THE
fourth and final group of volunteers for the Migombani school for the blind and
visually impaired project are on-site and working like Trojans.
Bare
buildings are being transformed by the minute as a small army with rollers and
paintbrushes swarm all over the site. Inside, hammers and drills announce the
hanging of doors and final fixings.
It
was a long, hot journey for the volunteers and a long, hopeful journey for the
children of the school, but at last we’re almost there and on-track for the
official opening on February 24th.
Over
the last two years, there were moments when many volunteers felt ready to give
up, when fundraising was difficult and only the generosity of those people who
supported the events and collections kept us going.
The
last time we were here, it was to build a polytechnic for the young people of
the Migombani parish and that project seemed daunting when we first saw it.
But
this week, back under the Kenyan sun for a second time, we are meeting old
friends, seeing children grown tall and it’s like coming home.
The
welcome the group got on Thursday, having traveled through the night, restored
everyone’s spirits. Feet that were too tired to walk were dancing.
And
our motivation, if we need any, is he change we have seen in the children at
the school since the last time we were here. Their excitement is palpable, as we get closer to their
being able to move in to their new home. They smile warmly and reach out to
touch volunteer’s hands.
When
the going gets hot and tough, we have only to look at the plants, which have
been selected to be planted around the new building. They were all grown at the
polytechnic. Some things just keep on giving.
