Adventures In Kenya With A Purpose

A conclusions of sorts

2007-01-08T21:17:00.000+03:00

It's over a month since I've last blogged and so much has happened. I guess i'll start with my time in Kenya has come to an end. As I write this i have homework piling up in my University studies. Not that i'm complaining. I've come to the conclusion that the life of a student is pretty good. I never thought i'd miss being in the scholarly setting. On a few occasions in Kenya i'd be interviewing someone who had the teaching qualifications of a professor and i remember thinking this is sweet. Haa. Perhaps it's those people who can effectively communication ideas and thoughts that i find myself drawn to.
Although i'm back in cold, snowy Edmonton my mind is often in Kenya. I'm not sure how to explain that. I feel like i understand things differently now. No better or worse then before but just differently. I did end up finishing my report which ended up being pretty long. All it needs is some editing. Although i'll probably still not be satisfied with it. Will i ever be I wonder? Probably not.
I hate the end of things. I peter out. And of course i always regret how i end things. I'm not one to end on very strong notes. My strength is at the beginning of a project. I hate endings.
My internship may have ended in Kenya but I still have work to do. A. Presentation for my school community. Eek. The list doesn't end there but i'll spare you the details.

There is so much to say about the last month. It was filled with some of the most enjoyable experiences ever. In hindsight i wish i wrote every day for you.
In conclusion i can honestly say there is no real conclusion. It's more of a beginning blog to something else. I thank you for following me in this whirlwind of an adventure. This space has rewarded me with a community of people that have given me so much support and encouragement. I hope one day i will have the opportunity to meet with you over a cup of chai mixed with good conversation. Asante sana!

The confessions of a Procrastinator

2006-12-01T07:34:00.000+03:00

Oh, sigh. It's been over a week since i last blogged. I confess it is the procrastination in me. I feel like i should be writing something exciting, something with a 'wow' factor. I'm sorry to disappoint you but i've been stuck with my research notes and my word processor. Don't be fooled that doesn't mean i've written the paper. I'd like to say that i've been writing a beautiful, flowing paper full of insight. But that would be a lie. As it stands the most important part of my paper has yet to be written. Fear can drive someone to do something but it can also drive them away from doing something. I've been prolonging the huge effort needed to write the meat of this paper. My audience is not just one professor. Oh how badly i wish it was. This is the part of my internship that i could just skip over with a flying leap and not look back. Well i must go. I'm heading into Nairobi to renew my visa. I'm late so let's hope they don't lock me up or kick me out of the country!

A week of conversations

2006-11-19T16:37:00.000+03:00

Well I’m not sure where to begin because I’ve had one super sweet week. It was a much needed restful adventure. I had a wonderous week in Tanzania spending time with a very good friend. The first four day’s were spent on Safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. I’d go into detail about that but my beautiful friend Lindsay did a good job of that so you can check out the details on her blog. (click on her name)
I will say this though. It was a superior safari in that I saw everything except for a rhino. Whatever visual image you have in your head about a safari is probably somewhat true. I felt like I was in the movies. In the sense that here I had some African guides cooking and driving us around to see animals. It’s like going to a resort and all the people on the beach are white. I also kinda felt like I was walking in the foot steps of a National Geographic magazine. When I get home I’m going to see if I can find a National geographic magazine on the Serengeti, etc. For me it was truly awesome to see so many animals in their NATURAL state. I had a hard time prying the binoculars from my face and taking pictures. But I think in addition to that was the landscape. So plain yet so grand and rich.
Being students and all we chose the “cheaper” and more idealistic safari, camping. It felt more safariish. (don’t think that’s a word) At the different campsites we were literally NOT allowed to venture off. Truly! There could be lion around the corner. At the one site walking to my tent I saw a hyena and an elephant. Oh and there were Zebra’s super close to our tents. A little different from raccoons. Haa. Ok enough safari talk. I’m probably missing a lot of information so if you have any questions just ask ok.

The other two day’s in Tanzania was spent on a food security tour of sorts. Basically a few people, CRWRC field officers and partners from Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania were touring different agricultural projects. Such as examples of improved agricultural techniques, food storage, water dams, etc. Those two day’s were enlightening for a few reasons. One we were able to visit different rural communities. The one day we did a two hour walk through their fields. Although it was long and most of us were sunburned it was very refreshing. Why are those who have very little are those who are so generous? During those two day’s I enjoyed numerous conversations with some of the people from Zambia and Malawi. For me it was like a field course ranging from topics such as community development, environmental issues, Biblical thought, social justice issues, etc. Hmm.

Needless to say it was a week of conversations taking me all the way back to my temporary home in Limuru. I’ve posted a few pictures on flickr for your enjoyment. Not near as many as I should be. It’s hard to choose out of a thousand or so pictures what to post. Plus my pictures never do justice. That's all for today. The next three weeks will be spent submerged in paper writing so i apologize if i don't blog a lot. Hope you all have a great week!

2006-11-09T13:12:00.000+03:00

I've been holding onto this blog, unsure if i want to post it. I think partly because i don't understand it all and it lacks organization and literary flow. But I must post what was written for you.

Of course the words have to come to me when I’m away from the comfort of my laptop. Perhaps that will formulate a more heart to heart blog. I've been thinking. I apologize if my words offend. Although offending someone is not always a bad thing. I don't want to generalize, merely comment on a statement I’ve heard before and I fear can unknowingly creep into our understanding of Africa. I will confess it has once influenced some of my thoughts and for that I beg forgiveness. I have heard it said Africa is a lost cause. I want those words to sink in. Absorb them. Do they sound familiar?

We hear the statistics of AIDS, death, poverty, etc. And really believe them because they are true. In that context I can understand how one would feel Africa is a lost cause. So much pain and suffering! I can't speak of all of Africa because Africa is a diverse continent. I can only speak of what I have seen and even then I don't understand it all. It's not like living from one pay check to the next. It's like living from one meal to the next, from one rain fall to the next, watching your family die, doing the same thing day in day out for little pay or acknowledgement. That's life! And I barely touched on the whole picture. I merely gave you a starting point.

As an environmental researcher I am here to observe and write what i see. I'm not here to teach, to change anyone, to even really alleviate any poverty. I am here to merely observe and record. A researcher has to be very careful of biases. We must save our opinions and report other people's opinions. I like observing. It allows me to learn from others and get credit for it. It's relaxing for the most part because I get to sit back and watch and learn. Well this is what I’ve learned. Africa is far from being a lost cause.

I'm not going to lie but there is a huge battle taking place in this country. But you know what! There's a war raging through our country. Are we a lost cause? Stop think about that. The most natural answer that comes to mind is no, we are one of the most desired countries to live in for many reasons, economically, socially, security wise, you fill in the blanks. Does that make us better than them? What I am trying to say is before we write off another country we need to take a hard look at the dark spots in our country.

You know what i like about Kenya? (I suspect this exists through out Africa) I love the collectiveness! I yearn for this. It's about belonging. Individualism eats away at the human fabric of society. Kenya has color, diversity, acceptance, love. I've felt love from total strangers. They don't know me, I don't know them and yet they physically open their arms to me. I feel we can learn so much from Africa. She can be our teacher if we allow ourselves to be the pupil. It's hard to allow ourselves to be a pupil when we think we know the answers already. Kenya is really a rich country, but not in the ways our western minds think. There's so much history, culture and traditional knowledge here. Who am I to preach and teach to them? I came here to be an observer and I have become a wide eyed child hungry for more.

You know I’m so thankful for this blog because it is an outlet for my opinions and biases that I have been so careful not to include in my research. I’ve thoroughly appreciated all the comments my online community has been giving. It has been very encouraging and it spurs me on. Blessings to you my friend!

2006-11-07T10:14:00.000+03:00

I have SO MUCH to do but i just can't help myself. I miss talking with my online community. (that's you) I have completed the data collecting part of my internship. Although I'm sure survey responses will continue to trickle in. So it's time to hibernate and write. Analyze data, make notes and write. The scariest time for me. It's really when the rubber hit's the road so to speak time.

I've been out of town for the last few day's and will be leaving again for a week. It's a combination of work and play trips. I'm not really sure where to start because so many things have happened.

1st Trip - On Thursday (nov.2) I took a bus to Voi (about 4-6 hours, can't quite remember exactly) to meet up with two very passionate and active men. They have educated me in a number of different ways and for that i'm very grateful. I plan to write a case study on their work. I also was able to meet another man who has affiliated with the Care of Creation. He too had a lot to share with me. I feel i have seen a lot in so little time. Very overwelming. But in a good way. I just hope i don't forget and that i write an adequate report.
Left Voi for Mombasa (the coast). That was one hot Matatu ride. And of course being squished in your sweat mixes with the next person's beside you. Oh by the way have i told you how bumpy the roads are here? Potholes are normal and are expected. In fact i don't even think they are called potholes. Haa. Spent a day and a half at a resort. I feel almost ashamed to admit that. It was hard to enjoy because i couldn't really justify it. I felt truly guilty. Plus it doesn't feel right to be at a resort by yourself. It was almost weird to not be the only white person. Anyhow enough of that.

2nd Trip - Leaving on Friday for Tanzania. Meeting up with a close friend for a Safari and participating in a two day exursion on food security. I'm sure I will have lot's to say after that.

I have a few random things to say. Moments to remember I guess.

1. In one of the community's we visited on Friday there was an old church that was becoming a museum. Here in a community that had no electricty or running water was a church over 100 years old. There was a feeling of reverance and awe being in this old structure. The simplicity of the design gave me a feeling of sacredness. I wish you all could have been there with me and in a way you were! Standing at the pulpit i looked out and could imagine a century of believers coming together to worship their God. This community sat high up in the mountains so looking out the open doors was a truly magnificant sight. A truly awe inspiring moment.

2. We visited a few different families in one community. The children were involved in a program where they took tree seedlings home to plant. (amoung other things) These are children who are either orphans or have lost one parent. (most likely to AIDS) It was there that i realized i will never understand deep poverty. How can i even comprend it? Seeing it definitly exposes me to poverty but really understanding it is something i think i will never know. It was special to see what some people are doing for others who are poverty stricken. Hope exists in leaps and bounds!

Well my friends i know this blog really doesn't cover it all and for that i apologize. I didn't take NEAR enough pictures. Yikes. I will try to post someone ASAP. I am almost down to one month left in this beautiful country. Can you believe it! I'm fighting time now. My plate overfloweth, both in work and in blessings. (i guess work is a blessing too in a way)

In the quiet and hectic moments of your day I ask that you pray for peace in the hearts of all mankind and for the land. Lately in the news there has been a lot said about Saddam Hussein. And somehow despite the crimes against him i feel a broken spirit. Free will is not something to take lightly. I don't want to end on a dark and depressing note. So i will end with a beautiful poem sent to me by my dear sister! Enjoy!

The Slip by Wendell Berry

The river takes the land, and leaves nothing.
Where the great slip gave way in the bank
and an acre disappeared, all human plans
dissolve. An awful clarification occurs
where a place was. Its memory breaks
from what is known now, begins to drift.
Where cattle grazed and trees stood, emptiness
widens the air for birdflight, wind, and rain.
As before the beginning, nothing is there.
Human wrong is in the cause, human
ruin in the effect--but no matter;
all will be lost, no matter the reason.
Nothing, having arrived, will stay.
The earth, even, is like a flower, so soon
passeth it away. And yet this nothing
is the seed of all--the clear eye
of Heaven, where all the worlds appear.
Where the imperfect has departed, the perfect
begins its struggle to return. The good gift
begins again its descent. The maker moves
in the unmade, stirring the water until
it clouds, dark beneath the surface,
stirring and darkening the soul until pain
perceives new possibility. There is nothing
to do but learn and wait, return to work
on what remains. Seed will sprout in the scar.
Though death is in the healing, it will heal.

In the midst of pain and suffering...

2006-10-27T17:41:00.000+03:00

My apologies for all those who are looking for a refreshing, uplifting blog, because this is not one of those.
I have an image stuck in my head and it feels best to write about it to release some of it's power over me. Today Tracy and i were in Nairobi doing some grocery shopping and as we were driving I could see up a head a man literally beating a woman with a baby on her back. I've seen people fight before but never where a man is punching a woman in the face. Let alone a woman with a baby on her back. I'm not sure what the argument was, nor do i want to know. Luckily other's came to her aid, so we continued on our way.

It seems such a small insiginifcant thing but yet i find myself thinking about it. A few day's ago a group of 8 muslim woman were gang raped all night long. It got a lot of media attention. And when i say gang raped i don't mean a gang in the sense that we think. It's merely a group of men. Can you even imagine the grief, shame and terror?! Now some of those unmarried women believe they can never marry. (because they are muslim) There are many stories here of abuse, neglect, rape, etc. The words fail me.

How desperate this world is in need of grace. Where do we find ourselves in this picture? Life here certainly puts things in perspective.

Meet Winnie,

2006-10-26T17:27:00.000+03:00

Winnie has been working in Care of Creation Kenya’s nursery for two years. Her official title is ‘Nursery Manager.’ Originally she was working in the Environment Department here but when Care of Creation Kenya began they wanted someone who knew about trees. And let me tell you they found the perfect person for the job. I say this out of bias but also she is highly qualified for many reasons. For one, botany is her passion. As a young child she remembers being instilled with creational values. Her father worked in a similar field so naturally Winnie’s love for the Creation has been internalized. Having been brought up in a Christian home she was taught all things are apart of Creation and therefore we must revere it because it all belongs to God of the Creator. In addition her Granny showed her the traditional uses of different herbs. Her supervisor Frances Githaiga speaks very highly of her saying, “She is a hard working, self-driven woman and is of great value to the organization! We often rely on her for plant identification and knowledge of the plant’s uses. She is an avid reader who excels in her field better than many, many others.”
Today Winnie juggles a full time job in the nursery, being a mother and a wife. She has four children ranging from age 2 – 14. Even though this is often very exhausting and overwhelming she carry’s her head high without complaint and with contentedness. She mentions it can sometimes be a challenge as an African woman working as a manager overseeing a handful of staff both female and male. Despite the financial difficulties of working on a very meager salary she carries her burdens gracefully. She can be heard saying, “Her strength is built upon the rock and foundation of Christ.”
Winnie dreams one day of taking a degree in Botany. Growing up her parents could not support her dreams as she had other siblings who had needs also. She remembers at times being sent home for school because she couldn’t pay her school fees. She recalls those day’s to be devastating times. But she still believes in her heart that one day God will help her see her dream through. She say’s you are never too old to go to school. “Where I am is because of God’s leading.” Say’s Winnie. “It is never to late to aspire to my dreams.”
Her words to the world are this. In a world where there is so much pollution causing ozone depletion, global warming, etc, every other person should take seriously. If you care about the air and about future generations you should nurture trees and be environmentally conscious.

Winnie is a kindred spirit who has opened her heart to me. She has welcomed me with open arms. And yet she is reserved and has such humility. I also see her as a courageous, warrior woman. She fights her battles wearing the armor of God. I truly feel drawn to her. May her dreams come true! I think I will write to Opra!

The real Kenya

2006-10-25T12:12:00.000+03:00

I promised a follow-up. It feels like ages ago since last weekend. Back it up.
Here’s some back ground information for you.
Friday – Francis and I had an interview with Rev. Josephat Gakuya in Nyahuuru?. He attended one of the conferences held by Brackenhurst. So basically I wanted to know what kind of impact the conference had on him. The truth of the matter is there was physical evidence of an impact. For one he took us to a number of tree nurseries started as a result of his preaching. Within his own farm he had planted trees prior to the conference and trees post conference. The trees planted before were planted incorrectly. The post conference trees had significant growth that surpassed those that had been planted earlier. That was encouraging to see. He took us on a wonderful drive past areas that were once rich with forests and animals. Now trees can be sparsely seen. That evening I was able to meet his supervisor of sorts, the Bishop of that area. I instantly felt his wisdom, insight. I can’t really explain it. Looking into his eyes, hearing him speak and not speak showed me a man who has seen and know more than what he’s letting on.

I don’t want to make this a blog that goes on and on so I will be short.
- Stayed the night.
- The next morning traveled to Nheeri?. From there took another matatu to Karatina (Frances home village)
- Finally the real Kenya! It was a moment to savor. It rained. Rain is wonderful but with it comes transportation struggles. The dirt road out to Karatina was a 4x4ing dream! It almost felt like driving in deep snow! I had a perma smile none the less. Took off my sandals and walked bare feet for the rest of the day. Got called a lot of laughs and some interesting comments. “See white man can walk without sandals!”
- As Frances explained to me, guests are whole heartedly welcomed! I felt like the queen walking through Karatina and out to his farm. It was a robust hike down to the farm. (so you can imagine the hike back up!) We hadn’t had lunch so when we got there Frances mom served us a wonderful Kenyan meal! Words cannot express the wondrous feeling or the beauty of stepping off the beaten track.
- Frances mom is about 80 years old. She stills works in the fields. (corn, coffee, bananas, beans) She also makes the hike down to the river/stream to haul her own water back up to her home. Amazing. Life takes a whole different meaning. A shelter over their heads is a small two room buildings. (the cottage I live in seems huge compared to that) All are welcome (including chickens.) Frances mom cooks over an open pit fire. I can’t imagine the fumes she ingests on a daily basis. Their material wealth is very basic and simple. (ok so almost nonexistent.) Lovely people.
I came away feeling almost ashamed. How is one suppose to feel, think, act after being exposed to that? And still I lust after material wealth. I feel torn in between two worlds.

Attended a two day women’s conference.
Black women have such grace. I am touched by their openness and their ability to have no shame! In a group of 80 or so women all predominantly black I feel accepted and loved. I was even given a prize for my good narrating job! As I lay basking in the sunlight with the other women I was acknowledged and brought into their circles. Even though I can’t understand fluent Swahili they make sure someone translates. Oh how they laugh! Yes it is sometimes over exaggerated but that just makes one laugh even harder until they literally fall over onto one another and the ground. Their hearts are big and their hands work hard. My people we could learn so much from these women.
- Witnessed women falling over from the Holy Spirit. Not sure what I think about that. Shocked the pants off of me. I was worried they would have a concussion from hitting their heads on the ground. I felt like a wide eyed child.

Enough blogging. Sorry this is so long but so much has happened.

Words are not enough...

2006-10-21T21:22:00.000+03:00

It's late so this blog will only serve as an introduction. I had my first over nighter. Wonderous!
You know what i love about Kenya??
- I love it when i'm squished in a matatu linking arms with a total stranger and feeling totaly at home with it! (I've discovered there are different kinds of matatu's.)
- I love shaking hands with total strangers and laughing with them as if we've known each other forever.
- The hospitality of Kenyan people.
- Chai. It's offered in every home you are invited in. (to say no would be rude, but there's no need chai here is mostly milk, tea leaves and a bit of water. So good.)
- The rain. Oh the sweet rain.
- The feeling of beautiful, red mud squishing between your toes. (what a wonderous adventure. explain later)

Ok so i love a lot of things. This list could go on but i'm exhausted. Francis and had a trip that won't be forgotten. It took us hours of riding on many a matatu, getting stuck in a traffic jam (being white sometimes can help in situations like that!), eating passion fruit (can you believe it was my first time!), doing many interviews, drinking chai with the ACK Bishop, walking bare feet in the mud (it rained. Also i guess it's quite a shock for kenyan's to see a white person walking barefeet.) and visiting with Francis's mom and brother. So much more to say. Stay tuned for more.

A Quatable Day

2006-10-19T16:44:00.000+03:00

I want to share with you my day but i feel it would not do justice to it. I met with three different people all who shared some invaluable information with me on the environment, Care of Creation Kenya (don't want to abbreviate that one) and their vision for their country. Such passion! Ok so i'm struggling to put words into sentences and sentences into unified paragraphs, so as one of my prof's say's bullet it!

Thoughts/Conversations/Ideas/Questions/

Sudan meaning land of the black people.
But it's run by Arabs.
Huge conflict between the Africans and the Arabs
Pushing Arabs out. (along with Islam)
Africans (mostly Christian)
Did you know Christianity was in Africa before Europe?
Big challenge: We have the gospel of salvation but not a kingdom living.
It's like, "Trying to get to heaven through the back door."
Did you know about over the last 100 years money was introduced in Kenya? (Thanks to the British the concept of money is all too real here.)
New age environmentalism has really confused people. In the sense that the Church separates itself from environmentalism because it carry's the connotations of being a secular thing. "Mother Earth idea." (does this make sense, maybe this is changing??) Perhaps that's why the Church of North America is a sleeping giant on an environmental crisis that is gaining momentum in the hearts of the people and across the land.
Work became before the Fall. (interesting. Never thought of that. We all think work is a result of sin. )
Book to look into: "Rich Christians In an Age of Hunger." By Ronald J. Sider
Why do us North Americans think our way is the better way?
Holistic living or Wholistic living. What's the difference? Is there one?
Sometimes i feel like 'white' people are so good at screwing others up real good. Eg. Native Americans - loss of culture, identity. Africans - poverty, loss of culture, loss of all of things i can't even begin to list. What do we replace all these losses with? Superficial lifestyles, huge environmental crisis, fragmented, individualistic societies, ect. (care to add to the list??)

I can't seem to make any sense of the things going through my mind. My dear friends, family, community of people as you continue in your daily lives i pray that you live with an open mind. The world is not always as it seems. What may be normal to you is not normal to many others. What you think is right maybe so wrong. I'm beginning to dissect my thoughts. Why do i think the way i do? Well that's all for now.

"If the mind of a campesino (peasant) is a desert, his farm will look like a desert." Flores & Sanchez

Lunch Time

2006-10-18T13:08:00.000+03:00

White food - Ugali (Tastes very plain, it's a mixture of maize(corn) flour and water. It's sorta like rice that has stuck together.)

Green food - Sukuma Wiki (mainly cooked kale, onions. It has a bitter taste to it. Follow it up with ugali and it's good.)

Red/Orangish/Yellowish food - Cabbage (I'm not sure what's all in it but it has a good savory flaour to it. )

Cost$ - 30 ksh. (approx. 50 cents)

Passing through a meat market...

2006-10-18T10:01:00.000+03:00

Yesterday I had an opportunity to pass through a meat market. (not the kinda we think of in Canada if you know what i mean)
I still feel uncomfortable to take pics so Pastor George said he would take them for me. But alas i came out with a lot of blurry pictures. And everyone thought i was paying him to take pics. So i should have just got the nerve to do it myself.
We also stopped for a snack. (pineapple and bananas)

A little picture of paradise.

2006-10-17T20:18:00.000+03:00

Call me crazy but riding in a matatu is really starting to grow on me. I especially like sitting in the very front beside the driver because it's like being on a roller coaster. You're scooting around traffic, pedestrians like no tomorrow. Here pedestrians do NOT have the right away! Honking is normal and expected! It means several things.
- Get out of my way!
- Here i am do you want a ride?
- What are you thinking? Look before you pull out!
- It's my turn!
- Watch out!
- Watch out, here i come!

So Frances and i had another day in Nairobi. On our way to our first interview there was a wonderful sprinkling of rain. So we jumped over puddles and dashed across wet roads. It was a glorious feeling.

I met with a woman from the Green Belt Movement. It was a wonderful time of sharing! Have you ever heard of Prof. Wangari Muta Maathai? She's a prominent Kenyan woman who won a Nobel Peace Prize for her "contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace," in Kenya. Anyhow i thought i'd add that in because Prof. Wangari is heavily associated with the Green Belt Movement. (That's really an understatement)

So during our travels today we walked through a meat market. Needless to say i lost my appetite after walking through there. Huge sides of beef hanging for all the flies to feast on. I once heard someone say, "if there are no flies buzzing around the meat, that's a good sign you don't want it either." As we walked through i saw dead animals every which way i looked including a decaying rat in a gutter. And i felt my skin glowing because it seemed like everyone was staring at me. If i said Habari the old ladies laughed. Do i say it wrong I wonder? One person wanted to shake my hand. I've never felt my skin color so much as i did then.

One last story. This blog is far too lengthy as it is. Bless those who have read this far.
On the ride home and i'm having a conversation with the matatu driver via Frances.
We talk about Kenya and if i like it here, etc. I ask if he likes his country. He say's he would love to go to North America, the paradise land. I say it's not all paradise. I talk about poverty, violence, other social problems that plague our country. He's surprised! I think his idea of paradise is maimed. oops.. It's like telling a kid Santa Claus is not real. This is where i smile and look out at the rolling hills and flowering trees. If only he knew paradise surrounds him.

2006-10-16T20:03:00.000+03:00

This is Frances in his office!

An Introduction

2006-10-13T14:50:00.000+03:00

Hi, meet Francis Githaigah. He has six children, 2 sons, 4 daughters ranging from 3 years old to 22. He and his wife live in Limuru, Kenya. Francis has been working at Care of Creation Kenya since 2003. His formal title here at Care of Creation Kenya is Programs Manager. His duties include:
- Develop schedules
- Plan for the year
- Write proposals
- Interact with other organizations
- Develop parternships
- Know plant species so that he may educate others
- Interact with people from all sorts of different walks of life
- Raise interest in Care of Creation Kenya for conferences, workshops, etc.
- Work on the program
- Assessment of needs for a community
- And the list really does go on and on

His interests are to see the eradication of hunger and poverty. During his childhood day's the country side was very rich. He reminces about looking out his window and seeing wildlife like leopoards, swimming in the local river and playing in the idgenious forests. Today so much of this is gone or does not exist in this area anymore. He grieves over how the land is becoming weaker and weaker. Productivity is going down. This has serious reprocussions on his family that live in his home village. In fact as a result he shares his salary with his family.

His position with Care of Creation Kenya say's Francis is not about a job but a calling. Previously he worked for 13 yrs as a Chemist in the research and development division for the Bata shoe company. After that he began his own family business. Today his passion is to bring a Biblical environmental response a nation in povery and hunger.

He would like all those who read this blog to know and believe that the environment is an issue that is not only for activists, but for everyone! That includes you! Whether you work in an office or are a farmer, you must concern yourselves with environmental issues. It effects everyone. "Please give your support where ever you can to the environment. Support those in Africa. Channel your resources into environmental issues to solve issues of world poverty and hunger!"

Francis is my link to Kenya. He strongly supports me in my work. Both translating for me and making numerous phone calls that i would not be as able to make. He is my guide in down town Nairobi. He is also a wealth of knowledge that i am so blessed to tap into. He know's the culture, the people and the country. His words ring of truth and serve as the greater voice for his people. In his words, "Be blessed."

(look for a picture in coming days)

a few survey reply's to remember

2006-10-12T15:21:00.000+03:00

As i posted earlier a lot of the work that i am doing is collecting data. I've been doing that in multiple ways. E-mailing/mailing out survey's has taken up a lot of my time. My survey contains two main questions.

1) At the conference you signed a pledge and commitment to action in response to what you learned at the conference. I would be very pleased if you could share with me what action you may have taken so far. Are there any plans you have in place for future activities? If so, what are they?

2) How did the conference impact your attitude and views about the environment, and how did it change your understanding of the responsibility we have to care for God’s creation?

So really there is more than one question but they are hidden in there.

So far i have received 50 reply's. Each one varies. Some are better than others. It's been exciting to receive responses. Some are more memorable than others. I'd like to post one that was kinda cool. As a 'researcher' I probably shouldn't do that. But i will omit the name and hopefully that will be ok. I just really want to share some of the excitement that goes with this position! I haven't changed any of the words so that it may stay as original as when i received it! Happy reading!

One of the out standing things we did was to rehabilitate and protect a nature spring which was over used and mismanaged.
When we first sighted it the livestock were drinking manure tea like water and never quash their thirst. So the camels were coming for watering every 2 to 3 days. That is usual for camels.

We removed the manure which blocked the water source, cleared the area of 100s tons of the manure. Fenced the area about 1 hectare with chain links. Made water trough for livestock a way from the sources.

Wonderful result. The camels now take clean water and watering takes about 10 to 12 days. The fenced area has recovered supporting plants and wildlife which were not there before or seen to be there before.
It is becoming a green forest in the centre of desert. Many plants and birds species now found there enjoying nature in its fullness. If the people enjoy sitting there and water breeze, birds songs adds value to the beatifullness of the nature restore.
How wonderful is God’s creation?
The conference has changed my thinking and perception on how look and consider things of nature and God creation and its importance in our lives. I now understand live as no meaning without fullness of God’s creation in full harmony.

2006-10-11T14:41:00.000+03:00

I didn't get a chance to go into this church but it was definitly beautiful from the outside. The tea fields are something else. So green! Tea labours make about 3-5 ksh's for every kg of tea they pick. That's not a lot. 70 ksk is about $1 CAN.

2006-10-11T13:30:00.000+03:00

MOre pictures for your enjoyment!

A Sunday Afternoon Planting Trees

2006-10-11T12:23:00.000+03:00

Sorry I don't know the names of everyone. Except of the man with the black pants and white shirt. His name is Martin Mwangi. The reason i know that is because he was telling me about his children that are in school in the US. Also he gave me his buisness card. (he specializes in Kenyan Art)

Tree Planting

2006-10-07T15:38:00.000+03:00

One might question how this relatest to my work here. Well let me tell you something.
Deforestation remains to be a leading factor in the environmental crisis here in Kenaya. Unlike in Canada tree planting is not actively done here. In fact here's a little statistic for you all. "Forests cover about 22% of the region, but they are dissappearing faster than anywhere else in the developing world. During the 1980's Africa lost 10.5% of its forests." That's a pretty staggering peice of data. And when one goes out and chops a tree down chances are they are not replanting another one.
Did you know Canada has roughly over 900 idgenous trees! That's pretty incredible if you think about it.
Linked to trees is rain. Here's a little proverb that really say's it all. "Without trees there is no rain. Without rain there is no water. Without water our crops die, and without crops we die."

So that's why planting trees in Kenya is so vital.. And you know what! The timing is so right! Drought is on the rise in East Africa. I can see it when i drive. Maize (corn) plots produce very little. Water is a scarce resource in Kenya.

I think in the future we will see water becoming a widly sought after resource. I say Canada watch out, our big brother is going to come a lookin'! Don't believe me well do a simple search on google. The statistics are there. The Ogalla aquifer which really waters the bread basket for the US is being depleted at a super fast rate. It get's you thinking. What's going on here? What kind of picture are we painting for future generations?

Anyhow tree planting in Kenya is important. Whenever Craig and Frances give a presentation they always ask, "Why is it that God had a tree in the centre of the garden of Eden?" Or that the 'tree' is used as a symbol of life? Things to think about and ponder.

P.S I posted a few tree planting pics on flickr.

2006-10-05T21:57:00.000+03:00

I feel i have done a disservice by not blogging as frequently as i once thought i would. In this moment my mind is going 100 miles an hour. Ahh.. So much to say. Yet my fingers won't type fast enough. My sentances will lack cohesion. So what follows will be a series of odd ramblings. Ramblings of a mind that is out of sorts.
- I just finised licking about 35 envelopes. On each envelope was three stamps. In each envelope was another envelope with 3 stamps and a letter/survey. And now i've just said envelope too many times. Kenya doesn't have adhesive stamps. You do the math..
- My head has been staring at this computer way to long. I feel like i'm going bug eyed. Whatever that means.
- I've been concentrating on this database of contacts. Organzing a book of pledges. You know how in the dutch world there are so many people with last names that start with V. Well in the Kenyan world so many people have last names that start with M, N and K. Ndegwa, Mwaura, Kuraki, Kithara etc. And can you tell me what is the first name here Diba Waqo?
- I have at least 10 messages in my mail box from people responding to my survey about Care of Creation Kenya. Some are a paragraph, some are a page and the rest really fall in between. Some are beautifully written. Most of them are written in broken english which oddly enough make them real and beautiful. I can't explain it. Perhaps i will post an example.
- I'm falling hopelessly in love. In love with what it means to be a Christian passionate about being a steward of Creation.
- I feel like i'm on a journey. A journey of understanding. Understanding so much of everything. I 'm not sure how to explain that.
- I haven't mentioned a lot about work and what that all entails. I will try to fill in some of the blanks.
- Care of Creation Kenya is made up of a number of wonderful people. Craig, Tracy, Francis and Patrick. I will try to introduce you to them in the coming day's, weeks, months.

That feels better, I think i can sleep now. This weekend i have another interview and we are planting trees! Wonderful! Until later.

"Never lose an opportunity for seeing something that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of His blessing." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Chai Time

2006-10-02T10:40:00.000+03:00

Every day between 10 and 11 it is Chai Time here at Brackenhurst. Chai is tea but it's not the same as in Canada. It's a mixture of milk, tea and perhaps some water i'm not 100% sure. Anyhow and there is always a pastry of the day too!
So yes i always bank on that.

Ok some pictures for you people. Sunday Craig and Tracy (my supervisor and his wife, they are the two people on the left of the picture) invited me to come to church with them in Nairobi and for lunch. Last week it was Craig's birthday and this is one of his favorite restaurants. The woman on the right is his mother. The boy sitting beside me is Aaron (3) and the other boy is Nathan (5). They can be quite the handful sometimes.

So yes a wonderful day.

The other picture. Ok well that is an interesting story. So Saturday night and i'm of course at home reading a book. There's really not much else to do here. So i get a knock at the door and here's these 4 girls standing there. I haven't the slightest clue why they are there or what they wanted. So i said hi and asked them who they were. Between broken english they asked to come in. I changed the topic and then they asked again if they could come in. Well i didn't want to be rude so i said sure. So they came in and sat on my couch asking if i had pictures and a camera. So at first i showed them pictures of my family, etc. They thought you guy's were all so beautiful! Then they asked again if i had a camera. So i got it and took a picture of them. They wanted me to give them the picture but it's not like i could do that. So anyhow it turns out they were at Brackenhurst for a conference about health, environment and education. We started talking about religion. They were Islamic so i asked them a few questions about what they believe. They wanted to know about Christianity too. So we had a little discussion about the two religions. Then they asked for money. Well i kind of figured they would ask that eventually. I explained that i give money at church and that's my way of helping people. I don't think they really understood that. Needless to say they did leave. Afterwards i thought perhaps they were trying to case the place out but they were young girls 14 and 16. I still don't know what brought them to my door, that will be a mystery to me.

A Matatu is....

2006-09-30T13:49:00.000+03:00

Haa.. A Matatu.. Sounded like mat. tat. tu. Put it altogether and you have matatu. :) Ok well it's a van that has about 13-15 rickety seats in it that are welded in. Seat belts are a joke. They have a sliding door that you would think is going to fall all. But it doesen't! There's a conductor of sorts that is always opening the door, hanging out the window calling people, collecting your money. They always wear a red vest/jacket. I'm going to get a picture before it's all over. And they try to pack as many people possible into a matatu. Defninitly not enough leg room. A mixture of exaust and body odor. I had to laugh the other day. The driver had the radio on and the tunes cranked. Good 'ole North American music. So yes these matatu's are suppose to have speed governors but i think they take those out cause we are just a crusin'. I don't mind taking a matatu but since i'm white they like to charge more. But i know how much i should be paying so we will see what happens next time. Cheers!

Still alive and kicking....

2006-09-28T08:14:00.000+03:00

It's almost been a week since i've last blogged. My apologies. I'm starting to fall into a routine here. My work load is also increasing. Which means i need to focus myself and get to it. I sent out over 200 surveys via email at the beginning of the week. They are slowly coming back to me. Not fast enough. Yesterday I went to Nairobi for the day with Frances. That was a good day. I had not yet been to the heart of Nairobi. I've never felt so white in my life!
We took a matatu to Nairobi and then walked to where we needed to go. So different then downtown Edmonton or Vancouver for that matter. Frances was a great guide and explained a lot of things to me. We went to the headquaters for the Anglican Church of Kenya and was able to interview someone and then also to the head quaters for the Presbyterian Church of Kenya. It was nice to do something different! Although i feel that i have my work cut out for me. So i better get to work now! Just thought i'd update you guys.

A day out and about...

2006-09-22T13:39:00.000+03:00

One of the greatest feelings is having a warm shower after a long day and then snuggling under the covers with the candle on, listening to some good music. Anyhow the point of this blog is to talk about my internship. Well I was really able to get my feet off the ground yesterday in terms of my internship. We drove up to a place call Nakuru. It took us about 5 hrs there and back. We left at 6:00 AM. We picked up my first interviewee Rev. Philip Kinuthia and his wife Charity. They have 6 children and 4 grandchildren. Wonderful people! The interview went over pretty good. I wish I could have recorded the interview. Oh well such is life. That took a good hour. I think I got what I needed. I've started to write up the report as the interview is still fresh in my mind. Check out the flickr site to see a pic of him and his wife. Black people have striking bone structures in their faces. It's really quite beautiful. Anyhow then Craig and Francis did thier presentation. Well let me tell you this. I sat for the next 4 hours at least. Not only that it was on a hard bench. Needless to say I was tired of sitting for that long. Great presentation. At one point some of the people stood up and talked about how the environmental crisis in Kenya is effecting them. It was lovely because it was so heart felt. One man who was about 90 talked. I wanted a pic of just him. But i feel awkward taking pics. These people were the real thing I tell you. I mean I can't imagine living their lives. I felt like I was in a different world. Us Canadians have no idea! I'm just trying with all my might to grasp an understanding of it all. Impoverished people lead to an impoverished land. I keep on thinking about that.
I've got mice in my shamba. (means garden in Swahili but that's the name of my cottage) Last night when I got back a mouse left a little present for me on my pillow! Creepy! I don't like mice. I hear them in the early mornings. There's fruit tree outside my place. Well those little rascals are doing a good job at eating them and leaving the pit by my bed. Bring on the ear plugs! I pulled my bed out from the wall. Tracy and Craig said they have mouse traps. But the last thing i want to do is wake up to the snap of one of those. This is when i wish someone else lived with me. I don't like dealing with these things!!!!!!
Anyhow that's all for now, have a good weekend everyone!

2006-09-19T17:45:00.000+03:00

My dear friends and family.
I'm not sure where to begin with this blog. Except to say I feel very much empowered by the message of this organization. I would even dare to say i feel something rising in me.
Care of Creation Kenya uses an approach that is unique in such that i have not seen it elsewhere. Perhaps it is evident in other places but i have not heard it so clearly given as i have here.
You could say Care of Creation is breaking new ground. Which is so exciting to be apart of.
What makes this organization so unique you ask? I will try to tell you to the best of my ability. Otherwise for a clearer picture check out their website via the link. (right side of the page)
Care of Creation is a growing ministry one that i hope will spread to North America. It takes an approach to the environmental crisis of today in a Biblical, holistic way. At the root of the environmental crisis lay's sin. It is because of mankinds's sin that we find ourselves in this situation. As sinners we must approach God for forgiveness. For it is only through him that we can be forgiven.
I often find it so depressing to see so much environmental crisis. It is especially evident in Africa. I believe it is only hope through Christ that we can battle this environmental crisis.
Care of Creation believes in a transformation of hearts and minds before we can see a transfomation of the land. Now isen't that beautiful?

I think sometimes in North America there are so many pressure to focus on ourselves. To become financially stable, to have a car, a nice house, to have material possessions. I think sometimes we believe that our self worth depends on those things. I want to say let's not sell our selves short of something so much better than that. God has blessed us North American's so richly. I am still trying to understand that.

Well i'm at a loss of words. It is my deepest prayer that a message so clear and sound might take this world by surpise and be an awakening to the global church.

"All things exist to demonstrate something about God's infinite perfections." John Piper

Another Beautiful Sunny Day,

2006-09-18T15:39:00.000+03:00

The weather here is perfect. It's not too cold and not too hot. In the evenings it get's a little chilly but that's it. Today I am preparing a work plan/timeline. Part of the internship requires me to submit a work plan within two weeks of being here. I have also started to work on the skelton of my paper. For example the outline. Anyhow i realized I have not yet talked about my first Sunday in Kenya.
Church began at 10:45. But really started at 11:00. Craig and Tracy's church is without a pastor right now so everyone takes turns preaching. Also there is no musician so we sang along with a tape with the help of two song leaders. The songs were all ones i knew! ex. As the deer
Anyhow, Church was held in a local school building. It was a mix of missionary's and kenyan people. Of course i was formally introduced to the congregation. That afternoon I slept which was nice. Except when i tried to go to sleep that night, i couldn't for the life of me. Oh well.
I've posted some pictures on flickr. You can check them out using the flickr badge, on the right hand side of the page! I'm not a good photographer but i'll try to take as many pics as i can. I hope all is well with you! I've really enjoyed your e-mails and comments!

"In the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.... God writes the gospel, not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars." Martin Luther

2006-09-17T15:10:00.000+03:00

A picnic to remember
I don’t know where to begin. It’s Saturday and I’ve been invited for a picnic and a hike in some caves located in the Rift Valley. According to my Lonely Planet Guide to Kenya, “The Rift Valley’s fertile floor is dotted with large freshwater and soda lakes, is alive with some of Kenya’s most spectacular wildlife.” I check to see when this book has been written. The authors of the book must have been to a different part of the valley then me. Because what I saw today was anything but fertile and I didn’t see any large freshwater lakes. I did see some beautiful gazelles, a lizard, some cows and a few birds. Oh and on the drive back I saw a family of apes crossing the road. Very interesting. In a nut shell today was an unforgettable adventure. Craig (my supervisor) had been to these caves many, many years ago and wanted to take his family there. So I went along because who could resist an adventure like that. It was very interesting because Craig has lived in Kenya for a long time and has seen how the landscape has changed. It is very troubling to hear and see the effects of deforestation. We drove past fields of crops that produce very little or nothing at all because there is not enough water. Instead of seeing a grassy valley there was nothing but clouds of dust. The effects of deforestation has huge implications on the land and ultimately the people. We have no idea. In fact this is an issue that is, I would say could be more devastating then AIDS. I know that’s quite a statement but really if you think about it what good is a land that won’t produce any food or water to feed the people that have survived AIDS. Anyhow I am getting off topic. We drove down a pot hole filled road just to get to an even bumpier road. It was like going 4X4ing in the back field. At one point we picked up two tribesman who offered to guide us to the caves. I felt like I jumped into a National Geographic magazine. These are people that probably only eat one meal a day, live in a small hut of some sorts, wear bright clothing, and have holes in their ear lobes the size of a loonie. I don’t say this to be offensive, etc but merely to describe something I have not experienced before. Well after probably a good hour we meet a group of men and boys. Well we were not allowed to drive any further because it was their land. (but it really wasn’t, at least that’s what we found out later) So our guides took us down another really bumpy road to another access point. After getting out and walking not even 10 minutes we met the same group of men and boys. Well I couldn’t understand what they were saying but I sure could tell by the tone in their voice and their body language that this was not a good idea. It was an interesting confrontation that even Craig had not experienced before. Needless to say we did leave, had our picnic under a tree and drove back to Brackenhurst. I think everyone was disappointed but not me. This will remain for me a picnic I won’t forget.

P.S Driving in Kenya is a lot different because we drive on the opposite side of the road with the driver on the right side of the vehicle. Still feels odd.

A trip into Nairobi

2006-09-15T14:22:00.000+03:00

Well because i have to cook for myself that involves shopping for myself also. Thankfully my supervisor's wife Tracy took me into Nairobi for a shopping trip. Driving here is hectic! The roads have huge pot holes and are not big enough! And definitly not enough stop lights! The grocery store itself was busy too! The isles were too narrow and packed full of food. Most of the food i recognized. You can get just about anything there. Some things are cheaper and some are definitly not! Some thing i was not used to is there are grocery boy's who bring your grocery bags to your vehicle. Produce is bought in another store. My favorite part about buying produce is someone helps you pick out the best produce. For example i asked for a pinapple so he went to the back of the store and brought out a fresh, perfectly ripe pinapple. My cottage has a blender. Yum!
I have not done much work yet because my supervisor would like me to take it easy as i am still getting over the jet lag. But i am starting to get a better idea of what is ahead of me. For one i need to relearn how to do an evaluative research study. Thank goodness for internet! I also have a lot of material to read about Care of Creation. Very interesting stuff! (you can check that out on their website, see link)

One thing i realized is that i have not written much about my surroundings. The cottage i am staying in is small and comfortable. Too much room for me. The kitchen cupboards are pratically empty. I have a cute loft where my sleeping quarters are. Unlike what most people might think it is quite cool here. I wear flip flops in the cottage. I still have not worn shorts. Although they do say it is going to get warmer. But Brackenhurst is higher up than Nairobi, hence it being cooler up here.

So far all the people i have met are very kind and welcoming. Since this is a conference center there are a lot of people who are just here for conferences etc. Unfortunately i have not met anyone my age. Perhaps that will change. I hear there are a lot of churches in the area. I have still yet to explore. One of these day's i have to learn how to take a taxi to Nairobi. Tracy say's to do that sooner than later. I think i'll wait a bit with that one. This weekend I will actively take some pictures to post. Anyhow it is lunch time. Cheers!

2006-09-14T11:57:00.000+03:00

After having multiple experiences with flying you would think i would have no problems right. Wrong! In Toronto i went to the wrong gate and waited there for a good 30 minutes before i realized that no one else was waiting there. Thankfully my flight was delayed an hour otherwise i surely would have missed my plane ride out. Then getting on the plane i managed to sit in the wrong seat. After being on the plane for nearly 17 hours with a two hour lay away in between i made it with all my luggage in one piece.
I had to smile because before i left my sister Amy was reading my Lonely Plant guide to Kenya and she said i should take a toilet seat because according to the book most toilets are just a hole in the ground. Well truth be told my first washroom in Kenya was just about that. I really should have taken a picture.
I was picked up at the airport by Craig (my supervisor), his wife Tracey and her cousin. It was dark by then and i didn't see much of Nairobi.
I'm staying at the Brackenhurst Convention Centre. It's a very beautiful place. I will be living in Shamba (which means garden in Swahili). How fitting. I feel very blessed to have my own space. This is the first time where i actually have my own house to myself. There's so much space and sometimes it can be very quiet. I try to fill up the space with music. That helps. This afternoon I’m heading into Nairobi to do some grocery shopping. I cook for myself so if anyone has any food ideas for cooking for one let me know!
I have not officially started working yet although yesterday afternoon i was able to meet with the staff of Care of Creation. They are all very knowledgeable people and i sense i can learn a lot from them. Craig has given me some literature to read. As i read it i will try to post my thoughts/reflections on it. Care of Creation is doing some fascinating work, things that make so much sense to me. I better go now. Please if you have any questions feel free to ask. I'm sure there are things i am forgetting to say.
Thank you all so much for your support. I have really enjoyed reading your responses. It is very encouraging! Cheers and until next time.

In the beginning...

2006-09-09T18:02:00.000+03:00

The time to leave draws nearer and i find myself thinking about what it will be like to be in another part of the world for three months. Am i worried, nervous, scared? Well not really although i am a bit anxious. Ready to start on something new. One chapter ends as another begins. My thoughts are both in the past three months and also in the coming three months. I feel very satisfied and blessed. As i go out to learn and experience something new and exciting I invite you to travel with me through the words written in this online journal. Until next time.