Low-Cost Housing Project

Amani Village Site

Sorry for the big gap in time since we last posted.  We went back home to the US to be at Caitie's wedding.  But we've been back in Kenya for almost a month.  Since then, I keep asking Taylor to post something, since I feel like he's the one with exciting things going on at the moment.  But I guess his work is so exciting that he can't stop long enough to blog about it, so I guess I'll tell you about it instead. 

Taylor is working on a low-cost housing project they are calling Amani Village.  They are hoping to build a small community of one and two bedroom homes for about $3,000 each and work with the local banks to help people who can qualify to buy their own homes.  This is not a service currently being offered to the poor.  Most people either rent small apartments or build stick/mud huts to live in.  Affordable homes are not available to buy at such low costs, so many are stuck renting for life. 

It's all just in the beginning stages now, but here is a link to a blog that Taylor is starting just for the project: http://amanivillage.blogspot.com/  He plans to update it as the work progresses, and you can sign up to have the new posts emailed to you if you're interested in the work.

Home Sweet Kenya

We can't believe that we're finally here in Ukunda, Kenya.  After a lot of traveling around, we are excited to settle down somewhere for a year or two.

Ukunda is about an hour's drive from Mombasa.  It is beautiful out here.  You have the ocean, some of the best safaris, and some of the most beautiful, warm people in the world.  It's a place most people can only dream of visiting, let alone live.  We feel very lucky. 

Here is our bedroom view from our new boss Louis Pope's beautiful home, which he and his wife have so generously opened to so many people including us.