The troops have arrived

Janet, Michael, and Alex

     Alex (WA state) and Janet (GWU student) are in the room next door and joined up with the Faraja crew for the past two days and will be helping out when we are on safari. The added man power has enabled us to allow the kids a bath, less chores, and time to play.
     Normally when the elementary aged children come home they will do chores such as fetching water and firewood. Alex and I were able to carry 600-plus liters of water over the past two days. It was nice to have him around because on my own I've only been averaging about 200L. We were done just after lunch and had some time to measure out ground for a fire pit and discuss other ideas for Faraja. We also took time to climb a nearby water pump to see the surrounding lands. (I am trying my best to get those photos up.)
     Janet and the ladies were able to sort rice, beans, and other food staples and help clean the house. Because you don't know where the food is left by the producer (road, warehouse, etc) you have to check for small stones and other particles before cooking. It's a tedious process, but the ladies did very well over the past two days. Also, with scrubber, bucket, mop, and disinfectant the ladies did a great once-over on the house. It smells "clean"! Mamma Morra was able to focus on cooking and shared some stories about the history of Faraja, herself, and the children. I'm sure Gloria will post some of that in the future.

     We have made our focus hygiene and improving the overall conditions of the house. If the house and land are more hygienic, the kids (and Mamma) are more healthy and there is more time spent in school and at chores/play then at home or at the hospital. Also, if less money is spent on medication that money can be put towards more viable resources. The ladies took some time to demonstrate how to cough and these things will continue next Tuesday.
     Overall, I think they best thing with the help of Alex and Janet is that the children can play for a bit. As we sat on the stoop we watched the children play some monkey in the middle and dodgeball games and even got in on a few ourselves.  I'm dreading my last day already because they've grown on me so quickly. I've been away most of the time at fetching water and wood and hospital, but for the past two days it is a blast to really be around the kids (which is what it's all about).
     Safari will consist of the next four days, and I will post when I return. We won't necessarily post pictures of the activities we do in Kenya, but will continue to post on Faraja. Please click HERE to view some of those photos.

Some pics before safari

This is a taste of what we are experiencing at Faraja. Plenty more updates to follow.

Click Here to view the album

Jambo Kenya!

Joy... Joy... Joy

Marc, Alex and the Kenyan mud

     Marc, Karen and I were able to recruit two other volunteers to help us out with Faraja. Alex and Janet were originally stationed at another volunteer site but when they heard about Faraja they couldn't wait to help with our babies. They, like us, instantly fell in love. Because of the extra hands we are able to do a lot more around the house. In terms of collecting water, Marc and Alex are able to fill the water tank by lunchtime. Karen, Janet and I are able to finish the housework before the children even arrive home from school. You might not realize how much it means to have the extra help. When Alex and Janet are not with us the children have to pick up the slack in chores and collecting water. They don't have play time and if water is short they cannot wash themselves. The children have had time to be children these past couple of days. They play games, talk to each other and us, and teach us songs. Two of their favorite songs are "Joy, Joy,Joy" and "Jesus is my friend." I hope to be able to share some footage of them singing with you. When they break out in song for us it takes everything within me not to cry.

Janet playing with Michael

     The children have all been sick lately so we decided teach the children how to be more healthy. Today we mopped and scrubbed the house from top to bottom with bleach and water. We taught the children how to sneeze and cough into their sleeves and to wash their hands with soap after. Its very little things that we believe can save a lot of money in doctors costs and medicine for Momma in the long run.

Karen with Kelvin and Kefa

      Today was Karen's last day at Faraja. We will miss her!!! But before she goes we will all be on safari. Safe Travels back to the US.

Welcome Claire!

Claire and Morra's 2nd child Emmanuel

I'll try to make it a permanent link on the page, but it's always nice to get a 2nd and 3rd opinion on things. Our little 'Scot has made her first trip away from home at 19 and decided to come to Kenya. She works at another orphanage down the road, Sidai, loves Passion Fruit (which they don't have in Scotland) and lives with her family on a farm back home.

Claire's view:
http://www.mytripjournal.com/clairegoestokenya

P.S. Adrienne, if you're reading this Claire agrees with our theory on Fireman Sam's "son"

Volunteering does not equal vacation

This is obviously the first time I have volunteered abroad, possibly not the last, but I am thankful for the set up that IVHQ and Fadhili have provided us. During the week we are at our placements from about 9-4; sometimes you'll stay early and sometimes you'll stay late. But, during weekends you are provided with plenty of excursions. Fadhili has offered a 3-4 day safari, a city exploration, IDP weekend (including a visit to Hell's Gate), trips to Mombasa and other getaways. I feel it is an opportunity to unwind with friends following the work week that can also be emotionally draining. You'll be updated on these weekend excursions, as for now check out Gloria's post for what we did last weekend.

At Faraja, well there is a lot of work to be done. Six years ago the orphanage left it's location in the slums of Kibera (the largest in the world, 2nd is Soweto, South Africa). Ten months ago they've arrived at their current location. Approximately 2 months ago Fadhili Community started putting placements in Faraja. There is a lot of work to do in order to help them become sustainable. As we finished our third day Karen, Gloria, and myself have begun brainstorming ideas of how to help them become able to help themselves. I believe first on the list is creating a more cleanly environment. From building a fire pit that can divert smoke/fumes away from the children and house, to education on better hygiene, to building shelves/cubbies to keep their belongings off the floor. If they can cut down on hospital costs maybe those funds can be diverted elsewhere and improve their ability to produce and obtain income.

Water pump that delivers water
to the local farm. They provide
free water to Faraja

My daily routine is fetching about 200L of water. The boys chip in with fetching water when they get home as well. But they consume about 225L of water daily due to cooking, washing, and drinking. I just hope to offset the daily usage on my hauls. On the 1/4mi uphill route I have met "the neighbors", from a Sudanese businessman who sells houses in Kenya to Joyce, Dijomon, and Wilson who work on a nearby farm that will see its first selling season in about 2 month. All look for sustainability, not a handout. They are doing the best they can and some are doing very well.

Dominick cooking lunch

I also help cook breakfast and lunch, collect firewood and been all about town. Momma Morra's direct neighbors are actually a husband/wife doctor/nurse team. I have spoken with the wife and will hopefully get in touch with Public health to get ideas on how to help improve living conditions. They are not bad for the children's standards, but we hope to be able to improve the general health of their surrounding atmosphere.

Once we get settled on a project I will write. I may even set up a PayPal if you'd like to help over the next 4 weeks. I have also contacted Kiva and will hear back from this week with news of how to start a loan attempt. 

I will upload photos when there is time. I try not to take photos when citizens are around, it's considered rude. You must see the beauty of this land and those who I am talking about.

Rant ... aka 5 BARS!!!

Ok America, wake the hell up. My muzungu phone (a simple Samsung) is an inexpensive, international sim card, solar powered, 5 bars of reception, mobile credit card BEAST.

Solar powered? Check. In an area with NO electricity, you still can charge even in low light and light overcast conditions. It's about $25 and with M-Pesa you can use this phone for financial transactions interest free. You buy an mpesa card just like a mobile minutes card and then the credited amount is on your phone. A password for protection and a seller's mobile number and BAM you can transfer your fees. You can even go to Equity Banks and use the mobile to add/withdrawal funds from your bank account. Mpesa has forced financial institutions to eliminate most every fee for banking (eg those pesky ATM fees).

Oh and did I mention 5 bars of reception!! I am in the foothills of  western Kenya folks. Masai are directly over the hill (and enter town on weekends) and I have 5 BARS! I can go to any country in the world, pop in a sim card and make calls, texts. Damn you corporate America for crushing the freeing potential of mobiles in America.

When I return I will continue to loathe AT&T and other companies for their oligopolistic practices.

END Rant

P.S. Anyone who says "blah blah Verizon" I have an iPhone. You have a wannabe OS in Android soon to be segmented like any other open OS and you'll suffer the same network issues once iPhone comes to Verizon. Wouldn't you like consistent 5 bars (and let's throw 3GS in for the sake of conversation) too? And, you still want an iPhone.

A goat giving birth, eating camel, feeding giraffes?!

It has been sometime since we have been able to hit up an internet cafe. I have missed writing.

On Friday I witnessed a goat giving birth on a pile of garbage just about two feet from me. No one around me seemed to notice but i was in awe of the process and a little sick to my stomach at the same time. I frequently pass live stock while walking from place to place.

Karen going a little too far
trying to get her proteins in
Carnivore

Saturday was wild. we decided to venture out to an infamous restaurant called Carnivore, in Karen, a town near Nairobi proper. The idea is to delight in exotic meats until you nearly explode...I was unable to do so and stopped after eating a small bite of the uber chewy camel. thinking about it makes me want to throw up. Marc, Karen and Claire tasted the ox balls. I hear they taste like salty eggs. Go figure.

Sunday was amazing. Marc, Claire, Karen and I decided to go to mass to watch our house momma perform in the choir and to learn more about her church. it was a wonderful experience. The pastor gave a sermon on being thankful and that just sums up the whole experience here thus far. I am so thankful that i am able to be here and I am so thankful for everything I have back home waiting for me. the pastor called us up and introduced us to the congregation and then they made us a special tea to show their appreciation. Kenyan's are so hospitable. If someone had one piece of fruit to her name, she would share it with as many people as she could.

Video 1: Dancing with Issac and his school mates

Video 2: At the giraffe park

Marc making friends at the
monkey park

After church we met up with some other volunteers and headed to an elephant orphanage, went to feed giraffes and went to a monkey park where little monkeys jump on you and try to steal food from you. Was a pretty amazing weekend.

Now back to our babies. Three of them are very sick and had to be hospitalized yesterday. While momma Mora was at the hospital with them it was discovered that she too had to be hospitalized. Marc went to be with her at the hospital and it was determined that she had been having an asthma attack. Karen and I stayed back to run the show. The kids are really opening up to us and despite the sadness of their past they are so full of love and faith and joy.

Morra was released back home today but was exhausted. Marc, Karen and I were perfectly capable of holding down the fort and told her to sleep in, something she hasn't done in years. They are very self sufficient children. The children serve themselves food, build fire to cook, hand wash their uniforms and wash their own shoes. Kefa, the youngest and only over year old, feeds himself and navigates up and down stairs. Michael,who is only about six, knows how to wash and hang clothes. It's remarkable.

Marc, Karen and I also met with Momma Morra to explore possible revenue building opportunities for the orphanage. Some ideas were to sell cards or detergent in town and to possibly start a website of the place and have a mechanism to make online donations. It's all up in the air at this moment but we are hoping to have a plan in place prior to our departure. It's our belief that in addition to our short term volunteer project we can enable them to do something great for themselves long term.

Sending you all hugs and kisses. signing off.