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]

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Asante

    Hi Alison,
    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
 

Sunday ....

[Update from Marie in Maseno] .........

After an early rise to a very quiet house, we were walking to church, after 3.5 hours of worship, we walked into Maseno, to visit the girls at the Christian camp.....another 2hours of preaching, volunteers falling asleep, tired with thirst and hunger - all wanting to be back home enjoying Sunday - but here Praying is the most important thing - giving hope to all. The girls were so thrilled to see us, and to the envy of all the othe kids there! Oh they are so gorgeous, so ready to laugh and give a hug - you should hear them as I tickle them........hehehehehe
 
I was fortunate to recieve a very generous donation of $500. I have donated this straight to Edward - head of the orphanage and a wonderful preacher and mentor to these desperate children. They have lost their families to HIV, and the remaining guardians are usually too old and poor to help provide for these young ladies. As girls are so expensive to bring up, these are the first to suffer. Since the emails before I came over the number of sponsored kids has grown by ten. No assistance from anyone - just relying on God and kind donations. They have started a new building extention for another lot of orphans - they are so well looked after and loved - they are always happy hard working and look after each other. Any girl is so blessed to be able to come here. So my $500 went to try to help finish the extention - we have now some cement and the bricks are ready - so we volunteers, 8 of us will get in and help tomorrow - our goal is to try to have it finished before we leave - so pray for us! They are so very grateful for the smallest things, like the elastics to keep their school socks up. They nearly squealed with delight when they recieved back packs and raincoats, pens, exercise books and some sport equipment........so little yet they were SO OVERWHELMED. we take for granted all we have in the west!
 
Yesterday we went to Kisumu, to buy some books for revision for the girls and sanitary pads, as they have none, and use the thinnest rags....
Some of us went down to Lake Victoria, where it was so busy with people washing buses, cars, motorbikes, and themselves??? eeeeehhhhhhhh so much pollution. We ate fresh fish (from the other side of the lake) and ugali with spinach - very delicious! Most volunteers needed pizza!  A lot of homeless kids, sniffing glue to keep them from getting too hungry, oh talk about heart breaking. We had a lot of hassle on our matatu, as someone didnt pay and the bus stopped on the side of the road, and they all disappeared - the guy, the driver, and the ticket man....for about 40min......so hot and cramped, always room for an extra body....so our 1 hour journey ended up about 2.5 or more - passed a horrible accident. we were so relieved to get off and have our walk home in the dusk, gentle breeze and an amazing sunset.
 
Unfortunately 6 of our orphan chickens died last night, the kerosene lamp's switch went to high...3 were saved. Very sad.
We miss the girls - but they will be back on Tuesday ready for school on Wednesday. The last 2 nights havent rained and the star formations are so incredible......as everything here in one way or another.........
Need to go and do some washing - basin! Getting better at aiming in the long drops - its probably the worst thing here!
 
Until my next visit to an internet cafe !!!!!!!
....Marie
 

Update

We've had a few movements since arrival. Volunteers have moved from Menengai to Maseno and Bondo, in order to be more proactive. Funds and supplies have been delayed to the Menengai project so it is a good decision that the volunteers make their stay worthwhile. There is a large group in Maseno now, which is fabulous. I prefer larger groups as they are both stronger & more rewarding. I hope for some updates soon from the volunteers.

Victory in Nakuru

After months of pain and heartache, the german sponsors of the Virginia M Buena Centre (VMB) in the Rhondda slums of Nakuru are pulling out. They can no longer ensure control of finances they have already contributed to Phillip Ndeta's "fund" so have ended the entire project.

All individual and corporate contributing sponsors are meeting on August 5th to prepare plans and schedules to get as many of the children housed or educated at VMB sent to boarding schools in another area of Nakuru, where they hope ANOTHER children’s village will be built.

Existing funds, luckily not lost to Phillip Ndeta yet, are sufficient to buy a plot, an international NGO is being established in Kenya “Live and Learn in Kenya International”.

A volunteer house is also planned so the children and community can benefit from your help 365 days a year.

I wish to congratulate the most courageous, bold, strongest and kindest lady I've never had the chance to meet personally yet, Debra "Brique" Zeiner, Director of LLK.

Google's satellite imagery

Just in case you weren't familiar with this yet, go to this link for images of the Kisumu road to Maseno. You can put in any search terms and the imagery will zoom in / zoom out, go to map or satellite and give you a taste of where you're going [or for some of you] already are.

Child genius

Of course I'm biased, but its last day of school today, last day at primary for my daughter, they all brought their books home ..
From my son's literacy book, he wrote a poem based on the [global warming] weather in UK for past few months :

Wet Play
It's a wet play day today
The children are playing ping pong
A cow bell going ding dong
The rain is pouring and the children are drawing

On the window the hail is tapping
and inside the children are chatting
No rugby, no cricket, no football or tag
Stuck in here with a smelly swimming bag
[!!!!! LOL]
Teachers note : Brilliant

Just a few things more ..

... Soap for body and washing, towels, toilet paper. Edward will take you to a supermarket where you can get it all if you want when you arrive. Also, the girls could use petroleum jelly or body lotions- big jars- toothpaste, they have at the supermarket- I was going to get things in Kisumo the day this happened and never got to.

They took Ksh3000 [USD45] - Edwards money so things are tight right now. Now, if ... someone had an old tape/cassette stereo system, that would be wonderful as they love to play their wonderful tapes- great music- theirs was one of those small boombox type ones with 2 separate speakers- he had one big speaker(which they didn't take) that he attached it to in the eating room. He has a big car battery to run it... the outlets are like England. I think he just has tapes- didn't see any CDs. They also had a small b/w tv that they rarely watched but it was taken too. Charging phones or cameras is a pain - [Matt has already purchased a Solio solar charger, make sure you bring charge leads] .. if you go to the internet in Mesano (hour walk) they are great and will charge it while you're there- Also Sister Flora and a couple of the teachers have electricity and could take it home for the night.  IMPORTANT: I am going to try and get the 6 solar pots that I didn't take with the cookers, ready for you guys to bring on the plane, as they really need them. Also 3 red towels I'm getting to give to Deborah, Susan or Sara, as they are being made into sanitary pads for the girls or women or anyone as they use rags when cant afford pads- which is most of time -   Thats it! geezz, I go on. N

Last blog from dear Nancy

Greetings to all, this is Nancy who was staying at Mercy Home.
I just wanted you to know that I think you will be safe if you are going to Mercy Home.
The community is up in arms.
The day after, the house had groups of community people coming in all day with condolences and prayers, as I walked the roads, everyone would stop and shake hands and give me hugs and say polay, polay, oh so sorry. Edward went with a retired police chief, who is a friend of Mercy and a neighbor,(of some small town-ha) to Luanda and Mesano - the two towns you can walk to - each less than an hour away - and they and the police are very concerned also.
Edward will have security there while you are there. I told him that if he didn't you weren't going to stay- which, of course he agreed.  
I decided to leave the day after and return to Nairobi due to my families concerns and I think the fact that I was the lone foreigner there. ....They are the most wonderful girls in the world. It is an incredible place and the community is so friendly and kind and funny. You will love them.
The girls were very worried that now the volunteers won't come and they are so looking forward to your coming!
Ok, my last day I asked the teachers at the school I worked at, the closest to the home, if they had a wish list and so they have written out a list.

1. first aid kit
2. library books/story books (grades 1 to 8th, which 8th must read at 6th grade level)
3. any stationary materials ( I still don't know what that is- papers, pens, ? )
4. any games, equipment, balls(I have seen only balls made from plastic bags or foam that they tie with sisal rope) 5. any science equipment, games and sports uniforms (?)
6. any teaching aids: cards, pictures, maps, charts (It was hard teaching about weather for example as they had no idea what a thermometer was, barometer, wind sock, etc. - the text books say to show them pictures of everything but they have no pictures and really no access to the magazines, books we have.
7. any cassettes, tapes videos for learning-(they have no electricity so not sure how they would use- didn't see any cassettes and even if they have one they never have money for batteries- meaning I guess, bring a machine and lots of batteries -ha) Half or more of the teachers in all of these schools in the community have no electircity either- they are my heroes!
8. any learning materials : paints, brushes, art supplies- I bought powdered paint in Kisumo and brushes (they have my 15 brushes-couldn't afford more) but the paper seemed really expensive. Its all these big sheets that when you cut one up you get 8 normal size pieces. Newsprint costs 8 sheets for 10 cents/ this thick white manila paper, 8 sheets for 30 cents- wish I had had tons of US regular construction paper that we use for painting.
Then, I collected bottle caps and any lids I could get my hands on via kids, soda bottles, etc.
9. Any other materials at your disposal.   

Ok, when you come, I would suggest that you get Susan (write this down)-Susan, works with Mercy Home and is the best, have her show you some schools before you sign up to work anywhere, and before you give away what ever you bring. There are many schools in the area and all are extremly poor and don't have electricity. My favorite is past Susans house, down the path , across the river on the log and up the hill- they seem to have a lot of science, very hands on teachers (not that the others aren't great too).
They will all be on vacation for the week following the 3rd of August(the last day), then they come back to study and prepare for the next term which starts the first of sept. Yes, you can be busy that first week anyway.  
Do bring torches and I used a candle in my room as they only have 4 lanterns I didn't want to take one - after the first week I stopped buying bottled water (until the bottle got dirty looking) and realized I could just fill it with the stored boiled water at the house. Main reason, what do you do with all that plastic when there is no garbage, recycling- they either burn it or throw out with the bananas- My guilt was always bad, each time I had to throw used batteries in the outhouse!

Oh, you'll have a grand time! Just don't expect to eat any good food- my favorite meals were the night we had beans and chapatis and the nights of rice- if I knew I would buy some avocados and mix it in- wonderful- this is not what I would normally say as favorite foods by the way. But I am really glad I was able to eat their food and not have special things- it made it more reality based.

My wish for the girls would be some milk products and fruit daily and some good breakfast food. But there isn't the money for that. I also think it will be nice if you do meet each other everyweek someplace. It will be a nice break.  Well, if you come, be ready to see another world and to have your heart really touched!  By the way, they took my digital camera with the best pictures- I am crushed. So I am hoping when you return one of you can send me some via email or post- I took tons with Susan and she said when you visit her house she will pose for you so you can get me some- her house is great- very basic and she is so open you can get her cooking on her 3 rock stove, the dung on the walls, the corn drying in her main room- great stuff! smiles. Plus some wonderful shots of the valley as you walk to Luanda! You see- Plus the girls cooking and cleaning and washing - oh. I'll stop. Enjoy! Nancy

Message from Menengai

I just received this via Raul, and Nicholas in Menengai :

"We have discussed this issue of security with Boniface [advisor, assistant and local artisan in Menengai] and the committee. Their [the volunteers] security is assured. Menengai also does not have a history of thuggery. Two, the place the volunteers will be staying is walled all around with security lights at strategic points. I will talk to the village security team who patrol at night to be extra vigilant.
Assure them of their well-being.
Greetings from Boniface and my wife.
Kindest regards,
Nicholas"

JNMCC

It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that JNMCC, in Maseno, Kenya was robbed last night. Ksh500 (USD7.5 !!!!!!!) and Nancy's mobile phone were taken.

Security guards are being brought in but the damage is already done.
Everyone at JNMCC has been scared and disheartened.

I am informing you all because THIS HAPPENS.
With the huge divide in wealth in Kenya, it happens less in the rural areas but news travels fast when "muzungus" arrive. People hear you are all arriving and have lots of money and mobile phones and some people are so poor they see no other option but to steal.
We all know it ruins opportunities for everyone else, especially the Kenyans.
It ruins lives, the lives of the children especially, because this crime affects us, scares us and we stay away.

If any of you decide not to join us in Kenya we will fully understand but I hope that none of you allow these men to ruin your experience or the progress we are already making to the lives of some of the good, kind Kenyan people.

As per our website, I wish to stress the importance of resilience, self-reliance, and innovation. We must separate fact from emotion & balance necessary levels of protection whilst preserving reasonable levels of risk. AVIF cannot prevent this type of occurrence. We cannot stop the burglar entering our own homes, either, but we can lessen the risk and empower you to take more personal responsibility for risk since you are best placed to manage it.

There will be additional security guards on the grounds for the duration of the programme.
JNMCC was the only host not to have security, or to think they did not need it. They are just as saddened by this as we are.

Earthquake update

An up to the minute and zoom-able map of earthquakes in Africa can be found here on the USGS website, updated every 30 minutes.

Details of each event are available by clicking on the squares, or through the "Earthquake list" option at the bottom of the page.

Feedback from Maseno

... great to hear from you! [Matt writing from UK about to join Nancy in Kenya]... Our girls at Mercy home are so wonderful and actually live a fairly middle class life in comparison to others in the community. Now, I am referring to Kenyan rural middle class.  I am getting them all mosquito nets before I leave - and if I knew no-one was bringing backpacks, I would get them all one too. They are so wonderful and carry these bags that break, some have little bags. But that would be my gift if you can get some, 2nd hand or they cost about 300 shillings here [USD4.5]- which is why I would get them. Also ponchos and/ or umbrellas. The younger girls don't get shoes for school- they use flippers- and I am getting a couple of pairs.  It rains here a couple of times a week and pours and they get soaked. Lots of coughs here.
It is warm, I think I have put a light jacket on twice. 
Schools: As a teacher I could cry thinking of these teachers as my heros. They need the most for their schools. I brought 4 blow-up plastic globes, and 2 world maps and wish I had 50. Our girls have maps and a globe from volunteers. I bought paints and brushes and paper for the art classes I have- only 16 brushes (then I borrowed 13 from the girls at Mercy- last years volunteers brought them) so have 29 and each class has 45 or so students. We use feathers and the stick brushes from trees.
They have no science things - secondary do. They [teachers] and the students work so hard, I have such respect for them. I am planning on sending my science-for-teachers reference book to Gerald, one of the teachers, and simple science experiment books that they could use with really simple items that don't have to be purchased.  A thermometer, wind vane/sock, etc. would be great but bring more than one as you will visit schools that are so poor and will just want to give them supplies.
My favorite school- mark this down- is past the local school I work at- Susan, who you will meet knows which one- its across the river and up the hill - all walking- they plant trees and plants for the children to take home, have rabbits, make their own charcoal from a felled tree, etc. None have elctricity ! I gave them a solar cooker and a blow-up globe and they are really enjoying it as they're very scientific.
Pens are at a premium- stupid rules, must use pens, which cost more than pencils (they use both). They get 3 per year which is not enough. Also, exercise books which they write in- oh, you'll see. 

...I miss fruit the most- I can't just buy for me so have to buy for 15 and that means we each get 2 bites of whatever ... ask Susan to show you the different schools in the area as you might prefer to teach at another one. Now, they have vacation starting the friday the 3rd (?) of august and then after a week they go back to class to study for when school starts the first of Sept. You might want to work in one of the high schools or my favorite the environmental school ... I haven't seen one real ball since I've been here- the kids make them out of plastic bags and tie with rope...if parents can send food monthly they [the children] get lunch, which is beans and corn everyday- they each bring a little container to put their food in.  They all know how to cook- ugali and greens daily and the little ones can cook too.

[Many thanks for this, Nancy]

AVIF Update 15

Re. communication, to avoid confusion please remember that ALL mobile phones use satellite signalling, the difference is whether your phone is dual band / tri band / is set up for international roaming and masses of other jargon & labels etc !!!

Go here for full information; a prepaid Kenya SIM card with a GSM international cell phone is the most convenient and economical solution while you travel in Kenya. All incoming calls while in Kenya, regardless of where they originate, are FREE! Pay the local rate for local calls and use a cellular phone in Kenya like you do at home. And unlike home, your Kenya SIM card and cell phone service is prepaid so there is no need for a contract.

You can send an SMS people can call you back, SMS you back.
If you want to make international calls you will need an international SIM, again, you can get these in Nairobi.
Forget landlines, there may be one available, maybe not.

Recent events

I want to keep you informed of recent geological events, namely the tremors felt in Nairobi.
The world can be a very scary place when these things happen, things we have no control over, but its best to simply remain calm and stay informed.
For further information I include these articles :
http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143971378
http://allafrica.com/stories/200707180087.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/6903261.stm

Text : A strong earthquake has hit northern Tanzania, with aftershocks felt as far away as the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. The quake hit with a magnitude of 6.0, about 100km (60 miles) from the northern Tanzanian town of Arusha. Some high-rise buildings in Nairobi, about 155km away, are reported to have shaken gently for several minutes.
The quake is the latest in a series to hit the East African region in the past several days.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or building damage in either Tanzania or Kenya.
East Africa's Great Rift Valley runs along a geological fault line, but has largely escaped major quakes in recent years. The Kenyan government is expected to make a statement on Wednesday on the findings of an investigation by geological experts into the recent tremors.

Development Education Newsletter

The DEA's Vision is of EDUCATION that encourages and enables all people to think critically and to aspire and work towards a more just and sustainable world.

For all of you interested please visit DEA itself, or simply sign up to their excellent Newsletter by emailing 'SUBSCRIBE' to: e-noticeboard@dea.org.uk. Also available online.

Online volunteering (via Facebook)

You will have to either LOG IN or REGISTER with Facebook first but this is a video shot by Raul Caceres & friends, Project Facilitator for the NABUUR project in Menengai, Kenya.
Facebook is fast becoming another excellent medium for social networking across the globe .. enjoy!


Technorati Tags: facebook, online volunteering, africa

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Class assignment

I just can't wait for all to arrive and experience this for yourselves ...

Message from Nancy :

Friday we had a writing exercise in my 7th grade English class:
I quarrelled with my brother/sister about___________.

We brainstormed on the board examples - they kind of show where I am:   guarding the shamba (farm/garden),  gathering firewood, feeding the cow (meaning going out to gather the food), grazing the cow, fetching the water, cooking the food, washing the dishes, guarding the house (people don't like to leave their compounds -land/home- as people come in and steal), mopping the floor (by hand with rag), digging in the shamba.  

Enjoy, Nancy

AMREF's Virtual Tours

This really is thought provoking.
AMREF has included panoramic Java-enabled tours of the Kibera slum area of Nairobi. One of our volunteers will be spending some additional time assisting in one of the area's clinics prior to joining JNMCC in Maseno. There are just so many needy people in Kenya but it is essential to focus on one project or you can find yourself simply overwhelmed.


Technorati Tags: kibera slum AMREF poverty

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