Rashma and I have been in Kanyawegi, Kenya
for almost 6 weeks now. It’s crazy how
fast time flies. I don’t think 6 weeks
is enough for us to get anything done here. We did accomplish going into
schools to teach primary students (Standard 6,7,8) about HIV/ AIDS but we are
uncertain of the effects this will have on the children. We made the decision to go into the high
schools this year because we felt that it is necessary for high school students
to get sex education and HIV/ AIDS talk so they can make safer decisions. Unfortunately, Kenyan government is against
condom demonstrations even though most teachers/ parents know that their kids
engage in sexual behaviours. We talked
to several teachers who told us that they are aware but they just choose to not
see them. They are also afraid that
talking about condom use will encourage sexual behaviours. Their concerns are understandable but if the
behaviours are inevitable due to hormones and nature, it is better to educate them so they are aware of
the risks beforehand. This way, the teenagers will know how to avoid contracting HIV or how to prevent spreading by understanding the importance of condom usage and also how to use it properly. We heard crazy things about condoms from the students such as having little holes on them.
Another big problem in Kenya is lack of
teachers. Also many teachers do not care for
the children’s future. Teachers’ job is
so crucial because they may potentially have the power to change someone’s life
in a positive or negative way. Unfortunately, many are corrupt and they focus on acquiring
more money or goods from parents. They
let others do all the “donkey work” and cruise along, hoping that life will
continue to be good. Also, Kenya lack
teachers that can teach English. Even though English is an official language in
Kenya, many don’t know how to speak/ write English properly. I met a secondary school student who didn’t
understand simple phrases in English… I don’t know how he is going to make it
past this year since all the exams are in English. Today, I asked a teacher his opinion on of what should be done to fix this problem. He suggested a change
in the policy to make sure that English is properly taught in classes and make sure that the students/ teachers don’t speak in mother tongue. There are these kids I met during my 2nd
day in Kenya. Dadi, who is the oldest is 9 and he does not
speak any English. I am not sure how he
is getting by in school.. but today I asked Stephen to tell Dadi that he should
learn English. I hope he remembers this
mzungu and tries to learn it. Later, I was told by Stephen that students learn english in grade 4-5. I also saw
a halfie kids at Lisuka primary school today.
He is half white, half black and both of his parents passed away so he
lives at an orphanage. The teachers said
that he is very bright and smart. He
doesn’t get made fun of in class which was my biggest worry. The discrimination
does not exist here because the Luo people think of light skin as very “smart”
(attractive).
Dadi
Photos with the deputy and Chris-George
From my 6 weeks, I am realizing that Kenyans
always have a mediator. For example,
when I need to purchase a chicken, I would normally go through a friend of mine
who knows someone.
We had to go through another person all the time and our communication
was often delayed. We
didn’t really want to push it either because we were not familiar with the culture and
we didn’t want to offend anyone in any way. A lot of people go to developing countries thinking that they will
accomplish many things and make people's lives better. We are being naïve if we think this way. Many organizations send students for a very
short period of time. I always thought
of 6 weeks of volunteering as a long duration but it is way too short for
anything to be firmly accomplished. First of all, we need to build a relationship
with the community and the people you work with. Put yourself in their shoes. Would you be
happy if someone you didn’t know came into your village and started controlling
everything? For example, this research
project came into the community and caused an uproar in the CHWs (Community
Health Workers) because they weren’t following the proper protocols. Projects are important but I feel building
a strong relationship is more important.
If you have a positive relationship with the community members, this
will help and guide you through your project work. If you’re going to do international work,
please, please take the extra time to be friends with them. If we don’t do this, we have to ask ourselves
if we are actually creating a positive impact in the community or we are just
there to disrupt them. Your intentions
might be good but the results may not be the same. Also, partnership with the community is essential. I was a learner in the community and by partnering with the community, I was able to get by. Without them, and their support, nothing would've been possible. I learned so much from them and I am very grateful. A mutual learning/ teaching relationship is a must.
Even though many may think that people here
are uneducated or less educated than us, they have knowledge we lack. We don’t know how to do the daily things they
are used to. Many time I felt so helpless because I was unable to help them with the simple things
such as pouring out a heavy jug of water, harvesting maize, building a tent and
etcetera. Yesterday, Dina and I went to
talk to Maurice about bank stuff. We had
to wait for about an hour because the whole family was at their maize farm,
harvesting this season’s oduuma (maize).
The kids kept on disappearing off somewhere and brought back huge bags of
maize. I became bored of waiting and
decided to follow them. I spent that morning harvesting maize with Maurice and his neighbors. I carryed maize on my head
for about an hour back and forth. Oduuma peck! (maize
is heavy) Even though it was extremely tiring, it was one of the best days I
had in Kenya. I felt like a true
Kenyan. We were fed mchele (rice) and
chai (tea) afterwards.
Maurice and the team
Jumping photo
Dina and I stuck
around and talked to Stephen and his friend Smith for a while. We ended
up talking about religion. Luos are
devoted Christians. I shared with
Stephen before that I don’t have a religion and religion is a confusing topic
for me. I shared with them that it
confuses me when people disregard their own efforts and thank god for all he
has done for them. You were the one that
worked hard to get the results that you wanted. Where does god come in? They said god created that path for you
because he had that planned in your life. What about people who fall off the "right", positive path and end up engaging in behaviours that are considered bad such as
alcoholism? I don’t believe in god but I don’t see myself as a bad person. I lived my life with certain values and I
abide by what I believe to be right.
Smith asked me what I normally do on Christmas. I volunteered with the Salvation army and fed
homeless people last year. I do it
because I truly want to. Even though my actions are small, I am hoping to make
at least someone happy that day. I
personally don’t think you have to believe in God to be good. People may say that I will go to hell (I’ve
heard this since I was a kid because my parents are Buddhists) but I guess I won’t
find out until my days are over.
My friend Stephen Amoke (aka I am okay- I would ask him if he was okay time to time and he always said "I am okay. Amoke!"),
who is Maurice’s brother, helped us so much throughout this summer. Especially after Maurice’s accident, he has
been doing all the physical work for Maurice without pay. I felt really bad that he is doing GIVE's work without pay and wanted to find a way to pay him. He helped us during HIV/ AIDS soccer
tournaments which were held every Saturdays for 8 weekends. I tested him on some of the questions and he
knew the exact answers we were looking for.
I knew that we may need a translator/ facilitator throughout our
classroom teachings so I asked the executives if funding was available for a
facilitator. Once it got approved, I asked Stephen if he could work for us. He has been working hard every day for the
last 6 weeks. He is only 19 and is
waiting to enter University this September.
It is amazing for me to see how hard he works every day, not just for
us, but for his family as well. He listens to his brother without any complaint,
which is a rare thing to find back at home. Maurice is like a father figure to him. Today, he helped us set up tents for the Dialogue day and when one of
them didn’t work, he had to take it apart and take them back. He also had to bring sodas (which are in
glass bottles) for about 50 people. He
also returned everything on his motorcycle afterwards without any payment or
complaint. Rashma and I had to teach at
3:00 so I asked him if he would be able to come and pick us up around 2:45. I was worried that he wouldn’t have enough time
to eat. He finished everything
beforehand and came to our house at 2:50ish and we made it to school in
time. He taught the class with us for 2
hours and we offered to buy him soda and chips (fries) afterwards. When we got to Obambo,
he had to finish some of the stuff from Dialogue day so he didn’t eat for
another hour.
It is sad that all we can
do is provide him with soda and chips… I ask him whenever I hang out with him if he
is having a good day, worried that we’re working him too hard. He always answers with a smile saying that he
always has a good time with us. Even
though he is only 19, he says the wisest things. Once I asked what kind of women/ men are
considered as good looking? And he said “you know, everyone is beautiful in
someone’s eyes” and I let it be just that.
I hope he goes far. I am hoping to help him throughout his university
with the little amount of life experience I have. He was originally thinking of going into
banking and work in the community bank in the future but I’ve been encouraging to dream bigger because he is capable of bigger things. I am going to miss him.
We got shades for Stephen. When he was driving us around on his boda, he would cry because dust would enter his eyes. I felt so so bad and we came up with an idea to get him these so he wouldn't have to cry anymore!
Stephen being a big brother at Nywara Primary school
5 more days in Kanyawegi… sigh.. :(
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