Blogs from Nyanza Province, Kenya, Africa - page 7

Greetings to all! First, let me assure anyone not hearing from me past two weeks and worried. All is well, just no email access. Cell phone email service has been out do to some upgrade that obviously has not gone well. So, in Kisii briefly today. Mr. Odoyo had bank business, but will be arriving shortly to collect me - so must rush again. And, apologies, no time today for individual email responses. Dago is a very friendly, beautiful, peaceful place with many industrious, welcoming people. Even the area chief has announced that I am welcome, and am free to travel safely throughout. Now, a chief in this society is not what you might picture. These days, is a civil servant with a traditional title. Is well educated, experienced in local politics and community. Wears business ... read more

Hi all - another short blog from the mechanic shop in Ragengni! Becoming a bit of a snooze her, and trying to plan a move. Travel has picked up, and prices moderated. Trying to arrange flight for Sarah out of Kisumu to Nairobi, then back to New Zealand. I am making arrangements to move to the Dago Dala Hera Orphanage program in Ranen. Dona, our hostess at Mama na Dada knows Ranen, and says it is past her home village of Oyugis (where we went for Christmas), and in the general direction of where I would have gone to Mama Maria Kenya. But, it is not on Lake Victoria. Dona says the landscape is prettier (more lush) than here, much like Oyugis, and has good food variety, including fruit. I am hoping that the Dago program ... read more

Hi everyone! This will be quick. First, I am safe, and waiting things out in Kunya Village. No transportation out, and not safe everywhere outside of here yet. Just found out that a man has internet in Ragengni, 3 km from Kunya. Has two computers, internet (via cell), printer, and copier. Has had for two months, and could have been using all this time. Located in his uncle's mechanics shop. Thrilled to have it. Cell phone credits have not been available since after the election trouble, due to no transport of goods. Food and supplies are getting scarce and what available at inflated prices. Starting to normalize some. Briefly, violence is settling down in the country, but may be still chaotic in cities. I should have gone to next program on Jan. 2, but waiting things ... read more

Happy December! I am now in Kunya Village near Ragengni, and staying a few feet from the shores of Lake Victoria. This is my first opportunity for internet since arriving on November 27. Kunya Village is much farther away from such things - no more 10 minutes up the road, as from Majiwa Village to Bondo. Unfortunately, although the location of the program where I am now has electricity, they have disconnected the internet, which I am sure that all volunteers would be happy to pay for. Time and expense to travel to Kisumu, or even Bondo could happily be avoided. I am now with a program called Mama na Dada (mother and sister in Kiswahili). I must say that I miss Majiwa Village and the Gayas. It seems like a much tighter knit community, and ... read more

My last day in Majiwa Village. Once again, leaving my comfort zone to start anew. However, I will be in the same province, Nyanza, and with the same culture, Luo. My new place, Kunya Village, will be right on Lake Victoria. The new program is Mama n Dada. Village Volunteers speaks highly of the program and people, so I look forward to meeting new people and experiencing the differences between the two villages, including geography. Yesterday, I met with many of the program members and their families. I told them that I would be working on fundraising, but no promises or guarantees - I am only trying. Mama Gaya has been compiling a list of children for sponsorship, and I have been taking their pictures. I had only planned on a few orphans and a few ... read more