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This page
contains messages and updates received from the team in Africa during their trip in Feb/March 2006.
The Suitcases for Africa volunteer team travelled to Itegero, Kenya to deliver 27 Suitcases, and 12 boxes
of school, medical and other needed supplies for the children of Itegero Primary School in Kenya.
The Ebi Project - 2006 Trip Update Summary
February 23, March 17 2006
March 10th - Email Update from Darlene and Debbie - lot's of good things
happening in Kenya
March 1 - Email update..things are falling in place...
Feb 26 - Debbie and Darlene send an update...
Feb 25 - The team arrives in Nairobi
Feb 23 - The team is on their via British Airways.
Feb 22 -The team takes care of last minute details.
Feb 15 -The suitcases and boxes are shipped.
Feb 1-15 -Suitcases and boxes are packed.
March 10th - Email Update from Debbie
(and one from Darlene below too)
Well Finally!!!! It has been very difficult to
e-mail. As you have probably guessed there were no internet
cafes in the village we were staying in and when we did get a ride to one,
the computers were not working or I could not get onto
hotmail!!
We are now back in Nairobi and I have just had the opportunity to read all your
messages and feel a little more in touch with everyone. Thank
you so much for your well wishes and keeping me up to date with life in Canada. I am not sure if I will
have the opportunity to e-mail in the next week, so you may not hear from
me again until I arrive home! Hopefully the hotels we are
staying in have internet!!
It has been an exceptionally busy two weeks and we have done so much. I
will be coming home with many pictures but will have to rely on Darlene for
the video! She has done a lot of filming so when we do get the
video you will have a good understanding of all we have done and all we
have seen...
Here are some of the things we have accomplished… which truly are a drop in
the bucket:
-approximately 270 children at Itegero Primary school have been outfitted
with uniforms or partial uniforms
- a library and resource center has been set up at Itegero Primary School
-the roof at Itegero school has been repaired and painted
- all "hands" have been given out and we went into many classes
to do hands with children... it was at that time I realized that many of
the children did not know how to use a marker, even those in grade six
didn't know how to open it as they had never seen one before.
- the puzzles that the "World's Best Grade 4 Class" did were a
hit, but we had to show the grade four class we were working with how to do
a puzzle that was also something they had never seen.
- one of the many questions we had were about the animals we had in
Canada... thanks to my class we were able to give students an opportunity
to read about Canadian animals... they really enjoyed the projects they
made!
- all letters, books and poems were given out and enjoyed by the students
of Itegero Primary School, many of the books that were made are now in the
resource center we set up!
- we took the parachute to Itegero School yesterday. I hope the video captures
the laughter that filled the whole area. What a way to end our days at the
school.
- Laurie and co. your teddy bears were delivered to a hospital near
Itegero.
The Staff at Itegero Primary School was amazing, it didn't matter when we
arrived or what we wanted to do at school that day, we were always welcomed
and they were always ready to accommodate us.
On Tuesday we had a celebration at the school, many speeches of thanks - we
each planted a tree - the Canadian flag was raised beside the Kenyan Flag
and we were entertained by the students. The water pump on school grounds
with funding from the government of Kenya was also being fixed. The atmosphere
was positive and needless to say very uplifting - we were given lunch at a
Teacher's house and then we were off to clinics.
We have been told that they MIGHT rename the school after Ebi!
We have visited many other schools and have many pictures to show you of
these schools… the need is very great and the things we have done are so
small compared to the needs but at least together our efforts do add a drop
to that needy bucket!
Children were very excited to see us, they would run up to us all the time
and as I promised, I will be bringing many smiles back with
us. Stickers have been such a hit the soccer balls were the best
whenever we gave out soccer balls we were greeted with screams of joy!
A "disadvantaged school" which we have called
"Sunshine or Advantaged School" has been given new tables and
benches. It had little furniture if any cups to eat porridge have been
bought a porridge rich in vitamins will be delivered to this school on a
regular basis the children in this school were obviously suffering from a
lack of good food.
At this school there is also a child who does not have any legs. We are
trying to arrange for a wheel chair or stroller to be delivered to the
school. We also gave this school all the socks and clothes that were
donated.
Yesterday we were at a school for special needs and we gave them some of
the bean bags we had, to teach them to throw and catch. We giggled together
as they blew up balloons and gave us all hugs. It was a special day and we
all left hoping we could give this school the gift of water which they
desperately need.
We visited a hearing impaired school. The students were so happy to see us
they came running up to us each student there got their own stuff animalWoW!! Although
many of them were from the dollar store, I felt like Santa given out
million dollar gifts.
Today I finalized banking. We have spent many, many hours in banks and had
a lot of trouble cashing traveler chequesall school cheques have now been
cashed or deposited into the Itegero Primary School bank account or the one
Tim and I opened together in Nairobi. I now have a cheque book and will be
able to transfer money over to an account in Nairobi and then write cheques when needed.
This should be helpful when we are trying to get jobs done from Canada. The money I previously deposited in
this account is still in it. We wanted to get a feeling for the whole
community before we handed any more money over.
Well I suppose I could go on and on, but time is running out and I should
head back to the hotel.
Please say hello for me to the students at Christmas Park and give my class a big hug from me.
Tell them I miss them and I will be back soon and ready to nag
Thinking of everyone and sending my love to you all.
Love Deb
March 10th - Email Update from Darlene
Greetings to all,
Sorry for the long silence from the Kenya Girls, we have been incredibly
busy! I’m so excited to tell you it has gone wonderfully well. We have
established a complete functioning library and resource room at the school
and it looks amazing. It is decorated with children's hands and artwork
from Canada.
The hands activity has been a complete delight. I have so many amazing
photos of happy children! They left on the first day shouting I have a new
friend! Because of all of you we have been able to make a huge impact here.
We have purchased 270 uniforms! repaired and painted the school roof,
bought $1500.00 of text books and set up amazing games and puzzles and
instruments etc.
On the last school day we played parachute games with the
beautiful parachute from Anneke's family. The children were in
awe and we had so much fun. There was a big celebration of
thanks held out in the hot sun where all the children performed songs and
gymnastics and we all planted a tree and one for Ebi in the school grounds
to commemorate the visit. This has been so special and you were all a part
of it .
The Canadian flag is now flying proudly beside the Kenyan flag in this
school. Best news they will rename this school The Dr. Ebi Kimanani Primary
School! Yahooo!
I wish I could tell you that it has all been happy but we have also seen
many heartbreaking things and have all cried over the poverty sickness and
hardship we have seen. We began to visit clinics and other poor and
disadvantaged schools in our vicinity. We stretched our resources as far as
we could to help about four other schools. People were flocking to us for
help as word travels quickly here.
We found a very sad little preschool and went in unannounced. I expected to
find they had very little but was shocked to find they had nothing. There
were 94 toddlers in two tiny rooms. They were all malnourished and sick and
their eyes were sorrowful. I cried at the enormity of it all. We went to
work in a flurry there. Our nurse Susan brought meds to de-worm them all
the next day. We brought toys and books and played with them. We
gave the dedicated teachers materials and ideas to teach with what we
brought. The children did not know how to play due to lack of stimulation
and illness but with each visit they got more excited. There was a
beautiful little girl who was carried to the school in a sling. She had no
legs and was very frail. She could not attend school because there was no
way for her mother to carry her. I gave her a knitted teddy bear and her
whole face lit up. She was truly beautiful. We have been trying to find her
a wheelchair or failing that a carriage. Please pray we find one.
Sue Gunter has set up a feeding program for these children and they are
beginning a high protein and nutrient porridge (which is cooked in a big
pot over a fire). We often feel we have stepped back in time. It is so hard
and primitive.
I have gone on and on I know and have barely scratched the surface of all I
have to share with you. As we drove away today we passed a huge boulder
which is called the weeping stone. It trickles water always even during the
dry season and the droughts. It is said here that it weeps for mankind,
although I have done some of that weeping myself. I left there today full
of hope and sure in the knowledge that you have all made this little piece
of Kenya richer for your generosity and I know
this is only the start of a connection between our two countries
I miss you all and can hardly wait to see you again. We all need this next
week to process this great journey. FIKI SALAMA Go in Peace
Love Darlene XXXXXXX
March 1st - Email Update from Darlene
Jambo from Itegero,
We are well settled into our home in the village and Ebi' family are very
kind to us and help us with all the little things we need to learn each
day. Our days are very full and the stories too numerous to tell here so I
can't wait to share them all with you. We were completely unprepared for the
welcome we received when we finally all met up at Ebi's Mom's house on
Sunday. Some went overland and Debbie and I flew. We arrived at the house
as darkness fell and a crowd of well wishers poured out of the house before
we got out of the vehicle. They were singing and chanting and sweeping us
into there arms like their own lost children. Everyone was crying and
emotions ran high. They are so profoundly grateful that we journeyed so far
to share or love and respect for their Ebi. As we stood inside the house
with only candle light, they sang beautiful songs and it was very special.
Ebi's sister thanked us for in her words "You brought Ebi's shadow
back to her homeland".
The people are very hospitable but life is hard. It takes along time to do
simple things and we have learned that life is all about WATER… we wash in
boiled water to avoid the parasites and so use very, very little! Monday
there was a downpour and myself and two others immediately shouted SHOWER!
We raced outside and shampooed and had a luxurious wash in the rain
I have been into the school now for two days doing hands and singing and
playing with the children and it is AMAZING and makes every hardship
disappear. They are wonderful children shy and respectful and curious about
our white skin touching our arms and giggling! I am taking many photos and
the children get very excited when they see themselves on the digital
cameras so thank you nursery school parents for that camera! It is a
surprise for us to see the children do not know how to open a marker or use
scissors etc but they are delighted to try them.
We are still sorting and organizing all the donations at the house so we
can set up a fully functioning library and resource center. There is one
lonely shelf of the books we sent last year but not for long! I must go for
now as it is difficult to access this and I must share my time. I love and
miss you all and hope you are all singing and having fun too. Love Darlene.
March 1st - Email Update from Debbie
Just a short note to everyone to let you know we are all
fine. Everything is falling into place better than I thought it
would.
We arrived in Itegero on Sunday. That night there was a huge welcome for us
at Mama Erica's house (Ebi's Mother). There were many villagers at the house
when we arrived singing songs of welcome and dancing around
us. Monday we spent the day with John the boy our family is
sponsoring. We took him to the village to get his school
supplies and later to the school to register him.
On Tuesday we went to the school for the first time. We met with the
teachers and parents and introduced ourselves. We then spent time visiting
classrooms and chatting with everyone. Today we went back to the school and
gave our hands to the students and had them make hands for their friends in
Canada. We will be visiting the
school a lot...in the next week and will probably spend most of our time
there.
Three physician packs were being dropped off today in clinics around this
area. Tomorrow in the morning we hope to go to the bank to get money to pay
for the uniforms that have been made for the students that need them and
for text books that have been ordered. When we were at the school yesterday
we saw the uniforms being made! Next week there will be a big celebration
to give the students their uniforms. So as you can see we are very
busy...it has been non stop since we arrived... but it is wonderful to see
everything fall into place.
We are staying in a wonderful house... we have a personal cook... the only
things I miss (besides friends and family) are flush toilets and running
water!
Take care... love Debbie
Feb 26th - Email Update from Debbie
For those of you who don't know...I am in Africa!!! All is well here...sorry that I
haven't e-mailed sooner but we have been very busy and when I finally had
the chance to e-mail the internet cafes were closed.
We had a great journey to Nairobi...and were well taken care of by the
airlines. When we landed in Nairobi we were warmly received by
customs....they read the letter from the high commission and passed us
through thanking us for all we were doing. Relatives of Ebi were at the
airport and we were taken to the Stanley Hotel where we were staying.
Yesterday was very busy...we met with Tim and Ebi's sister and niece. We
discussed our visit to Itegero and what we should expect. We discussed how
we would handle all the goods that we have and how we should go about
distributing them. Needless to say everyone is anxious for our visit.....
Tim opened up an account in Nairobi and I have been given the power of
attorney for the account. We deposited money into the account and will make
a decision as to what it will be used for after we have met with the
officials. So as you can see yesterday was truly a business day.
Now I am in Kisumu... Darlene and I flew there this morning and Tom picked
us up at the airport. I asked him to take me to the internet cafe so I
could at least touch base...and let everyone know all is well. We are now
going to get some bottled water and mosquito coils to take back with us to
Itegero. The other ladies are driving from Nairobi to Itegero and won't be there until
this evening.
Thinking of you all and be assured we are all fine
Feb 25th - Email Update from Darlene
Hi Everyone,
Well, here I am in an internet cafe in bustling downtown Nairobi .Can you
believe that? We had a very l o n g journey and were tired and stressed
about lost luggage when we arrived but today it is all sorted.
We set up a bank account for the school which we will use as needed . We
had an emotional but lovely lunch with Tim and have begun to meet members
of Ebi's family which is very special.
It is very hot and when I looked out my window and saw the palm trees and
the dynamic mix of cars and buses and people it was finally real. We flew
over the Sahara Desert yesterday which was very impressive
from the air.
The suitcases and boxes just left on the last leg of their journey overland
to Itegero . Everyone is very curious as to what is going on when they see
us and this incredible mountain of luggage. Tomorrow we follow.
We are very excited to meet everyone and share in the life of the village.
Thank you all once again for all your help and I will write whenever I can
to include you in this great adventure.
Love Darlene XXXXXXX
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