Stars of Peace

The Stars of Peace Youth Alliance

We met with a very excited Abdi Aziz earlier this week, as he was on his way to pick up the registration certificate for the Stars of Peace youth group -- now the Stars of Peace Youth Alliance. The group has formed a constitution and has expanded to include a diverse membership of young men and women from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Along with participating in World Refugee Day held at the United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi on June 6th, the group has been invited to send delegates to the Global Youth Summit this October where they will participate in the World Youth Parliament.

"Exciting things are happening!" shared Abdi. "We have begun our alternative to violence project and together we are planting trees to help our environment." Within the Eastleigh Community Centre, the Stars of Peace have also joined our Iftin women in urban gardening with the addition of trees. We are very proud of these young men and women as they develop into great community leaders!

Laura Muema and Abdi Aziz

at the Eastleigh Community Centre

To learn more about the Stars of Peace Youth Alliance, friend them on Facebook or check out their websites at:

www.starsofpeaceyg.blogspot.com

www.starsofpeaceyg.spruz.com

Love and Affection

Eastleigh Community Centre

Today was the first day for Brianna to travel into Eastleigh with us, where they will be volunteering for the next two weeks with the Iftin Women's Empowerment Program at the Eastleigh Community Centre. Along with teaching in the English literacy project, they will be volunteering with the children's program in the kindergarten. Today the girls were greeted with hugs and high fives as the kids circled them with love and affection.

The children within the three pre-school classes are from the communities of Eastleigh and Mathare Valley. Although the children live in an impoverished part of the city, they are very energetic and happy kids. During their recess breaks, the sound of laughter and play is wonderful.

Today, as we were leaving the kindergarten section of the community centre, we were blessed by the sights of kids drawing in the sand; chasing after old tires; helping friends catch a bug; running and holding hands; and even one little boy trying to braid a little girl's hair.

You could not help but be struck by the images of both gentleness and playfulness.

Later in the day, on our way out of the community centre, I noticed another young girl comforting a friend with tears in her eyes. I have no idea the story behind those tears, but the tenderness and compassion of the little girl's friend was a beautiful thing to witness.

There are some universal gifts that God has put into the hearts of his children. We pray that where ever you are today, that you may have eyes to see the simple signs of the master's hand at work in the life of another.

Welcoming Brianna Crowe

This weekend, we are welcoming Brianna Crowe who will be a volunteering with us over the next three weeks in Kenya. Brianna is from Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada, and excited to be in Africa for the first time.

Ava feeding a giraffe

We had a fun time seeing elephants

and giraffe with the girls

Curious Warthog

Oh Canada!

Happy Canada Day

This year for our Canada Day celebration, we took our children ice skating at the the Panari Sky Hotel in Nairobi. This is the only ice skating rink in Kenya, probably the only one in East Africa. It is about half the size of a normal ice hockey rink in Canada, but a great little rink!

Tristan's first time on skates

Growing up in Africa, Tristan, Emma and Ava have never gone ice skating before. It was a thrill to strap on the moulded blue rental skates and hit the ice. I don't imagine Kenya mounting an Olympic Hockey team any time soon, but there are pick up hockey games and school groups using the rink every day. Because of the heat issues, the rink only opens an hour at a time and then must be empty to cool down have their mini zamboni run over the surface.

Daddy helping Ava get use to the blades

Mommy and Emma enjoying

a little bit of Canada in Kenya

Ava flying around the rink

Resting their tired feet and bottoms

after a great hour on the ice

Happy Canada Day from Kenya!!!!