Kenya - Lake Navusha / East Africa Mission Orphanage

We spent relaxing morning at the campsite this morning while some of our group did a safari walk in Hell’s Gate National Park. 

After lunch we made our way to our next campsite which was at East Africa Mission Orphanage where we were to spend the next 2 nights. East Africa Mission Orphanage (EAMO) is an orphanage which was set up by an Australian couple 13 years ago. They came to Africa with the intent on helping out with health projects (they are trained Naturopaths) but instead were taken with the plight of the thousands of children who had either been orphaned at some point or whose parents could not afford to keep them. They gave up their lives in Australia and moved themselves and their 2 children (who were 12 and 15 at the time) to Kenya. The Director (Ralph) explained to us where the funding comes from (which is entirely from donations minus the funds that come directly from their own pocket) and their monthly budget to keep the place running. They have 50 acres with lots of vegetables growing which they use as much as possible to minimise the amount of food bought outside. Ralph’s aim is to eventually make the orphanage completely self sufficient food wise.

Some of the stories we were told were quite tragic. One little boy was from the Sudanese border and was orphaned by the war. He lived with his uncle but had to be left home alone whilst his uncle was at work. The problem with this was that during the day the Sudanese Militia would come to the village and take any child that was big enough to hold an AK-47. Understandably his uncle was very concerned that this may happen so asked for him to be taken to a home in a safe place which is how he ended up in EAMO.

We arrived late in the afternoon, unfortunately a little too late to play with the children before dinner but that didn’t stop them finding us and showing us around as much as they could before the dinner whistle went. We were fortunate though because we were able to eat dinner with them which was really fun! It was so nice to sit and chat to the kids (who all speak amazing English depending on how long they have been at the orphanage) and see that they are all so very happy. After dinner and the clean up of the dining room we joined in their evening devotion and sing along where we introduced ourselves and met any children with the same name... and lo and behold there was a Briana and two Jack’s.

After all of this we took the kids to bed and said our goodnights with lots of fun games and cuddles of course!