From "Tarzan" To The "Hanne Howard Fund"

Why Africa and not Colombia, the country where I grew up? Well, all I can say is that I didn't choose Africa. In an inexplicable way I'm sure that Africa chose me. I was born in Germany and grew up in Colombia, but since I can remember I've felt connected to Africa. I remember, for example, that I spent most Sunday mornings at the matinee watching films such as Tarzan and the African Queen. These series most probably fuelled and filled my imagination with exotic dreams and adventures in Kenya, for these dreams always took place there. I always longed for this place and somehow in my heart I knew with certainty that someday I would be there.

In 1972, I married my first husband and mentor, hotelier Peter Howard. Together we embarked on an incredibly adventurous journey opening hotels all over the world. We lived in South America, Asia (our children, Anthony and Alexandra were born in Istanbul, Turkey), Europe, Caribbean, the U.S. and Canada but Africa eluded us. In l987, firmly ensconced in Ottawa after having decided to bring to an end our "wanderlust", Peter surprised me with a gift for a month long safari for the entire family to my beloved Kenya and Tanzania. My childhood dream came true. To this day, I remember vividly my feelings and thoughts on stepping onto African soil. I felt at home and knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that I would return. It was an amazing trip and experience, one the whole family cherishes to this day.

I finally went back in the winter of 2004, this time with my second husband, Ted Horton. It was during this trip that we meet the most interesting Kenyans.