Water, Education, Now what about the women

This afternoon we went with Patricia and Rod to a rural area (less than an hours drive) to visit a water project Rotary put in about two years ago. The well is at the primary school and is needing a little attention, but still working well (no pun intended). We drew quite a crowd as we waited in our white jeep for Julius to meet us. Thank God for cell phones. Rod wasn’t quite sure of the turn, so called Julius to say we were at the police station – “I think he said he’d come to meet us,” Pat said not too confidently.

We waited for a bit as children and adults gathered around the jeep watching us intently. Terry commented that they must not have much excitement in their lives if we are that fascinating. I don’t know, I could spend hours just watching the children here, so I can see where they are coming from. Tired of waiting and with no cellular reception, we decided to go down the street a ways. It was a pretty narrow, pretty bumpy road (again, as we are getting used to) and we were following a procession of the PAG (Pentacostal something). It wasn’t looking good, or familiar… and now behind us there was another church parade. We pulled over as best we could to wait for Julius some more. The church members were trying to assist saying that Julius lived “over there” and he was “not around”. We followed them to the church where we could turn around. Rod did some pretty fancy manoeuvring to get the jeep turned around and we did eventually meet up with Julius, though we were on the wrong road.

Julius hopped in and directed us to the Primary School where the well is located. The well serves about 200 families and was very busy. Children cranked and filled buckets of water. Each family pays 20 shillings per month to use the well and this is enough for maintenance. Rod had a look at the well and it is in need of some attention – new washers, oil, some tightening and adjusting here and there. The women wanted a picture with the well, so we obliged. I don’t need to be asked twice to snap pictures of adorable children. This is obviously a poor area as the children’s clothes were all pretty ragged.

Next we went to Julius’ home. He lives in a large house that is almost finished being built. Construction is on hold for now until he pays school fees for his teenage children. He has four of his own and is guardian to two orphans and, it seems, may also pay fees for his brother’s children. Julius is a jeweller and has done quite well for himself. He used to sell his jewellery in Nairobi, but his market stall was destroyed – we have heard of this happening before. He didn’t have enough to rebuild, so he was forced to come home to his village. There is no market for jewellery around Kakamega (no one has an extra 500 shillings for adornments, everything goes to survival here). Mainly it is the mzungus (I just learned how to spell it) that he sells to. Patricia always buys a bunch and sells them in Canada at a profit (proceeds going back to the community of course).

On his property we saw the tiny banda that was his first home beside his next small two room house and now his large house. He proudly told us that he can receive 52 people in his sitting room and holds town meetings and other groups there.

As we were having soda in his receiving room, his nephew and the oldest of the children in Julius’ care greeted us. He told us that he was very happy to see us and that, in a nutshell, he hopes we buy lots of jewellery so that he will be able to finish Form 4. Julius kicked in that one day he will be fat because his children will take care of him when he is old. Victor is a born salesman!

After soda we walked down to the second water project, a spring that serves maybe 300 families in the area. He also has a fish pond (one of 8 along the river) that he has dug, along with his sons, for Hussein (remember Susan Thompson’s right hand man) to inspect and will hopefully fall under the Fish Farmer’s Co-operative. We always here that women and children have to travel long distances to collect water. Even with the spring and the well, seeing small children (as young as three or four) carrying containers of water on their head up a steep bank and a long dirt road is … well, there aren’t words for it. At least this water they are gathering is clean!

Patricia told us that the well was put in for about $2,100 and the spring only cost $500.

At the top of the hill, overlooking the fish pond and the spring, there was an impromptu meeting between Patricia, Julius and the women of the surrounding village. They wanted to thank Patricia for bringing clean water and were telling her that the women here are forgotten. There is a need for adult literacy and with water and education available in the village, they are ripe for micro finance. Patricia promised to talk to them about it when she returns next time in about 6 months. In the mean time she encouraged one of the women who can read to begin teaching the others; she could perhaps even pay a salary. She also gave them a quick lesson on using cow dung for cooking fuel as opposed to buying charcoal. This is all taking place in the hot sun, with at least two dozen children around. Beautiful.

I have told Patricia about the Pajomah Women’s Development microfinance institution as a possibility for the next step for these women.

Now, back to Julius’ to see his jewellery and his workshop. His work is unique, genuinely African and lovely. I purchased 5 sets (necklace and earings) for 800 shillings each (about $14). I may keep them, use them for gifts, or auction them at my next women’s event. I will try to load some pictures for you to see… if anyone would like to buy some I can certainly bring them home and you can pay me when you get there. Julius is a good man that cares for his community. Last year he sold his cow to support his campaign to run for town counsellor. Patricia tells us he is very popular and a natural leader. On voting day, his name was left off the ballot. Patricia says someone must have bribed the printer to keep his name off; he would have won. It is 5 years until the next election.

So, a necklace and earring set goes between $15 and $20 (depending on the length). They are mostly black and brass with African symbols and beads. They would likely sell between $60 and $200 in Canada. How many do you want? Just send me an email to tanyainkenya@gmail.com and I will bring some back for you at cost. Ones that I bring back without and order I will sell for a minimum of $30/set with proceeds going to support the women in this community. So, either way, this is a great way to contribute and get something beautiful for yourself or for gifts. I know it’s tricky without pictures, but for this price you can’t really go wrong. You can give me an idea of what you like (colours, squiggles, triangles or spirals, animals, etc.) If you don’t like it, I’m sure you’ll know someone who does.