Highs and lows

I knew today would be a difficult day in some ways, and it was.
Another rainy start (though Ronnie will be pleased to hear that the rain cleared completely by mid morning, leaving sunny blue skies).  Jess, Angelina, Nico, Abdul and I transported the sewing machines, table and other purchases from Casuarina House to the church.  As Jess said, we should have used a matatu to transport them - they were very heavy and the distance seemed double to that which we walked unencumbered!  However, we did it.
I explained to the women that I had not been able to help them all and why; I explained (again) that my purpose to buy equipment mainly.  I told them that I had decided to buy some chickens and some charcoal, but that I did not have time to go and buy lots of different foods.  Then I began distributing the items I already had.
The ladies who were given the sewing machines were delighted with them:

I had prepared a "contract" for each one to sign, stating that they promised not to sell the machines and that if they did they would pay me the full cost.  Festus and John have offered to follow this up.

I was able to give out five sewing machines and one table today. The rest of the women who are being given a machine have been told that they can collect it on Thursday from Casuarina House.

I also gave out the wonderful pans which Patrick found for me:

and the hairdryers and straighteners:

I spoke with the ladies for whom I am buying chickens:

and gave all of the ladies for whom I cannot buy what they asked for a solar lamp to take home.

Then came the really difficult part, as lady after lady came to me to ask for "something else" - charcoal, fabric, a sewing machine....

To begin with I listed these, but in the end I decided I just had to leave. It was hard, but it was getting so that women were just asking for anything they thought I might give them.
A lovely moment was seeing this lady carrying home her sewing machine in true African style:

We then handed out the solar lamps I had bought for pupils and staff at Utange Baptist Primary.

I had an enjoyable time wandering round the school and taking photos, and talking to Moses about my project until Jess returned from lunch at Casuarina.  Then we headed across to Mikorashoni school.  This was very close to where I went with Juma on the previous day. 
Here we met with Mr Joseph, the head teacher, and handed out lamps to his staff and pupils.

Our final stop of the day was Utange Primary school.  When I visited the school in 2010, this was very run down.  Since then a lot of money and support has been provided by Mombasa Rotary Club, and the buildings have been transformed.  Nonetheless, class sizes shocked me - they ranged from 80 to 111 in one class, taught by just one teacher.  I cannot imagine trying to teach a class of 111 children.

I met the deputy head, who was very welcoming.  I explained to him about the solar lamps and asked the staff which of them had received a lamp when they were sent last year.  None of them knew anything about any solar lamps.  The head teacher (whose picture I have receiving the lamps last year) has since retired.  I suspect the lamps may have lined her retirement fund.  However, it was a delight to give out the lamps this year, to staff and to Standard 8 pupils.  These pupils are about to take their final exams, so hopefully the lamps will be of real benefit to them as they revise.

The myth of African time...

The myth declares that everything moves at a slower pace in Kenya. That doesn't seem to be my experience so far. My plan was to make Sunday a quiet day, knowing that the week ahead is likely to be busy. God's plan was somewhat different!
I began with an early trip down to Nakumatt to withdraw more money from the cash point and to hand the deposit for the sewing machines to Christopher. I asked him to try to arrange delivery of the machines for Thursday. An hour after returning to Severin I had a phone call from Christopher, telling me that the shop wanted to deliver the machines today. That threw me into a bit of a spin, but eventually (and after more phone calls) we agreed that they could be delivered to Casuarina House between four and five that afternoon, by which time I would have finished the other meeting I had scheduled.
At 1.30 I set out by tuktuk to Utange, where I was due to meet Juma and his family. Juma was already waiting for me when I arrived and we had a very enjoyable walk through Utange to his home. There I met his lovely family, who were so welcoming and friendly - and complimented me on my Swahili (which is very limited!) while trying to teach me some more.

I saw his mama's stall and heard her plans to add cereals to the vegetables she already sells.

I also met his sister and saw her salon, and talked with her about what she needs in order to grow her business.

We then walked back to Casuarina and Juma spoke with Festus about where to buy cereals and the prices charged. On my arrival, house mum Caroline announced that she had something to show me and took me to the office where I found that some of the sewing machines had already been delivered! That was so exciting. When Christopher returned he told me the story.
Christopher went in to Mombasa on my behalf to look for the machines on Friday. He went first to a shop he knew, but they had stopped selling sewing machines. He told me how he prayed and set out to find another shop. When he got there he found that they had only one machine and were not intending to get more in because of the expense. He asked the shop keeper to tell him where he could buy several machines and was directed to a third shop. When he enquirer there, they did have some machines but they were expensive. So Christopher set out again, and came upon a fourth shop. He was welcomed at the door by one of the employees, who woke the owner. Christopher explained what he was looking for and the owner explained that he did have the machines, at a reduced price.
When Christopher returned this morning with the deposit, the owner was overjoyed. He immediately went to pay his rent with some of the money and was able to pay his workers their wages. He told Christopher that he had been praying about the shop but then fell asleep, and when he woke, Christopher was there. The family are Muslims, and Christopher was able to explain to them that we are Christians and that he felt God had led him to that shop. The owner insisted on immediately available checking, individually, each of the machines before bringing out the first batch to Casuarina. Hence, when I arrived, the six machines were there.
I had a very encouraging chat with Festus and Caroline, who said that what I am doing is the right thing for the women of the village - giving them a tool with which they can earn an income.  I explained about my hope to bring money into the village through some of the women making things to sell to tourist, and then helping them to have ways of sharing the money around the village.  I also told them about my early picture of women sitting round the field at Utange Baptist Church and tourists coming to buy from them.  Festus particularly really caught this vision; I pray it may come to reality.

Feeding programme week 2

Another busy day today. I went over to Utange around midday to help with the feeding programme. Most of the adults who help to organise it were away, for one reason or another, so it was a bit of a
challenge. However, we had lots of help from the older Casuarina House boys, and Sheila (who hopes to come to Bromham Baptist on their intern programme) was a fantastic help to Jess and I.  The ladies who cook were also there of course, and this week they were a wonderful team.
I let Jess have phone to take pictures and she certainly made the most of the opportunity!  Here is a selection of her photos:

The children line up, ready to come to the serving area.  We put out benches to make a "tunnel" for them and it seemed to help to keep order and prevent children who are not on the feeding list from joining the line.

The children then came in, in groups of ten, to the cooking area:

Sheila and I were serving, with the aid of some women from the village.
After what we went into the church to give out the maize flour.  This was much more manic; both Sonya and I had to use our "teacher voices"!  I think the children found that amusing from a "muzungu" (white person).
.
On the was, Zachariah showed me the list he had made for bulk buys of cereals. He asked for nearly £700 more and I had to tell him I could not give him anything like that. I gave him 10000 ksh (about £75). I explained that I would be working hard when I git home to make more money for women's businesses, and that unfortunately I could not help everyone as much as I would like to.

After feeding I spoke with Christopher. He had good news on the sewing machines, having managed to find a stock clearance with reduced prices. However, I needed to provide the money for the deposit almost immediately - about £700.  Given that I can only withdraw £500 at a time, and doing so involves a 2-3 mile journey to a cashpoint, this was worrying, but I said I would do my best. Then he gave me the price for the
water tank and pump, which again was about £700. He said that the couple needed a tower building. I told him not to do anything more and I would pray about it.


In two very specific ways, God showed me that He is with me in this.  I spoke with Debbie and she told me that Christopher had told her that the couple wanted a tower for the tank so that it would provide enough pressure for when they built their house! Armed with that information I was able to go back to Christopher and tell him I would not pay for a tower but he could install the pump and tank and also build the chicken shed another lady wanted.  Then when I got back to the hotel I found that I had the exact amount needed for the deposit in my safe, from what I had already withdrawn.

It is apparent that there is a habit in Kenya - when given something, people ask for more! So far I am managing to resist the pressure.It is hard not to be able to help everyone and give them all that they ask for, but I am trusting that I am being guided to make the right decisions, and it certainly feels that way.

Friday week 2

It is hard to believe that I have already been in Kenya for over a week. On the one hand I know I have been really busy, but on the other I am aware of how much there is still to do.

That being said, I took Friday as a second rest day. It felt very restful as well. I did spend quite a lot of time finishing off the spreadsheet and trying to make decisions - an increasingly difficult task, and one for which the space and time have been invaluable - but I also managed to fit in a swim, some reading, a rest on a sun bed (albeit with a distinct lack of sun) and a massage. Of course, I also had to go to the bank to get more of the charity money out - this time in a Tuktuk, for which I negotiated a reasonable price on my own.

The highlight of the day may well have been Patrick arriving with the pans he managed to get for me. He explained them clearly, and I could tell by their weight how much more suitable they would be for a Jiko than the pans I saw in the supermarket. I hope the ladies are pleased.

The other highlight of the day has been watching the monkeys. I had one come and sit on the fence of my veranda this morning - almost in touching distance!

Quieter Thursday

Thursday was mostly spent at the hotel. In the morning I created a spreadsheet showing all the requests I have had so far, both from the meeting on Monday and from other sources. I say "in the morning" but in fact it took most of the day, and some of the evening as well. I have discovered that, although the Google sheets app for iPad is good, it is not as easy to use as Excel, particularly with a slow internet connection and a sheet with 80+ photos.

In the early afternoon I had arranged to go to Nakumatt with Jess to withdraw more cash from the charity funding. (Only after getting back to the hotel did we realise that, although Kenyan cash machines only allow the withdrawal of 40000 KSH - about £300 - at a time, you can do this more than once in a day! However, the maximum daily withdrawal on the card I have is £500, so I haven't missed out too much.) On our return Jess and I sat and chilled for the most part, sitting on my veranda and sharing some wine.

I also met with Patrick.   Patrick is a chef at the hotel, a really lovely man who friends of mine have got to know over a period of years. I had asked him about the pans some of the women had requested, and today he told me that he had found where to buy them and the cost. I gave him the money so that he could buy them on his way to work on Friday.  So that is some more women whose requests can be granted.

I sat and enjoyed the antics of the monkeys from my veranda in the late afternoon. 

Also saw two very interesting birds, which I failed to photograph but will try if they reappear.

In the evening I completed more work on my spreadsheet, with the challenges of a very flakey Internet, caught up on emails and arranged to visit Juma's family on Sunday.

Shopping part 1!

Today was a very satisfying day! 
Over breakfast at Severin Sea Lodge, I was able to talk with Patrick, one of the chefs.  I asked him about the frying pan and chapatti pan I have been asked for, and whether I would be able to buy these at Nakumatt.  He told me that the type I could buy there would not last long on a jiko (the charcoal stove used here) and that he would find out, on his way home that evening, where I could buy the heavier type and how much they would cost, and then take me to buy them.  That was a really good start, and I am so grateful for the help and advice locals are giving me in this venture.
Zachariah picked me up, along with Jess and Tony (who bravely got a matatu from Utange to Bamburi) and we headed for Nakumatt.  Zachariah had arranged for his wife Mwembe and daughter Josephine Agnes to meet me there, and we spoke for a while about her business idea.  As Zachariah had found a cheaper market stall than the first option he had, I was able to withdraw and give him the 37,000 KSH he needed for the first three months' rent and first year's trading license. He immediately went off to pay this and secure the stall, while Jess, Tony and I went to Nakumatt.

In Nakumatt I was able to buy several of the items which I had been asked for by the women.  I am much happier buying items than giving money, and indeed Zachariah is one of very few I would trust to hand over large amounts of money to.

After shopping, Jess very kindly treated me to one of the most enjoyed cold drinks I have had in a while, at the patisserie. 

Then it was back to Utange and Casuarina house - where I thoroughly enjoyed a plate of Salime's fried potatoes.

Jess then took me to see Sylvia, who was the lady who had requested a blender for her juice making business.







 We met her walking down the street towards us.





She was delighted to be given the blender and took me to see round her home and preparation area.

 She lives in a brick built house on the main street.  Once through her main room, she has a small yard where she keeps chickens.

 Her food area is off this.

 She rapidly unpacked the blender and was ready to demonstrate to me how she makes her juices, but I told her we would wait to see that!

 

 She has a spotlessly clean washing area:

 and a freezer where she stores her finished juices.

 Jess and I each bought one to take home and I can testify that they are delicious!

After that I met with Christopher who has been recommended by Debbie.  I asked him to begin work on the water tank and pump for Mattias and Sara, and to cost up three other projects which need building.  I also asked him to find out the cost and sourcing of sewing machines for me.

Following that I met with Sonia.  She and Jimmy have been offered a place on our church intern program in September, but need to find the cost (£230 each) for their visas.  When Debbie told me that she did not know how they could find this money, I suggested that I would give them £100 each from my business start up fund which they could use, as in the parable of the talents, to make more money.  Sonia immediately had an idea and it was a pleasure to give her the money today.  Realistically they need to start the visa application process within a week.

Debbie and Paul had returned by this time and we all headed out to deliver some lamps.  The first set were to go to Zimla (I think!) school.  At first it looked like this would not be possible as there seemed to be no adults around.  However we eventually met the pastor, and then he directed us to the staffroom where there were some teachers. 






Soon after that, the head teacher arrived and we were able to hand over the ten lamps - five for teachers and five for the most improved pupils.

Then we headed to Mikoroshoni school.  It was an extremely bumpy ride!
I am trying to fit in with the local people, as you will realise from my attire today, and am practising carrying as African ladies do.  I have not yet reached their skills, however, and still need to hold on to whatever is on my head!  My efforts did seem to give rise to some amusement.

Unfortunately, even though Paul had arranged to meet the pastor who oversees the school there, nobody except the caretaker was around.  Although a teacher was summoned, we decided to return on Monday when the pupils will be at school, so that I can personally hand out the lamps to staff and pupils.

A little girl had welcomed us when we arrived in the village, and she was still there when we left.  I gave her one of the foam balls I brought out with me to hand out to children and she was delighted.

 

Finally we headed off to another part of Utange, to see the site and progress of the new High School, for which the Utange Orphans project is currently fundraising.  This is in an idyllic setting, on top of a hill and overlooking farming land.

It was good to see the foundations in place for part of the school,

and being dug for the second part.

A well is also being dug:

Outside the school site we encountered a family and a large group of children - very photogenic and they seemed to very much enjoy the balls I gave them!

 

After all these excursions we headed back to Casuarina house, and Debbie brought me back to the hotel.  A very full day!