Day 10.  1st August 2013.We awoke today to the team bus undergoing a spot of simple treatment.  Driver John’s son and his colleague had been called to travel overnight from Nairobi to give the ultimate flying machine a once over.  It is running fine now but we had a half day today in order to allow time for the check up this afternoon.Hugh was laid low today as a result of the ‘Masai’s Revenge’ so Jon stepped up and delivered a resounding grace before breakfast.  Tears were shed.We set off around half nine and headed to VISPA (Vision and Passion) Orphanage just outside Kisumu.  The stories we have to tell from here can really only be told face to face and using pictures and videos that were taken but what can be said is that it was a very moving, exciting, interesting and enlightening experience.  It started in 1993 in order to deal with the large numbers of orphans from the HIV/AIDS epidemic, starting with one building but has now expanded to accommodate 80 live-in children and a total of 390 children at the school in total.  We were greeted by a delightful group of children who sang a welcome song to us and we were then shown around the school buildings (pictures will explain it better than my stunted prose!).  Having been shown around the classrooms and introducing ourselves to the students we handed over a box a gifts including paracetamol, clothes, some games and a football which was very well received.  Bubbles were blown, songs sung, footballs kicked, and dancing was done by our team for them and by the Kenyan girls for us.  In fact, the Kenyan students compete nationally in Highland dancing contests, who would have thought!?The afternoon was spent in incident free fashion, lounging around reading and Pastor Tom very kindly brought everyone an ice cold Mango drink.

There was however, one very emotional and heart rending moment, I will allow the words of those most affected by this earth shattering event to share it with you as I feel I would serve only to deal with this too lightly…“It was a few days ago now, Eve and Clarissa rescued ‘Chow-mein’ the Praying Mantis from the depths of their chamber.  We believe he has been mentioned previously.  Today, tragically, ‘Chow-mein’, lost his battle with this cruel, challenging world.  He was laid to rest during what has been described by on-lookers as a “modest, solemn yet oddly fitting send-off” for one who had been a reliable albeit too briefly known, friend and confidant.  Evening news reports that there were five dedicated friends in attendance – Eve, Dilara, Clarissa, Megan and Alex.  He was buried and a few words, through a veil of tears, were spoken by Driver John.  Rest in pieces Chow-mein, you will be missed.”Mr MacDonald