Too Bogged to Blog?

So much has happened since I last posted 6 days ago that I think I better go point form rather than story form, but even that poses a challenge because there are many categories from Rotary to Running to Food to Friends and in between.

Last Sunday….egad, even after looking in my journal I have drawn a blank. We did SOMETHING, I know. Must-remember-to-journal-every-day. [bing! Now, after writing all of the below, I remember. We went with Rod and Patricia (RC Victoria) to Shisalachi to meet Julius the Jeweler and see a protected spring and well projects. Quite an experience in Rod’s car 4 wheel driving down paths that may rarely if ever see a vehicle. We had to move some logs and Rod did some amazing, 45 degree angle driving to get around. Patricia conducted a How To Use Cow Dung for heat seminar with all her students balancing water jugs on their head while they listened, swarming with kids of course. Amazing to see these barefoot little girls walking up steep slopes carrying water and laughing at us. Those jugs are heavy (10-20L).] Then Rod and I spent what seemed a lifetime acting as jewelry demo racks while Patricia and Tanya hummed and hawed- all in a tiny grass mud hut that was his workshop. It was great to meet the kids and orphans that benefit from the jewelry sales.

Last Monday we had a long meeting with KASFOOC (the widows self help program) and that was followed by a meeting with Daisy School, where we checked out the new desks. The KASFOOC meeting was basically us looking at their books to see how they are funded and how they track their support. They had been audited and had some great grant proposals. They passed with flying colours. At Daisy School we saw the kids sitting in their new desks. Amazing how just a few weeks ago they sat on the concrete floor or 4 to a desk, but now they are all seated. Very gratifying. We see they could use some custom desks and thanks to our Humanities Team back in Courtenay I think we can get a few built (e.g. For a girl with no arms).

Last Tuesday we had a full day with the Rotary Club of Vihiga and looked at their earth dam proposal and another proposed fish farm location. This was followed by a big afternoon feast of Ugali. We also saw their dairy goat and dehydrator projects. About 6 members of the club escorted us around in two cars. Much sharing and chatting in between stops. We saw pictures of other projects such as protected springs, wells and adult literacy classes. They also explained how tea and sugar cane farming was not paying off, a mugs game due to crazy low prices to the farmers. They are very funny too: how can you spot a Kenyan drunk driver? He is driving in a straight line, through, not around, the potholes. We are going to introduce them to KASFOOC, and Hussein, next week

Last Wednesday was actually a tough day due to the heat; or should I say, our lack of water. We walked for hours going from farm to farm (shambra to shambra) talking to members of KASFOOC (who were digging their fields and ponds in bare feet) and their neighbours. Joining us was Hussein the local Tilapia farming expert. As we walked around more people wanted us to inspect their land to see if they had potential for a fish pond. I learned a lot as Hussein advised each one. Jackson was great as he just kept the information about each person place or thing coming on. There were 8 of us in our group, with several members of the KASFOOC board. Cars cannot reach these areas and many people had never seen a misingu in real life. This tour was followed by a big ugali and chapatti and Fanta feast. Tanya and I were knackered and filthy when we got home. Very dusty. We had about 2 hours before the Rotaract (college age Rotarians) meeting that night. It was great, even greater because my club released the funds to send two members to RYLA (youth leadership conference on the coast- this is a big deal). Tanya gave a leadership talk, by asking two members, male and female, to tell us about what drew them to Rotaract. Very interesting talks- no Canadian I have ever met went through what these kids did to get to college- man was I ever a spoiled brat at that age! Because they were so brave by standing up (most Kenyan youth we’ve met, and it’s been a lot, are very shy) I awarded, from my club, each speaker, Leah and Felix, with a trip to RYLA in Malindi. They were VERY excited. The president was thankful he did not have to choose.

Yesterday, Thursday, was another great-to-be-in-Rotary day because my club also gave us the OK to buy some supplies for our 8 high achiever, but very poor, boys at Musingu High School. So off we went, with Nora Harrison, on an incredibly cramped, hot, dusty matatu ride to the boonies to meet with the headmaster. The power was out all day so we didn’t know if he would be there. Thankfully he was, and after about a ½ hour wait we sat down to discuss how to a) determine what the boys need vs. want and b) how to distribute it without causing jealousies etc. He gave us a good plan and we went with it. Another long wait by a dusty road, and then another bumpy trip into town and we went for lunch. Due to the power being out, our options were limited, but we eventually found a place that served chai (me) and ugali (Tanya). I did some gift shopping as we met our first souvenir-touting tout in Kakamega. This is NOT a tourist town. Then we swung by Rotary High School, to see what they needed. Unbeknownst to them, and I hope they are not reading this blog, my club has given the OK to buy them up to 30 desks - I am pretty sure they need more , but this would be a big boost. I just need to confirm. Unfortunately the principal, Zachary, was busy teaching.

The power came back at 5pm so we cyber café’d it until the Kakamega Rotary Club meeting started at 6pm. It was well attended with a speaker: the District Children Officer. The topic was street children. After being assaulted our first day by street urchins, it was good to hear that things are happening, namely the establishment of a Rescue Centre.

Today is looking not so busy; we met Williamson at Daisy School to do some measuring for some custom desks. We measured 15, oh the need! We are also looking to get some plaques done for both Strathcona Sunrise RC (desks) and Cumberland RC (windows and shutters).

We also met with Zachary from Rotary High and said we MIGHT be able to address his needs. We asked his priorities:

1. about 40 desks (1000 CDN)
2. a printer ($50 CDN?) (they are charged 10 shillings a page (alot), old printer died
3. small photocopier ($200 CDN?)
4. textbooks-currently has 1 per 4 students. To get 2 per student, 11 subjects, 350 shillings per book would cost 1200 CDN (200 books at 300 ksh/ book at 61 ksh/ 1 CDN$)


Then perhaps plan a weekend pilgrimage to Eldoret- the capital and birthplace of long distance running (according to Runners’ World magazine). I’ll save my running stories, of which I have several, for the CVRR forum (www.cvrr.ca).

It is HOT today!