This is adapted from an article by Charles Onyango-Obbo in today's newspaper.
Tanzania has been in the news recently for the horrific murders of albinos for their body parts. In that country there is a widespread belief based in superstion and witchcraft, that these body parts can help a politician win an election, allow a businessman to multiply his capital 100 times, and ensure a rich man's wife or mistress becomes pregnant with triplets.
This year alone there have been 30 gory murders of albinos and 50 witchdoctors are being held as suspects.
It seems that in Europe and N America albinism affects 1 in 20,000; it is far more widespread in E Africa. In Tanzania it affects 1 in 4,000, much higher than in any other E African country.
Some researchers believe the reason for this is that the source of the albino gene can be traced to Africa's east coast.
Reports say that 'businessmen' from the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as others from Burundi, Kenya and Uganda, have descended on Tanzania looking for albino body parts. On Lake Tanganyika a fisherman apparently tried to sell his albino wife for $4,000. An albino hand sells for $2,400.
In the DRC the albino population has been almost 'hunted' into extinction.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
This and that
Our newspapers are full of the serious, the bizarre and the tragic.
MPs have totally rejected the bill to tax all their income. According to them, this is illegal, and besides, they are mortgaged heavily to pay for houses, cars and businesses and would not be able to keep up payments. One’s heart bleeds as the price of maize flour (the staple food for everyone) has doubled in the past few weeks, exceeding the daily wage of a labourer. Grain distribution is highly regulated, but apparently some MPs managed to acquire authority to buy cereals at a reduced price and then resold high, driving up the prices and reducing the supply. We have difficulty understanding why one commodity can devastate the economy (can’t they switch to potato?) But the culture is not ready for this. Meanwhile the ‘traders’ have pocketed millions of shillings and ensured hunger in some parts of the country. We seriously fear food riots.
In Mumias, about 50 km down the road, two Ugandans are being held by police for allegedly administering a concoction which made three people collapse. The three took the mixture to help them identify criminals who killed a trader in the area last week. According to the ‘miracle workers’ the killers of the businessman were supposed to start eating grass immediately the three drank the concoction. They are still undergoing treatment in hospital.
There is an ongoing attempt to resolve many of the issues from the violence at the beginning of the year. One that is proving very difficult is the rape of women by police and army officers who were supposed to be restoring order. This week there was a mock tribunal to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. There have been many tragic stories and I have chosen not to post them here. Nevertheless, here is one presented at the tribunal:
When three men forced their way into Mary’s house, she pleaded with them to spare her teenage daughter. "I told them to spare my daughter as she was only a student, and to take me instead."
All three men took turns raping her.
Although she seems fine, her daughter still worries and asks if she is in pain or if she got infected with HIV.
"I lie to her, but the truth is, I got infected."
I have news of the Sunday School conference, our water projects and the Virtues progarmme. I will post them soon.
MPs have totally rejected the bill to tax all their income. According to them, this is illegal, and besides, they are mortgaged heavily to pay for houses, cars and businesses and would not be able to keep up payments. One’s heart bleeds as the price of maize flour (the staple food for everyone) has doubled in the past few weeks, exceeding the daily wage of a labourer. Grain distribution is highly regulated, but apparently some MPs managed to acquire authority to buy cereals at a reduced price and then resold high, driving up the prices and reducing the supply. We have difficulty understanding why one commodity can devastate the economy (can’t they switch to potato?) But the culture is not ready for this. Meanwhile the ‘traders’ have pocketed millions of shillings and ensured hunger in some parts of the country. We seriously fear food riots.
In Mumias, about 50 km down the road, two Ugandans are being held by police for allegedly administering a concoction which made three people collapse. The three took the mixture to help them identify criminals who killed a trader in the area last week. According to the ‘miracle workers’ the killers of the businessman were supposed to start eating grass immediately the three drank the concoction. They are still undergoing treatment in hospital.
There is an ongoing attempt to resolve many of the issues from the violence at the beginning of the year. One that is proving very difficult is the rape of women by police and army officers who were supposed to be restoring order. This week there was a mock tribunal to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. There have been many tragic stories and I have chosen not to post them here. Nevertheless, here is one presented at the tribunal:
When three men forced their way into Mary’s house, she pleaded with them to spare her teenage daughter. "I told them to spare my daughter as she was only a student, and to take me instead."
All three men took turns raping her.
Although she seems fine, her daughter still worries and asks if she is in pain or if she got infected with HIV.
"I lie to her, but the truth is, I got infected."
I have news of the Sunday School conference, our water projects and the Virtues progarmme. I will post them soon.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Life and death
Life and death
Death is so much present in the lives of people around us. We are often asked for 'help' for the costs of a funeral. We give a few hundred shillings, thinking of it as if we were sending flowers or a card. A good friend, Florence, a young woman whom we have known now for seven years has just lost her mother. She often told us how her mother's hard life, struggling to educate her children and start them on a better path, inspired Florence to work with women to try to alleviate their poverty. Florence has just married (she told us how happy her mother was to see her settled) and now lives away but over the years she has helped with the small micro credit schemes we have set up. Her enthusiasm and encouragement was always inspirational to the women.
Her mother was a tea picker in Kericho (where Brook Bond tea started) As you drive through the fields around the town, acres of tea bushes look like smooth green fields. Florence's mother had work and a place to live, but they often went hungry and without shoes.
A couple of years ago she wrote her story. She is now finishing her studies and has the strong support of her new husband, a teacher. They are expecting to move back to Kisumu next year and we hope to meet him. Here is her story in her own words.
****
My story:- FLORENCE IMINZA
I am a Kenyan woman aged 29 years
I was born into a family of seven, and am the fifth born in the first family. I never got to know nor see my father as I was told he died while I was too young. My mother remarried and had some other two children in the new family who are my stepsister and brother. My mother laboured in the tea plantation estates in order to bring up her first five children. We were privileged to access good primary education, small cramped housing and casual medical facilities as the company incentives to the employees. The meager income of my mother was always supplemented by my elder siblings absenteeism from school to pick tea. They never performed well in school. All of them left school at elementary level. They lead a miserable life since they cannot secure paying jobs. It’s been 19 years since I saw my two elder brothers!
I was smart at school. I remember being the first girl in my class. I also went to school very early; I knew how to read English and write at grade two. I hated the way my mother struggled to bring us five children up. We went to school with tattered clothes, no shoes and no lunch. The camp life where I lived exposed me to women suffering either in the hands of cruel husbands beating or hard labour to raise children on their own after divorce or death. I remember saying to my mother that when I grow up I will not get married.
I always hoped that I can change this lifestyle. I wanted to be a nun when I grew up. My mother did not like this idea-- she wanted me to get a well paying job. As it turned out later this was never to be. The government paid part of my fees at high school because I was a bright, needy student. My mother struggled with the rest. After high school I won a scholarship with the Canadian organization (ACCES) to study Accounts and Computer application packages. This I did for three years, 1998-2000. I secured a job with one of the leading companies in the western province in Kakamega town as a junior Accountant. I also worked with the Non Governmental Organization ACCES as their Book -Keeper. I had a good pay check and life was to some extent what I never dreamed it would be. BUT MY HEART NEVER FOUND SATISFACTION. For three years I was discontented. As a Christian I sought more. In 2003 I had an answer clear and straight that I was meant to be in the Christian ministry. Louise Pollock, a Canadian friend, accepted to pay my Seminary fees at Friends Theological College. I quit my job, something that many people thought was crazy. I have never been the same since my heart has found peace. I have since served in the Anglican Church as a lay minister.
I have specifically found interest in the ministry with the women. I know most of the time I had with my Christian mother I have seen her through her struggles. I see most of the women struggle. They need to be uplifted in their faith as a result of the changing roles in society. I can't wait to bring hope through all the possible means I can. I have finished my diploma in theology and after working in Uganda as a missionary for sometime I realized that I was lacking in the methodology approach of the complexity of the issues with women since it is not just preaching and following that homiletics procedure, it is more. I would like to specialize in Women’s Studies and so I proceeded to the St. Paul's University in Limuru near Nairobi.
Here I have had the support of my good friend Prof. Esther Mombo who has the conviction that women must be brought in the theological institutions in large numbers in order to address the women’s sisterhood that is in travail out here. She has tried to do the fund raising for women with a call into this ministry. Yet she is only able to pay the tuition of 120,000 One Hundred and Twenty Thousand per year ($2,000). The rest (accommodation, materials and other incidentals) amounts to 160,000/- ($2,600) and has been an on-going struggle. Some good friends like Patricia and Rod Crossley give in some money, which I use to pay rent and travel to college.
The church accounts are not doing well and this I understand because the Diocese is located in poor economic area (There is need to initiate development projects ) I can always see their willingness to put in some effort but I realize the inadequacy. Another way I have been able to survive is to rent outside the campus in cheap and humble conditions and which mostly have poor security (I trust that there is God's protection and yes, it has worked). I also cut on food expenses and submit my assignments in handwritten form, a situation which the lecturers dislike leading to lowering marks.
Yet I can't believe I have already cleared the first year! I have two years to finish. I know there is always a price to pay to serve God and I am determined to go this way. By being at the university I have been able to address development as an evangelical tool. I have even learnt the skill of proposal writing as well as original biblical languages (we do Hebrew and Greek) and been able to reinterpret the scripture in the African context and through the woman’s lenses, to liberate the wailing poor. I have met strong willed women with the same conviction I have and so we have made a circle of friends and networking has been possible. For now I have relied on the Good will of Prof. Esther Mombo for my continuity, which is not a guarantee.
I hope one day I will sit back with a sigh in my heart that I have lived to the call God put in me when I was still a young girl. Florence Iminza
****
Kenya inspires tears one minute and laughter another (often on the same topic) Last week on our way with our 'medical' student to fetch his certificate we passed a boda boda (bicycle taxi) with a coffin strapped across the passenger seat. We decided it must be empty but didn't ask. "Coffin alley" leading to the hospital has several casket makers, strategically placed. They have been asked to keep their wares inside their sheds but the gleaming coffins, often garlanded with tinsel and with very fancy linings, are clearly visible.
This morning we passed a pick up truck with passengers in the back, all lined up sitting on a coffin like a bench. No idea if it was occupied.
Death is so much present in the lives of people around us. We are often asked for 'help' for the costs of a funeral. We give a few hundred shillings, thinking of it as if we were sending flowers or a card. A good friend, Florence, a young woman whom we have known now for seven years has just lost her mother. She often told us how her mother's hard life, struggling to educate her children and start them on a better path, inspired Florence to work with women to try to alleviate their poverty. Florence has just married (she told us how happy her mother was to see her settled) and now lives away but over the years she has helped with the small micro credit schemes we have set up. Her enthusiasm and encouragement was always inspirational to the women.
Her mother was a tea picker in Kericho (where Brook Bond tea started) As you drive through the fields around the town, acres of tea bushes look like smooth green fields. Florence's mother had work and a place to live, but they often went hungry and without shoes.
A couple of years ago she wrote her story. She is now finishing her studies and has the strong support of her new husband, a teacher. They are expecting to move back to Kisumu next year and we hope to meet him. Here is her story in her own words.
****
My story:- FLORENCE IMINZA
I am a Kenyan woman aged 29 years
I was born into a family of seven, and am the fifth born in the first family. I never got to know nor see my father as I was told he died while I was too young. My mother remarried and had some other two children in the new family who are my stepsister and brother. My mother laboured in the tea plantation estates in order to bring up her first five children. We were privileged to access good primary education, small cramped housing and casual medical facilities as the company incentives to the employees. The meager income of my mother was always supplemented by my elder siblings absenteeism from school to pick tea. They never performed well in school. All of them left school at elementary level. They lead a miserable life since they cannot secure paying jobs. It’s been 19 years since I saw my two elder brothers!
I was smart at school. I remember being the first girl in my class. I also went to school very early; I knew how to read English and write at grade two. I hated the way my mother struggled to bring us five children up. We went to school with tattered clothes, no shoes and no lunch. The camp life where I lived exposed me to women suffering either in the hands of cruel husbands beating or hard labour to raise children on their own after divorce or death. I remember saying to my mother that when I grow up I will not get married.
I always hoped that I can change this lifestyle. I wanted to be a nun when I grew up. My mother did not like this idea-- she wanted me to get a well paying job. As it turned out later this was never to be. The government paid part of my fees at high school because I was a bright, needy student. My mother struggled with the rest. After high school I won a scholarship with the Canadian organization (ACCES) to study Accounts and Computer application packages. This I did for three years, 1998-2000. I secured a job with one of the leading companies in the western province in Kakamega town as a junior Accountant. I also worked with the Non Governmental Organization ACCES as their Book -Keeper. I had a good pay check and life was to some extent what I never dreamed it would be. BUT MY HEART NEVER FOUND SATISFACTION. For three years I was discontented. As a Christian I sought more. In 2003 I had an answer clear and straight that I was meant to be in the Christian ministry. Louise Pollock, a Canadian friend, accepted to pay my Seminary fees at Friends Theological College. I quit my job, something that many people thought was crazy. I have never been the same since my heart has found peace. I have since served in the Anglican Church as a lay minister.
I have specifically found interest in the ministry with the women. I know most of the time I had with my Christian mother I have seen her through her struggles. I see most of the women struggle. They need to be uplifted in their faith as a result of the changing roles in society. I can't wait to bring hope through all the possible means I can. I have finished my diploma in theology and after working in Uganda as a missionary for sometime I realized that I was lacking in the methodology approach of the complexity of the issues with women since it is not just preaching and following that homiletics procedure, it is more. I would like to specialize in Women’s Studies and so I proceeded to the St. Paul's University in Limuru near Nairobi.
Here I have had the support of my good friend Prof. Esther Mombo who has the conviction that women must be brought in the theological institutions in large numbers in order to address the women’s sisterhood that is in travail out here. She has tried to do the fund raising for women with a call into this ministry. Yet she is only able to pay the tuition of 120,000 One Hundred and Twenty Thousand per year ($2,000). The rest (accommodation, materials and other incidentals) amounts to 160,000/- ($2,600) and has been an on-going struggle. Some good friends like Patricia and Rod Crossley give in some money, which I use to pay rent and travel to college.
The church accounts are not doing well and this I understand because the Diocese is located in poor economic area (There is need to initiate development projects ) I can always see their willingness to put in some effort but I realize the inadequacy. Another way I have been able to survive is to rent outside the campus in cheap and humble conditions and which mostly have poor security (I trust that there is God's protection and yes, it has worked). I also cut on food expenses and submit my assignments in handwritten form, a situation which the lecturers dislike leading to lowering marks.
Yet I can't believe I have already cleared the first year! I have two years to finish. I know there is always a price to pay to serve God and I am determined to go this way. By being at the university I have been able to address development as an evangelical tool. I have even learnt the skill of proposal writing as well as original biblical languages (we do Hebrew and Greek) and been able to reinterpret the scripture in the African context and through the woman’s lenses, to liberate the wailing poor. I have met strong willed women with the same conviction I have and so we have made a circle of friends and networking has been possible. For now I have relied on the Good will of Prof. Esther Mombo for my continuity, which is not a guarantee.
I hope one day I will sit back with a sigh in my heart that I have lived to the call God put in me when I was still a young girl. Florence Iminza
****
Kenya inspires tears one minute and laughter another (often on the same topic) Last week on our way with our 'medical' student to fetch his certificate we passed a boda boda (bicycle taxi) with a coffin strapped across the passenger seat. We decided it must be empty but didn't ask. "Coffin alley" leading to the hospital has several casket makers, strategically placed. They have been asked to keep their wares inside their sheds but the gleaming coffins, often garlanded with tinsel and with very fancy linings, are clearly visible.
This morning we passed a pick up truck with passengers in the back, all lined up sitting on a coffin like a bench. No idea if it was occupied.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
We have lined up two new wells. One will be in Tambua at a Polytechnic school only a kilometere or so from the Rift Valley boundary. The school teaches tailoring, carpentry and masonry and has boarders as well as staff quarters. It’s in beautiful country in the Nandi Hills and the people are a mix of Nandi and Luyha. The Chief wrote to the Kakamega Rotary about a year ago asking for assistance. There is a spring about half a kilometer down a steep slope which dries out in the long dry season. The Chief told us women go out to look for water at 2 a.m. and are often attacked in the darkness. The funding for this well will come from a donation by Father Murray Ames, a retired Anglican priest in Victoria.
The second new well is in Ingidi in Maragoli, not so far from Kakamega. It will be on the grounds of a primary school and also serve the community. The have a protected spring about a
kilometer away, but the children are sent for water at least twice a day. The proximity of a clean supply will keep them in class and will improve their health. This well is funded by the San Bernadino Rotary Club in California. This will be the second project they have done with us.
I spoke of the other well at Lirhanda. This is a rehabilitation of a collapsed borehole, also on the grounds of a primary school. This is funded by the Esquimalt High School Interact Club and by funds from Rotary Clean Water.org
A fourth project is to build protection for a spring in Shisilachi where we installed a well on the school grounds. This is working well, but the spring will serve more people for irrigation and watering animals.
The second new well is in Ingidi in Maragoli, not so far from Kakamega. It will be on the grounds of a primary school and also serve the community. The have a protected spring about a
kilometer away, but the children are sent for water at least twice a day. The proximity of a clean supply will keep them in class and will improve their health. This well is funded by the San Bernadino Rotary Club in California. This will be the second project they have done with us.I spoke of the other well at Lirhanda. This is a rehabilitation of a collapsed borehole, also on the grounds of a primary school. This is funded by the Esquimalt High School Interact Club and by funds from Rotary Clean Water.org
A fourth project is to build protection for a spring in Shisilachi where we installed a well on the school grounds. This is working well, but the spring will serve more people for irrigation and watering animals.
We were at a 'goat roast' yesterday with friends from the Vihiga Rotary Club. With our visists to well sites, it is ironic that people are concerned about the heavy rains persisiting into what should be the start of the dry season. There are floods all over the country, with many deaths. Vegetables here are being washed away by the downpour, dirt roads are slick with mud (like driving on ice) and torrents cascade down the roadside.
A taxing time
Now the saga of Obama has died down we have returned to the preoccupation with the country’s politics.
Kenyan MPs are amongst the highest paid in the world (and amongst the least effective) Their average monthly income is 800,000 KSh (about $12,0000) which includes all kinds of housing and travel allowances which are tax free. They pay tax on 200,000KSh (some $4,000). It was proposed that all their income be taxed but they objected strenuously, citing the demands on them as philanthropists and nurturers of their communitties. That is to laugh, as they used to say in Montreal. The MPs threatened to boycott the passing of the Finance Bill (needed to keep things running) and thus bring the whole country to a halt. So the Finance Minister backed down on the taxation bill.
The famous ‘list of shame’ handed to Kofi Annan is wreaking havoc Many are running scared and insisting there be no follow up to the report on the murders and ethnic cleansing carried out last January. A statement from the International Criminal Court has scotched that idea. Kenya must do it or the international community will.
The PM’s party is subject to internal strife and there is considerable unrest as the Kalenjin (Rift Valley) are stirred up in traditional hatreds by their powerful leader, Ruto, who seems unable to co-exist within the PM's party. (The present governement is an uneasy coaliton established by Annan during the "Peace process."
The Kriegler report on the election called for the dissolution of the Electoral Commision, but the members of this body are refusing to step down, all the time continuing to draw allowances and stipends. Today it was revealed that over 100 million shillings (almost one and a half million dollars) has been mismanaged (or vanished) by the ECK.
It has been a month since the Waki report was handed to the President (& the famous envelope to Annan) but still the President has made no statement except to piously hope that any follow up will be tempered with forgiveness.
Ringera, the head of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, has handed in his annual report stating bluntly that he has not been able to get to the bottom of the Anglo Leasing scandal some two or three years ago, where Kenya lost millions of dollars. He claims to have been blocked at every turn by Wako, the AG, and the judiciary. Wako has been AG for nearly 20 years and has never brought a case against anyone for corruption.
The letters to the newspapers and the editorials could scorch a hole in the page. Everyone detests the politicians with a deep hatred, but no one seems to know what to do to change things. They would dearly love to see an Obama and I secretly wonder if Uhuru Kenyatta might be grooming himself for this. He’s the right age, intelligent and well educated and has the 'right' kind of background (father in government, business experience, very little political experience) However, he was the protégé of the dictator Moi and his family is far from squeaky clean. He is very much tainted by the past and his present associates. He would need time and distance.
Kenyan MPs are amongst the highest paid in the world (and amongst the least effective) Their average monthly income is 800,000 KSh (about $12,0000) which includes all kinds of housing and travel allowances which are tax free. They pay tax on 200,000KSh (some $4,000). It was proposed that all their income be taxed but they objected strenuously, citing the demands on them as philanthropists and nurturers of their communitties. That is to laugh, as they used to say in Montreal. The MPs threatened to boycott the passing of the Finance Bill (needed to keep things running) and thus bring the whole country to a halt. So the Finance Minister backed down on the taxation bill.
The famous ‘list of shame’ handed to Kofi Annan is wreaking havoc Many are running scared and insisting there be no follow up to the report on the murders and ethnic cleansing carried out last January. A statement from the International Criminal Court has scotched that idea. Kenya must do it or the international community will.
The PM’s party is subject to internal strife and there is considerable unrest as the Kalenjin (Rift Valley) are stirred up in traditional hatreds by their powerful leader, Ruto, who seems unable to co-exist within the PM's party. (The present governement is an uneasy coaliton established by Annan during the "Peace process."
The Kriegler report on the election called for the dissolution of the Electoral Commision, but the members of this body are refusing to step down, all the time continuing to draw allowances and stipends. Today it was revealed that over 100 million shillings (almost one and a half million dollars) has been mismanaged (or vanished) by the ECK.
It has been a month since the Waki report was handed to the President (& the famous envelope to Annan) but still the President has made no statement except to piously hope that any follow up will be tempered with forgiveness.
Ringera, the head of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, has handed in his annual report stating bluntly that he has not been able to get to the bottom of the Anglo Leasing scandal some two or three years ago, where Kenya lost millions of dollars. He claims to have been blocked at every turn by Wako, the AG, and the judiciary. Wako has been AG for nearly 20 years and has never brought a case against anyone for corruption.
The letters to the newspapers and the editorials could scorch a hole in the page. Everyone detests the politicians with a deep hatred, but no one seems to know what to do to change things. They would dearly love to see an Obama and I secretly wonder if Uhuru Kenyatta might be grooming himself for this. He’s the right age, intelligent and well educated and has the 'right' kind of background (father in government, business experience, very little political experience) However, he was the protégé of the dictator Moi and his family is far from squeaky clean. He is very much tainted by the past and his present associates. He would need time and distance.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Birthdays, water and light
Today was the birthday of Ben, our computer school chief instructor. We picked up some samosas and something that resembled Black Forest cake. Together with warm soft drinks, we wished Ben many Happy Returns. Then we set off for a small community not too far away where we had received a request to rehabilitate a borehole that had collapsed on the grounds of an elementary school. We met with the committee and took pictures of the present water supply. There is water in a protected spring which seems reliable and reasonably clean, but it is about one kilometer away down a very steep slope (picture) The children are sent three times a day for water, so lose a great deal of class time.
Yesterday was the last morning of national exams, so the children were all leaving after lunch for the end of year break. They will return the first week of January when the work on the new well will be underway.
In the evening we attended the Rotary meeting in darkness in the 'best' hotel in town. It seems that the water company has not paid its electricity bill (apparently owing over $60,000), so the power was cut off, stopping all pumping as well as lights. Rod went to the washroom accompanied by a fellow holding a candle which he refused to relinquish. Obviously he had been instructed to hold the light for clients.
Our power is still intermittent because of the storms and we get water about every three days, so we are expecting to have problems once the rains stop and the water people continue to owe a large sum.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A day to remember
We were out and about early today since our ‘daughter’ Isabellah was arriving from Nairobi. We had promised to take her to her home village about 20 km outside Kakamega. An orphan, she was brought up by her grandmother who is now well over 80 and growing frail. The old lady has said she wanted to see us ‘before she died’ because we have put her granddaughter through high school and now employ her grandson at the computer school. We also send him to Business College. isabellah is also finishing business studies. These two are the hope of their family.
We heard that Isabellah would be late because her overnight bus ‘had a problem.’ The 400 km journey from Nairobi took sixteen hours!
At ten, we had arranged to meet Robertson, a Rotarian, who teaches in the local medical training college to ask about the possibility of Johnstone, another of our ‘boys’ registering for clinical medicine in January.
To our surprise Robertson informed us that they had a new course with a delayed start. They were just finishing their student list and he thought there might be one or two vacancies. To cut a long story short, Robertson verified the availability with the Principal, but only if all the paperwork was in order and fees were paid by 4 pm when the Principal would carry the class documentation to Nairobi. We bounced out to Shikunga (Johnstone’s secondary school) to pick up his official certificate (this involved getting signatures from all and sundry to ‘clear’ him), swung by Isabellah’s home to drop her and greet the family and the grandmother, returned to Kakamega to withdraw money, paid the fees, completed the application, bought Johnstone’s uniform including lab coats and set him up to be in class tomorrow morning. All before the bank closed at 3 pm and the Principal left at 4.
Amid all this, I suddenly realized we hadn’t even asked Johnstone how he was feeling about this sudden change in his life. I posed the question. Answer: I feel great! Me: Just a little bit scary? Answer: I am a man! He’ll be ok. Although a shy boy he has a subtle sense of humour, which is coming out more as he feels more comfortable with us. By what has happened today he has saved almost a year in the waiting time for registration in such a course. He told us he finished his leaving exams on Nov 11 2007. Nov 11 2008 he is on his way to becoming a rural doctor.
We heard that Isabellah would be late because her overnight bus ‘had a problem.’ The 400 km journey from Nairobi took sixteen hours!
At ten, we had arranged to meet Robertson, a Rotarian, who teaches in the local medical training college to ask about the possibility of Johnstone, another of our ‘boys’ registering for clinical medicine in January.
To our surprise Robertson informed us that they had a new course with a delayed start. They were just finishing their student list and he thought there might be one or two vacancies. To cut a long story short, Robertson verified the availability with the Principal, but only if all the paperwork was in order and fees were paid by 4 pm when the Principal would carry the class documentation to Nairobi. We bounced out to Shikunga (Johnstone’s secondary school) to pick up his official certificate (this involved getting signatures from all and sundry to ‘clear’ him), swung by Isabellah’s home to drop her and greet the family and the grandmother, returned to Kakamega to withdraw money, paid the fees, completed the application, bought Johnstone’s uniform including lab coats and set him up to be in class tomorrow morning. All before the bank closed at 3 pm and the Principal left at 4.
Amid all this, I suddenly realized we hadn’t even asked Johnstone how he was feeling about this sudden change in his life. I posed the question. Answer: I feel great! Me: Just a little bit scary? Answer: I am a man! He’ll be ok. Although a shy boy he has a subtle sense of humour, which is coming out more as he feels more comfortable with us. By what has happened today he has saved almost a year in the waiting time for registration in such a course. He told us he finished his leaving exams on Nov 11 2007. Nov 11 2008 he is on his way to becoming a rural doctor.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
so many needs
We have just about finished distributing the remaining contents of the container. All the furniture and books have gone and there remain a couple of computers. I won’t give them to schools with no computer literate teacher, so this is an incentive to at least one of the staff to take some training.
I have been able to give a maximum of two computers to each school that asked, but this is very little. In the poor areas, they can hardly believe they are stepping into today's world.
We have been overwhelmed with thanks. One school where we went this past week had no office furniture at all and the headmaster worked off a small table about one metre by two. He now is the proud owner of a large office desk with drawers.
Most schools received at least 200 books from the cartons shipped from Victoria. The school where we were yesterday said their ‘story books’ had been read and re-read over and over. The teacher told us she had already seen an improvement in written and spoken English. It takes so little to make a difference.
I wonder if we can figure a way to send more books. They don’t incur duty and are of much better quality and variety than available here. We have so many discards in Canada. If anyone out there could research the costs for freight (other than a container) and if there is any way to swing it, many children would benefit.
I have begun to ask for input for Victoria Rotary “Adopt a Village” project. The school where we were yesterday is desperately poor. So many of the little ones are in rags with bare feet and showing the red hair of malnutrition. I met with the Assistant Chief, the school administration and the chair of the school committee and have asked them for a proposal of priorities for assistance. I will also approach one other community and then will come the hard task of choice.
If you have any thoughts on this you can email me or answer through the 'comments' of the blog.
I have been able to give a maximum of two computers to each school that asked, but this is very little. In the poor areas, they can hardly believe they are stepping into today's world.
We have been overwhelmed with thanks. One school where we went this past week had no office furniture at all and the headmaster worked off a small table about one metre by two. He now is the proud owner of a large office desk with drawers.
Most schools received at least 200 books from the cartons shipped from Victoria. The school where we were yesterday said their ‘story books’ had been read and re-read over and over. The teacher told us she had already seen an improvement in written and spoken English. It takes so little to make a difference.
I wonder if we can figure a way to send more books. They don’t incur duty and are of much better quality and variety than available here. We have so many discards in Canada. If anyone out there could research the costs for freight (other than a container) and if there is any way to swing it, many children would benefit.
I have begun to ask for input for Victoria Rotary “Adopt a Village” project. The school where we were yesterday is desperately poor. So many of the little ones are in rags with bare feet and showing the red hair of malnutrition. I met with the Assistant Chief, the school administration and the chair of the school committee and have asked them for a proposal of priorities for assistance. I will also approach one other community and then will come the hard task of choice.
If you have any thoughts on this you can email me or answer through the 'comments' of the blog.
Friday, November 7, 2008
No holiday for us
Obama mania hit with a vengeance on Wednesday. Since we only have a shortwave radio and no TV we were among the last to know the final results. In fact, on Thursday we didn’t even know the President had declared a public holiday, so went about our business as usual as did most others in the town. We were not impressed by the holiday. The last thing Africa needs is another day with no government or business operations. Our view has been shared by many Kenyans both here and in the States. They wonder why the US voters don’t get any time off work yet Kenyans do.
Optimism is high for increased tourism, as Americans will supposedly come to see Obama’s roots. The fact that he was born in the US, had no contact with his father after the age of two and only recently met most of the relatives seems to have little effect. Eleven babies born in Kisumu on Tuesday night are called Barack Obama, roads and schools are having their name changed.
His father, who worked under President Kibaki, who was then Finance Minister, had at least three wives, so there is a mob of half siblings, ‘step’ mothers, aunts, uncles and cousins who have appeared.
They declare they will all go to the US. The ‘home’ village has suddenly become the centre of attention and electricity and water are being installed and the road paved. All overnight. It is supposedly in the name of security for the family and the hundreds of tourists expected to descend.
All this aside, there is no denying the tremendous lift this has given Kenyans, mired as they are in their own political mess. The importance of a black man earning such a position is inspiring. What some people don’t understand yet is that he put in many years of training & preparation. As one columnist said, he did not rely on his clan, or even his color, to fast track him to political power. It will also take time to sink in that a politician such as he will not be able or willing to shower the family with largesse. Already the aunt in the US illegally for the last four years is a potential embarrassment.
Articles quote the deputy PM who has pointed out that Kenya cannot expect Obama to express pride in his heritage if the country continues to employ corruption and refuses to be honest and transparent about the civil strife earlier this year. If the feeling lasts and takes root in high places, there is hope for the system yet.
Optimism is high for increased tourism, as Americans will supposedly come to see Obama’s roots. The fact that he was born in the US, had no contact with his father after the age of two and only recently met most of the relatives seems to have little effect. Eleven babies born in Kisumu on Tuesday night are called Barack Obama, roads and schools are having their name changed.
His father, who worked under President Kibaki, who was then Finance Minister, had at least three wives, so there is a mob of half siblings, ‘step’ mothers, aunts, uncles and cousins who have appeared.
They declare they will all go to the US. The ‘home’ village has suddenly become the centre of attention and electricity and water are being installed and the road paved. All overnight. It is supposedly in the name of security for the family and the hundreds of tourists expected to descend.
All this aside, there is no denying the tremendous lift this has given Kenyans, mired as they are in their own political mess. The importance of a black man earning such a position is inspiring. What some people don’t understand yet is that he put in many years of training & preparation. As one columnist said, he did not rely on his clan, or even his color, to fast track him to political power. It will also take time to sink in that a politician such as he will not be able or willing to shower the family with largesse. Already the aunt in the US illegally for the last four years is a potential embarrassment.
Articles quote the deputy PM who has pointed out that Kenya cannot expect Obama to express pride in his heritage if the country continues to employ corruption and refuses to be honest and transparent about the civil strife earlier this year. If the feeling lasts and takes root in high places, there is hope for the system yet.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Children's voices
sm.jpg)
Yesterday was filled with children’s voices. In the morning a VERY long church service was dedicated to Sunday School and many children recited or sang. The sermon was long, unfocused and repetitive, but we really enjoyed the young people. There 
are 450 children in Sunday School and most of them were there with their families. We had a set of RE books in the container, so I presented them to the teachers.
In the afternoon we went to Shisele. This is a small village where we put in a well at the primary school but had to leave last February before we could formally hand over to the community. We told them to go ahead and use the water. When they heard we were back they contacted us for celebration. The well has been working well and they say they are experiencing many benefits (mainly saving time and reducing sickness) The children sang and danced for us. I took a box of books also from the container as well as some art supplies. I wish I could upload one of the short videos, but we have to be satisfied with stills.sm.jpg)
This morning I had an interview with the Provincial Education Officer. He is the one mandating the teaching of the Virtues in all schools in Western Province. He was happy to tell us that during the year Western suffered very few school problems such as strikes and riots compared with the rest of the country (only 8 incidents compared to 200 elsewhere) and he affirms it is because of the Virtues training. Of course, everyone is looking for more money to implement further but I explained that all over the world the Virtues is supported by government money directly or indirectly. The type of training we are doing in Positive Discipline is responding to a very deep need and has been missing in the educational setting.
At the beginning of December there will be a big training session for about 200 teachers in the Kakamega area. After that we will go to Kampala for an information and training session. In mid-Dec we will be visiting the UN and others in Nairobi to talk about the project and hopefully engender some interest in funding. After Christmas we will go back to Nairobi for a week of information sessions. In February there will be an intensive follow up seminar for Western Province Educators.
are 450 children in Sunday School and most of them were there with their families. We had a set of RE books in the container, so I presented them to the teachers.In the afternoon we went to Shisele. This is a small village where we put in a well at the primary school but had to leave last February before we could formally hand over to the community. We told them to go ahead and use the water. When they heard we were back they contacted us for celebration. The well has been working well and they say they are experiencing many benefits (mainly saving time and reducing sickness) The children sang and danced for us. I took a box of books also from the container as well as some art supplies. I wish I could upload one of the short videos, but we have to be satisfied with stills.
sm.jpg){kind=link}
sm.jpg)
This morning I had an interview with the Provincial Education Officer. He is the one mandating the teaching of the Virtues in all schools in Western Province. He was happy to tell us that during the year Western suffered very few school problems such as strikes and riots compared with the rest of the country (only 8 incidents compared to 200 elsewhere) and he affirms it is because of the Virtues training. Of course, everyone is looking for more money to implement further but I explained that all over the world the Virtues is supported by government money directly or indirectly. The type of training we are doing in Positive Discipline is responding to a very deep need and has been missing in the educational setting.At the beginning of December there will be a big training session for about 200 teachers in the Kakamega area. After that we will go to Kampala for an information and training session. In mid-Dec we will be visiting the UN and others in Nairobi to talk about the project and hopefully engender some interest in funding. After Christmas we will go back to Nairobi for a week of information sessions. In February there will be an intensive follow up seminar for Western Province Educators.
Nov. 1 - Politics and justice
Things could turn bad again. All the MPs in the Opposition ODM, which is headed by the PM, have rebelled and voted to turn down the report on the violence that is supposed to bring the perpetrators to account. The PM is left swinging alone. The members are obviously terrified that their names appear in the sealed envelop held by Kofi Annan (6 Cabinet Ministers and 5 MPs are supposedly named) They have demanded to see the names and to scrutinize all the evidence held for safe keeping at the UN. Good luck, guys! There is not one commentator we have read who supports the shelving of the report. In any case, since this was done under the power sharing agreement and foreign members served, it has the force of law.
I have some harrowing accounts fromt he Waki report about the 1300 people killed, the thousands displaced, the homes and businesses lost. And some have the temerity to suggest it should all be put aside in the interest of 'national unity'.
The fact remains, however, that certain politicians are enormously powerful and violence could erupt again if the favorite son is brought to court. Only serving to prove what the indictment would say! We are hoping and praying that sanity will prevail.
I have some harrowing accounts fromt he Waki report about the 1300 people killed, the thousands displaced, the homes and businesses lost. And some have the temerity to suggest it should all be put aside in the interest of 'national unity'.
The fact remains, however, that certain politicians are enormously powerful and violence could erupt again if the favorite son is brought to court. Only serving to prove what the indictment would say! We are hoping and praying that sanity will prevail.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)