A New Toilet for the Youth Polytechnic

Earlier in the year we received funding from the Ford Foundation under their STEVEK programme to build a new toilet block and showers to replace the current wooden shack pit latrines. 

The Original Boys Toilet - Just Imagine the Inside!

Me Pretending to Help

Progress!

 To future proof the scheme we decided to build the foundations for the full building we needed and then the superstructure for the 4 cubicles we could afford. This would allow the masonry and building technology trainees to finish it off at their leisure. Unfortunately the contractor we had vetted and selected decided to collect the money for work done and not pass it on to the labourers eventually pressure from the labourers on this and a previous scheme was too great and he absconded. 

Despite involving the, Senior Chief, Police etc etc we were unable to track him down to get the labourers paid. Luckily we had only paid him for completed works so the polytechnic did not have a loss but the hard working labourers were less than happy. If they ever find him I dread to think what form “natural justice” will take!! We are now looking to source funding to complete the broader building and finish the works he left incomplete. 

6 October 2012 - Unite the People Concert Kisumu

Saturday – The sun rose over the lake to welcome the start of a long and busy day. I have breakfast with DNA and Simon the organiser before going with Simon to record the central square car park being transformed into a concert venue.

A very slick group of chaps were sweating profusely under the Kisumu sun as the staging and sound equipment were erected.

I managed to sneak off at lunch time and grab a lunch at Green Gardens with Catherine Vanderwall, Rachel Opyio and Deedra all from Rafiki a charity supported by VSO who are from Nearby Bondo. Catherine had rallied round her friends and colleagues and brought 9 people to the event. I then popped back to the hotel to try and get an hours sleep before what would be a long night.

Back at the venue we were on Kenya time!! The posters said 6pm until late. By 8pm no-one was there so a few of us nipped to the pub for an hour. It was 1030pm before the first act came on which was open mike for local acts. By 12 the main acts were starting ant the crowd had built. Due to the delay Clinton’s slot was moved forward and Malfred and DNA moved later. A great night was had and the crowd seemed high on life and the music. (and it may have had something to do with the hint of sweet herbs in the air…?).

Again here are a few photos but for the full set see my Flickr account for this day (http://www.flickr.com/photos/westfield21/sets/72157631723620403/)

I went back to the hotel around 4am Sunday morning, got two hours sleep before getting up to catch the bus back to Nairobi (9 hours) and then to Kandara (2 more). An early night and back to work Monday morning after an amazing few days in Kisumu.

Light headed

Larry the Cable Guy

Dancing Pair

Malfred and Batoo 

D.N.A

24th August - Graduation

Today saw me helping out one of VSO’s other charities with photos for the graduation of a lady who passed through a VSO supported programme and achieved the amazing result of graduating at Nairobi University. It was a great privilege to share the day with her.