September 22 Rest Day

Today is a rest day, but we are planning to visit a local Gold mine and the Kakamega Forest.

                                                    Walking to the mine from Shisasari

                             The School as viewed from the Road walking towards the Mine

This Shaft goes down about 40 feet and the Gold that is extracted here is over 70% as compared to Australia where it is only 50 - 60 % as a ratio of the surrounding rock. Water is pumped out of the Mine and local plants are used to absorb any carbon monoxide that is present.

Gold is also caught in the surrounding soil and water and is panned to extract it. The Gold is then bound with Mercury and then heated to melt away the Mercury. Miners can average 1 to 1.5 Kg of Gold per day.

                                     The Rim in the Top left corner of the Pan is the Gold

There are 5 Species of Monkey in the forest, which are Red Tailed Monkey, Black and White Monkey ,Blue Monkey, Olive Baboon and Debrazza Monkey. This is the black and White Monkey

                                                Traditional Homes near the Kakamega Forest

                                                                    The Blue Monkey