Corkonians Abroad: Why I swapped Cork for a new life in Kenya

How did you end up in Kenya, Derry?

I moved here in 2019 to oversee the running of a charity/NGO that myself and my partner Mary set up. It was a big decision to leave family and a close circle of friends, but one I felt I had to do.

I left to fulfill a dream with no more than the clothes on my back and two months wages, but coming to Kenya was made easier knowing Mary here had my back

The biggest push was the Solai Dam disaster (in which at least 48 people died). It was the one that helped us overcome the fear of not having an income.

I had been volunteering throughout my life in Ireland on various projects, and since 2015 I had experienced first hand the needs of society on the ground in Kenya as I went on multiple volunteering trips.

Tell us about the charity you and your partner set up?

We set up Le Cheile Africa to make a difference in people’s lives. We’re passionate about our work and dedicated to making an impact on those we serve.

Our focus is on community development, and our support extends to our diverse range of initiatives, all aimed at creating a brighter future for rural Kenya and beyond.

We are based in five locations throughout Kenya.

My partner Mary Kigo has been working in the charity/non-profit sector for more than 16 years in Kenya and she knows first hand the real issues that need to be addressed on a daily basis. Mary received a Head of State Commendation award in 2018 for her bravery during the Dam disaster in Solai.

Our main aims at the charity are to build healthier lives by enhancing the dignity and quality of life. To identify projects, resources and assist in coordinating them. To encourage community participation and to enable self-sustainability to all we assist.

What is life like in your new home?

Life is good, but it’s a daily struggle of survival here where most folks struggle to get that one meal a day. We help here through Le cheile Africa projects, mainly Wesley’s Munch Soup Kitchen and Dave’s Diner, giving out more than 1,800 meals a week, plus supporting the local primary school where we cover breakfast and lunch for 359 kids daily.

Accommodation is basic, mud house, eight to a room. I lived in one myself for 12 months until we got our feet on the ground. There is warmth but once it rains it can get very damp.

Thankfully, we now have the comforts of home - clean water, hot shower, etc

People are so welcoming and have embraced us into their community, especially as we work hand in hand and evolve our project to the needs of the community as required - the plus of being a small charity on the ground.

What has been the biggest challenge? And how have you tackled it?

The biggest challenge is working towards a self-sustainable community for all

We have tackled malnutrition, thanks to our clinic, Zeus training farm. We have a water project where we give out 20,000 litres free daily.

Add in our Daycare and Education Support Programme, and we really have impacted the community for the better. But we have the vision and wheels in motion to make it a self-sustainability community for all via our Avocado Zeus/Community Orchard.

We are not reinventing the wheel here, just getting it moving.

How might you spend your weekends?

Saturday and Sunday are like every other day in our projects, except schools and daycare are closed.

I get to spend time with my kids here, Barbara, Mick, and Joyce, and ring home to chat to my lads and my grandkids.

Tell us a bit about the culture of where you live?

It’s a very Christian community around us, a few Muslims and other faiths Going to church for locals on weekends is like Ireland in years gone by.

Tell us about your line of work/career

In my past life I was a wholesale florist, then moved on to world in McMahons Builders’ Providers, from being a branch manager to retail group purchasing manager.

Now my life is of living my dream as a 15-year-old watching Live Aid to make a difference in the world. I get fed and watered, as they say, via Le Cheile Africa, I don’t get a wage per say, but family and friends are very good to myself personally, as they are to Le Cheile Africa.

Tell us your thoughts on opportunity - and how a different part of the world might offer more opportunities?

I do believe young people should travel if possible, be it via work or extended holidays, and experience different ways of life.

There is an opportunity for us all, but sometimes it takes us 40-odd years to find that right path. But if one keeps trying, the path will find you.

Everything is meant to be, and try to see the good in every one day. Live and let live.

Are there any wider societal issues that you see in Ireland that aren’t a problem in your new home? Or vice versa

I think Ireland and Kenya are so alike in so many ways - both colonised, both finding their way in the world, both rich countries, but as in both, the poor and working class are left behind.

There is a big Irish influence here from priests of years gone by, and all are thought off so highly. Being Irish has made the transition here easier for me personally.

The biggest real difference is no work here means no money, which in turn means no food .

Life is very harsh here if you’re poor, with no support at all. This is where Le Cheile Africa steps in to fill that void - that’s not to take away from struggles in Ireland, everyone’s struggle is real.

What has been your most memorable moment in your new location so far?

First, it’s Mary and her compassion, her ability to give even when she has nothing to give is infectious.

Words can’t explain it, one has to witness it to experience it here - work in action.

Maybe the opening of our health clinic, Whistle Daycare, Zeus Zerograze Farm, the education programme, water project, and playground.

Check out www.lecheileafrica.org to see how the dream has grown.

Any special mentions to friends or family back in Cork?

Yes, my kids Aisling, Andrew and Sean, my two grandsons, Donnacha and Bobby, who I miss every hour of the day.

To my very close circle of friends, the Scrap kings (can’t name, ye all know who ye are lads), to Nick, Paul, Brian, Tadgh, John William, Fiona, my brothers Michael and Billy John for keeping us going, we appreciate it all so, so much.

Words can’t express my thanks, you have kept up going on many, many a dark day.

If you were back in Cork for one day, what would be the ideal day for you?

Time with my kids / grandkids, it’s what I miss most. Maybe get a wee hike in off the Knockmealdowns. Get dinner with my family and take in a CCFC game.

What are you looking forward to in the coming months?

Hopefully, this article will help us raise the vital funds to roll out our Avocado Community Orchard.

Think about it, for less than €200,000 we can change a whole community forever towards self-sustainability, impacting more than 25,000 people directly

Now that’s making the impossible possible together.