Sunday, April 5, 2015

Little Hands Making Big Differences


Our logo, the acacia tree comprised of multi-colored hands, is symbolic of our motto- "Little Hands Making Big Differences". 

As winter continues to melt away to spring I can't help but think of new life, new opportunities, new chances to make a difference. It is often said that one person can make a difference, that one person can initiate a ripple of change- it just takes one action. 

At Tabibu Africa Inc we believe that each and every one of us can make a difference in the lives of others - regardless of where we live on this beautiful planet of ours. One act of kindness towards anyone can create a ripple effect felt far beyond what we thought possible. 

So, as we enter into the season of change and new life the question is not how can you make a difference, but how WILL you make a difference. Your hands may be small but you can make a big difference. 


Saturday, April 4, 2015

Mobile Medical Clinics


In Kenya, including those living on the Maasai Mara, there are thousands of people living in impoverished or remote areas with little or no health care.  When they are sick or hurt they must travel long distances to the nearest clinic or hospital, often times walking many miles and sometimes even carrying a child on their backs.  As well as encountering dangerous animals in an effort to reach help.
Everyone deserves basic health care. That is why Tabibu Africa offers mobile clinics to help fight illnesses, diseases and injuries in the most remote areas of Arica. Our mobile clinics deliver health care to people who are too ill to come to us. So, with our vision to help people live productive, healthy lives, we go to them. 

In the last two years Tabibu treated over 800 Kenyans in our mobile clinics. This wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the generous support of our donors.  As we travel back to Kenya this summer, our donors truly make a difference—please help us empower people to achieve good health.

Friday, April 3, 2015

Peace for a Good Friday



Today we are still reflecting, healing, and trying to come to terms with the evils of the world. In the spirit of Good Friday I would like for us to focus on peace, healing, and forgiveness. Though we may never understand let us do our best to keep making this world a better place, no matter your religion, age, color, or gender. We are all in this together. 
Mungu Akubariki

It’s better to allow our lives
to speak for us than just our
words. On Good Friday we get
to take stock of whether we are
achieving this. – Happy Good Friday 2015 for all


Thursday, April 2, 2015

Heavy Hearts


Today I am sad to report another tragedy that has occurred in a place I consider my home...my heart. This morning, Garissa University in Western Kenya was attacked by a terrorist organization linked to Al Qaeda. Over 147 students have been confirmed dead, 70 injured, and over 500 just trying to come to terms with the trauma of the events. Students....students.

My heart weeps to know that these young adults, who were working so hard to expand their lives, their communities, their world, their futures were gunned down because of a grudge...innocent students reaching for their dreams. There are no words to describe the loss and waste.

Garissa Univerisy is approximately 230 miles East of Nairobi, towards the Somali boarder. Tabibu Africa, Inc doesn't usually work towards the North Eastern part of the country so we didn't have any volunteers in that area. Our In-Country Director and representatives have all checked in and our okay, though their hearts are heavy. 

Please pray for all those effected by today's events. Please pray for our current and next generation. Pray for our students. Pray for those striving to make this world a better place. I pray that anyone reading this finds forgiveness, gives forgiveness, and in return performs at least one random act of kindness today.  Please pray for peace and light and love.

From my heart to yours, Mungu Akubariki (God bless you)

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Little Giants; the Dream into Reality

In 2005 a man started a journey. This also happens to be the same year that I met George Njenga, the man I call ndugu (brother). I'm so happy that both of our paths have come to travel upon the same road. 

George is also the Kenya Director for Tabibu Africa, Inc and we lean on him for everything. I met him in February of 2006 and we immediately became close friends. When Tabibu Africa, Inc was born we couldn't think of anyone better for the job of In-Country Director than George. Even though this is a non-paying position and is on a 100% volunteer basis George didn't hesitate to say yes!

George then let us know his dream and how proud he was that it was finally coming to fruition. It had been George's dream for as long as he could remember to open a school for all children and to make it as cost effective as possible. George understood the value of education and what happens when you don't have it. He lived through a childhood where education had to be fought for and cherished, never handed out, as it still is today in Kenya and other developing countries. He had witnessed too many children turned away from school because of their lack to pay tuition or even because they were HIV positive. George wanted change and he wanted education to not be just a dream for many. He understood what education did for him and his goal is to pay it forward. So he started working and dreaming then worked more.

In 2005 George had saved up enough money to purchase a 1/2 acre of land in the small town of Ruiru, Kenya. Then he started building brick by brick, literally. He would save up enough money for one brick, buy it and take it to the land and place it. Then again, as he saved up enough for another brick...

In 2012, seven years after the first brick was placed, Little Giants opened it's doors to 8 students. Most could not pay tuition and one student was HIV positive. George didn't turn them away. He said that he knew God would provide. George then presented Tabibu Africa, Inc with his school, with his story, the history, and his goal. We absolutely fell in love with his work, the school, and everything it stood for. We immediately jumped on board to do what we could to help out and become partners now not just with Tabibu Africa, Inc but also the Little Giants School.

The summer of 2013 Tabibu Africa, Inc and a team of volunteers headed to Ruiru, Kenya and built on two more school rooms. A medical clinic was also offered for the students and their families for basic medical care and screenings. In 2014 we returned again and supplied a room with a reading table, chairs, and shelves for George's next dream for the school, a library.  You can read about Maureens Corner here. 
 

The Little Giants School now has 56 students with 11 of those students sponsored by people like you! For only $155.00 USD per year (less than $13 per month) can provide a student with tuition, quality education, a school uniform (required in Kenya), medical screenings one to two times per year, and one meal per school day. You can be a hero for the Little Giants School! For more information please click here or email: TabibuAfrica@aol.com


Asante sana! (Thank you much!)

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Where to Rest your Head in East Africa

I get asked all of the time, "Where on earth do you sleep when you're on a humanitarian trip in East Africa?" "how do you sleep?" "is it safe?" "is it clean?"

The answer is we sleep in a bed, we sleep very well because we earn it, it is very safe, and relatively clean. To expand more on that answer we'll have to break it up a bit. Lodging in a city like Nairobi or the surrounding cities is extremely different than staying in a rural spot such as the Maasai Mara.
We work in or around Nairobi for the first week or two and we usually stay at Catholic mission guest houses. We work in Ruiru (Little Giants School) or Kayole (Candle Light School & Orphanage) for about 1-2 weeks depending on the need so we have to stay close to the city. The guest houses are dormitory like; two single beds, a desk, one private bathroom per room and a common dining room. We get to like our roommates very well!
The nuns provide our meals and wonderful conversation! During our last expedition we found a beautiful Catholic guest house to stay at and it's my new favorite, St. Frances Mission Hospital & School. The Mother and Sisters would prepare and eat a wonderful dinner with us and then watch Kenyan soap operas, commenting on how silly those girls are. Then the Mother spoke about how silly it would be go visit the Dead Sea, "It's dead! Why would you want to see it? It's...DEAD!" and then laugh the most contagious laugh I've ever heard. 

Occasionally our travels take us to different towns away from our Catholic missions and we "bunk" up at other hostels. We work so hard during the day we just request a clean & safe place to rest our heads. Most of all, we are grateful to be there to do the work needed to be done.


Once we are able to get out of the city and travel to the Maasai Mara in the Rift Valley I always feel like I am going home. My heart beats a bit faster and stronger and I can breathe!

We  traveled to the Maasai Mara, Nkoilale as a Board Fall 2013 to fine tune what projects we would focus on. We did stay in a Manyatta in our adopted Maasai Village. A Maasai Village is in a circular formation with a perimeter of acacia branches with large nasty thorns to keep the wild animals out. The center is made up of small houses made by the women from cow dung, mud, and straw. They are small houses but the temperature is usually right around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Cows stay in the middle because they are the most sacred to the entire village. Goats have their own pen in the circle but off to the side.  Baby goats have a special little room inside the Manyatta's. Animals are super important to the entire welfare of the village.
As you can see in this short clip the inside of our sleeping arrangements in a Manyatta. We didn't sleep much this night but we had a memorable time for sure!


The majority of the time while in the Maasai Mara we stay at tent camps. Meals are provided, the beds are clean and cozy, you can hear the wildlife yet the Maasai warriors are vigilant guards. We come back to our "home" before dark and have a very wonderful place to rest our heads. We are surrounded by friends, new and old, and we have earned a very restful night sleep. 

Volunteers always tell us that they love their experiences with us and that includes the food, lodging, and companionship. Our volunteers aren't just volunteers any longer, they are friends and family forever. 

Karibu sana (very much welcomed)




Monday, March 30, 2015

"Traveling is Learning" - Kenyan Proverb

I have been blessed with the opportunity to see many places in this world, both close to home and far away. However, the first time I travelled to Africa I ended up learning so much more than I could have ever expected. I learned about the world, yes, but I learned a wealth about myself - who I was and who I wanted to become. What kind of mother I wanted to be- what kind of woman I wanted to be remembered as...



Volunteers are an integral and very vital aspect of who Tabibu Africa Inc is and how we run. Each year we take volunteers on our expeditions to assist with education, medical care, and construction projects; and each year we learn as a group, as individuals, and as an organization.  We learn, and we grow. 

Are you interested in learning with us? Apply to become a volunteer and see what Africa teaches you in your life. Click this link to learn more!