In January of this year I had the privilege to visit Oyugis and the Amani/JAM project with Derek Hopwood and a team of friends from Holy Trinity Church, Hazlemere. I knew something of the work that was being done by the team in Oyugis from the various people who had visited the projects with either the July or January team visits. However, nothing could have prepared me for the welcome and hospitality afforded by the JAM team and the people they serve.

Visiting the various widows and orphans centres and linked schools and worshipping at one of the local churches was a humbling but also uplifting experience. To see the dedication of the JAM team as they visited the various centres, providing help and guidance for the people to become self-sufficient, and being supportive of one another with such love, compassion, and faith just filled me with awe.

Life is basic in this part of Kenya, as many will realise, but to see how the funds provided through Amani were administered to provide help to the schools and centres really impressed me.

I was reminded of this when I received a photograph from Oyugis of two bulls, bought with a small donation sent by my wife and I. The bulls are now making the ploughing of land at one of the centres easier and more effective than cultivation by hand. But whoever heard of bulls called Peter and Nadine?!

Little things can make such a big difference and I’m looking forward to meeting our namesakes when I return in January 2005.

Peter Shaw

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