Submitted by olivia on Wed, 2013-10-02 10:01
- STORIES FROM MAAI MAHIU, KENYA -
“Siku njema huonekana asubuhi” a Swahili saying that loosely translates to “a good day is evident in the morning”. This held true for Café Ubuntu opening day which started with a bright sunny morning albeit with an uneasy calmness that blanketed the entire country after the harrowing four days of siege at the Westgate mall in Nairobi. We pray and condole with our sisters and brothers who lost their loved ones.
For the CTC family, this was the day that we had been eagerly looking forward to, the day that we had etched on our calendars. Mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety would best describe our mood on the eve of D-Day. The teams had been running around to make sure that everything was in order. In particular, the Whole Foods team acted like worker bees to have Café Ubuntu’s official opening marked with the grandeur that it deserved. Kudos once again to the CTC Kenya and Whole Foods teams! Their expertise in activity planning and beautification added warmth to the event.
Guests started streaming in at around ten in the morning and were warmly welcomed by the assigned ushers who charmed them with their smiles. They were then taken around CTC Land by the country director and other CTC staff who were keen to tell them what CTC is all about, its vision, mission and future plans. In addition, the guests helped themselves to brochures that clearly mapped out various upcoming developmental projects earmarked for the land. Construction of the new library and a plan for a soon-to-be clinic elicited excitement and praise from one group. In fact the invitation had a snowball effect that saw visitors come in throngs. The tent that the organizing committee thought could comfortably accommodate the invited guests turned out to be too small. All in all, stakeholders, CTC partners and the local government were well represented.
And as the visitors waited patiently in their seats for the opening, they were kept busy by the MC, a Mr. Bajet who made sure the ambience was fled with music albeit annoying electrical faults. For those who were eager to have a taste of coffee and could not contain their craving, the Dorman’s team was standing by to pacify their thirst.
The Opening
Duka Moja dancers (GAPA members) presented visitors with a performance just for the occasion. They had a colorful ‘jig’ that only added to keeping us in the mood. The speeches were inspirational, encouraging and commended the efforts of CTC. CTC's Kenya Director, Jeremiah, who was fittingly suited up for the day (he had earlier on mentioned he felt like a groom), unreservedly thanked everyone who participated in one way or the other and made the day a success. The guests had another opportunity to learn more about CTC International from Kenya CTC trustee Mrs. Dorothy Ombajo. The county representative in his speech pledged full support to CTC and applauded its activities which he appraised as development oriented.
Cutting of the ribbon by the County Representative that signified the official opening of the Café preceded the breaking of the bread by Jeremiah. Whole Foods Market Team leader Lisa had the rare privilege of presenting the “sacred scissors” (as Patrick sensationally puts it) on a “silver platter” to the county representative who culminated the celebration by cutting the ribbon and voila! Café Ubuntu was officially opened and operational.
Coffee drinking "mojo"
No sooner had the doors to the café opened than a long queue of coffee enthusiasts snaked its way to the coffee brewing machine for a cup of world class coffee; Mocha, Capuccino, black, white, kahawa etc at the café . In my view the MaaiMahiu community found its coffee drinking “mojo” with the advent of Café Ubuntu. And just to prove how serious we are about coffee, a number of coffee trees were planted by the guests of honor. Well done team. A pat on the back is in order!
Folks I am afraid I have to pen off at this juncture and grab me a cup of Mocha at CAFÉ UBUNTU. Karibu tena.
Blog By: Erick Ochieng, CTC Health Coordinator
