Power Cuts Hit Nairobi

I have no electricity on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The ongoing drought has dried up the rivers serving Kenya’s hydroelectric power stations and the Government is imposing strict power rations to ensure that the manufacturing and business areas continue to be served.

Three million people live in Nairobi, but the only light around right now is the glow from my laptop screen.

Shower
There are also frequent unscheduled power outages. You’ll be notified of these cuts by the yells issuing from my house.

Without fail, they will occur in the middle of my electric shower just when I have lathered up my hair. Suddenly the water turns from bubbly warm to darting icicles and the bathroom is plunged into darkness.

Rain Dance
But while the most I have to put up with is soapy hair, unironed clothes and stubbing my toes in the pitch black of night, my staff that live in Kangemi slum have almost round the clock power cuts.

This schedule will be maintained until October at the earliest, when hopefully our rain dances and prayers will be answered with the arrival of the much needed short rains.


By Eileen in Nairobi

Frank Duffy 10 Miler

Good luck to everyone taking part in the Frank Duffy 10 mile race in the Phoenix Park this Saturday.

If you're inspired by the event and are considering taking the next step to the half marathon in September or even the full 26.2 miles in October, please consider using the event to help raise money for World Vision.

Chickens

Every little helps. Just €10 can buy 6 chickens in Africa. Chickens grow and breed quickly so they quickly become a steady source of income as well as a long term food supply for a family in Africa.

Go to http://www.worldvisiongifts.ie/ to find out more about what gifts you can buy with the money you raise.

All the gifts in the catalogue are requested by the community and are bought locally so as to keep transport costs down and support the local economy.

To find out more about running Dublin for World Vision go to www.worldvision.ie/dublinmarathon

Follow us on Facebook

You can now follow the blogging thoughts of Team World Vision Ireland on Facebook.

We update the page two to three times a week so be sure to check in regularly. Click here to become a 'Fan'.

You can see new photos from where your sponsored child lives, find out what other sponsors are up to and let us know what you think about anything we're doing.

Feel free to leave a comment - we really want to hear what you think and welcome all feedback.

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Team World Vision Ireland

World Vision Week on Today FM

World Vision has teamed up with Today fm to help children living in poverty in Sierra Leone.

We're looking for 100 new child sponsors every day.

Find out more at www.worldvision.ie/todayfm

Irish Runner 5 Miler

I can't believe the Irish Runner 5 Miler in the Phoenix Park next Sat (18th July) is already sold out. This is despite the radio ads with Eamon Coughlan still playing and calling for entries. This is the first race in the Adidas race series which many use as part of their training plan for the Dublin marathon on Oct 26th.


It just goes to show that running is experiencing a huge surge in popularity at the moment. It seems everybody's doing it!

For those lucky enough to have registered in time, here's the link to more info http://dublinmarathon.ie/index.php