Visit to the Orphanage and a trip to Karen

This weekend Dana and I went to the New Life Home Trust Orphanage. It was a great experience- both terribly sad and happy watching the kids faces light up. The Orphanage is in great condition- the grounds are very nice and the staff are friendly and caring. Dana and I were able to get a list of items that are needed for the Orphanage so the donations we receive will go towards buying the much needed supplies for the kids.

New Life Home Trust Orphanage

Christmas Tree at the Orphanage

Dana and I fed the toddlers and played with them outdoors- they are in constant need of attention as they just want to be held so at one point I had two kids in my hands and one hanging on my leg- it was a bit overwhelming but you certainly feel that you are important to each one of the children. Next weekend we will deliver the supplies and hopefully bring some further joy to each child.

Meet Krissie

Meet Clint

For those of you that are helping out with donations to the Orphanage your generosity will NOT be forgotten by each of the staff members and child. I only wish you could all be there to meet the children- despite their circumstances they smile at the simplest things in life and it was a joy to be with them on Saturday.

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Decorating the Tree: Check out our "Canadian Pine" (seriously that was on the box at the store). The lights blew out within minutes because of the different voltage systems but I will buy some true Kenyan lights before Christmas.


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So Martin, Dana, and I decided that we would try to go to the Karen Blixen Museum on Sunday. Karen Blixen is famous, not for being portrayed by Meriel Streep in "Out of Africa" and having a hot boyfriend like Robert Redford, but because she maintained a farm in Kenya and once she was forced to leave due to WWI- she fought with the government to make sure that her staff at the farm would be taken care of- she also built a school for the neighborhood- so to many Kenyans she helped them achieve both education and a better quality of life.

Karen Blixen House

The trip began with a matatu ride to town and then a bus to Karen. We made it to the museum and it was amazing to see the site where they filmed "Out of Africa". We then walked over to the Karen Coffee Gardens and had afternoon tea. While Dana and Martin were pretending to be posh Brits, I spilt tea all down my white shirt- thanks to Dana's "Tide to Go" the stain was removed (slight commercial).

Posh "Brits"

We then went to our favorite Ethiopian Rest. for supper and then off to Jazz night at the local bar. All in all it was a great weekend!!!
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Please check out the updated pictures from the weekend at: http://amandakenya.shutterfly.com