Much is said about water: can't live without it; water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink; water, the universal solvent. In spite of all that water chatter, water is hard to get a handle on.
We have been in the rainy season since I returned in May. I love this season-cooler mornings, sunny mid-days, and dark clouds bring afternoon rain. The wet and cool weather wash Kakamega clean and leave it dust-free. I looked forward to the afternoon's performance each day.
But in July we have had only a handful of wet days, so the tank that collects the rainwater ran dry. That might not sound like a Big Deal, but that is the source of our drinking water. We take tubs to the tank to collect the rainwater and bring it back to boil. We then fill an assortment of plastic bottles for a stash of about 34 liters (a liter is about a quart). We do not boil the water that comes into the house from the borehole or the well on the property, as per the warning of the locals.
We've been in a pickle. We have not been giving out water to guests....have a banana! We cannot drink our favorite Crystal Light in the quantity we usually do. We are hoarding. We bought a 5 liter bottle of water in desperation and had to carry it home on a boda boda...water is heavy!
Then came Sunday. With all the pent-up energy of a big storm, thunder and lightening filled the dark sky and it started to pour. We ran around, putting our tubs under downspouts. The water was dirty from the dusty roof and gutters. But we were happy. We jettisoned the dirty water once the deluge let up and we were sure there was water in the tank. We went to the tank and turned the spigot, getting 2 tubs of water. Alas our larder is full.
Speaking of water and trouble, I am on my fourth day of bucket bathing. Shanon had masterfully removed the calcium from our shower head in May. But it was silting up again so she tried to replicate the magic. Not so lucky, as the washer in the shower head would not hold. We had water but it just gushed rather than sprinkled. We were OK with that until the heating element in the shower head pooped out....the light goes on, but no heat. So now we have gotten out the tubs again, boil some tap water, and jump into the bucket.
As I said, water can be troublesome.....
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
To Fill a Big Need
When I first arrived at Kakamega Township Primary School, I saw the library, but it was always locked. One day I asked to see it and found a room with murals and very neat shelves with some books. It was touted as a place for meetings and a place where the Headmaster gathered people together. It was not a library in use by students of any age.
At a recent parent meeting that brought over 100 parents out one Friday morning, I took a copy of the topics to be discussed. The topic that caught my eye was the purchase of materials for upgrading the library. What a thrill to see it! Going through my Salvation Army liaison, I indicated my interest in knowing what was planned. The Headmaster brought me a list of texts, maps, and books that he would like to add to the library; he has also indicated that the library will be open all day and a library period should be part of each week for each classroom. The Library Plan has legs!
Once again, many of you have asked what you can do to help. Your generosity has been inspiring to me personally, and the kids that I touch each day have benefited from your largess. I would now like to give a gift of money to help purchase the books and materials for the library, to benefit all the students at K.T.P.S. I have made it clear to the Headmaster that I would contact my friends in the US and would get back to him. If you are interested in the Library Project, I would like to count you in. Here is how:
**Make a check payable to SALVATION ARMY and in the memo section write: Roxanne Morse/Kenya West/Library
**Send the check to: Personnel-Officer Services, Salvation Army, 180 E.Ocean Blvd, Long Beach CA 90802
Your donation will be tax deductible; please include your address so a receipt for your donation can be sent to you from the Long Beach headquarters. The monies that I collect will be sent to my Kenya Territory via the Salvation Army World Services Organization. All materials for the library will be purchased locally. I will contribute to the library project over and above whatever I receive. Because there is a school break for the month of August, I will review the monies received when I return to school in September. I will then finalize the gift with the school and let you all know the results. I want the students from all classes to benefit from the enhancement of the library.
I thank my friends and family for all the support I have received this year. It is impossible to tell you how much it has meant to me as I sit 7000 miles away, but know that we all are making a difference in Kakamega. My job here has been made easier, and this corner of the world is enriched.
At a recent parent meeting that brought over 100 parents out one Friday morning, I took a copy of the topics to be discussed. The topic that caught my eye was the purchase of materials for upgrading the library. What a thrill to see it! Going through my Salvation Army liaison, I indicated my interest in knowing what was planned. The Headmaster brought me a list of texts, maps, and books that he would like to add to the library; he has also indicated that the library will be open all day and a library period should be part of each week for each classroom. The Library Plan has legs!
Once again, many of you have asked what you can do to help. Your generosity has been inspiring to me personally, and the kids that I touch each day have benefited from your largess. I would now like to give a gift of money to help purchase the books and materials for the library, to benefit all the students at K.T.P.S. I have made it clear to the Headmaster that I would contact my friends in the US and would get back to him. If you are interested in the Library Project, I would like to count you in. Here is how:
**Make a check payable to SALVATION ARMY and in the memo section write: Roxanne Morse/Kenya West/Library
**Send the check to: Personnel-Officer Services, Salvation Army, 180 E.Ocean Blvd, Long Beach CA 90802
Your donation will be tax deductible; please include your address so a receipt for your donation can be sent to you from the Long Beach headquarters. The monies that I collect will be sent to my Kenya Territory via the Salvation Army World Services Organization. All materials for the library will be purchased locally. I will contribute to the library project over and above whatever I receive. Because there is a school break for the month of August, I will review the monies received when I return to school in September. I will then finalize the gift with the school and let you all know the results. I want the students from all classes to benefit from the enhancement of the library.
I thank my friends and family for all the support I have received this year. It is impossible to tell you how much it has meant to me as I sit 7000 miles away, but know that we all are making a difference in Kakamega. My job here has been made easier, and this corner of the world is enriched.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Meg Has a Sister!
Andy and Chelsea and Meg welcomed Katherine Claire Morse at 4:22PM on July 10! She weighed in at 8lb 7oz and is 20 1/4 inches long. Not surprisingly she is already into nursing. The picture doesn't show her black hair and lots of it....just like her big sister. Dick is in Dallas to be Mama's helper with Meg. I am sure Chels was more happy than anyone to have Kate delivered as she has been carrying her in the Texas heat. Now all are well and doing fine with the newest little Morse.
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