Kickin' it at Kawangware Market

This Saturday was spent with my boys (principal calls me their "Mama") at the market, getting things like soap, pens, shoe polish, a few extra text books, some graph paper, padlocks for lockers and a calculator- exactly the kinds of things high school kids love to shop for on the weekend ;)... We also got Francis, Lino and Kuot some shiny new shoes!!! Theirs were broken and dirty, and they get scolded from their principal if they are not clean and proper looking at school. Abraham and Dennis will get theirs next week as they couldn't come with us today. In the photo, they have one old and one new shoe on- they were embarrassed that they looked silly while mine were matching... Oh- on a scary sidenote, we were approached at one point by a group of men and boys begging for money. I quickened my pace but looked back to see one of the men opening his coat to Lino, who was reaching for a coin- the only one he had, equaling 15 cents- from his pocket. He later told me the man showed him knives and threatened to kill him and "the white lady" if he didn't pay up. YIKES. Market trips and haggling for cheap shoes suddenly became less exciting.... this is me, Kuot and Lino.

The View from Up Here: Not All It's Cracked Up To Be

http://english.aljazeera.net/Services/Gallery/Default.aspx?GalleryID=200911371821714404

[Link to gallery also included in "Educate Yourself" section of blog on left of webpage for future reference]

Here is a link to a collection of photos of Northern Sudan- while different in religion, language, skin colour and culture from Southern Sudan, it seems the Government of Sudan (run by Muslim Northerners and located in Khartoum, capital city of Northern Sudan) is still failing, even in providing for its own, like-minded citizens in the North. The international community must ask itself why, when we are told by the news-media that the North and South are fighting over religious and ethnic lines, those in power continue to suppress the people they profess to support? It is a sad state of affairs across the board in Africa- we must be careful not to believe any one-sided version of events. From the ground, nothing is ever as simple as it seems.

Check out my links bar!

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In case you haven't already looked, there is a box on the left side of the page with some links to articles about Sud Academy, CASS, and some interesting articles related to Sudan.... I just added one about the sexy Mr. Clooney meeting with the sexy Mr. Obama... if only we were all celebrities, maybe there would be more peace on our Earth. For now, we'll settle for Angelina and George.

At Long Last.... A Bright Future

[Scroll down to see pictures below!]
Well- Friday the 13th marked not a scary or spooky day for the 5 Form 4 boys here in Nairobi, but one of a secure future and a year ahead that's lookin' as good as they do! When Francis (bottom right) first came into the office to hand me a receipt for the last payment, I was taken aback by how sharp and "smart", as they say here in Kenya, he was looking. I exclaimed, "Ah, look at you in your uniform, you look so smart Francis!", perhaps to his embarassment and the principal's amusement. "Their trousers have been tailored and now they are all set in their uniforms" he informed me. Perfect I said- now on to the learning.

I arrived on Friday to pay the remaining fees- Term 2 tuitions, national exam fees, and holiday tuition fees. It was lunch time, which consisted of shredded cabbage and carrots, boiled with corriander, and a potato-like corn meal they call "ugali". It didn't look overly yummy to me, but the boys were beaming and seemed pleased with the big portions senior boys are given. Abraham hadn't eaten and was anxious to get to his food- they tell me they don't have any pocket money for breakfast, so by the time lunch comes, they are ravenous! While all official fees and costs have been paid (with a small amount of money left over), there will remain a few costs that they will incur over the year. There are some more contributions that have been made this week, so I will use those funds to buy things like powder soap for their shirts (they have 3 white shirts, but wear them six days a week in the most dusty and dirty place you can imagine!), black dress shoes from the market, backpacks for those who carry books in a grocery bag, and 1 student who needs transport fees as he walks over 10kms to school each morning and is punished sometimes for being late. They still use corporal punishment in Kenya, so I think bus fare is a must for him!

When I got the tab settled with the Head Master, we headed out to take some photos! On the way we laughed and joked about their studies, and I met their Math teacher on the way out. He told me he had sat down with them and worked out a way for them to catch up in the work they missed and he said that they were great boys who were disciplined and willing to do the work. I thanked the teacher, Mr. Nyankundi (I THINK!) and told him to make sure the boys were doing everything they could to be successful. At the entrance gate, we met their Religion teacher who looked concerned that they were leaving just as lunch was ending. I assured him they'd be back to class soon and he said "Ok, Ok... you know these boys are great boys?" I said "Yes, of course I know they are!" And he thanked me for them and told me they would be fine.

Each boy demanded his own picture with me, and told me that upon returning to Canada, I must send them the prints for them to keep. They gave me the school's mailing address and I promised to send them pictures and even well-wishes in the mail, which they said will help motivate them around exam time in the winter. Here is just a couple that we took! (Note that the security guard wasn't exactly suave with the positioning and getting the school's name in the photos.... but you get the idea.) Thanks to all who helped- these are your faithful students!

A Circus of Learning by Seeing, Doing, Experiencing

Life in Nairobi has suddenly picked up the pace for me! The last couple weeks have been a whirlwind, sorry for the infrequent posts!

First- to the most inspiring story at hand. The Form 4 boys have successfully entered into their second week of school. They keep calling me to tell me little details- one got his uniform pants, but they were too short so he has to wait until the Headmaster goes into "town" (downtown Nairobi, an amusement park of people, bikes and cars); another tells me he is so happy to be in school, he doesn't mind that he has to go on Sunday to catch up with all the missed work from January; yet another calls to ask if I'm back in Nairobi- "We miss you, Kellee!" Needless to say, they are happy and doing well as they try to get up to speed with the rest of the class. I know they'll be successful, they are all very bright and dedicated boys. I'll try to get a pic of all of them at school in their unis when they all have long enough pants!

Also, this past weekend, Sud Academy's school administration, a couple teachers, a representative they call "Mama Mary" from the PTA, and myself interviewed 4 applicants to be Headmaster at Sud Academy. It was a long day with many questions, and several languages being spoken- Swahili, English and Mama's native Dinka- but it went well and we selected a candidate who seems to be eager to help Sud Academy and also extremely capable of understanding the complex issues that face it. Since he hasn't yet signed the contract, but seems happy that we have offered him the position, I don't want to give you his name and jinx the process... I will post an update when everything is official. I am looking forward to Sud Academy getting back on it's feet.

When I was back in Canada and talking to Jane Roy of Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan, she told me about a newspaper that serves Southern Sudan by writing articles from their perspective, as opposed to all other papers in Sudan that mostly have a Northern point of view. This paper is called the Sudan Mirror and is published right around the corner from my house in Nairobi. Jane put me in touch with the colourful owner and columnist, former priest from Ireland, Dan Eiffe. Over the past few weeks I have met with him to discuss many issues facing Southern Sudan and also the Sudanese refugees that have fled their homes. I've decided to volunteer there to help edit some of the articles, and also write- I was told on Monday- for my own column on Education and related issues. Wednesday is deadline day and I managed to write an article on what questions need to be considered before a system of education is committed to in the South. As it stands, there is no formal education and the population is extremely illiterate, second in the world only to Afghanistan. I am waiting for it to be edited and then go to print- when that's been done I will post it on here for anyone interested to read.

In addition to all these new things, I visited an orphanage and clinic that is funded by the Canadian branch of an organization called Caring Partners Global, out of Kitchener, Ontario. The 8 hour bus ride through the Kenyan country side was beautiful, and I even saw a bunch of Zebras! But the work that is being done in this remote area in Western Kenya is amazing, and successful. The orphans, who mostly lost their parents to HIV/AIDS, seemed to shine with happiness. The mother's who came to the clinic to inoculate their babies and receive family planning methods seemed grateful and willing to participate in the healthy upbringing of a new generation. It was inspiring to see that so much good work is being done with the help of people from around the world.

I also moved in this time period, at the beginning of February... it isn't exciting so I won't write about it, but I have indeed been super super busy!

Thanks for reading everyone, I know some of you have contributed in your own way to the some causes you read about here- you're generousity encourages me to continue contributing in my own small way. Stay warm Canucks!

Uniform shopping with the boys!

Saturday and Sunday this weekend was spent shopping in markets for deals on items like pens, pencils, math sets, textbooks, notebooks (we needed one HUNDRED 200 page ones! school rule)... and of course, uniforms! Some which we got in the market- shirts, ties, socks... Then it was off to school to settle the tab for admin fees and a few other costs. The boys will be attending their first day of classes on Monday! They are very excited! There are still Term 2 fees to pay of which we have some money, but not all... and there is also exam fees that are surprisingly high... my mom said she would keep up the fundraising so they will be able to cover all these costs. Go Susie Q. You will notice I am wearing a tie in the photos- the boys love it when I joke around, and especially love watching me bargain with people at the markets who would charge me twice as much because I'm a "foreigner". I am one tough foreigner though, they say! We tried many shirts on, and the saleslady taught a couple of them how to tie ties. When all was said and done, they were suited up for class tomorrow. Looking "smart" as they say here in Kenya. I will keep you all updated as to their first week of school! Thanks again to all those who have donated- these smiles are because of your generousity.