I have added photos to the blogs from 12-18th. I unfortunately do not have time to add this weeks blogs. I am away on 3 days of motorbike training soon so will post the next blogs after that.
Hope all is good at home?
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Sunday 20th November
Editorial note: Simon's accomodation location has no broadband facility at the present time, so the blogs "12th to 18th November" do not, at the moment, include the interesting photographs. Simon should be in Nairobi later this week and will [hopefully] arrange to insert them (CD).
Friday 18th November 2011
Well the end of an amazing week and here I am sat in my home typing this to the light of a Kerosene lamp as the electricity is off once again. Luckily my laptop battery was charged at work.
Over the last week, the trainees have organised today. They each contributed to a pot of cash which bought all the food they needed. They planned the timing and went shopping for all the food. Arriving at 6am to light the fires in the kitchen and start the prep etc. I arrived at 8am and the chai was ready. I was greeted with a steaming cup and lots of smiles. The trainees were looking forward to laughing at a mzungo trying to cook chapattis!! I was called into the kitchen and together with an able colleague (the boys were only trusted with making the chapatti dough or peeling and making tea J), with, in total 14kg of flour in two big pans, we made around 200 chapattis.
Making Chapattis
Peeling hundreds of spuds
Meanwhile there was much peeling and chopping. I handed over my camera so they could have a bit of fun with that and the photos here are a selection of the 300 they took and we had impromptu slideshows through the day as they wanted to see the fruits of their labour. All were keen to have a disc of the photos but few if any have a computer. Internet cafes, using photo printing shops and sharing of computers is common though. Elevenses was a chapatti and more chai. Then, more chatting in the shade of a tree, much singing in the kitchen etc, etc.
Meat Prep
No chimney!!
I did a little work during the morning putting the finishing touches to the marketing docs to be printed tomorrow when I am in Thika and so I can get Isaacs final comments and feedback from the team.
After increasingly louder music and dancing etc in the assembly hall, finally by about half two the feast was ready. The assembly room had been made into a “banquet suite” a few speeches, a quick inter subject competition, grace and then finally food. More chapattis, stew (beef, potatoes and veg + a shredded veg mix) and bananas. More games a quiz and speeches. Including a request out of the blue for me to make a speech!! Thanks Isaac!
The banquet
Anyway all had a great day and the Trainees did a fantastic job organising it. I was handed a pot with more stew for my dinner and more chapattis. Not that I will be hungry again for a week J.
They asked me to stand there honest!!
The trainees in action
Ditto
The trainees in action
Ditto
On the way home I stopped to see Phillip the butcher nearest to the Poly. Simon one of the Instructors was with me and insisted I go round the back to see Kenyan sausage being made. Up until that point I was quite keen. I love black pudding etc., etc., and felt it would be great. Seeing what goes into it in gory reality however has probably put me off it for a long time. After all, not sure I would want to see black pudding being made - but I do love it.
Blimey – just had the biggest insect beastie yet fly in and to make matters worse I have not yet got my chairs so could not use them to fight it off!! A good Andy Murray smash with a Rough Guide to Kenya stunned it enough for me to beat it with a stick!! Been pretty lucky on that front so far and also avoided being bitten. Better not speak too soon though J.
Wednesday & Thursday 16th & 17th November 2011
Pretty standard day at work, usual greetings on the way to work and met up with Dorcas en-route to work so walked the last 2 km with her, which was good to get to know her a bit better. She has been with IYP about 3 years and teaches tailoring and dress making. Her husband works in Nairobi during the week and travels home at weekends. I begin to get to know the institution a bit better today.
They have had around 25-30 students enrolled each year for the last few years and want to grow that to around 50/year. The exams that lead up to Poly are sat in early December and the results come out at the end of December. So trainees do not know their grades until 2-3 weeks before first terms start date. This does not give much time for the trainees, nor much certainty of income etc. This year we are going to go round the schools and other events in advance presenting the advantages and courses etc., offered by IYP in a bid to increase numbers to 35-40 this year and then to 50 next year.
Simon K the Electronics chap and I have been chatting re culture of UK v Kenya and got onto cuisine. He then offered to help me to cook a traditional Kenyan stew. We stopped at one of the local “shopping centres” [photo next week]. Think stalls at the side of the road etc., [not Arndale centre Manchester!!]. Back at my place we set to work and used most of the pans and plates etc., in my humble abode, and I learn how to cook ugari (maise flour and water which forms a large part of the staple diet of Kenyans and is very cheap but filling). Feeling very full Simon left before dark and the rest of the evening was pretty normal. For security reasons neither I not the instructors like to be out after dark. So once night falls I eat, check there is water in the WC cistern, fill the bucket for the morning, boil water to wash up, etc then settle down to do a little work, read a book or watch a film on my laptop. Sleep by 10pm.
17 Nov – Thurs
Board of Governors, councillor and Senior Chief come to meet me at the Poly today!! Due at 10am. Chairman (Michael – the one that has a carpentry workshop and made my bed etc etc) turns up on time) he has worked with the English and other Europeans etc. The first BOG member turns up at around 20 minutes past. The Councillor around 10.45 and the Senior Chief around 11.45. Need to get used to Kenya time. ( there is no Verb in Kiswahilli for “to be late”!!)
The SC was one of the founding members of the Poly so is right behind it. He seems a good man and apparently is very good at making things happen. He seemed to get on well with me, and had some good ideas and thoughts about the direction and priorities of the Institution.
He also asked if everything was OK with me generally and re my accommodation etc. He then said – if I ever have any issues re security to let him know and he will arrange for things to be “rectified”. It is good to have the powerful men on my side!!
The area I live in is the main Kikuyu tribe and Kikuyu is the local language. I apparently have to at least have a passing knowledge of that in addition to Kiswahili!! One at a time I think really as Kiswahili is taking a little time although the Instructors seem impressed with my progress so far which is what matters.
Back home I go shopping in glorious sunshine around Kandara as it is market day. I meet a few of the local “characters” who chat to me and we entertain the locals for a while. Slowly people are beginning to know who I am and what I am doing here. In time I will be stared at less [hopefully] as the novelty of a mzungu living in the village wears off.
There is no putting it off any longer, washing day has arrived. I collect water from the water but down the track, boil a couple of pans (suffurias) and then fill the “bath thing” and set to hand washing. As with most things I do at the Orphanage there are shortly a couple of “helpers” join me. All is complete fairly quickly and I hang shirts etc on the line and leave socks and smalls in my house (out of respect for the young ladies who are my neighbours). Then dinner which is a pack up from the Poly. Jane the cook is trying to fatten me up a bit!!. Then settle down to watch a film. Heavy rain overnight so clothes drenched in the morning but dry by the evening.
The climate here is great. Currently described as a cold season it drops to around 12-sh at night and varies between 25 and 30 during the day. This is the short rains season so we often get between 30mins and 2 hours of heavy rain each day but usually at night which is great as I am at home by then.
Tuesday 15th November 2011
Day 2 at the Youth Polytechnic
Getting into a routine for the day now. Alarm goes off, boil pan of water for washing. Wash via a bowl wash standing in the bathroom. Whilst washing - boil filtered water for coffee, go to tap to fill bucket with water. Boil another pan to set the filter going for the evening. 7.15am set off walking 45 mins to work. Saying many “Habari ya asubuhi” and “Nzuri sana” to the very friendly and smiley locals. On the way back from work buy fresh fruit and veg for the evening. 4 bananas 20 shillings (140KS to the £) mangos around 10KS etc.
Met Isaac on the way to work – pick up garden fork for fixing along the way at the metalwork class. A real life practical for the trainees.
I get a pretty good dose of Kiswahilli today as there are a few staff in the staff room which is a good way of breaking down any barriers too.
Later I have a walk around the classes to gain a better understanding of how things work, etc. In the afternoon, Isaac is away and I spend the time getting to know the staff better.
Monday 14th November 2011
Got up and met Isaac at the entrance. Forgot to allow for Kenya time so waited 20 mins of saying Habari to many people and being stared at a lot etc, etc. Met a slightly stressed and very sweaty Isaac (at this point I had not realised he walks 1.5hrs each way to work come rain or shine)
Walk in great heat 1km to the next Matatu stop. Then catch a Matatu the last 2km. Matatu full and sauna like but the locals are cold so all windows stay shut. Luckily it is only a short trip as Isaac stops us early to meet the Chairman (him of the carpentry shop that made the bed)first time I have met him and he is a lovely generous spirited chap and very welcoming. After a tour of his workshop all 3 of us walk to the Poly.
Ithiru Youth Polytechnic is about 500m of the main road. It is in quite large grounds and the main building is a pretty good by local standards with teaching spaces on two levels. There are 3 timber pit latrines (Boys/Girls and Staff) a timber kitchen structure, a part complete building and a part complete garage area that is an extension to the main building. I will be sharing an office with Isaac the manager. The staff room we pass through to get to Isaacs office.
Main building
Kitchen
I am introduced to the other staff, 3 of which I met outside the supermarket on Saturday and luckily for me I managed to remember their names!! The three I have not met are Catherine and Dorcas who run the tailoring and dressmaking course and Jane to lovely cook. Jane very quickly takes it upon herself to fatten me up a bit (that will please mother!!).
Monday and Friday are assembly days. Today it has been delayed for me!! So after the introductions and a brief tour, I am introduced to the Trainees. I am welcomed by a Kenyan welcome (Karibu) dance and very flattering speeches. Then I have to practice my Kiswahilli to an audience for the first time and get a round of applause for at least attempting it (a few sniggers too so I guess I, at least, need to work on the accent!). Very humbled we return to the staff room for a quick staff meeting.
Te rest of the day is spent chatting with Isaac, the chairman and staff to get a clearer picture of the place and the people.
Lunch is provided and most days is a traditional mixed bean dish which apparently can play havoc with digestive systems not used to it. Quite filling too so note to self – ask for a small portion next time!
I leave at 2.30 with Simon K the Electrical Engineering tutor who walks home with me to fix the two sockets and bathroom light. (Hence how I now have juice in my laptop to write this diary J). On the way he shows me his little flat that he stays in during the week due to a long commute. I am also introduced to one of his former students who has his own business now a short walk from the Poly.
Market day in Kandara so we walk the 45 mins there to source the parts etc. In next to no time we have the bits and SK has all up and running. After a brief Chai stop he is on his way. I apply liberal amount of some newly purchased ant powder which should see off the little blighters that form a steady trial across my “lounge”.
Then out to collect water etc. A quick kick about with some of the boys from the orphanage which is a giggle to all involved. Off to buy eggs (Miyai cookoo). Then cook it on the stove to puzzled stares. An omelette in Kenya is breakfast food apparently and never for an evening? On re-entering the Orphanage, little Joe runs up and holds my hand for the whole of the walk back to my room – bless J. They are all great kids, so polite and all speak English. Final test of the day, electricity goes out and I am finishing my stuff to the light of the kerosene lamp.
Sunday 13th November 2011
12/11/11 – First Full Day in Kandara
Initially yesterday I was a little shocked by the reality of the accommodation. However once I cleared the spiders and cobwebs, got my things sorted and especially after bleaching the bathroom things felt much better. Opening the door in the morning to see the above view, everything came into perspective.
I sorted a few things out, collected water, boiled water and topped up the filter etc., etc. I then went into Kandara for a haircut. No electricity yet so the clippers I brought are useless. Anyway at 40 shillings a cut (150 to the pound) I do not think the clippers will get much use!! I walked up the high street to many stares and one lady stopped and said “are you still here?”. I guess they do not see many “Mzungu’s” not being on the tourist trail. We chatted for a bit and she welcomed me to Kenya once she knew what I was doing there. I shook a few people’s hands who shouted across or stopped for a chat. The more people know me and why I am here the sooner the staring stops is my plan. The young chap in the barbers looked a little nervous when I entered. I am the first whitey hair cut he has done I guess. Whilst I am in the chair, people stop and stare in, some puzzled - some laughing. In the end the barber begins to enjoy the attention. A fine cut later and I continue on my travels to buy a modem and sim-card, plus a few other provisions.
Back to the pad I settle down to a book and a coffee. I kept my head down for a while as there were a lot of visitors (10 cars full – potential and current funders, etc). Then Mary from next door sticks her head round the door and introduces me to Kirsty (a volunteer at the Orphanage from a couple of years ago). She now works for Vision Africa (who support the orphanage) in Nairobi covering 14 Orphanages etc. Check out the website for VA (http://www.vision-africa.org/) and you can click on an option for Kandara Children’s Home. Kirsty is here with her Mum and Dad (Morag and Iain) who have galvanised their village to be major fundraisers for the elements of the place. This includes the veg patch in front of my home which is a memorial garden for a former keen gardener from the village who left some money for the Children’s home.
A budding photographer behind the camera
Is washing up so popular?
Later I went for a walk out of Kandara to another “shopping centre” in the other direction. Whilst walking amongst the stalls Dan introduced himself, quite a chatty one he was too. We walked further out of town and I was invited to tea with his family etc etc. I had to turn round however and get back before dark. (plus I had finally worked out he was sozzled) he left me at the junction back at the market area and I headed back. I cooked dinner (rice, butternut squash, onion and tomato with a few herbs). Whilst washing up I noticed I had an audience in the doorway. (open due to the heat). See the photo above. It is great living here J.
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