Leaving for Dallas, Texas: Sept. 6

I will be visiting my niece in Dallas, TX from Thurs. Sept. 6 until Mon. Sept. 10. Look forward to photos of Texas after that!

Visiting Martin & Family in Greensboro: Sept. 1-3

I spent the holiday weekend with Martin and his family in Greensboro. In the photo, you see me, Waiswa (age 12), Luanzo (age 3), Martin and his wife Megan. They had just moved into their new place.

Here I am outside behind their house, where they have set up a nice dining area.

Here are the two brothers happily playing together. Lu adores his older brother!

We visited the Children's Museum of Greensboro, which Lu loves and he calls it the "Choo Choo museum" because of the train models there.



Here he is in a fire truck they have on display in the museum.

















Finally, the great weekend came to a close, and Lori came to pick me up to go back to Durham.

Adventure in Protesting: US Style! August 29

Lori and I attended an exciting march and protest on behalf of workers' rights. We boarded a bus provided by the labor union and rode 3.5 hours to Williamsburg, Virginia. We were protesting a company called Smithfield Packing Co; Smithfield is the largest pork producer in the entire world, slaughtering over 32,000 hogs every single day.

The workers labor under conditions that risk their health & safety, and now they are demanding union representation to improve conditions, but the company has just responded with threats and firings. In Williamsburg, Virginia, the company was holding a Stockholders meeting, and about 1000 people attended to pressure the company to accept the union.

We met several of Lori's friends there. In the photo below/right you see me standing with Laxmi and Alexandria. I'm holding a whistle in my mouth that we were using to make noise! This protest was not like those we see at home. There was no tear gas, no running from police. In fact, they had arranged with the police in advance and they escorted us the whole way.

We spent the whole day there. First we attended a wonderful church service in which the pastors talked about the work of God being for justice and righteousness, and if we are the people of God then we must also work for justice. It was very inspiring.

After the service, we joined in a march. We walked for some time and then rested at the end, when we heard more speeches. Finally, we boarded the buses and headed back to Durham.

Visiting Charlotte: August 25-26

After Pamela and Flora left, we travelled to Charlotte (2.5 hours away) to visit the parents of my daughter-in-law Lori. Here they are (at left) at a park near their house. This photo was taken in November, when it is very cold here. While I have been here it has been nothing but HOT!!! In fact, the news has constantly been reporting record temperatures of up to 105 degrees F (40.5 degrees celsius)!

Lori's parents have moved from out in the country, where they lived when I visited last 6 years ago, into the heart of the city.

We then went to a new facility just outside Charlotte that is a training site for the US Olympic White-Water Rafting team. Groups of regular people can also sign up to go rafting on the course. it looked like great fun!

Visit by Pamela & Flora from DC: August 24

My niece Pamela and dear friend Flora came down to Durham from DC to visit for the weekend. They arrived by train...3 1/2 hours late! And I thought only transport in Kenya ran so off schedule! It was great to see them.

Martin and his wife and kids came up from Greensboro to spend time with them also. Left to Right: Martin, Flora, Pamela, Me holding Luanzo, Megan, Waiswa

We also went to the American Tobacco District in downtown Durham. Below are Waiswa and Antony with Pamela & Flora.

After a great visit for too short of a weekend, they had to be off again. Luckily, the train didn't take quite as long to reach DC as it had when coming.

Suprise visit by Martin Khamala!

On August 22, I got a big shock...my lost son appeared at the door with his two sons! What a surprise and joy. We had not spoken or seen each other for six years, and suddenly there he was. I got to meet another grandson for the first time.

Bahamas Trip: July 24- Aug. 3

Here I am in Freeport, Bahamas at the home of my dear friend Gladys Thompson. (For a map of the Bahamas, see below from the June 29 post.) My trip to the Bahamas was very exciting. It was like no other part of the world I have ever seen...so rocky, so hot, but the water of the Atlantic Ocean was so cool.

The most enjoyable part (besides talking and catching up for hours with Gladys) was visiting Port Lucaya Marketplace and seeing the different shows they present. It was so packed, one can easily get lost, so you have to just join hands to stay together! Below in the photo you can see some of the dancing at Port Lucaya. Wow, those ladies can dance! It's as if they don't have bones in their bodies! Me, if I were to dance like that I think I should end up in hospital!

During the day, I spent lots of time with Gladys' daughter Vanessa, who LOVES going to the beach and loves the water.

This was a great trip I will never forget!!

USFWI Triennial Conference In Indiana: July 19-22

About USFWI (from their website): The United Society of Friends Women International (USFWI) is a Christian international organization of Friends (Quaker) women. Our purpose includes stimulating our spiritual development, cultivating Christian stewardship and nurturing education for mission among Friends. We support Friends mission programs around the world. We meet globally every three years in our Triennial sessions.

About the Triennial: This year, I was able to attend the Triennial session in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Adam's Mark Hotel. The next Triennial session in 2010 will be held in Kenya. The conference was very good, but we were so cold...freezing!...inside the hotel. So cold, in fact, that we had to send the women from Indiana back to their houses to bring us blankets!

Here is a photo of my roommate / friend Niva Kegode wrapped up in one of the Indiana University blankets that was brought for us. (photo from USFWI website)






Part of the program was a cultural experience for the Americans: the Kenyan delegation prepared Kenyan tea and mandasi (like doughnut holes, but that aren't so sweet) and ground nuts. These are typical Kenyan tea snacks. Everyone really enjoyed this experience. (See photo below/right.) (photo from USFWI website)









Here I am, trying to show Eden how fix a headscarf properly! She works for the Friends United Meeting Ministry in Africa office, based in Kisumu. (photo from USFWI website)

Visting Around Durham

Here we are in Durham's American Tobacco Historic District in downtown. It's a new area that has developed the old tobacco factories that once dotted the city. Now the old brick buildings are being converted into offices, flats and areas like this, which are open spaces used for trendy restaurants, shops and a concert venue. This place also has lots of nice waterfalls all over.

This is at Durham's Museum of Life and Science. This is the spacesuit worn by one of the astronauts (on the Right).

The Museum also has a beautiful Butterfly House. In that area, they also had these beautiful birds that I really loved (pictured below).

Here I am outside of the Museum (at Right).

I have arrived!!!

I arrived at the Raleigh- Durham airport on Saturday afternoon. My flight from Dubai to New York City was very long, just over 12 hours. I am pictured here with my daughter in law Lori outside her and Antony's house at 1020 9th Street in Durham, North Carolina

I have jetted out!!!

I just left Nairobi today, Friday July 13th. My flight is going to go through Dubai. Don't worry, I will not be stopping to ride a camel or drill for oil. My flight then connects to New York and then to North Carolina. My entire trip will take almost 26 hours. I will be landing in North Carolina at approximately 2 O'clock in the afternoon on Saturday July 14th.

About my plans to visit the Bahamas to see an old friend

I am also looking foward to another trip. I will be visiting my old friend Gladys Thompson. We have not seen each other for a really long time, but we have stayed in touch, especially in the last 7 years or so. She stays in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, not far off the east coast of Florida with her husband Okell and the rest of her family.. A map of the Bahamas and a picture of Gladys and her youngest daughter Vanessa from Christmas 2005 are attached. For more information about the Bahamas click here.

A quick note about the USFW Conference in Indianapolis

A quick look at my potantial itinerary. I am arriving in Durham on July 14th. I will be in Indianapolis from July 19-22. The United Society of Friends Women International (USFWI) is a Christian international organization of Friends (Quaker) women which reflects twenty-six yearly meetings located in Africa, Cuba, Jamaica and United States. I will be attending their triennial conference in Indianapolis from July 19-22. . To find out more information about the organization please click here.

Success at the Embassy!

I had my interview at the US Embassy and my visa to the US has been secured. I will arrive in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina on July 13, 2007. During my stay, I'll be attending a Quaker conference in Indianapolis for the United Society of Friends Women International (USFW). I'm also planning to visit a dear friend, Gladys Thompson, who now lives in the Bahamas. Now that the visa is set, I just have to prepare for the trip!

Leaving Webuye

To leave Kenya, I first have to get to the Capital, Nairobi. I will be leaving from Webuye, which is about a day's drive to Nairobi on dusty, pothole filled roads. Unfortunately, the roads in Kenya are pretty bad. See example at left. The picture is of the road that runs between Webuye and Kuywa Village, where we are from.

It is in Kuywa that I have been working in the last several years to help renovate a small primary school that had not seen any repairs in almost 40 years. We created a website of the school. For pictures of the school and more information click here.

Trip preparations

We are busy making preparations for the trip. A visit to the US Embassy in Nairobi is coming up soon.

About me (Mellap Khamala)

Gender: Female

Industry: Banking

Occupation: Retired

Location: Nairobi

Introduction: I created a blog just for my upcoming trip to the US. I retired from Kenya Commercial Bank several years ago. Since then I have moved to Webuye in Western Kenya. I have remained active in the Quaker Church and will be coming to the USFW Triennial conference in Indianapolis from July 19-22

Interests: Quaker (Friends) Church; Women's empowerment; volunteer work around the community.

Favorite movies: Cry Freedom, Kitchen Toto

Favorite music: Miriam Makeba

Favorite Books: The Bible