Day 17 "Kwa Heri Kenya..."

So it was our last day in Kenya and the morning started out just like all the rest. We headed to breakfast at the Lukenya Getaway dinning room and thanks to the omlette chef we had fresh made-to-order omlettes and other tasty treats. Rachel and I were the first to arrive and then the rest of the team arrived very tired from the late night packing!!! We went over the many things that we had to do to prepare for the community development leadership conference that was to take place today starting at 9am. There was soooo much to do so we didn't waste time. Rachel and I quickly packed the rest of our luggages and brought them out to the van,which unfortunatley was being used by Lance and some other team members to purchase some sewing machines for Garissa. So instead we had to have one of the team members sit and watch all the luggage while we got things ready for the conference (sorry amanda :)

People started arriving and Rachel, Laura, Josiah and I registered them for the conference. This registration included providing them with a notepad, pen and writing down their contact information. The conference had about 35 local community development leaders in Kenya. Some had come as far as Mombasa others from local slum areas such as: Kibera,Makuru, and Machakos. It was a very good turn out and all the guests came with amazing ideas and lots of questions. Lance and the Hope Without Borders Kenya board helped lead the lectures as well as some community development leaders in attendance. Thankfully, Lance had booked a local dance team, "La-Tena" from Makuru slums to provide some beginning entertainment and during lunch as well. After a wonderful lunch, the conference continued until 4pm. Everyone recieved a certificate of training for participating and Mary from Exodus Children's home in Kibera brought more jewlery made to support the children. Even though we had no room left in our luggage, we all bought something. Even some of the community leaders bought the team some items to show their appreciation.

Afterwards, we packed our 2 vans full of ourselves and our luggage and dropped our luggage off at the airport so that we could lighten the load before the Good Bye dinner I planned at Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi! When we got there they informed us that Amanda's ticket was for the day before! Thankfully, they easily transfered the ticket to tonight's flight and all was well! We then went to dinner with all of the team in attendance as well as: Duncan, Michael, Elijah, Kuria, Naomi, Esther, Margaret, Martha, Jillo, and Peter. The place was amazing, we sat outside and they brought you bread while you waited. They then went around with large skewers of meat to our table. It was so good. They had chicken, turkey, lamb, pork sausages,ribs, steak, ostrich, crocodile and many other tasty meats. We all didnt take long to fill up so we took the rest of our time to say our goodbyes....which were very hard....and thank yous! It was such a touching moment to express our graditude for all that they had done for us and to also replay many new and excitied memories that we had made together! After our bellies were full and our hearts content we went to the airport to say our final goodbyes.

Our flight didn't leave until 1120pm so we had some time to shop at the airport, thats right some of us still had shillings to spend and room to fit gifts. Some of us also spent the time playing our new favorite card game, "PICK." We borded the plane and the next thing I knew I was off to sleep for an 8 hour plan trip to London!