Power to the Kids

17th May, 2010 - Posted by Dave Redelfs -

Did you know that 1.6 Billion people live without electricity?   That’s about one-quarter of all humanity that live without all the things we take for granted - like electric lights, televisions and toasters.  In sub-Saharan Africa, the statistics are even more bleak.  It’s estimated that 547 Million people live without power.  Only about 1 in 3 is fortunate enough to have electricity.

Today, at Open Arms Village, outside Eldoret, Kenya, we have been been using a generator to make our own power.   We truck in the diesel fuel, and run the generator for a few hours in the morning and evening so we can have hot water for showers, cooking, and to wash the dishes and clothes.

But all this is about to change.   After years of waiting, Kenya Power has begun installing power poles, which in just a few weeks (we are told) we will have real electricity.  While probably not 24×7 like in the west  (this is Kenya after all)  we should have power most of the day, most every day.   Our Kenya staff and kids are very excited!