There's nothing that can help you understand your beliefs more than trying to explain them to an inquisitive child.
~Frank A. Clark
Kenyans like to talk. And talk and talk and talk. Normally, I’m guilty of the same charge, but not in Kenya. I don’t need to discuss why Mynor needs to be sacked from WWC and our vehicle...“If that man destroys our engine? There will be no vehicle, and I will not replace it”. Tony looked at me and then turned around to go to the office. Five minutes later, he summoned Jemimah to come find me. “Mynor is gone.” “Asante, Tony. Better you than me.” We then proceeded to devolve into a conversation about the stupidity of Kenyans...Tony doing the talking and me doing the laughing. Then, as it always ends, both of us falling over one another laughing.
Watoto World Center is growing before my eyes. With this expected growth has come increased diligence on my part to monitor the compound and staff while I am on the premises. This has taken some getting used to by Tony, yet the gratitude on his part for stepping into the more unsavory roles is obvious. I spent 10 days inspecting every inch of the property and overseeing the smallest of details. “Remove this scrap metal, please. I see no one watching the water tanks. TIME the refills! Why are you not wearing your boots in the chicken house? Unafanya nini ?” No one wants to hear this from me. It means “what are you doing?" In my spare time (very little) I praised what was going well and corrected what wasn’t. On multiple occasions I called Penina into the office to request explanations as to why attention to particular detail was being overlooked. The staff seems to forget that there are cameras on every angle of the compound, particularly now that we have added three more. I held 2 staff meetings, both productive. The second was to ensure that the details of the first were understood (they weren’t). The thing I’ve learned about Kenyans is this: I rarely hear: “I can’t do that” “I don’t know how to do that” “Can you help?” or “I don’t understand”. They would rather say “yes” to every request than disappoint you by saying “no”. They don’t understand that I’m far more disappointed by the failure to act on the “yes”. I drove this point home and am fairly comfortable that the staff understands this now. While I was in the Mara, I restructured staff responsibilities and initiated a revised “Three Strikes” policy: two written and signed warnings, the third ending in dismissal. Tony overwhelmingly approved the new policy and all of us we went over it with a fined tooth comb. Penina and I also went over these meetings in greater detail alone, after the fact. Penina has been with us for 3 years, and Tony has elevated her to Supervisor. She now understands that this position comes with increased responsibilities and that the bar has been set higher for her. We pay for Penina’s housing off the compound and now a housegirl (exactly what it sounds like) for her daughter, who will no longer come to WWC with her mother each day. “We need to remove the appearance of any favoritism here. Let's see how these new changes work out and I will review your performance again in March." I was pleased with Penina’s reaction; she views me as being tough, but fair; she also reports to me directly now, in addition to Tony. This, by the way, was her suggestion. On more than one occasion, I overheard the word “kali” being used behind my back. While many people might take offense, I view it as necessary and a compliment. Kali means "hot, tough or fierce" depending on it's use. As my friend Mutinda said to the staff when we opened: "Just do as Simmie says, and don't cross her. She's kali." Yep. Whenever I see Mutinda, we laugh about this. I have asked him to come out to WWC again, to informally revisit speaking with the staff, in my absence. Mutinda is widely respected in our community and throughout the Kiserian area. He has a wonderful presence and understands operations; most importantly, he understands muzungus - this part is critical. I have known Mutinda for 10 years now, and never fail to seek his advice when needed. I would trust him with my life.
Tony and I had much running around to do the past few days. The plan is to have Tony and Jecinta come to the US for the Fourth Annual Evening With WatotoWorld on June 4th. Because we were already in Nairobi, I suggested we make a visit the US Embassy. We were not granted access however, because Tony has already made the Visa application and is awaiting a date for an interview. At the advice of the agent I spoke to, I put my supporting documentation in an email instead, and now we wait. Off we went to Jua Kali (there't that word again). Jua Kali literally means "fierce sun". This is the informal sector, an integral part of business in Nairobi. Here, artisans craft all sorts of metal and glass goods, and trade everything from clothing, fabric, shoes, electronics etc... we have purchased all our stainless kitchen pots and pans here, because they are built to last. This time, we were in need of a chapati pan, which we did not originally purchase here, because Tony wouldn't agree on a price. (My point, Tony - we get what we pay for). I forked over the equivalent of $37USD for this pan, which will likely outlive me. The matrons were thrilled, and made me chapati this evening, before my departure.
This gentleman is writing Eunice's name on the trunk she is required to have before entrance to Form 1. We saved about 1000ksh on this trunk by buying it here.
Wheelbarrow, anyone? They are crafted beautifully
Pans and more pans
With transportation too expensive, this man walks his produce 8-10 km to sell, each day. We were in the moving car, and I was not able to get the full image. Another man is pulling the front of this cart.
Our oldest girl, Eunice, is attending boarding school tomorrow. Like everyone else in the nation, I needed to do last minute shopping for her. Tony complains greatly about the needs of girls in general..it always makes me laugh, because he complains with such sincerity, and well.. he's right. To make everything more efficient, I asked Eunice and Penina to come with me. I wanted Penina to see what it is like shopping for 20 children who need shoes, trousers, uniforms and everything else. Back to school shopping here isn't so different than it is in America. It's harder. In any case, I grew weary after 3 hours and said metosha. Enough. The three of us sat down for samosas and water at a tiny restaurant I know in Rongai, and Penina remarked: Ngai, Auntie. You try. You really try. I didn't know how hard this is, and you do it all by yourself! Mission accomplished.
Penina
Now that the addition on the chicken house is complete, we will expand with Project 3 next week when 200 "roaster" chicks are delivered. The roasters are separated from the "layers" because while they still lay eggs for a short time, their primary purpose is for consumption and sale.
The cement floor is for ease of cleaning. The roasters do not require as much attention as our layers, who live in sawdust, which is changed daily.
Our first eggs have been sold to the markets. I literally watched these chickens laying eggs, completely amused by the fact that once one starts, the rest follow. I have learned more about chickens in the past two weeks than I ever thought possible. By May, Project 2 will be laying eggs also. While Tony looks into additional markets, I will be researching partners to work with us on this project.
This is what a five month food supply looks like:
The layers:
We feed our all our chickens the highest quality food available, and they are given bi-monthly vet checks.
The Education Minister declared after the election that ALL Secondary Government schools would be free. Further, exam fees would no longer be required. When Penina visited Ereteti Secondary School last week to enroll Eunice, the fee structure was, in fact, alarmingly high. They were requiring a $260USD fee for the first semester. We all balked, because it makes no sense. Then again, it is Kenya. I called the Ministry of Education of course, and the woman I spoke with asked me to send her the fee structure I had. Tony and I are both suspect that the Head Teacher made out an arbitrary schedule and will pocket the fees. In any case, Eunice is now going to an all-girls boarding school with far more activities and available options, for less money. Go figure. (I still want to get to the bottom of the fees, and will do so upon my return).
On Sunday, instead of our usual hunting, I decided to take the children to a new picnic site, right off the tarmac at the end of our road. The kids were thrilled with this change of plans so off we went on the 2km trek, swimming "costumes" in hand. Unfortunately, the pool was too filthy and unkept to use it, so the kids ran off to the playground while I ordered 20 plates of chips and sodas.
Grace
Josie
Njeri and Tiff
Humor helps us to think out of the box. The average child laughs
about 400 times per day, the average adult laughs only 15 times per day. What happened to the other 385 laughs?
Faith
Penina, Faith, Abby (Penina's daughter), Njeri and Sammy, our askari (watchman)
Pastor Pete
Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.
~ James Arthur Baldwin
Brian
Peter, Eric and Brian
We spend the first twelve months of our children's lives teaching them to walk and talk and the next twelve telling them to sit down and shut up.
~ Phyllis Diller
Loise
Peter
Tabitha
When you take the time to actually listen, with humility, to what people have to say, it’s amazing what you can learn. Especially if the people who are doing the talking also happen to be children.
~ Greg Mortenson
Catho
Jecinta, Tony's wife
Carala, Tony and Jecinta's daughter
Our Matron Jemima, playing with the kids
Josie
Faith
Rophan Sophia
The children are, in a word, fabulous. I am so happy with their growth and overall well being. The staff is doing a beautiful job with the children, always attentive to their needs and counseling them, as required. Loise, for her part, is very happy now, she has adjusted beautifully. She began nursery school on Monday, and was quite animated about it when she returned home. I believe she is very sharp, and will be bringing back supplemental materials for her to expedite her learning. Ereteti School, for their part, claims they will be watching her progress closely and will move her forward as they see fit.
From somewhere over the African Continent, I am once again on my way home. This was yet again, another wonderful and very productive trip. Our shamba is practically a work of art, the children are healthy as horses and the chicken projects are going to add tremendous value to the organization. As always, I remain deeply honored and grateful for the support each of you have given me over the years. Without this, we simply wouldn't exist.
Much love to each of you,
Simmie and Josie
We shall never know all the good that a smile can do.
~ Mother Teresa
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