How tempus fugits! After 10 months here in Kenya and here at St. Anna, my last full day has come and gone, and tomorrow I go home. A year ago when I came to visit for the first time, I never imagined that I would be here a year later. I may not have ended up where I intended to go, but I think I ended up where I needed to be.
As I am still recovering from saying goodbye to all the children on Tuesday, I’m not even going to try to summarise my thoughts and feelings in words. You’ll have to make do with some numbers:
. 10 months
. 80 blog posts
. 31 books (read)
. 15 children (sponsored - thanks to those who agreed to do this)
. 29 rabbits
. 5 houses
. 7 computers
. 1 mountain (never again)
. 6970 Pounds (raised)
. 1 library
. 6 tables
. 36 chairs
. 8 book shelves
. 2 sign posts
. 10 hanging baskets
. 5 kilos (lost)
. 2 pairs of glasses (broken)
… and a partridge in a pear tree!
All that remains is to thank those who helped or contributed in any way. On behalf of all the children and the teachers here at the school, thank you. You may never quite know the difference you have made in the lives of 250+ people.
And from me: To all of you who remained in touch during my self imposed exile; to those who wrote to me or called me and stopped the solitude turning to loneliness … thank you! To those who sent me stuff: books, shoes, socks, clothes, bags, Hob Nobs … thank you! To those who bought me a return ticket home … thank you! To those who agreed to accompany me up a mountain…thank you (and sorry). And to those who made it all the way down here in person… thank you! Without you I couldn't possibly have hoped to succeed, with you I couldn’t fail.
Finally, before I sign off for the last time, a thought. Of all the lessons I have learned during my time here the most compelling must surely be that it is only through education that we can hope to help lift children, their communities and their countries out of poverty.
We so often go on about our rights, but what about our duties? Someone should establish a bill of duties. We all have a responsibility to help bring education to the children of under-developed countries not only because it is the right thing to do, but also as it is the only vector of guaranteeing lasting peace and security for ourselves. Whether it be in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula or Asia, only when we can offer children a brighter future will they have a reason choose life over death. It only costs about £20 a month to put a child through primary school here in Kenya. Now
I don’t know where you all live, but in Paris that’s about the price of 2 beers…it’s half a family’s monthly income here.
In 1957 Dr. King said that “life’s most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?” His words are arguably be even more applicable today. He went on to say that: “Every person must decide, at some point, whether they will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”
In our constantly connected online 24/7 information world , none of us can claim ignorance to the plight of those less fortunate than ourselves. If you aren’t helping in some way it is because you have chosen not to. Half the world still lives on less than $2/day, and many of them on less than $1. The majority don't want hand outs; they are proud and want to live with dignity. Their basic needs and desires are no different than our basic needs and desires: decent shelter, clean drinking water, to live in peace and a provide a better chance for their children than the hand life dealt them. Most of the things we take for granted. You could so easily make a difference...all it takes is you, a decision and now.
Ok, end of lecture. I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Ex animo,
Matthew
xx
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Weekend in Nakuru
This past weekend I went to Nakuru, a town in the Rift Valley, with James to visit his home and his family. Having visited the Thompson Falls on the way (http://www.africapoint.net/local-sites/waterfalls/139-thomsons-falls-nyahururu-kenya.html), we arrived in Nakuru just in time to join another family gathering in celebration of the pending wedding between James’ Uncle and his wife to be(the one’s from the dowry celebrations back in July). The big day is the 4th December and I am sorry to say I will miss it as it looks like it will be a corking bash!
Nakuru is well know for its Safari Park which we also visited. Lake Nakuru National Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Nakuru) “specialises” in Black Rhino (which we saw) but as the park surrounds Lake Nakuru, its real claim to fame is as the location for one of the greatest bird spectacle on earth - myriads of fuschia pink flamingoes whose numbers are often more than a million maybe two. They feed on the abundant algae, which thrives in the warm waters. For some reason which eludes me, there are no elephants in the park…maybe they just don’t like it.
After visiting the park we strolled to the nearby Menengai crater, the remains of one of the many long since extinct volcanoes that sit in the middle of the rift valley. It is massive. It is also renowned for strange things that happen there such as people disappearing without trace, others losing directions for hours (or even days) only to be found by their relatives wandering around in a trance. I tripped over a rock … though I’m not sure that qualifies.
As we walked back home we decided to stop into a small school along our way where we were welcomed by the head teacher. She happily showed us around and introduced us to the (incredibly well mannered) orphans. They are struggling even more than our kids here at St. Anna, and when the head teacher asked me how can I help, it was all I could do to stop myself blurting out “I’ll be back to help you next year”. Writing this now, I am ashamed to say I didn't blurt it out though but I will endeavour to find a way to get some assistance to them. I think I could happily spend the rest of my life building a school or two a year in remote parts of the world. By my calculations it would only take 10k or so for each one: a couple of rooms and your done really. Hmm?
We got back yesterday evening to see that the library is progressing nicely. The architect is due tomorrow morning to sign off the latest work and from there things will continue skyward. And now I am into my final 7 days :-(. Next week, on the 24th (the day before I leave), I will be unveiling a foundation stone on the library. The great and the good of the area will be coming so I am preparing a Churchillian speech … blood, sweat and tears, that kind of thing.
Nakuru is well know for its Safari Park which we also visited. Lake Nakuru National Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Nakuru) “specialises” in Black Rhino (which we saw) but as the park surrounds Lake Nakuru, its real claim to fame is as the location for one of the greatest bird spectacle on earth - myriads of fuschia pink flamingoes whose numbers are often more than a million maybe two. They feed on the abundant algae, which thrives in the warm waters. For some reason which eludes me, there are no elephants in the park…maybe they just don’t like it.
After visiting the park we strolled to the nearby Menengai crater, the remains of one of the many long since extinct volcanoes that sit in the middle of the rift valley. It is massive. It is also renowned for strange things that happen there such as people disappearing without trace, others losing directions for hours (or even days) only to be found by their relatives wandering around in a trance. I tripped over a rock … though I’m not sure that qualifies.
As we walked back home we decided to stop into a small school along our way where we were welcomed by the head teacher. She happily showed us around and introduced us to the (incredibly well mannered) orphans. They are struggling even more than our kids here at St. Anna, and when the head teacher asked me how can I help, it was all I could do to stop myself blurting out “I’ll be back to help you next year”. Writing this now, I am ashamed to say I didn't blurt it out though but I will endeavour to find a way to get some assistance to them. I think I could happily spend the rest of my life building a school or two a year in remote parts of the world. By my calculations it would only take 10k or so for each one: a couple of rooms and your done really. Hmm?
We got back yesterday evening to see that the library is progressing nicely. The architect is due tomorrow morning to sign off the latest work and from there things will continue skyward. And now I am into my final 7 days :-(. Next week, on the 24th (the day before I leave), I will be unveiling a foundation stone on the library. The great and the good of the area will be coming so I am preparing a Churchillian speech … blood, sweat and tears, that kind of thing.
Monday, 8 November 2010
The Magnificent Seven
The workers reappeared on Thursday following the day in court. Over the cakes meant for the day before I had a chat with the head mason to try and get to the bottom of it all. I didn’t, but what I understood was this:
Following an incident a month ago when the men of the area decided to take the law in to their own hands and “deal” (think very extreme) with 3 local thieves, the District Commissioner (the governor of the area) called a meeting to openly discuss the events. The residents expressed a lack of confidence in the local law enforcement, claiming that the area was inadequately policed and felt therefore that the only was to address this was to take the law into their own hands. The DC acknowledged the failings and promised to correct them; he even dressed down the police chief in front of everyone. He went on however to state categorically that any further vigilantism would not be tolerated.
Then 2 Sundays ago the 2 thieves who survived the previous incident were sighted at a local house. Word spread like wild fire and a group of guys quickly got together and spread their own wild fire. They burnt down the house where the 2 we spotted…and 7 of them ended up in court last Wednesday.
I’m not clear whether any of our workers are part of the Magnificent Seven but everyone was back at work on Thursday. Bail was set at £1k … a fortune for anyone here … and most had to hand over the title deeds to their land to secure their release. Trial is pending.
I only hope the library is completed before it comes to trial otherwise nothing may happen for a while.
O tempora! O mores!
Following an incident a month ago when the men of the area decided to take the law in to their own hands and “deal” (think very extreme) with 3 local thieves, the District Commissioner (the governor of the area) called a meeting to openly discuss the events. The residents expressed a lack of confidence in the local law enforcement, claiming that the area was inadequately policed and felt therefore that the only was to address this was to take the law into their own hands. The DC acknowledged the failings and promised to correct them; he even dressed down the police chief in front of everyone. He went on however to state categorically that any further vigilantism would not be tolerated.
Then 2 Sundays ago the 2 thieves who survived the previous incident were sighted at a local house. Word spread like wild fire and a group of guys quickly got together and spread their own wild fire. They burnt down the house where the 2 we spotted…and 7 of them ended up in court last Wednesday.
I’m not clear whether any of our workers are part of the Magnificent Seven but everyone was back at work on Thursday. Bail was set at £1k … a fortune for anyone here … and most had to hand over the title deeds to their land to secure their release. Trial is pending.
I only hope the library is completed before it comes to trial otherwise nothing may happen for a while.
O tempora! O mores!
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Progress report with 1 month to go (to the day)
Just over 2 weeks into library construction and things are MOVING! You wouldn’t believe how much 10 guys can do in a day.
Yesterday the architect came again to survey the work so far (essentially the foundations). We needed the green light from him before we can start actually laying bricks. He duly gave us the go ahead and from tomorrow the building should begin to rise out of the ground. I have taken enough photos each day to bore the pants off even the most patient observer.
In parallel work has begun on the tables, chairs and shelves. We awarded the contract to “Bush Crafts – For Quality Furniture”, and on Tuesday we dropped by to assess the first pieces. We have also identified a local plaque maker and in the next couple of days I will pass him the wording and the names of everyone who contributed.
I have to admit, I am a little sceptical as to whether it will be completely finished by the day I leave (25th November…one month to the day), but it will be pretty close.
xx
Yesterday the architect came again to survey the work so far (essentially the foundations). We needed the green light from him before we can start actually laying bricks. He duly gave us the go ahead and from tomorrow the building should begin to rise out of the ground. I have taken enough photos each day to bore the pants off even the most patient observer.
In parallel work has begun on the tables, chairs and shelves. We awarded the contract to “Bush Crafts – For Quality Furniture”, and on Tuesday we dropped by to assess the first pieces. We have also identified a local plaque maker and in the next couple of days I will pass him the wording and the names of everyone who contributed.
I have to admit, I am a little sceptical as to whether it will be completely finished by the day I leave (25th November…one month to the day), but it will be pretty close.
xx
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Shovels in the ground
Greetings,
It has been 2 week now since I returned to St. Anna and during that time we have had numerous discussions on the subject of the library. The first week was spent in meetings with the Board of Governors discussing its location. The second week was spent trying to locate our elusive architect. But that is all behind us now and this week work started.
On Monday we cleared the ground and yesterday we marked out the boundaries with string and branches hacked from the surrounding trees.
This morning I reached the school to find shovels in the ground; the foundation trenches are being dug (what do you call a man with a spade on his head? Doug! Ha) and the first deliveries of materials (sand, cement and stones) should arrive this afternoon.
As for what the library will look like, the plan is to have 3 rooms in total:
. Room 1 – Is a small combined office and reception area where people must present themselves before entering the library.
. Room 2 – Is the book room measuring approximately 25ft x 22ft (we will of course be filling it with books…any suggestions of titles are most welcome)
. Room 3 – Is the reading room (which will double as a room for meetings etc and sessions of audio books for the illiterate). This will also measure 25ft x 22ft
Upon the request of the Bishop and the board of governors, I also agreed that we would lay extra strong foundations should the school decided in the future to add a second floor.
Finally, for those of you who donated towards this project, your name will appear on a plaque. Fame at last!
It has been 2 week now since I returned to St. Anna and during that time we have had numerous discussions on the subject of the library. The first week was spent in meetings with the Board of Governors discussing its location. The second week was spent trying to locate our elusive architect. But that is all behind us now and this week work started.
On Monday we cleared the ground and yesterday we marked out the boundaries with string and branches hacked from the surrounding trees.
This morning I reached the school to find shovels in the ground; the foundation trenches are being dug (what do you call a man with a spade on his head? Doug! Ha) and the first deliveries of materials (sand, cement and stones) should arrive this afternoon.
As for what the library will look like, the plan is to have 3 rooms in total:
. Room 1 – Is a small combined office and reception area where people must present themselves before entering the library.
. Room 2 – Is the book room measuring approximately 25ft x 22ft (we will of course be filling it with books…any suggestions of titles are most welcome)
. Room 3 – Is the reading room (which will double as a room for meetings etc and sessions of audio books for the illiterate). This will also measure 25ft x 22ft
Upon the request of the Bishop and the board of governors, I also agreed that we would lay extra strong foundations should the school decided in the future to add a second floor.
Finally, for those of you who donated towards this project, your name will appear on a plaque. Fame at last!
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Kili update
As it has been two weeks now since our attempt on Kilimanjaro and with the feeling finally coming back to all of our fingers, it is time to update you on how we got on.
The whole climb took eight days. The first three days went fine all round, then on the fourth day the air got thinner, it became difficult to sleep and the headaches started … and they didn't stop until we came down again.
The final ascent of the summit was agony. We were shattered from not having been able to sleep properly for three nights and it was also absolutely freezing. Despite wearing all the clothes we had and gloves designed for -15°C, we still suffered and got frost bite. Unfortunately, although the three of us started the final day’s climb, only two of us made it to the top. After seven hours of physical and mental exhaustion (every step felt like a mile) we arrived at the summit in time to see the sun rising over Tanzania; the sense of achievement was fantastic (I have also added some photos here).
Thank you for all of your support and your donations towards the new St Anna library. We have hit our target and I am very pleased to report that the construction of the library will begin as soon as I get back to Kenya next week. I will also circulate regular updates with the progress of the build and some photos when it nears completion.
For the next few days I am enjoying some time at home with family and friends, but will be back at St. Anna next Wednesday.
The whole climb took eight days. The first three days went fine all round, then on the fourth day the air got thinner, it became difficult to sleep and the headaches started … and they didn't stop until we came down again.
The final ascent of the summit was agony. We were shattered from not having been able to sleep properly for three nights and it was also absolutely freezing. Despite wearing all the clothes we had and gloves designed for -15°C, we still suffered and got frost bite. Unfortunately, although the three of us started the final day’s climb, only two of us made it to the top. After seven hours of physical and mental exhaustion (every step felt like a mile) we arrived at the summit in time to see the sun rising over Tanzania; the sense of achievement was fantastic (I have also added some photos here).
Thank you for all of your support and your donations towards the new St Anna library. We have hit our target and I am very pleased to report that the construction of the library will begin as soon as I get back to Kenya next week. I will also circulate regular updates with the progress of the build and some photos when it nears completion.
For the next few days I am enjoying some time at home with family and friends, but will be back at St. Anna next Wednesday.
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