*The title refers to a sign on the back of a matatu of which I will try to get a picture of*
So, there is a bit to report since I last posted, and I don't have too much time, so I will try to make it as quick as possible. We came with the carpenter on Monday and went to the lumberyard and a few other places to get quotes on material costs for the projects we are to be working on. Overall, it looks like it'll cost less than $2000 CAD to complete all the projects. We are waiting for him today to purchase some of the materials to begin fixing the toilette. We figure that project will cost less than $300. Before we left, Dustin and I were both given money by a couple of people in Edmonton who told us to put it towards the projects. That money will likely cover about 75% of the cost for the toilette, and then Dustin and I will be covering the rest. As for the other $1700 or so we'd be looking for, we're not canvasing for donations quite yet.
As I noted in a previous post, we met with the deputy headmaster of the school, and the school committee to discuss the projects, and this is when they told us that the families were too poor to help with the projects. Dustin, Sunapeh and myself talked about it, and we did not feel it was right for us to have to cover all the costs ourselves. We felt that this might lead to a 'tragedy of commons' scenario in which the community felt no responsibility for the improvements made on the school, and thus would let them fall into disrepair once we left.
We talked to Virginia - our host mother, and the president of MEAC - about our concerns, and she fully agreed. She found out that the school committee (which consisted of 4 men) had not even talked with the parents to see what they thought. This got all of us a little bit riled up, because these projects are meant to help the children of the community, and we feel that the community should have some say in it - not just the school committee. So, what we have decided to do is to complete the toilette project (hopefully by Monday of next week) and then call a meeting with all the parents of the children to discuss the other projects. We are not necessarily looking for a large financial contribution from the families - but some sort of assistance. We are here to HELP the community, not to do 'everything' for them. So whether the families can provide materials, wheelbarrows, transportation, nails, etc. or money, we feel that something is needed from them to ensure that the project is worthwhile and appreciated.
One of the problems at the school right now, is that the Headmaster has been sick for about a month (and his brother recent passed away), so the deputy headmaster has been in charge. He is known by most people as a drinker, and a bit of a power monger. This does not sit right with any of us, but thankfully the Headmaster is supposed to return on Monday. Once this happens, Virginia is going to talk to him, and attempt to arrange a meeting with all the parents. If she cannot arrange this (because of problems with the headmaster or deputy headmaster), or if the parents refuse to provide assistance (very unlikely according to Virginia), then she has said that we can go to another one of the schools in the area where they want our help, and will help us, and complete some projects there.
We are still going to complete the toilette project as a sign of good faith on our part, and hopefully this will show the parents that we are serious about helping their children, and will push them to helping us out.
That is basically the latest update. So, Dustin and I will still be looking for donations from people, organizations, businesses, etc back in Canada, but we are not sure whether the funds will go to the school in Kimuka, or to another school in Maasailand. I hope this is not too confusing. If you have any questions, please feel free to message me, or e-mail me at oilersrock99@hotmail.com. Also, please refer to the link I have provided to view pictures of the school and the projects we will be working on - as well as other random pictures from Kenya so far.
Lastly, I just wanted to update everyone on the security/political situation here in Kenya. The "president" Mwai Kibaki and the opposition leader Raila Odinga have agreed to some sort of power sharing agreement that would see the Kenyan constitution ratified to include provisions for a Prime Minister position for Odinga. This has the entire country hopeful that things can be turned around. There is still some ETHNIC violence occurring in areas north and west of Nairobi, but these essentially have NOTHING to do with politics, and is tribal/ethnic based. Kibaki belongs to the Kikuyu tribe, and many other tribes in Kenya have felt slighted by the Kikuyu, and believe the Kikuyu have received unfair positions since Kibaki came to power in 2002. The violence has basically been carried out almost exclusively by poor unemployed young men who have nothing better to do. We have never felt unsafe, and there has been no violence or protests anywhere near us. We hope to go into Nairobi in the upcoming weeks to view the city, but will only do so when it is completely safe.
Alrighty, well that is all I have for now. Feel free to comment (I think I fixed the problem that came up with comments). Hope you are all enjoying the weather back home! ;o)
