Without women, what would a man do?

There's a song by Bob Marley , No Woman No Cry.  This can be true but over the past few days I've seen how for me it does not apply.  My good friend, work bud and roommate, Alison, reinforced that Nathan needs women generally to save his skin :)  So I returned home the other day with a car that has been a pain for CTC for awhile now.  But I have both financially and emotionally taken the project under my wing.  I am committed to making this beautiful beast work for us.  I had noticed upon returning home after a long time with the mechanic (a pain for a whole other blog) the central instrument lights had gone out.  Basically, my entire ride home I had no clue the engine temperature, which on Pajeros (car make) can be very dangerous due to over heating. And I could not use my blinkers or read any of the various panel instruments.  OK so I was sure that it had to be the work that the electrician had recently done on the panel.  I was searching playing with wires, being an idiot thinking if I shake wires it will solve a problem.  Such a Nathanism.....For those of you who really know me that is an obvious statement.  So after 20 minutes of me floundering, Al walks up and casually says "Could you have blown a fuse?".. I gave her one of those Nathan looks like "Are you F... kidding me?"  And if you know me well you get that also..... And yes take a wild guess, the damn fuse for the entire instrument panel had blown.    Now let me at least save some face and say it was due to a short in the work in the electrician's work........OK I'll stop no need to save face right?

Then it got better I was looking all around the house for my driving license that made me avoid check points all day so not to have to pay a bribe.  Yes, westerners, that is what happens here.  Sorry to say.....Well I looked and looked, was really frustrated, thought I had searched everywhere.  Al then says "Did you check your day planner?"  Which happened to be sitting on the dining table of where I had searched "around" many times.  And of course, yes you are getting the point, it was right there in the first page.  

As I think now there are various other examples already of being "saved" recently.  And I don't mean the religious kind.  I've realized over and over that though good old Bob may have had a point No Woman No Cry, for me I'd be lost without them.  Right now I know that my Mom, every girl I ever dated, Aunts, Grandma and the Shoreview Crew (especially the woman) are smiling and nodding.  Saying to themselves "Yeah duh Nathan".  But at least I realize it, isn't that worth something?  

Sad Day in Maai Mahiu

What started out as a very productive day turned fast into a somber, reflective and shocking afternoon.   This will last for months.  Today Faith, CTC's dedicated manager of the Handicap Children's Day Care and all around amazing woman passed away.   It all started yesterday for Alison and I.  Faith was not feeling well for some days but nothing serious, or so it seemed.  She has had a history of chest problems and physical disabilities.  She's fought through hard obstacles in life including Polio at a young age and as she grew older developed a curvature of the spine.   With all of this she fought every day for those who were handicap both mentally and physically.  She was a bright light with a smile and a warm hug daily.  

To get back to what happened.   basically she was getting sick over the past week.  But on Sunday in Monday she started to get really sick.   She had decided on Sunday to just wait until Mon. to get to the hospital.  In hind sight she should have never waited.  When Al and I first got the call on Monday she was on her way to Naivasha Hospital which freaked Al out as it's not known as the best.  So we had her come back to the CTC office and we took her in the truck up to Kijabe (private hospital) immediately.  What I saw when she could barely climb into the truck was a devastated woman.  She could barely breathe.  The best way to describe it is if you have ever been punched in the gut and can't breathe, well that was her constant breathing.  It was painful to watch, she was basically gasping constantly, she was drowning.  The ride up on the bumpy, damn road was also unbearable to watch.  Every lurch seemed to shorten her breath and create a look of desperate panic.  Once we got to the hospital I had to lift her out of the truck and place her in a wheel chair, she could not move.  We rushed her into the emergency, making a great noise for immediate help.  The Kenyan doctors do the absolute best they can, but are so overloaded with patients most get lost in a sea of need.  I again had to pick her up off the chair and into a gurney.  It tore my heart out because even my lifting and placing the best I could manage obviously put a severe strain and a look of pain and fear ripping through her face.  Trying my best to comfort her "Breathe Faith, slow Faith, please breathe."  Now I see my words of encouragement were on deaf ears, I don't even know if she heard me.   She was struggling to live.   

We waited and waited outside and finally a nurse came out and asked if I'd help wheel her to the radiation room.  I remember thinking "Sure, no problem."  And at the same moment thinking "Wait why are you asking me, where are the hospital people"  But it was another example of being under staffed.  Ken and I rolled her down various long hallways with perhaps 50 or more Kenyans who were waiting for some time for a doctor just gawking.  Little did they know at that time, nor did I, that they were gawking at someone who was not going to make it.   Again, in the radiologists area, I picked her up and put Faith on the bed.  By this time her eyes were rolling back in her head....... I realize now maybe this is too much detail but it's a bit therapeutic for me. But I'll stop as I don't want to relive it in public, for Faith.

At that point when we left Faith the doctors thought it was pnemonia, which it was.  Severe pnemonia.  So flash to today Al and I are in a meeting at the office and one of the other ladies who works with the children, Jane, came by and told us she had just heard, Faith had passed.  Basically, as we later learned from going and speaking with the hospital, Faith had rebounded a bit overnight but woke to a severe reaction and passed at 10 AM ..........

Upon hearing the news, I walked to the edge of our office and looked up towards the grand mountains in front of me, the Rift Valley.  Don't really know what I was looking for at first but then realized I was looking at Kijabe, the place she left us.  Just naturally felt right.  I really fought every ounce of my being not to break down on the spot.  I was in shock.   After meeting the family and spending time with them, and this might sound strange, odd, whatever......  I felt blessed.  That in her time of need I was able to carry her.  I was able to be with her and shoulder the burden in the smallest way I knew how.  Feeling blessed does not make it better, though.  It does not bring her back for her 3 sons and 1 daughter.  I guess it just gives me some solace that I was there for her.

So to Faith, thank you for all you have done for the community of Maai Mahiu.  Thank you for your love for your children and constant light you shown on all of us.  I don't know where you have gone, but in the place I hope you are happy with no pain.  We will miss you Faith and love you from the bottom of our hearts.   And Dad, wherever you are, can you please go over to Faith and say hello.  Give her one of those huge bear hugs you're known for and help her get comfortable.  She might need a friend.  Oh and tell her.......well you will know what to say.   Love you both!!!!

P.S.  I have included two photos of Faith.  One helping as she always did, she's in red.  And the other with the Mother's of the Handicap Children.   She's in the middle, so small so grand.

Misty Sunday Morning

Am I living in England or Kenya?   Waking this morning to rain, heavy fog and cold sure did remind me of the UK in October not Kabuku in June.  That being said the "cabin" Alison and I share is at 3500 ft elevation and was one of main spots the original English colonists settled due to it's resemblance to their temperate homeland.  I guess that is why they call the entire area the Highlands.  I'm sitting here by a very warm fire with Kramer, Alison's brown lab, for company (picture included), looking out on a fabulous garden Simon the gardener has diligently been toiling for a few months now (pic included).  We have various vegetables and herbs that are due at any time for the eaten'.   There are potatoes, cabbage, spinach, onions, beets, carrots, tomatoes and zucchinis.   The garden is ringed by sunflowers who have full glowing flowers except for today.  I think this English Sunday has mad them a bit sad.  Withering, hiding from the rain and cold.  Right now as I look out the window it's lightly raining with a slight breeze.  So happy I am bonding with Kramer right now and not outside :-)  

I've been master mining some plans that I have been trying to talk Al and Simon into over the past week or so.  Chickens, yes chickens.  We have been eating tons of eggs every morning and since we now have a professional farm, well O.K. small garden, we need livestock.  Two dogs do not count.  Didn't mention Oscar but he is a whole other blog unto himself.   Tried to talk Al into other animals like Llamas (don't have them in Kenya), pigs (we have no clue how to raise them), rabbits (prob. would not eat them) and ostriches (threw that in at the end but we figure it would probably stomp Oscar).    So chickens are the ticket.  I included a picture of the eventual "plot" for coop.   This is all assuming the gardener and Al agree......  

It's pretty amazing how different the energy is being in Nairobi or Maai Mahiu to Kabuku.  Kabuku is green, rural and peaceful.  The most noise comes from Oscar or Kramer barking at nothing.  Or rather Kramer sitting for a long  time staring at the zucchini barking.  He has an infatuation with eating the green vegetable lately and since the fence is up around the garden he is more frustrated than ever.  Ah the life of a dog.  

I think I am actually going to buck this rainy Sunday and venture out for a bit of  a Rocky moment.  Yes it's crazy, go for a run.  I mean really the rain will not wither me like the sunflowers and I can deal with a bit of a soggy road.  OK, reality is I might be back in 10 minutes but hey I gave it a try, right?

Day on top of a Landcruiser

What a day!!!  Some of the simple pleasures here in Kenya seem to make a day.    Today was the last for the Kansas State team and the plan was to visit the Masai to measure out the foundation for a school CTC is building when the second summer team arrives in early July.  The ride is a good hour south of Maai Mahiu toward Tanzania and the Masai Mara.  We were already overloaded with people, 10, in the SUV so it was time to jump on the roof rack.  Sorry Mom if your reading this :)  But what a treat.   The Mara where we were headed is filled with acacia trees, zebras, impalas and spring bucks.  The Masai are herdsmen so there are also constant herds of goat, sheep and cattle along our drive.  Often the boys herding are young, maybe 10-15 yrs.  What trust the elders have in these young men, since to a Masai a head of cattle is often more valuable than human life.  Here I am cruising along on the top of  a land cruiser through some of the most picturesque land I've ever seen.  Wind in my non hair and dust in my eyes actually made for a perfect Wednesday.   There was a point on the ride when a herd of zebra zoomed by due to the speed of the truck and I thought "Holy shit I'm in Africa and those are zebra".....  One of those out of body experiences through which Kenya living expresses itself.   Every so often we'd pass one of those young herds boys and they'd peer in the distance.  A look of amazement "Look at the crazy Mazungo (white man) on the TOP of a truck"....  To locals why would a Mazungo ever ride on the top when that is for those who have been pushed out do to lack of space.   And there I was throwing up a big wave and a smile.  The reaction was always the same..... A arm shot up with an excited wave back and an instant look of joy.  I guess  we really are  just the same in the end.  Happy to see each other even if one is herding and the other is being free.  Both free I guess.  The worst part of the trip was when I had to give up the ride due to police on the road who surely would have asked for a bribe as we were clearly breaking the law with a Mazungo on the roof.  Ah well to another day of Landcruiser surfing.

ShoSho's Shamba (Grandma's Garden)

Almost my the entire yesterday, Thurs., was spent at a plot of land in town donated to CTC by Paula Meyer.   CTC is using the area to build and maintain a demonstration garden.  As an organization we realize that our strength is in empowering members of the local community.   To accomplish this with the demonstration garden, CTC formed a group comprised of grandmothers (criteria: they had to be taking care of a disabled person and/or a person suffering from HIV/AIDS)

There are several objectives for this piece of land which measure apprx. 100'x50'.  The first goal is to  to increase the nutrition for the families of these Grandmothers (ShoShos).  Often, the individuals of a family are malnourished.  The second, is to teach the women, many of whom have never planted more that maize and beans, more productive and sustainable farming.   This week a group from Kansas State has been working with the ShoShos to implement a drip feed irigation system and composting process.  Lack of water is a serious problem in Maai Mahiu the drip feed system will water crops with minimal resource since it targets the plant individually, not over watering.   (A picture is included).   The final goal is to demonstrate to the local community more productive systems/processes for farming.   

One of the local volunteers, Rocky, (picture included with Herschel from Kansas State) manages the program for CTC and has done a wonderful job.   It's amazing to see how local community members step up to positions of leadership and drive projects with such maturity..    Without him this garden would not be possible.  He has various plans with the ShoShos to expand the drip feed system, implement a composting routine, build a shade/greenhouse area, introduce Grow Boxes and educate the ShoShos.  We hope to grow all the vegetables needed for daily family nutrition along with possibly growing money making plants such as flowers, seedlings and trees.  After watching the ShoShos in action, I am a believer.  They jumped right in the first day and cleared the land of debris in record time, jumped to plowing out an area for the first drip system and were extremely engaged in the eduction discussions.  When we were working the land and there was not enough equipment they worked diligienty with their hands without a fuss.   Digging and raking away without tools....

Saturday is the local Maai Mahiu celebration of World Environment Day.  The plan is to hold workshops where the K State team, Rocky and the ShoShos will demonstrate the drip irrigation system, proper organic composting and plant additional seedlings.  The plan is then to grow the garden and reap the rewards......ShoSho Shamba (Grandma's Garden).

Good Shepherd Children's Home

This post is a day late, sorry.  I was waiting for pictures to update the blog.  Yesterday, Saturday, was spent in Maai Mahiu and a significant time at the Good Shepherd Children's Home (Orphanage).  The home is in a horrible state and has been forgotten by both the govn't and outside aid.  There are 18 children who call the home home with one adult, Jane as the care taker.  To describe Jane is a saint is an understatement.  It amazes me still how local Kenyans step up and burden massive loads for the community.  She has independently taken on the cause, as she puts it "I have been called to serve and protect these children".  She's the farmer, Mom, school teacher and all around provider for a band of beautiful young ones.  Many were street children before coming to the home and others are simply orphans.   As bad as the conditions are currently there is actually a waiting list for children, but she simply does not have any more room nor funds.  So those children sleep on the streets of Maai Mahiu and every day come for food.  I included a picture of where all the 18 children sleep.  There are not enough beds for everyone so they simply pile next to one another.   Before CTC, the children were sleeping on old foam mattresses with no covers.  

Jane runs a few classrooms at the home.  Simply because the orphans cannot afford regular school with uniforms and fees.  There are no supplies what so ever so Jane uses wheat sacks as wall hangings.  She writes on them the alphabets, pictures and lessons.  Those attending the school are broken down into 18 children of 3-6 yrs, 4 children of 7-10 yrs. and 6 children from 10-12 yrs.   In addition to no funding the children are malnourished.  I have included a picture of the daily meal for the children.  Many look younger than they actually are due to poor nutrition.  There is no water source available so they use rain run-off.  They simply cannot afford to purchase water which is the main source for most of Maai Mahiu residents.  The toilet that all children use daily is nearly to the top.  I don't have a picture of the drop toilet but when I looked in the hole it was maybe 3 feet from the top.  The holes are generally dug 40ft. so you can imagine.  A new toilet needs to be dug ASAP.

The Plan:  This orphanage is in dire need and is an urgent CTC project.  But it's a new project and we are currently researching various ways to fund (it's not in CTC budget currently) and properly improve facilities.  First, we need to create an assessment of how much the orphanage will cost to run.  Right now, it costs Jane $110 a month for rent and food (of which it's not adequate).  We need to get an exact figure to properly fun this facility.   Also, a team of professors from Kansas State Univ. will be at the home this week.  Their expertise is agriculture and nutrition.  The plan is for them to analyse the productivity and recommend improvements for the 1 acre  plot to grow food. We need to make Good Shepherd more self-sufficient.  This group also has nutritionists who will work to recommend a proper "local"diet so that the children are adequately fed.  Lastly , we need to look at the costs of improving the toilet, living quarters, food preparation area etc.

Alison and I will be running these efforts over the next few months.  For now the funds come out of our pockets.   If any of you are interested in getting involved with this project please let me know.  CTC simply cannot do this on our own and we need your contributions.   Any assistance directly goes to help these children.  We need all the help we can get :)

I miss you all and thanks for taking the time to stay in touch.......