News

End of part 1

Morning folks. Need to be quick as my coach for nairobi leaves in 15 mins. Yesterday we visited Birunda the rescue centre in the morning. I have been reading some the children's profiles which are really sad. Some of them have been abandoned, others beaten, others severly malnourished etc, the list goes on. We played some football (my team lost) and then went to Oliver's for lunch and met again with Chrissie.

In the afternoon we went to Liyavo the long term project. We tried teaching them stuck in the mud but the game turned into chasing me around the project with a big jump on Pete to end the game. 30 kids jumping on you after when you are short of breath from running and are trying not to laugh is hard! Yesterday evening Oliver came over for lunch.

Today we head back to Nairobi. Updating this news page will be tough as tomorrow my friend Andy arrives. We are doing a safari then heading to the coast for 3 days.

Had better go, coach leaves in 8 mins!!!!

Take care

Pete

Me, fat??!!

Morning folks. Hope you are well?

Just a quick update for you. On tuesday afternoon we headed to Liyavo again. I'm really enjoying just having fun and relaxing with the kids there. They always run towards the car when we arrive. Remembering all their names is tough but I'm getting there. Am also making a real effort with my swahili (the local language) too which is improving with many locals laughing when I speak to them in their language.

Yesterday was similar to Tuesday. We visited Birunda to see the kids. Played some football, I scored 3 goals!!!Was rather hot after as the heat and altitude makes running around rather tough. I read some profiles of the children at the projects. To think of children aged 6 and 7 being orphaned is tough. Some have been sexually and physically abused, others ran away as there was no money for their parents to buy food or send them to school. This is why projects like Birunda the rescue centre are so vital. I spoke to the nurse at the project who makes sure all the children are healthy as well as running clinics for the community. I weighed myself to be told by her that I was fat!! Fat, me??!! I have been called a few nasty things in my time but fat has never been one of them! Weighing in just over 10stone is hardly fat I thought!! I was not as offended as this message suggests just shocked. In the morning we also visited Challenge Farm, another organisation that works with children. I know quite a few of the children/youth there so I went over to see how they were doing.

We had lunch at Oliver's (director of npyt) and met Chrissie, a lady from a UK charity that also supports NPYT. We are having lunch again with Oliver and Chrissie today. In the afternoon we returned to Liyavo.  The project manager let them get some toys out so naturally they all went nuts!! They love them. It is really good to sit down and watch them having fun. We are yet to give out any of the toys, games and stationery for this trip.

Had better go, just one more thing to say. A friend of mine Jai Lawlwy is 24 today. Happy Birthday my friend. I'm sorry I'm not around to celebrate with you but I hope you have a great day. For those of you who don't know Jai I'm sorry for that, he's a bit of a legend so I had to write something!!

Have a good day everyone

Pete

Seeing old friends

Greeting again from Kitale. I hope you are well?

Yesterday was a good day. I wrote just before lunch which I had at Oliver's house (director of npyt). I met the staff who work in the offices who I know well and call them friends. It was good to chat and catch up with them. After lunch we headed to Liyavo which was the best part of the day. Most of the children their know me so it was really great to see them all again. As we arrived they ran towards the car shouting our 'Pete' & 'Mike'. The project manager let them play with the toys which we donated 1, 3 and 4 years ago, it was good to see them playing with them and having fun. Just after 5pm we headed back to the lodge, ate dinner and then I had a very deep conversation with Mike about the world's problems, problems with Kenya and the differences between the UK & Kenya.

Today we have visited Birunda the rescue centre again before sharing lunch with them. Prior to that we headed to town and helped an American girl (she's 28) buy some fruit and veg. I saw a few boys who have ran away from the projects and who are back on the streets sniffing glue. Despite them being as high as kite it was good to see them and know they are kind of safe. In a bit we head to Liyavo again and will be joined for dinner tonight by oliver. I have just shown Mike his hot or not profile which I sent up in 2005.

I see from the news that there is a chance of snow in the UK. The good news, (for me that is) is that it is hot here. I have caught the sun and drive to the projects with music playing, all the windows down and with a mountain right in front of me. Life is good!!

Thanks for reading

Pete

It is great to be back

Well here I am in Kitale, Kenya. It is great to be back. It's hot, I have just seen an old friend and I am feeling a lot better having slept for 8 hours. My train journey to London was ok. The carriage I was on was very noisy but the 'noisy bunch' got off at Plymouth. I arrived in London 30 minutes late but managed to catch my connection to Heathrow. I checked my bags in which was a relief as carrying 46kg is hard work! I then headed for departures, had a scampi and chips and then boarded the plane. The flight was good. I did not sleep at all which was not so good but I did watch the film Bodyguard staring Whitney Houston which kept me occupied for an hour or two.

After arriving I collected my bags. Of the first four bags to be put on the luggage belt two of them were mine so I grabbed them and headed for the exit. I met Mike & Fred which was great, it was like I had never left. I feel really comfortable here, I'm not on edge or worried. I know this is my sixth trip but Kenya has now become a second home to me.

I caught a coach with Mike and headed for Kitale. I managed to sleep on the journey which lasted eight hours, bringing me to around 21 hours in total of actual travelling. Some parts of the road were more interesting than others such as seeing zebra's on the main road, the view of the rift valley etc. We also passed by two places where IDP's (Internally Displaced Persons) still live following the post election violence which was back in 2008! Some parts were also a lot more like being on a ride as the road was so bumpy.

We arrived in Kitale just before 5pm where we met Oliver. He gave us his car and we headed for the lodge where we are staying. I met a few new people from other organisations so I'm looking forward to speaking to them again and discuss whether we can share resources and contacts. Today we are heading to Liyavo the long term centre in the afternoon. I'm currently in town typing this message and have a few jobs to do.

Will try and pop in on wednesday and give you another update. Thanks for reading. I hope all is well with you.

Pete

Kenya here I come

In just over an hours time I'll be catching a train and heading for London. The realisation that I'm going back to Kenya for my sixth trip fills me with excitement. It will be really good to see all my friends again and the children at the projects Heart of Hope supports as well as the experiencing warmth!! I'm sure some things won't go exactly to plan when I'm there but I'll have to cross those bridges when or if they arrive.

The travelling is something I'm not keen on. The train journey to London is ok but its then catching another train to Heathrow, checking my bags in and praying that they are exactly 23kg. Then a long 8 hour flight followed by a very bumpy 7 hour coach ride awaits me.

I'll try and write as often as possible. Posting pictures will be impossible due to the speed of the internet connection over there. Had better end my message here, I need to pick my fantasy football team for when I'm aware.

Thanks for reading

Pete

Goats & Christmas

Christmas is now under a week away, the shops are filled with shoppers and the Christmas tree is gaining in number with the number of presents being put under it. As I'm sure you've seen from our homepage Heart of Hope is selling goats for Christmas. If you'd like to buy one (or two or three) for a friend or relative then follow the links.

On behalf of the Trustees and everyone associated with us we'd like to wish you a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year. Next year Pete is going back to Kenya for his sixth trip, he flies on the 16th January.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Not long till Christmas

The hours of daylight are getting shorter, the Coca-Cola advert seems to be on our TV screens very regularly and shops now stay open for one evening on a weekday. All these things plus more can mean just thing, CHRISTMAS IS NEAR.

This year Heart of Hope is offering an alternative to buying a friend or relative something that your not sure they'd like. Why don't you buy them .... a goat!! For £25 you will solve the Christmas present dilema and be supporting some of the poorest and most vulnerable children on the planet. Unlike some Christmas present the goat won't just be used over the festive period. The goat will provide milk, manure and up to 8 baby goats a year. Your friend/relative will also recieve a personalised greeting card.

More info on this coming very very soon.

news from the girls

Well we are here, off to a bit of a bad start but once I got my bag back things picked. The Mara was amazing, we saw so many animals, all of which I got a picture of! Really good fun and we got on with the other English girls really well.
Fred and his family are lovely, I have really enjoyed spending time with them. We are off to Nakuru today, I am looking forward to seeing more and getting more involved after a lovely holiday.

The trip so far has been amazing. Will keep you updated!

Christine & Liselle's Adventure

On the 1st July Christine Potter and Lisselle Clarke-Moisley will embark on a one month adventure around Kenya working for Heart of Hope. This is a historic trip for the charity as it is the first time that volunteers will have been sent over to Kenya under the umbrella of Heart of Hope. The girls will be visting four different cities, they will be working in schools, baby/children's homes as well as doing a few safari's along the way.   

Keep your eyes posted on this page to be kept up to date with their news / progress.

Doctors Vs Porters

Just over a week ago (17th April) the annual football match between the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Doctors and the Porters took place at Truro City Football Club. The annual event was raising money for Heart of Hope with the porters winning the match by a staggering 6 goals to 0! Heart of Hope would like to congratulate the porters for winning the match and thank everyone who attended the game for their support.