12th Of Never...

Are we excited????.....  you bet your buns we are!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have been fortunate enough to secure a portable ultrasound, donated by the Strathalbyn Vet. clinic.   What a great donation,  I know all the doctors and the patients  in Aitong  and surrounding district  will be  extremely happy to have that facility in their own hospital.     MANY  THANKS  TO  STRATHALBYN  VET  CLINIC.

Also, we have been hunting  for some time,  but we have now managed to purchase a brand new portable dental unit with all the accessories needed to go with it.   This should  arrive sometime in the next week or so,  then we will be taking both units,  and the Othoscopes we bought earlier,  to Kenya in August.                                                  Cant wait to see their faces.

Naturally there will be a up-date  when we get back from Kenya.... so stay tuned.!!!!!!

For those of you who are not fluent in computer sites ect, (like me)  i have just learnt that if you open a page, like this one,  and scroll right down to the bottom,  you will see a small red and white symbol with the letters RSS.

By clicking that button,  i think it means that if and when i make a up-date in that page of my website,  you will be notified to your computer, instead of having to go on line to check if i have done anything new.    nifty hey!!!!   I haven't tried it, but think it is worth it.    i think it applies to all the pages and photos.

So, hopefully, if you click that,  .... you will be as up-to-date as i am when i write it.!!

        Well,  the latest news back from our friends in Olemoncho,  is that the school has been giving night tuition classes  to  the  year 6 student.

       We are  REALLY  happy about this, cause i know it was one of the options the school had been wanting to give for quite a long time.

Due to the solar system,  their night tuition has become a reality. Naturally, the students have to sleep at the school,  because it is not good to walk around the bush at night with such dangerous wildlife lurking. 

       The game plan for the August trip we are about to take is focused again on the school.  On initial conversations, it seems we will be installing a new set of drop toilets for the school. Currently there are 3 toilets available, one for boys, 1 for girls and 1 for teachers,.....  so another set of 3 or 4 toilets would be quite appreciated.             The new headmaster of the school seems to agree with this plan, although, as always,  we have given time to discuss with  the community and school committee to be sure that is what is needed the most at this time.    Now that the students are doing the night tuition,...i also feel there might be a need for a few mattress, to say the least. 

As yet we have no plans for the hospital,.... but that is not to say that we wont find something needed once we get there!!!!! (that is the usual scenario)  but in the meantime, we heard from Dr. Micheal last night, who reports that things are going well at the hospital at the moment.  He has informed the director of the hospital that we will be visiting in August, so we feel confident we will get to meet him this time.

As usual, if i have any more up-dates i will let you know,  but at the very least, i will let you know all the details with pics when i get back in Sept.

Ole Sere     

Finally we can say that the solar has been installed at both Samson house (our teacher)  and at the Aitong hospital.  the reports we got back were so heartening. it does one good to know that you have made so many people happy.

In Samson house, we installed lights in all 3 rooms, and power points to charge mobile phones and  laptop etc.    They were SO greatfull,  as they always are, no matter what we do for them,... but it was nice to hear him say that they consider themselves... living  prestigously  in the village.   It was also very nice of them to give Anthony, our solar man,  a rooster, as a gift for completing the work.

The Aitong hospital was also extremely happy, in the past, they could only run the centrifuge for 1 hour a day cause their batteries where no longer strong,.... now they can use 2 centrifuges at any time of day they wish... they now have seperate lights in all the rooms in the wards and also a security spot light for outside at night,... (to see if elephants are around).  The fridge had a problem with the control panel, but Anthony has taken the panel back to Nairobi for repairs, and will return it and get the big fridge working shortly too.  we have given them 2 more bigger solar panels and 4 new big batteries,  so they have found a HUGE difference. 

Once again we are still on the path of getting the dental unit, which Bob is hopeful of securing tomorrow, if lucky,  and also a set of dental equipment. Then it will mean that once we get to Naiorbi, we will be on the hunt for a air compressor to run the dental unit., that will have to be brand new i think.    

  In the meantime we have ordered another Opthalmoscope and Otoscope, (for looking in ears and eyes etc).  we  have one set here which we will deliver when we go in August, (thank heavens for e.bay)   so it looks like we will have our weight allowance for the plane stretched to capacity again.  (take less and less clothes every time)!!!

So, that is about it for now. i will put a few pics in the gallery. these were sent to us by Anthony, the solar guy.  we will naturally take more when we go to Kenya in August, so that we can keep everyone up-dated and see that we do actaully get these jobs done.

for anyone who is keen to help out with donations,  please just email me and i will give you bank details for direct debit.  thanks everyone, see you next time.

Well, time has gone on, but we haven't been dormant.  we are still working on getting the dental equipment and ultrasound,... but...  we have finally manged to organise the new solar system for the Aitong clinic /hospital,.... as well as  Samsons house, (our teacher).

After getting a couple of quotes for the solar, last night we gave the go-ahead to our solar guy from Nairobi, to start work when ever he is ready.     He had been to Aitong to check out the situation for us and give a good quote. We are truely blessed having Anthony work for us, because he too sees the challenge that we take to donate these things, so as such, he supports us by giving us good discounts and absolute best prices on everything he can.  So if you live in Nairobi and need a good solar system, we can highly recommend Anthony and his team from Think Solar Technics, ... we have worked with him about 3 or 4 times now and he has been a great assett and allie to have on our team.  Thanks Anthony.

It seems the current solar system at the hospital was doing not much more than running the lights and computer (and medical equipment for 1 hour),... so, after finding their entire needs, Anthony gave us the quote and we have managed to put the money together  so he can start work next week,  1st Feb 2012. (always knew 2012 was going to be a good year)!!!! 

We are VERY happy to be able to personally provide this system for the hospital (& the teacher) as we know it will be a GREAT help in their daily lives..... we look forward to visiting in August to see the results for ourselves.

Well,  Where do i start.!!!  So much has happened in the past few weeks. First we visited friends in Wales, then had a 9 day tour of Egypt and then spent two and half weeks in Kenya. (this time it was a holdiday for us)! 

In Kenya after spending the first day and night with our kikuya daughters and family, we wasted no time in getting to Josephs place at Olemoncho and the maasai mara. (This time, Cate was able to come with us). It was wonderful to be greeted by 2 herds of elephants before we had even reached Josephs home, they were reasonably close to home, and such a welcome sight. We also brought a bit of rain to the mara as well, which, while they need the rain, it does make travel hard going.  There were 2 new babies to meet within the family and everyone was well.

Finally,  we took a walk over to the school to see the new classrooms that Samson had told us so much about.  Made of stone, and very solid,  the three rooms  were quite large,  had good cement floors, windows with glass, and good blackboards. (it is usual that the buildings do not have ceilings)     

It was great to finally see the finished product. (well almost,  they were just tidying things up when we were there). The children were to start using it when school commenced the following week. (the teachers all over Kenya had been on strike trying to get employment from the government, rather than contract work...... i believe their demands were met, and everyone went back to school while we were there).  You can find more photos in the school photo album.  

     At the other side of town,  we finally had the chance to visit the other Aitong Community Health Centre. (Aitong hospital). This has been here since we first came to Aitong, but for various reasons, still unknown to us,  we were steered away from this hospital and shown what we now know as the 'private clinic' that we had been trying to help out.  For some reaon, our family, and others, had not gone to this hospital, saying it was a missionary hospital, and they for some reason did not want to go there.  What we have learnt this trip, is they had a misconception of the hospital, and should of been going there all the way along. We also had the misconception that it was fully supported and financially standing on it's own feet.  We  were wrong.   It was something we had wanted to check for quite some time, and played on our mind,... so now we are happy we have investigated the hospital and learnt a lot.

      We are still working  to get the clinic built at Olemoncho,  because we still believe that a clinic is needed closer to home, so that they dont have to walk the 7kms to Aitong, especially for things like check up /consultation, malaria & bronchial treatments and such.  We will also get the solar system put back onto the clinic once it is built..... but.... now,,,, we have also seen  the clinic in Aitong which is more of a hospital service.  They have 2 doctors, a designated maternity /birthing room,  a room  for  inpatients, a room for dental treatment, and of course consultation rooms.  They also showed us their records room and drugs room etc,.... and we found we were most impressed with their organisation and professionallism.  

   While they had all the skills needed, they still lacked in some material items.... they did have the beds,.... but no sheets and blankets,  and they have a dental room, with the knowledge of how to do filllings,... but no equipment to do so,.... so most people wait til they have to have their teeth removed.   they were simply doing a amazing job, with the little they have.  

All babies, are vaccinated against triple antigen, (and over the time) against polio, TB, rubella and a couple of others. Their vaccination program is quite impressive, as is  their record keeping.  They try hard to educate the people about HIV,  & pregnancy  and all the other things we take for granted.  The simple thing of pregnany and child birth is always a major thing for them,  because many maasai still try to give birth at home and wait too long to get help when things go wrong, In the area, i am told they have a 30% mortality rate,  some of this is simply due to the fact of their lack of knowledge on cleanliness while giving birth.  

   We could see that this was a very deserving hospital, so we immediately went out and bought a total of 15 sets of sheets and blankets to get them started,  which, we were told on our next vistit back there a week later,  that they had been warmly appreciated by the 6 women who had given birth since we last met,  and one of those woman having major problems, so some of her relatives were able to stay with her, and the hospital could provide bedding for them all.        Among other the  things that we have agreed to look at,    we knew we could help out staight away with the EDUCATIONAL  program that the doctor wanted to implement. So while in Nairobi, we bought a 22" flat screen TV and a DVD player which we delivered to them. The first idea is that it would be kept in a room so he could give classes to small groups,  the next idea was the tv be set up with the educational disks being played continuously so that the patients can watch this while they are waiting to see the doctors. 

When we returned on our next visit we found the tv on a table (temporarily) with a large group of patients watching, as they waited to see the doctor.  it was was so good to see, plus it took their minds off their ailments for a while. We were told that the tv will be mounted on the wall, so everyone can see it better and it is out of harms way.  He will also have small groups for educational lessons.

        Naurally,  we have learnt a lot of things that need doing at this hospital,  so it will now be our challenge once again to try to get the things that they need.  On our list of requirements,  is to up-date or sort out their battery /solar system.... that is already under way.  next,  we hope to secure some DENTAL  EQUIPMENT  for  filling teeth, rather than extracting,...  we would also like to find a ULTRA SOUND  so they can scan the babies and any other issue that comes along. (that one is just a 'dream' to them).

After speaking with the chief and a few community members,  we have agreed to leave the big fridge, micoscope and centrifuge with this hospital, where it will service  a greater number of people. (The Aitong was very grateful for this, as their fridge was too small for their needs and used a lot of power,  also, our microscope was more powerful than the one they have).

Once the Olemoncho clinic is built,we will install the solar system, transfer the small fridge from Aitong hospital  to Olemoncho clinic and supply the basic needs that a clinic would need as opposed to a full working hospital. 

The financial update for the Olemoncho clinic, is  that the community is still actively raising money. Part of the money from selling plots in the area goes to the fund held for the clinic construction.  when they have raised half the money, we have agreed to donate $3000- ourselves to help along.

     Hopefully this gives you a basic update of what has happened recently,  i will upload photos in the gallery section, and if i think of any other detail i have missed here, i will pass it on in the next few days or weeks.

As we have said before,  if anyone out there wishes to help on this little quest we drive along with,  we are always to happy to hear from you.  Or simply even if you know some one who may have the equipment we seek or may be able to donate it.... we would ALL  be very much appreciative.

so... til next time.........Ole Sere.

SupaOleng;

News from Samson our teacher,  says that the permanant stone contructed building is almost complete.  A message from Samson last night (22nd June) says that construction is going well, and expected to completed in about a week or two.

From what we can gather,  it is one long stone building which is divided into 3 seperate classrooms.  We are very eager to see what it is like. Samson says he will get a photos emailed to us,..... but i also learnt,  that getting the photo is simply not as easy as we all take for granted.  He has to go to Aitong to find the guy who owns a camera,.... (guess he must be the local photogapher),   who will come to take the photo of the room for a fee, he says it's not too mcuh.  ( i can see the next thing we will be leaving there is a small digital camera,  so that Samson can continue to take update photos for us.)  So if anyone out there has a digital camera they no longer use,   we would be happy to take it over when we go there to visit,  which surprisingly enough,  is going to be in Sept this year.  We will leave 17 Aug and visit Wales and Egypt first, but then head back to Kenya to visit both our families.  We will again spend about a week with the maasai family,  so we can spend a bit of time visiting the school again, checking how things are going and getting our own photos of the new classroom, (which we will publish when we get home after 24th Sept).    This trip is actually going to be a holiday for us this time,  but we would never go to Kenya and not see our families.  I have just bought a few more story books so that i can read to the children,  and let them practise their reading skills to me after which we  leave the books with them,  that was one of my favourite times when we were there last,  so i am looking forward at doing that again.

Well,  i will update when we get back,  so until then,

Ole Sere.    (maasai  goodbye)  from us.

      Many people ask us what we do when we go to Africa each year, & they are quite surprised when they hear that we live with and support a maasai community......  among other things.

Over the years we have visited many countries in Africa, but predominatly we go to Kenya. There, we have 2 families with whom we live. Our 2 kenyan 'daughters'  who live with their grandma, 15kms out of Nairobi, and a maasai family who live on rural land on the outskirts of Maasai Mara Game Reserve.

  Over the past 10 years it's fair to say that we have made  a difference to quite a few people. Nothing great, we're just small-key,...but we are consistant.  We, with the help of our  fundraising campaigns at Moomba,  & a few generous donors, have been fortunate enough to be able to help the doctors clinic in Aitong with various medical equipment, baby scales, microscope, centrifuge, solar power & fridge.   At the school, we have built a classroom, cemented floors, supplied various books and stationary, repaired rooms, supplied desks, & recently had solar power installed.   

On a personal level, we have been keeping a teacher at school by supplying him his monthly wage since April '06, & we are now also putting him through 3 years of university to get his degree, after he has proven to us that he was able to get his diploma under very difficult cirmcumstances.     

It is all quite amazing when we sit here and see how much our little bit of effort has helped that school.   On our last trip in Feb. 2011 we went there specifically to get the solar installed,  which the great guys at Moomba had helped make happen with their kind contributions,  but that is also the time  when we learnt about the urgent need for another classroom,... we decided there and then to help with a personal cash donation to help towards the new room,~   we have been so excited  in this last month,  because we have just heard, that a permanant stone class room has now  starting construction.  (late April 2011)

This is the second time that we have been informed,  that due to our ongoing  support, that the school has had extra funding from the council and got things done.      It was because we, as Australians  (outsiders),  are consistantly supporting the school, that a local MP decided to recognize the school and declare it a government school, which brings it's own rewards,  such as a couple of teachers, food for the students & text books etc.   That was a huge development at the time,  and now,  they are being recognized again because of the efforts put in by the community, the conservancy and us. The council is paying the  balance for the classroom.

     Our  current  fundraising campaign is getting a new  DOCTORS  CLINIC  built near the school at Olemoncho.  

Olemoncho is about 7kms from the town of Aitong,  and the community has been wanting to get a doctor at Olemoncho for many years. 

Now,  i am pleased to say that the community has a fundraising stratergy in place,  the plot has been set out,  and we are all working towards the same goal.  Now,  we just need to see it through and make it happen!!!