Well. It’s my last day at IcFEM...

Well. It’s my last day at IcFEM, and we come to what I believe will be my final installment here. I have to say, I’ve had such a wonderful stay, working with the Gap Programme, and I thank you so much for all of your prayers, because they really have materialised. I have enjoyed every second here: although some days have been more challenging than I expected, I have experienced more in these three short weeks than I could have ever dreamt of. So I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for facilitating my visit.

As ever, I’ve been so busy with the Gap Programme, I haven’t had time to update my blog this week. My apologies. I’ll attempt to give you an overview of the visits this week, although I’ve done so much, some of the stories may have to wait until my return!

After a relaxing day at the IcFEM office on Monday, on Tuesday we found ourselves again boarding boda bodas to the house construction site where we had spent the previous week. The house, having been finished on Monday, was going to be handed over to its new owner: a gentleman named Wyclif Simba Obara. The grin on his wizened old face as he was officially presented with his home was truly heartwarming. After a short sermon in a nearby church, we were given lunch.

The following day, Matthew and I visited Bungoma: the district capital, to spend some time in a Kenyan courtroom. Although the Kenyan legal system is largely based on that of the English, thus the framework is relatively similar, the court itself was very different. Much of the discussion was in Kiswahili, and any English dialogue was often muffled. In the morning we viewed over 30 cases being mentioned with defendants brought into court for a couple of minutes, advocates talking over their heads, then the clueless defendants being ushered back to a room to await trial. A trial which may take minutes, hours, days, months or even years to come to the attention of the court.

In the afternoon, we viewed two cases, one concerning a man who had knocked someone from a boda boda whilst driving, the other concerning the rape of a young mother. A gentleman sitting next to Matthew realized we were having trouble understanding quite what was going on, and kindly provided a translation. However, the cases were presented in a haphazard manner; many witnesses failing to appear. Sometimes the advocates themselves seemed unsure of what they were trying to prove or disprove. We left later that afternoon, somewhat confused and extremely exhausted from trying to make sense of the stories unfolding before us.

The courtroom was certainly an experience, but I think it is fair to say that I found the visits on Thursday to be a little more productive. Early on Thursday morning we boarded a matatu, then a bus to Kakamega, where we were due to meet the district probation officer. We succeeded in locating him and he was eager to take us to our chosen location- the Kakamega juvenile prison. I have written a short article about this visit, which I will relay to you on my return. I can say, however, that I came away from the prison with a great deal of sympathy for the number of its inmates.

We were asked if we also wanted to visit the main prison of the town. I knew the experience would be extremely interesting and agreed instantly.

Kakamega prison currently has over 900 inmates; half of whom have committed capital offences for which they will spend their life behind bars. The prison contains both female and male convicts, and others awaiting trial. The cells do not have beds- we saw about 3 mattresses in total- prisoners sleep on the cold stone floors. Some cells were no bigger than a large kitchen table, yet housed 7 inmates. The prisoners were locked in their cells all day apart from an outside at lunch and dinner.

Inmates have the opportunity to the word of God brought by visiting preachers, and some are able to crowd round a tiny black and white television to watch the news. Some lucky prisoners are permitted to assist in farming, cooking, the prison medical room and pharmacy, and with administrative duties. However, disease is prevalent: malaria, TB, STIs and skin infections being most common.

Any prisoner attempting to escape will of course be instantly shot by one of the guards in the four watch towers. A harsh environment to spend the reminder of your days is it not. I have many prison stories to tell, but again these can wait until my return, for I have (as usual) a limited amount of time to write.

I spent Thursday evening having dinner with Solomon and his family, and another visitor - Clare. The food was delicious- particularly the chapattis which I have grown to love. The delectable company made it a particularly enjoyable evening. I later had the opportunity to fellowship a little with Solomon and I feel as though I learnt a great deal.

Friday and Saturday morning were filled with goodbyes and sorting out details for my upcoming travels. I’m just about to leave IcFEM to journey to Kisumu with Matthew and Clare. I’ll certainly miss this place, and all of the wonderful people I’ve had chance to meet and spend time with. I only hope it's not too long before I can return!

My love to all

Emma.

The Bishop's arrival

Greetings to all from sunny Kimilili!

I tell you, even though we're in the middle of winter here in East Africa, the temperature is soaring! And as we're right on the equator here, the sun's extremely strong. Yet everyone keeps asking me why I'm not wearing my jumper - aren't I cold? I should take some of them to the Scottish Highlands, let them experience real UK winters!

The Bishop visited St James' Church yesterday. Since it was his first visit in three years, the excitement and anticipation as people awaited his arrival early in the morning was palpable. At 10.30, his vehicle entered the gates of the church, to be greeted with a full singing, dancing congregation. After taking some chai and ground nuts with the commoners (i.e. me) he began the service, which lasted around 4 hours. New vicars and evangelists were ordained, including the evangelist at Kibengei - Julius, and a line of 15 children clothed in their best white dresses and shirts successfully recited their confirmation answers with perfect precision. Then, an English visiting vicar delivered the sermon, and after the traditional speeches, we all filed out of the church. I was invited to eat the late lunch provided with the Bishop and the Archdeacons: a great honour. I didn't speak to the Bishop himself very extensively (mainly because he was busy eating) but I did give him many greetings from All Saints, which he received enthusiastically, responding likewise.

I haven't got the busiest day today, which is a nice change - I have some time to try and upload my photographs this afternoon, so wish me luck! It may take about half an hour to upload each one though, so I wouldn't hold your breath. Tomorrow we're handing over the house which Matthew and I built with the fellowship at Kamsinde last week. It won't be too long a ceremony though, as we have to leave the area before it's dark. There are tribal clashes on Mount Elgon, just north of Kimilili, and the police have just introduced a 6 p.m. curfew extending to the Kamsinde area. Don't worry though, we're nowhere near them here in Kimilili.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Matthew's allowing me to nourish my legal interests through visits to the Bungoma high court, and a local juvenile prison, which I'm sure will be particularly eye-opening. I'll report back!

Once again, I hope everyone is well, and enjoying the last few days of Summer. I can't believe that it will be nearly October when I return, I'll have to brace myself for a big drop in temperature!!

God bless,

Emma xx

Hello all!

Very short post today I'm afraid, as I only have a little time before the cyber cafe I'm in at the Icfem compound shuts. It gets dark at 6.30-7 ish here, so everything tends to shut early. What with power cuts (at least twice a day now) and my hectic schedule, I haven't been able to write this week. So this is just a quickie to let you all know that I'm doing extremely well - as they say here, I'm "very fine!"

On Saturday, I experienced a Kenyan wedding. The bride was 3 hours late, the church was decorated with tinsel, and I'm sure over 50 people there had never met the bride or groom, or hadn't the remotest connection to either of their families. Oh yes, and the present giving ceremony, after the rings had been exchanged, involved 2 goats and a sheep being brought down the aisle, as well as a heavy mahogany double bed, mattresses, and a full wardrobe! It was all thoroughly enjoyable! And I think I'm still sleeping well from the exercise - 7 hours of dancing really sheds the pounds!

On Sunday, I again went to Kibengei for the service, after which I had lunch with the congregation. I received many gifts and greetings for you all at All Saints, and for myself...a live chicken. I've given her (she's called Grace) to Solomon's wife Ruth, with strict instructions to let her live a long and happy life, producing eggs for the family. Rule number 1 - no slaughtering!

Since Sunday, we've been builing a house for an old man which I'm personally going to fundraise for when I get back. Much hammering, digging...and playing with the local village children. (Actually, it's been Matthew and the other men who've been doing the hard work...i've mostly been keeping the latter occupied!)

Right, I'd better be off, we're about to close. The Bishop's visiting the mother parish, St James, on Sunday, so that will be an interesting (and possibly rather long..) day! I'm also looking forward to taking some time out and going to see some nearby waterfalls on Saturday morning with Matthew and another guy who works at Icfem - Tony.

Hope you're all well, and thankyou so much for all of your prayers

Emma

Piki Pikis and Boda Bodas...

Jambo!

Sorry I've not been able to update my blog before today, we've been having quite a few power cuts this week. I've got used to carrying my torch around now!

Now, where was I? Tuesday, I believe. This was another day of meeting students, except that we had to travel a little further than normal, and on the way I experienced more exciting (and somewhat precarious) forms of Kenyan transport. Lois, who is in charge of the sponsored children, and I began our journey by taking a matatu to a small village. The matatu was even more packed than usual, and just as I thought the owners couldn't fit any more people in, a lady with 2 babies and 3 chickens was bundled onto the plank of wood next to my seat. I ended up holding one of the babies (which I was then offered as I climbed out of the matatu..but politely declined). We then boarded a piki piki - a motorbike - which took us up and down the hilly dirt tracks to the school we were visiting. About an hour later, we reached our destination (a little unsteady on our feet!) , where I met Kenty Watila. She's very bright, but having some problems at school at the moment...possibly due to her current boyfriend. I'll explain more when I'm back in Manchester.

We then went on the back of a bicycle (boda boda) for a while, another motorbike, and a matatu, to reach the second student, Phanice Juma. Phanice did have some problems at her previous school, but now she's doing a lot better, and her grades are picking up. Her attitude really seems to have changed.

On Wednesday, I visited some of the houses of the Kibengei congregation, where I received another fantastic welcome. Much praying, eating and drinking was done. They're extremely excited about their prayer partners - those who have participated in the scheme will be receiving many blessings from Kimilili!!

Thursday morning, I went to the market..which was eye-opening to say the least. The animals aren't treated very well here - I nearly bought 5 donkeys who were looking particularly neglected...but didn't think mum and dad would want to pay the customs! That afternoon, I visited Elizabeth Biketi with Lois. She's doing extremely well - she's currently head girl and it's looking promising that she'll go to Kenya university.

Finally, yesterday I spent a day in the field, visiting agricultural fellowships which are sponsored by ICFEM. I'll say more about this when I'm back home.

I better go now, I'm going to a wedding today and I'm meeting one of Solomon's daughters who'll take me there in a few minutes.

Best wishes to all

Emma

Worship at Kibengei, and a day at the office

You'll be pleased to know, I've now successfully worked out how to put my mosquito net up without getting myself completely tangled in it..and waking up with 15 bites, using a little ingenuity, a torch to wedge it to the bunkbed, and some string! No more bites for me. (Am also using about half a bottle of jungle spray per day..just to be sure!).

Anyway, moving on to the main story. On Sunday I attended two services, one at St James' Church, which is the 'mother' church of the parish, and a second at Kibengei: its 'daughter' and our link church. The service at St James' was in English, and relatively similar to our services at All Saints. I often stand and give greetings and love from All Saints' Church: Sunday was no exception. After the service, I was taken to Kibengei, where I received a magnificent welcome. As our car pulled up, the entire congregation paraded out of the church, singing and dancing. I was then awarded a wreath of tinsel, and given a place of honour at the front of the church with Grace, Father Josef, and another preacher. I've got some of the service on video....but it's all in Swahili! Maybe I'll have learnt enough by the time I get back to translate...

Maybe not.

Anyway, back to the service. It was rather long, mainly due to the fact that each member of the congregation was eager to stand up and welcome me personally, and give their thanks "to God and All Saints' Hale Barns." Although this became slightly repetitive, the love in their hearts shone through: they were so glad and so excited to welcome me, and so grateful to our church - it was really very moving. We spent some time giving out the prayer cards - it was clear that everyone who received them would be extremely dedicated to praying for their partner at All Saints. After the service, I was taken to one of the congregation's houses for lunch, where I spoke more with the Vicar - Josef, and some of the elders. I got my camera out to take a few pictures, which may have been rather unwise, as the children were fascinated by the pictures, and wouldn't let me leave until each of them had had at least 6 photographs taken of themselves! I'll try and upload some of them later in the week.

I took a matatu back to the guest house with Grace, Lucy, and one of the children - Rachel. A matatu resembles our 14 seater taxis...only thing is, the Kenyans somehow manage to squeeze over 20 people in. I sat on my nice plank of wood bridging 2 seats, with everyone curiously staring at this mzungu trying not to fall into the lap of the woman next to her as we travelled over 80mph through a small village. An experience, to say the least!

That evening, there was a power cut, (a frequent occurrence when it rains, which it does here almost every day), so we had no television to entertain us. However, all of the gap programme students ended up having a long and interesting debate - being from different backgrounds, we can learn a lot from each other.

The next day wasn't as busy - I took a tour round the IcFem offices, meeting the Chaplain - Edward, and speaking with Solomon (the Director), and others about their work here. I also met two of the students who've been sponsored by All Saints': Fenny and Josef, and did a short filmed interview with them. In the afternoon I attended an agricultural seminar, which is currently being run by IcFem for residents of many villages in Western Kenya.

I'm due to meet other sponsored students later today, which should be very interesting. I'll let you know what happens in my next blog.

Bye for now!

Emma

My journey begins...

Hi everyone!

I'm writing from the computer centre in the ICFEM office compound. I've been here for 3 days now - arrived safely into Kisumu on Thursday morning and met Matthew, who's been organising the ICFEM gap programme, and Tatwe, who's a deputy director here and also lives in the ICFEM complex. We spent the day in Kisumu, picking up some necessaries from the shops in Kisumu (Kenya's third city) and visiting Lake Victoria and a potential activity centre for the childen spending a week at ICFEM's summer camp. Needless to say, although the roads in Kenya are somewhat bumpier than ours (this miight be a HUGE understatement), I managed to fall asleep many times on our various journeys during the day, having not slept on the overnight flight. We also met an old friend of Tattwe's in town, who took us to his house to show us the rehabilitation programme he's set up for street children. Apparently there are many such programmes here in Kenya: it's really encouraging. Everyone here is extremely generous, and wanting to help others as much as possible, even if they don't necessarily have the means. On Thursday night we travelled the three hours back to Kimilili, where I received a fantastic welcome from Solomon, his wife Ruth, Ann, and the children living at ICFEM.

The next morning, after a long rest, I spoke to Ann: we arranged that I would go with her to St James' English service tomorrow (Sunday) morning, then attend the service at Kibengei. After lunch at the guest house (where all visitors are provided with meals) I went into the village with Grace, a primary school teacher who also works at St James' Church (this is the lady who has been in contact with Christine), and a friend of hers, Lucy - to get some better sandals...to stop mites from burrowing into my toes and laying eggs there...Nice!

I've met so many people here already. The culture is very different - you walk down the road and everyone you meet will smile widely and ask 'habare?': 'How are you?'. The children are beautiful: they are fascinated by 'mzungus' - white westerners: the bolder ones will run up to you to ask 'how are you?' and to shake your hand, whilst others will give a shy wave and smile from the roadside. It's very rural here - we're surrounded by fields of maize and on the mud road, cows and goats walk side by side with people.

This morning, we were up early for breakfast, then walked to the Dreamland complex. I was wearing long trousers and trainers, but it has rained rather a lot here over the past few weeks (unusual for this time of year), and I still ended up with mud up to my knees. The clay-like soil here is a dark orange colour, and seems to get on all your clothes - a thought for potential visitors to Kimilili! An hour's walk later, we reached the complex. I was travelling with Matthew and the four Dutch volunteers who are also here: they're lovely! We spent the morning planting trees in the Dreamland school garden, then I took a tour around the school and the hospital. The school is beautiful, and the hospital will one day, when it eventually has electricity, be an excellent facility. The latter is, however, clearly in early stages. The staff there have large amounts of medical supplies and equipment, but there are many rooms upstairs, like an eye clinic and dental clinic, yet to be finished, and building work has not yet begun for proper wards. Nevertheless, the hospital is potentially a fantastic project.

I hope you are all well, and thank you so much for your prayers.

Emma

Commencement Date

This is the start of my blog 4 week blog, I will start my gap programme with IcFEM on the 3rd August and I will be at the Mission until the 1st September.