In our world, it is right that our health
and the care of our children, our homes, financial well-being
and other comforts should be high on our list of priorities.
Computers, mobile phones and other amazing technologies designed
to make our lives easier and the world smaller, are actually
leading us into a more insular, self-reliant existence.
Within the slum areas of Nairobi there are
no such contraptions as satellite televisions. Poverty stricken
communities exist in a world very different to ours, but
their priorities are not dissimilar to our own; their health,
well-being and the care of their children. There is little
hope for many of them, who were born and will probably die
there. The families in these neighbourhoods are anything
but insular; they are society dependant, with community welfare
being a fundamental part of their lives.
Project Albert gave help to hundreds
of these people, with countless hundreds more yet to benefit
from our efforts. Construction, refurbishment, maintenance
and improvement are the cornerstones upon which the Project
Albert concept has been built. The recipients have further
developed some of our work, demonstrating their appreciation
and proving our work to be worthwhile. Project Albert plans
are constantly being made and amended but our overall objectives
remain the same, to improve living standards by purely practical
methods
So the wheel turns and life goes on. I learned
a lot from these underprivileged people in spite of my comparatively
'smart' lifestyle. The people in the poverty-stricken Nairobi
slums have reminded me that I am indeed a wealthy man. I
have my health, my children, a house and even a motorcar
(of sorts). If I were unemployed and penniless, neither my
children nor I would go without food or shelter. If I become
injured or taken ill, somebody would administer specialist
care for me. Whilst wandering through the squalor of the
slums one would expect to hear seditious whispers, or witness
signs of resentment. All I found were a cautious and neglected,
gentle people, each of whom shared the same concerns as me.
Although far removed from our shores it is good for both
the heart and soul to spare a thought for them and their
way of life, it reminds me how lucky I am. |
