6 June 2013 - Madaraka Weekend - Red Rhino Outreach Project

Hello All,

July 4th comes early here. June 1 to be exact. It’s Madaraka Day. This year is the 50th anniversary of Kenyan Independence. The weekend is marked by stirring patriotic speeches and lots of national pride. It’s nice. Fifty years. Old and young. Here’s a look at the weekend at Red Rhino.

We picked up all the kids from school at Mutungoni.

It's a couple of kilometers over dirt back roads to Red Rhino. So we pile in and bump along home.

We found this brand new baby sheep and its mother along the way. An hour or two old. Still corded.

Ronah walked most of the kids home from the junction and I took a few with me to take a neighbor boy who rides with us home.

We went flower smelling on the return trip.

We liberated some

and distributed them here and there.

The weekend fell into its natural rythmn. Washing some clothes.

Shining some shoes.

Taking the new vehicle for a spin.

It's a sports model. A Gilbert hand-crafted model.

You shouldn't infer from this semi-candid shot that yours truly labors in the kitchen with any regularity. I usually sit by having a cup of tea while the real cooks cook.

It was Karen's birthday saturday.

Cuku and chapati. Cake and dancing. Everybody happy?

How about a show of hands.

And now strike up the band.

And let the saints go marching where ever the spirit leads them...until they get tired and march to bed.

Now, I like bats as little as the next right thinking person, but this guy and his girlfriend have set up house just outside my front door. I like them. They're big with russet wings and ears as big as bats. I think they eat mosquitos and they're quiet. My idea of good neighbors.

My lovely grand daughter, Miss Baleigh, graduated from Brookside Elementary and is headed straight to high school. Time has bamboozled us yet again. I miss the Fruit Bowl.

So long for now.

Yours for continuing Independence, here and there.

David

Comments(7)

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Bob Saunders says
June 6, 2013 at 5:10 pm

Freedom & Love!!!
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Peggy says
June 6, 2013 at 6:13 pm

I was there for Madaraka Weekend last year. I remember lots of speeches and parades on TV. Much more fun to be dancing and celebrating Karen’s birthday. It’s so good to see those faces again – including yours — thanks, David
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Sherry Guidi says
June 6, 2013 at 8:00 pm

David you have an amazing way with words! You are so funny and an excellent story teller. Pass your gift onto those kiddos!
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Bonnie Neuer says
June 7, 2013 at 8:59 am

Thank you, David, for these latest pictures and captions (with the exception of pet bats!) I save them all, and hope to put names to faces after my trip.
Can’t wait to meet everyone there at RR. Aug.1st will be here soon!
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Jeanette Marquez says
June 8, 2013 at 2:17 pm

Always a joy to see the progress of RROP. The children exude love. They are the natural sweet of the earth and their sweetness goes a long way. God bless them and all those who care for them and support the RROP.
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Chris says
June 22, 2013 at 5:54 pm

Well, David, how I miss bouncing along those good dirt backroads myself. But how even more delightful to watch the dear kids out and about themselves. True freedom, I’d say. Real independence.

And about that bat-couple who have moved in with you…

Please convey some of their progeny back with you to the eaves at Rocky Creek.
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Joan Bosworth says
July 19, 2013 at 11:40 am

I didn’t realize it was Karen’s birthday in June. Please give her a hug for me and a belated wish for a happy 10th year.

I enjoyed reading about all the preparation for the celebration and really loved that heart shaped cake. Hope it was chocolate!

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6 June 2013 – Madaraka Weekend

Comments(7)

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6 June 2013 – Madaraka Weekend