Friends of the Mwokoeni Children - Visits
"My journey to England in 2003 - by John Oondo"
When in 2001 I started to communicate with Carol, I never thought it could end up in my going to England. On 8 November 2003, I left Mombasa on a Kenya Airways flight at about 8.00 pm. and in 45 minutes landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Nairobi.
I left Nairobi at about 12.30 am, after some hullabaloo about my passport, something I have not understood till now. I boarded another Kenya Airways plane and the long 8 hours flight to London Heathrow Airport began. I said my prayers and comforted myself.
Because it was my first flight and my first journey beyond the Kenyan borders, some degree of doubt entered my mind. However my train of thought was rescued by the public relations of the crew: the announcements and the entertainments. I forgot everything else and my mind was brought back to the present.
By 6.30 GMT, our plane landed at Heathrow Airport. One thing I was worried about was the weather. The other thing was what would happen if I missed Carol at the airport. Everything turned out very easy and nicer than I even thought about. Out in the arrivals lounge, Carol, Daniel and David were waiting for me. It was the beginning of my experience of England. They were very happy to see me and I was happy too. We carried my luggage to the car and now my attention was on the weather. It was very cold to my standard although the weather looked wonderful to me. When I asked about the weather Carol told me that the weather was mild. My mind thought that mild must be a degree of coldness. Although it was winter, there was no snow.
Carol drove us through the countryside to the south. The trees had sparse leaves and those with leaves looked as if the leaves were of trees that had burnt down recently. Some had beautifully golden leaves.
I never knew how long we drove. We pulled up outside Carol's and John's house. John is a very friendly man, and added to the fact that he works with children who are abused, made me drawn towards him. Thus my first impression of England was ideally set to be favourable.
The day I went to England was a remembrance day. It was the day the people of England remembers all who have contributed to the development of their country, specially those who have fought wars and done brave things or invented things that have helped the people of England. I could have gone to the local parade but I was a bit tired. Instead, I stayed indoors and watched the proceedings on television.
In the evening, The Wayfarers came to the house with Margaret. I enjoyed being with them but had to retire early as I was still quite tired from the journey.
The next day, I met 'The Friends of Mwokoeni Children'. We discussed my schedule for the rest of my stay in England. I was introduced to all the members, many of whom I had seen only in the photographs. It was a historic meeting for me. These are the people who mattered to me and also the children I had left behind in Mwokoeni. They had entered in the life of the Mwokoeni Children's Centre and School when I had almost thought of giving up. The next two weeks were full of events.
The next day, Revd. Zachary Allen, Revd. Peter Cornick, Carol and myself were interviewed by a reporter of the Littlehampton Gazette. Carol then took me to both Arundel and Chichester cathedral. Chichester cathedral dates back many centuries. We listened to a lunch time nice performance by youth. It was a nice opera.
The next day, I was invited to the parish church hall and the Methodist church hall. A number of children were sponsored. Many of the sponsored were very keen to know about the children and about our school back in Kenya. I found Godliness, as I had never experienced. Here I was with people whose love for children, they neither knew nor were related to, was very rich. It was a great challenge to me and my work. Even now when I am weakening, I think about the Christians of Rustington.
On Thursday, Carol, Daniel and John took me to London to see some of the interesting sites. I saw a rich history being kept. The past and the present living side by side.
On Friday, Carol took me to Bishop Luffa and Georgian Gardens. The two schools had taken a keen interest in our school long before this time. One of the reasons for my going to the schools was to thank them for the help they had given to the children of our centre. Some of them were sponsoring children at our centre. They asked many questions. I wished that all of them could one day or another come to Kenya and our centre.
In the evening, I met George Wood. He had invited us for dinner. He gave me a souvenir in the form of a card he had been sent. On the card was written, "War is not good for children and other living things". The card is on the wall of my office.
On Sunday, I attended both the Anglican Service and the Methodist Service. I prayed silently for the people of England and especially for the good people who sponsored children at our centre and those who did charity worldwide. They stood for the open door to the vulnerable people of the earth. I met the parishioners after the service.
My invitation to Mollie Priest's house for dinner was very warm. She shared with me much of her good missionary work all over the world. I also attended her presentation of the seven crosses on Friday. There was much spiritual lesson for me, and an encouragement.
In the second week, I spent two days at St Andrews where Chris is deputy head. I shared some of the lessons, and presented photos of our school. Students asked many questions. It was a very cordial encounter. I got some very useful literature on language.
I went to the Beavers and they presented me with cards for the children of Mwokoeni, I was delighted. When Carol comes in July, I will give her replies from the children.
Before the end of the week, I went to Summerleigh and North Lane primary schools. I met Mr. Holland whose interaction with the children is still a memory to me. Before the end of the week, I went to John Groves working place and met very nice children. I hope to meet them again if I return to England.
When I visited Shirley's workplace, I found the workmates very interested in our children and got a few sponsors. I thank them very much. I thank their manager for her welcome.
I am very thankful for the invitation by Fran and Rob for dinner and their kindness.
Last but not least, I thank Rev. and Mrs. Zachary Allen for the care they took for me. I was able to share the warm clothing and the dinner.
I cannot describe all my encounters and experiences but what I can say is that they were all eventful and useful for me; both in relations to my work here in Kenya and in gaining sponsorships for the children learning at our centre.
More than all I am very thankful to Carol and family for giving all their time to me during the two weeks. God bless them.
I can only say this. The people I met traverse the boundaries of kith and kin, the boundaries of community country or race. They embrace all humanity, they also go beyond prejudice, otherwise, they could not have been committed to people who live in a remote poor village in Kenya, a place many of them know little of.
The relationship between 'The Friends of the Mwokoeni Children' and the Mwokoeni Children's Centre and school, has been very useful to the centre. Particularly in providing money for the running cost of the center, mainly in the salaries of the teachers. The children and the teachers are very happy with the relationship and wish it to continue. The school committee is also very thankful indeed.
John Morris Oondo
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