Mary's Homestay / Tir na nÒg solai , Kenya

18/04/2025

17/04/2025

If you share our passion for education, our volunteer teaching program in a rural school in kenya provide an excellent opportunity to combine meaningful work with an adventurous travel experience. Our teaching volunteers will be working with our local school assisting with entry level classes for young children and adult learners. Join Le Cheilè Africa teaching volunteer program and make a lasting impact through education. Simply get in touch with us via [email protected] or message us directly for inquiries

17/03/2024

From my Family 🇮🇪 🇰🇪

Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhuit!

Siku Njema Ya St Patrick

Enjoy d day folks a proud day to be Irish
🇮🇪 🇮🇪 🇮🇪 🇮🇪 🇮🇪 ☘️ 🍀 ☘️ 🍀

08/03/2024

International Women's Day

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Zb31kbC3NA4PQPbP/?mibextid=Nif5oz

20/02/2024

Rebuild A Home Rebuild A Life

"For every 5 people in the world one is without a home... impacting a family for generations ain't no easy task. What is important to know is that proper housing impacts every aspect of life; improving health, advancing education, reducing crimes against women and children and strengthening community"

Rebuild a home, Rebuild a life project was born after many deliberations on how best we can change a life by lifting them out of poverty. We have seen first hand the effects of poverty on children and entire family. A better life comes when we, the ones who have, are willing to sacrifice a little to leave a lasting impact on disadvantaged families and children caught in the cycle of poverty. And nothing has a larger impact on a person than learning something new(trainings) So, together we trust that you will impact many people and change the direction for families, women, and children caught in generational poverty.

Best of all, you will have the satisfaction that comes only when you have done something for someone else, especially a stranger. When you give you are providing us an opportunity to go where many will not go and teach men and women how to improve their lives and the lives of their children.

There can be no greater gift than to share with someone what we have and what we know. Especially if the person has no hope of receiving it on their own. A house that replaces a shack transforms a family’s opportunities. They now have a place to generate an income, educate their children, and feel secure. With security comes improved health, especially for their children and safety against being exposed.

Join us in this mission in as we help more vulnerable families living in extreme poverty build their lives out of poverty. You and I can do it together.. it's very simple.

For each home we need a doner / Sponsor to come on board to cover the cost of a home as its a stand alone project we only proceed once funds are in place .
We have a new house designs in place which has helped us reduce build cost .m

We are always evolving and learning from each build in doing so , we can improve each project from analysing them todate a lot of ups and along the way 😀

Plus going forward where possible each family will be requested to contribute towards their home a nominal affordable fee or manpower which ever is most suitable
This will ensure house is built swifly and no resources are wasted...

Initally working on traditional building methods has really affected our timelime and costs a learning curve but alas we are alway learning on ways to give families a better quality home while keeping the budget as affordable as possible to our sponsors/doners

All homes going forward will be build with stone 2 bedrooms , living room come kitchen plus a pit lantern (Toilet) and wash room.build separately.

As well we are helping them furnish there new Home but there is a seperate budget for this that will be needed to be Sponsored also .And will work with family on how best to help them exit extreme poverty with a simple sustainable project that suits them..

Rebuild A Home Rebuild A Life
To date we have 6 homes built on this project all in various traditional buildings methods.

The 1st Home was in 2020 Sponsored by Tim Morley
This family have really progress from this home .. This home was the start of this amazing project and it really has improved the lives of everyone in the family ..

The 2nd and 3rd were completed last year Sponsored anonymously whose support we really appreciate..
The homes look fab and really have had a very positive impact on these families lives .

The 4th which was our last mud home .This home is Sponsored by Damien McCauley of Amc Developments Ltd
This family really benefited from this home all lived in a one room mud house dire conditions...

The 5th home Sponsored by Fiona Milligan/ Owen and family completed this year .The 1st of our stone homes a lot learnt on this one but must say worth it all in the end. This home was built for Sharon ,gave her and her family a new beginning in every aspect of life ..

Our 6th home is Sponsored by Maira and Patrick Farrell and family .This home has been build for Nyderito and Kamu ( who currently live with us) but as they transition the move home / Timeline unknown as boys have witnessed alot of turmoil in there life todate and are still recovering emotionally from same. But in the meantime it is home to there parents and 2 siblings really improving the quality of life for everyone.

Our 7th home was sponsored by Bill Duffy and family ( Fiona / Lottie ) .in the process of this home we redesigned our build to make better use of resources, funds make them more affordable to build added to this Billy also bought enough land for us to build 4 more homes on...
This house is now home to a single mother who came to our attention for all the wrong reasons suffering a life her and her 4 children no one should ever ever could dream off, 💔 .Alas move onto today family doing well and all the kids in school
At times all we all need is someone to beleive in us give one a helping hand a chance anything is possible..

What an achievement so far 7 families sleeping in comfort bettering there overall quality of life a project that really has an immediate positive impact on the family once they move into their new Home

Hopefully In 2024 we get home or 2 Sponsored time line from start to finish allowing for everything 5 to 7 months aporrox .

If this project interests you just pm us or contact us via WhatsApp +353833017590

Rebuild A Home Rebuild A Life
Making A Real Difference In Real Lives .

Check out Lé Chéile Africa's video.

17/02/2024

Two fab tictok from d Tictox kid Eoghan Mulcahy

You are the difference the real difference in real lives ❤️

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeS7Hc7k/

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeSda8A6/

06/02/2024

MALIN HEAD TO MIZEN HEAD

601 plus Km ie 375 miles

That's just under 1 million steps

Help us reach our target €€€€€
Link here to donate ..

https://gofund.me/a67b13dc

Are we mad or what a challenge of a lifetime awaits see route below your support is greatly appreciated feel free to join us for a km or 2 ..

It won't be easy with daily targets km to be met taking in on average 14/ 16 hours walking every day for Derry Desmond and Eddie Pips O Connell

All funds raised go to Le Cheile Africa ongoing Projects .

Making the impossible possible Together ❤️ Making A Real Difference In Real Lives

Link here to Le Cheile Africa Follks see where funds raised are going ,

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=791100246390571&id=100064718077002&mibextid=Nif5oz

The challenge it self route

All support help on route welcome from accommodation, donations,water, a smile to joining us for a few km.

Proposed start Day June 15th sat .
We will travel up Friday and start at 5.30am on Sat ..

Day 1 ( sat) / Malin to Derry
55 km

Day 2 / ( sunday ) Derry to Drimquin (co.Derry)
105km

Day 3 / ( monday) Drimquin to swalin bar( cavan)
159km

Day 4/ ( Tuesday ),swalinbar to Longford
217km

Day 5 / (Wednesday) Longford to Ferbane co.offaly
278km

Day 6 / ( Thursday ) Ferbane to Nenagh Tipp
347 km

Day 7/ ( Friday ) Nenagh to Ballylanders co limerick
415km

Day 8/ (Sat) Ballylanders to Watergrasshill
461km
Day of WGH Soccer Social hence less miles early finish .

Day 9 / (Sunday ) Watergrasshill to innishannon
501 km
Half day walking late start Time Tbc ( if under pressure stop off overnight in Bishopstown)
Make it up ie km on monday

Day 10 / ( monday) Innishshannon to Drimoleauge
550km

Day 11 / (Tuesday ) Drimoleauge to Mizen head

601km Finish

Altered route slightly to take in WGH and a few stop off villages hence why its 601km plus ..

Your support is greatly appreciated 🙏 ❤️

24/12/2023

10/12/2023

Christmas Food Appeal 2023

This is not about Toys or fancy clothes/ Drinks it's about ensuring families don't go hungry on Christmas day.

Sadly here in Solai a lot of families will struggle to have a Christmas dinner
Not Turkey and Ham , spiced beef but a basic meal of Ugali and Beans .
Most families struggle to have that one meal a day a sad Fact of life here ..

That's a fact.

The repsone so far has been amazing thank you thank you ❤️
We will deffo at this rate match last years allocation of food parcels ( positive positive 😀)

Children get excited, get to stay up late have a feast party watching the Toy show, send there letter to Santa and dream what a time in a child's life the wonder magic of it all Christmas.
The way it should be a time of innocent memories..

So we hope this post finds you well and business, life is doing okay in these trying times .

Yip it's time of year again folks, Christmas is almost here.

I am writing / asking my old fellow colleagues, friends , friends of friends to help us / come on board and bring Christmas to the most vulnerable we work with via Le Cheile Africa.
As a proud Watergrasshill, Cork Irish person am hoping you may be in a position to lend us your support to this appeal..

Sadly already in parts of Kenya we are all ready seeing people die from malnutrition , starvation. Add in now Al nino extended rains here with ourselves.
A combination of crop failure ,flooding others cost of living increased by over 33% plus (WHO) in the last 12 months due to world economic pressures,

Through our current community projects, Clinic , Soup Kitchen, education Programme , daycare etc we continue to support families in need as best as we can on a daily basis..
This appeal is for all Families in the greater Solai area who struggle daily to put food on the table sadly this list is growing as life is just getting tougher the day .

Help us make a real difference this Christmas, by bringing Christmas to Solai Kenya, Bring a smile 😃to these kids show them the true meaning of Christmas, giving, love .

We are appealing for your support this Christmas in helping families with food support for local families ie food parcels
A parcel will set us back €25\30

In an ideal world we would get 10 to 20 business, organisations donated €500 or more if possible to this campaign and set it off to a good start
We will thanks everyone on our social media platforms for there support etc and yes we are a registered Charity in Ireland Charity No.RCN: 20204974.

Last years Christmas Food appeal was a resounding success with around 250 plus food parsels distributed wouldn't it be great if we achieved that number of parcels again at least sadly tho we really need 500 plus food parsels such is the depth of extreme poverty around us. All going to plan distribution of parsels will on and around the 15th of December

Typical food parsels example

Cooking Oil
Rice
Lentils
Wheat flour
Ugali flour
Sugar
Salt
Tea leaves
Bread
Soap
Eggs

No matter how small every donation will bring us a step closer to keeping the true spirit of Christmas alive hopefully helping us get a step closer in bringing Christmas to Solai Kenya. ..

Our account in Ireland are as follows .
Synergy Credit Union Fermoy
Account name : Le Cheile Africa
Account number, called member number in CU 26598
BIC: FECNIE21
IBAN: IE57FECN99111310460086

( do put reference on it so we can thank you)

Or you can do it via PayPal link 👇

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=X9S8QYGCHAZ36&source=url

Asanta Sana / Go Raith Maith Agait

https://youtu.be/j3fSknbR7Y4?si=iZgauJaidqCnHB7o

Band Aid vocalist members:Robert "Kool" Bell (Kool & the Gang)Bono (U2)Pete Briquette (The Boomtown Rats)Adam Clayton (U2)Phil Collins (Genesis and solo arti...

09/12/2023

Phase 2 of Zeus Zerograze Farm development well on the way .

New dog kennels complete our 13 yip 13 friends move into there new accommodation tomorrow..
As are security dogs best to move them.on a Sunday ie 90% of staff off .. 😆

Cow shed revamp, redesign has begun
Probably complete by January..

A lot more exciting news here folks so stay Tuned over the next few weeks.

All working towards the ultimate goal of helping the community moving a big step closer to self sustainability

A big thanks to All who are helping us get phase 2 off the ground without your belief in our dream nothing would be possibility

Water is being distributed daily no.more quing for hours on the hope of getting vlean drinking water
Now readily available via our Borehole
Water 💧 Truly 💧 Is 💧 Life

Water Project link.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=7456720864341453&id=100000108407728&mibextid=Nif5oz

Busy few weeks ahead as we do our end our year education support programme updates , food parsels etc plus our usual everyday projects Daycare,soup kitchen etc ..

Making A Real Difference In Real Lives, Making the impossible possible Together ❤️

Dont forget our Christmas Food Appeal is on going
Christmas Food Appeal.link.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=7463121130368093&id=100000108407728&mibextid=Nif5oz

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGe8gmEFn/

Check out Lé Chéile Africa's video.

05/12/2023

Today is International Volunteer day

On that thanks to everyone 🙏 for all your help and support Le Cheilè Africa

Making the impossible possible Together ❤️

Especially those of you who continue to give up your time on weekly and monthly basis silently inbthe background
You ❤️ are the different the real difference in real lives ..

Reminder our Christmas 🎄 food appeal is ongoing do if one can help us bring the true meaning of Christmas to one family at a time

Christmas Food Appeal.link.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=7463121130368093&id=100000108407728&mibextid=Nif5oz

06/10/2023

Tomorrow will do a wee vlog promise promise for those of ye asking me

A trip.of lifetime feels like a life time ago also one where I challenged myself more so mentally than physically ( even tho suffered big time with althuide sickness)

Jeep on on Venture2Adventures page as Graham Tobin is currently back in Nepal
See link here .
We use Graham for all our 2day plus hikes be it in Ireland, Europe even Africa Kenya 🇰🇪 itself..

https://www.facebook.com/venture2adventures?mibextid=ZbWKwL

https://www.facebook.com/100064561245094/posts/700600135435355/?mibextid=Nif5oz

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough, and we'll be more content when they are.

After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our partner gets his or her act together when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice holiday, when we retire.

The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when?

Your life will always be filled with challenges.

It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

A quote comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said,

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."

This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.

So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time...and remember that time waits for no one.

So, stop waiting until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until winter, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink.... there is no better time than right now to be happy.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

Work like you don't need money,

Love like you've never been hurt,

And dance like no one's watching.