Beginning Projects at Kadzinuni

Dear Friends;

I am slowly beginning to do some work! I held my first community meeting this past Thursday. Hum ----it didn't turn out as planned but this is Kenya. I prepared for the meeting by making some posters and taking them around to several of the villages. I nailed them up to the sides of several mud dukas (very small shops) and hoped it wouldn't rain. Well, ofcourse it rained and blew and two days later, not a one was still in place. On Monday while walking thru a village, a small child proudly ran up to me with a poster that she had rescued from the rain. No way was she giving it back to me ----well, despite all, 92 people showed up for the meeting which was truly an amazing turn out. I expect they mostly just wanted to see what the white woman was up to. The agenda was to allow me to listen to residents talk about their community needs. Well, the sub-district chief didn't tell me that he was expecting to come and hold a 2 hour meeting before letting me take center stage. Also, we waited an hour and a half for people to arrive. The few folks who arrived on time certainly didn't seem bothered by the wait! Get this - the outdoor meeting area (see picture attached here) was RIGHT next to the primary school. So, after waiting a half hour, the chief had the head master of the school send all the kids home to get their parents to attend the meeting -----the school has 1000 students!! So now, children are running everywhere; I'm not sure just how many of them made it home. Some of the students live a 45 minute walk from the school! But, I must admit,more people did show up.

So what community needs did they mention? Most of them centered around the lack of water and the unreliability of the system. There are community "faucets" that give out treated water but the people have to pay for the water. There are very few free locations for water. One woman wanted a community bank and the local drama enthusiast wanted a stage for productions.

I would like to mention the fact that I am going to be reopenning the Kadzinuni library and will be asking for book donations. I am especially wanting stuff appropriate for early teen girls. Remember, these children are taught all subjects in English. All the books currently here were donated by a British family who funded the construction of the health clinic; actually, it is a dispensary. Nothing too racy for any age group; there are many muslims here and other religions are well represented also; very conservative.

Comments on the photos attached here: the chameleon was right outside my door! They have eyes that rotate 360 degrees. The small boy beside the small house ---why that is nine year old Davis who told his Dad he wanted to build his own house! The Muslim girls are right outside the door of the library ---they are excited about the prospect of it reopenning! And then a shot of my first community meeting.

Bye for now ---Mary