| You can raise over £400 for AVIF by shopping through www.buy.at/AVIF. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| You can raise over £400 for AVIF just by shopping through www.buy.at/AVIF.
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| Visit www.buy.at/AVIF for more great offers from over 100 top retailers. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forward this mail on to help AVIF raise funds. Please forward this mail on if you think that you know people who would like to receive it. Responsible emailingRemember if someone receives this mail from you, then tells you they don't want to receive a similar one again you must not send them future messages. If you are considering forwarding it on you must do so only to people who you consider would like to receive it and to whom the content is relevant. If you have a formally-managed list you must only send it to those who have expressed that they wish to receive such mail from you. Purchases made through www.buy.at/AVIF All purchases are made according to the information and terms provided by the company making the sale to you. Further details on using the buy.at shop are provided on the site. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Friday, October 05, 2007
Fundraising ideas for AVIF
Thursday, October 04, 2007
I have a suggestion.
I'd like to Create a Cause for our charity, AVIF, but we're UK based, UK listed (HMRC XR99385) and operating in Kenya. How can we do this when we have to be US registered ?
We use Facebook for networking, 95% of our volunteers are on here from all over the world, also, but its a real shame we can't register a Cause.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Congratulations to NABUUR (neighbours) online volunteering
This virtual neighbourhood (an idea from the fabulous Siegfried Woldhek,ex CEO of Netherlands World Wildlife Fund) has now built a website for the project and has found a few sponsors with donations of learning materials by GraceUSA for the children of Nyakach
The project kindly invite you to join them in ensuring a good future for the children of Nyakach.
The NABUUR online volunteering system has similar villages throughout the world, it just doesn't get any easier to help others.
Technorati Tags: online volunteer, kenya, nabuur, poverty, help, global
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Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Crossing youth activism with the Gorillaz
Technorati Tags: youth, volunteer
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OneWorld launches social networking site to tackle climate change
space for climate change tomorrow that will act as a ‘Climate Facebook’ to
inspire people to take action to protect the planet.
OneClimate.net is a mass collaboration space dedicated to global citizens gathering and
distributing solutions to climate change,” says Anuradha Vittachi, co-founder of OneWorld and instigator of its climate initiative. “It shows what people and organisations all over the world are doing, and offers a response to the question, ‘Why should I go green if no one else is?’” Vittachi points out that climate change is set to be the greatest creator of poverty and suffering the world has ever known, undermining the good work done by development workers for decades.
OneClimate.net links directly through to OneClimate Island, built by OneWorld within the 3D virtual world of Second Life. Since opening to the public in June 2003, Second Life has grown explosively and today includes 100 universities, including Harvard.
OneClimate Island was soft-launched by OneWorld on 16 September 2006. “OneWorld was the first NGO to use Second Life for dealing with serious global justice issues, as well as creating its first space devoted solely to tackling climate change,” says Peter Armstrong, OneWorld co-founder and Innovations Director.
“It will come into its own when the United Nations meets on December 3-14 to hold its Climate Summit. We will be opening a virtual window on events in Bali for anyone in the world who can access Second Life. But unlike its Real Life equivalent - and appropriately for a climate change conference - it will produce no travel-related carbon emissions.”
[info via Anna Cohen, Partnership Coordinator for One World]
Technorati Tags: one world, second life, climate change
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Monday, October 01, 2007
Children's Message
Donors donate funds to pay for a meal for all of the children, for example as a present for somebody, themselves or for their own sponsored child. When the meal party is celebrated a message to the donor or to the celebrated person is written on the board, the children do the only thing that they can do in thanks – pray for that person - and photos are taken of the children eating and praying and of the board message. This time it was for Inge Bahlmann, the sponsor of the two children at the board (Linus and Sarah).
There are different prices for different things, such as a full meal - about 80 euros, fruit – about 35 euros – milk – about 30 euros. A meal with meat added costs about 100 euros. This is meant in addition to the beans and rice that the children usually were given. The Center were giving at least 4 such meals a week & during the draught last year – for about 2 months – were feeding 2000 children every single day this way.
Technorati Tags: orphanage, sponsors, kenya, AVIF, poverty
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Be a SuperHero
AVIF are hoping to work with SolarAid teaching groups
in Kenya to build, use & re-sell simple solar energy kits ..
recycling your old mobile phone will help fund this so Simply take your old mobile phone, batteries and accessories to any Vodafone store in the UK.
Technorati Tags: solar power energy poverty kenya aid
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Sunday, September 30, 2007
Solar cooking for the Mercy home girls
cooking project close to Mercy Home & Alison Curtis of SHEP (Solar
Health & Education Programme). Hopefully we can arrange for Tetra Pak to donate
the reflective material to make the cookers so the womens group and the girls at Mercy Home also can learn to make / use and sell the cookers and food products baked in them too.
Technorati Tags: solar cooking water pasteurization kenya
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Saturday, September 29, 2007
More news from Zoe in Maseno
Technorati Tags: volunteer kenya africa poverty orphan
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Last day of school.......:(
Hello once again!
I've been a little slack in writing, time is just flying by..... a little news on whats been happening-
We arrived back in Kenya last Saturday night, with a new drum for the girls - they usually use water containers, they were so thrilled, not because of the drum, more that we had returned a day early! Zoe and I had a great time- Uganda is a diamond in the rough! wow - I would love to go back there! Awesome to see the source of the Nile river ....lots of naked babies bathing on verandahs, really great shopping in Jinja... Then up to Murchison Falls "the most spectacular place on the river Nile - falls were so powerful - cruised along the croc and hippo infested waters to the bottom, then walked around the top the next morning, the spray creating rainbows all over the place! We also got to go on another safari - seeing the animals with lake Albert in the background, fishermen in rickerty boats - and a great herd of elephant - quite surreal...unfortunatly the Lions were not around, but wow the giraffe were amazing! Buffalos, elephant, wart-hog, antelope many birds and hippo. I heard the grunts of the hippo outside the tent one night - then heard the rangers shouting and trying to get them to move on - hmmmmm I was very restless with a head cold, and a little nervous to get to the bathrooms without running into one by accident!
Our last week at school, the chicken shed is being made - the footballs are getting a great workout - and the paints and coloured pencils are still creating fascination! The students are just wonderful, and helping wherever possible.... the last day though was pretty difficult - a fest was put on for us for lunch then after was a school assembly where each class performed a song, poem, an authentic luo dance (amazing!) and 2 soccer matches. Then came the speeches and presents given - I cracked up - ahhh couldnt help the tears, just spilled over! A dream lived. so many beautiful children, so much love and appreciation - I guess I didnt realize we had made such a big impact on this school. I have many photos, thank goodness to be able to share Zoes camera - I really need one!
Yesterday we lazed around, gosh the last day took up so many emotions! The workmen were back at the home, the iron roofing was put up - and looks great! A donation came in from AVIF for that and all are so very grateful, looking like real bedrooms! Can just imagine the next lot of new additions to Mercy Home! Still a lot to do - like plastering, furniture and windows and doors! but we will get to have a sleepover before we leave! Yay.
One of the girls, who I have a big soft spot for...was really down the other day, finally we went to talk outside, and she let me know what was up - she had gone to her mum's to say hi, the dinner ready to be served, and she had a taste, yuck - who cooked this? Her mum who is HIV+ and looking after her 2 younger kids, a grandson, a mother in law, an elder daughter with 2 kids & left husband, she is the only one working - trying so desperatly to educate the kids and feed all. If she can find work it is ploughing the fields all day in the sun, for 50 KES a day (60 KES = $1 AUD). Anyway there was no money for oil, salt and many other things. Even though this young lady and her sister are being looked after at the home, these girls feel so guilty about how well they have it and feel helpless to help the rest of the family. This is only one of the many many stories, all true, that is happening here. Poverty. Harsh realities.
We are accompanying the girls to the markets after school today - so I shall leave my news here. Not long till we leave, Zoe on a trip around Africa and me to Tanzania.....will keep you posted!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Best Practice ? Pause for thought !
Is building an orphanage Good Practice or Bad?
Traditionally in Africa, orphans were accommodated by the extended family. But in Europe people built orphanages. The characteristics of orphanages for the last two hundred years have been: •
insufficient numbers of staff to meet the physical and psychological needs of the children; •
a failure to teach the children how to relate to adults of both sexes, and in doing so learn how to be a woman or a man; •
a failure to teach them how to build relationships of their own; •
lack of planning of the children’s’ work futures.
In Europe, girl babies are put into orphanages, grow up without relationships with boys and men, come out at sixteen, get pregnant . . . and put their girl baby back into the orphanage.
People seem to love building orphanages.
The idea makes a nice mental picture; – the saintly founders, surrounded by the loving children who are only alive because of them, all in a building that is a concrete proof of their benevolence.
But this picture is about the egos of the builders, not what is best for children.
Today, AIDS has brought a large number of orphans. How should they be cared for?
Consider this :
Perhaps the money that can build an orphanage can also be spent on fostering the babies with
their grannies and paying an allowance. If there are no grannies, aunties or big sisters, they can be fostered with non-related families. If land tenure is closed to outsiders, then older orphans will do better in towns, where they can be found a Master or Mistress and apprenticed to a trade, and ideally fostered with the Mistress’'s or Master’'s family.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Sky diving
All the best for October 28th, Emma.
Technorati Tags: charity parachute, donation, volunteer, kenya, AVIF
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Monday, September 17, 2007
Re: AVIF Evaluation
Kindest regards
Alison
Angela Tanner wrote:
....it's tricky to be in there as a volunteer/outsider and hear some of the stories ... you don't want the children to have to go through what they do ... and yet it's a way of life that is accepted there...... At the orientation, there was a woman who had volunteered at a school (maybe 10 years ago?) and she suggested to us that we just walk away if it happens in our presence. This was actually very good advice. The first day it happened at Glad Toto, we walked away from the school grounds and the teachers came up to us to see why we were leaving. I think I said something like, "Caning is illegal and we do not want to support it." The teacher laughed and thought we were joking - because it is so commonplace there. When he realized we were quite serious about the matter, he apologized and said it would not happen again (while we were there anyway). ..... I guess the law making it illegal has just come about in the last year and I know things take time to change. ....Again, this is when its gets tricky being a volunteer - figuring out what your place is in the community or school.
2007 Programme review by Angela
I have used the evaluation questionnaire as a guideline and have elaborated on some aspects that I hope can help AVIF with its future volunteers (and I think I ramble on about some other things).
Firstly, I was originally assigned to volunteer at the NABUUR project at Menengai Village. We were informed that we would be: helping to build the barns (that they had recently received funding for), assisting at the local school, bring solar cookers, as well as teaching the recipients of the cookers how to use them. However, when Nick, Charlie, Autumn, and I arrived in Menengai we quickly realized that our situation wasn't panning out as we had expected.....
...When we began considering moving onto new placements, we contacted Sharon and she put us in touch with the liason for Glad Toto. Nick and Charlie decided to go to Mercy Home and Autumn and I joined Andrea and Kerianne at Glad Toto. Glad Toto was started by the local women's organization as a school for orphans, partial orphans (one deceased parent), and children who could not afford the government school fees. As I understand the setup, there are fees for Glad Toto but they are minimal, the pupils are not required to buy the books and uniforms if they do not have the resources to obtain them, and I think students may miss paying fees when they can't afford to. Thus, the school is lacking in resources (the grade 1 class gathers under a large tree), the teachers use pupils workbooks instead of teaching manuals, and the board cannot afford to hire accredited teachers. The teachers greeted us with open arms and each day we were assigned different classes to go to and different subjects to teach. The previous week, Andrea and Kerianne asked if they could have some sort of timetable so they could prepare some sort of lesson plan the night before. When we finally did receive a timetable, it was never really followed. I think that each morning, the teachers who are there (many were absent often for funerals) meet and decide who will go to which class. They then decide what subject they will teach for that period, open the book to a page and begin to teach. However, since they do not have the proper manuals and have not been through teacher training, they usually just read the assignment to the class with minimal explanation....
Most people in Uhanya speak Luo, as that is the most common tribe in the area. One teacher (George) spoke some English, and the others spoke very little. Even though the language of instruction in Kenya is meant to be English, the teachers and students all spoke Luo. The teachers offered to translate for us, but after awhile we realized that the teachers couldn't entirely understand us ... and thus translating becomes a little tricky. A couple of high school students and a recent high school graduate did come to the school with us some days and volunteered their time to translate for us. Their English was very good and they were also very helpful in explaining how the school functioned, local Luo customs, and acted as our liason with the teachers for the most part. We were all very grateful to these three women and they helped us a lot in adjusting to life in the village. Another lady we met, Elizabeth, taught at the public school (Rapogi) that is just a couple minutes from Glad Toto. She was shocked that the teachers did not have proper lesson books and kindly offered to loan us some extra students' books from her public school. I think that the students at the public schools are receiving a good education, but the teachers are just overwhelmed with so many students per class. (One class that I helped out with at the primary school near Mercy Home had 60 students in one grade!!!) I would suggest that future volunteers in Uhanya could help out with creative arts/physical education at Glad Toto and perhaps some of other subjects at Rapogi. Both Elizabeth and Andrew (another teacher at Rapogi) were very kind and I think they could be good contacts if you choose to pursue this.
Learning from my own experience at Glad Toto, I would tell future volunteers to spend a couple days playing games with the children. Many of the students are very shy and nervous about speaking English to a native English speaker. We (Andrea, Kerianne, Autumn and I) would stand at the front of the class, ask a question, and nobody would speak up to answer! Once we changed our strategy (to focus on games and creative arts), we found that the children were more at ease and a little more willing to talk to us in a more relaxed (play) setting. Games like "duck, duck, goose" and "hot potato" were a hit with the kids in the field. Even soccer/football (bring an air pump if you bring a deflated ball) and frisbee allowed the pupils to relax and open up. Once the children are more at ease, then move onto the english, math, and science lessons. In hindsight, I think this strategy is probably common knowledge for most teachers, but for non-teachers it is useful to know in advance.
.....As for the orientation, the Gracia was very nice and it was great to meet the other volunteers over a couple days. However, I think more detailed information should have been provided to warrant a 3 day stay. For example, many of the volunteers are not trained teachers and it would have been beneficial to be given some teaching aids (lesson samples and examples) for primary and secondary classes. Also, all Kenyan government schools are supposed to follow a national curriculum. If the volunteers could have a copy of this prior to arriving in Kenya, they could bring learning materials/lessons/books that supplement the classes that they will be teaching. Many of us found that the high school students were learning material (ie., organic chemistry) that we were not introduced to until college courses.
The volunteer handbook was useful. A couple items that I brought that were invaluable were a pocket knife [Ed-possibly won't be allowed to fly with such an item ??], plenty of mosquito repellent, a rain jacket/poncho, and plastic flipflops (for showering in less than appealing bathrooms and trekking through some seriously muddy roads). Also, Lonely Planet has a very good list of what medications you should take with you. ...Some volunteers came without basics (such as Panadol or fever/pain relivever) and I think it is essential that volunteers come prepared especially when living in rural areas! There were also some volunteers who travelled without any sort of travel/medical insurance - luckily no one was seriously ill or injured, but it seems quite risky to be travelling anywhere in Africa without insurance. (I know that AVIF did strongly urge that volunteers purchase insurance and that volunteers must decide for themselves in the end.)
....As many of the volunteers were students, they should be advised to bring their student ID with them if they would like to receive a student rate (usually half price) at any of the National Parks, Reserves, or Museums. Officially, the student discount applies only to school groups that have booked in advance but once we explained that we were travelling as volunteers and trying to see some of the country we were able to get the student price all but once. (As they say, everything is negotiable in Kenya!)
....I would also suggest that when possible, volunteers bring cash donations and then buy the supplies they need once they arrive. You can purchase almost anything in most of the cities (unless you are keen on specific teaching aids) and waiting to buy things in Kenya will be: easier for your travels, help the local economy, and most importantly you can better assess what that school/orphanage needs most.
...I think that in general, volunteers can become quite frustrated at points and also dealt differently with the cultural differences of being in a country that is quite different from [home]. I know that I was frustrated at times too, but I really made a conscious effort to keep positive and focus on what we could do instead of only on what was wrong. .....it is very easy to get used to everything happening on time and as it was planned. In developing countries though, I would say that sometimes things do not happen according to the original plan and rarely do they happen on time. I think that most of the older volunteers were more at ease with this adjustment than some of the younger ones. When travelling to places with different cultural norms, I think you have to learn to adapt a little and realize that YOU are a visitor and YOU have chosen to be someplace that is different.
...volunteers really need to expect to be out of their comfort zone and when in these situations they must take a deep breath and remind themselves that if they wanted everything to be like home, they should have stayed home!
..I hope this mini novel will help out for the groups that go next year!
Angela
Friday, September 14, 2007
Update from Maseno
I cant believe how quickly the days are passing.....I am amazed though at the constant rain, the mud is driving me crazy - it seems it has gotten into absoulutly everything and has stained all clothes..... and I have been quite cold - hmmm not what I expected for the equator - however we are so high above sea level!
Teaching is wonderful - we brought in coloured paper and pencils - getting the kids to make mobile's to decorate the classrooms, nothing will stick on the mud walls so this is another attempt - the kids are so happy with the colours wow - you should see their expressions - priceless! we have brought some paints as well but will get that out next time - and do some murals for the walls - hand prints, names etc - as there is an average of about 70 students per class this should be interesting!
The sports equipment is being well used - hard to teach though as the lower primary and upper primary have slightly different timetables and as 1/2 school is on break - there are kids all over the place - let alone trying to keep teaching the huge classes we have - there are so many wanting to play - I think the other teachers find it amusing seeing us so confused! Ha. I tell you though when there are several groups - playing soccer, volleyball, tunnel ball, etc - it is wonderful - we have donated volleyball net and ball, soccer ball, tennis balls and a few bats - The whole school is so thankful and happy! looks more like a carnival than a P.E. lesson!!! And boy these kenyan children are so amazing at sport - wow!!!!!
As I have mentioned before there are over 90 orphans at this school out of around 600. We have donated the money for a chicken coup to be made and stocked with laying hens. We are hoping the sale of the eggs will provide the money for the orphans lunch scheme, also eventually some ongoing school supplies. Also this will teach the children how to manage chickens for their own homes etc. Income generating schemes are vital as they are long lasting and really benefit the community as a whole. here are several things I would like to see the Mercy home start - talking with edward about a sewing machine and a chicken coup as well as a few other idea's.... Pity it all costs.........
The girls at the home are wonderful, holidays are over - hmmm who would know - they go to school, at an extra charge, of course, over their holidays? Leaving home at 5am ish and not arriving til 6pm - then homework and only sunday off - Overkill I think, they are so tired, and Im sure they can not contain so much when exhausted. Getting to really know the girls more and more and feel it will be extremely hard to leave, especially some of them who have been caught up in my heartstrings for awhile now.........
Went to Kakamega forest last weekend, a beautiful untouched virgin rainforest. Saw 3 species of monkeys, many butterflys, birds and amazing medicinal plants and trees....the guide took Zoe and I into a bat cave - ohhh sometimes I just dont know why I do these things.....eeehhhhh bats millions, well not quite - but seemed to be flying far too close - couldn't get out of there quick enough!!!!!!!!! The views were awesome, had a great time ... smiles always Marie
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Recycling drinks cans into metal / air fuel cells
There are NO POLLUTING EMISSIONS and all by-products are recycled.
For further technical information and order enquiries contact Metalectrique
Technorati Tags: energy efficiency recycling africa poverty aluminium fuel
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Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Mobiles for all, the way to kick start entrepeneurship
The initiative, a collaboration between the Earth Institute at New York's Columbia University and the UN, started in 2004. The first Millennium Village was started in Sauri, Kenya,
One year on
A year since the project began, Sauri is undergoing a transformation.
Simultaneous projects in agriculture, water, health, energy, transportation and education are changing the face of the village .... read more
Technorati Tags: AVIF, poverty, phone, mobile, africa
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Maasai Products from Kenya
Take a look.
Technorati Tags: maasai, crafts, kenya
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The low cost, rural AfriGadget "mobile" phone
Technorati Tags: mobile phone, africa, kenya
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Monday, September 10, 2007
Asante sana
The girls all miss you so so much.
Technorati Tags: foundation, kenya, AVIF, donation, volunteer, africa
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Thursday, September 06, 2007
Feedback from James & Soraya
Western Kenya. Summer 2007
Our experience:
The community of Uhunda is about a 30 minute walk from the main road
from Kisumu that carries on to Osieko. The community has its own beach
on Lake Victoria, called Honge, which is about a 5 minute walk from the
school itself, which provides stunning views over the lake. This beach
is the lifeblood for the community, which relies on the fishing trade,
mainly catching tilapia, Nile perch and omena (or daga). There are
wooden boats lined up on the beach and it is well worth asking one of
the fishermen to take you out for a trip; it is interesting to see the
various fishing methods and the views are fantastic.
Nyanza province is dominated by the tribe Luo. They are one of the
largest tribal grouping in Kenya and along with Kakuyu hold many of the
most influential positions in the state. They speak their own language,
as so many of the Kenyan tribes do, which is very different to Swahili.
Sharon can provide a helpful list of common words and the people are
appreciative and often amused by any attempt to converse in their
mother-tongue. Having said this, you will not need to speak it to teach
in the school. Even the small children in the orphan centre and nursery
learn some English and latterly all lessons are given in it. Even exams
are set in English, so it is helpful for the children to speak to you in
English. This will at least help them become more confident speaking it
and will provide a good reason for them to do so.
The people are extremely generous and they will bring you presents from
their shambas (their small allotments) or whatever they can afford:
fish, fruits, milk. It is very difficult to turn down these gifts, even
though you may feel bad accepting them. But they will be very pleased to
give them. We were made so welcome that we really felt that we had an
African home and even an African mama in Priscah.
As with any small, rural community, everyone knows everyone. They have
large extended families and so people are always round each other's
houses. The Luos are polygamists and it is still common for men to have
more than one wife. Traditionally the man lives in a house in the middle
and provides separate houses around him for each of his wives. As you
can imagine, this can lead to huge families and you will find brothers
(strictly half-brothers) who could be father and son.
We are 'muzungus', or white Europeans. The kids shout it and wave as you
walk past. Some of them had never seen white people before and were
either terrified or fascinated by us. This was made amusingly clear when
we went to visit a community project up the road in a very rural area.
Soraya saw a particularly cute little boy and went over to him with
hands outstretched, cooing. His smile was immediately replaced by
blood-curdling dread; he ran away as quickly as his little legs could
carry him. Soraya was keen to cheer him up and tried to pick him up
again and the closer she got, the more terrified he became.
In some ways it was quite fun being a muzungu because when we walked
around the village we were greeted by everybody and generally treated as
washed-up z-list celebrities might be at home. But with that comes the
assumption that we are made of money and could, if only we were that way
inclined, solve all of Africa's problems with a swish of our Pound
Stirling. What we have learnt though, and what we were keen to stress
during a 2hr school committee meeting, is that the most pressing
problems of poverty and HIV/Aids cannot be solved instantly by anyone,
or any amount of money. This was a problem of communication and when we
arrived they had been waiting for 4 muzungus (we were two) for a year
and a half. There expectations were out of proportion sadly, but
hopefully in the future they will know what to expect having had us
there for a month. The things that we were most impressed with have been
the community projects which are run, organised, and established by
locals, but which are sometimes funded by charities. There are lots that
try to educate and raise awareness of various issues, and they seem to
me to be making more integral progress than carpet-bomb charity involvement.
I had had no previous teaching experience and was not a little nervous
about the prospect, especially when I met some of the other volunteers
who were professional teachers at home. But the experience was really
satisfying. The fact that muzungus are teaching them is an intriguing
novelty factor for the pupils and they are keen and receptive. They were
extremely shy to begin with and it took a while for them to get them to
put up their hands and say anything they wanted, but it is worth the
effort because it makes the lessons more interesting and stimulating for
the children and for you. You will probably want to buy all the
materials you will need to teach. We ended up travelling to Kisumu every
weekend to pick up various things. The chairman of the beach, Henry, a
very respected man, has a car and is always willing to help with
transport from Usenge if you have heavy things.
Even though we were not able to teach the orphan centre kids the
irregular past tense in English, we could help with their learning by
rote (A is for Apple) and with games and drawing, something which they
seem not to have done before. They were adorable and we both had our
favourites, who we wished we could pack in our bags and take home. I
think they also took something from the relationship and were pleased to
have us with them.
We both thoroughly enjoyed our time in Uhunda, made a lot of real
friends, and learnt a lot about Kenya and Africa. I almost wish I could
vote in the upcoming presidential election because we learnt a great
deal about the politics of the country and came to hold strong views of
our own.
I would recommend this experience to anyone. We will definitely go back.
And we feel quite proud to be the first of many people who will go back
and forth in this relationship between Nyayo and AVIF.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Update on safari from Marie
Hello all!
I have been busy on Safari - wow an amazing experience - yep the stuff you see on TV, the theme song to out of Africa playing in my head, as I looked over the vast African landscape, the golden long grass, the acacia trees, the Huge blue skies.......and then the animals - we saw 4 out of the big 5, but will see the Rhino in Nakuru later. We camped under the yellow barked acacia trees - so gorgeous with the sun shining through them. The baboons and monkeys' homes. Our camp was nestled at the base of a hill, yep where the Lions live! You could hear the purring at night in the tents......
Our tents were separated by little tracks, we had our own toilet and shower, talk about luxury - real beds firm mattresses, soft pillows and a cloud like doona - ah the little things! Ha not to mention the 3 course home made meals (Nigels a great cook as well as the safari guy!) What an awesome 3 days.....the only thing I could complain about is I wanted to stay longer!
We all met up on the Monday evening, stopping to watch the sunset with a beer before going into camp, seeing some hyena, mongoose, I think impala..... easy evening unpacking and eating, a camp fire outside every tent and two Maasai on duty at night to keep the animals out!
An 11 hour day and up at 6am for breakfast - then off to the Mara - the open vast spaces - home to the African animals, on migration.....Wilderbeast, zebra, giraffe, buffalo,lion, impala, gazelle, crocodiles, hippo's, mongoose, warthog, ostrich, vultures, secretary bird.......and many more I cannot think of right now! Amazing! lots of stories but too much to write - we spent the day sitting on the roof of the jeep having a ball!
The following day we went to the Maasai village and looked through one of the workers homes, the women in the tribe sitting out with all their wares...hmmmmm too expensive - but yep - alll know Im a softy! then we went to see the new homes going up - thanks to the women - they seem to do all here....... lazy afternoon, then an evening walk around the hills around the camp......wildlife right there......
I was to go check out a few spots on my way back to the Mercy home, however Nigel and Marilize let me stay one night - I was so relaxed and welcomed they said it was ok to stay on - hmmm well I did - awesome company the two of them, lots of wine and laughs - On the Sunday the bus then I had to take all the way home - big mistake!!!!! I think my "sitting apparatus"as the girls call it! spent most of the 8 hour journey in mid air - the road so horrific! Yep I was placed in the back row the only muzungu - no food, forgot brekky - only one short stop - you should have seen how packed it was - nearly impossible to get out to go to the loo.......the scenery - when I saw - was awesome - the maize plantations, and the incredible tea plantations - however there was a young lady near the window who kept closing the curtain and the window - when the bus is overcrowded, muggy and babies being sick, amonst other things...I kept asking her - open the window I need air - thought I would suffocate.......just before Kisumu we had a flat tyre - hmmmm just one of those days......to top it off when we arrived in Luanda (closest stop to Mercy) - it not only poured heavy tropical rain, but hailed! Everything soaked! Luckily Zoe met up with me in Kisumu and I brought a stereo for the girls, from Nigels home, so she carried the stereo back on her head, the box disintergrating on the way..... so happy to reach home - even though no warm water, or other luxuries.......so the old back has been put to the test! having today off...but all is great - the girls so enchanted with the stereo - their little tape deck got taken in a robbery before we arrived - so a cd player is so amazing - the smiling faces and the african rhythmn as they danced the evening away made the journey worth while I think.............lol
I will leave it there, hope my photos come out !
...
Zoe's still in Kenya
Technorati Tags: volunteer, africa, kenya, poverty
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Friday, August 31, 2007
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Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Full time Project Manager position in Nakuru
This is a salaried position for minimum contract of one year.
Monday, August 20, 2007
3rd week in Mercy Home!
Hello everybody, sorry there has been a slight delay in my news, I did
write on sat, however when I went to add some photos, the system
crashed.....Its a gorgeous warm sunny day here, slight cool breeze, and I
am sure it will not rain on our return today Well we'll see......
I have just added some pictures for you......They are of my school, kids
with some hand puppets, my class group 50+, The deputy principle and the
giant advocados given to us this morning.The kitchen and view from school,
Me in my room, with Phanice, a pic of Luanda(town closest to us 40 min
walk. Another of the girls at Mercy home carrying the freshly cut gum tree
for the roof frame for extentions.
We arrived last mon nice and early, 8am as we were told, warm and sweaty
from our brisk morning walk up and around and over and up.... to find
masses of gorgeous kids looking and giggling....It wasnt until 10.30am
when the next teachers showed up, this is Africa i guess.... We - Zoe and
I thought it would be good to sit in in the first lesson, to see what
happens.....went really well until the principal, who was taking my class
7 went out to get some exercise books...and never returned! Ha, I guess
this was my opportunity to start!!!
The staff that we have met are really wonderful, very interested in our
country and what happens.....they are also so welcoming and Joseph, the
deputy has brought us many treats like a huge bag of avocados, then today
some Giant ones! Banana's, sugar cane - makes special effort for our lunch
and morning tea......wow!
I was amazed to find out there are 93 orphans at our school, that live in
the family home and take care of the other siblings and collect sticks to
sell at the market, grow a little veg for dinner.....sometimes they cannot
attend school, as they try to get a litte work at the market or sell
whatever they have, I was so sad to hear their stories and wondering how
can I make a difference to these innocent kids? wow....we have never had
to endure the hardships that these kids live and face every day. We are
certainly blessed. I am glad the school has started a lunch programme, so
that these little ones living alone at least will get a meal a day. We
have been invited to a wedding ceremony on Saturday, one of the staff - we
havent met yet -unfortunately, this is the last weekend for us volunteers,
so we have a day planned with the girls from Mercy Home.
Time has flown by, with all the new experiences to take in. I cannot
believe that nearly a month has passed. I have decided that after my
safari to the Maasai Mara on the 27th Aug, I shall come back here for
another month, before going into Tanzania to meet up with my sponsor kids.
Just cannot leave these girls yet, they are so sad that most are leaving.
So it will be Zoe and I for another month.
The African sky is so big and bright, the star consolation so different to
down under....the thunderstorms have been loud and heavy, our room has
flooded a few times...but you get that!
Unfortunately not much more movement on the extensions - the brick work is
all completed, waiting on some $ for tin roofing. Maybe something this
week? All ATM machines were not working in Kisumu on the weekend, so we're
hoping they will be back in order soon. One of the Americans had a
birthday so we all met up - was great to get together, exchange stories
and laughs.....we will be all going separate ways this weekend coming.
Awesome to be together.
The teachers are waiting for us to be free one weekend, to take us to see
the hippos....maybe after I return!
The days are very long, very warm, sometimes very wet....the skies are so
big and blue........life is great. I feel so familiar - would love to have
more of the language sorted, but working on it! And have the long drops
sorted! YAY!
...enjoy the photos ...
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Bloggin from Spain
Zoe - Free Travelogue, Travel Blog and Journal
http://www.getjealous.com/zobe...
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Update from Maseno Aug 10 2007
Good afternoon - Im sitting here at the cyber cafe....reggae on the radio....rain falling on the tin roof, after a hot humid day....this is Africa!
The last week since I last wrote has been filled with lots of building! Yep, carrying bricks, shovelling sand, making cement and actually setting the bricks, what a wonderful thing to be able to leave this wonderful place!
Today we, Zoe and I, went with Susan to our school that we are to be teaching at - wow! I am so impressed. They are rearing rabbits (for the childrens lunches-protein!) Also the students have their own plot of land, where they are taught to grow veggies - and will sell them when ready - to the community and the teachers! great initiative. Also they have a project with growing trees to sell at the markets!
We had a great look around, and were given food....we had just eaten! but so rude not to partake in chai and margarine sandwiches! The chai is Kenyan tea boiled milk and water and loads of sugar! The students were giggling and following, they have never had any volunteer teachers! There are 88 students in one class - year 6 - and not any classes hold under 50 students - yeah a little daunting!!! But I still cannot wait! Where this great school is is on top of a hill with the most wonderful views of the surrounding country side......wow.It is about 2km of winding track - over the railway tracks (train only comes twice a week) down the hill, across the stream, and up again.........ah I dont know what I will do if it rains the heavy tropical rain.....we wont make it! More about those adventures as they happen!
The rain is heavier now, and thunder is all around...ha looks like we will stay here until it quietens!
Will try to get into Kisumu to develop some pictures - I feel like its a time warp here - from the 60's? The children and adults alike are amazed at our cameras - that they can see themselves straight away! Everyone would like a copy.....but how will I find most of them, just in passing on the tracks? Life in beautiful Kenya!
I hope these pictures get to you ....
[Many thanks to Marie for taking the time to send these updates & amazing photos]
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
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Sunday, August 05, 2007
Asante
thought you would like to hear how we are going......this one I sent the other day!
take care - we all love it here!
thank you
Marie
Jambo
I have just walked through the country tracks,compounds coming off the road, beautiful gardens, chooks scratching in the dirt, mothers washing in the buckets, babies laughing or crying when they see us! about an hours ramble along the red soil, still slippery from the deluge of tropical rain! So many crops, very fertile country! now in Maseno, to write to you! You should see this internet cafe - I cant wait to show some pictures, because life is so different, but awesome! So many amazing new sights and experiences...this morning we helped gather and peel the corn/maize. I managed to hold some on my head, but not when I moved - ha
I feel so at home here in the country - God has blessed me with such an awesome experience. Having a bit of trouble to remember the girls names, but I'm good for a laugh! They will all be at the home tomorrow so we'll get to meet all of them, I think there are about 46 - but only 20 live with us. Of course they have given up their beds for us, but they don't mind snuggling together. They have a few days off for term break, many going to a christian camp. So I think we will be teaching next week.
The other day coming back from Kisumu - right on Lake victoria, we were caught in the biggest tropical rain, thunder and lighting - wow - the red earth so slippery the shoes went, we were dripping and skidding, quite funny (at least giving the locals a laugh!!!) the stream was overflowing and to cross it was over our knees! hmmm well we didnt get home to a hot shower - ha - a cold wash in a bucket, and the red soil staining all - yes then we hand washed all our clothes yesturday from a bucket.....life is wonderful. Our meals are delicious they cook on a open fire stove with 3 spaces - I have a photo! ALOT OF OUR FOOD IS GROWN IN THE GARDEN. So lush and green.
Very Happy
All fine - must start my long walk home.....
wish you were here to experience these wonderful people and all
love and miss yas
Marie