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Published: July 31st 2006
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Clearly I am settling into a local routine given that my frequency of blog updates have gone from daily to every couple of days to now once a week. The past week has been very full and included a road trip to Nakuru - some 170 km southeast of Kisumu on the way to Nairobi. And Nakuru is the answer to the question posed by the title. For it is in Nakuru that I saw my first giraffe in the wild and in Nakuru that I attended a 3 day seminar on Good Governance practices facilitated by the Poverty Eradication Network - PEN.
I was the guest of the WIFIP (Women in the Fishing Industry Program) Board. Two additional NGOs - SANA (Sustainable Aid in Africa) and C-MEDA (Community Mobilization for Economic Advancement) participated in this seminar. The three organizations have formed a consortium to share resources and build organizational capacity. Something we would definitely encourage at United Way. All three organizations are focussed in one way or the other on healthcare, HIV/AIDS, clean water and sanitation and best practices in agriculture. The course was well designed and targeted to Board members and CEOS. I was welcomed warmly by the
group and encouraged to actively participate and share my Canadian experiences. Its seems I know a little bit about good governance and best practices having worked with one of the best in the field…aka United Way! The CEO of PEN, John Batton, is British and has been working in Kenya for over 20 years. He and I hit it off and I look forward to connecting with him in Nairobi when I visit. There maybe some work for me.
The local NGO sector is very much in its infancy stage here. The sector historically has been dominated by international aid organizations and multi-lateral funders such as World Bank, IMF and the UN. There is talk of introducing tax credits for charitable gifts next year..but this is still talk. There is also not a strong culture of volunteerism. So foundational work and frameworks are needed to make this sector thrive and contribute to civil society. There is so much we take for granted in our policies and frameworks - very challenging when these basics are not in place.
But back to the Giraffe! My Nakuru colleagues rearranged the Friday schedule so that we could visit the Nakuru Game Reserve.
And what a thrill. Lake Nakuru is a favourite hang out for Pink Flamingos! I mean favourite - there were thousands of them. As we approached the lake there were splashes of bright pink everywhere and it took a few minutes for it to dawn on me that these were flamingos. A sight I will remember for ever! Beautiful and the pictures don’t do it justice. The Nakuru park is also rich with wild life. In the course of 90 minutes we saw zebras, a hippo, gigantic pelicans, hoards of water buffalo, gazelles and impala. We spotted two white rhinoceros, baboons and just as the sun was setting 3 giraffes came into view…another image that I will remember always…a giraffe in the light of the setting sun. Now is this not Africa or what???? I was explaining to my colleagues what a thrill it was to see these animals in the wild. These are animals I remember reading about in a story book…fantasy animals…and here they live. Amazing!
Friday my Board colleagues also treated me to a night on the town. We went to Summerland a local dance club. And yes I was the only white girl in the
crowd. We enjoyed drinks and much dancing. My hosts love to dance - it is very much in their blood. Great African music - you couldn’t help but move. I was told I do not dance like a westerner - I took this as a huge compliment! Vicki, Hannah and Kim of DJD would be proud!. Quite the evening! The club was dominated by men…and interesting, unlike at home where we see girls dancing together - here boys dance together.
Now my story of the Nakuru journey would not be complete with out a commentary on the journey and the roads - and I use the word “road” liberally! Nakuru is 170 km away from Kisumu. Our journey there and back took the better part of 4.5 hours each way! There were times when it was smoother to drive on the side of the road given the potholes. This main highway is also only a 2 lane highway. We went in an 11 passenger van - quite comfortable and good shocks. Nevertheless the internal organs are well massaged! Other highlights of the journey included road side market shopping for produce. The biggest cabbage I have ever seen!!! And a
favourite snack is maize -roasted over an open fire. You eat right off the cob! Very yummy! I also spied my first tea plantations two hours outside of Kisumu - beautiful rolling hills of lush tea plants. Locals are hired to hand pick tea leaves and are provided with room and board in addition to a very modest wage - reminded me of company housing in mining towns. We also stopped in Keriochio for snacks …and here Gasoline Alley comes to you…locals with baskets full of treats (nuts, chips, yogurt, juice) approach the vans and you barter for treats.
Last week also included a visit to a drop in centre for Street Kids (Hope for Victoria Children - HOVIC) and two hospitals - Port Florence and Aga Khan. I hope to do some volunteering at HOVIC - they are working with 60 children between the ages of 8 and 22. Many are glue sniffers and the majority are boys. Despite the challenging environment…I was struck on how these were just kids needing love, guidance and yes rules and boundaries.
Hanif was able to see Josephat last week while I was away. He seems to be improving. I hope
to spend time at the orphanage this week. I am also starting to make plans to visit Nairobi in the next couple of weeks. Hope all is well back in North America. I think of you all often! Take care, Jan
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Gary Brown
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Nothing routine about your routine!
Glad to hear you were just cutting back on your communication... I was just beginning to get a little concerned. Rubbing shoulders with CEO's, dancing with the locals, and finding time to organize your volunteer opportunities.... what a great routine. My biggest decision each day continues to centre round a choice of a 7 iron or an 8 iron. Feeling a little guilty. Off to Montreal for a visit with family and friends for the month of August. Catch up with you when I get back. Marg and I send our love and collective hugs.