Orphan Kids of KakamegaThe main road from Kisumu leads to Kakamega,
Western Province,
heartland of the Luhya people.
Hot winds blow in from the west,
up the valley from Lake Victoria
carrying rain over the Nandi Escarpment.
Kenya’s rainforest, feast for the senses,
unique, vibrant, teeming with the life of
hundreds of butterfly species
grey parrots, blue turacos, hornbills
forest raptors, snakes, primates.
home to Mama Mutere
ancient tree of medicinal cure
rooted in Kakamega Forest.
Mt. Elgon to the north,
and Kirinyaga’s Mt. Kenya
hide their faces at a land
ravaged by poverty and disease.
Weeping stone of Maragoli sighs
during spring a constant stream of tears
flow down its time worn sides.
Motherless children
the neglected and lonely,
broken hearts with muted voices,
too young to face the blackness
of HIV/Aids.
Listen to their silence
Orphan Kids of Kakamega.
Michael Frederiksen
President, CES Canada
