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