February 2013 - Security Meeting

With the forthcoming elections 4^th March in Kenya and the troubles in the last ones in 2007/8 there were inevitable concerns about security risks to volunteers etc. There had been a number of meetings to put plans in place for every eventuality. I was involved as one of the regional volunteer representatives. The latest meeting was following the decision to relocate us to Tanzania as a precautionary measure from 2^nd March for a week or so. This also allowed the office to close and the staff to concentrate on their families etc. There is a lot written about the 2007/08 election violence so any google search will find many commentaries. There is also a very good documentary on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUUcjWC6rG8 not easy viewing but the personal interviews and viewpoints give a very intimate and emotional perspective on the impact of the events on real people not just a headline about a far of country.

There were many views amongst the volunteers about this decision. Most agreed it was the right thing to do, but a small number thought it was an over-reaction. My perspective was: Yes there is unlikely to be any trouble in the village where I live but, other volunteers are less fortunate. Also last time the staff at VSO had to try and extract volunteers from high risk areas after the trouble started, meanwhile a number had family members unaccounted for. The most important thing for me was to let the Kenyans focus on their families. We were praying for peace but planning for the worst. If it turned out in hindsight to be an over-reaction then that was OK. Better that than the other way around!

New Sewing Machines - Income Generation Opportunity

It has been a good end to last year and start to this one. The fruits of early efforts are coming off. We received and new Singer sewing machine and an overlook machine for the tailoring and dressmaking dept. We previously had 14 “butterfly sewing machines which are very old fashioned and do not generate the quality needed to do income generating activities. The samples we took to schools were rejected.

Now with the new machines we already have orders from two schools for around 400 uniforms already. We will now need to get more of the better quality machines (£300 each) to meet the demand and hopefully grow the income generating side this in turn will help us get more equipment – a very positive cycle towards self-sufficiency.  If anyone feels they can support with getting more machines please contact me via the contact link on this blog.

New Toilet Block

During last year the Poly received 250,000 Kshs (just under £2000) for a new toilet block. The current ones look like this.

The current Staff and visitor pit latrine toilet - in 30+ degrees heat - just imagine!!

The boys pit latrine and urinal

The new WC block progressing well

The new ones are well on the way and will be vast improvement. Try as I might to avoid getting back to project managing construction – what I escaped from my old life!! I am having to adopt my style to the much more random approach too but it is a good experience overall. Same problems as the UK, clients changing their minds, late information from the contractor etc etc. Despite this progress is good and we hope to have it finished soon. Might be delayed by the elections though.

9 Jan – Polytechnic Re-opens + Computer Class Starts

January saw the start of a new year at the Polytechnic after the 2 month of Christmas holiday. These holidays are far too long really and the trainees often forget a lot of the good stuff they have learnt or find other things to do. But hey, we soldier on and as you can see from previous posts I make the most of the time!!

We are expecting a slower intake this year as the result from school exams are going to be delayed due to strikes last year. Also we have the election campaigning and the youth can earn cash helping the campaigns which often takes precedence over learning. Short term gains at the expense of education. We still hope to break the magic 100 barrier this year due to marketing and the start of the Computer course. Time will tell. When I started intake had been 27 in 2011, we increased that to 62 in Jan 2012. Let’s see if we can hit a population of 100, a personal challenge I set myself at the start of my placement.

Last year I asked friends and colleagues to search their cupboards etc for old laptops that they could donate for the poly. Ithiru YP had no computers at the start of 2012 and over the last year I gradually acquired some from various sources. We now have 8, a printer and projector. 4 from UK donors, 2 from VSO, one from a departing volunteer and a measly one from the Ministry, the latter is disappointing but I am still working on that one! We therefore have a functioning course. We did not have an instructor however, so for 3 weeks I was Mwalimu Simon (Teacher Simon). This was great fun and a good change from the normal role. Now we have Joseph a very popular and effective teacher and the classes are becoming increasingly popular.

Below - Winnie from VSO hands over 2 more laptops and a projector  

Joseph the new computer teacher with Winnie from VSO (centre) and our youngest "student" sat on a laptop!!

We do still need more computers so that, as the class grows, we ensure there is a laptop for each student in the class (up to 20). If any of you can assist with donating your old ones then please get in touch via the contact option of this blog. The benefit that can be gained here and the change to peoples lives by an old laptop which is currently sitting in your cupboard is amazing, so get searching and get in touch.