Dow - One of the first Americans born in East Africa …… As a child growing up at Kijabe, Downing spent considerable time with the children of the African Christian leaderas his father worked with. As a result of these relationships he picked up the Kikuyu language almost as early as he did English. Downing's command of the language and culture of the Kikuyu spoke eloquently of his respect for the equal humanity of the Kenyan people that his Christian faith espoused. But more than that Downing's mastery of Kikuyu and Swahili connected him intimately to the culture and people of the area - opening doors and facilitating goodwill in ways unimaginable to those outside the circle of trust created by the bond of language.