Background
I studied abroad for a semester in Kenya through the St. Lawrence University Kenya Semester Program, and, after the semester was done, I decided that I was not.
I stayed on for a month with Maurice and Violet Mwanza in the rural community of Khalaba, near Bungoma.
Maurice is one of many well-educated Kenyans who were left unemployed due to the rapid expansion of free secondary and higher education levels without concurrent expansion of the job market. However, instead of blaming the government for their disregard of the needs of their citizens, Maurice took it upon himself to create many avenues of community development within Khalaba.
Some of his programs include the establishment of: primary school, vocational sewing school, community choir, women's groups, fish farming, brick building, and many other initiatives.
Learn more about these projects at: http://vcvck.blogspot.com/
My Independent Study at the end of my semester focused on the effects of drought in Northern Kenya, so, upon entering Khalaba, I was already interested in this lack of resource. There are two natural springs continually pouring out pure water, however there are no structures to contain the water and protect it from bacterial build-up. The water the Khalaba community members are drinking is stagnant and teeming with bacteria.These springs are a high risk situation for preventable water-borne diseases.
I stayed on for a month with Maurice and Violet Mwanza in the rural community of Khalaba, near Bungoma.
Maurice is one of many well-educated Kenyans who were left unemployed due to the rapid expansion of free secondary and higher education levels without concurrent expansion of the job market. However, instead of blaming the government for their disregard of the needs of their citizens, Maurice took it upon himself to create many avenues of community development within Khalaba.
Some of his programs include the establishment of: primary school, vocational sewing school, community choir, women's groups, fish farming, brick building, and many other initiatives.
Learn more about these projects at: http://vcvck.blogspot.com/
My Independent Study at the end of my semester focused on the effects of drought in Northern Kenya, so, upon entering Khalaba, I was already interested in this lack of resource. There are two natural springs continually pouring out pure water, however there are no structures to contain the water and protect it from bacterial build-up. The water the Khalaba community members are drinking is stagnant and teeming with bacteria.These springs are a high risk situation for preventable water-borne diseases.
The image above is from Maurice's webpagehttp://vcvck.blogspot.com/
It states:
Women looking for water but this spring has not been protected.
The water here is likely in the future to contribute to cholera outbreak.
It states:
Women looking for water but this spring has not been protected.
The water here is likely in the future to contribute to cholera outbreak.
Motivations
Nation brands, especially those of African countries, struggle with debunking some real or perceived
stereotypes and reputations created over the years. As bizarre as it may sound, Africa is treated as
a homogenous entity in the West, and changing global perceptions of African countries is a tall order
- Dane Kiambi, Daily Nation. December 30, 2009
My main concern with this project is the misconception of the community of Khalaba as a poor African village that needs help from outsiders. This is not the case. Thanks to Maurice there have been great strides of development originating from within the community, the precise way that development should emerge.
One of the most profound moments during my stay in Kenya occurred because of Maurice.
I struggled immensely with the perceptions that came with the color of my skin throughout my stay in Kenya, being known as a Mzungu (traveling white person). I had gotten to a place of numb joking about the dynamic by the end of my trip.
On December 20th, Maurice asked if I had any interest in shaking the hand of the Prime Minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga, and I replied: “So you can call up Raila and say: I’ve got this Mzungu friend who wants to shake your hand”
Maurice responded simply and genuinely: “Not Mzungu, just friend”
This project is a one-time infusion of funds toward improving and maintaining the quality of life in Khalaba,
from one friend to another.
Construction of the Spring Protection
I will be shaving my head on February 4th and am looking for sponsors. A group of St. Lawrence University students are participating in 'Clips for Cancer' a project in which the participants find friends and family to sponsor their initiatives. I am participating in this cause, my hair will go toward making wigs for those who are undergoing treatment, and my shaved head will be a symbol of solidarity with those struggling with cancer, however I have arranged for the money to go toward this issue I am so passionate for, and have a direct connection to.
The money will go directly toward building a spring protection for the Khalaba community. There are two springs in need of protection, one within Khalaba, and another in a neighboring community that I had the opportunity to examine. Maurice and I have been in contact over this past year, and he has been able to find a local contractor who has experience in spring protection. In this way, the money is not only creating clean water, but is also being introduced into the community to continue further development, by employing local men to help in construction.
The estimate of materials and labor for the spring protection is US$860.00 for one spring, and if it is possible, I would like to raise enough for both.
Water is vital for life.
I am asking you to partner with the community of Khalaba,
and in doing so you will allow others to achieve the human right of access to clean water.
you can mail a check to
Jessy Gill
165 Kinney Rd
Cooperstown, NY
13326
or
direct deposit into the bank account for the springs through PayPal by clicking the Donate button
Donate as much as you see fit
A thank you goes out to you in advance from Khalaba for your generosity
Jessy Gill
St. Lawrence University 2011
Anthropology-Environmental Studies
If you have any further questions do not hesitate to e-mail me:
[email protected]
The money will go directly toward building a spring protection for the Khalaba community. There are two springs in need of protection, one within Khalaba, and another in a neighboring community that I had the opportunity to examine. Maurice and I have been in contact over this past year, and he has been able to find a local contractor who has experience in spring protection. In this way, the money is not only creating clean water, but is also being introduced into the community to continue further development, by employing local men to help in construction.
The estimate of materials and labor for the spring protection is US$860.00 for one spring, and if it is possible, I would like to raise enough for both.
Water is vital for life.
I am asking you to partner with the community of Khalaba,
and in doing so you will allow others to achieve the human right of access to clean water.
you can mail a check to
Jessy Gill
165 Kinney Rd
Cooperstown, NY
13326
or
direct deposit into the bank account for the springs through PayPal by clicking the Donate button
Donate as much as you see fit
A thank you goes out to you in advance from Khalaba for your generosity
Jessy Gill
St. Lawrence University 2011
Anthropology-Environmental Studies
If you have any further questions do not hesitate to e-mail me:
[email protected]
