By boat it took an hour and a half to reach the island from the mainland. I even got a chance to drive the boat! The island is very secluded, which means that not many people go there, and it is also quite unaffected by some of the modern changes we have seen in the United Kingdom. For example, there is no mains electricity, the showers and toilets are nothing like the ones we have in our houses, and the first car to drive on the island was only last year, on 2nd February 2007 - and even then it only drove 500m as the roads aren't finished yet!
My time there was amazing - it makes you feel free living without all the things you are used to and you really count your blessings and all the things you do have. But life for the people of Mfangano Island is really difficult. They don't have roads so it is very hard for them to get to a doctor or to hospital if they need to. Due to the diseases and sickness a lot of people die very young and it is common for grandparents to look after lots of grandchildren, nephews and nieces if their parents have died.
My friend Moses, shown in this picture with Opeia, who is one of the people on the island who he helps, is working to make life better for the people who live here. Most of the people are fishermen - but they can fish all night and only earn 50 Kenyan Shillings - which is about 40p - and you can't buy very much for that. Since they can't grow everything they need on the island they have to buy it in from other places, which makes things very expensive.
I met some amazing people like Peris Juma in this picture, who is about sixty. Her husband and two of her chidren have died so she is now looking after her youngest child and five of her grandchildren. She earns money by fishing through the night, which is very hard work and dangerous when there are strong winds and sea currents. Moses is hoping to help Peris in the future so that she is able to get more food for her family, who currently do not have enough to eat.
It was great to meet people and try new things and my time on the island made me very grateful for the things we have and want to help people who are working so hard but still find it very difficult to make sure there is enough food for their families.
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