The Republic of Kenya is a country in Eastern Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the northeast, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, and Sudan to the northwest, with the Indian Ocean running along the southeast border.

Life expectancy is down to 46 years, from 59 years in 1989, with an infant mortality rate of 57 per 1000 live births. Major infectious diseases include bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, malaria and schistosomiasis.

* Over 1,200,000 people living with HIV/AIDS (2003 estimate)
* Population is predominatly Christian
* 85% can read and write
* 90% living in rural areas
* 50% below the poverty line

When we were first introduced to Sr Mary and her work in the Nyumbani Village in Kitui and the orphanage in Karen, we were blown away by this incredible woman's drive and endless energy, as well as her determination to give orphaned children the right to warmth, love and comfort. Her holistic approach was exactly what we, at Playing for Life, wanted to assist and fitted in perfectly with our mission statement.  Our work with Sr Mary and the Nyumbani project has been inspiring and we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership into the future.

The Nyumbani Village in Kenya will be a self-sustaining community to serve orphans and elders who have been left behind by the "lost generation" of the HIV/Aids pandemic. Through group homes and community institutions, the Village harnesses the energy of youth and the maturity of elders to create new blended families that foster healing, hope and opportunity. The goal is to provide compassion and service to all affected by HIV/Aids so that they will grow up to lead productive, safe and comfortable lives within their community.

With an ample area of tillable land, the occupants sustain themselves through agriculture, poultry, dairy projects as well as handicrafts and external services. The adolescents will benefit from the knowledge of the elderly occupants, who in turn will benefit from the support of the younger population. Vocational opportunity in the form of training, tools, and start up financing for trades, cottage industry and agricultural endeavours will be provided with the goal of self-sustaining independence, financial security and stability for residents, particularly maturing young people.

We committed to help by building 2 houses for each new family group and 2 classrooms for the secondary school. We worked in partnership with local builders where conditions were very challenging in this semi arid & remote area.  The group of volunteers travelled out to Kitui in August and worked in hot, dusty conditions, and got 2 houses and 2 classrooms built up as far as roof level. These buildings are now finished and occupied.  A tremendous achievement in one week for any group of people especially since most of them had no building experience.

It is true to say that the Village residents receive love, sustenance, health-care and education, aimed at their physical and spiritual development. The photographs will clearly show exactly the sort of work being done there and we hope to get another group together soon.