Purchasing Land

The following is from an email sent by Joe Wilson in September 2008.

Hello everyone...

I wanted to take some time to update all interested parties on what is taking place with the progression of The Lord's House of Hope over here in Kenya.

...My current goal is to find 2 plots of land (1/2 acre) for 1.4 to 1.4 million Kenyan shillings (around $20K).    Each passing day, however, is proving that this may be very difficult to accomplish.  On an additional note, the corruption here leads from the common scam artists all the way up to government within the Ministry of Lands.  the possession of a "Title Deed" here doesn't carry the same piece of mind that it does at home.  Just this morning, after speaking with multiple contacts, I bailed out on an offer that at home in the US would have appeared to be "iron-clad."

Now for some good news regarding our budget: construction costs (mainly labor) are much cheaper here than in the US!  As an example, I met with George, the head of the host family that I stayed with in 2006.  He shared with me the blueprints and cost breakdown for his 4-story, 8-unit residential apartment building that is currently being built in his backyard.  The total cost of land improvements was just over a mere $100K!  This is very encouraging!

George is going to be working with me to make contacts in Kenya so that we can hopefully work with these individuals overseas to have all pre-ground breaking requirements satisfied prior to our groups arrival in the summer of 2009...

...And with that, I will come to a close.  Thank you again to all who are taking the time out of their busy schedules to work through what can only be described as the lower rings in this project's upcoming ascent to greatness.  I appreciate so much the opportunity.  Being here is like an injection of inspiration, remind me of what it feels like to stand up for those who don't yet have a voice in this world.

Best,

Joe Wilson

Joe eventually purchased 1/2 acre of land for Lord's House of Hope in Waithaka, Kenya, just 10 minutes away from the capital city of Nairobi.  A photograph of the site of The Lord's House of Hope - all of the green grass and open air is a far cry from life in the slums!