Thank you Kenya

 

I worked as a volunteer in Kenya for a total of 6 months. My task was to strengthen the independent development of Shianda community in Western Kenya. The time over-there was very interesting and educational. Approximately 100 people gained new skills in the workshops and trainings conducted by me.

The first 3 months in Kenya was difficult. I was supposed to help local Tailor Shop in Shianda to create new products and get their business running again,  but it was not possible as the Taylor Shop workers were not interested about my help. They didn’t show up to my trainings and the overall situation over there was not good - sewing machines were broken, they didn’t have tools etc. Luckily there was a change of manager and after that things started to take a turn for the better. Tailor Shop was open every day and orders were filled on time. We bought new fabrics and a steam iron, which made finishing the products much easier. We started with weekly trainings what helped them to  acquire new skills. First, we practiced working with electric sewing machines and then with overlock sewing machines as well. All tailors experienced that work goes much faster with electric machines. In addition, we learned new work techniques, for example, how to fasten locks, and sew pockets.

I also conducted weekly workshops in the small villages near Shianda, in Esukura and Khaunga. I taught them how to crochet and wanted introduce them to knitting as well, but unfortunately, it was not possible to buy suitable knitting needles in Kenya. There was also a big problem with yarns. It was only possible to buy synthetic materials. So we adapted and only made crochet hats and bags. On the last day of my workshop, we made an exhibition of crocheted bags and hats. Everyone were proud and happy with the handmade products. Considering that all the women tried crocheting for the first time, I was very satisfied with the work. I am sure that women will be able to start selling their products in the future.

6th month: furaha!

Here comes the end of my deployment in Shianda.

More or less as when I was here in at the beginning, my feeling are mixed. This last month was unexpectedly difficult, also the same as the first month. It is like closing a cycle.

But if I have to summarize my current feelings in one word, I would say "furaha", which translated from Swahili means "joy". At the end of the day, I am happy about my experience here. It has been tough, but it gave me a lot. I learnt so much about this job in community development, thanks to the support of Mondo and Wefoco, but also of all the farmers with whom I was working.

Another thing that really made me "furaha" were my colleagues. First of all, their stories and expertise in their fields of work were an insipration to me. Secondly, they gave me unimaginable support along my entire deployment. I am so grateful to them for having been so present here for me. The same I can say for the others EUAVs deployed in Nairobi, wihch whom I also shared incredible moments and experiences.

Eugenie made us a South African dinner!

My sister and my brother-in-law came to visit, so we gave them an exeperience of traveling comfortably by tuktuk

After a few weeks of turmoil and concern for the organization my last activities, while the elections were making everything unstable and unpredictable, I finally came to calm down and find peace. I started my last activity in sustainable soil management with the community groups, but again elections problems came in. Today I went for some activity-related errands at the agro-vet shop in Shianda, and the seller told me that my order for 20 sacks of lime could not go thorugh because of the ruling of the Supreme Court over the presidential elections' result. All transport from and to Kisumu were blocked, in the await of further developments. Well, they did it with a good reason. The ruling turned out to be against the candidate supported by the Luo, the majority tribe in Kisumu. It seems to be some chaos down there right now, so I understand it was difficult to bring the loads for the day here.

Workshop on sustainable soil management indoors at Khaunga because of the rain.

Despite this, I was able to do my workshops with three community groups today! It was also an occasion to say goodbye, and I really appreciated how warmely they were thanking me for all the time we spent together and the activities that we made.

Workshop in Khunyiri. Norman volunteered to explain how to make compost with the pile method, giving me the opportunity to take a picture!

Now it is time to think about what to do next and where, but I see that Kenya is a place that will always remain with me. It is true I had some very bad time also, but the overall experience was priceless. Suffering some blue moments and malaria was worth it. 

Saying goodbye to this little one, who has been my Swahili teacher for so long! And her mum, who also gave me a class right before her

The local gym is something everyone should try

Finally, after almost six months, I decided to visit the famous crying stone! This is really something in Kakamega County