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. 

Late Jan - Kenya - Primary Elections

Kenya is due to have Presidential elections 4^th March 2013 and this week they had the primaries where the parties each ask the people to select candidates to stand for them. After the last elections (refer to my 12 December 2012 Post) there were warnings for volunteers from various agencies to take care and avoid polling stations etc. Now, the polytechnic where I work was a polling station and so was the Children’s home where I live!! Anyway, Kandara is a peaceful place and had no trouble during the last elections.

So Dorcas the Polytechnic Manager and I decided to attend the Poly (closed for polling) so we could market the institution. We had 700 people coming from the local area to vote so it was an opportunity not to be missed. Luckily for us but not for the people wanting to vote, there was a huge delay in getting the voting boxes and papers to the site. They were due at 6am, we arrived at 9 and there was a large queue of people of all ages patiently waiting.

We had given the polling clerks access to a classroom but we opened up the rest of the school and got benches and chairs out for the older ones to rest. Dorcas and I then did regular double acts with me attempting my Kikuyu (local tribal language) that I have about 10 words of and have not quite got the accent right yet – but always get a laugh!! I am a little better at Kiswahilli. We were telling the crowd about the poly, our plans for the future, how we have changed, the computer course etc, etc. This broke up the monotony of waiting. Eventually the decision was made to extend the voting period for another day. The boxes and papers returned the following day.

The following day people turned out again in huge numbers, patiently queued and placed their votes. Over the two days I met some great people and had some fantastic and informative chats with a diverse range of people. My understanding of Kenyan politics and the process was significantly improved, a great couple of days.

Given the concerns and history, it was fantastic that everyone was so patient and cheerful through this whole process. Despite having their work and valuable income generating time disrupted for 2 days, Kenyans took their voting rights and politics very seriously and would not miss the opportunity to have their say. This is such a contrast to my experience in the UK where politics is pretty dull, there is significant ambivalence and apathy towards the whole process and voter turnout is woefully low.

So my over-riding feeling after the two days was a huge respect and admiration for Kenyans. Politics is taken very seriously. It is a shame that much of the reporting (especially internationally) was about the “delays and chaos” and not about how well the people accepted the delays and coped with the searing heat to ensure they cast their valuable vote. I can’t help thinking that in the UK a large proportion would have gone to work and said “forget it!”. There are many things I see and experience in Kenya that are so much better than in the west. It is a shame that only the bad and negative things get reported. 

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. 

27/9/12 Youth Trade Fair

Today we took 4 of our trainees to the Murang’a Youth Trade Fair on a fact finding mission with a view to stimulating interest and ideas for income generating activities. They were to observe what was good and bad about each stand and design good ones for next year. On returning the 2 girls and 2 boys presented their findings to the rest of the school. There was much interest and hopefully we will have a successful display next year. All we need to do now is start the income generating activities in earnest!.

A hearty breakfast before we start :)

Baraka Polytechnic Fashion and Beauty products

Polytechnic students demonstrating pedicure

Isaac, Beth and Alice

21/9 Poly Activity Photos

Today we took photos of the poly in action to assist with marketing photos for the next year. Here are just a few to give you a taste of the polytechnic. We are opening a ICT/Computing course next year so if any readers have an old laptop in a cupboard that they do not use anymore, then, please get in touch and send it to us to help us assist the youth of rural Kenya escape the poverty trap.

Planting tomato seedlings in the new greenhouse

Hairdressing trainees - Njoki, Wambui doing Beatrice's hair

Happy in the carpentry class