If I were only proposing an orphanage and community center, other NGO’s around the world have done that. If I were proposing that some entity buys 10 acres and builds a model village with its own facilities(school, medical, etc.) that has also already been done.

 I would like to propose something a little different:
   Can the residents of this slum neighborhood improve the quality of life for its residents utilizing 1) teachable low cost sustainable technologies, emphasizing the sweat equity of the LECDEN members (which could later be exported to other poor neighborhoods as an income generating activity) 2) income generating activities for all adults who are well enough to work 3) its “coop” function (LECDEN) to serves the needs of members at all age levels (orphans, sick and elderly).

    There may be numerous examples of the above. If you know of some slum communities that are already doing this, I would like to learn more. Please contact me.

    What next for me? I would like to serve the orphans and guardians of Kiambiu by locating partners, partnerships, collaborations, university and technical school affiliations, information, grant writing opportunities, donors (both individual and organizational), sponsors for the children and anything and everything that anyone can think of that will help me raise funds, materials and expertise to assist these folks in creating the model community they envision. I would love to involve UWRF professors, students and programs in the effort as well.

    One must think large (but start small)- maybe it could evolve into a model that could be replicated in other communities facing the same challenges. Maybe existing model communities could share their expertise and resources with LECDEN, forming an even bigger network. I see the possibility of such an enterprise connecting universities, students, study abroad opportunities, businesses which specialize in appropriate technology for the emerging world, individuals and entire communities around the world as a “service learning gift” that would keep on giving into the future- a “pay it forward” way of touching and changing lives forever, for both the benefactor and recipient.

    Slums will be with us for the foreseeable future. And although no one would want to stay in a slum (except for those few maliciously enterprising individuals who make their living off its misery), at least perhaps it could become a more humane environment in the meantime.

    Thanks to Sigurd Nelson, the young founders of LECDEN, and even the wisdom of Oprah, my life has been awesomely changed. In the process, I am becoming whole. When we share what we have with others, no matter how small or insignificant we assess our contribution to be, a part of us that suffered will indeed heal. When we contribute to the education, health or physical comfort of another, we, too, are positively affected. When we see the divine in another, our own seminal piece of divinity is strengthened and peace and justice is reaffirmed. When we are inspired, hopefully we can inspire others.How could I thank Sigurd for the inspiration? I have a feeling that doing one's small part to collectively solve these problems is the only thanks he'd ever want.