A Typical "Shopping Centre" in Kenya
Monday 26th/Tues 27th Normal days at the Poly etc. Monday night I received a text from Dorcas the Manager advising that the Ministry had revised the end of term date (previously the end of this week) to the 14th April. This extends the term by 2 weeks. We have budgeted our limited funds exactly and therefore have no funds to provide lunch for the additional weeks. Luckily we have a parents meeting planned for Thursday this week so hopefully something can be sorted out there. We have a number of options but need the parents buy-in.
Another slight challenge is that in January I booked a flight home to the UK for the end of term holiday. Now the term has extended I will miss term time, but what can I do?
Wednesday 28/Thursday 29 – To Kitui – VSO invited me to join the Kitui County Youth Polytechnic Workshop. The first of it’s kind focusing solely on YP’s in a specific County. I leave Ithiru YP at lunch time and take the Matatu to Thika then cross Thika to gate the direct Matatu to Kitui a trip that should take about 2 hours. The sun is as ever relentless so I am hoping for a painless journey.
One problem with Matatus is that if you get to a stop and no many people are going on further you are taken off and put on another that is. The trip to Kitui involved 5 changes and each time waiting for the new Mat to be filled. The final leg was on a bus which then proceeded to breakdown 2km from the final destination. The 2 hour journey ending up taking 5. I met some great people on the way and that made it more palatable. The final chap I was talking to escorted me all the way to the hotel ensuring I did not get lost as it was dark by the time I finally arrived. The kindness and generosity in Kenya is amazing and it will be interesting to compare with the UK next month!
The workshop included MP’s, Councillors, YP Managers and Board of Governors etc. 60 people in total. The topics were Enrolment, Trainee Retention, etc. All topics that are very relevant to Ithiru YP and every Poly in Kenya. It was great to share experiences and also see that some of the frustrations I had experienced were just the same elsewhere so not to take them too much to heart. Some great ideas and motivation were taken away ready for the new term in May. Luckily the journey home was very quick with no changes of Matatu.
Whilst I was at Kitui there had been the parents meeting at Ithiru. The parents were very complementary of the changes in the Poly so far and supportive of Dorcas the new Manager. They did ask where the Mzungu was and it was a shame I could not have been there. Luckily they all understood the position regarding the change of term dates and offered to provide what was necessary to ensure the lunch programme continued.
Friday 30 – Up early as I had to get to the Kibe Shamba as they had arranged a breakfast farewell for me including the Pastor being present to say prayers for my safe Journey to the UK. I was very touched by this as it was a great honour and very moving. The whole family were there and the kids even delayed going to school, having to dash off immediately it finished so as not to be late.
At the Polytechnic I caught up on the events at the parents meeting and at Lunchtime the Chairman turned up and again we had prayers for my trip, speeches and presentation of a gift of appreciation of my contribution to date. Again very moving – where is the Kleenex when you need it!!
I leave at lunchtime to drop in at Kandara and pick up my bag etc. Then to Nairobi to stay with friends overnight.
Saturday 31 – Fashion Shoot – My flight was not until 23.40 so I had filled the day up. In the afternoon I visited the “Kumi Kommunity” centre where http://www.vision-africa.org/ (the organisation that used to run the Kandara Orphanage and still run the baby unit) were having a function for their Seed of Hope programme http://vision-africa.org/10years/kumi-kommunity-and-kushuka/. I had spoken to Kirstie earlier in the week and offered my photo services (need the practice for my photography course!!). She was very grateful and asked me to take shots of the fashion show and other parts of the event.
This was great fun and the kids were amazing. Sheila Dhariwal. http://www.vision-africa.org/news/2012/launching-kushuka/ A designer from the UK had been visiting for the previous 2 weeks and helping them design and make their own jewellery and clothing.
Peperuka are a clothing company who produce t-shirts and a proportion of the profits go to vision-africa.
The above are a selection of the photos taken, not too bad for a first attempt?
Thanks to all at Seed of Hope for their patience, looking after me and making me so welcome.
Luckily for me Deborah the Director of VA was meeting her parents from the airport that evening so kindly gave me a lift.
Sunday 1st April – UK – After a painless overnight flight and a surprisingly good sleep I landed in the at London Heathrow. I was just making my way through the crowd of waiting relatives on my way to the train to London when an old boy stepped into my way puzzled I then noticed it was my Dad!! Mum and Dad (both over 70!) had got up at 4am to make it to the airport to meet me – Bless!! Very pleased to see them and after big hugs, they then gave me a lift into London to my Sister’s (Ruth) pub (The One Tun, Goodge St – best pub in London – pay her a visit if you are in town).
It did not feel as strange as I thought to be back.
Ruth’s husband was going to a Motocross event so Ruth and I tagged along (having had a good sleep on the plane I was feeling OK.
More camera fun and a bit of sun burn (England in April why would I need suntan cream – ooops!).
Monday 2nd – Bit of shopping then back to the One Tun to meet Nicole (volunteer from Nairobi) who was back to visit boyfriend Nick (who had been in Kenya for Xmas and New Year). Lunch and a good English pie and pint J
Me with Nick and Nicole outside the One Tun
Me, Ruth and John inside the One Tun
Later my Brother dropped by for a catch up and the 3 Dixon’s caught up on a rare occasion when all 3 of us are together.
A big curry in the evening then meeting Stuart Witheridge and old work mate and good friend and my rehabilitation in the UK was complete!
