town | johnageddes

I really enjoy strolling through Mbita town on the shore of Lake Victoria. I have visited Mbita, Kenya about a dozen times in as many years. As you can see from the photos, I am the only muzungu for miles around. I get many greetings and stop to talk with vendors or pikipiki drivers. I feel very safe and welcomed. I love the vibrant color that surrounds me there. The town also has special signficance for me which I will note at the end of this post.

The photos can speak for themselves.

Below is one other reminder of my special connection to this town. In the middle of the local hospital grounds, now behind some trees, is a water tank bearing my name. It was the first infrastructure project that I tackled in Kenya in 2005 and the benefits it gave to this clinic led me to establish the CanAssist African Relief Trust in 2008. Since that time, CanAssist has provided more than a million dollars of infrastructure support to communities throughout East Africa. Little did I know, in 2005, what a profound effect that water tank in Mbita town would have on my life for the next several years.

Situated right on the Equator, Ramula is a colorful, little, rural Kenyan trading centre that I love to wander around and take photos. So much character. Friendly people living what appears to be simple lives but that are really quite complex given the challenges they face getting from day to day.

Here some photos of some of the shops that operate in this rural Kenyan “shopping centre.

This dilapidated van has been sitting here for the last five years, looking like this. In front of the “Palace” kinyozi (barber) hardware and beauty salon.

This fellow makes wooden tables, doors and cabinets using all hand tools. I contracted him to make a crib out of cyoress wood for little Heather Maddie at a cost of 6000KES ( $80 Can)

I asked these guys who were the other nine of the top ten. There were no others. Guess that makes this one number one.

The fellow hidden in this kiosk cage also can make deposits and give money from your Equity Bank account. In his spare time he does construction and cuts hair.

This is where the fellow above gives haircuts. The little sticker in the upper corner says “Trust in God”. Advice for clients who may not feel his skills are up to par?