Another Christmas in Kenya

I missed home a lot this Christmas. It was my second Christmas away from home since I’ve been in Kenya. I was lucky though because my Kenyan family took me in and let me celebrate with them. Christmas isn’t celebrated here how it is in America. There’s no tree or presents. Christmas in Kenya is purely a religious holiday with many hours spent at church and then many hours spent in the kitchen. Of course, this was my favorite part. The meal we had was one of the best I’ve had here in the village. I went to church 3 days in a row with my family! Christmas Eve night we spent at church from 8pm until 12am. It was actually more fun than regular church, because the youth ran it and it was just a lot of singing and dancing. I even sung “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Silent Night” with my friend Chebet. I also danced a lot! I had bought sparklers recently and that night we lit them off and you should have seen the faces of the village children. Never have they seen anything like it! It was so cute and magical.

Because of the kind packages that have been sent to me this holiday season, I was able to somewhat play Santa Claus here. Even though they don’t get presents on Christmas here, I really think they deserve them. These kids have nothing. They literally play with bottle caps on the ground or old tires. They kick around piles of trash as a ball. So giving out nice toys to the kids felt wonderful. I gave my favorite little girl Chekoech, a black Barbie doll my mom sent me. She looked so happy when she got it, that was worth everything. I gave Mary (the woman whose daughter I sponsor), a bucket full of all the essential household items, like laundry detergent, cooking oil, socks, soap and some food supplies. She really appreciated it which was nice.

Anyway, I leave for vacation tomorrow and am so looking forward to getting a break from the village and seeing Adam! Just want to say Merry Christmas and happy new year from Kenya! May this next year all bring you as many blessings as this past year has brought me.

Special thanks to: Mom, Dad, Susan Poor, Libby Poor, Julia Conant, Aunt Kathe, and others who have sent me packages and letters! Much appreciated!

Remember, I am still in need to used or new toys for the orphanage that is opening up. If you would like, you can send them to the address on the right. Thank you and God Bless!

Maisha ni Poa (Life is Cool)

This post is not intended to brag, it is simply to say how thankful I am to God for all the amazing things that keep happening to me lately. I feel like God is on my side and just keeps doing miraculous things. It’s so nice when you finally see the fruits of your hard work.

First, I was accepted into my dream law school as an Early Decision Applicant. That means that I am bound to go there next year. So here’s the news if you haven’t heard already, I’ll be going to American University Washington College of Law next year! I have to thank Paul Bigley for the wonderful recommendation he wrote not only the first time I applied, but again. When I was in high school I didn’t really get into any schools after applying. It was disappointing because I went to a high school where everyone goes on to all these amazing schools. I decided to go to Santa Barbara City College. Looking back, it’s the best thing I did because I ended up transferring to UCSB and getting my degree from there. Then when applying to law school a few years ago, I did not apply many places because I didn’t think I could get in. In fact, I only got into a few schools, none of them my top choices. So it’s been such a surprise this time being accepted to so many schools. Even though I already know I’m going to American, I’ve already been accepted to Hofstra, Rutgers, University of District Colombia, New York Law School  and Golden Gate. Very flattering and such a change from what I am use to.

The next miracle that has happened is that my community was awarded the Charlotte Daniel Champion of Change Award by World Connect. Our original project was to get maternity ward equipment so we could have a working maternal health facility for the people in the village. Right now most women have their babies at home, which leaves them vulnerable to pre and post birth aftercare problems. My community told me this was something they needed so Adam helped me draw up a budget and I submitted the project to the Peace Corps Partnership Program. I had heard of World Connect and that they funded projects having to do with mother and children so I decided to apply. Our original project was funded in full by World Connect shortly thereafter for $2000. About a month later, World Connect contacted me and said that our project was being nominated for this extra award and if we wanted to apply, we had to have a new project proposal done in 2 weeks! With the help of my supervisor and the head nurse, we whipped up a budget and decided we would expand the dispensary to have an actual maternal wing, as well as fix the water catchment system. Our dreams have come true and World Connect is funding us another $5000 to complete construction! It’s so exciting to see my dispensary growing. Not only do I know that the community is getting a lasting impact out of this, but so am I! I’ve really learned a lot about project management and budgeting.

Anyway, someone has really been looking out for me lately J I leave in 10 days for holiday vacation and am excited to get some time off and to see Adam. I’m missing home for the holidays and thinking of you all! Much love!

A Kenyan Wedding to be Remembered

 So I went to my first Kenyan wedding this last Saturday. It was petty western, but still a lot of traditional dancing and singing. I got my hair done the day before in braids for it. See picture to the right. It hurt so bad because she pulled my hair a lot. I don't think I'll do it again, but it was fun to get it done at least once. It took 3 hours to put in and is now taking even longer to come out ha!





The wedding was at a church and was really beautiful. The day of, I woke up early to help the bride, my friend Agnes, get ready. I did her make-up and then all the bridesmaids nails. Everyone loved the nails so much and little kids and other villagers wanted theirs done too so I obliged and treated everyone to a personal manicure. I even did some pretty gross African farm toes...

 I had the best time with my family and all the guests. Now that I've been living in Singorwet for over a year, I really know most of the community so it was fun dancing and hanging out with them. My family is the best! They make me feel like one of them so much and call me their sister. Agnes even let me be a part of the wedding and help with the unity candle. I feel really blessed to live with such an amazing family because I know a lot of Peace Corps Volunteers who do not like their living situation. Plus I feel safe and comfortable with them. My mama knows how to give me my privacy, but they always keep me included. Plus most of my mama's children are around my age so we relate really well.

Overall, the ceremony was really beautiful. I had an amazing time and it wasn't that different from an American wedding, minus there was no booze ha! I'm glad I got to be a part of it and share Aggies special day.

Men's Health Awareness Day

 

On November 17^th, around 200 men and women showed up for Singorwet’s first ever Men’s Health Awareness Day.  After having a successful International Women’s Day (IWD) in March, I knew my community was hoping I would do something for men.  Just like IWD, I applied for the GAD grant (GAD also funds events related to men, not just women) and I got it! 

Our event also corresponded by chance with a training going on in the village for Men As Partners.  Men as Partners is a campaign in Kenya to educate men on reproductive health.  Too often reproductive education is focused solely on women, however the reality is that men usually hold the decision making power on things as simple as when to have sex and how many children to have.  The 30 men that participated in the training were able to enhance their awareness and support for their partner’s reproductive health choices and take an active stand for gender equality and against gender-based violence.  We even had condom relays! After a week of training, the men received certificates and t-shirts at the Men’s Day and all got a chance to say what they learned.  You could tell they were really empowered!

The event also included topics about HIV/AIDS, Khalil spoke about family planning, Maxx educated us on gender violence, and Blake informed the audience about the importance of saving money and starting a business.  Christina Gusa did a fantastic job teaching about prostate and testicular cancer.  The audience was so quite during this topic and I’m still hearing from the men about how much they learned.  Cassidy auctioned off solar cookers in which some went for over 1000ksh!  And finally, Jojo, along with a man from Waterlines spoke about sanitation and clean water.

All the money we raised continues to be put toward our maternity ward project and we are proud to say we raised over 10,000ksh that day!  Closer to the 25% community contribution and closer to having a functioning maternity ward!

Overall the event was a complete success due in part to the help of PCVs, community members and the dispensary.

The Chepkosgei Scholarship Award

The Chepkosgei Scholarship Award

Just an update on my scholarship award that has supported a sweet girl named Cheruto*, who will be a Form 2 student at Singorwet Secondary School this next January. The scholarship is awarded to students of need that demonstrate strong academics and community involvement. Cheruto’s mother (Cheroteich*) must start a savings of 200ksh per month. Cheroteich only makes 700ksh a month and takes care of 4 children under 10. That is less than 50 cents a day. Anything that is saved, is matched by the donor (me). She may barrow from the savings with interest at any time for school supplies or related educational materials. So far Cheroteich, has saved around 3000ksh towards Cheruto’s education!

Cheruto received the scholarship back in May 2012 while she was in Form 1, after her second child was born. She had her first child at 12. When she found out she was pregnant with another, she had an abortion and almost died. Just a few short months after, she was pregnant again and delivered her second child. Where there are so few choices for girls in her situation, it is even more imperative to get an education.

I have seen a drastic change in Cheruto while she has attended my health class this last year. She went from being the shy girl in the back, to being vibrant and actually participating. Her marks in Science are above average in a country that generally fails in these subjects, even earning herself an A- in Physics! Her mother is staying home and caring for Cheruto’s children so that she can get a good education.

Although I do not have very much money myself, sponsoring Cheruto is the best decision I’ve made. Not only to I know that 100% of my money is going to her education and ultimately her future, but I actually get to SEE the change and growth in her. I can’t think of anything more rewarding.

This next semester is my last at the school before I finish up with my Peace Corps service. I’ve been contemplating how to keep this sustainable because Cheruto still has 2 ½ more years of Secondary School and I’d also like to expand the Chepkosgei Scholarship Award to more students. I’m happy to say that I’ve found a solution. My mama here works for the Ministry of Education and has agreed to continue the scholarship for me. I can send her the money directly from the United States through Western Union to her phone. She is going to continue working with Cherotich on her savings and will send me progress letters each term. And hopefully over time if the scholarship grows, she will be able to recommend students of need for me.

Making a lasting impact on girls lives has made these long 2 years worth every hard day. If you or someone you know would like to contribute to the Chepkosgei Scholarship Award, please send me an email at aflynnschneider@gmail.com.

*names have been changed

World AIDS Day 2012

World AIDS Day 2012

On December 1, 2012 I traveled to Rongo, where another volunteer, Christina Gusa, had a World AIDS Day event.  It was such a success and we had a great time.  She lives in her health clinic and it’s really nice.  She even has an oven so we were able to have homemade pizza!  During the event, there were speeches from HIV positive community members, skits from the high school kids and a raffle.  They also had free confidential HIV testing in which over 80 people got tested!

After the event, we were so tired so we laid out a blanket in the back yard and just listened to music.  These cute little boys came over and were watching us and eventually joined us in a dance party.  It was adorable!  It’s moments like that that make me feel less different than these people and more the same.  Overall the event was a complete success.  I love these one day events because they are easy to organize, cost very little to fund, and empower the community.

On my way home, I stopped by the soap stone factory.  They make art for World Market and Home Plus.  We got to see how they carved the figurines and of course I couldn’t help but by a “few” as well.  Now I’m home and I have a long busy week ahead of me.  I’m working on a budget for another grant we are applying to.  I also promised one of my students I would go with her to visit her grandmother.  And finally, on Thursday, I leave for Nairobi for the weekend.  I love Nairobi so I’m excited to go live the life of luxury there for the weekend.

Missing everyone back home!

Andrea

Ya Fattah! Thanksgiving 2012

 Cassidy and I woke up at 8:00am this morning and started right off cooking and preparing for our thanksgiving meal that we plan to share with my Kenyan family. Part of our job as Peace Corps Volunteers is to share American culture with Kenyans so here we are slaving over a fire, slaughtering chicken and shucking peas from the garden. 100% organic veggies and free-range chicken, this is the way to do it! So together we came up with some things we are greatful this Thanksgiving. Of course we miss our family and friends back home, but we feel so blessed to be alive in Kenya celebrating this special day with our Kenyan friends and family. 

Things that I’m thankful for 2012 Kenyan Thanksgiving

-Water: Rain is a Good Thang! Having clean safe drinking water in Kenya is a luxary. I am lucky to live in a place with consistent rain for our crops and livelihood. I miss turning on a shower!

-Health: In Kenya it’s easy to get sick! With diseases that are eradicated in America like Malaria, Measles and Typhoid, we are lucky to be healthy and living active lifestyles.

-Family: Kenyan and American. We couldn’t survive without our Kenyan families, keeping us safe, showing us the way of life. But our American families are who we are. Their support keeps us going.

-Opportunities like Peace Corps: It gives us the chance to live within communities other than our own and learn a totally different way of life. If anything, this makes you appreciate everything you have back in America.

-Friendships: Also Kenyan and American. My Kenyan friends keep me integrated. Even though we cannot communicate as closely as my American friends, we continue to find we are more the same than different. My American friends though are my rocks. They keep me grounded, keep me updated on what’s happening back home. Without the support from my friends, the emails, the packages, the letters, I seriously could not do this. And my Peace Corps friends are like family. No one else can ever truly understand what we are going through.

-Education: Without education we would not even be in the Peace Corps. Many girls in Kenya never finish their education and instead get pregnant at 16, married and commit their whole lives to that. We are lucky to have so many opportunities and only through educating ourselves have we been able to do that.

-Food: Not only Thanksgiving food, but food in general. We are living in a country with famine! People in my own village go to sleep hungry! To be able to share this day with Kenyans means more than I could ever explain through words.

-Our Puppies!: Sangala gives me purpose here. I know he’s just a dog, but he seriously is my best friend. He keeps me company and gives me someone to talk to that doesn’t judge me for the color of my skin. Yes, I talk to my dog. No judgment!

-Electricity: Walking 2 hours to charge my phone was a pain! It’s so nice to be able to charge at my house now!

-Being Americans!: Never had I been proud to be American until I lived here. I never thought we had a culture, but we do! We are unique and bright people. Also, we are lucky that we do not have to face the same kind of hardships as here.

-Air conditioning: Damn that feels good. Which is why I love Sankara! (Adams)

-Fast Food: We miss you Taco Bell.

-Options: There’s not many here. Food, career, the list goes on.

-Cheese: When we get our hands on you cheese, there’s no turning back.

-Keeping Time: It’s so nice when someone doesn’t show up on “African time”.

-Traveling: I love travel, especially within Africa and this has given me the chance to see the world!

-Love: I’ve learned how to love here more than I ever knew I could. 

So Happy Thanksgiving to everyone back home! God Bless you all! 

One Year At Site

I’m up late tonight because as I was drifting off to sleep, I realized, I’ve been at my new site for about a year now! One year ago, I never would have thought I would be as happy as I am here. Leaving my old site of Matayos was painful. Saying goodbye to all that I had already established and I only lived there for 3 months. I had no time to say goodbye, they simply told me pack your bags and they made me leave. I remember when the Peace Corps vehicle was driving me here to Singorwet. We turned off the paved road and the dirt road and villages seemed to go on forever. Where the heck are they taking me, I thought. When they dropped me off in the rural village of Singorwet, I contemplated not even unpacking. How would I survive without electricity, without water, without transport (I had had these luxuries at my old site)! It was 2 hours on foot to the nearest public transportation. I didn’t think I would make it.

Now here I am, only a year later, and I finally realized that this was all just a part of Gods plan for me. Singorwet is the most beautiful place I’ve been in Kenya. I get to walk through fields and fields of tea leafs to get to work everyday. The sound of rain on my roof brings me peace. And the people have taken me in like one of them, especially my mama and the family I live with. This is exactly what I had hoped for in my Peace Corps experience. The true “African” experience. I love the rural now! San Francisco girl turned African farm girl, I never would have thought it possible. Yes, I’m still afraid of bugs, but at least now I can kill them all on my own!

And when I look back over the last year, I’ve accomplished so much here with the help of the community. From the HIV Hotline, to the Tree Nursery, to my health clubs, to the world map I painted at the dispensary, to teaching at the Mother Child Clinics. The events I’ve put on such as International Women’s Day, Earth Day and now Men’s Health Awareness Day have all been a success. I got trash cans put in my community so we can keep it clean and beautiful and when my dad visited he brought solar electricity to the clinic. I taught women how to make paper beads and how to cook banana bread. And soon we will have a working maternity ward at the clinic! There’s no way I could have done any of this without my people in Singorwet. I thank God for them everyday.

Integration is an ongoing process that I work on daily. Going to church, lunches with local friends and walking throughout the villages help me establish myself. The kids finally call me by my name instead of white lady which feels spectacular! The other day I went to my friend Agnes’s “Pre-Wedding Ceremony”. It’s a ceremony where the families give each other gifts and basically say goodbye to the bride. It was so fun and they really made me feel like a part of them as I sang and danced the whole time. Sometimes I forget that I’m white until I look at the pictures taken and realize “damn! I’m the only white person!” I’ve gotten use to it and I like to think people are starting to look past it. At least the people I know. At times I feel that race plays a major role in my life here, but other times I get so caught up in the moment, I forget entirely that I’m foreign. Those moments are the ones I love most. Dancing with my friends, singing in church…it’s like we are all one in the same.

This week we’ve been conducting a training for Men As Partners. I’m so proud of my community because I have nothing to do with this. They came up with it on their own, organized it and turned out. Monday through Friday 30 men are learning everything from male and female anatomy to family planning to gender violence. It’s so cool to see old men in my community learning how to talk openly about sex. In this culture, it’s a very taboo subject. Saturday is my Men’s Health Awareness Day and we will be having graduation ceremony for the men who participated. I’m really hoping my event goes well and that lots of men show up. I have about 6 volunteers coming to help me.

Anyway, even though times can get me down, I miss home and a year and a half has felt like a century, looking back over this last year makes me feel like I’ve really done something. When I talk to people back home they are always like “wow what you’re doing…etc etc”, but ask any PCV and we don’t feel like our job is as big of a deal as people make of it. Some days we might not even leave the house once, or other days we literally watch paint dry. But at least when I look back now, I feel like I’ll have something to leave behind here, something to be remembered by. Hopefully these next 7 months bring as much success as this last year has.

World Handwashing Day 2012

October 15^th was World Handwashing Day, my second time I have celebrated this event in Kenya. This year I went to my friend Cassidy’s site. She is one of my nearest volunteers so it’s only about and hour and a half away. It just happened to land on market day so we set up a booth in the middle of the market and taught people the importance of washing their hands, water sanitation and also demonstrated solar cookers.

I worked the handwashing station. Nearly 6 million children a year die of diarrhea! Diarrhea can easily be prevented by simply washing your hands, food, and treating your water. We stressed the times you need to wash your hands:

Kabla ya unakula chakula (before you eat food)

Kabla ya unapika chakula (before you cook food)

Bada ya unagusa nyama (after you touch meat)

Bada ya unasalamea wtu (after you greet people)

Bada ya unaosha mtoto (after you wash a child)

Bada ya unatumia choo (after you use the toilet)

Bada ya unatoka shamba (after you are from the farm)

Anyway, I think it was a great success! So many people came to the booth and we passed out a lot of soap. Cassidy sold 3 solar cookers and we taught a lot of people about the importance of water sanitation!

RIP Geoffery III

RIP Geoffery III

Today my mama ran over our little puppy Geoffery III in her car. She backed up and he must have been sleeping behind the car and his head was crushed. I found him. And I freaked out. What did everyone do? Laugh at my reaction. I know it’s a Western thing to love animals as much as we do, but it makes me sad the lack of compassion they have. I loved this little puppy. He was so cute and fat and wobbly. I guess that’s reality. It’s not like I’ve never lost a dog in my life before. It’s just I’ve never seen a little puppy killed. People have more problems here to deal with than caring about dogs, but I can’t help love them all just the same. I don’t know what I’d do without Sangala. He’s my rock. He keeps me company and makes me happy. I’m attached to all the dogs on the compound; Sailor Moon, Geoffery Jr., Bat Man, Mama Dog…it’s sad to see one of our own go.

Harambe

What is a harambe? Let me first start by explaining that. I’ve written about it once before in a previous post, but I think I should clarify further. A harambe is like a fundraiser. I went to one the other day in fact. My friend Joakim is going to college so his father (my supervisor) invited friends and family to come to his harambe to raise money for his university tuition. During the harambe chai is served. This is tradition and guests expect it when they come. After chai, the donations are presented. First comes the family and neighbors, all lined up to give what they can to the pot. The MC announces their name and how much they are giving as they hand in their donation. Then they categorize who comes next in line, sometimes the elders, other times women, until everyone who can donate does. If you do not have money to give, you can give food from your farm. Some people bring cabbage or a small banana trees. This time, someone brought tea bags. At the end, people bid on the items. Anyway, that explains the basic concept of a harambe.

I wanted to write about this because sitting back and watching it take place, I could only feel the honor and humbleness the family must feel. All your neighbors, friends, family, villagers, coming together to help out your cause. That’s why I love Kenya. There’s such a sense of community, of helping one another out. I wish we did these kind of things in America, but we are too proud. Kenyans are grateful and honored to have the people they know present them with money. It really is a fun event, full of laughter and happiness in knowing that the money that is needed is being raised by the whole community. I really love this concept and it makes me so pleased to be a part of Singorwet. It seems as if everyone has each others backs. Even though Kenya is one of the poorest countries in the world, in the village, you are never truly poor. No one allows someone to go hungry. People take each other in. Everyone is mama because everyone is raising the children.

I’m almost a year and a half into my service and I feel like I can finally say that I am integrated into my community. Everyday I hear less and less “muzungu” or “chepcumendent” (white lady), and instead hear chants of my name, “Chepkosgei! Chepkosgei!” It makes me feel so happy. Even though this experience can be tiring a lot of the time and make me miss the simple pleasures of home, I am beyond humbled to have become part of Singorwet. These are my neighbors, my friends…my family. God has blessed me immensely!