Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Summing it up
Spending 6 weeks in a rural community in Kenya with no running water or electricity is physically and emotionally demanding. Nevertheless it is an extraordinary learning experience that helps to provide unparalleled knowledge and insight into the development world. From June 27th 2009 until August 4th 2009, I spent my time in Kayafungo, Kenya on a Global Development Internship with the organization Student Movement for Real Change. Throughout my time, I worked extensively with local community members and officials in monitoring and evaluating past implemented projects as well as working to develop future sustainable projects.
In the time that I spent in Kayafungo, I was able to get a better understanding of what projects work or don't work, and why this may happen. I saw success, and I saw failure. I saw solutions, while also seeing more problems. Its difficult creating development in an area that is stricken with problems in a multitude of areas. Not only do the people live with limited to no income, but geographically, the area is stricken with limited resources which further hinders development amongst the community.
A major problem in the area is access to clean water. Water is vital to all life and without it, it is near impossible for development to occur. The people in Kayafungo get their water from watering dams that are usually dug by the community. Unfortunately the water is stagnate, and full of parasites and water-borne diseases. Women will walk anywhere from 1 hour to 3 or 4 hours in the dry season to fetch water. As a result women will spend most of their day fetching water, while children will leave school to help their mothers get the water. All of this hinders education for children and future personal development for the women.
In addition there is a lack of schools and classrooms for children in nursery, primary and secondary schools. I spent time at a secondary school that was recently built with the help of Student Movement for Real Change. The school is Mwijo Secondary school and is the only other public secondary school in the area besides Ngalla Secondary school about 5 km down the road. The problem is the school only has 1 classroom for 75 students. Currently the school has 11 primary schools that feed into it. As a result at the end of each academic year they expect about an addition 120 students that could possibly attend Mwijo, however with only 1 classroom they cannot accommodate for the large influx of students. In turn, many children might not attend secondary school because they cannot afford another one, or live too far away to walk. Secondary school has proven to provide opportunity for children to live successful lives further creating development in the community and in their personal lives. If there are no classrooms, then there won't be that opportunity. I worked with the Board of Governors, as well as the headteacher and headmaster in helping to create a timeline that will allow them to fundraise money for additional classrooms. Most of the students at Mwijo Secondary school would not be attending any secondary school if it had not been built. This goes to show the power of education and the will to learn in this area of Kenya. We need to help this community in getting additional classrooms so that children have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams.
With education being such a vital aspect of development and opportunity for the people of Kayafungo, Kenya, it is the hope that the changeIT project will work in this area of the world in the near future. In helping to provide classrooms for schools in Kayafungo, the changeIT project would not only be constructing a physical structure that would help facilitate development, but it would be creating the opportunity for success and helping to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of countless motivated children.
In the time that I spent in Kayafungo, I was able to get a better understanding of what projects work or don't work, and why this may happen. I saw success, and I saw failure. I saw solutions, while also seeing more problems. Its difficult creating development in an area that is stricken with problems in a multitude of areas. Not only do the people live with limited to no income, but geographically, the area is stricken with limited resources which further hinders development amongst the community.
A major problem in the area is access to clean water. Water is vital to all life and without it, it is near impossible for development to occur. The people in Kayafungo get their water from watering dams that are usually dug by the community. Unfortunately the water is stagnate, and full of parasites and water-borne diseases. Women will walk anywhere from 1 hour to 3 or 4 hours in the dry season to fetch water. As a result women will spend most of their day fetching water, while children will leave school to help their mothers get the water. All of this hinders education for children and future personal development for the women.
In addition there is a lack of schools and classrooms for children in nursery, primary and secondary schools. I spent time at a secondary school that was recently built with the help of Student Movement for Real Change. The school is Mwijo Secondary school and is the only other public secondary school in the area besides Ngalla Secondary school about 5 km down the road. The problem is the school only has 1 classroom for 75 students. Currently the school has 11 primary schools that feed into it. As a result at the end of each academic year they expect about an addition 120 students that could possibly attend Mwijo, however with only 1 classroom they cannot accommodate for the large influx of students. In turn, many children might not attend secondary school because they cannot afford another one, or live too far away to walk. Secondary school has proven to provide opportunity for children to live successful lives further creating development in the community and in their personal lives. If there are no classrooms, then there won't be that opportunity. I worked with the Board of Governors, as well as the headteacher and headmaster in helping to create a timeline that will allow them to fundraise money for additional classrooms. Most of the students at Mwijo Secondary school would not be attending any secondary school if it had not been built. This goes to show the power of education and the will to learn in this area of Kenya. We need to help this community in getting additional classrooms so that children have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams.
With education being such a vital aspect of development and opportunity for the people of Kayafungo, Kenya, it is the hope that the changeIT project will work in this area of the world in the near future. In helping to provide classrooms for schools in Kayafungo, the changeIT project would not only be constructing a physical structure that would help facilitate development, but it would be creating the opportunity for success and helping to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of countless motivated children.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Safari Animal List
List of animals I saw on the Safari this past weekend at Tsavo West National Park:
Giraffe: Reticulated and Masai
Elephant: packs of 13
Impala
Jackal
Hippo: group of 11 plus one walking around the compound where we were staying
Dik-Dik
Elon
Ostrich
Kudu
Crocodile
Buffalo
Warthog (Pumba)
Zebra
Baboon
Monkeys
Wildabeast
An Array of Birds
Cheetah!!!
(plus more that I forgot)
Giraffe: Reticulated and Masai
Elephant: packs of 13
Impala
Jackal
Hippo: group of 11 plus one walking around the compound where we were staying
Dik-Dik
Elon
Ostrich
Kudu
Crocodile
Buffalo
Warthog (Pumba)
Zebra
Baboon
Monkeys
Wildabeast
An Array of Birds
Cheetah!!!
(plus more that I forgot)
In Need of a Burn Unit
One of the most difficult point on this trip for me was witnessing 2 year old Steven Kalama getting treated for the 3rd degree burn that covered his elbow. He feel into the fire his mother kept going to cook for while he was playing. Seeing the tears run down his face as the doctor cleaned the burn with a cotton ball and antiseptic medicine is something that I will never forget. I couldn't imagine the pain this poor boy was going through, just because of an accident that could have been easily prevented. I found myself asking and wondering what I can do to help these poor children.
The next day I heard another child, age 3, came in with her whole arm burned with a 3rd degree burn. This can become a state of life or death for these kids. If they dont get the proper treatment, death can become an easy possibility and unfortunate reality. The past year 4 people have died due to burns. 3 children and 1 woman. Could this have been prevented if they recieved the correct treatment; its very possible.
Moreen at the dispensary is working on setting up a private clinic in Kayafungo. This is where I need to try and help set up some sort of burn unit for these people. I just need to help raise the money to help pay for the medical supplies. This needs to happen. Children CANNOT be dieing from burns that could be treated. Its time to changeIT
The next day I heard another child, age 3, came in with her whole arm burned with a 3rd degree burn. This can become a state of life or death for these kids. If they dont get the proper treatment, death can become an easy possibility and unfortunate reality. The past year 4 people have died due to burns. 3 children and 1 woman. Could this have been prevented if they recieved the correct treatment; its very possible.
Moreen at the dispensary is working on setting up a private clinic in Kayafungo. This is where I need to try and help set up some sort of burn unit for these people. I just need to help raise the money to help pay for the medical supplies. This needs to happen. Children CANNOT be dieing from burns that could be treated. Its time to changeIT
Defining a "classroom"
In the US a classroom can be described as a room where students learn that consists of desks, books, a chalkboard, as well as other learning materials. Here in some parts of Kenya, the standards and description isn't always the same.
We traveled to a nursery school where SMRC had built some latrines for the school. Upon arriving I noticed children, which is normal for a school/ classroom. I also noticed some educators, which is normal for a school/ classroom. Then I noticed the structure the children were learning in: a thatch roof with one mud wall that was falling apart and a broken chalkboard: that is not normal, never mind anywhere near acceptable. The children of course appeared to be happy, but what type of education can they be getting? The simple weather challenges must create difficulty, not to mention they have no seats, desks or proper learning materials.
When I asked why the community didnt try and help rebuilt the school I was told because they dont have the money. When I asked why the government doesnt help, I was told they dont car enough.
These children have been learning in this environment for at least 2 years. This is something that NEEDS to be changed. Children should and will not learn like this. To help demonstrate how little they have, I brought an old water jug with me and gave it to one of the teachers. After taking it she said to me, "May God bless you". It was so powerful to see how grateful she wasx for that water jug. I cant imagine what she wuld think if she had a new classroom: changeIT.
We traveled to a nursery school where SMRC had built some latrines for the school. Upon arriving I noticed children, which is normal for a school/ classroom. I also noticed some educators, which is normal for a school/ classroom. Then I noticed the structure the children were learning in: a thatch roof with one mud wall that was falling apart and a broken chalkboard: that is not normal, never mind anywhere near acceptable. The children of course appeared to be happy, but what type of education can they be getting? The simple weather challenges must create difficulty, not to mention they have no seats, desks or proper learning materials.
When I asked why the community didnt try and help rebuilt the school I was told because they dont have the money. When I asked why the government doesnt help, I was told they dont car enough.
These children have been learning in this environment for at least 2 years. This is something that NEEDS to be changed. Children should and will not learn like this. To help demonstrate how little they have, I brought an old water jug with me and gave it to one of the teachers. After taking it she said to me, "May God bless you". It was so powerful to see how grateful she wasx for that water jug. I cant imagine what she wuld think if she had a new classroom: changeIT.
Language is Local, A Smile is Global
Each day I am faced with a language barrier that is often times very hard to break. Swahili is one of the main languages in Kenya, however in our small village of Gotani, Kayafungo they also speak Giriama. Attempting to learn both in a 5 week period is very difficult and often times frustrating. So far I have learned the basic greetings, hello's, goodbye's, how are you's and what is your name. Its fun being able to communicate on a basic level, however I continually get disappointed when I am sitting, playing with the kids while they are trying to speak to me. The only thing I can do to respond is put on a pathetic looking face and either shrug or say "sisemi Swahili" which means "I don't understand Swahili".
In Nicaragua I can at least create a broken sentence and hold somewhat of a conversation. Here in Kenya Swahili and Giriama have no words that are similar to English so it is near impossible to even try and create or fake a sentence. Not to mention every word and name seems to begin with the letter M, K, or G.
Nevertheless I cant complain too much because the challenge of communicating can sometimes be the fun part, and it is always exciting when I finally make a connection with the people.
After being here for about 4 weeks and learning a little Swahili and Giriama and being able to communicate on a minimal level, I have noticed how far the power of a simple smile can go. Language is local, but a smile is universally global. No matter what type of emotions I am feeling throughout the day; whether it be happy, sad, depressed or angry, I always get a smile when I see the boys in the village running to see with, grinning from ear to ear. I have discovered a smile is not effected by money, race, language or ethnicity.
Even though I live in America and speak English, day in and day out I have the same smile as the children who live in developing Kayafungo, Kenya speaking Swahili. The fact of knowing I was able to make somebody smile goes to show the power of such a small action. I make an attempt to make somebody different smile each day. Even if it only lasts a few seconds, the fact of knowing their day was a little brighter because of me is priceless.
As we drive down the bumpy road in the uncomfortable Matatu, I see many people blankly staring at the group of "Mazungos" (white people) bouncing down the road; however when I wave to them I see that blank stare turn into a smile and get a wave back. It was a small connection, but it made a big difference not only in their emotions, but maybe even their impression of Westerners. The smile, wave, and quick grin of the cheeks can form a lasting connection.
It's priceless seeing the smiles of women who you helped get water or give a ride down the road. A small smile provides proof that a simple gesture goes a long way...not matter where in the world you are.
In Nicaragua I can at least create a broken sentence and hold somewhat of a conversation. Here in Kenya Swahili and Giriama have no words that are similar to English so it is near impossible to even try and create or fake a sentence. Not to mention every word and name seems to begin with the letter M, K, or G.
Nevertheless I cant complain too much because the challenge of communicating can sometimes be the fun part, and it is always exciting when I finally make a connection with the people.
After being here for about 4 weeks and learning a little Swahili and Giriama and being able to communicate on a minimal level, I have noticed how far the power of a simple smile can go. Language is local, but a smile is universally global. No matter what type of emotions I am feeling throughout the day; whether it be happy, sad, depressed or angry, I always get a smile when I see the boys in the village running to see with, grinning from ear to ear. I have discovered a smile is not effected by money, race, language or ethnicity.
Even though I live in America and speak English, day in and day out I have the same smile as the children who live in developing Kayafungo, Kenya speaking Swahili. The fact of knowing I was able to make somebody smile goes to show the power of such a small action. I make an attempt to make somebody different smile each day. Even if it only lasts a few seconds, the fact of knowing their day was a little brighter because of me is priceless.
As we drive down the bumpy road in the uncomfortable Matatu, I see many people blankly staring at the group of "Mazungos" (white people) bouncing down the road; however when I wave to them I see that blank stare turn into a smile and get a wave back. It was a small connection, but it made a big difference not only in their emotions, but maybe even their impression of Westerners. The smile, wave, and quick grin of the cheeks can form a lasting connection.
It's priceless seeing the smiles of women who you helped get water or give a ride down the road. A small smile provides proof that a simple gesture goes a long way...not matter where in the world you are.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Gravedigger
A few days ago an old lady died. The community has been at the home visiting the body, mourning her death. We went and visited the home so experience the traditions of Giriama funerals. When we got there, we were taken to the place where they were going to bury her. There were men digging the burial grave, all taking turns so they dont get overly tired. I decided I wanted to help, so I offered to help dig. They were more than welcoming for me to jump in and start digging away at the hole that was already about 5 feet deep. I first had to take my shoes off. I then jumped in the hole and used a hoe to chop up the dirt. Everyone was starring at me, but I didnt really mind. I only did it for about 5-10 minutes but I still got a blister on my hand!
When I was done they had me wash off my feet and legs explaining that it was a cultural ideal. I dont no if they have ever had a foreigner help dig a grave before me. If they have I am sure they havent had many. Afterwards I had to give a donation for the family. They said it was out of respect for the family. They wanted 400ksh, but I only had 60ksh so I just gave them what I had.
When I was done they had me wash off my feet and legs explaining that it was a cultural ideal. I dont no if they have ever had a foreigner help dig a grave before me. If they have I am sure they havent had many. Afterwards I had to give a donation for the family. They said it was out of respect for the family. They wanted 400ksh, but I only had 60ksh so I just gave them what I had.
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