Latest News
APRIL 2005 - PART ONE
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Surrogate delivers quins
Luisa Gonzalez, 32, and her husband Enrique Moreno, 34 touch the belly of surrogate mother Teresa Anderson at their home in Gilbert, Arizona. The 25-year-old delivered quintuplets for the childless couple on Tuesday.
A woman believed to be the first surrogate mother to carry quintuplets gave birth on Tuesday 26th April 2005. All five boys, the biological children of a childless couple who tried for a decade to start a family, were said to be in good health after being delivered by Caesarean section. Each weighed between 1.5kg and 1.8 kg. Surrogate Teresa Anderson gained (36 kg) during the 33-week pregnancy. "Teresa has given me my dream. She has given us our family," said biological mother Luisa Gonzalez after the birth of a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. She and husband Enrique, Gabriel, Javier, Jorge and Victor. They will remain in intensive care for several days. Mrs Anderson, a 25-year-old student, originally decided to become a surrogate to earn £7,850 for her own family. She met Ms Gonzalez, 32, and Mr. Moreno, 34, through a website and was implanted with embryos created from their eggs and sperm. After learning she was carrying quins, she decided not to take their cash, saying they would need it to raise their large family. Mrs. Anderson has had four children of her own - two she gave up for adoption as a teenager and two with her husband.
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Minister Kimunya for a low mortgage houses meeting in London
The minister of Lands and Housing Hon. Amos Kimunya spent day on Monday 25th April 2005 with a series of meetings in his campaign to launch low cost mortgages in Kenya. He met with potential UK investors at the offices of the Kenya High Commissioner. Accompanying the minister at the meeting was the Kenya High Commissioner HE Joseph Muchemi, the Director of Housing in the ministry Mrs. Grace Wanyonyi. "It is the policy of the Nark government to upgrade the slum areas in Kenya and to source for cheap mortgages which Kenyans can be able to afford." During the discussion Mr. Seed who was present at the meeting informed the minister that Kenyans abroad would like to invest back in Kenya especially in housing sector but the major problem facing them is the interest on a mortgage. He continued to inform him that a number of Kenyans have taken up mortgages in Kenya but most of the rents income from these mortgages cannot service the mortgage.
From left is Mr. Seed, an investor Mr. Simon from Yorkshire, Chris Mundia, John Muya from Land and Housing Department Nairobi, Hon. Amos Kimunya, the High Commissioner HE Joseph Muchemi, and Direct of Housing in Kenya Mrs. Grace Wanyonyi.
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Elephants on the loose in a South Korea zoo
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Who ordered 200 bread rolls? This elephant burst into a restaurant
after breaking out of a South Korean zoo. © All pictures Reuters |
 However, it took the best efforts of the city's police officers and firefighters before the elephants could be safely returned. |
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Kenya's Martin Lel springs London Marathon shock
Kenya's Martin Lel beat a high-quality field to win the 25th London Marathon. Lel clocked two hours seven minutes 26 seconds to finish ahead of world champion Jaouard Gharib of Morocco and South Africa's Hendrik Ramaala. Britain's Jon Brown produced an excellent performance in sixth, setting a personal best of 2.09.31 just behind Olympic champion Stefano Baldini. Pre-race favourite Paul Tergat was a disappointing eighth, while 2004 winner Evans Rutto could only manage 10th. Tergat and Rutto were part of a large leading group for much of the first half of the race. Rutto was the first to drop off that group and minutes later, Lel put in a dramatic burst of pace. His rivals had no reponse and the 26-year-old moved comfortably clear to claim victory by 23 seconds. It was Lel's first major title since he won in New York two years ago. More than 30,000 people, from fun-runners to club athletes, have set off in the 25th London Marathon. Organisers have replaced the notorious Tower of London cobbles with a fast, flat stretch along the Highway, which could slash 45 seconds off the elite field's times. The Isle of Dogs loop is also being run anti-clockwise. Runners set off from Greenwich in south east London to pound their way towards the finish line on The Mall, raising thousands of pounds for charity. Olympic gold medallists Sir Steve Redgrave, James Cracknell and Haile Gebrselassie officially started the men's, women's and wheelchair races. Tony Audenshaw, who plays Bob Hope in Emmerdale, is tipped to be the fastest celebrity entrant, followed by film star Jonny Lee Miller. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, television presenter Dermot O'Leary and both the Cheeky Girls are among other familiar figures taking part. Entrants' ages range from 18 to 90 years, with some 160 runners celebrating their birthdays on race day. A runner from Kent who aimed to complete his third marathon in three days when he runs in the London Marathon on Sunday. Paul Oxberry from Faversham is walking to London in the two days before the big race - covering 26 miles each day. He was looking to raise £5,000 for research into Cystic Fibrosis - a condition which his young niece has. For the walk to London he was joined by his brother-in-law, but he was running the race alone.
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Kenya's Paul Tergat is the favourite to win the men's race
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It took 15 minutes for everyone to pass the start line
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Paul (left) was joined by his brother-in-law on the first two days |
 World record holder Paul Tergat and Olympic champion Stefano Baldini in the leading group of the elite men's race. |
 Kenya's Martin Lel breaks away from the rest of the field to win in two hours seven minutes 24 seconds |
 Soon after the finish Lel and Radcliffe show their delight after individual success in the men's and women's events |
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It's the Olympigs and not olympics
It was not held in Hamburg, Trotterdam or Porksmouth. Instead, Shanghai had the honour of hosting the 2005 Pig Olympics on Thursday 14th April 2005. Thousands of betting-mad Chinese turned out at Heping Park to wager their hard-earned yuan on 20 porcine athletes streaking along an obstacle course and showing off their diving. The pigs, a midget species from Thailand, begin training soon after birth and perform professionally from about a year old. Pig-racing is a popular pastime in rural China but rarely takes place in big cities - hence the interest from spectators in Shanghai. Eight-year-old Tan Yizhou said: 'It's incredible. I never thought a pig could be so clever and versatile.' The Olympigs has yet to attract the attention of Sty Sports and, sadly, Britain was unrepresented yesterday. However, perhaps Linford Crispy, Matthew Pigsent or Steve Ham are in secret training at a farm near you.
This little piggy was in the lead during the hurdles |
 And this little piggy ran home - It's the Olympigs |
And the next race was piggy-paddle |
 And by the end, pigs did fly |
London Marathon - Men's
result:
1. Martin Lel, Kenya, 2 hours, 7 minutes, 26 seconds.
2. Jaouad Gharib, Morocco, 2:07:49.
3. Hendrick Ramaala, South Africa, 2:08:32.
4. Abdelkader El Mouaziz, Morocco, 2:09:03.
5. Stefano Baldini, Italy, 2:09:25.
6. Jon Brown, Britain, 2:09:31.
7. Toshinari Suwa, Japan, 2:10:23.
8. Paul Tergat, Kenya, 2:11:38.
9. Sammy Korir, Kenya, 2:12:36.
10. Evans Rutto, Kenya, 2:12:49.
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Africa Open Day: An excellent start
Africa Open Day in London on Saturday 9th April 2005 is a day to remember in the UK where East African Communities came together for a common agenda. The East African Community is the regional intergovernmental organisation of the Republics of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, with its Headquarters located in Arusha, Tanzania. The East African Heads of State signed the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community in Arusha on 30th November 1999. The three East African countries cover an area of 1.8 million square kilometres and have a population of 82 million who share a common history, language, culture and infrastructure. These advantages provide the Partner States with a unique framework for regional co-operation and integration. The event which started in the morning was characterised by exhibitions, entertainment and business presentations and was crowned by a speech by mayor of Wandsworth and the chief guest hon. Amanya Mushega the secretary general of East Africa which is based in Arusha, Tanzania. The event was held at Euston Road, opposite Euston Station. A well organised dinner was hosted in honour of the secretary general at Calabash Restaurant, at Covent Gardens in the evening.
 From left is Mrs. Margaret Mbuthia and Mrs. Gicheha selling KETEPA tea |
 Rev. Njuguna Warui and a Canadian gospel musician Mr. Gerry Thompson |
 From right is Mr. Warner, Mrs. Warner, Mrs. Mwangi, Rachel Wakiinya, Rosaline and Janet |
 From left is Mrs. Ann Kuria, Mayor of Wandsworth, Mr. Mwangi, and Mr. Macharia Gakuru the organiser of the event at the far right |
 The Mayor of Wandsworth taking an interest with the crab at the exhibition |
 Mrs. Wanjiru Kinuthia (right) the commercial attache and Mr. Bano at the East African stand |
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Tanzanian acrobatic team in action |
 A young Kenyan girl is helped to pass under the ring at the exhibition |
 Adanta Dance Group from West African in action at the exhibition |
 East African Secretary General Hon Amanya Mushega address the guests at the exhibition |
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Thou shall not worship idols
A pig's carcass is placed on a pile of ghost money to be burnt as offerings to the sea god Matsu in Hsin Kang, Taiwan.
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First Kenyan in the UK to join National Orchestra
Amina Gichinga is 15 years old. His father arrived in the UK in April 1965 to study in the UK. At the age of 5 years, Amina was able to read music. She quickly learned playing violin and recorder at Newham Academy of Music. She also plays Guitar, Key Board, Trumpets and other musical instruments - you name it. Amina got through her National Youth Orchestra Audition (only 2 were selected in Newham, East London). She is now a member of National Youth Orchestra. Amina is able to write music and she formed a band with 4 of her school mates - Pop Music. Recently, she was invited by a local radio to present her music. Apart from her High School activities and homework (which is of very high standard), Amina is a busy bee playing music in concerts and gigs in theatres in London.
Friday 11th March 2005 she played at a high powered concert at Stratford sponsored by East London Millionaire Jack Patchey whose foundation has donated over 13 million in project grants to help develop young people in East London. Mr. Seed and Baby Seed were among the invited guests. Amina played Violin that day with the most advanced academy orchestra. Apart from above achievements and activities, from the age of five, Amina was a strong swimmer. She competed and represented Newham in many swimming competition all over the country and she has many trophies to prove it. Amina is an inspiration of young people who are willing to work hard with encouragement and support of their parents and other members of their family.
Amina's proud parents are health officers in London. Her father David Gichinga is from Kiambu, Gatundu and her quiet mother is a Chinese from Singapore. Gichinga arrived in the UK in April 1965 to study and he has been in the UK since. He regularly visit his aging mother in Kenya. The Chinese wife does not publicity and prefers a private life. Amina's father David Gichinga is a Trainer and Instructor for Health Carers doing Pre-NVQ Training aiming to do NVQ 2-3 and then advancing to become state Registered Nurses. He counsels all age groups with health problems with one to one confidentiality for both men and women. His contact is 07940389122 or 07985163211. His next training programme is scheduled on Saturday 16th April, 2005.
 Amina Gichinga (centre) performing at Stratford Old Town Hall |
 The orchestra team in action |
 Gichinga's family joined the guests to congratulate their daughter. Right is Njeri Kim Gichinga the older daughter of Mr. Gichinga and her mother left |
 Mr. Gichinga (right) during the performance seated next to him is Dennis Njiiri well known as Baby Seed. |
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