FOUND UMOJA’S LAND – PERFECT!

22nd February 2012
Today to get the money from the bank to pay for the rest of our safari. We then wandered around Ukunda bargaining our little hearts out for this and that, but made sure we gave a fair price for the locals. Bought some lovely necklaces and bangles to sell when home for more fundraising. So hot again. We then went to our favourite restaurant at Diani (Leonardo’s) and had a tusker with our driver Jackson. A tall, very black, deep voiced Kenyan man who had a softdrink with us. Reminded me of someone out of the “Green Mile.” I cannot think of leaving the drivers outside in the heat. Why not buy them a drink and learn more about their lives and them ours? He appreciated it so much. Safely back at our cabins we swam to cool down from the heat. In the afternoon we went to look at land Whoo hoo! I had specifically wanted land close to the beach, good internet access, close to Ukunda, close to a school, and at 5 acres plus, fertile, with electricity and water, or close access to it.
Having looked at the land yesterday at Shimba which was an hour+ away from town I was hoping desperately to find the right land today. About 4 blocks had been identified as being suitable ranging in varying prices, so the most ideal was shown to us first being the cheapest as well per acre. Negotiations had already taken place to get the lowest price per acre and the landowner’s son met us at the plot. The drive was on the road we go to Shimba Hills so I knew the road well, and about 8 minutes off the road we turned and I saw the communications tower which alerted my senses. “Good”, I thought, internet service is available. Driving down the road was a village school, another tick (until I get mine up and running), and then we stopped at the land. On the land was cashew nut trees, coconut trees, mango trees, another tick. The back of the land was rented and there were a cassava crop growing – good and fertile. The Kenyatta University Nairobi is building a satellite campus 3km towards Shimba Hills from the land and water and electricity will be taken to there in the coming 3-4 months, but either side of the land is bores, so water is available and electricity from the town is connectable. Another tick. Being only 10 minutes from Ukunda and a further 5 minutes to the beach, and looking at the land I just knew then and there it was the right plot and there was 12 acres!!!! Fantastic, room for the children’s home, the food gardens, the cows, goats, chicken farm, volunteer accommodation, playground, carpenter’s shed, and also to divide off the land to have adjoining tourist accommodation African style and other ideas I have to make it self sustainable as possible.
Lesley looked at me and we both nodded knowing it was the place – just had the perfect feel to it. Didn’t need to look at the other land as they were further away and more expensive per acre. Just as well negotiations had taken place without seeing I was a mzungu (white person) as the price would have risen dramatically immediately. With such close proximity to the university getting quickly built was an added bonus. We arranged to meet once back off safari at the solicitor’s office to get the process started. We then went and looked at another orphanage project which was in Diani Beach. Nice friendly atmosphere with the manager being a lovely lady and great repoire with the children there. They homed 35 children. We liked it very much and got more ideas. Then back to the cabins for a celebratory drink and to pack for safari as we were leaving at 6am in the morning. A big day! I can’t believe I have found Umoja’s land and it feels so right!!

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