Joel Kip N'geno Rotich, known by many as Giriama, needs our help. Giriama has been a wonderful friend and loyal employee of Philip Leakey's family for decades. Mainly a driver, he is also a cheerful Mr Fixit, and always willing to figure out a way to get old cars, and generators (and sometimes people, too) going again. We have always relied on him to be there when we needed him. We have fond memories of him entertaining the kids with his very realistic animal noises as he drove them to school. He looked out for us and made us laugh, no matter what the situation. Numerous visitors to Kitengela and Ol Keri will know him as a real fixture and major presence in our lives, and a mainstay of the wider community - always greeting people with a sunny smile and and perhaps a cheeky joke. He has seen us through good times, and bad, seen the children grow up and marry. He has always been kind and thoughtful, and we are very grateful to him.

Now he needs our help. Giriama has suffered a major clot to the aortic artery that supplies the blood to his legs. This has cut off the blood supply to to his legs and one foot is severely damaged. He has had major bypass surgery to restore the blood flow, but sadly his foot cannot be saved and he will have to have his leg amputated from below the knee. To make a bad situation worse, while recovering in hospital he broke the same leg, and needs surgery to implant a plate into the femur. He is in a dire situation.

As part of our wider network of friends and family, we would be so grateful for your help in getting Giriama through this, as would Giriama and his family. His son George is by his side supporting him on a daily basis. And with hospital bills mounting up, and in the face of an uncertain future, any amount you can give to help would be much appreciated. If you have messages to pass on, we will gladly send them to him - messages of support are really cheering him up!

Many thanks from all the family.