Latest News from Community Groups, June 2009,

Urgent request received from Daniel LeMolo, MBEKEC, on 2/6/09

A severe drought brings the following request for urgent assistance for the children attending Sherston Musul Primary School in Laikipia -

"We are continuing struggling with the drought here with no rain at all...The situation at Musul is worst ever seen. No water, no food, children fainting in the class and a lot of problems. So, to your website, if people can donate so that we can try to feed these kids so we don't lose them to hunger. Please put this request to your website."

You can also find out more information on the food shortages and its severe effects on the children and their parents at Musul by clicking this link to a recent article in The Standard newspaper.

Donations towards the development of Sherston Musul Primary School (provision of facilities such as classrooms, uniforms, books, writing materials, school meals, etc) can be made by visiting the Sherston Musul Primary School website at http://www.sherstonmusul.com/ .

The Sherston Musul website has been set up independently by supporters in UK to help raise awareness and funds for the further development of Sherston Musul Primary School. The funds and funding priorities at the school are administered locally by Gill Ellias at O'Lentile in Kenya.

Further information about Musul and related links can be found at 'Postcards from Kenya'.


Good news from Elija Kanyi, Mathare Roots Youth Group on 9/06/09

"We have had a group of student from Mcgill University from Canada, we gave them a tour in the slum while walking around we talked to some and they liked what we do in our youth group and they promised to come back and work with us. And after two months, two of them Avi from USA and Nico from FRANCE.Came they sat down with George Rai the Chairman of the group they talked on what we can do together, and as they were talking they come up with an idea of building a basketball court at Mathare.

We had some challenges of the field because in the slum there is no playing field or a public field any where in the slum,and this is a mistake that was made by our leaders and land grabbers who never care about playing field and all they do care is about housing which they never care even about repairing after building. And another challenge was funds to build the basketball court,this were the main challenges we faced while planing to work on the project. We were forced by situation to build the court at a near by kiboro primary school where we some times meet as a group. The court was build by the assist from from Mcgill university CFSIA Canada Field Studies in Africa, students who were looking for funds from friends and family,and Mathare Roots Youth Group was providing the manpower since the students were not able to raise enough money for more instructors. And we all believed we only needed one or two instructors to show as what to do and how to do it. Everything was finally done in two weeks,vafter long days of sweat we were able to smile at last.

I found this project very unique because in the slum of Mathare children have talents and all they need is Guidance and Facilities. To be able to show case their talents,vthere is no any other sports well known by children in Mathare than football and that's the reason why we thought Basketball will be something different and unique to introduce and those who know how to play can teach others how to.

At the moment we are still going strong with our projects and activities. While working on our plans we were also able to produce a Documentary of less than twenty minutes. About the things we do, and the reason why we do what we do."

Community Groups - News & Updates, April 2009

The following are some of the latest news & updates from community groups and supporting organisations during April, 2009. Further news & updates will be added as & when they come in....

Received from Leonard Muhanga, Nature Kenya Site support officer for Kakamega Environmental Education Programme (KEEP) on 20th April, 2009.

We are fine in Kakamega.

I recently attended the Nature Kenya centenary celebrations in Nairobi (NMK) where Wilberforce Okeka, the founder of KEEP was awarded Conservation Award Certificate to honor his contribution to conservation in Kakamega forest.

I have been facilitating exchange programs for community based organizations to visit Kakamega to learn about energy conservation. Two groups (one from South Nandi and the other from Kijabe) attended where they were taught by KEEP educators on how to install fuel efficient stoves; fireless food warmers (Shimwelo) and briquette making as a supplement to charcoal and fuel wood. So far 45 members (mainly women) have been trained. I expect another group to visit the forest towards the end of the month. John has been quite instrumental in this.

The news in Kakamega, as concerns energy saving devices is that KEEP acquired a briquette making machine, courtesy of James Parkas, a volunteers from FSD (Foundation for Sustainable Development). 20 KEEP members were trained in this venture (Briquettes are small cubes made from everyday agricultural and commercial waste material e.g. dried leaves, weeds, sawdust, maize stalks etc). Although briquettes can come in different sizes and shapes, the ones produced at KEEP are circular (cylindrical).

Received from Samuel Bakari, Friends of Kinangop Plateau on 8/4/09:-

"We are doing well at the workshop. We are getting some help on marketing from Charlie of 10000 birds. You can have a look at what we have done from his site

http://10000birds.com/the-njabini-wool-spinning-workshop.htm0birds.com/the-njabini-wool-spinning-workshop.htm

http://10000birds.com/back-to-the-njabini-woolshop-kinangop.htm.

Also view http://10000birds.com/10000-birds-sharpes-longclaw-and-the-kinangop-grasslands

We have also contacted the Arocha Kenya, Mwamba, to see if they can help us in marketing by displaying some of our products and they get a commission for every item sold.

I will forward some photos that I have send to Charlie and see if they can be useful."


Received from Joan Nesbit, SpanAfric Safari's re development & promotion of ecotourism at Musul, Laikipia on 6/4/09:-

"It's been a tough year. I did manage to register the Musul group into Eco-tourism Kenya and we still need to plan a trip over there for them to survey and identify what next steps to take....
...I havent heard from the USA yet and no replies are coming in.
That's all for now, I still do believe things will work out, it's slow but doors will open soon."

Received from Gordy Liddle re SherstonMusul primary school & educational sponsorship at Musul, Laikipia on 23/3/09:-

"...We have been on hold ourselves for a while now but we have been quietly getting a little more organised and are now linked in with some local contacts and have a web site that should be up and running shortly..."

7/5/09

It's now possible to find out more about the Sherston Musul primary school and to make much needed donations to their educational sponsorship programme at: http://www.sherstonmusul.com/info/home_page.

(Further information about the community at Musul, which is located in western Mukogodo in Laikipia, Kenya, can also be found at here at 'Postcards from Kenya' and at CCI-Kenys's main website.)

New Audio Links

It's now possible to listen to some short MP3 audio clips of traditional Maasai singing recorded at Musul, Laikipia during December 2006.

(My apologies for the poor recording quality, but I hope you will enjoy listening and may be tempted to visit the community groups and hear them 'live' for yourself.)

News from CCI-Kenya.

Apart from CCI-Kenya's website facilities, other CCI-Kenya activities are currently now on hold until further notice later on in 2009.

In the meantime, news and updates from community groups and other supporting organisations may continue to be posted here from time to time.

The following are some of the latest Community updates and goodwill messages recently received:

From Job at KABICOTOA, Kakamega, on 13th Oct 2008
Hi Eliza, ,
Thanks a lot to hear from you again.
We are really doing well with the season trying to pick up.
Lastly we wish you quick recovery and possibly meet you when you come.
Job.


From Koija Hope Club on 8th Oct. 2008.

hi,first we are sorry for delaying in responding and your sickness we pray for you to get well,koija hope club is still carrying on to renovate the community cattle dip,we had all materials but actually there was long drought here and the livestock were dispersed to search for pasture and therefore since this was our core objective we have to wait them back in high number and we will seat with the community and form m.o.u and there after we will proceed and that's what we are after presently thanks,
secretary in charge, Evans.

France Gives Welcome Boost to Kenya's Tourist Industry...

"Kenya is safe, France says.

Kenya's tourism got a major boost after France declared the country safe for citizens and investors. In a letter to French tourists and investors, the French Ambassador to Kenya, Ms Elisabeth Barbier, said post-election violence that had rocked the country early in the year was long gone...."

Read the full story at The Standard-on-line.

Football Links/Partnership Sought by Mathare Roots Youth Group, Nairobi.

The Mathare Roots Youth Group is based in the sprawling Mathare slum in Nairobi. This is the second largest slum in Africa with many differing needs and challenges for the 500,000+ people who live there. Mathare Roots Youth Group has a slogan 'From Roots to Fruits' which highlights the youth group's role in trying to provide mentoring, positive role models, education, opportunity and hope to the young people growing up in Mathare.

Mathare Roots Youth Group would like to establish a link with a football club or a football-related community group or youth group based in an inner city area in UK , so that they can share support, mutual ideas & experience with other local youngsters, perhaps with the possibility of some football-related cultural exchange visits, fundraising/sponsorship, etc.

Football and other sports can play a strong role in helping to keep youngsters on the right track and out of trouble, at the same time helping to uplift whole communities. The youngsters and their families in Mathare are in great need of this additional support, particularly following the terrible effects of the post-election violence which has taken place in Mathare since the disputed presidential election in December 2007. Football is being recognised and much appreciated as a great unifying factor for the now traumatised community of Mathare.

There is exciting potential for local UK-based football teams and their associated local youth groups &/or a local communities to link up with Mathare Roots and to help support the mentoring of Kenyan youngsters living in Mathare. This linkage could potentially take a variety of forms which could help to provide both moral & practical support for the 'Mathare Roots' Youth Group and the local community that it helps to support in the Mathare slum, as well as publicity for the local football team in the UK. It is also an opportunity for the football team's associated youth and community groups to potentially learn and benefit from sharing experiences of growing up in a challenging environment. There are many issues that may be in common to youth growing up in Mathare & in communities elsewhere, including (for example) the relative poverty of inner city areas, youth unemployment, homelessness, gangs, gun & knife crime, drugs, teenage pregnancy, single parents, violence, poor education, health issues, and so on.

If your local football team or football community is interested in helping to establish a link with Mathare Roots, please contact Elijah Kanyi (Email: monelijah@yahoo.com).
Elijah is an active member of Mathare Roots Youth Group, a talented footballer and a cameraman, and is a great role model for other youngsters living and growing up in Mathare as well as those living in other deprived inner city areas around the world.

More information about Mathare Roots Youth Group and the challenges of living and growing up in the Mathare slum can be found at the following website links:

'Postcards from Kenya' (CCI-Kenya blogspot)
'From Roots to Fruits' (Mathare Roots Youth Group wesbite)
'Living & Bleeding' website (images and information about life in Mathare)
Some more photo's of Mathare
MYSA (Mathare Youth Sports Association)

Latest News & Update from Musul in Laikipia, (1/3/08)

(The following update was sent by Daniel Lemolo of MBEKEC on 1 st March, 2008).

Hallo, I hope you are quite ok, likewise to us here in Kenya. Everything has settled and the two (Kibaki & Raila) have come to an agreement.

I’m very glad to hear from you about the progress you made, things here have been on hold since January but they have started showing recovery.

As for one, the government has given us ksh 250000/= in which class three is on the way (at the Sherston Musul Primary School) but the money is not enough as one class cost ksh 400000/= so we hope for well wishers to assist in the completion of this class, the class has already been constructed but things like windows, door, floor, plaster are not there due to lack of money. I have already talked with a lady at Olentile she is going to assist on paying one teacher’s salary starting March this year. Hoping that your sale of jewellery will help another part.

For the toilet and bathroom (at the Cultural Manyatta) they are complete and ready for use.

About MBEKEC progress on beekeeping - we are still waiting for Ennada to provide their funds as I was with them last week at Musul and they assured me they are still waiting the funds from the Bank. Once this is ready they will call me, so I will update you on this when ready,

Also your jewellery order (for the girl-child educational sponsorship project at Musul) these are ready.*

Thank you very much and I hope to communicate now as thing have settled .

Thanks a lot. God bless.


(*NB. It is hoped to collect the new stock of jewellery & have it available for sale in the UK from May 2008 onwards.)

Joy in Kenya

Today there is joy in the streets of Kenya as Kibaki and Raila sign a power sharing deal.

Read the full story and others at The Standard on-line.

Other good news today...
Kenya's new Prime Minister Elect, Raila Odinga, pledges to rebuild Kenya.

Read the full story at BBC Africa News on-line.

Update from 'Friends of Kinangop Plateau' (21/2/08)

The following update was sent by Bakari of 'Friends of Kinangop Plateau' on 21/2/08:

The situation isn't so bad here in Kinangop and Nairobi. Other parts of the country that were affected are also relatively calm. It's almost peaceful.

Well, am looking into a number of things and will let you know as soon as am able. Am doing a small write up about the Sharpe's Longclaw and will send it to you once am through for comments.

Construction of 4 bandas is underway in the Kinangop bird sanctually and wil let you know the charges and how to get there once they are through and the necessary arrangements are in place.

We are going on with the dry season monitoring of the Sharpe's Longclaw.

Work at the workshop is going on normally although the demand for yarn is quite low.

I have also contacted a number of people who have been practicing home stays and they would be happy to host visitors. However, they have not been doing it in an organised way, thus its difficult to say this is the much we can charge. It's therefore important to set a standardised fee. For that we need help.

(Note - the above accommodation, spinning workshop & bird monitoring activities may form part of a new community-based eco-tourism proposal which is currently being worked on by Nature Kenya, CCI-Kenya, Span Afric Safaris and The African Propoortourism Development Centre. More news and updates on this will follow later.)

Updates From Mathare Roots Youth Group, Nairobi

The following updates have been sent by Elijah Kanyi of Mathare Roots Youth Group which is based in the Mathare Valley slum in Nairobi:

07/02/08:
We are fine but worried about the situation we have right now in Mathare, things have been quite tough but we are safe and alive... Sorry for not keeping in touch for a while but it's due to the situation...We never expected such kind of situation and the killings we are having this time in Kenya. Even our group activities have been affected since there are those places which we can't go. But we are trying to see what we can do to get our community back to where we were some months back, in our group we don't have the issue of tribalism since we grew up together since we were young and we are setting up good example to the society. since people are moving to where their community is, for us members we don't have such situation. We are tying to see if we can get people who can at least help those who were hardly affected with the election violence, last week Mathare Roots members donated clothes to people who are sick, refugee in their own community and country. We would like to visit them again and again, until we see they are fine and happy.

13/02/08:
Last week we tried to organise a football tournament which was great because there was a big turn up from members of the community. After the football games we tried to bring youths together to try to find out why people are fighting each other yet we voted peacefully. there was handshake after the each and every game to at least show the community we are still united despite the chaos. We are also working for a peace song which we are trying to tell the people of Kenya that what we are undergoing is not the right thing to be happening in our beloved country, i hope by the time you will becoming it will be ready for sell. Anyway this year we had planned for alot which we hope we will accomplish by the end of year. May be to remind you, sports it’s the best tool to unify people, i hope you still remember about the football legend whom you promised to talk to about football.