James

Kia ora friends!
I am in New Zealand. Can you believe it! After a quick visit to Perth to visit family I arrived back home to Wellington on the weekend. Everything feels weird, very, very weird but I am trying to take things slow and ease back into life in the land of the long white cloud.
The last visit to Pipeline camp was pretty difficult I must say. Not just because I was saying goodbye to so many friends but I am really worried about them. Goodbyes are never easy but normally I can rationalise leaving people by telling myself that ‘they will be ok’ or ‘they will be fine’. However in this situation I feel don’t have those words to fall back on because the fact of the matter is that the people at Pipeline Camp might not be fine or ok. There are people there who have not eaten for three days. There are people there who are bed ridden in their tent because they are too sick, weak, and poor to go to the hospital. There are people who sleep under tarpaulins because they have nothing else. I mentioned in my last blog about a man I met during the food distribution called James. Since that first meeting when he told me about his scars and how he only just escaped the post election violence with his life it had really been haunting me. During that meeting he had told also me how he sleeps out in the open at the camp. So this trip I did some investigating and I went and found him and his plot. It was true. The small shelter he had built using sticks and tarpaulins was worn and torn and had no roof. The wind and rain had taken their toll and he no longer has any shelter from the elements. It was heartbreaking. The few items of clothing he had were hung up in an attempt to dry them. It had rained the night before and everything was wet. He had slept under a tarpaulin to try and shelter from the rain. Normally at the camp I shy away from helping people individually and instead focus on community projects like the house building and porridge program, however in these types of situations something has to be done. I spoke to Moses, Camp Secretary, about helping James. I did not want to cause any politics at the camp or show any favouritism because everyone at the camp is in such great need but he said that in this case he does not feel the community would object in any way. The man is practically sleeping in the rain. And so, I spoke with Irene and she has agreed to help purchase some nails and new tarpaulins for James. As I said earlier, leaving the camp was tough but knowing at least James would soon have a roof over his head (even if it was made out of plastic) made it a little easier. I cant fix all the problems at the camp but I can do what I can and that is what I really have to hold onto now that I am back home. I will return to Kenya and to Pipeline but for now, from here, I will do what I can. It is all any of us can do in life really.
Ok so I have not even spoken about the houses yet – wow! They look amazing and you can clearly see a house taking shape now. The final top blocks were setting while I was there which means that all that remains is the roof, doors and windows! Irene is visiting the camp and meeting with the District Commissioner next week so she will be able to send us an update then. Hopefully they will deliver the iron sheet very soon! Whoop whoop!
In other exciting news I can officially announce that the first ten families have been sponsored – yay! The staff at Global Volunteer Network (GVN) have signed up and been busy fundraising and Colin Salisbury, GVN Founder and President has generously agreed to match dollar for dollar! Thanks so much guys! I would particularly like to thank Tracy, Erin C and Eliza for all of their hard work and support. I am so lucky to have such fantastic colleagues and friends. Erin C, GVN CEO, and her kids Josh and Sarah have also sponsored a family which is so incredibly kind – thank you.
Another house has been sponsored by Scott Krause and his family and friends from the USA. Scott has been volunteering at Pipeline for the past 6 weeks with GVN and is doing an incredible job working with the community. He is a teacher by trade and is speaking Swahili exceptionally well which has made him a serious asset in the camp and volunteer program. Thanks Scott, you rock!
Chris and Judy Van Dreven, two of my beautiful friends from Australia have also sponsored a family and I am incredibly grateful for their continued love and support. Judy has just recently given birth to a beautiful little girl called Kitt yet she still finds the time to lend a hand and support this project. Your amazing - thank you.

And thanks to everyone who continues to follow and be a part of REBUILDING LIVES. Together, we really are making a difference. Be proud.
Hugs,
Lauren