Written by Cheri Butt
Travelling to Mageta Island
We arrive at a very busy wharf, people and supplies going in all directions. We are about to add to the frenzy with our team and supplies.
The most excited as we crossed was Benard, who has been dreaming about helping Mageta Island since he was boy visiting his Uncle. When he was older he lived there and fished to save money to go to University. Kathy wants to write a book about Ben’s life and already has the title “The Boy Who Saved a Village”
We reach the shore and watch the boat drive away, there is no turning back now!
Although the island is surrounded by water it is as hot and dusty as our Kenyan friends told us. However, it does not stop us from working hard and getting us and our supplies to where they need to go.
Supplies include hundreds of meters of pipeline that will be installed at the Health Center and one of the schools.
The sight of school girls carrying water jugs as we walk to the Health Center reminds us of the importance of life giving water.
After all the planning and fundraising to install pipelines on Mageta Island, it is encouraging to arrive and see the trench already dug. You know you are doing something important for a community when they do what they can to help make it happen.
We gather under a large tree for some much needed shad to meet with the Health Centre Staff and Community Health Volunteers. It was the perfect way to spend our time, every meeting should be help under a tree.
A year ago Gaylene Smith visited Mageta Island and identified it as place we needed to try to help. It is so exciting to see the changes that are already happening.
Cheri Butt