We are staying at the Kitale Club which is supposed to be the best accomodations in town according to both Lonely Planet and the Footprint Guides. At about $25US, you get about what you would expect. Geri and I haave separate rooms in a little brick cottage and share a bath and a toilet. The water is heated at night by a fire that is built under a drum. We didn't have any hot water last night, so Geri is going to try with the front desk to see if they can build a bigger fire tonight. It is an old English club and is quaint in its own way. My room has both a double and a single, but the single is definitely a better mattress.
On Saturday we went to the Saiwa Swamp National Park. It is home to a rare antelope called the Singtura, or something like that. We didn't spot any but di see some cranes and monkeys. We were both exhausted and after a cold splash bath I fell asleep.
Today, Sunday, we got up early to go to the Mt. Elgon National Park. There are caves that are famous for the elephants that enter at night to get salt. Thank God for 4 wheel drive. The trip up to the gates of the park was about 10 km, but much of it was muddy and rutted. We were going to walk in from there because we were afraid the park roads would be even worse. After about 500 meters, I turned around to go back and get the car. There was no way either one of us would have made it. We found the trail to the main cave, but somehow missed it. We ended up at a second, smaller cave, that has a waterfall across part of the opening. It was pretty, but I was disappointed that we missed the Kitum Cave. That's the way it goes.
We are now in town and stopped to have lunch at the same place as yesterday. It is a funky little hotel and restaurant (and cyber cafe) that has fish and chips. They were so good yesterday and today was no different. I don't know if they were really that good or that it is just a novel change of pace from what we have been eating. Geri has walked down to the store and then we will head back to the hotel.
Happy New Year to everyone!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Purchasing An Embroidery Machine
Today was a microenterprise day for Geri and me. She had gone to visit a couple of groups before deciding which one she wanted to work with. The first one turned out to be her choice. It is a trade school so the work embroidery machine will go farther in making a difference. The director of the school had prepared a good presentation for Geri and so she felt comfortable in her decision. The man, Mike was supposed to be at the house by 9AM, which we figured meant 10-10:30. However, he was there at 9:15. This was somewhat of a feat because he was coming from quite a distance and getting anywhere usually involves a lot of walking, or riding, or matatus, or a combination of all of the preceding.
We drove into town and went to the store to look at what they had. We ended up getting a Singer that does a most of the patterns, but not all. It does enough that the school will be competitive in the market and will be able to sell their work. The machine comes with a table and can operate on both electricity and by a treadle (sp?). Now it's up to me to figure out the basics before we present it to the group on the 9th. It should be interesting to see if I can make it work by foot power.
We spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon in town. We were price water pumps as a farewell present when we leave. We think we can get one for about $150. It would help the family out because it would eliminate the hauling of the buckets from the bottom of the well. Trust me, it is not easy to always be dropping the bucket down the well and then pulling it up the 25-30 feet.
We had planned to go over into Uganda for the weekend, but the place we wanted to stay was booked. They made some other suggestions, but they were full as well. I wasn't even thinking about it being a holiday weekend. We're hoping to go next weekend. Instead, we are heading up to Kitale and the Mt. Elgon National Park. Reuben told us to go ahead and take the Pajero (an old Mitsubishi 4 wheel drive). We kept it a bit of a secret from the college students so that we wouldn't have to take a whole bunch. A bit selfish, but it'll be a nice get away.
We drove into town and went to the store to look at what they had. We ended up getting a Singer that does a most of the patterns, but not all. It does enough that the school will be competitive in the market and will be able to sell their work. The machine comes with a table and can operate on both electricity and by a treadle (sp?). Now it's up to me to figure out the basics before we present it to the group on the 9th. It should be interesting to see if I can make it work by foot power.
We spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon in town. We were price water pumps as a farewell present when we leave. We think we can get one for about $150. It would help the family out because it would eliminate the hauling of the buckets from the bottom of the well. Trust me, it is not easy to always be dropping the bucket down the well and then pulling it up the 25-30 feet.
We had planned to go over into Uganda for the weekend, but the place we wanted to stay was booked. They made some other suggestions, but they were full as well. I wasn't even thinking about it being a holiday weekend. We're hoping to go next weekend. Instead, we are heading up to Kitale and the Mt. Elgon National Park. Reuben told us to go ahead and take the Pajero (an old Mitsubishi 4 wheel drive). We kept it a bit of a secret from the college students so that we wouldn't have to take a whole bunch. A bit selfish, but it'll be a nice get away.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Rain, Rain, Rain
The trip back from Kisumu went fairly well. Before leaving town we called Phil and Maggie to see what the doctor had said. The doctor questioned whether he had malaria in the first place and thought that it was just Traveler's Diarrhea. He was headed back the the doctor and so we haven't received a final diagnosis. They are scheduled to travel back to Kabula today.
Kenyan's love to use speed bumps and they can usually be found near the many markets along the road. It's a very effective tool for slowing people down. The problem is that sometimes they are placed in the middle of nowhere. For instance, as I crested a hill on the way back, I saw a speed bump just ahead. I slammed on the brakes, but we still took it at a pretty good clip. It's no wonder that the cars and trucks are always breaking down.
This is supposed to be the dry season, but they have had quite a bit of rain. We went to bed with rain and woke up with rain. We still set out to do an evaluation of an HIV/AIDS Empowerment program that was held about two years ago. They are trying to see what groups are doing, what is going well/poorly, etc. The program seems to be making a difference in the communities, but people keep relaying the message that sick individuals need food, money, etc. Poverty is such an issue and when a provider has AIDS and can not work the problem is aggravated. I'm not sure how effective our feedback will be, but they will try to do what they can.
Kenyan's love to use speed bumps and they can usually be found near the many markets along the road. It's a very effective tool for slowing people down. The problem is that sometimes they are placed in the middle of nowhere. For instance, as I crested a hill on the way back, I saw a speed bump just ahead. I slammed on the brakes, but we still took it at a pretty good clip. It's no wonder that the cars and trucks are always breaking down.
This is supposed to be the dry season, but they have had quite a bit of rain. We went to bed with rain and woke up with rain. We still set out to do an evaluation of an HIV/AIDS Empowerment program that was held about two years ago. They are trying to see what groups are doing, what is going well/poorly, etc. The program seems to be making a difference in the communities, but people keep relaying the message that sick individuals need food, money, etc. Poverty is such an issue and when a provider has AIDS and can not work the problem is aggravated. I'm not sure how effective our feedback will be, but they will try to do what they can.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Cathcing Up on My Blogging
Hello All,
I know it has been a few days since I've left any messages. I didn't go into town on Christams and yesterday was Boxing Day so almost all of the stores were closed.
Christmas was wonderful. We went to the church that is on the school grounds. It is Rueben's old church and is a Charismatic Epsicapol Church. Service was about 2 1/2 hours, but there was a lt of singing and dancing. The bishop came to give the sermon. Fortunately, he did that in both English and Kiswahili. The church is small -- maybe the size of a 3 car garage. We had a big lunch afterwards. In the evening we ate mango crisp that some of the volunteers made in the wood oven. They figured that mangos were the consistency of peaches and so it turned out perfect.
Our problem boma-mate was moved into the house on Saturday night. She didn't move her belongings out until yesterday. Instead, she just came in and out all day long to change clothes and show her presence. We didn't say anything because we did not want to spoil Christmas. We asked her yesterday when she was moving her things and she said she would do it IF she had time. We told her that if she packed it up that we would carry it up to the house, but that she had to do it that morning. She realized that we weren't joking about it and moved it to the house.
Our other boma-mate, Brenda, left for Nairobi. She was really wonderful, but now Geri and I have the place to ourselves. Each of us has our own little room. We went into town and bought some little plastice shelves and an area rug. We will leave it behind, but it makes it a bit home-ier. With our kerosene lamp in the evening, we have it plush.
I have begun driving and that is an experience. For one thing, you drive on the opposite side of the road. I drove six of us out to Weboye Falls on Tuesday. They are some beautiful falls. They are only about 100 feet high, but are pretty powerful.
Today, Wednesday, Geri and I drove the other two "mature" volunteers down to Kisumu. It is about a 2 hour drive on some fairly decent road. Phil had a malaria diagnosis on Friday, took the medicine, but is still not feeling great. We brought him to the Aga Kahn Hospital so that he could have it looked at by a bit more qualified medical staff. Geri and I had lunch and will be heading back once I am down here. Phil and his wife Maggie are going to spend the night and will return to Kabula by matatu. I think that he is pobably just dehydrated because the medicine they gave him caused some bad diarrhea.
So far, neither Geri or I have had any intesinal problems. Thanks to my naturopath and the Florastor that she reccomended. Knock on would that it all continues. I hope that everyone had wonderful holidays.
I know it has been a few days since I've left any messages. I didn't go into town on Christams and yesterday was Boxing Day so almost all of the stores were closed.
Christmas was wonderful. We went to the church that is on the school grounds. It is Rueben's old church and is a Charismatic Epsicapol Church. Service was about 2 1/2 hours, but there was a lt of singing and dancing. The bishop came to give the sermon. Fortunately, he did that in both English and Kiswahili. The church is small -- maybe the size of a 3 car garage. We had a big lunch afterwards. In the evening we ate mango crisp that some of the volunteers made in the wood oven. They figured that mangos were the consistency of peaches and so it turned out perfect.
Our problem boma-mate was moved into the house on Saturday night. She didn't move her belongings out until yesterday. Instead, she just came in and out all day long to change clothes and show her presence. We didn't say anything because we did not want to spoil Christmas. We asked her yesterday when she was moving her things and she said she would do it IF she had time. We told her that if she packed it up that we would carry it up to the house, but that she had to do it that morning. She realized that we weren't joking about it and moved it to the house.
Our other boma-mate, Brenda, left for Nairobi. She was really wonderful, but now Geri and I have the place to ourselves. Each of us has our own little room. We went into town and bought some little plastice shelves and an area rug. We will leave it behind, but it makes it a bit home-ier. With our kerosene lamp in the evening, we have it plush.
I have begun driving and that is an experience. For one thing, you drive on the opposite side of the road. I drove six of us out to Weboye Falls on Tuesday. They are some beautiful falls. They are only about 100 feet high, but are pretty powerful.
Today, Wednesday, Geri and I drove the other two "mature" volunteers down to Kisumu. It is about a 2 hour drive on some fairly decent road. Phil had a malaria diagnosis on Friday, took the medicine, but is still not feeling great. We brought him to the Aga Kahn Hospital so that he could have it looked at by a bit more qualified medical staff. Geri and I had lunch and will be heading back once I am down here. Phil and his wife Maggie are going to spend the night and will return to Kabula by matatu. I think that he is pobably just dehydrated because the medicine they gave him caused some bad diarrhea.
So far, neither Geri or I have had any intesinal problems. Thanks to my naturopath and the Florastor that she reccomended. Knock on would that it all continues. I hope that everyone had wonderful holidays.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Laundry Day
Today was laundry day for both Geri and I. Lessoned learn is that it is better to do it every few days, since I had 10 days worth of clothes. Many of them had been worn multiple days, so that at least helped. Laundry involves hauling 3 buckets of water up from the well -- one for washing and two for rinsing. Everything is done by hand and it took multiple changes of water. After it got pretty bad, we would make the second rinse the laundry bucket and then get clean water for the other two. Fortunately, it is all on the lines and will be dry by the time we get home. Also, I swear by Columbia Sportswear clothes because they are a synthetic that both breaths and drys quickly.
A few of us came into town for a bit of shopping. We are with Momma Betty so we took one of the program's cars rather than a matatu. We bought a couple of presents for the family for Christmas. New table clothes for the dining area and some DVD's for the kids. It's weird because they have a TV and DVD Player that gets pretty good use in the evenings when the generator is on.
Tomorrow I'm going to church with them. Reuben will not be preaching at his church so we will go to his old church which is near the farm. I figure it will be my one chance to experience the singing and fun of church. There are MANY, MANY churches and people tend to go. Most of them are small. I would say like the size of a double garage.
As usual, I need to sign off as people are wrapping up on the computer and we will be heading home soon. Merry Christmas to everyone.
Love, John
A few of us came into town for a bit of shopping. We are with Momma Betty so we took one of the program's cars rather than a matatu. We bought a couple of presents for the family for Christmas. New table clothes for the dining area and some DVD's for the kids. It's weird because they have a TV and DVD Player that gets pretty good use in the evenings when the generator is on.
Tomorrow I'm going to church with them. Reuben will not be preaching at his church so we will go to his old church which is near the farm. I figure it will be my one chance to experience the singing and fun of church. There are MANY, MANY churches and people tend to go. Most of them are small. I would say like the size of a double garage.
As usual, I need to sign off as people are wrapping up on the computer and we will be heading home soon. Merry Christmas to everyone.
Love, John
The Calm Before the Storm
Saturday was such a relaxing day on the farm. Most everyone travelled down to Kisumu for overnight. Brenda, our nice boma-mate went to the wedding of one of her former students as did the family. Geri and I went into town to buy just a couple of things. The couple of things turned into a four hour shopping day. We bought some nice shirts for ourselves ($7 each). A new floormat for the front door because we track so much dirt/sand into the boma. We also bought a kerosene lamp for the nights. Think propane lantern, but one that you have to manually pump to pressurize. We stopped for lunch at a coffee/teahouse that some of the experienced volunteers recommended. We went for a light meal of curry chicken that turned out to be huge -- and all for $2.50.
We got home and swept out the boma and washed down the floor just in time for an absolutely drenching rainstorm. So much for doing my laundry. It did give me time to make some progress on my journal. The problem is that I write the blog and then don't feel like writing with more detail in my journal.
Things ended up coming to a head with our little friend Kitty. She had taken a matatu down to Kisumu (2 hours on a good day) with Reuben and Mama Betty's 15 year old daughter. She was specifically told to be back before it got dark (6:30-7). It's really important because the matatus quit running around 7. Also, it's not like there are street lights or anything. They ended up making it back around 8:30. Mama Betty was both worried and fit to be tied. Kitty came into the boma and Brenda told her she needed to go talk to Betty, but she wouldn't go up there. I left and I guess Geri said "You really need to go up and talk to them." Kitty was like "No, I need to clean up and do some things here." Geri said, sternly, that she didn't realize how worried everyone was and that she needced to go and apologize. Kitty blamed it all on the daughter, Donna. Geri said "You're the adult and you were told to be back before dark." She simply would not take any responsible. Then when I came back into the boma, Kitty told us that we talked down to her and that she didn't appreciate it. Well, you know me, I lost it. Kitty ended up crying for about 2 hours to Reuben and Mama Betty. What absolutely ridiculous and unneeded drama.
Reuben this morning talked to us and said that they were trying to figure out what to do with Kitty since she has been such a problem for everyone. I think they are going to move her into their house in the extra bed in the girl's room. Reuben has really appreciated us and said he was trying to get things straight. He said that they have had some problem volunteers, but none of them have been quite like her. Anyway, enough of that whole mess.
We got home and swept out the boma and washed down the floor just in time for an absolutely drenching rainstorm. So much for doing my laundry. It did give me time to make some progress on my journal. The problem is that I write the blog and then don't feel like writing with more detail in my journal.
Things ended up coming to a head with our little friend Kitty. She had taken a matatu down to Kisumu (2 hours on a good day) with Reuben and Mama Betty's 15 year old daughter. She was specifically told to be back before it got dark (6:30-7). It's really important because the matatus quit running around 7. Also, it's not like there are street lights or anything. They ended up making it back around 8:30. Mama Betty was both worried and fit to be tied. Kitty came into the boma and Brenda told her she needed to go talk to Betty, but she wouldn't go up there. I left and I guess Geri said "You really need to go up and talk to them." Kitty was like "No, I need to clean up and do some things here." Geri said, sternly, that she didn't realize how worried everyone was and that she needced to go and apologize. Kitty blamed it all on the daughter, Donna. Geri said "You're the adult and you were told to be back before dark." She simply would not take any responsible. Then when I came back into the boma, Kitty told us that we talked down to her and that she didn't appreciate it. Well, you know me, I lost it. Kitty ended up crying for about 2 hours to Reuben and Mama Betty. What absolutely ridiculous and unneeded drama.
Reuben this morning talked to us and said that they were trying to figure out what to do with Kitty since she has been such a problem for everyone. I think they are going to move her into their house in the extra bed in the girl's room. Reuben has really appreciated us and said he was trying to get things straight. He said that they have had some problem volunteers, but none of them have been quite like her. Anyway, enough of that whole mess.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Graduation Day
Today was graduation day for my first class. There were 16 that completed the class and passed the exam. Thank God everyone passed! Two of them completed the exam but had a lot of blanks. Mary, our translator, translated the questions for them and took the answers orally and so they passed. Even though they can take the exam in Kiswahili, none of them elected to do so. I'm not sure if it is out of embarassment or what.
Geri went along with us today and took pictures of the class and of each person as they received their certificate. She also took so movies of the day. It is so much fun. We had order a cake. The cake is actually pretty good. They bake it in a dutch oven rather than a modern bakery. As we were cutting the cake, they all sang songs for us. It is all very moving.
The class lives in two clusters that are fairly spread apart. They Have decided to split into two groups for their ongoing work. They will be doing general AIDS awareness programs in their respective areas that are geared towards youth groups and church groups. Some of the students walked about 6 miles each day to get to class. Something that I don't think too many young adults in the US would even consider doing.
As has happened every day, they fed us before we left. the woman in charge of the food wants to make sure we eat well. She piled about 4 cups of rice on my plate. It was some kind of meat, but was VERY tough. It is very expensive and so there was not a lot of meat. One of Geri's pieces was so tough that she was afraid it would break her bridge. I took it from her plate and had a heck of a time getting it broken into two pieces so that I could swallow it.
We made it back in about record time. We checked the odometer and it was 90km or 60 miles. It took us 1 1/2 hours. The roads and markets are very crowded because of Christmas. Many people are returning to their villages from Nairobi or even smaller towns such as Bungoma or Eldoret. The matatus are absolutely packed. I got dropped of in town and so am braving the matatu for the trip back to the farm. Normally, it wouldn't be so bad, but it's hard to say how many people they'll get into one. Someone said that they have had 21 people in theirs at one time. In case you have forgotten, a matatu is a minivan. Fortunately they can't go that fast on the road to the farm so it's safe.
Geri and I are going to stay on the farm this weekend rather than travel to an outlying sight. I have to do laundry one day, we'll come into town, and just relas around the farm. Next weekend, we will go somewhere for the New Year.
Love and Merry Christmas to you all!
Geri went along with us today and took pictures of the class and of each person as they received their certificate. She also took so movies of the day. It is so much fun. We had order a cake. The cake is actually pretty good. They bake it in a dutch oven rather than a modern bakery. As we were cutting the cake, they all sang songs for us. It is all very moving.
The class lives in two clusters that are fairly spread apart. They Have decided to split into two groups for their ongoing work. They will be doing general AIDS awareness programs in their respective areas that are geared towards youth groups and church groups. Some of the students walked about 6 miles each day to get to class. Something that I don't think too many young adults in the US would even consider doing.
As has happened every day, they fed us before we left. the woman in charge of the food wants to make sure we eat well. She piled about 4 cups of rice on my plate. It was some kind of meat, but was VERY tough. It is very expensive and so there was not a lot of meat. One of Geri's pieces was so tough that she was afraid it would break her bridge. I took it from her plate and had a heck of a time getting it broken into two pieces so that I could swallow it.
We made it back in about record time. We checked the odometer and it was 90km or 60 miles. It took us 1 1/2 hours. The roads and markets are very crowded because of Christmas. Many people are returning to their villages from Nairobi or even smaller towns such as Bungoma or Eldoret. The matatus are absolutely packed. I got dropped of in town and so am braving the matatu for the trip back to the farm. Normally, it wouldn't be so bad, but it's hard to say how many people they'll get into one. Someone said that they have had 21 people in theirs at one time. In case you have forgotten, a matatu is a minivan. Fortunately they can't go that fast on the road to the farm so it's safe.
Geri and I are going to stay on the farm this weekend rather than travel to an outlying sight. I have to do laundry one day, we'll come into town, and just relas around the farm. Next weekend, we will go somewhere for the New Year.
Love and Merry Christmas to you all!
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