I've covered an enormous amount of territory and gotten much done in my 4 weeks in Zambia & Kenya. As you know, needs are desperate. There are so many good ideas for helping, but not enough hands available--so yours are precious to me.

I am now extremely concerned and am very glad to be leaving Nairobi tonight. My heart aches for all those here that I hold dear and who are suffering and at great risk. The thing is, if everyone is not safe, then no one is really safe. How can you care about one and not care equally about all.  I could cry.  

Yesterday was terrible as I listened to news of Naivasha burning, killings, just dreadful things in streets I have walked often and enjoyed. I have not heard yet from Sister Florence and only hope she and her people are safe. When I was there on Friday it seemed that all was well, but now the ominous feeling exists that violence is spreading down the highway and soon all of Nairobi will erupt. Of course I have no doubt about the necessity to leave, but fear for all those who have no choice.

It will be good to be back home and sort some of this out.  On a lighter note, I still am queasy at the thought of a big box of fried caterpillars in my suitcase, sent for Father Andy from his mother in Zambia. I hope they pass U.S. Customs. And I am so very excited at the new project for long distance learning and a telemedicine clinic. The prototype will be set up very soon in Chipata, and Dr. Oyugi will soon travel down to southeastern Kenya to begin medical work with the children there at the school in Kaluoki. I am trying to figure out if we can possibly afford another part of that project: buying a large solar stove, sacks of porridge, and feeding breakfast to the children. Between the drought and the troubles, they will soon be starving, and I mean that literally. When the docs in the U.S. get a sight of these kids, I hope they are ready to act. My bet is that the docs have never seen real cases of malnutrition and they are in for a surprise.

I've spoken with a large number of women's groups about craft projects, and while they are extremely hard workers and do beautiful work, they are in critical need of business and marketing training. I hope in May to hold a workshop for some to give a kick-start to their enterprises.

Everyone else says business from abroad has fallen by 75%, and as I look around it seems I am the only mzungu in town. Med students scheduled to come in February have cancelled. Family of my friends Vivian and Jean from the U.K. have cancelled. Just what this country needs right now: cancellations and job loss. I can't imagine what is next and I really don't want to think about it.