Another few days have passed in Bungoma and
with that, many trials, tribulations and triumphs.
We spent yesterday in Chebukwa village, where
The Nafula Foundation works. Daniel, Spencer and I toured the three rainwater
harvesting barrels that we installed in 2010/2011 at the church, Primary and
Secondary schools in the area (the only buildings in the village with tin
roofs). To our surprise, there was a line of students and village citizens
waiting to gather water from the tanks when we arrived in the village. I
personally was overwhelmed to see how successful our clean water campaign was
and how everyone was using it so frequently. While we were walking in the
village we were continually thanked for our work, which meant a lot to my
fellow Nafula supporters and I.
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| A student using the Nafula rainwater system |
The last of the rainwater harvesting tank is
set to be installed this week, as we need to put up gutters and piping for the
students to use it at their new dining hall. Spencer is planning on tackling
this project along with a Kenyan construction worker on Tuesday or Wednesday. I
plan on bringing them water and mandazi and “supervising” the project in the
shade. No, I kid. But seriously, it was unbelievably hot yesterday. Which
brings me onto my next topic.
Spencer and I still have unsettled stomachs
from the Kenyan food here. And though we think we’ve found the culprit (milk in
our chai tea, which was taken directly from the cow) we’re still a bit weary of
the local food here, especially because Spencer and I are responsible for
finding lunch outside our home, which in my opinion, can be a dicey adventure.
In addition, I got terribly sunburnt yesterday and have a bit of heart stroke
and a hilarious sunburn that has all the locals wondering what’s wrong with me.
Today was busy busy as we took the morning to
go to two churches as well as the Kenya Red Cross youth meeting and “Sunday Fun
Day” at the Bungoma Branch. Though I’m not the most church-going kind of
person, I did enjoy seeing my old friends from the village and catching up on
their lives. One of our sponsored students for Nafula, Kenneth, has now
graduated from high school and is working part time selling medical supplies in
Bungoma. And another mother of a sponsored student expressed her gratitude for
her son’s ability to take his final exams thanks to Karen Tarbuck-Nelson and
Steve Tarbuck (my mother and brother).
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| Papas and Caleb Makecho |
Spencer and I have been spending a great deal
of time with the five Makecho children as well, which has been a great
pleasure. Caleb, age 4, has taken a liking to me particularly and chitter
chatters in Swahili to us most of the day. He is also quite the troublemaker,
stealing my scrambled eggs from my plate in the morning. Esther has become
quite the young woman, being responsible for much of the household. And Papas
and the twins are also quite busy, milling around the home and occasionally
screaming quite loudly during the last thunderstorm.
As far as what’s changed in the village and
city, well there’s been a lot of infrastructure development, which is
encouraging to see. Roads are being paved and stores put up along their edges.
There is also a new local nursing/public health school in Bungoma that will
serve the area. Spencer and I plan on touring the hospital tomorrow as well and
seeing what’s up and coming there.
Spencer and I are now in the process of
turning in for the night. I’m currently responsible for tucking in the mosquito
net as Spencer has been sticking out his right foot outside the mesh at night
and subsequently waking up with a plethora of mosquito bites all over his foot.
OK, well that’s been the last few days. I’ll
update when I have another chance.
Love,
k
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