it’s raining, which should make a very interesting start. RIDETZ starts today. riders will bike about 35-45 miles each day — from kilimanjaro to the indian ocean. so excited. can’t believe the day is here.
DAY THREE
all the riders arrived
switched to a most-amazing hotel
photographed at an absolutely incredible and inspiring orphanage (see more below)
RIDETZ briefings
awesome dinner together, with all the riders
montonyok children’s home was started by a husband and wife (now in their 60s). emi and ndemno are two of the most amazing and giving people i have ever met. it all started with bringing one child into their two-room home. and ever since, their house and their children have continued to grow, now currently housing 40 orphans. ndemno farms for a living and their land is incredible. they have chickens and goats. they a massive rain water collector and solar panels on one of their buildings. they convert manure into methane (which they use to cook with) and fertilizer. everything is so clean, well-maintained and organized. the children all sleep in two bedrooms (a total of 8 beds). emi and ndemno know the importance of education and have hired a teacher to teach the older children and they’re working to get a formal school established on their grounds. they showed us the classroom and had the children sing ‘amazing grace’, which was absolutely beautiful and had me in tears. emi and ndemno are such special people, as is their orphanage and all the children there!! we’re heading back to matonyok after RIDETZ. i’ll be bringing them some of the donated items and taking more photographs.
this is the part of the house, where it all began
this little girl spells her name the same way i do
this little guy is four-years-old and weighs 12 kilograms. he just learned to walk four months ago. when the orphanage received him, he was extremely malnourished weighing only four kilograms.
last but not least, getting the bikes ready yesterday evening
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Amazing !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you have email or other form of contact for the orphanage? I’d love to be able to send support.
From your first TZ post, I have been anticipating what you would be sharing with us. These images are beautiful, simple and powerful. Thank you for bringing them to us.
WOW! I feel like I am standing right there with you looking at your pictures. Deb, you have this amazing talent of capturing the emotion in every picture. I even see the nervous excitement in the pic of the bikes. Thank you for sharing and shedding light on an issue we ALL could easily support. I hope you continue to find blessings on your journey as those who meet you are blessed by your spirit, kindness and love.
what a story! you are incredible. i’m so thankful you have internet to share your images and keep us updated. i’m excited for YOU to experience this amazing opportunity and i’m excited for all of US that adore you to see this through your eyes. simply amazing!
blown away. what a gift for you and for them.
Thank you for taking the time to share your images and their stories while you are on this journey.
oh deb you really are just horrible at this. all those sleepless nights for good reason. umm no. told you so! xo