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Published: August 26th 2006
I'm in Kisumu today and so are many other people awaiting the arrival of Barack Obama from USA...his family is from Kisumu region. He's due to take an AIDS test live here today, to demonstrate that there is no shame. It's a timely topic, since about 25% of people here are HIV positive.
It's been a good week at Vihiga Children's Home. I've been treating intestinal worms, ringworm and scabies with good results. The problem is with the lack of clean water and bathing facilities (a bucket of cold water in a shed, and a lack of soap make it difficult to get clean). The kids seem quite happy and no one is seriously ill or injured at the moment. Yesterday they danced at the opening of a clinic nearby, they had to walk 5 K to do so, because there was no transport.
Here's what I do every day: get up about 7 AM, and if there is hot water on the fire outside, I get a pan of that and mix it with cold from the outdoor tank, then wash up in the outdoor washing shed (located next to the squattypotty, right in the heart of the banana garden). We eat a breakfast of bread with margarine and jam, then some tea, then off to school on foot. It's only 5 minutes away. I teach 5th grade in the mornings, since it's August and many teachers are away on holidays. Also some quit recently and will have to be replaced. They can get higher salaries at government schools, so go when they get the chance. The fifth grade are mostly good students and their English is coming along. The British students here with me teach 4th grade, which has many slow learners. The 4th grade also lacks textbooks, which is something our church will be working on in future.
After lunch I spend time with the smaller children who are the ones with worms, scabies et. I've instituted a program of bathing them with warm water and putting on medicine...it seems to help. Anyway they enjoy it and will line up to get a bath and some attention. We generally eat lunch at 2 PM here and then dinner about 8:30PM, then off to bed. In the late afternoons we do reading or sewing or play outside. Mrs. Agesa's sister died a few weeks ago and the funeral was a full day...and for several days before and after she was away. She's back now.
She works very hard and it is physically awfully demanding on her, considering her age and health. Mr. Agesa is supervising the continued building on the dormitories and classroom building....they are making great progress. They finished the front gate which will give added security.
A word about security and the gifts we send the kids here. There is a tremendous amount of stealing and pilfering that goes on here...people will come in at night and take clothes off the line, and shoes if they get the chance. That's why it is best to send the kids good second hand clothes and inexpensive shoes, etc., because if things are too nice, they may be stolen or even if the child is in need of money, he or she might sell the item to the "boda boda" boys, bicycle transporation guys who have a bike stand right outside the gates. This has improved now that there is a gate and the swings keep the children occupied. However, it is wise not to send expensive things to the children.
At this time the children could use small person sewing kits like the kind that are given out in hotels, with scissors. They could use cloth handkerchiefs as well, nail clippers and small packets of laundry powder.
Mrs. Agesa has great dreams and plans for the school and orphanage. Right now she is set on getting a van for transport, and it will be difficlt for her to accept that that is not something we can do at this point.
I wanted to include photos today but my time is limited, so maybe next time. More later, Kathi
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lisa austin
non-member comment
wow!!!!!!!!
You are going to see one of my favorite public people. I bet the whole place is over the moon. Some "vendors" would ask Henry and I about Barack and were so hopeful he would come to Kenya and become their president while we were hoping he would become OUR preident. I hope you will be able to get to the post office as my package should be there by now. You sound very, very busy but doing so much good for the children. I know they appreciate all you are doing tremendously. We had chalice circle last night and missed you. We hope you will join our new circle when you return. I love getting your blogs. Please continue sending them to me. I can see and smell every place you are describing. I can't believe I was there. Lisa