and...we're back.

Dear Friends,

After one month of love, a family wedding, too many meetings, margaritas, Washington, cheese, a Braves game, old {wonderful} friends and a birthday {I’m getting far too old}, I arrived back “home” here in Nakuru on Friday, May 22. The whirlwind rarely diminishes in my life… : )

This trip is different for me in many ways:

1. I am not going to be here for eight weeks. Try twenty-four weeks. Do the math. That is close to six months folks!

2. I am here with family: two cousins and a cousin-in-law {does that exist?}. It is so cool to be here with Taylor. Her passion for Africa was the spark that ignited the heart of Lynn…who was the key influence for bringing my mom aboard…who was the reason for engaging my organizational skills {though now I bet she wishes otherwise, I’m sure!}. Bam, here I am! Matt, another cousin who happens to be Taylor’s oldest brother, is the favorite of the children. I’m convinced it is his monkey impression. His wife and fabulous new addition to the Hutchins clan, Jennifer, is directing our mural project. Goodbye {dirty} white walls, hello color and the simplicity of handprints…

3. I have many goals. Administratively we progressed dramatically during my first eight weeks, but we have a distance yet to go in the streamlining of student and financial records. I still need to learn Swahili. How embarrassed am I that team member Chad is busting out the language in full sentences after three days…and I can meekly throw out one-liners?!? I will be meeting with Lamech Mbise at the local Junior Achievement office within the next week to learn more about the business education programs they offer with our older students and Wonderful Women in mind. We are still diligently seeking and researching local markets for the GWW. And, I will make it to the top of Mt. Kenya and Kilimanjaro before the end of summer. I’m booked to climb…so this should be interesting. Stay tuned for how you can support The Kenya Project through my climbs by pledging a gift per meter! This will be so much cooler than your average jump-a-thon or walk-a-thon {no offense to the elementary school kids out there}: exotic locations, extremely thin air, large game, and sherpas!

In other news, I finally launched the Geneva’s Wonderful Women Project blog site {as in launched it while sitting at Hartsfield waiting to board my flight…before high-speed Internet became nothing more than a dream…way to procrastinate!}. Please check out the ladies’ story and handmades here: http://nomoredigging.blogspot.com. One beautiful thing about the Third World is that your effort and money makes such an incredible impact: $50 and a sewing lesson here soars far beyond what $5,000 will accomplish in the States. Your purchase will further empower these women; their crafts, ingenuity and solidarity creates immense pride and joy in their lives. With the assistance of friends in the States, I will continue to post photos of the newest products. The GWW line has expanded…and you do not want to miss out on the new line of leather-bound handbags inspired by one of Mama Robi’s own. They…are…hot.

I will be back again soon—no more month-long breaks from the blog. We are looking forward to an overnight safari at Lake Nakuru this weekend with the marvelous Julius…and then it is only two weeks before my last summer team rolls through!

Much love from here to you,

tnick