It is very easy to grow depressed and impatient with what is going on around us... Let me tell you a couple of the latest scandals. (One thing is true: there is never a dull moment) Lucy Kibaki (president’s wife) was declared innocent last week of involvement in the maize cartel that contributed to the food shortage. People on the street believe she was implicated but that the MP who accused her was bought off or threatened. We remember Tom Mboya, Robert Ouko and others who tried to walk a straight path and were assassinated.
Kenya’s education system is based entirely on ‘merit’ that is: examination results. It has just been revealed that for the past ten years a gang has been buying HS leaving exam papers ahead of time with the help and connivance of a police station, which would be entrusted to keep the papers safe. The investigation revealed late night ‘coaching’ going on using a stolen exam paper just before the test. So now many of the elite schools who topped the lists of exam results for many years, must now explain themselves. But the issue goes further. The system rewards the high achievers with reduced fees at the university (about 25% of normal) so it’s much cheaper to buy an exam that to pay regular rate fees. The fact that you are shutting out a deserving child with no financial support never seems to occur. If a student scores a B+ or A- (overall in exams) then the world of university courses is open. We must remember that the government selects a course of study for a student according to marks, regardless of preference. So the students we support with scholarships have an extra count against them: the children of wealthy parents winning government places.
The agreement with Kofi Annan was that if there was no internal tribunal by March 1 to try the people in the secret envelope for crimes against humanity stemming from last year’s mayhem, then the envelope would be sent on to the ICC in the Hague. At a vote last Wednesday in the House(I think I have the day right) there was no consensus on what to do. Many MPs refused to attend the house to form a quorum and the bill was defeated. This is largely because they don’t trust a local tribunal even with foreign members. Unless the President prorogues Parliament, the bill cannot be reintroduced. So now we expect any trial to be held in the Netherlands.
On Thursday a newspaper article reported on the finding of a group in the UK. It seems the UK banks a re full of the cash looted from Nigeria and Kenya. Millions of dollars are stashed away while Kenya, at least, appeals to donor countries to help feed the millions of starving citizens. One article this weekend pointed out that there is no interest in promoting foodstuffs other than maize, of which a huge amount is consumed. Other crops such as cassava and sweet potatoes are more nutritious and more suited to the climatic conditions, but while the government is offering subsidies and imports of white maize (the only kind people are conditioned to eat) there is money to be made.
So, having dealt with the ugly, I come to the good. The following stories are the ones that give us hope and encouragement that all is not lost.
This afternoon we went out to Shisalachi, the home of Julius the jeweler. The well we put in is working but needs a few adjustments to keep it sturdy. We also looked at the spring that was protected with the last of the Rotary Clean water organization funds. Julius tells us 200 families use the well and about 300 now go tot he spring. We protected the spring for about $500, so will look at requests from other villages when we come back in the fall.
I was touched by a group of women who wanted to speak to me personally about providing the spring. They said they were grateful that someone had done something for the women because they were always overlooked and neglected. Men have no interest in the source of water, so have no reason to improve things. During our conversation it became clear they want adult literacy and some micro finance assistance. My funds have run out for now, but I hope I will be able to help them later.
We have helped Julius over the years by buying his jewelry and with advice and support. He is now an important man in the community because we brought water to his village and two others in the area. Plus he has been able to buy some land for his children’s future. The tiny mud hut where he used to live is still on his compound, dwarfed now by a fine new concrete house. He has four children of his own (one is now a teacher) and three orphans he is taking care of and sending to schools. We bought jewelry on Sunday and those shillings will go immediately to the older boy in Form 4 to pay his fees and examination registration.
He has often talked of making fishponds and this year connected with Susan Thompson, a Canadian who has been helping farmers set up Tilapia ponds. One fish pond has been dug close to the protected spring and seven more are in the area. When they are ready and approved, they will receive the fry. The fish will be both a source of protein as well as a cash crop. Julius is only renting the land where he has made the pond, which is not a good situation and he would like to buy it.
On Saturday I went with four other Virtues practitioners to run a workshop in Maseno, at Ekwanda Primary school. Not all the participants we had been promised did turn up, but we had a group of over 30. They were great to work with and I’m looking forward to conducting the second session at the end of the month. This workshop is part of the training for facilitators who will take two days specialised training with me later this week. The trainee facilitators all have practical experience of implementing the Virtues Positive Discipline in their schools. It is very powerful for 
participants to hear strong testimonial from their colleagues, rather than a ‘foreign’ person. We have good hopes of eliminating the cane and other physical punishments in these schools.
Kenya’s education system is based entirely on ‘merit’ that is: examination results. It has just been revealed that for the past ten years a gang has been buying HS leaving exam papers ahead of time with the help and connivance of a police station, which would be entrusted to keep the papers safe. The investigation revealed late night ‘coaching’ going on using a stolen exam paper just before the test. So now many of the elite schools who topped the lists of exam results for many years, must now explain themselves. But the issue goes further. The system rewards the high achievers with reduced fees at the university (about 25% of normal) so it’s much cheaper to buy an exam that to pay regular rate fees. The fact that you are shutting out a deserving child with no financial support never seems to occur. If a student scores a B+ or A- (overall in exams) then the world of university courses is open. We must remember that the government selects a course of study for a student according to marks, regardless of preference. So the students we support with scholarships have an extra count against them: the children of wealthy parents winning government places.
The agreement with Kofi Annan was that if there was no internal tribunal by March 1 to try the people in the secret envelope for crimes against humanity stemming from last year’s mayhem, then the envelope would be sent on to the ICC in the Hague. At a vote last Wednesday in the House(I think I have the day right) there was no consensus on what to do. Many MPs refused to attend the house to form a quorum and the bill was defeated. This is largely because they don’t trust a local tribunal even with foreign members. Unless the President prorogues Parliament, the bill cannot be reintroduced. So now we expect any trial to be held in the Netherlands.
On Thursday a newspaper article reported on the finding of a group in the UK. It seems the UK banks a re full of the cash looted from Nigeria and Kenya. Millions of dollars are stashed away while Kenya, at least, appeals to donor countries to help feed the millions of starving citizens. One article this weekend pointed out that there is no interest in promoting foodstuffs other than maize, of which a huge amount is consumed. Other crops such as cassava and sweet potatoes are more nutritious and more suited to the climatic conditions, but while the government is offering subsidies and imports of white maize (the only kind people are conditioned to eat) there is money to be made.
So, having dealt with the ugly, I come to the good. The following stories are the ones that give us hope and encouragement that all is not lost.
This afternoon we went out to Shisalachi, the home of Julius the jeweler. The well we put in is working but needs a few adjustments to keep it sturdy. We also looked at the spring that was protected with the last of the Rotary Clean water organization funds. Julius tells us 200 families use the well and about 300 now go tot he spring. We protected the spring for about $500, so will look at requests from other villages when we come back in the fall.I was touched by a group of women who wanted to speak to me personally about providing the spring. They said they were grateful that someone had done something for the women because they were always overlooked and neglected. Men have no interest in the source of water, so have no reason to improve things. During our conversation it became clear they want adult literacy and some micro finance assistance. My funds have run out for now, but I hope I will be able to help them later.
We have helped Julius over the years by buying his jewelry and with advice and support. He is now an important man in the community because we brought water to his village and two others in the area. Plus he has been able to buy some land for his children’s future. The tiny mud hut where he used to live is still on his compound, dwarfed now by a fine new concrete house. He has four children of his own (one is now a teacher) and three orphans he is taking care of and sending to schools. We bought jewelry on Sunday and those shillings will go immediately to the older boy in Form 4 to pay his fees and examination registration.He has often talked of making fishponds and this year connected with Susan Thompson, a Canadian who has been helping farmers set up Tilapia ponds. One fish pond has been dug close to the protected spring and seven more are in the area. When they are ready and approved, they will receive the fry. The fish will be both a source of protein as well as a cash crop. Julius is only renting the land where he has made the pond, which is not a good situation and he would like to buy it.
On Saturday I went with four other Virtues practitioners to run a workshop in Maseno, at Ekwanda Primary school. Not all the participants we had been promised did turn up, but we had a group of over 30. They were great to work with and I’m looking forward to conducting the second session at the end of the month. This workshop is part of the training for facilitators who will take two days specialised training with me later this week. The trainee facilitators all have practical experience of implementing the Virtues Positive Discipline in their schools. It is very powerful for 
participants to hear strong testimonial from their colleagues, rather than a ‘foreign’ person. We have good hopes of eliminating the cane and other physical punishments in these schools. 
No comments:
Post a Comment