I cant quite remember the last time I blogged so I'm just going to start from Monday, when we went to visit the district education officer to ask about the registration process of the school that we are building in Lefunga (1.5 hour drive from us in Kisumu) the process doesnt sound too bad although the school year doesnt start till febuary so we have made the decision to use the school with its books and desks as a resource centre for form 1 kids from all around, as long as we can find a suitable teacher and a way or paying her. I say her because it is going to be an all girls school, and unless we want to build a maternity ward next door I think a female teacher is best.
After working very hard on getting very good prices and designs on lecture chairs, we found another design that seems much better and more efficient so I am sort of starting from scratch again with the chairs and tables for the school. Still working hard on getting the best pricess for school text books, its amazing how it all adds up. I am trying to get reps from the publishers as they provide the best price as oposed to shops. This means spending my days on the phone to different reps. I do find speaking on the phone to kenyans with strong accents difficult but I'm betting much better at it now.
All that work has been E-merge work, I have also been in touch with Salem home but with both our busy scheduals its going to be a while till we can arrange a meeting.
I have been in contact with James and had a fantastic convosation with him over some sodas. It was so refreshing to hear someone that shares the same ideas about certain things and that is so passionate about his work. I visited his new centre in Nyalenda which is a slumb area facing many problems including kids getting involved in alchohol addiction, drugs and prositution. The young generation is faced with a big lack in work, no job preperation and a general bad reputation for just coming from the area.
The aim of the centre is to be a safe place where people aged 10 to 35 can be, rather than being in areas where they are at more at risk from the things detailed above. The centre has many many aims and activities including councelling services, HIV testing and counselling, CV building services, workshops, revenue generating activity and a canteen/shop that will fund the centre and hopefully make it a sustainable entity where James can step back and let the centre and the young people run things for themselfes.
My aim is to help by volunteering my time and possibly helping to plan and run a forum theatre project where young people can discuss and play out situations they feel are local issue.
I feel I have been neglecting a little the descriptions of day to day life here, which perhaps I was writing more of when I was in Bangalore. I guess I am more used to how things are here. I'll try to put some more detail in my next blog. Ive met some great people here, many of which are so happy to help and donate some of there time or services to my own and various projects needs.
The rush of getting around on the truck and taking boda-bodas (bicycles with seats for passengers on the back) is still awsome. I've really enjoyed the amazing group dynamic we have between the team and I'm both sad and excited at the departure of some good friends from the team and some new arrivals. I've enjoyed tucking into some traditional Kenyan food which includes the worlds best BBQ chicken at the Mamba hotel (Kisumu's answer to Nandos) which is well positioned only around the corner. I have also enjoyed settling down to a couple of bottles of Tusker in the evening, Tusker malt is my favourite, it has a stronger tast much like Peroni or Hinken where as plane tusker is a bit watery like fosters, not my cup of tea.
So I'm going to continue working hard, planning for this saturdays workshop on understanding the child, the child centred learning aproach, and the participaroty learning method. I also aim to have allocated some of the donated money from the two band nights at our house to the centre in Nyalenda starting with two chairs for thier counselling room.
There is far to much to write here, I spend my day doing a million things, and its that Buzz that I reall enjoy. Kisumu offers so many oppertunities and I plan to take up as many as possible while giving each my all and not overdoing it. Missing friends and family at home but loving the way of life here.
Its easy to get caught up with big numbers, like the fact that our Eearly Childhood Development workshops are impacting over two thousand 2 - 6 year olds. But its so important for me and I believe the others working here to remember the individual and I am trying my best to keep my eyes open to the places I can help the individual and keep each child in mind that is effected by the workshops. For that reason I've ended with a story below.
The Starfish Story
Original Story by: Loren Eisley
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”
The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”
“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can’t make a difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…”
I made a difference for that one.”
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…”
I made a difference for that one.”
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