Aug 28, 2009

Food & Water Crisis in Kenya


Recently there have been stories circling in the news about the drought in Kenya. When I was there in early 2009, everyone talked about the drought, but it wasn't nearly as critical.

Now, nearly half the crops farmers planted for harvest this year have dried up. Cows are dying, falling down the hills where they graze. Goats have no water, no grass, nothing. All this trickles down the food chain to humans, who are struggling to find food. When they do, many find it is 3, 4, 5 times as much as it was a year or two ago.

Nairobi, where Sud Academy is, has been without power 50% of the time. The city has rationed tap water even in the most glitzy of neighbourhoods. Taps in the slums have reportedly been running dry for weeks, even months.

Food & water insecurity is a dangerous thing. Violence is expected to rise dramatically as some people will spend 100% of their incomes procuring food and maybe water, leaving them hopeless to pay for anything but. No power + starving, dehydrated, defeated people often = crime; thefts, lies, even murder.

The Kenyan government, who is supposed to keep emergency food supplies in stock, says it only has enough to feed the 3.5 million starving for 6 weeks. The rest it has sold or didn't purchase. As they drive their shiny Mercedes, Audis and Range Rovers through the bumpy & bustling streets of Nairobi, thousands of children and women across the country will walk 10s of kilometers in search of food, water, a puddle.

Given this dire situation, building the rainwater collection device at Sud Academy is imperative. Potable water has skyrocketed in price and they simply cannot afford to buy it. What rain does fall on Sud's roof is a precious commodity and no one can afford to waste it or watch it tumble to the dusty ground.

Here's an article on the CBC about the impacts of Kenya's latest crisis:

Aug 6, 2009

Nairobi on the Horizon!

Hey all!

Summer is nearly over here in Canada! And as with many globe-trotters (except those who venture into the snow), I will once again be leaving before the harsh Canadian winter sets in.

That's right- it's been confirmed! I am headed back to Nairobi and Sud Academy, where the staff, students and Form 4 boys will hopefully be happy to see me!! I know I will be to see them.

A fundraiser extraordinaire, Pam, her son Devin and myself will be heading over in late September to start on what we call "Special Projects" at Sud! Included as Special Projects are:
  • a clean water project
  • the purchase of a full supply of books!

  • a first time breakfast feeding program

  • a rain water collection system

  • the building of desks and shelves by us & students

  • building a large storage room for added security

  • and eventually, Sud's own science lab!

We should note that the plans, proposals and budgets for these projects are in the initial stages. While we are sure that some of our projects will change, clean water, food, books and proper facilities will be our focus with the funds raised. We are all very excited to add to the hard work our committee already does to provide for the basic operating costs. With everyone working towards the same goal, I know we can make Sud Academy and it's students shine even brighter!

* Above is a photo of the water tap at Sud. Surrounded by human waste, it is often broken, and even when it's fixed, the City of Nairobi rations water so much that weeks go by without a drop of water falling from it's nozzle. This is the source of many of the students' illnesses, and yet they continue to drink it when available because there is no alternative.

I am currently working on the plans, some proposals for funding, and I seem to be emailing a LOT. So much planning, communication and networking goes in to these kinds of projects, it blows my mind! Since noon today, I've sent 17 emails and am still counting....

I will be meeting up with a former Sud Academy teacher in Toronto tomorrow. Joseph Mayom is at York University and is studying under full scholarship- his success and hard work as a B+ student (above the average in his Biomedical Science program) inspires me to continue working towards the goal of educating Sudanese refugees. When given the same chances we have in Canada, they prove they can reach the same heights that our bright young minds can- and hopefully, with that success, they will be able to rebuild and rebrand their beautiful homeland, Sudan.

Lastly, my Mom is having another big fundraising event on October 15, 2009 in London at the Lamplighter Inn. Again with a fashion twist, "Style in the City" is going to outdo (I dare it to!) the Sunningdale event that happened in April. There are exciting raffles (including an exclusive and signed item from the Sex and the City movie set!) and prizes to be won, plus delicious appetizers and an evening of sexy style advice! All proceeds from raffles & auctions will be donated to Sud's Special Projects initiatives. Thanks, Mom! http://www.personalstyleconsulting.com/ for details.

Please check back soon for more updates as we get ready to hop the pond once again!