Kenya

Trip Report
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Our trips to Kenya will begin in August 2006. If you would like to be a part of our next trip to Kenya visit our Find a Project page now.

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VOC TRIP REPORT Kenya: February 3 – 7, 2006

Hosts: Tyson Malei, Miriam Malei (Mama Nasieku)
Children: Nasieku (6 yrs old) Birthday: May 21
Sain (3 yrs old) pronounce: see-yan
Driver: Peter Kimani
School Rep: Frederick Mwaura

Local area: Kimana
Primary languages: Swahili, Massai
Tribe languages: Kikuyu, Massai, Chagas, Akamba, Luo

Power: 220-240 Volts

Purpose
To learn about the community of Kimana and the Massai people and establish partnerships for future humanitarian aid and volunteer opportunities.

Kimana/Massai Water Committee

  • Chairman- Zakkayu, Treasurer- Martin, Committee member- Olchudro Namelok
  • Cost to build levy (completed) = $3,000 and the labor of 60 people
  • The major problem for the area is the lack of water, Kenya has not had a normal rainfall in over 4 years. This has put them in a drought, which has now progressed into an official state of famine for the entire country
  • The community that the water committee serves includes 60 Massai families
  • The rate of water flow and availability only allows for each family to collect water from the source once every 16 days for a maximum of 6 hours
  • The day of water collection for each family includes water for drinking, washing, cooking, watering livestock and crops
  • Goal 1: Extend the furrow from the levy up to 10 kilometers, allow for increased water flow, minimal earth seepage, faster moving water improve cleanliness and reaches furthers family
  • Goal 2: Acquire seeds for farming for onions, tomatoes, khale, cabbages, red pepper, maize, beans – 2+ kgs seeds per family
  • Goal 3: Acquire fertilizer, pesticides and knapsack sprayers (w/masks, coat, helmet) = 5,000 shillings each

Christ the King School Visit

  • School is in it’s 2nd year of operation, started in Feburary 2005, built by the community over 10 years, saving for materials, building supplies, teachers, running costs
  • School is a primary school that has children from 5 yrs to 16 yrs old enrolled
  • 2005 Enrollment: Form 1: 70 students, 62 of those students have passed to Form 2
  • 2006 Enrollment: Form 1: 50 students (13-18 yrs), Form 2: 60 students (14-19 yrs)
  • Required for each student enrollment:
  • School fees: 17,700 shillings ($257) include: tuition, lunch, text books, development of classrooms, sports fee
    • Uniforms cost $500-600 shillings ($7-9)
    • 12 composition books
    • Ballpoint pens
  • There are 7 teachers that teach 2 subjects each
  • Classrooms are currently 14 students per class
  • Locally after this level school, student can attend 6 public universities, 10 private universities or several colleges (similar to community college)
  • Subjects include: Math, Swahili, English, Physics, Biology, Geography, History, Business education, Chemistry, Agriculture, Economics, Accounting
  • School needs include:
    • English text books for grammar lessons
    • Novels & storybooks (Shakespeare, Classics, African author novels)
    • Geometry sets
    • Composition books
    • Scientific calculators
    • Pencils & pens
    • Chemistry lab sets
    • Maps
    • Office computer
    • Computers for student computer lab
    • Build more classrooms
    • Build & stock a library
  • Student issues:
    • Ability to pay for school fees, uniforms, books
    • HIV education
    • Drugs – marijuana
  • Children who need sponsorship the most:
    • SPONSPORED! Nasiaku Alice Hamisi: 18 yrs old, Birthday: March 5, 1988, 2 brothers (11 yrs, 22 yrs), orphan, lives with aunt, aunts health is not good, parent died from HIV/AIDs, 4 yrs left to finish school, Form 2, likes Chemistry, Biology & Swahili, good soccer player, would like to go on to college and become a nurse and help the people in her community.
    • SPONSPORED! Samuel Kismei: 15 yrs old, Birthday: July 21, 1980, 2 brothers (14 yrs, 18 yrs), 3 sisters (24 yrs, 22 yrs, 20 yrs), parents are farmers, 4 yrs left to finish school, Form 1, likes Physics, Math & English, wants to be a Secretary.
    • SPONSPORED! Mary Muthoni Kumg’o: 18 yrs old, Birthday: June 5, 1988, 4 brothers (20 yrs, 16 yrs, 14 yrs, 12 yrs), parents are farmers and sell goods in the market, 4 yrs left to finish school, Form 2, likes Math, Biology & Physics, great at debate, drama and soccer, wants to go to college and become a nurse.

VOC Commitments

  • VOC has committed to sponsor Nasiaku Alice Hamisi for her school fees for one year at Christ the King School, through Staff of Hope. Cost = $257 includes tuition, lunch, text books, development of classrooms, sports fee.
  • VOC will raise awareness about the needed sponsorship for Samuel Kismei and Mary Muthoni Kumg’o
  • VOC will raise awareness about the ongoing needs of Christ the King School and aid in connecting donations and services that may be offered to support the school
  • VOC will raise awareness about the need for volunteer services to help build water furrows in the next year