"The Troubles" is the prevailing term used by our friends on the ground in Oyugis. The ones that live there. The ones who experienced first-hand the events that followed Kenya's December elections. I suspect my own choice of description might have been more dramatic, more reflective of how political posturing exploded into terrible violence, hardship, dislocation, and division for local people.

But I don’t live there; they do. And their choice of terminology is telling – a huge streak of pragmatism and a lack of drama, even in the wake of events extreme enough to warrant it. The mood in Oyugis reflects this too. Erick’s smile is as broad as ever. Saline’s infectious chuckle is present even while talking about times of turmoil. Sophie, who went through the wringer with personal tragedy at the same time, still has her trademark poise and serenity.

Derek Hopwood and I travelled to visit the projects at the end of March, and found people in good heart – staff and project members alike. If anything, the emotions when discussing the troubles were of frustration and embarrassment. Frustration with their elected officials and the heavy political machinery, and embarrassment that the world was watching when Kenya suffered a very dark chapter in its history.

Beyond these reactions was that pragmatism. A remarkable attitude of business-as-usual, even if the economy – both local and national – is hardly that. There is no sense of faith being shaken, either in humanity or in our Lord’s plans for His work in Oyugis. It’s a humbling experience to spend time with such committed, joyful people; people who can see God’s hand in their lives, and whose spirit of gratitude never seems to run dry.

We spent time at Kirongo, Imani and Umoja. We talked with the teams running each project, and the staff of Upendo (formed as an umbrella to facilitate all three). In each place, our friends and colleagues are going about their daily work.

Passing on goats and cows from the Buy A Gift For Kenya scheme was about as informal a ceremony as we’ve experienced. And wonderful for it. Bernard, laid-back and content; Melchiot, full of smiles and relaxed organisation; Derek and I honoured to be part of it all in a Kirongo compound buzzing with laughter. Especially when Derek was required to wrangle a rather stubborn goat. I fear a spicy stew lies somewhere in that one’s future. And not too far off either, if it continues acting like that (the goat, not Derek).

Visiting a fledgling nursery called Mananga with the Imani staff we found Kennedy Obongo as warm and expansive in his greeting and leadership as ever. And Sophie’s instincts well-honed. She’d identified the need for a nursery in the area, estimating 20 or so children would benefit. Only a month after formation we were greeted by 48 voices raised in song, backed by a volunteer youth group who assist the teacher in running the place. The farm demo plot and carpentry centre are equally impressive, the latter providing the nursery itself with some distinctive tables. Such is the craft and smoothness of these items of furniture that one young lad even used a table as a makeshift pillow during our visit. I suspect it was when Derek was talking...

Flavouring our trips to two nurseries under the Umoja project’s care was a typical Oyugis afternoon of wild meteorological variety. The first visit, to see the healthy progress of Kaundo Nursery School’s new building (funded by a donation from Jan Rayner) was conducted in bright sunshine but also the warm gale that so often heralds a downpour. And the onrushing clouds were not bluffing, unleashing a wild torrent just as we arrived at the second nursery. Another place of joy and enthusiasm – and, thankfully, sturdy shelter – the storm that laid deafening siege to the tin roof was forced to abate long before the spirited singing and cheerful banter did.

Hope for the future flourishes in places like these. I think Kirongo, Imani and Umoja, together with Upendo, offer our best hope yet that investments of prayer, relationship, time and funds will yield a great deal. And not only because of the excellent work undertaken by the project staff and members, but also their ability to celebrate life. Fiercely. Fully. Whatever the weather.

"Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age," Jesus said. How inspiring it is to keep company with people who really know how to grasp hold of this promise.

Darren Bignell
Trustee, Amani UK
30 May 2008

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