Info on Kenya

I thought you might like to read some of what I shared at Victory Christian Center in Mt. Vernon, Illinois -

Kenya gained her independence from Britain in 1963

Beautiful country!

Size of Texas; 75% of the country is ASAL (Arid and semi-arid land) – less than 10% of land is arable (able to grow crops)

Tea, coffee, sugar cane, fruit, flowers, corn, wheat

Tourism – one of biggest industries

Currency – Shilling (current exchange rate is about 68/= to 1 USD)

Located in East Africa – Indian Ocean on the east; neighboring countries are Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia

Straddles the equator; majority of country (that isn't ASAL) enjoys a very temperate climate (70’s and 80’s year-round) – 2 rainy seasons - flooding is common during rainy seasons; recurring drought common during dry seasons

Mt. Kenya is tallest mountain (2^nd tallest in all of Africa) – about 17,000 feet high – snow on peaks year round

Population – 35 million; 42 different tribes

Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, Muslim 10%, indigenous beliefs 10%, other 2% - I often see taxi drivers reading their Bibles while waiting for the next customer – cyber cafes often play Christian music

Languages: English (official), Swahili (national), numerous indigenous (tribal) languages – I hear and speak a little Swahili, enough to get by – but most of the time, English works fine

75% of Kenyans live in rural areas / US is the exact opposite

50% unemployment

Nairobi – largest city and the capital – 3.5 million people – 50% live in dilapidated hovels in disgusting slums

Kibera – 2^nd largest slum in all of Africa – home to one million people – I’ve visited there numerous times; have been in homes and schools

Kenyan people - friendly, hospitable, warm welcome (even when guests are unexpected and even if they’re total strangers), content, hard workers, patient, respect elders, giving and selfless (will share a meal even if it’s all they have to eat; they would give the shirt off their back)

Kenyans appreciate the joy of simple pleasures. They display true contentment in the midst of dire poverty and daily struggles.

Really, they’re just like you and me. They have dreams. They fall in love. They want what’s best for their kids.