ENJOY!

For more beautiful skies from around the world, please click the badge.

It was a Glorious Day

Yesterday as I took a long walk home after a hair appointment, I was pleased to hit on a scene perfect for a Blue Monday submission.

Can you see the sign "peeking" through the branches and blossoms?

Even this blue sky with the hanging pink blossoms is good for Blue Monday.

Aren't the colours amazing?

These are the last of the spring blossoms on the trees. I was fortunate to be able to capture some at this late date.

So glad you were able to enjoy Blue Monday with me. Please join Smiling Sally and the gang for more Blue Monday.

The Sun & The Royal Wedding

As if on cue for the royal wedding, the sun came out on Friday in Vancouver and warmed my bones. There was still a touch of crispness to the air but it was lovely to have the unadulterated sunshine on  my first full day back home.

I stayed up until 5 a.m. to watch the royal nuptials and I saw that the sun came out there as well when rain was expected. Surely that is  a good sign for this lovely, young couple.

I'm afraid my wedding invitation got lost in the mail and I didn't want to fly to London and join the crowd. I may never have found my way out of there *wink.  

It may seem silly but I took a few photos of the royal couple on the palace balcony. Unfortunately, I missed the royal kisses. They were too quick for me.

Kate looks stunning.

I wish the royal couple nothing but the best, and loads of happiness in the years ahead.

The Sun Rays (A Lyric)

The sun rays in your eye,

The love you’re giving that I have found;

Like sun that shines though the sky,

Each love must be worth and sound.

The sun that shines each day,

The love you gave from your heart;

What matter what we do or say,

Never let it depart.

Each heart is broken only once

And never grows from sorrow,

Let there never be no bygones

Not today nor tomorrow.

Sun rays oh sun rays

Never hide behind a cloud,

Sun rays all my days

That's what love's all about;

Give me no raining shower thought,

Nor glimpse of shadows I've caught.

On each star brightening night

When only flickering light is around,

I wish you'd hold me so tight

My fright could surely be drowned;

The sun rays the feeling of touch

Each love is not made of stone,

You know I love you so much

Oh never let me be here alone.

Each heart is broken only once

And never grows from sorrow,

Let there never be no bygones

Not today nor tomorrow.

Sun rays oh sun rays

Never hide behind a cloud,

Sun rays all my days

That's what love's all about;

Give me no raining shower thought,

Nor glimpse of shadows I've caught.

Sun rays oh sun rays

There are many turning ways,

Let’s give future to all

Before it returns to the haze;

Give me no answer: perhaps or not,

Tomorrow you may have forgot.

Sun rays oh sun rays

Sun brightening rays oh sun rays.

Sun rays oh sun rays

Never hide behind a cloud,

Sun rays all my days

That's what love's all about;

Give me no raining shower thought,

Nor glimpse of shadows I've caught.

Sun rays oh sun rays

Never hide behind a cloud,

Sun rays... 

Words by Peter Quinn 

Following the Sky

This was the scene as we made our way from Kamloops to Vancouver this afternoon and early evening.  It was all kinds of strange weather on the way home.  There shouldn't be such cool weather and snow this late in the season even through these high mountain passes.

It was snowing just a short way into our journey and it snowed intermittently.  I thought the strange weather made for interesting sky photos for today's Skywatch meme; especially since there were also bits of blue sky and some sun here and there.

This is nearing the home stretch as we cross the Fraser River on the Port Mann Bridge.

Just as we crossed the bridge into Coquitlam it started to rain.

Then as we drove on it stopped. I expect there will be rain overnight or perhaps tomorrow.

Click on the badge above to see more skies from around the world.