Friends/family,
So, plans have changed again. It is very hard to overcome logistical hurdles in this place, but when in Kenya... We have come up with a new plan that will satisfy donors and IDPs alike. We have coordinated a project with Fadhilli helpers to help build a car wash outside of the IDP camp that we distributed food at last week. This car wash is beneficial because of two main reasons, it is cheap and it will provide long lasting and self-sustaining employment and wealth for several IDPs. This car wash will be financed by the volunteers here. Donation money will go to food for the IDPs and a little may go to any extra charges for the car wash. So, the food will help sustain the starving IDPs in the short-term and the car wash will provide long-term income and less tangible benefits, like the self-esteem and pride that comes from being able to feed your family without hand outs. The IDP's expressed a deep yearning to work, to do something. These people are not lazy, they want to work, they want to do something, but right now, they have no options.
Even more hopeful is the fact that 4 of us, Dan, Ameer, Dave and I have convinced Fadhilli helpers to create a program with the IDP camps and their volunteers ensuring that the camp will not be abandoned and will be the focal point of future volunteer's attention. More businesses will be established in the area, provided jobs for more of the IDP's. Iso, from Fadhili is going to allow some of the residents of the camp to sell his art work and pay them to do so. I am so happy, our brief stint here is resulting in a whole new program and business programs for needy people, as well as short-term aid. If you still want to donate, you have time (whoever "you'' might be).
In other news, I thought I would relay a conversation with a Kenyan from the Kenyan armed services, whose name slips my mind at the current time. He was a very nice and congenial guy, he paid for my bus fair without asking and showed much deference and respect for Americans. One of his questions really struck me, he asked, "why do Americans hate Muslims?" I replied that, "Americans don't hate Muslims" and that "a lot of Americans were just scared after 9-11." I said most Americans were very tolerant and that some people just react with hatred when they are frightened. He said Muslims perceive that Americans hate them. He told me that Kenyans love Americans. I thought it was interesting that he considered Kenya a peaceful country when last year the country was engulfed in violence, I guess it depends on comparisons used-neighboring Sudan, Somalia, and Uganda are all hotbeds of violence. I think that it is so important to open up dialogue with every nation possible and especially a person to person "hand-shake" dialogue through foreign exchange and volunteer programs. A lot of misunderstandings can be cleared up that way.
Speaking of Sudan, I have been very concerned about recent developments in the Genocide/war ravaged country. Violence between nomadic groups in the south and central portions of the country have cost hundreds of lives recently, more so even than the recent toll of the genocide in Darfur. I fear that the CPA, which is holding the country together after the 2,000,000 casualty civil war, may disintegrate. If this happens, the death toll will be unfathomable. Please write and call your senators to make sure the U.S, especially Scott Gration, plays a vital role in making sure the CPA doesn't falter and that the Genocide is ended- Sudan needs an all country solution.
Anybody hear about North Korea firing more missiles? The country is run by a complete maniac!! frightening? yes.
With hope,
Cameron
Me
So happy
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Lost in translation...literally.
Hey everyone,
The last couple of days have been interesting to say the least. The volunteers and I have been laboriously planning our volunteer trip to Uganda which ultimately fell through late last night (our time, we are +8 hours ahead of you United Statesmen and women haha). We have now decided to undergo a cross-Kenya Refugee camp and IDP camp volunteer trip to distribute food. We plan on buying mass quantities of food and distributing those foodstuffs at Sudanese and Somalian refugee camps which are located on the border of the two respective countries. This operation will be much like the one carried out last weekend except that we are going to multiple camps and are spending much more money, which brings me to my next point.
I mentioned via e-mail and facebook that the trip had been altered and that anyone who has already donated can get a refund if they think for some reason that Kenyan camp residents are richer and less deserving than Ugandan refugees. I have seen the poverty at an IDP camp, these people truly need our help. I want to thank all of those who have donated thus far and those who have told me that they plan to donate; we have raised $184, which doesn't sound like a lot, but down here it goes a long way. I am so appreciative of all of the donations and extremely humbled. I will thank each donor individually later, thank you again.
So, yesterday was comprised of all of the frustrations and delights that form the foundation of the LDC known as the Republic of Kenya. I taught 4 classes in the morning then spent the whole day with Ameer trying to finalize our Ugandan trip. Firstly, it was down pouring outside(it is the rainy season), we caught a matatu- vans driven by crazy people, and were stuck in horrific traffic for a great deal of time. The driver misunderstood where we wanted to go, so we ended up a great distance from the office that we needed to get to. We began running through the rain until we found a place called Woolmart, yes Woolmart-coincidence? probably not. We bought umbrellas and walked the many miles to our destination- English is widely spoken here, but many people do not understand simple phrases and give horrible directions. By this time I was already sick with a cold of some sort- I can't stay healthy here, so I was somewhat miserable. Some Kenyans went out of there way to help us. Nairobi is delicately mixed with a great deal of swindlers and people who would lay down there life for you. We finally made it to our destination and spent hours trying to figure out details with a contact in Uganda- the phone service here is unreliable and the phone cut out every minute or so. At about 9 we decided to give up for the day.
We walked to the main part of town and were told by the bus operators that the 660 bus would take us back to our guest vacancy. Instead, we were swindled and the bus went the completely opposite direction. Two frustrating and fever stricken hours later we caught two more rides and found our way back home. We were very anxious about being out by ourselves so late- muggings, beatings, and kidnappings are very common at night, especially if you're white. In fact, a prior volunteer told me that he was mugged two times at night, once by all the passengers in a matatu, and another time by a cop, who placed an AK-47 to his head and demanded money- this was 3 weeks ago haha
Nairobi is a very busy city and it is astonishing to see how many people there are- it would be easy to get overwhelmed if you were lost. Drivers here are borderline insane, it is absolutely unfathomable to understand how there is not 5,000+ accidents a day. I'm getting somewhat sick of the pollution here, there are so many diesel vehicles on the road that the streets are filled with smog. Luckily, it rains al of the time, so that helps.
Well, wish me luck. We will be travelling to Northern Kenya tomorrow morning- a place which is by no means safe. I'll update you whenever I get back.
I hope all is well. Also, please e-mail/write/call your representatives in the House to tell them to support HR2478. A comment about the bill by Vincent Longa follows:
The last couple of days have been interesting to say the least. The volunteers and I have been laboriously planning our volunteer trip to Uganda which ultimately fell through late last night (our time, we are +8 hours ahead of you United Statesmen and women haha). We have now decided to undergo a cross-Kenya Refugee camp and IDP camp volunteer trip to distribute food. We plan on buying mass quantities of food and distributing those foodstuffs at Sudanese and Somalian refugee camps which are located on the border of the two respective countries. This operation will be much like the one carried out last weekend except that we are going to multiple camps and are spending much more money, which brings me to my next point.
I mentioned via e-mail and facebook that the trip had been altered and that anyone who has already donated can get a refund if they think for some reason that Kenyan camp residents are richer and less deserving than Ugandan refugees. I have seen the poverty at an IDP camp, these people truly need our help. I want to thank all of those who have donated thus far and those who have told me that they plan to donate; we have raised $184, which doesn't sound like a lot, but down here it goes a long way. I am so appreciative of all of the donations and extremely humbled. I will thank each donor individually later, thank you again.
So, yesterday was comprised of all of the frustrations and delights that form the foundation of the LDC known as the Republic of Kenya. I taught 4 classes in the morning then spent the whole day with Ameer trying to finalize our Ugandan trip. Firstly, it was down pouring outside(it is the rainy season), we caught a matatu- vans driven by crazy people, and were stuck in horrific traffic for a great deal of time. The driver misunderstood where we wanted to go, so we ended up a great distance from the office that we needed to get to. We began running through the rain until we found a place called Woolmart, yes Woolmart-coincidence? probably not. We bought umbrellas and walked the many miles to our destination- English is widely spoken here, but many people do not understand simple phrases and give horrible directions. By this time I was already sick with a cold of some sort- I can't stay healthy here, so I was somewhat miserable. Some Kenyans went out of there way to help us. Nairobi is delicately mixed with a great deal of swindlers and people who would lay down there life for you. We finally made it to our destination and spent hours trying to figure out details with a contact in Uganda- the phone service here is unreliable and the phone cut out every minute or so. At about 9 we decided to give up for the day.
We walked to the main part of town and were told by the bus operators that the 660 bus would take us back to our guest vacancy. Instead, we were swindled and the bus went the completely opposite direction. Two frustrating and fever stricken hours later we caught two more rides and found our way back home. We were very anxious about being out by ourselves so late- muggings, beatings, and kidnappings are very common at night, especially if you're white. In fact, a prior volunteer told me that he was mugged two times at night, once by all the passengers in a matatu, and another time by a cop, who placed an AK-47 to his head and demanded money- this was 3 weeks ago haha
Nairobi is a very busy city and it is astonishing to see how many people there are- it would be easy to get overwhelmed if you were lost. Drivers here are borderline insane, it is absolutely unfathomable to understand how there is not 5,000+ accidents a day. I'm getting somewhat sick of the pollution here, there are so many diesel vehicles on the road that the streets are filled with smog. Luckily, it rains al of the time, so that helps.
Well, wish me luck. We will be travelling to Northern Kenya tomorrow morning- a place which is by no means safe. I'll update you whenever I get back.
I hope all is well. Also, please e-mail/write/call your representatives in the House to tell them to support HR2478. A comment about the bill by Vincent Longa follows:
HR2478 basically is about routing the LRA from
Uganda, and committing money and a plan to rebuild Northern Uganda.
It's been assigned to the intl. affairs committee of the House. was introduced about 2 weeks ago.
From Kenya with frustration and love,
Cameron Morgan
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
How to support our trip to Uganda
Friends/Family,
I have received several messages inquiring asto how to donate to the volunteer trip to Uganda this weekend. This trip is going to be very expensive, but we are convinced of the efficacy of delivering bulk staple foods to starving people ourselves, rather than trusting an organization to do so.
To donate, go to www.paypal.com, select send money, and enter in my email address. It is that simple!!!! My e-mail address is weberstatestand@gmail.com.
Be generous if your wallets allow it.
Thank you,
Cameron Morgan
I have received several messages inquiring asto how to donate to the volunteer trip to Uganda this weekend. This trip is going to be very expensive, but we are convinced of the efficacy of delivering bulk staple foods to starving people ourselves, rather than trusting an organization to do so.
To donate, go to www.paypal.com, select send money, and enter in my email address. It is that simple!!!! My e-mail address is weberstatestand@gmail.com.
Be generous if your wallets allow it.
Thank you,
Cameron Morgan
Monday, May 25, 2009
Disheartening
Friends/Family,
Today I witnessed something that broke my heart and tested my resolve. One of the head teachers at the school I volunteer at was caning (beating with a stick) all of my students quite severely on their little legs, arms, and butts. I was supposed to teach 5th grade English at 820 am, but was told to wait as the beating progressed- the cries of the children were audible as the cane fell on their beautiful black skin again and again. I caught the eye of one student as she cried in desperation, a courageous act in an of itself, because crying is punished at this school. I immediately called a more seasoned volunteer about the situation, she sympathized with me, but informed me that the practice of caning was widespread throughout the Kenyan education system, this revelation horrified me. An entire generation suppressed by fear. She also mentioned that corruption and violence permeated that school and others like it. Dave and myself discussed the issue with a seasoned teacher who listened and agreed with our non-violent suggestions, but spoke of a long-standing tradition of instilling fear in students to maintain their obedience.
For now, Dave and I will work within this corrupt system to try to enact change from the inside. There is a lot of work to do, but I believe in the power of education in changing minds and softening hearts. I have faith in the ability of mankind to change, I won't relinquish this belief.
Other than this, I am looking forward to the trip to Uganda this weekend to bring food to Ugandan refugees. I am heartened by the fact that 2 people have already offered to donate; I hope more step up as well. You can donate through paypal by entering my email: weberstatestand@gmail.com.
Thank you!!
If you have any suggestions as to what I blog about please tell me.
With hope,
Cameron
Today I witnessed something that broke my heart and tested my resolve. One of the head teachers at the school I volunteer at was caning (beating with a stick) all of my students quite severely on their little legs, arms, and butts. I was supposed to teach 5th grade English at 820 am, but was told to wait as the beating progressed- the cries of the children were audible as the cane fell on their beautiful black skin again and again. I caught the eye of one student as she cried in desperation, a courageous act in an of itself, because crying is punished at this school. I immediately called a more seasoned volunteer about the situation, she sympathized with me, but informed me that the practice of caning was widespread throughout the Kenyan education system, this revelation horrified me. An entire generation suppressed by fear. She also mentioned that corruption and violence permeated that school and others like it. Dave and myself discussed the issue with a seasoned teacher who listened and agreed with our non-violent suggestions, but spoke of a long-standing tradition of instilling fear in students to maintain their obedience.
For now, Dave and I will work within this corrupt system to try to enact change from the inside. There is a lot of work to do, but I believe in the power of education in changing minds and softening hearts. I have faith in the ability of mankind to change, I won't relinquish this belief.
Other than this, I am looking forward to the trip to Uganda this weekend to bring food to Ugandan refugees. I am heartened by the fact that 2 people have already offered to donate; I hope more step up as well. You can donate through paypal by entering my email: weberstatestand@gmail.com.
Thank you!!
If you have any suggestions as to what I blog about please tell me.
With hope,
Cameron
Saturday, May 23, 2009
To know service: one of the best days of my life
Hey friends, family,
Yesterday I spent all day buying and distributing food in an IDP (internally displaced persons) camp near Naivasha in Eastern Kenya. The IDP camp was established by the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) following the post-election violence that ravaged Kenya from December 2007 on to 2008. Over 300 people died in that violence and over a 100,000 people were displaced from their homes, many of whom never returned to their homes due to the burning of their houses or a more intrinsic psychological reaction to the death of their families. This camp is located about 2 hours from Nairobi and is composed of numerous families sheltered in large tents. The only other notable structures in the camp are porta-potties and barbed wire. The Camp was situated on one acre of land that was surrounded by vast gardens, which are owned by the disproportionately wealthy Kenyans, not the IDP residents. Although the camp is not suitable for permanent residence, many of the current inhabitants can't go back home and are not receiving assistance from the government to do so.
7 volunteers, along with our hired driver and interpreter, rented a van and first traveled to a wholesale retailer to purchase bulk staple foods for the people at the IDP camp. We pooled our money and bought 31,850 KSh worth of maize, rice, sugar, cooking butter, sweets, and female hygienic supplies (about $430). We then stopped for a bite to eat then headed to the camp. Our van almost became stuck several times and a head on collision was always a worry- Kenyan drivers walk the line between driving like maniacs and driving like professionals, more likely they drive like both. When we arrived at the camp we were given a tour of the "houses" by the locals and a translation of their explanation by our guides. Unsurprisingly, the tents lacked basic sanitation, they were very dirty and fecal matter from chickens and other small animals littered the floor. The area of each dwelling was unsuitably small for the often large families that resided in there and each family's food supply was pathetically inadequate (some small leafy vegetables, a scoop of dirty yellow maize, half of a small bag of flour). One incidence struck me to the core, perhaps more so than any I have seen heretofore. In one tent we were told that families are forced to collect water using old sulphuric acid cans (battery acid) that contained residual elements of the acid. Commonly speaking, these people were forced to drink poison every time they drank water. I was horrified.
Pneumonia and other sicknesses were ubiquitous at the camp, little babies were either coughing or found to have 'snot" all over their faces. The living conditions were ineffable except, as to say, unsuitable for anything more than a weekend spent camping. However, not all was melancholy at this camp. Little children were delighted at our presence and swarmed around each volunteer, hardly, if ever, relinquishing our hands. They loved to play with my arm hair and delighted in my long hair. They enjoyed getting their picture taken and we obliged. Their laughter and excitement boosted my spirit and made me feel somewhat like a celebrity- white people are not a common sight there.
After a short period of time we started the process of distributing the food. I say process because even in that relatively small IDP camp there were deep divisions between the residents,a microcosm of the largely tribal and ethnic divides that set the country aflame a year ago. At first, one side of the camp would not join the rest of the camp to receive the food because of these divisions. My job was scooping the rice for each person in line, we tried avoiding the children because mothers would send up several of their children to get rations unfairly. We had a somewhat organized line of rice, sugar, cooking butter then maize. Alice and I gave candy to a swarming mass of children beforehand to distract them- we were absolutely mauled- it reminded by of a zombie horror movie where I was the unfortunate victim. Sweets must be a delicacy. All in all we distributed food to hundreds of people and over 70 families- it is hard to keep accurate records in such chaos. We gave 2 scoops of rice , 1 scoop of sugar, a portion of cooking butter to each person as well as maxi pads to young women. We had a great deal of food, so we also gave seconds after a deal was made. The line for seconds was much more chaotic.
The deal was that the people at the camp could get seconds only when they all came together as a group and received them. In a very hollywood-esque moment each volunteer climbed on top of the van and promulgated a short speech about the need to come together and that the western nations cared for Kenya- as evidenced by the fact that the UK, USA, and Canada were all represented there. Our translator relayed our messaged and convinced the group to hold unity meetings to work past their differences. In a moment that told of hope in a fractured country, every camp member shook hands and greeted each other with "Jambo Sana" and "Armani" nice to meet you and peace" I saw the potential for country- wide unity beginning on a grassroots level, I saw the power that service and much needed food can have on unity and the promise of hope. Maybe the camp will continue their stubborn infighting, maybe not, but on that day our simple act of distributing food to starving people made all of the difference.
I sit here in the internet cafe full of hope and full of what President Obama calls "The fierce urgency of now." So much can be done with so little money and just a little caring and strong-willed satyagrah (soul-force) and ahimsa (non-violence). My belief in the UN was renewed and restrengthened. Anyone who doubts the UN should follow our footsteps and see all of the fathomless people that have a chance at life because of the UN. I am a wholehearted believer in the UN and think that all Western nations should redouble their efforts to maintain and increase the legitimacy of that stalwart body.
People at this camp are not idle, the parent work in sub-sweatshop labor to pay for their kids to attend a school that is 2 km away, they work extremely long hours digging in fields for 100 ksh($1.30) a day just for the hope that their kids can work for a better Kenya, for a less violent and more whole nation. While we were at the camp, we saw a baby that was born 6 days ago. The pride in his father's eyes was inspiring and credent- here was a proud parent living amongst privation and disease, rejuvenated by the birth of a new child- one can only wonder what his thoughts were as he stood with the help of a walking stick- nearing 7 feet tall.
The group was so affected by this life changing moment that we solidified our promise to visit a Ugandan refugee camp the following weekend. The problem is that it will be much more expensive. We are looking for wiling donors to help us buy food and to rent a van to go to a refugee camp in Uganda. If you might be interested, e-mail me at weberstatestand@gmail.com.
Thank you for reading and I hope that you are inspired to take some action to help these people and others who suffer.
With a full heart and a hopeful song,
Cameron
Yesterday I spent all day buying and distributing food in an IDP (internally displaced persons) camp near Naivasha in Eastern Kenya. The IDP camp was established by the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) following the post-election violence that ravaged Kenya from December 2007 on to 2008. Over 300 people died in that violence and over a 100,000 people were displaced from their homes, many of whom never returned to their homes due to the burning of their houses or a more intrinsic psychological reaction to the death of their families. This camp is located about 2 hours from Nairobi and is composed of numerous families sheltered in large tents. The only other notable structures in the camp are porta-potties and barbed wire. The Camp was situated on one acre of land that was surrounded by vast gardens, which are owned by the disproportionately wealthy Kenyans, not the IDP residents. Although the camp is not suitable for permanent residence, many of the current inhabitants can't go back home and are not receiving assistance from the government to do so.
7 volunteers, along with our hired driver and interpreter, rented a van and first traveled to a wholesale retailer to purchase bulk staple foods for the people at the IDP camp. We pooled our money and bought 31,850 KSh worth of maize, rice, sugar, cooking butter, sweets, and female hygienic supplies (about $430). We then stopped for a bite to eat then headed to the camp. Our van almost became stuck several times and a head on collision was always a worry- Kenyan drivers walk the line between driving like maniacs and driving like professionals, more likely they drive like both. When we arrived at the camp we were given a tour of the "houses" by the locals and a translation of their explanation by our guides. Unsurprisingly, the tents lacked basic sanitation, they were very dirty and fecal matter from chickens and other small animals littered the floor. The area of each dwelling was unsuitably small for the often large families that resided in there and each family's food supply was pathetically inadequate (some small leafy vegetables, a scoop of dirty yellow maize, half of a small bag of flour). One incidence struck me to the core, perhaps more so than any I have seen heretofore. In one tent we were told that families are forced to collect water using old sulphuric acid cans (battery acid) that contained residual elements of the acid. Commonly speaking, these people were forced to drink poison every time they drank water. I was horrified.
Pneumonia and other sicknesses were ubiquitous at the camp, little babies were either coughing or found to have 'snot" all over their faces. The living conditions were ineffable except, as to say, unsuitable for anything more than a weekend spent camping. However, not all was melancholy at this camp. Little children were delighted at our presence and swarmed around each volunteer, hardly, if ever, relinquishing our hands. They loved to play with my arm hair and delighted in my long hair. They enjoyed getting their picture taken and we obliged. Their laughter and excitement boosted my spirit and made me feel somewhat like a celebrity- white people are not a common sight there.
After a short period of time we started the process of distributing the food. I say process because even in that relatively small IDP camp there were deep divisions between the residents,a microcosm of the largely tribal and ethnic divides that set the country aflame a year ago. At first, one side of the camp would not join the rest of the camp to receive the food because of these divisions. My job was scooping the rice for each person in line, we tried avoiding the children because mothers would send up several of their children to get rations unfairly. We had a somewhat organized line of rice, sugar, cooking butter then maize. Alice and I gave candy to a swarming mass of children beforehand to distract them- we were absolutely mauled- it reminded by of a zombie horror movie where I was the unfortunate victim. Sweets must be a delicacy. All in all we distributed food to hundreds of people and over 70 families- it is hard to keep accurate records in such chaos. We gave 2 scoops of rice , 1 scoop of sugar, a portion of cooking butter to each person as well as maxi pads to young women. We had a great deal of food, so we also gave seconds after a deal was made. The line for seconds was much more chaotic.
The deal was that the people at the camp could get seconds only when they all came together as a group and received them. In a very hollywood-esque moment each volunteer climbed on top of the van and promulgated a short speech about the need to come together and that the western nations cared for Kenya- as evidenced by the fact that the UK, USA, and Canada were all represented there. Our translator relayed our messaged and convinced the group to hold unity meetings to work past their differences. In a moment that told of hope in a fractured country, every camp member shook hands and greeted each other with "Jambo Sana" and "Armani" nice to meet you and peace" I saw the potential for country- wide unity beginning on a grassroots level, I saw the power that service and much needed food can have on unity and the promise of hope. Maybe the camp will continue their stubborn infighting, maybe not, but on that day our simple act of distributing food to starving people made all of the difference.
I sit here in the internet cafe full of hope and full of what President Obama calls "The fierce urgency of now." So much can be done with so little money and just a little caring and strong-willed satyagrah (soul-force) and ahimsa (non-violence). My belief in the UN was renewed and restrengthened. Anyone who doubts the UN should follow our footsteps and see all of the fathomless people that have a chance at life because of the UN. I am a wholehearted believer in the UN and think that all Western nations should redouble their efforts to maintain and increase the legitimacy of that stalwart body.
People at this camp are not idle, the parent work in sub-sweatshop labor to pay for their kids to attend a school that is 2 km away, they work extremely long hours digging in fields for 100 ksh($1.30) a day just for the hope that their kids can work for a better Kenya, for a less violent and more whole nation. While we were at the camp, we saw a baby that was born 6 days ago. The pride in his father's eyes was inspiring and credent- here was a proud parent living amongst privation and disease, rejuvenated by the birth of a new child- one can only wonder what his thoughts were as he stood with the help of a walking stick- nearing 7 feet tall.
The group was so affected by this life changing moment that we solidified our promise to visit a Ugandan refugee camp the following weekend. The problem is that it will be much more expensive. We are looking for wiling donors to help us buy food and to rent a van to go to a refugee camp in Uganda. If you might be interested, e-mail me at weberstatestand@gmail.com.
Thank you for reading and I hope that you are inspired to take some action to help these people and others who suffer.
With a full heart and a hopeful song,
Cameron
Friday, May 22, 2009
Very succinct blog
I don't have much time, as the internet cafe is now closing, but here is a few random thoughts. Firstly, I am not ill with traveling sickness anymore, but I developed a cold instead, I think my body is shot because I hardly eat and I sleep very little. I love teaching at the orphanage, I teach several subjects at several grade levels and often have little to no time to prepare for my lessons. Corporeal punishment is still very much the norm in this orphanage and in other Kenyan schools, it seems that teachers want to be feared. I love the work that Dave and I are doing. Tomorrow morning some volunteers are renting a van and driving to eastern Kenya to visit a internally displaced person camp and to drop off food that we purchase for the refugees. The refugees are a result of the massive post-election violence that swept Kenya a year ago. I am so excited to go, I want to know more about the people that I am fighting for back in the states.
Last night the volunteers all went dancing at Black Diamond club until 3 am and then I volunteered at 8, we had too much fun that's for sure. I'll write much more when I get some time, maybe Sunday or some such. I keep very busy, mostly with teaching, walking, and hanging at Nukamatt or just socializing/reading the Dalai Lama back at the Host Family's place.
I am having a blast despite my occasional hunger pangs. And there is definitely more beggars here than SLC despite my prior claim, it saddens me to say the least. I feel very humble and very happy.
From Kenya with some sweet dance grooves,
Cameron
Last night the volunteers all went dancing at Black Diamond club until 3 am and then I volunteered at 8, we had too much fun that's for sure. I'll write much more when I get some time, maybe Sunday or some such. I keep very busy, mostly with teaching, walking, and hanging at Nukamatt or just socializing/reading the Dalai Lama back at the Host Family's place.
I am having a blast despite my occasional hunger pangs. And there is definitely more beggars here than SLC despite my prior claim, it saddens me to say the least. I feel very humble and very happy.
From Kenya with some sweet dance grooves,
Cameron
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A Mzungu amongst the masai
Hey friends,
So, I was the first amongst my cohorts to experience the dreaded Mzungu curse, otherwise known as food poisoning. The last two days have been spent in a dreadful revlery to say the least- awful awful!! However, Monday I began working with orphaned school children at Mama Tunsa's orphanage. This orphanage is extremely cramped, overcrowded, understaffed and lacking in proper sanitation. I don't think that many natives of the United States or other western nations can fathom learning in such conditions, it is remarkable and humbling. It is of note that the children are cheerful and eager to learn, they seem to enjoy participating in class.
The school/orphanage is chaotically run, with classes starting at random times and many students not attending most of their classes at all or filtering in late. I had the oppurtunity to teach fifth grade english and 9th grade science class; I found this thoroughly fulfilling. The students were receptive to the slightly incorrect and outdated curriculum, personally I was just happy that they were receiving any education. I know from my experience, and from relevant research, that education is the necessary impetus for a happy and succesful life. I am very excited to get back to teaching tomorrow- I will be a teacher for the next 3 weeks!
So, the last few days have been rather undramatic, mostly sickness- I think I have lost several pounds, I look terrible skinny. I ate my first real meal in 2 days today and reflected that 3 students at that aforementioned orphanage would be satiated by my single meal- it was sobering. I feel like I am starting to connect with these people- I love their enterprising spirit- there are numerous little shops, even in Africa's larget slum-Kiberia, I enjoy their friendliness and even their extreme curiosity at my white skin and ever growing hair/beard. I have come to to truly recognize the common humanity shared by everyone, we all want to avoid suffering, we all want happiness and we go about our lives in pursuit of that objective, and sometimes we may do silly or hurtful things to achieve that goal.
For all of the poverty, begging is no more prevalent than in salt lake city, though my white skin makes me an instant target- it is hard to explain to them that I am not rich. This weekend The guys and I are going to an internally displaced person camp in Kenya to give food to the people there who were displaced by the recent election violence in this country. The weekend after that we are going to Uganda to visit a refugee camp and distribute food.
I love being here, I love serving, I am so happy. I hope all of you discover the joy of service for yourself- I know many of you have!!! The food is mostly good, I enjoy the beans with cabbage and rice, and the mango drinks/avaro sodas. Fast food is still ever present and the showers are brisk, like a dip into a subarctic lake.
By the way, Mzungu means non-black individuals- it is a common slang leveled at me and my caucasian colleuges.
Hope you all are STANDing for something good these days.
From Nairobi with hope and optimism,
Cameron
So, I was the first amongst my cohorts to experience the dreaded Mzungu curse, otherwise known as food poisoning. The last two days have been spent in a dreadful revlery to say the least- awful awful!! However, Monday I began working with orphaned school children at Mama Tunsa's orphanage. This orphanage is extremely cramped, overcrowded, understaffed and lacking in proper sanitation. I don't think that many natives of the United States or other western nations can fathom learning in such conditions, it is remarkable and humbling. It is of note that the children are cheerful and eager to learn, they seem to enjoy participating in class.
The school/orphanage is chaotically run, with classes starting at random times and many students not attending most of their classes at all or filtering in late. I had the oppurtunity to teach fifth grade english and 9th grade science class; I found this thoroughly fulfilling. The students were receptive to the slightly incorrect and outdated curriculum, personally I was just happy that they were receiving any education. I know from my experience, and from relevant research, that education is the necessary impetus for a happy and succesful life. I am very excited to get back to teaching tomorrow- I will be a teacher for the next 3 weeks!
So, the last few days have been rather undramatic, mostly sickness- I think I have lost several pounds, I look terrible skinny. I ate my first real meal in 2 days today and reflected that 3 students at that aforementioned orphanage would be satiated by my single meal- it was sobering. I feel like I am starting to connect with these people- I love their enterprising spirit- there are numerous little shops, even in Africa's larget slum-Kiberia, I enjoy their friendliness and even their extreme curiosity at my white skin and ever growing hair/beard. I have come to to truly recognize the common humanity shared by everyone, we all want to avoid suffering, we all want happiness and we go about our lives in pursuit of that objective, and sometimes we may do silly or hurtful things to achieve that goal.
For all of the poverty, begging is no more prevalent than in salt lake city, though my white skin makes me an instant target- it is hard to explain to them that I am not rich. This weekend The guys and I are going to an internally displaced person camp in Kenya to give food to the people there who were displaced by the recent election violence in this country. The weekend after that we are going to Uganda to visit a refugee camp and distribute food.
I love being here, I love serving, I am so happy. I hope all of you discover the joy of service for yourself- I know many of you have!!! The food is mostly good, I enjoy the beans with cabbage and rice, and the mango drinks/avaro sodas. Fast food is still ever present and the showers are brisk, like a dip into a subarctic lake.
By the way, Mzungu means non-black individuals- it is a common slang leveled at me and my caucasian colleuges.
Hope you all are STANDing for something good these days.
From Nairobi with hope and optimism,
Cameron
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Monkeys love coke
"The beautiful ones are not yet born" this was a random quote from a Kenyan that I absolutely love, it delves into the question of beauty and the finite condition. So, yesterday some of the guys and myself walked around Nairobi and took in a lot of the downtown area. Firstly, we went to a free admission monkey park that was absolutely out of this world. The park housed dozens and dozens of free ranging monkeys that run around visitors and often, attack them. We bought peanuts to feed the monkeys and the monkeys aggressively pursued these peanuts, to the point of jumping at my face and drawing blood on my hand. I instantly feared some sort of infection or rabies, but I seem to be alive thus far haha! The monkeys also have developed quite the penchant for coke as they took Dave's coke bottle and chugged it down- pictures to come sooner or later. The monkey park was gorgeous to say the least, tropical trees dotted the landscape and various hawks/ random exotic birds sang from the trees and hovered over us- it was awe inspiring. I loved this park.
Other items of note, we saw the skeleton of the very famous australopethicene, Lucy, at the national museum, a very cool finding. My impressions of Nairobi are that of a very crowded city with a plethora of banks, insanely driven matatu's (overcrowded and fast vans), somewhat overpriced food, excepting those on the outskirts, and a city permeated by music and random noise. The city is extremely polluted and is marked by a remarkable display of diversity, e.g. Hindu temples, Muslim Mosques, and Christians churches are all within a close juxtaposition to eachother. Overall, I enjoyed the city very much.
The Masai market, a traditional hagglar's market filled with traditional jewlery, was a unique experience indeed. The salespeople are very aggressive, especially the salesmen, often not taking no for an awnser. I had to say "hapana" and "Asente" a great deal, swahilli statements that combine to mean no thank you. There are no set prices at the market, the salesperson will offer an exorbiant price at first and you must offer an extremely low price and meet somewhere in the middle. It was a great experience.
The food here is very good so far- lots of lentils, spinach, breads, cabbage, and chai. I feel healthy, despite the awful air quality. I start work in the orphanage tomorrow and I am going to an African Christian church service today- I will write about it soon. So, the matatus were very frightening, the monkeys fun, and the food good- all and all I am having a blast.
More than anything, I can't wait to start serving. The people here are so nice, of note are the people of rural masai-land, who seem exeedingly hospitable. The volunteers are fun to hang with as well, the house is filled with guys at the moment.
Another day malaria-free,
Cameron
Other items of note, we saw the skeleton of the very famous australopethicene, Lucy, at the national museum, a very cool finding. My impressions of Nairobi are that of a very crowded city with a plethora of banks, insanely driven matatu's (overcrowded and fast vans), somewhat overpriced food, excepting those on the outskirts, and a city permeated by music and random noise. The city is extremely polluted and is marked by a remarkable display of diversity, e.g. Hindu temples, Muslim Mosques, and Christians churches are all within a close juxtaposition to eachother. Overall, I enjoyed the city very much.
The Masai market, a traditional hagglar's market filled with traditional jewlery, was a unique experience indeed. The salespeople are very aggressive, especially the salesmen, often not taking no for an awnser. I had to say "hapana" and "Asente" a great deal, swahilli statements that combine to mean no thank you. There are no set prices at the market, the salesperson will offer an exorbiant price at first and you must offer an extremely low price and meet somewhere in the middle. It was a great experience.
The food here is very good so far- lots of lentils, spinach, breads, cabbage, and chai. I feel healthy, despite the awful air quality. I start work in the orphanage tomorrow and I am going to an African Christian church service today- I will write about it soon. So, the matatus were very frightening, the monkeys fun, and the food good- all and all I am having a blast.
More than anything, I can't wait to start serving. The people here are so nice, of note are the people of rural masai-land, who seem exeedingly hospitable. The volunteers are fun to hang with as well, the house is filled with guys at the moment.
Another day malaria-free,
Cameron
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Arrival
So, I arrived in Kenya safely and somewhat soundly. The flight to Nairobi was divided into 3 different sections, the 1st- a short jaunt to Texas, the latter two- to Amsterdam then Nairobi were brutal. The flight to Amsterdam was largely nice, but long, because we each had a tv scren that played movies and music- the flight to Nairobi, however, was extremely cramped and largely consisted of me zoning out while eating terrible food.
I digress, upon arriving to Kenya (circa 7pm), Dave and I struggled incessently to fill out our Visa forms just to find out that they didn't even read many of our forms- woo. We met some fantastic bunch of young Christians who shared some laughs and frustrations-ps, cheese in Amsterdam is expensive!! We waited at the airport for about 3 or so hours for our ride to come, during which time we learned swahilli, e.g. jambo-hello, mimi nakara maji- I want water, and Miji, mbilli, tatu- 1, 2,3, and Asante Sana: thank you very much. We were driven on "the magic road" which was an optimistic sobriquet to say the least- as the magic road woad littered with huge pot holes and other surprises. Upon arriving at our host familie's house we discovered that there was no electricity and that when the electricity went out the plumbing soon followed. So our first night in Kenya consisted of struggling through the darkness and falling asleep in a exhausted stupor.
Sleeping in Kenya is very difficult. There happens to be a symphony that takes place every morning, starting at about 3 am outside of our house. The opening score is conducted and performed by a very confused rooster who starts cawing every 10-14 seconds at 3 am very some reason- I thought roosters welcomed the sun??? I spent the whole night thinking of names for the rooster- as it was impossible to sleep. Here are some of my ideas : Jim-Jack "the shotgun" mcmillon, Ernesto Jim ibn abdullah, El chupacabra, and "the jackhammer." Soon after the rooster begins, a very distressed dog begins yelping at the top of his canine lungs and the rooster matches tones. At about 5 am a local Muslim Mosque begins their prayers: I have the odd impression that the rooster is calling the faithful to their prayers. Around 5 am several more dogs/roosters join in the cacophony and the world is alive with the sound of Nairobi music.
Upon "waking" Dave and I walked to the local hang out area, ate some delicious food and watched Angels and Demons at a surprisingly nice theater- yes, the true African experience. Nairobi reminds me a lot of Belize, the streets are littered with cars and tiny shops, much poverty and a great deal of tropical efflorescence. The people that I have met so far are very nice, they are especially friendly when I mention mr Obama or try to speak Swahilli. There is much poverty here, but it doesn't feel hopeless, or abject, there is definite pride and courage in this area. The weather is very rainy and less hot than Utah-it is almost Winter here.
I am enjoying my time greatly, depsite the lack of sleep- they have chai so it's ok.
I hope that I can use this time away to better connect with some of the people that I fight for back home and to soak in the extraorindary joy of service.
I will update you all soon, hope all is well.
From Kenya with love and an evergrowing beard,
Cameron
I digress, upon arriving to Kenya (circa 7pm), Dave and I struggled incessently to fill out our Visa forms just to find out that they didn't even read many of our forms- woo. We met some fantastic bunch of young Christians who shared some laughs and frustrations-ps, cheese in Amsterdam is expensive!! We waited at the airport for about 3 or so hours for our ride to come, during which time we learned swahilli, e.g. jambo-hello, mimi nakara maji- I want water, and Miji, mbilli, tatu- 1, 2,3, and Asante Sana: thank you very much. We were driven on "the magic road" which was an optimistic sobriquet to say the least- as the magic road woad littered with huge pot holes and other surprises. Upon arriving at our host familie's house we discovered that there was no electricity and that when the electricity went out the plumbing soon followed. So our first night in Kenya consisted of struggling through the darkness and falling asleep in a exhausted stupor.
Sleeping in Kenya is very difficult. There happens to be a symphony that takes place every morning, starting at about 3 am outside of our house. The opening score is conducted and performed by a very confused rooster who starts cawing every 10-14 seconds at 3 am very some reason- I thought roosters welcomed the sun??? I spent the whole night thinking of names for the rooster- as it was impossible to sleep. Here are some of my ideas : Jim-Jack "the shotgun" mcmillon, Ernesto Jim ibn abdullah, El chupacabra, and "the jackhammer." Soon after the rooster begins, a very distressed dog begins yelping at the top of his canine lungs and the rooster matches tones. At about 5 am a local Muslim Mosque begins their prayers: I have the odd impression that the rooster is calling the faithful to their prayers. Around 5 am several more dogs/roosters join in the cacophony and the world is alive with the sound of Nairobi music.
Upon "waking" Dave and I walked to the local hang out area, ate some delicious food and watched Angels and Demons at a surprisingly nice theater- yes, the true African experience. Nairobi reminds me a lot of Belize, the streets are littered with cars and tiny shops, much poverty and a great deal of tropical efflorescence. The people that I have met so far are very nice, they are especially friendly when I mention mr Obama or try to speak Swahilli. There is much poverty here, but it doesn't feel hopeless, or abject, there is definite pride and courage in this area. The weather is very rainy and less hot than Utah-it is almost Winter here.
I am enjoying my time greatly, depsite the lack of sleep- they have chai so it's ok.
I hope that I can use this time away to better connect with some of the people that I fight for back home and to soak in the extraorindary joy of service.
I will update you all soon, hope all is well.
From Kenya with love and an evergrowing beard,
Cameron
Sunday, May 10, 2009
About to depart
Hey everyone,
This is the 1st entry of my Kenya volunteering blog. I couldn't be much more excited to go than I am now. I have been preparing for this trip for several months and saw it evolve from an ambigious wish to something more concrete and from 5-6 people to my best friend Dave and myself. I am especially excited to go to Kenya because I feel like I have developed a fondness and fascination towards and regarding Africa. As many of you know, I run the group Weber State STAND and spend a lot of time thinking about Africa and have dedicated much of my volunteer service to Africa.
What do I expect? I don't know what to expect- hot somewhat humid weather with warm rain, a good month without texting-how odd!!, a fantastic volunteer experience, fear, joy, some home sickness, but mostly I think that it will be hard for me to leave- service is the most important part of my existence and yes, the apogee, the zenith of my life.
I take off Tuesday morning. I will update this blog again within a week of my arrival. I hope you stay tuned.
With hope and profound joy,
Cameron Morgan
This is the 1st entry of my Kenya volunteering blog. I couldn't be much more excited to go than I am now. I have been preparing for this trip for several months and saw it evolve from an ambigious wish to something more concrete and from 5-6 people to my best friend Dave and myself. I am especially excited to go to Kenya because I feel like I have developed a fondness and fascination towards and regarding Africa. As many of you know, I run the group Weber State STAND and spend a lot of time thinking about Africa and have dedicated much of my volunteer service to Africa.
What do I expect? I don't know what to expect- hot somewhat humid weather with warm rain, a good month without texting-how odd!!, a fantastic volunteer experience, fear, joy, some home sickness, but mostly I think that it will be hard for me to leave- service is the most important part of my existence and yes, the apogee, the zenith of my life.
I take off Tuesday morning. I will update this blog again within a week of my arrival. I hope you stay tuned.
With hope and profound joy,
Cameron Morgan
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