Although i have been saying how wonderful Kenya was...i did see something awful, something i think will live with me for the rest of my life. let me explain...

On the transfer from the airport to our hotel on the first day, we were going through Mombasa (the pics are on my picture profile) i happened to notice somebody led on the floor. As the bus got closer i noticed it was a teenage Kenyan, no older than 18 years. He was led in a shallow puddle, and he was having a seizure, it may well have been an epileptic fit. His whole body was shaking intensely, his legs were kicking, arms shaking badly too. His eyes were rolled up into his sockets, he looked in severe pain and discomfort. There were dozens of people ont he streets where he was, but nobody was by his side helping him, they ALL walked right past him, a couple of them even stepped over him to continue on their way. It was as though he didnt exist. Nobody looked at him, nobody tried helping him. He was dirty because he was in this water, and he was so young too! I had a huge desire to get out the bus and make sure he was alright, but obviously i couldnt. I had to sit and see him suffer. The bus was going very slowly too, which was worse, eventually i had to close my eyes and look away, i had to do what everyone else was doing - ignore it. The memories i have of him lying there like that will be something i will remember for life, the pain i felt for him, the sadness i had will be with me for life too. Something like that is a huge eye-opener, it makes us realise how lucky we are, no matter how little we think we have in life, seeing living conditions out there makes you see and appreciate the little things in life.

I kind of expected to see these living conditions, after all, we see it on the news everyday, as well as seeing charities raising money for it, but i can honestly say that nothing in this world can prepare you for that. It was hard to witness, sure, but i wish so many more people get the chance to witness the conditions out there, it does make you appreciate the little things we are gifted to have in life. It opens your eyes and soul to a world that we are so distant from.

I plan on going back to Kenya, like i said in a previous post, i do want to go back for another holiday next year, but i mean i want to go back in a few years to do some charity work out there. We can donate as much money as our hearts want, but when you see the conditions out there, its hard to see where the money goes. These charity companies are amazing, and the charity workers are the unseen heroes of this world, all these celebrities we idolise, worship, they arent heroes, it seems to me our culture is focused on certain things, we are almost blind to the suffering that goes on around us. i know many people are aware, and many people care, especially here at PC, but so many people dont know this kind of thing exists, they may see it on TV, but in real life is so different. I was the same, i saw it on TV, i even donated money, but the reality is so different, to see them face to face adds that reality, and the reality is very hard to take in. I do definately plan to return to Kenya one day to do my part, big or small. It is a problem that is nationwide through Africa...not just Africa either, worldwide. In todays day and age where there is so much money available to the us, there is still such poverty and suffering.

I wont forget what i saw out there, things i saw on more than one occasion, and it really has opened my eyes.

Simon

p.s. Zen88, i think the concert is a great idea. I think it is wonderful that such a spectacular women is being remembered 10 years on. Diana was one of this countries heroes, and it links to what i was just saying. She did so much for this country, for this world. I completely agree with the concert, and i give my full respect to her sons for making it happen. The only thing i disagree with, however, is the amount of talk about how she died. I think now, 10 years on from her death, she should be allowed to rest in peace. This countries monarchy will never allow the truth to be found, i think it is time Diana should be remembered for the work she did in her lifetime, and not be remembered for the way she died and who was responsible.