It is with the greatest joy that I report that the Kakamega Township Library is completely funded! Thanks to the generosity of you, my family and friends, the library needed 250,000 shillings....which is about $3125. The Salvation Army Long Beach has notified me of each donation, and they are preparing to wire the funds to Kenya West. The form to allow for the Salvation Army World Services wire transfer has been received in Kakamega, and my project supervisor has gotten the OK to complete it and return it to the US. I am particularly happy that your donations will be handled through the Army here; there will be greater oversight for the purchase of the books.
Because there is just over $3500, I will confer with the Army as to how to spend the money over and above the funds for books. New shelves will be needed for the addition of so many books. The windows need glass as well. I am overwhelmed that you exceeded the book money and we will have some improvement money. Every child at Township stands to gain from the donation of new books-they are provided for classes 1 through 8. Please take a moment to imagine the impact you are making on a disadvantaged neighborhood school.
It has been my intention to write and thank each of you. If you have not received a thank you from me or a receipt from the Salvation Army, please let me know. Because there was a donation that went unacknowledged, I was able to find that the check was not received. Do not hesitate to let me know.
My cup runneth over. You keep my spirits high and I thank you for your support, both monetary and spiritual.
xxoorox
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Wild Child
In the middle of Term 2, mid-June, we got another student in the Special Unit who appeared to be about 7 years old. She had never been to school and spoke only her tribal language (no Kiswahili or English). Her big smile and sparkling eyes invited us to like her right away. Because she had no clue about school, Timothy told me to continue taking care of my three students, and he would oversee Simani as she got used to the school environment.
Term 2 ended about 7 weeks later and Simani had shown her true colors. She walked with a swagger, hitting anyone and everyone. She played grab and run just to get attention, and nothing was off-limits: books, pencils, erasers,, anything I was using to teach, even a novel or water bottle from my backpack. I told my kids not to chase her and sure enough, she would come back, even more annoyed. Eventually most things were returned from some part of the school campus. She camped out in other classrooms where she was equally disruptive. When she wandered off campus, my girls went to retrieve her. She screamed, cried, and kicked. Timothy's oversight was almost nil and she learned nothing in Term 2 except how to be a 7 year old tyrant.
She's back. The other classrooms now deliver her back to our room. Even at recess, the older girls return her as they are finished being nice to her. Timothy is not on campus regularly so she runs amok. She stirs up my kids to a point of no return. She hauls off and hits each of them and then runs. Paul picks up the chase through the room and when he catches her, there is hell to pay. She can produce blood-curdling screams and tears on a moment's notice; Paul is under the tables, over the chairs, and in a corner gloating. It is not the stuff of teaching.
I told Timothy of her escalating frustration, boredom, and aggression. He seemed somewhat surprised and appreciated my concern. Alternatives for Simani were not met with much discussion. Term 3 may turn out to be a course in self-defense for me and mine.
Term 2 ended about 7 weeks later and Simani had shown her true colors. She walked with a swagger, hitting anyone and everyone. She played grab and run just to get attention, and nothing was off-limits: books, pencils, erasers,, anything I was using to teach, even a novel or water bottle from my backpack. I told my kids not to chase her and sure enough, she would come back, even more annoyed. Eventually most things were returned from some part of the school campus. She camped out in other classrooms where she was equally disruptive. When she wandered off campus, my girls went to retrieve her. She screamed, cried, and kicked. Timothy's oversight was almost nil and she learned nothing in Term 2 except how to be a 7 year old tyrant.
She's back. The other classrooms now deliver her back to our room. Even at recess, the older girls return her as they are finished being nice to her. Timothy is not on campus regularly so she runs amok. She stirs up my kids to a point of no return. She hauls off and hits each of them and then runs. Paul picks up the chase through the room and when he catches her, there is hell to pay. She can produce blood-curdling screams and tears on a moment's notice; Paul is under the tables, over the chairs, and in a corner gloating. It is not the stuff of teaching.
I told Timothy of her escalating frustration, boredom, and aggression. He seemed somewhat surprised and appreciated my concern. Alternatives for Simani were not met with much discussion. Term 3 may turn out to be a course in self-defense for me and mine.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Snapshot: South Africa
It didn't take me long to fall in love with South Africa. The history of the nation is full of intrigue: there was lots of give and take between the British and the Dutch. The Brits did most of the governing and the Dutch headed for the countryside to develop the land. The 20th century fight for freedom is part of that fascinating story.
Cape Town is the big drawing card for this magnificent country: the water and the coastline, the backdrop of Table Mountain, the gardens and green scape. Friends Anta and Gavin introduced me to many pals-how special it is to sit in someone's home sharing venison pie and funny stories. Took a car trip across the bottom of South Africa, traveling across fields that went forever, splashed with canola amidst a sea of greens. The 'wine farm' hardly describes the Dutch Colonial bounty of the wine lands. Walked the Cape of Good Hope and all I could think was: I can't believe I am at the bottom of the world (pictured above, with guides)! Saw bushman art on the walls of Drakensberg, wandered a stud farm in Zulu country, lived in a glass house in a game reserve, and took Rovos Rail across the dusty diamond lands. I visited townships and homelands, Johannesburg and Soweto. Too bad it is 10,000 miles from home. I must return to this land of contrasts and strength and beauty.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Open House and Outta Here
School was to end on Friday August 6, so I planned my trip to South Africa accordingly....silly me. There was a national referendum on Wednesday August 4, so the first change in school closing dates was to Tuesday August 3. But why not take the whole week? So closing was called for Friday July 30.
As the last week of school started, I asked Timothy (head of Special Unit) if I could invite my kids' mamas for a visit to share with them what I teach and why. There was much back and forth and we finally settled on Wednesday July 28 at 11am. Timothy prepared the necessary official school invitation on Tuesday and I sent it home with the kids.
Wednesday dawned and the mamas arrived on time, by African standards (within one hour of the specified time). I am not sure they knew what to make of an open house-type event, but they were cordial and friendly. They all speak good English and I had met 2 of the 3 ladies before. They had a chance to play Memory or Go Fish with their child. I gave them one of their child's work papers to review. We shared lemonade and cookies (known here as juice - pronounce jew-ees - and biscuits) and ended the visit with the kids' favorite dance, the Hokey Pokey. Everyone got into it. I was glad to have them visit at school; Timothy handed out the report cards and that was the end of Term 2, Wednesday July 28.
Tomorrow I am off to Nairobi and Saturday, on to Cape Town. It will be special to visit a country that my parents loved and visited many times over the years. I will also get a chance to drive the Garden Route, hike in Drakensburg, do some game viewing from a lodge with glass-walled rooms, and finish up in Cape Town visiting South African friends, Anta and Gavin Gerhardi. Tune in after September 1st when I will blog again, upon my return to Kakamega and Term 3.
As the last week of school started, I asked Timothy (head of Special Unit) if I could invite my kids' mamas for a visit to share with them what I teach and why. There was much back and forth and we finally settled on Wednesday July 28 at 11am. Timothy prepared the necessary official school invitation on Tuesday and I sent it home with the kids.
Wednesday dawned and the mamas arrived on time, by African standards (within one hour of the specified time). I am not sure they knew what to make of an open house-type event, but they were cordial and friendly. They all speak good English and I had met 2 of the 3 ladies before. They had a chance to play Memory or Go Fish with their child. I gave them one of their child's work papers to review. We shared lemonade and cookies (known here as juice - pronounce jew-ees - and biscuits) and ended the visit with the kids' favorite dance, the Hokey Pokey. Everyone got into it. I was glad to have them visit at school; Timothy handed out the report cards and that was the end of Term 2, Wednesday July 28.
Tomorrow I am off to Nairobi and Saturday, on to Cape Town. It will be special to visit a country that my parents loved and visited many times over the years. I will also get a chance to drive the Garden Route, hike in Drakensburg, do some game viewing from a lodge with glass-walled rooms, and finish up in Cape Town visiting South African friends, Anta and Gavin Gerhardi. Tune in after September 1st when I will blog again, upon my return to Kakamega and Term 3.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Trouble With Water
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.....
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.....
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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