Back in action

So sorry to all of you for the delay in posting! I did not realize that people were actually reading this.

After my break in the bitter cold of Colorado, I am now back in Africa. The same beautiful weather. Plenty of poverty to alleviate. And the same long days of work under the whip of the Grassroots Business Fund. I managed to watch the US Inauguration ceremonies from a crowded bar (it was late at night here). The Kenyans were running in the streets waiving big American flags in celebration. Other highlights for me include joining an ultimate Frisbee league and taking official Swahili lessons

The K-Rep director and I attended another FSA launch ceremony this weekend in a village outside Nairobi called Kasikeu. Once again I was greeted with celebrity status and called “Obama” by the all locals. The K-Rep Bank employees think I give them good PR… I feel like a mascot.

I included a few videos from the entertainment and ribbon cutting ceremony. As much as I tried to avoid giving another speech, a group of old women demanded that I say a few words. Somehow my Swahili has progressed to the point where I was able to tell everyone what country I was from, where I work, and that Barak Obama wishes them all the very best.

Aleke, the district officer and ONato

Signing the official register

One exciting initiative I am working on is a partnership with my company and an online lending group called Kiva.org. This arrangement could deliver some new loan capital to all of our FSAs. Check back in a few months and hopefully you will be able to loan as little as $25 to all these friendly villages from my pictures.

Ribbon Cutting


Some local dances




Aleke Dondo from K-Rep motivates the crowd

Skiing in Kenya

Not really skiing in Africa. These pictures are from Colorado.

I survived several months in “Nairobbery” with out any incidents of theft but the first weekend in the US, my skis were stolen. Fortunately, the thief was apprehended when he tried to sell my skis to a shop outside of town. Not too wise.

Other highlights of my vacation included a bout with E. coli (always fun) and a weekend of extreme skiing in the deep snow of Silverton, CO.

It is about time for me to leave this -5 degree weather and return to the sunshine of Kenya.