In Kisumu... slightly missing home...

So I don't know what it is but I think my body and mind have an automatic time clock that says "okay Kristy, you have now been away for about a week it is time to come home now!" :) I think it has to do with most normal vacations taking about a week off. Or maybe it has to do with that I am completely out of my ordinary comfort zone.

Last time I wrote I had just returned to Nairobi from Kitise. Since then I have travelled 3 hours north of Nairobi to Nakuru where I met a lovely Aussie named Susan who has set up her own school to educate children that live in the slums that are approx 3-5 years old. She also educates adults from the slums that are 18+years of age teaching them English. In addition she teaches women to learn to tailor so that they can start their own business to support their families. It is an amazing venture that has just been started up because last time she came to Kenya to volunteer she felt that her efforts were not being maximized. I met some other volunteers from Britain which made me feel at home during the over night stay. During my time in Nakuru I was also able to meet the Muuguano group which is a slum-dwellers organization that promotes advocacy and community banking in Nakuru. The management of this group is amazing, they all live in the slums but you wouldn't know it by just speaking with them. I will be returning to visit Nakuru to see Susan's organization in action and to meet Moses who is part of the management for the Nakuru slumdwellers organization. In addition, I will visit Lake Nakuru wildlife park which should be a great adventure. During that time I will take a million and one pictures so you can see what I am seeing here! I have great news that I was able to fix my camera; however, I was a bit upset because I know that they are charging me a lot just because I am Myzungo (sp?) which means white person. Either way I guess it is better than paying to replace my camera.

I am now in Kisumu, which I believe is three hours west of Nakuru. I am staying with a lady named Judith who has 7 children!!! They are all wonderful and treat me well. She says she is going to find me an African husband but I keep telling her it is okay and that I am fine lol. Her children range from age 23 to 5. Two of her daughters already have children. It is so hard to see children raising children but it is so normal here in Kenya. Her son Michael and granddaughter Grandi are scared of me as they have never really seen a white person at such close proximity. I also found out that I am the first professional volunteer to help with OOC. They have had a ton of volunteers previously with a group called CIVS but never recruited by OOC. I feel special :) like I am part of something bigger than myself.

So far in Kisumu I have visited a lot of places two community banks one that supports slumdwellers urbanly only and another that is a community bank that covers rural and urban and that you don't necessarily need to be part of the slum to join but need to be in the poorer part of the population. The reason they help support rural is because there is a big problem in Kenya of those living in the rural setting not getting the same education as seen in the city, they also often earn less than what those in the city slums earn which I wasn't aware of before visiting. Those that live in the rural area like Kitise say that they are often losing their children/friends to the city because they feel they are able to earn a better income in the city - thus the city slums have grown exponentially. The community banks that deal with rural are hoping to stop this migration from the rural area to the city because of the problems it is causing with the growth in city populations. They also need people living in the rural areas to help produce agriculture. Community banks in the rural setting often have field farmer schools to help teach proper farming techniques to the population. They are in desperate need of volunteers who have agriculture backgrounds!! *hint hint
I have also met a wonderful youth group (age 18-29) that are trying to start a business enterprise. They are currently make everything out of recycled products like banana leafs, papaya leafs, used paper products. With this material they will make frames in the shape of the country or in the shape of Africa to sell, bags, cards, and journals. The profits from these products help them save and provide for their families and I would say 90% of the youth already have families at this age. I also have learned about the different structures with the community micro-credit non-profit banks but to explain it all on here would probably be boring for most of you to read. If you are interested I will tell you all when I am home - I find it super interesting. I honestly feel that integrated micro-credit programs that allow individuals from the slums to save 1 or more kenyan shilling a day which isn't even worth 1 CAD penny will save this country. The integrated micro-credit programs not only help individuals with savings and loans but will also work with the community on advocacy giving those that live in the slums a voice, because lets face it the government here doesn't even acknowledge them for most part. The programs also help with housing, water sanitation, HIV/Aids awareness, etc. The groups that are formed when joining these community banks help individuals work together to improve their living standards but they are also their closest friends and confidants whom they can rely on for support. We are missing these close community ties in Canada. The circumstances here in Kenya bring these people together making a positive change. It is so refreshing to see people try and work out of poverty and come up with their own business ideas. These individuals are the true entrepreneurs!

So today I will be going to visit a slum just out of Kisumu where I will be distributing some of the donated items and clothing. I am happy to note that I have given a few of the donations away already and the families were so thankful. Brian (my neighbour in Vancouver), donated some eyeglasses and I wanted to let you know that one girl who is currently in Grade 8 was not able to see the black board at school previously but one of the glasses you donated is helping her be able to see the blackboard from a far now!! Which is so wonderful because the family could not afford glasses :D So they wanted me to especially thank you!

Until next time! xoxo Kristy