African adventure was an eye-opener for Rotarians

Five members of the Rotary Club of Biggleswade Ivel spent two weeks in East Africa overseeing schemes they have set up in the country.

Team leader Rotarian Colin McCartney was accompanied by his wife Liz and fellow Rotarians Mary and David Whitehead and Keith 
Hichisson.

They were joined by Rotarian Phil Douglas from the Rotary Club of Wellingborough in Northants.

Since it was formed in 2000 the Rotary Club of Biggleswade Ivel has formed close links with the Rotary Club of Karen in Nairobi, which hosted the group while they were in the country.

The six travelled around Kenya, seeing what progress has been made in areas like the supply of insecticide treated nets, which help to fight 
malaria.

The club has also helped to provide a spring source so safe, clean water is available in the Great Rift Valley region, while training in healthcare has been given to members of the Maasai at three camps in the Kajiado District.

Rotarians have also given help and provided assistance at three child care centres in the country.

Colin said: “We greatly enjoyed the visit – it was an excellent opportunity to spend some time in areas of Kenya where we have been active in recent years.

“It was quite eye-opening as well.

“We went to a slum which is not something I’ve done 
before, and there was obviously quite a lot of poverty.

“The people were some of the happiest you could meet though and that was quite heartening.”

Helping schools and child care centres has been a priority in Kenya for the club, and the group was pleased to see how much progress has been made.

Colin added: “Some of the schools have bought in new equipment but they haven’t been able to use it to the extent that they might want to.

“There was one school where new computers had been supplied but unfortunately they didn’t have any printers so we have taken over a new printer and paper for them.”

The six also enjoyed a safari during the trip.