Kenya Tuesday 6/14/10

The day started out with a trip to Sister Nickolas’s school. This school is past the Novitiate down roads that get smaller and smaller until we were on a trail that was big enough for the car. Sister Nickolas is running a school for those children that are back in the country. It is a day school with housing for physically disabled children. The intent is to give them an education and assimilate them into regular life. It seems as if they are not educated if they stay in the village. This is a really primitive school with a couple of buildings (basically walls roof and openings for doors and windows). She has 118 children (10 are disabled and live there full time) from Baby School (3 years old) to about 7. The children had never seen someone that was white and we were mobbed. They all wanted to shake our hands and welcome us to their school. One little girl kept coming back to Yvonne again and again to touch Yvonne. It was a moving experience. We were taken through the classrooms and the teachers talked about what they were doing. It is interesting that respect and dignity are as important as math.

We left there to do a tourist thing. Sister Pauline took us to see how the soap stone carvings are made. She first took us to the area where the figurines were being sold. We got to walk through several shops and look at some gorgeous carvings. I would have loved to bring some of this home but they were too big.

We then went on some really rough road to one of the quarries. A quarry is a cut in the ground where men are breaking out the rock and then all around the cut are workers who are cutting the rock into good chunks (with wood saws and machetes). When we walked out into the quarry the manager of the quarry came out and wanted us to pay to take pictures of the workers. It is really helpful to have both a Kenyan driver and Sister Pauline to step in-between ourselves and the Kenyans who believe that all Americans are rich (and we are compared to Kenyans). After some negotiations we were allowed into the quarry. Once we were in they were very excited to show us how the stones were selected, what kind of stones were the best and which stones were too hard to cut and carve.

We went back to the area where the carvings were being displayed and bought a few small figurines. The negotiations were interesting. We would have paid the price because the price was so low but Sister Pauline would not let us do that and she bargained (for four pieces we paid 650 Kenyan Shillings which equals about $14.00 US and that meant that they had made their quota for the day).

Then back to Asumbi for dinner with Retired Bishop Collin Davis. He started the evening telling me that I must be having a terrible trip and he knew just what it would take to make it better. He left the room and returned with two Kenyan beers. He was sure that the Sisters had not thought to offer me a beer in the whole trip and so we sat on the veranda and drank beer and listened to him tell stories of living in Kenya. He was first assigned to the Masi as a priest and it was there he spent the early portion of his time. What a different perspective (and really a perspective of a British priest coming into the country to do good work) that the perspective of Sister Pauline who has spent time teaching in the Masi region. It was a lovely evening and then we were back to the guest house for a rest.

Kenya Monday 6/13/10

We were allowed to sleep in as we were going to 5:00 mass. We were finally up we had the pleasure of visiting the sick sisters at the Mother house infirmary. There we met Sister Peter Celeaver. She is a legend in the order as she is a former Superior General, established the Helpage, a program to give Grandparents who are raising their grandkids because the parents have died from AIDS. What a wonderful person. She told stories about the past. Teased the other Sisters in the infirmary and asked me for my cell phone number so when the Sisters would no longer take care of her, she could call me and I could come and get her and take care of her just like a good son.

Later in the afternoon we rode up to the Novitiate with the retired Bishop Davis, who is one of their teachers, British and been in Kenya serving the church for 50 years, and had dinner with the novices and saw their school. We had mass and a wonderful dinner with them and then sat and answered questions about America. It was interesting to try to explain our school system when we did not really understand their system (it was mostly jargon that was the barrier). They asked about plastic bags and what we did with them. (It was not until that question that we began to notice the number of bags that are left around the city and country side creating an environmental problem.) They asked about California (some set up from the teachers) and what we through of Kenya. They were really shy until Yvonne asked about a particular kind of shaker that is used in the Kenyan music. They brought one out and laughed and laughed was Yvonne tried to learn to use it. They were incredulous that she could not make it work. They sang for us and showed us the different musical instruments. Then they asked that we sing for them. Yvonne suggested one of the rounds and she and I sang for them. I think that they were tickled. (They next morning, after the Sisters heard that we had sang, we had to sing for them. It was a hoot.) We then packed up and headed back to Asumbi. On the way back the Bishop invited us to dinner.

Kenya Bio Gas

For those of you that are part of the Green Challenge, Yvonne and I were introduced to Bio Gas. I was very intrigued (I am not sure that Yvonne was as intrigued) so will spend one blog just describing this process. On Sunday and Monday we saw two of these installations. Here is how the system works.

Every project (school, hospital, orphanage, etc.) has cows. They are milk, beef and also “Bio Gas.” To make this work three holes are made in the compound. Each hole is downhill from the next. The first hole is just sump (not very deep) that the cow manure is washed down into where the grass and dirt clods are pulled out and water is added to make slurry. There is a pipe that transfers the slurry into a large hole with a tank (12+ feet in diameter) in it (much like a diving bell) that has no bottom. (The picture to the left shows how deep the hole is and the gas pipe that is sending the gas to the kitchen.) The slurry releases the methane gas into the tank. As the tank fills with methane gas it raises to the surface of the slurry so that those who are operating the system knows how much gas is in the tank. (The picture to the right is a full tank while the picture on the right is one that is filling.) When the tank begins to sink (because of usage and that no more methane gas is being released from the slurry) a valve is opened and the slurry is released to a third hole (sump) and there is taken out to be used on the garden while new slurry is added to the main tank to start the whole process over.

The tank is heavy so this creates pressure on the gas so it can be piped to the kitchen where it drives the stoves. Though all of the kitchens we saw had wood burning stoves, we were told that the Bio Gas stoves rarely ran out of gas. These kitchens are feeding from 10-30 meals three times a day. What a simple system and good use of all the parts of the operation.

The Sisters were amused that I thought that this was such a big deal. They almost did not even show me this as it is such a part of the regular part of the operation.

Kenya Sunday Earthquake

This afternoon at 3:00 Kenya time we felt the building shake and knew there had been an earthquake.  Because we were in a brick building we were heading out the door when it stopped.  We later went on the USGS web site and learned it was a 5.0 centered at the Lake Victoria area near Kisumu (if you are looking on the map the epicenter was 15 miles wsw of Kisumu).  We are about 1/2 hour from Kisumu.  No damage here.  Matter-of-fact the folks here did not know what was happening and Sister Pauline is now joking that we brought California with us.

So we are off to bed.  We just did not want you to worry if you read or heard about the earthquake in the Lake Victoria area.

Kenya Saturday, 6/12/10

We were up at 5:30 (even Yvonne) so that we could be at the Sisters Mass at the chapel of the Mother House. What we thought would be a quiet early morning service exploded into a profusion of song accompanied by drums, tambourine, kyamba (a shaker). This was the first mass for the newly ordained priests. (It seems as though some of the Sisters were teachers of these priest so it was an honor for the Priests to be asked to celebrate and for the Sisters to see the fruits of their labors.) Yvonne and I listened to the true joy of the word of the Lord surrounding us.

We then were invited to the Mother House refectory for breakfast. Where we met the Sisters of the Mother House and the Aspirants (Young Sisters in their first 6 months in the order. In December they will progress to Postulant Vows.) who sang for us and the new Priests.

It was there that Yvonne was introduced to the choir directors and they have organized a time tomorrow for Yvonne to meet with them and talk and learn music. She is so excited.

While that was going on I got to talk with Retired Bishop Collin Davis (from England) who has been working in Kenya for the last 50 years. Here is a Bishop that the Sisters respect so much that they requested him to be their chaplain after his retirement. We will go with him tomorrow to the Novitiate (these are women who are in their last stage before they profess their final vows) when he celebrates mass for them. He was an RAF pilot in WWII and was a hoot to talk to. He is full of energy and deeply caring of the Kenyan people.

Sister Pauline then took us on a tour of the hospital that they run here in Asumbi. This was quite sobering. One of the projects that the hospital is involved with is an AIDS project supported by Catholic Relief Services. Sister Angela (one of the administrators) told us that the project has been underway for only two years and they are tracking and treating 2000 people with HIV/AIDS. She expects this to increase by a 1000 patients a year. This CRS program has provided drugs that are showing very good results. Incidents of TB and AIDS deaths in this region have dropped significantly because of this program. Here are is a hospital working at the very edge of First Aid. Very little equipment, no X-ray facilities, the Surgery is just a room with a hand painted sign. But they are healing people and knocking down walls in this building to make it work better. They are moving forward as funds become available to better the lives of the people in the region.

From the hospital we went to a compound called the Helpage. This is a program for grandparents who are parenting HIV/AIDS orphans, where they are taught to make clay pots and fire rings in a safe environment. They come on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. These elders are given seeds for their farms so they can feed their families and school supplies for the children. This allows the grandparents to be able to support their grandchildren and live. The Order checks in with them periodically for the grandparents to stay in the program and to support the family.

Then back to lunch at the Generalate. Sister Pauline suggested we needed an afternoon off and that was really true, that is why we have been able to catch up on the blog, read a little, and take a nap.

I have to report that Yvonne is using her inhaler less than she does in Salinas and we are physically doing very well. We are overwhelmed at the work that the Sisters are doing and the needs for the region. No matter what they just keep going on cheerfully doing the work that they are called to do. They continue to push the boundaries of what could be expected. They are healing the population, teaching the young people and themselves, and caring for the poor with faulty electricity, water, and basic supplies.

Pray for us and the Sisters.

Kenya Friday 6/11/10

We were up and going by 8:00 to have breakfast with the Sisters. This is a big day for them as there is an ordination of two new priests and a celebration for the end of the Year of the Priest. It seems that in this diocese they have been praying to support the Priests in their work. There are also issues with the Kenyan Constitution that is being developed to support different tribes/cultures/races/religions. One of the articles is about the issue of abortion and this has caused difficulties with the Catholic Church and they are praying for guidance.

After breakfast we went down to the Asumbi Teacher’s College where the celebration was to occur. We were introduced to the Bishop and later in the ceremony the Bishop recognized that there were visitors from America and had us stand up. He also told the people there that we had not come with Vice President Joe Biden (who is currently in Kenya). The outdoor service started at 10 am and reminded us of the ordination of our bishop and the development of Camino Real at San Juan Batista. There were 5 choirs that totaled about 100 singers (Yvonne was in heaven), many priests, many sisters (and yes it was a little weird to sit in the Sisters section), and hundreds of people. But the big difference was the dancing. Each school brought their dance team and the dancers, though not in competition, would move forward through other dancers so that they could be in front. It was amazing.

The program started with the Kenyan Boy Scouts raising the flag of the church and Kenya and then the 12 minute entrance procession of dancers began coming down the aisle. Dance group after dance group danced in until they filled the center of the area. All during that time the choir sang, the Bishop and priests processed, the bible was presented and the service began. We got to the consecration of the bread and wine by 2:00. We are in a really warm area. Think of the central valley in August. Sister Pauline had brought water and umbrellas and I had brought my hat. The Sisters were under a shade and that helped.

It was an amazing service that finished at 3:00. After the service we were invited back to the Sisters house for a little lunch and then we went on a walking tour of the different schools and hospitals that the Sisters run in just this little town. At one of the schools there as a choir making a video (this is really interesting as you are talking about a town that raises all of its own food, cars are shared or people walk, and yet they are making a video and have cell phones.) The director was excited and ran up to Sister Pauline and asked if we could be in the video. She said they would have to ask us. This young man was so excited to have two Americans to put on his video he could hardly stand it. When we asked what he wanted, he said he wanted us to dance with the choir. Well you can guess our response. NO. These people were great and they would have had two sticks standing with them. It took a little doing but they finally let us go on with our tour.

Back to our room and then dinner and back to go to bed. What a day. They have agreed we might need a day of rest (how about Sunday when they only have a 3 hour service and we can come back to our room and take a nap)

You cannot believe how well we have been treated. What care the Sisters are taking of us. What an insight into a country that many of us know little about. You cannot believe the work the Sisters are doing.

Pray for them.

Kenya Thursday, 6/10/10

Today we left Nairobi. It was a stutter start we were supposed to leave at 9:00 but the sisters ended up getting detained with some church work. As we do not have a cell phone here they could not let us know so we knew that we were where we needed to be and they would come we just waited. The arrived around 11:00 and we went over to Assissi house and packed the truck with materials they were delivering to the houses we would stop at in our trip. Then we had to stop for tea and a check of the water system.


Off we went at about 12:30. Through town and on to the International Trunk Road heading west which we shared with people walking, donkeys pulling carts, street vendors and large 6 wheeled trucks. It was the best road we had been on in Kenya. Little did we know what was coming but Sister Pauline keep telling us we were going on the Dancing Road. We climbed into the mountains and after about an hour we pulled off the road to overlook the Great Rift Valley. We were at 8000 ft. What an amazing sight.

We continued on and drove through Naivasha, Gilgil, until we reached Nakuru. On the way John, our driver, pointed out the Zebras in the distance (they were really in the distance, white dots). We were promised that we would see some at another time.

At Nakuru we stopped for lunch and to drop off some of the material we were carrying. When they heard that we were the ones from Assisi house we had to go see the well that had just been completed but not hooked to the house. They have been stopped from hooking up the well because the city council will lose money from the sale of water to them. Does that sound like city councils we know?

Then back into the truck and off we go heading to Kericho, the tea producing area of Kenya. Sister Pauline had John stop along the side of the road so we could walk out into the tea plants and she coulde show us how they were harvested.

As it got dark (as it does at 6:00 here) we arrived in Kisii and visited the sick sisters at Christi Mary Hospital. We dropped off bedding, hospital supplies and Sister Pauline Mary’s books. We were then given a tour of the hospital. (Can you believe that the hospital did not have water when Sister Pauline Mary was assigned a month ago? Only in the operating theatre does she have running water but that will change. She is a force to be dealt with. She wanted me to stay and work on the plumbing.)

Back at the truck we headed out to the “Dancing Road.” What we did not understand was this was a dirt road rutted by rain water and filled with rocks. It makes the road to Pico Blanco look like a freeway. It was now really dark. John is an amazing driver. We arrived at 9:00 at Asumbi and went to the Order’s Generalate house where they had dinner ready for us. Finally to bed at a 11:00 in their guest house.

It was a great day and we got to see a lot of this portion of Kenya.