And so it begins......

Just when you thought you had figured out e-mail.....and now this........a BLOG (stands for web log).

I am sure a lot of you were getting very tired of my leaving........but rest assured if you are reading this I am well on my way.

This journal is a small way to honour all of you who have been so generous with encouragement, gifts and money to help me experience my dream "to work in an orphanage". I feel like in some way I am bringing each and every one of you along with me and hopefully through these simple writings I will be sending a little bit of my experience back to you.

I now know that I will be living in a town called Gnong, which is about 54kms south-west of Nairobi. The children’s orphanage is called Sidai and has about 70 girls and boys ranging in age from 3 to 18 years. I was very fortunate in getting a home stay with the same family as my daughter Kelsey, which means we will be roomies for a few weeks before she moves on. My host family, Grace and Stanley Wambui, are apparently not only are happy to have me but expected that I should be staying with them as Kelsey has been their "daughter" for over a month.

Kelsey has been a wealth of information in my trip planning....I don't know that I would be as together had she not been guiding my packing choices, especially suggesting I bring extra ginger and sea bands for those nauseating matatu rides.

Anyone who would like an insight into Kenyan life, from matau's, to food and religion, or politics and valentines day can check out Kelsey's blog at: cantstayforlong.blogspot.com . It will make you laugh and make you think (probably something like "what the hell is Taira doing there?").

Till then I will be thinking kind thoughts about you all and the new friends I shall meet.

With Love
Always
Taira