The World as a Stage

The Lab's Complete, So Farewell to Nairobi For Now...

2010-04-27T04:37:00.001-04:00

It's time to say thank you to our donors, and goodbye to Nairobi for now....

Well friends of Sud Academy's Special Projects, the time has come for me to head back home to Canada after completing the Science Lab Project at Sud. For those of you who have been watching my YouTube video updates, you know it's been a giant work in progress! I figured I'd let the images speak for themselves, and am now writing to say that the project is complete and the students will soon be able to carry on with the task of learning.

***

I would like to say thank you to Susan Jacobs and the attendees at her fashion event "Sue in the City" in March-- your concern for the students of Sud helped raise over $12,000 in total! This is an amazing feat and can not be understated. Much of that money remains to be used for supplies, resources and unseen expenses related to the Form 4 students later this year. For now, they have a fully functioning lab with running water, an onslaught of lab materials, they've been registered to write their standardized national exam in November, and a teacher's salary is lined up and ready to be dispensed.

***

I'll be leaving Kenya on both happy and sad notes- I'm sad to say goodbye but relieved that the project was a success and my goals were achieved! I couldn't have done it without the help of those who've donated time, energy and money, so a sincere thank you. I will try to update the blog with progress of students from time to time, so please check back when you're cruising the internet! Also, visit my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/kelleejacobs to see the construction of the lab as it happened on the ground in a series of short videos.

***

On a side note update, former Form 4 boy Lino has been in Sudan since January this year working for the Government of Southern Sudan collecting data on mother's health and death during childbirth. He was recently asked to work at his local polling station during the first semi-democratic election in Sudan in over 25 years! With a bit of knowledge and a diploma in hand, I'm certain these students can make a world of difference. Good work, Lino!

***

And Another....

2010-03-03T17:14:00.001-05:00

So here is a video from today, when Dan and his men were building the foundation for the lab. By the weekend, the container will have arrived and the lab will be nearly set! Check below for more vids...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-15hltizrA

And 1 more video....

2010-03-02T13:16:00.000-05:00

Just to add to the post below this & the 3 videos from last week, here's a new video update from today. Construction started on the lab, and things are really MOVING! So pumped!!!!!! Please look at the post below this for videos on science materials, books and the new Form 4 classroom!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsGF1KoDU0w

*************************************************

Form 4 At Sud Is ON!

2010-02-27T06:51:00.002-05:00

Over the last couple weeks, we've been really busy getting our Form 4s set up for success in learning! A week ago, I went to town with the Headmaster and a secondary teacher to collect all the books necessary for Form 4 subjects. 114 books in total, and I managed to get 30% off the standard price.... my bargaining skills continue to save money, meaning donor dollars can go much further. Gotta love business in Kenya!

UP: Here, a Form 3 student who was around during the

midterm holiday helps me unpack and sort Form 4 texts...

I know he is thinking that next year, these will be his!

For video of Form 4 student Joseph & I discussing the new books, click HERE!

When talking with the Form 4s a couple weeks ago, they were worried about their classroom being way too hot to concentrate--- while this wasn't part of the project plan, I had to agree that studying in a classroom that's over 100 degrees in the afternoon sun was difficult! So, we reconstructed an old office and the former Grade 1 classroom into a similar sized new classroom that has a 1.5 ft wire mesh border running around the top, letting breeze flow & the sun shine in! We also re-cemented the badly beaten floor so their desks could sit still.... The total project cost was about $300, and they're very grateful to be able to focus better, and for longer!

For video of the Headmaster and I joining in the construction work, click HERE!

UP: Reconstructing the new Form 4 classroom to make it cooler,

brighter and better for learning!

Down: Form 4's working hard in their new classroom--

now the envy of the entire student body...

This past week was busy with board meetings, staff meetings, visiting other schools for reference, and checking- then triple checking- material prices for the lab with engineers, logisticians and people "in the know". All have given us the go-ahead for the quotation so the foundation of the Lab will be laid TOMORROW! I am beyond excited to see the lab in progress and will be shooting videos to update you throughout the coming week!

For a new video of biology teacher Ndegwa & I at a laboratory equipment distributor, calculating and bargaining (this time for over 50% off!) the cost of outfitting Suds' lab, click HERE!

UP: Students & I demonstrate where the new science lab will be located! YAY

Please come back later this week for more video updates as the lab begins from the ground up! I hope you'll all be proud of the work we're doing with your donor dollars.... I know the students are certainly proud of their school and its progress over the last year. Til then.... Thank you!

*********************************************

The Beginning of a Lab...!

2010-02-15T09:50:00.001-05:00

Hello from sunny Kenya! It's been just over a week since I've been here and the lab project is off to a good but cautious start. Meetings with the students, headmaster, contractor and science lab technicians have gone well and things are moving along. We hope to have the container at Sud by the weekend, but must still make some of the preliminary arrangements before taking the leap! We're working on reconstructing a classroom for the Form 4 students with more space and windows, making it easier for them to concentrate in the very hot hours of the afternoon. We will also be going through a local high school's lab tomorrow to see what kind of inventory they have and what we need for our own science lab. I'm also working on registering them for their exams, which have to be written and prepared for at an exam centre. The bargaining has begun! Books will be purchased in the next couple days and the recruiting of a qualified teacher will begin later this week! The students are anxious but patient... for now! They've been studying other subjects with the help of volunteer teachers, 2 of the Form 4 boys from last year.

Some of the Form 4 boys were asking me today who is going to build the lab for them. I

was meeting with the contractor at school and they were excited to see we're making plans!

All in all, it's been a busy week! Getting settled and setting out to start this hefty project have been fun and I'm so very looking forward to Sud finally having its own Form 4 class. Staff and students agree it's the best way forward for Sud and will give the school a sense of pride and its students a gleam of hope. Thanks to all of you who've been instrumental in donating & raising funds for the project. I assure you that as soon as a shovel hits the ground, I'll be back here with a video update!

Until then, I'm back to my meetings and bargaining.... Ciao!

**************************************

And I'm Off! ... Again.

2010-01-28T23:08:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year 2010 everyone! I hope this year brings good things to each and every one of you.... I am also hoping it brings wonderful things to Sud Academy, especially the Form 4 students who hope to be able to graduate this year.

I've been back in Canada for about a month, visiting with friends, family and potential donors to the Science Lab project at Sud. While the fundraising this time around has been very difficult, the project is set to commence next week when I arrive in Nairobi! Fingers are crossed that more funds will come in over the next month or so, so that we can ensure the project is completed with no shortcuts. I will certainly be blogging and adding photos in about a week.... I am going to try to video-document the Lab throughout the process, but I'll need to recruit a good camera man/woman from Sud first!

On another note, Lino Madut, one of last years' Form 4 boys has returned to Sudan this month! I've spoken with him several times since he arrived, and as I type this, he is taking a bus on a 2 day journey to his home village from the capital, Juba. He will be reunited with his twin sister, whom he was separated from in 1993 when they were both captured and taken as slaves. He intends to become a teacher, and told me that he will even teach for free if it means he can share his knowledge with impoverished children "who don't know anything". I'm very proud of him for graduating and using the opportunity he was given to give back to others. He wouldn't have been able to do it without those who donated last year; you should be proud too! Please read below for an excerpt from the letter he sent to Canada with me:

To my dear great sponsors,
I am here by writing this appreciative letter to you that it is because of you that I have finished my high school through your support... I am so grateful for that support, you people really make us proud of you. Moreover, I do hope that you will do more for our next [Form 4] class but I have no word to say because I am very happy indeed for your support. We also thank Kellee for the effort she made to coordinate you to us. I do see her like my lovely twin sister who have not seen me for the last 15 years now but I still love her. One day I will see her...

Yours Faithfully,
Lino Madut Angok

************

I'd like to end my post today by acknowledging a special group of people who have, over the last 12 months, been overwhelmingly supportive in a number of ways to my efforts & projects at Sud Academy. Peter, Tulin and Lisa Sallabank, of Salon Entrenous in London, have been involved in raising & contributing over $6, 000 towards the Form 4 Boys, text books, the rain water catchment system and recently, the science lab & Form 4 classroom. I'm honoured that my cause has inspired their family to follow my journey and take their own creative initiatives to help raise money for Sud. A very big, thank you!

Peter & Tulin, Style in the City- Sud Academy Fundraiser

October 2009

Lisa & I @ Salon Entrenous, January 2010

************************************************

The Key to Graduation

2009-12-04T08:12:00.015-05:00

Hi friends. My post today is one of asking for your help--- I usually like to bring updates and happy thoughts, but now is a crucial time at Sud Academy. Last Friday was the closing ceremony of school for the holidays. It was a great day of festivities as students were awarded for academic & leadership excellence. After the ceremony, I held a meeting with the Gr. 11 students to chat about the new school year that begins in January.

Our issue is that we do not have Gr. 12, and thus a graduating class at Sud Academy. Gr. 12 requires us to have a lab, and proper facilities to prepare the students for standardized exams at the end of the school year. In order to graduate, they must pass this exam, and it is heavily based on the sciences.

UP & DOWN: Grade 12 hopefuls & I met on closing day.

In September, I encouraged the 24 Form 4 hopefuls to work hard, despite not knowing if they'd have the chance to enter Gr. 12. I told them last Friday that the lab still isn't a reality, but that I was now very confident that by next year, it would be. They listened respectfully and when they spoke their message was clear--- we are their only hope and they will wait, as they have no choice, for our solution. They are brilliant students who know all about life struggles and challenges- they understand this is a giant hurdle. I said I didn't know when, or with what money, but that I knew it would come. But we need your help.

UP: Form 3 (Gr.11) student Akol studying outside his class, where the air is fresher!

DOWN: The Top 3 Form 3 Students: William Deng, Mayar Aketch, and Joseph Deng hope to continue their academic excellence next year.

So many of you have already shown interest, even excitement about helping these students make it through the final leg of their tumultuous, extraordinarily difficult but truly honourable quest for education. Now it's time for action, and we must help these kids succeed.

We've raised just over 25% of the total project cost. A science lab, classroom, 2 teachers, books, science materials, electricity, and the furniture for these rooms will cost in the neighbourhood of $20, 000 CAD and time is of the essence. I encourage those of you who are inspired in any way, shape or form to please act now. We can get this science lab up and running by the end of the holidays with some help from Santa and all his little elves! My email is kelleejacobs@gmail.com, and my Mom the fundraiser in Canada's is susan@personalstyleconsulting.com.

These students are beyond serious about their education, and I'm as determined as they are to help them get it. I'm grateful that we all have this magical opportunity of changing the lives of hundreds of students. I wish you all Happy Holidays and invite you to be Merry-Makers with me in Africa!

*****

Pictures: A Lab in the Making

UP & DOWN: This is an example of a 20ft shipping container that contractor Dan Gunda refurbished into a car parts shop. The use of these containers as buildings is very common in the developing world. It is 20ft long & 8ft wide. The science lab container will be twice as long at 40ft.

***

DOWN: The inside of the container is 8 ft wide. Using plywood and plaster, we will divide the container into different sections to make a science lab, classroom, storage room and office.

***

UP & DOWN: Contractor Dan & I discussing measurements, parts, and the logistics of converting the container into a Lab.

***

UP & DOWN: Dan told me to step into his office, which was some seats under a lean-to in the midst of a car junkyard. We haggled over labour charges & tried to cut costs. I've been told by many Kenyans that I'm quite the bargainer. Good news for Sud students!

*************************************

SODIS at Sud Academy

2009-11-30T04:22:00.002-05:00

Since the introduction of the water tank at Sud Academy, students have enjoyed (on most days) the free flow of water for washing & drinking. Because we want to ensure the overall health of the students, we want to make sure that the water they are drinking will not give them diseases like cholera, typhoid, or even diarrhea, the #1 killer of children in Africa.

We have introduced the idea of SODIS- purifying water by leaving it in the sun's UV rays for a full day. Easy-breezy. Since the end of the year was nearing, we thought we'd first train teachers, help them understand the science behind SODIS and demonstrate to them that the simple process works when done correctly. For the last 2 weeks of school we held many meetings and testing sessions with the teachers, and they went very smoothly! Just as we'd imagined, there were impurities in the rain water (but none of the very harmful e-Coli that one finds in most water sources here), and when we left the water in the sun for a few hours, those impurities & bacterias were killed. The teachers were very excited and most said they would practice this at home over the holidays. It's my hope that when the students come back from their holidays, the teachers & I will be able to launch SODIS with the students and get them in the routine of purifying their water and being free from bacteria.

Please see a few pictures of collecting water samples from around the school's property, testing original water sources, and the SODIS samples we eventually found to be clean- every time!

**UP & DOWN: Testing handwashing puddle- results showed it was extremely contaminated with e-coli.**

**UP & DOWN: testing water post- SODIS--- came out sparkling clean, without impurities or bacteria!**

**UP & Down: Collecting samples from sewage trench water flowing from apartments above**

Please click here for more information on SODIS and London's "The Water School", an organization we've partnered with to bring this life-saving technique to the staff and students at Sud. We appreciate their help, materials and advice!

****************************************************

Sudan Photos!!

2009-11-23T04:45:00.007-05:00

Jambo everyone....

Please follow this link to view my photo album of shots taken last month in Southern Sudan. I hope you enjoy this glimpse of where Sud Academy's students come from...

www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2296307&id=81003545&l=bd41241820

*************************************************************

Water is Life--- Thanks London!

2009-11-16T15:30:00.014-05:00

****Please see below for an update on the water catchment tank at Sud****

Here are some photos of students washing dishes, washing hands, and filling up cups & jugs of the surprisingly clean rain water that has been captured in their new tank!

Fundraising Efforts Working Wonders at Sud!

2009-11-14T06:52:00.006-05:00

The past month has been a whirlwind of activity in more than a few ways! I traveled to Uganda and Sudan for 10 days at the end of October, where among many other things I caught a bug. It took me a couple weeks to recuperate, but now that I have, it's back into the full swing of things!

First, let me congratulate my mum Susan on a wonderful event that raised over $14,000 for Special Projects at Sud Academy! Her "Style in the City" event, thanks to it's sponsors and attendees, raised more than enough money to build a water catchment tank. The hefty balance remains in the bank for more Special Project initiatives, the most important of which I will discuss in just a bit... When I walk into school and see students lined up at the tap waiting for their turn to fill their cup or wash their hands, it makes me proud that the London community is responsible for making such an impact in another community, half way around the world. It's impossible to describe how appreciative the students are to have access to free flowing water--- now we must simply wait for the torrential rains to come to fill up the beast of a tank! Thank you sincerely to all those who supported the event.

As mentioned in earlier posts, we are also launching a program called SODIS (solar water disinfection)at the school to purify water. Since we are waiting for the heavy rains to fill the tank, our focus right now is educating and training the teachers and some senior students on the life-saving process. We will launch the program school-wide in January when the students return from their break.

With the water tank and SODIS taken care of, our next big leap is to build a lab and facilitate the education of our Grade 12 students. As many of you know, we lack a Gr. 12 because we do not have a lab for science lessons and practicals. Without studying this, the students have no hope at passing the standardized exams at the end of Gr. 12 which they need to graduate. We are working on a proposal, putting the figures together and working out the logistics at the moment, but what remains is that we still need adequate funding in order to move forward with the plans! The total cost is likely to be in the neighbourhood of $15,000- $20,000 when you consider that we need the building, school supplies, electricity, furniture, books, and teachers!

I cannot stress enough how important it is to implement a Gr. 12 class at this school. Students in lower grades might become discouraged from studying hard if they think they won't be able to graduate at the end of all their hard work. Even though they deal with hunger, thirst, disease, homelessness, having no parents, and war trauma to name a few, this hurdle-- graduating from high school-- is one that we can actually change for the better. They truly have no hope without us, and I have 110% confidence that we will make it happen!

I am elated to hear that high schools, businesses and various groups in Canada are interested in helping Sud Academy become a destination school for Sudanese refugees... John Wise and Arthur Voden schools in St. Thomas have committed to helping their fellow students across the globe get a fair shot at life, just as they are lucky enough to have because they were born in a peaceful country like Canada. That students & kids are becoming more socially aware is inspiring to me- you get what you give, and I'm glad our Canadian students are seizing the opportunity to help others, and as such, themselves. Good work, St. Thomas!

Let's see what other sources of funding we can find for Sud and a lab... I welcome anyone to contact me (kelleejacobs@gmail.com) if you need any information about things related to Sud, Sudan, labs, education, fundraising, etc.... I look forward to working with all of you!

Stay tuned for photos and a story on my trek into Southern Sudan-- understanding where these students come from is a must for anyone interested in helping. The stories, situation and challenges in Sudan are both heartbreaking and inspiring. When I see need, I am immediately inspired to act. I hope you'll join me in this venture to make change, one community at a time.

Until then,
A giant Asante Sana!! (Swahili for thank you)

Water Project--- Video Update!

2009-10-13T18:47:00.002-04:00

Hey All,

Check out my new video on the progress of the water system we are building at Sud (it's short!). This video was made for a fundraising event that is happening in London, Ontario this Thursday evening--- tickets are sold out, so it's sure to be a success! (That's why there is mention of sponsors, etc...)

Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFiFSLvxQEU

I'm off to Uganda and Southern Sudan this Thursday to check out some water projects that The Water School and Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan have brought to those regions..... Will be back online as of October 24th, so please check back soon after for the deets and pics from my trip!

Ta-ta.

*************************************

While You Were Sleeping

2009-10-07T10:54:00.009-04:00

Here are just a few pics from my day today! Enjoy!

UP: Students goofing around while they wait for their lunch.

UP: Someone is VERY happy that she has a Popsicle to tide her over until lunch is ready!

UP: .... And someone is a bit upset that I've not yet taken her photo.

UP: A couple of my buddies in the Secondary section- Peter in red sometimes escorts me home on the mini-buses to make sure I'm safe. :)

UP: Mary the cook prepares a yummy lunch of rice, beans and some onions for flavour! I really love it, even though it's designed to make me FAT.

UP: And of course, another photo of the miniature student. Today was cool so he had a mini sweater-hood under another sweater. I've learned his name is Sangulololo. Seriously! After a famous Kenyan song. I tried to tell him my name is Kellee, but he replied in Swahili (which some senior students translated) that he already knew "she's Kellee". HA. What a doll!

UP: I spent 3 hours this afternoon at the airport with these empty water bottles. We were trying to get them on a plane to Loki in Northern Kenya, where we'll pick them up next week en route to Sudan. Oddly enough, the jet had too much cargo and we only managed to get some of the bottles on! The logistician will try again on Friday--- this was nearly an exercise in futility. But--- TIA. This is Africa!

*************************************************

Busy-Busy Thursday at Sud!

2009-10-04T08:49:00.010-04:00

Here are just a few photos from last Thursday at Sud. Have a look & check back for more later this week!

UP: Passing out exercise books in Class 8! I got a round of applause when I announced I was coming to give everyone a small 50 page notebook. Ha!

UP: Discussing our new notebooks while waiting for our cameraman to sort himself out.

UP: Contractor Dan, me & Headmaster Bosco discussing the rain water gutters for our catchment system. We were making sure the super-tall Sudanese won't hit their heads on the overhanging pipes!

UP & DOWN: At the end of each week, students remove class furniture to clean out their classrooms. Here, keen students whose studies were interrupted by the cleaning routine continue working outside their classroom, amidst the piled up furniture.

DOWN: This little munchkin is the tiniest of Sud students. I'm told he is 6 but it's hard to imagine he's actually that old. He carries his belongings in a tied up grocery bag, is very sharp and often stands guard at the school's gate to notify the headmaster of approaching visitors. He is super shy with me but stopped briefly for this photo!

***************************************************

.... Jumping Right In and Getting My Feet Dirty!

2009-09-30T11:11:00.028-04:00

As you can see, I've been hard at work at home and in the field!

It's been a wild ride since I’ve arrived in Nairobi 7 days ago!

Within 12 hours of stepping off the plane, Trisa and I were on our way to Sud Academy, where students were patiently awaiting our arrival. We were greeted excitedly by staff and students, with big hugs and funny handshakes. Then the choir and its leader sang sweet songs of farewell to Trisa, with the reminder to come again, and of welcome to me, telling me they were happy that I’ve come back to them! Their performance was followed by many speeches by the Headmaster, Deputy Headmaster, several staff members and the school captain. Their speeches were so full of appreciation for our hard work and commitment, and our supporters in Canada, that it was a bit embarrassing at times! One teacher likened our duo to Jesus and the Holy Spirit; another reminded students to listen to us not just because we are white, but human beings too; the school captain reminded students that even though we are short, we are women of substance and know many things, and thus we are actually tall and can see the sky. To top it off, another teacher suggested that when Trisa returns, she should bring a large plane to take everyone back to Canada with her. It truly was a great assembly full of laughs and smiles and certainly made me feel happy to be back!

UP: Students interested to see what I'm talking to the Secondary students about.

DOWN: More nosey cuties await me & my camera outside the Headmaster's office- "photo, photo!"

We also met that first day with Dan the Contractor who has been doing work at Sud for the last few weeks. With heavy rains expected any day now, several trenches were dug in and around the school to divert rain water to the land below. Typically when it rains, the lower classrooms flood and render the classrooms unusable- not anymore!

Dan and I have met several times since then to discuss the rain water catchment system that is desperately needed in order to provide water for washing, drinking and cooking. The plans are coming along well and are set to commence before the end of the week! We are in a race against the rains, but are taking our time with measurements, plans, logistics, placement, etc., as well as anticipating & solving potential issues before it's too late!

UP: Contractor Dan, Headmaster Bosco & I near the newly dug pit for a 10,000ltr water tank.
DOWN: Measuring how high the tank will stand-- too high! Rethink location: we're on it!

DOWN: Discussing alternative locations for the tank... took a while, but we sorted it out. Serious teamwork.

I’ve also had meetings with the staff to discuss some minor administrative issues, and a serious talk with Form 3 (Gr. 11) students about our game plan for Form 4 (Gr. 12). They are set to enter Gr. 12 in January, 2010, but lack the facilities to do so. I leveled with them and said I am working on getting funding to build a science lab for practical lessons, but that it's costly and may not happen in time for the new school year. I encouraged them to continue working hard and to have a bit of patience. Lino, a Form 4 student who used to attend Sud Academy, was there waiting for me and heard this discussion. He reminded the students that patience pays- “if you are patient, then you must be paid, something must and will eventually happen, so please, just be patient.” Wise words, Lino! I'm dreaming of beakers, chemicals, and lab rats- seriously!

UP: Buds forever, former Sud students & 2 of the "Form 4 Boys" hold hands to show friendship. Dennis(L) gave up his spot in boarding so that Lino(R) wouldn't have to make the lengthy & risky commute to school daily.

DOWN: Francis of the "Form 4 Boys" & I goofing around. We're pumped, can you tell?

I have also been trying to track down the owner of the Sudan Mirror, a Sudanese newspaper I’d like to write some more articles for over the next few months. Dan (#2) is tough to get a hold of, but when you do, it’s well worth the wait! I plan to see him tomorrow at his office to propose an article on water projects at Sud Academy and those funded by Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan in several villages across southern Sudan. I’ll be going to Sudan with a couple CASS volunteers in a few short weeks! Alex Lau, Lynn Blumas and I will visit several water project sites to deliver bottles, monitor progress and talk about challenges and successes with the locals who are benefiting from clean water and sanitation. We’ll also visit an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp to get a sense of the mood & climate in the tumultuous region as they approach groundbreaking elections and a referendum on independence next year. I’ll be documenting my trip and impressions here on my blog!

This week has been a whirlwind of busy so I won’t bore you with the details--- just know that Sud Academy is a bustling school brimming with determined, bright, impressionable minds. I hope our projects and the “noise” we are all raising about Sud will benefit this generation- they are the worthy architects of a New Sudan.

Lastly, I’d like to thank all the groups, individuals, businesses and schools that are helping our efforts at Sud. There are so many, and you know who you are. Particularly, I’d like to thank the schools in St. Thomas- St. Joe’s, my stomping ground, and Mrs. Wendel-Caraher's students at John Wise! Let’s do a city wide challenge! London locations of Staples and 3M Post-It Brand continue to stock us with supplies, so many thanks! I spoke at Rotary Clubs in London and Strathroy before I left about the work I'm doing- I hope I’ve inspired you to follow along with my journey here. I'm looking forward to giving you all an update and discovering how our relationship can blossom! There are many more people to thank, but not enough space to do so, but please know that the students, even more than I, appreciate your help infinitely.

Asante sana for reading, and I promise that upcoming posts will NOT be this long! Phew, eh?

Funny Anecdote: So many amusing things have happened that I could relate to you, and although this is not funny to me, I’m sure it will be to all of you. I have been “complimented” at least a dozen times with exclamations of “Oh, you went home to Canada and ate well and have become so fat! You look beautiful! So fat! Really, you have grown”. It’s getting harder to smile and say “Oh really? Thank you so much, really, that's very nice to say, thank you!” But T-I-A, as the expats say:

This Is Africa.

On that note, Bon Appétit!
********************************************************

And I've landed...

2009-09-25T16:52:00.002-04:00

Hey Everyone!

Just a very, very quick line from a very, very tired girl- I've arrived in Nairobi and after only 48 hours, I feel like I've been here at least a month! I will update my blog this weekend with some of the things that have been happening already- I've made astonishing progress given that I am in Africa! I can hardly believe it. The first day at Sud was absolutely CRAZY. I'll tell you more later.

First... I'm going to sleep.

But... Come back soon!

New Trip. New Projects. New Movie!!

2009-09-03T00:51:00.004-04:00

Lights. Camera. Sud Academy!

Please have a look at the movie I made to show all of you what projects we are bringing to Sud Academy this Fall '09! It's only 8 minutes. And I feel it will be time well spent. :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DeemBcoCwo

________________________________

Food & Water Crisis in Kenya

2009-08-28T10:50:00.008-04:00

Recently there have been stories circling in the news about the drought in Kenya. When I was there in early 2009, everyone talked about the drought, but it wasn't nearly as critical.

Now, nearly half the crops farmers planted for harvest this year have dried up. Cows are dying, falling down the hills where they graze. Goats have no water, no grass, nothing. All this trickles down the food chain to humans, who are struggling to find food. When they do, many find it is 3, 4, 5 times as much as it was a year or two ago.

Nairobi, where Sud Academy is, has been without power 50% of the time. The city has rationed tap water even in the most glitzy of neighbourhoods. Taps in the slums have reportedly been running dry for weeks, even months.

Food & water insecurity is a dangerous thing. Violence is expected to rise dramatically as some people will spend 100% of their incomes procuring food and maybe water, leaving them hopeless to pay for anything but. No power + starving, dehydrated, defeated people often = crime; thefts, lies, even murder.

The Kenyan government, who is supposed to keep emergency food supplies in stock, says it only has enough to feed the 3.5 million starving for 6 weeks. The rest it has sold or didn't purchase. As they drive their shiny Mercedes, Audis and Range Rovers through the bumpy & bustling streets of Nairobi, thousands of children and women across the country will walk 10s of kilometers in search of food, water, a puddle.

Given this dire situation, building the rainwater collection device at Sud Academy is imperative. Potable water has skyrocketed in price and they simply cannot afford to buy it. What rain does fall on Sud's roof is a precious commodity and no one can afford to waste it or watch it tumble to the dusty ground.

Here's an article on the CBC about the impacts of Kenya's latest crisis:

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/08/25/kenya-starvation-drought.html?ref=rss

Nairobi on the Horizon!

2009-08-06T18:35:00.003-04:00

Hey all!

Summer is nearly over here in Canada! And as with many globe-trotters (except those who venture into the snow), I will once again be leaving before the harsh Canadian winter sets in.

That's right- it's been confirmed! I am headed back to Nairobi and Sud Academy, where the staff, students and Form 4 boys will hopefully be happy to see me!! I know I will be to see them.

A fundraiser extraordinaire, Pam, her son Devin and myself will be heading over in late September to start on what we call "Special Projects" at Sud! Included as Special Projects are:

a clean water project
the purchase of a full supply of books!

a first time breakfast feeding program

a rain water collection system

the building of desks and shelves by us & students

building a large storage room for added security

and eventually, Sud's own science lab!

We should note that the plans, proposals and budgets for these projects are in the initial stages. While we are sure that some of our projects will change, clean water, food, books and proper facilities will be our focus with the funds raised. We are all very excited to add to the hard work our committee already does to provide for the basic operating costs. With everyone working towards the same goal, I know we can make Sud Academy and it's students shine even brighter!

* Above is a photo of the water tap at Sud. Surrounded by human waste, it is often broken, and even when it's fixed, the City of Nairobi rations water so much that weeks go by without a drop of water falling from it's nozzle. This is the source of many of the students' illnesses, and yet they continue to drink it when available because there is no alternative.

I am currently working on the plans, some proposals for funding, and I seem to be emailing a LOT. So much planning, communication and networking goes in to these kinds of projects, it blows my mind! Since noon today, I've sent 17 emails and am still counting....

I will be meeting up with a former Sud Academy teacher in Toronto tomorrow. Joseph Mayom is at York University and is studying under full scholarship- his success and hard work as a B+ student (above the average in his Biomedical Science program) inspires me to continue working towards the goal of educating Sudanese refugees. When given the same chances we have in Canada, they prove they can reach the same heights that our bright young minds can- and hopefully, with that success, they will be able to rebuild and rebrand their beautiful homeland, Sudan.

Lastly, my Mom is having another big fundraising event on October 15, 2009 in London at the Lamplighter Inn. Again with a fashion twist, "Style in the City" is going to outdo (I dare it to!) the Sunningdale event that happened in April. There are exciting raffles (including an exclusive and signed item from the Sex and the City movie set!) and prizes to be won, plus delicious appetizers and an evening of sexy style advice! All proceeds from raffles & auctions will be donated to Sud's Special Projects initiatives. Thanks, Mom! http://www.personalstyleconsulting.com/ for details.

Please check back soon for more updates as we get ready to hop the pond once again!

Full Steam Ahead!

2009-07-12T12:57:00.027-04:00

Well!

It has been a while since my last update, nearly 6 weeks. I have been very, very, busy here in London (and some jaunts to Toronto as well, for good measure!).

Last time I wrote, I invited all of you to the Black Trumpet event on June 14. It was a great success, and we were graced with the beautiful voices of the Sudanese Community Choir who sang sweet songs from Southern Sudan. The food was delish, and people loved the silent auction donations! We raised just under $5,000 for Sud Academy, which is amazing. Thanks for all your support London!

*Check out the current issue of Snap London North for pictures and information from the event! http://snaplondonnorth.com/index.php?option=com_sngevents&id[]=104479

Moving right along to more plans and hopes for the coming years at Sud Academy. A few of us have been brainstorming and strategizing, and we'll be executing our projects very soon it seems! A trip to Sud is in the works, with the departure date only a couple months away! One of the key priorities is to purchase a full supply of books. Most students have no textbooks at all and are forced to take turns sharing the teachers copy. Another major need is food: the lunch we provide is often the student's only meal of the day. We hope to start a breakfast program that will serve bananas, mangoes, mandazi or chipati (see March 12 post for pics of mandazi!).

In talking with some members of Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan (CASS) here in London, we've decided that Sud Academy would benefit from a clean water project called "The Water School". It's a very basic, but extremely cost-effective way to purify water. Placing bottles of contaminated water on an elevated table in the sun and leaving them for a full day completely purifies the water, making it safe to drink. Most students at Sud Academy drink contaminated water and have contracted diseases like Cholera and Typhoid. This simple but life saving process uses the principles of SODIS (solar water disinfection) and is used all over the world.

To learn more about SODIS, visit: http://www.sodis.ch/ To learn more about The Water School, visit: www.thewaterschool.org

In addition to these initiatives, we are working on developing even bigger projects, but of course, we need to secure more funding before those can take form. At this stage, we see books, food, water, and thus health, as the fundamental building blocks to a better education. In the coming months as more money flows in (fingers crossed!), we will work on restructuring the school, both physically and philosophically. The possibilities truly are endless!

***************************

Les Boys!

I've continued to keep in regular contact with the Form 4 Boys... I usually talk to Lino, as he is a good messenger of news between myself and the other boys. Most of the boys are very well and studying hard! They are getting ready for midterms, and inform me that their exam results from April were in line with the other students. Hard work is paying off! I have spoken with Manyok under sad circumstances- he seems to have contracted Typhoid. He's gotten some medicine but has been unable to attend school. My attempts to get him free care under UNHCR have been met with bureaucratic challenges, but I've asked the principal at Sud to assist him if he can. I'll keep you posted on his progress.

Otherwise, we have been hearing that Sud Academy is continuing well! They are especially happy that this is a year many Canadians have and will continue to visit them.

Please be sure to check back soon as updates will be more frequent when our plans kick into high gear! With the help of some new friends to our fundraising committee, Pam & Michele, our team will soon be able to bring even more to the sweet students in Nairobi.

Stay tuned for details about Fall's fundraising event, "Style in the City" which will take place October 15 '09 in London.

A Month Later! In Canada

2009-05-21T17:21:00.004-04:00

Hey Everyone!

It's been exactly 1 month to the day since the last update after the great event at Sunningdale. I returned to Canada at the beginning of May and have been pretty busy settling in since then. I'm looking for jobs at the moment, but am focusing on Sud Academy and the Boys as well. Lots of people are interested in becoming involved, helping to fundraise, donating funds or even going to Nairobi themselves! I am inspired by all the feedback, and am excited to be doing some talks at local high schools next week. I want to get some youth on board with the projects and see what fresh ideas might be lurking in the halls. I've talked to the boys a few times since returning, and other than missing me, they are ok ;-)! School's moving on, 4 of 6 are in boarding, and the other 2 will be boarding next term. We found some of them medical attention (I hear!) so they are well fed, rested, studying hard and (getting) healthy. For those of you in London area, I hope to see you at the Black Trumpet event on June 14th between 4-8pm. Let's raise some serious cash and build Sud into a school that we'd all be proud of. Let me leave you with an idea from a very wise, British politician, Sir Winston Churchill:

" We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."

Rays of Sunshine After Sunningdale Fundraiser

2009-04-21T09:00:00.006-04:00

Well good friends- I am very happy to report that after the hard work of my mom Susan, and her amazing volunteer committee, her April 15th event “Wardrobe Disaster to Fashion Master” was a huge success in raising nearly $4,000 for Sud Academy and the Form 4 Boys, my two projects here in Nairobi!

This comes just in the nick of time, as I am set to leave Kenya and venture back across the ocean to the homeland, exactly one week from today! April 28th will be a sad day for me, as well as my “rafikis” (Swahili for friend) here in Nairobi. I will be able to feel good about what we have provided these 6 boys in their final year, and the assistance we’ve given to Sud Academy, a little school that has big dreams. But it is important to remember, it doesn’t end here. On the contrary, I am just getting my sleeves rolled up! Upon returning home, I will continue to work for these special students, and I will hope that all of you will join me in raising awareness, rallying others, or helping contribute to these causes.

Yesterday, I spent the day at Sud Academy going over prospective policies with the headmaster, Ojok Bosco. I told the 6 boys I’d be going there (most live in the area, I do not), and all of them showed up to hang out with me! I was so truly excited to see each one stroll in on his own, give big hugs and most importantly- deliver the news that we’d raised enough money to cover the costs of providing breakfast and also board in Term 3 when they will be studying round the clock for their exams. They were so excited and all demanded to speak with my mum, to say thanks for her work and to let her know how appreciative they are (of everyone in Canada, really…)

In the rain, we walked to the market from school to get the process started of buying Agostino’s uniforms and shoes. Success! -- We found a nice quality pair that looked smart and felt durable. Their school is on holiday until after I leave, so I will be meeting their principal in town this week to deliver the rest of the money with instructions to take care of my precious boys! They don’t understand how it’s possible that I am leaving them now- they say I must stay, and I tell them that unless they can hire me and pay me a salary, I must leave in search of what they have been graced with- $$$! They nod sadly, but don’t really give up with their pleas. They say, “Do you promise you will never forget us? Because we will never forget you, for all our life, we won’t forget Kellee from Canada.” Nor will they forget all the people who have helped me, help them. What a win-win experience this has been for all of us. Giving truly is rewarding.

As for Sud Academy, I am having a series of meetings this week. Most of them are to inform others of things that need work, things that are going well, and people/organizations here in Nairobi who are willing to lend a helping hand to the school. I am disappointed that I will not get to be here to help them implement their new policies and to continue building up the school into one that is effective, sustainable and with room to grow. I am relieved that we now have 2 board members who are eager and willing to keep an eye on the school, and help out with making bridges in the community. There are also some organizations that have invited the teachers to workshops that will help them build on their teaching skills, and most importantly, teach them how to work with refugee children. A similar organization has suggested the students participate in other workshops designed to build trust and understanding between people from different tribes. We haven’t really been successful in finding funding in Kenya- for that, I have realized it will take a permanent person here on the ground here, to facilitate the complicated process. I wish that I could have done more in this regard, but the time will come when we get the school enough funds to really blossom. I am confident of this because I have seen, and many have demonstrated, how much Canadians care when they are told this wonderful story of survival and hope.

To those who have supported the school and the boys thus far- I really cannot overstate how much of an impact we are making. It is big. It is real. And it is so exciting to think that we can do so much more. With my blog as a megaphone, I have managed to spread the word. I feel lucky that those words have fallen on open ears, open minds and open hearts. I am so anxious to see where we can take this, and I’m pumped that y’all are along for the ride! It’s now a lifelong commitment and it’s one I am so glad I’ve made.

In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, a character says:

“I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano,
A stage where every man must play a part,
And mine a sad one.”

So- what is your part in this grandiose play, performed in a series of acts, on this, the global stage?

************************************************************

Moving Along..

2009-04-03T10:07:00.002-04:00

Well it's been a while since I last updated everyone on the progress of the boys and Sud. I have continued to visit the Form 4 boys a couple times a week to make sure they are doing well, studying hard, and behaving themselves. Teachers inform me it has been difficult for them to catch up on what they missed, but that they have all put in extra time and are willing and determined to do well. I have continued encouraging the boys to get extra help and to stay focused- they don't really need it as they are already self-driven, but I think it helps them along to have some positive reinforcement! They've taken to calling me their "mum" so I guess it's now my responsibility to act as a mother would!

Sud Academy is also doing well- the school closed yesterday (as did the boys school) for a holiday of a couple weeks, but the students have the option of going back for some extra lessons from their teachers, and they are eager to do so. I am working on putting together videos, pictures, speeches and information about Sud Academy and the story of the 5+1 Form 4 boys. I hope to be done within a week and will post it for viewing after it airs at a fundraising event in Canada on April 15.

Funding for Agostino, the 6th Form 4 to need help with school fees, has not yet come in. For this reason, I can't really report anything about him other than he still requires some financial help and is looking forward to continuing his education. He is very keen and often whisks by me at school to run to class, study sessions or extra lessons with teachers on their rest breaks. Anyone interested in helping is encouraged to do so! :-)

I will write again soon as things happen... for now, I am continuing with building bridges, making friends on behalf of Sud Academy, and doing research on the challenges and issues facing the students' homeland of Southern Sudan.

Happy long weekend coming up in Canada...

Dut Agostino-- 5 Boys + 1 Hopeful

2009-03-17T11:31:00.010-04:00

YouTube Update: check out the new "movie" I made! A collection of videos showing the joy we are providing to the Form 4 boys..... Music makes everything in life better.

<<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcnoj0EOtAE>>
**************************************************
“I am appealing to all Sudanese’s friends, well wishers, and donors to give me the assistance to complete my Form 4 class. I promise that I will do well, better than local Kenyan friends. I will also fulfill my childhood dream of becoming a neurosurgeon or alternatively, a computer technology career. It will be a pleasure to see a nice event in the footprint at the sand of your time for developing me. I hope I will make you smile big when I perform well in exams, and that is the only way of saying thank you so much for developing me. I am in a jovial mood.”

***************

That is an excerpt from a letter about his life that I asked Agostino to write. It describes his journey from Sudan to Northern Kenya, and finally to here in Nairobi. He is an extremely intelligent student, and was the top student at Sud Academy when he was there. In January when I started with the other Form 4 boys, I mistakenly thought that he had found funding to complete his high school career- he has been sponsored in the past because of his high performance levels. When I ran into him a couple weeks ago, I asked why he wasn’t in class and he said he had been going but hiding from the administration because he couldn’t pay his fees. He looked much thinner than he did in December when I taught him for 4 weeks, and I asked if he was ok. He smiled and said “life is very hard these days.” He asked if I could lend him his exam registration fee last week, because the deadline was approaching and a failure to register means no exit exam at the end of 2009. Without writing the exam, you cannot claim you’ve graduated high school. When I agreed to pay this ~$100 fee, his reaction was shocking and moving. With tears in his eyes and his hands shaking, he hid his face in his sweater and kept repeating, “thank you so much Kellee, thank you, thank you… you are blessing my life, I am so appreciative, I promise to do well, thank you…” I was taken aback, saddened and then immediately decided that THIS would be my next responsibility. With a little financial help, Agostino will be on the fast track to success- I would bet my own Queen’s University degree on it.

**********************************************************

"Hi Kellee, yesterday was a nice day, you made me proud, I walk tall in class, I relief stresses. Cheers from Agostino"... text message I received while writing this post. I met with his principal yesterday and hung out with the boys all day at school.

**********************************************************

Not that it is the reason I am here and helping these boys, but it is one of the rarest and sweetest things I have experienced this far in life, knowing and seeing that together, we are really helping people. It isn’t just throwing money at a problem, which I am very critical of in developing countries. With these education sponsorships, we are providing these boys with something immaterial & intangible, something that cannot be bought, and that will stay with them and imply every day of their life from here on out. Their joy and their appreciation make everything worth it. I am really grateful to all those who’ve donated already, every time I see the boys I know in my heart that we have all made the right decision to make small sacrifices in order to provide big rewards. I hope that we can fundraise enough to pay the rest of Agostinos fees. He is a remarkable boy and deserves this tremendously. Thank you for reading this emotional message.

Mandazi in the Morning- Form 4's Ask for Breakfast

2009-03-12T07:38:00.007-04:00

Video: Mandazi in the Morning
(New video recorded at Riruta Central on March 11. The boys and I explain to all of YOU what Kenyans eat for breakfast everyday, and what the boys hope to be able to enjoy soon....

<<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1x69b-a218&feature=channel_page>>

Pictures: Mandazi in the Making- Yum Yum (down below)

They told me back in January that they had no breakfast- at that time, paying tuition and uniforms were the top priorities, but with that taken care of thanks to the abundant generosity of some socially concerned Canadians, we are looking ahead to some other, more minor concerns the boys have.

One of these issues is the lack of food- Kenya right now is going through a food shortage, and some international NGOs have even classified it a famine. The cost of staple foods has more than doubled over the last year- imagine if you went to the grocer in London, Ontario and 3 litres of milk had gone from $3.99 to $7.99. Would your household find it more difficult to budget and put food on the table? Now imagine that the $3.99 was nearly impossible to begin with, and that the new price is simply more than you have. You don't buy milk. You can't buy cereal either. All you can afford is bread, but certainly not the butter to put on it. Even this dire circumstance would still be better than the one Manyok, Francis, Lino, Kuot and Dennis find themselves in. Last year I always used to exclaim to my boyfriend "Oh man, this sucks, I have no money"- but that didn't mean I had ZERO dollars. Maybe it meant I had $100 for the week and that other than the basics, I couldn't afford to buy anything superfluous.

But when I ask the boys "why don't you eat breakfast, why do you wear your school shoes on the weekend, why can't you take the bus to the clinic to get your malaria results?", they reply with a embarrassed smile and their eyes fixed on the ground, "I have no money"- and it doesn't mean they can't afford those as a priority, it means they literally have no money. So, the boys and I decided that if any more funds come in for their cause, the main priority would be to buy breakfast every day. This will cost about 8cents/boy Canadian per day- every day for the whole year, all 5 boys can eat Mandazi (like a donut, but not sweet) for only $120. Given that studies show people perform better when they have food in their stomach, I feel this is a necessary component to their successful education. I hope some other people feel the same and that these boys- who never ask directly for money- get to enjoy a small breakfast before they settle into class each morning. Thank you to all you who have donated thus far- the boys are ecstatic about their good fortunes already, as am I as their new "adoptive" mum (haha!).

My Recent Article in Sudan Mirror

2009-03-10T06:52:00.007-04:00

This article was published in the week of Feb. 23/09, and is the first in a series by me on Education in Southern Sudan. The Sudan Mirror is an independent newspaper serving Southern Sudan that is printed in Nairobi and flown into Sudan bi-weekly. It is written in English, but is also translated into Arabic for those in Northern Sudan. While circulation in Sudan is small, between 10- 20 000, one copy is often read by an entire village. Stay tuned for more articles to come!

“Beyond the waters of the Nile, oil and minerals, Southern Sudan has a precious- an infinite- natural resource: the minds, the determination and the potential of her people, especially her children” Rita Salah of UNICEF, 2006

As it stands today, Southern Sudan and her people are in dire need of the formation of a sustainable, qualified, comprehensive and accessible education system. While the construction of such a system might borrow its materials and ideas from a variety of existing systems throughout Africa and the world, it is necessary to look at the more abstract issues of education in the South- where will qualified teachers come from? Why is there a lack of qualified teachers that return to rural areas? What roles should NGOs and the GoSS (Government of Southern Sudan) play in the disbursement of knowledge? Who should be included in targeted educational programs, and what kinds of things should be taught? While all the answers may not be apparent, these questions need serious consideration before a system is committed to.

While there are many explanations and theories on the meaning of education, Eric Hoffer, a 20th century American philosopher offers a description that is acutely relevant to Southern Sudan: “The central task of education is to implant a will and facility for learning; it should produce not learned but learning people. The truly human society is a learning society, where grandparents, parents, and children are students together.”In the context of a new Sudan, it is important to remember that society is advanced when it’s members work together to question the existing system, and build on it where it needs change. Fundamental change, as we know from US President Barack Obama, is sometimes the only way to overcome our most pressing dilemmas. This requires not just the memorization of facts or the strict teacher-to-student lecture style that is present in some African countries- it demands a critically thinking population that is ready to ask tough questions and come up with reasonable solutions.

A typical school in Southern Sudan

It is becoming clear that the motivation of some Sudanese to be educated might be one of self-interest. Several Sudanese who complete post-secondary studies and courses are drawn to jobs at NGO’s or private sector positions, simply because they offer attractive salaries, not to mention a wide variety of bonuses- cars, big offices, and a sense of power. Most of these jobs are unfortunately located in urban areas, and often out of Sudan altogether, while most citizens in the South live in small, rural areas. While some do indeed return with a heart to impart knowledge on the students, they often don’t last long and are lured into these lucrative positions with their fellow learned graduates. Local schools and smaller villages suffer from this phenomenon called “Brain Drain”, where the top minds in a given region or country leave to pursue their own interests (often due to financial incentives and a greater quality of life). It is a serious problem that is affecting the prospect of quality and sustainable education in the South, but as Andrea Naletto of Norwegian Refugee Council says, it’s understandable- “who in their right mind would leave Kakuma for [Sudan] to work for free?” But, you might ask, shouldn’t the desire to serve ones people trump any financial motive? Should not education be focused on community service and the empowerment of generations of citizens, to enable them to take the future into their own hands, with the knowledge to do so?

It is true that foreign NGOs have had immeasurable positive influences on development in Southern Sudan, but it might be coming at a high cost and inflicting indirect harm to the creation and continuation of small, un-aided schools. Why not supplement and assist these schools in paying their teachers comparable salaries to those schools under NGO supervision and sponsorship? This would allow for a dispersal of education, rather than a small concentration of schools in a few select areas. Access to education is key if there is to be a remotely equal development across the South.

This accessibility needs to be granted to a greater percentage of the population, across a wide spectrum of demographics. United Nations Population Fund statistics show that while 37% of Southern Sudanese men are literate, a mere 12% of women can claim the same. Thousands if not millions of studies have been done that show the education of women benefits everyone in a variety of ways, as listed by Farzaneh Roudi-Fahimi and Valentine M. Moghadam in “Empowering Women, Developing Society”; child mortality rates fall, family health improves, personal and national economic growth increases, children of educated mothers are more likely to enroll in and succeed in educational pursuits, and poverty is reduced in general. Whatever the winning system, the government needs to ensure that gender equality- that is, the participation of girls and boys, men and women- is present. This is especially crucial given that there are twice as many women as men in the South as a result of war.

It has been said that when you teach a man a skill, you are teaching only him to use it. But when you teach a mother a skill, you are indirectly developing the knowledge of a whole family, and their subsequent children. The need to educate Southern Sudan’s adults is clear- the knowledge they receive will trickle down to new generations. It creates an entire population, including those from different age groups, genders and experiences, that has a cohesive and clear direction forward in unity. While some adult education centres exist with the help of foreign and local NGOs, the GoSS will need to develop some adult learning strategies and a policy of inclusion for all who wish to learn.

Any government initiative to establish an effective and lasting educational framework for the South must also include the establishment of teacher support programs, problem-solving workshops and continuing education courses or centres. The creation of these types of educational supplements will encourage and equip teachers to remain in rural areas, with the confidence and the knowledge to back up their positions as educators. It is also imperative that culturally relevant information is disseminated to the general population in interesting, comprehensive and universal ways. In addition to formal education, the population needs civic education or technical training in areas of agriculture, health & sanitation, small business management, and in areas of human rights and the process of government. Through books, plays, radio shows, pamphlets, newspapers or demonstrations, it is up to the GoSS to develop its population into knowledgeable people in control of their own destinies. Only then will the exploitation and extreme poverty cease to dictate the lives of those in the region.

Routine Saturday Market Visit

2009-03-07T12:25:00.001-05:00

Today we went to the market- again! Rather than tell you about it, watch the video on YouTube!!! here's the link....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4olTzfWcvoo&feature=channel_page

FINALLY--- I Uploaded Videos!!!

2009-03-06T03:34:00.005-05:00

Hello everyone- I finally found a fast enough internet connection to upload some video. Since I hadn't discovered this earlier, I am left with only random videos, as I had to delete the other ones to make space on my camera!! Here is a sample, my long commute to Sud Academy, and you can find the others on the left side of this page in the "Video Bar". I will be shooting and adding more soon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-Bp2qw4-WM&feature=channel_page

Sudan's President Under Arrest at ICC for Crimes Against Humanity, Genocide in Darfur

2009-03-04T11:18:00.002-05:00

This is a link to today's article on the arrest warrant and charges laid upon Sudan's President, Omar al-Bashir. He is being charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes for ordering the extermination of 3 tribes in Sudan's Darfur region in 2003. He and his government thugs deny the charges and the extremity of the situation in Darfur, saying they will ignore the "neo-colonialist" attempts of Westerners interfering in the political business of a sovereign state.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2009/03/20093412473776936.html

Kickin' it at Kawangware Market

2009-02-28T12:35:00.011-05:00

This Saturday was spent with my boys (principal calls me their "Mama") at the market, getting things like soap, pens, shoe polish, a few extra text books, some graph paper, padlocks for lockers and a calculator- exactly the kinds of things high school kids love to shop for on the weekend ;)... We also got Francis, Lino and Kuot some shiny new shoes!!! Theirs were broken and dirty, and they get scolded from their principal if they are not clean and proper looking at school. Abraham and Dennis will get theirs next week as they couldn't come with us today. In the photo, they have one old and one new shoe on- they were embarrassed that they looked silly while mine were matching... Oh- on a scary sidenote, we were approached at one point by a group of men and boys begging for money. I quickened my pace but looked back to see one of the men opening his coat to Lino, who was reaching for a coin- the only one he had, equaling 15 cents- from his pocket. He later told me the man showed him knives and threatened to kill him and "the white lady" if he didn't pay up. YIKES. Market trips and haggling for cheap shoes suddenly became less exciting.... this is me, Kuot and Lino.

The View from Up Here: Not All It's Cracked Up To Be

2009-02-27T05:10:00.008-05:00

http://english.aljazeera.net/Services/Gallery/Default.aspx?GalleryID=200911371821714404

[Link to gallery also included in "Educate Yourself" section of blog on left of webpage for future reference]

Here is a link to a collection of photos of Northern Sudan- while different in religion, language, skin colour and culture from Southern Sudan, it seems the Government of Sudan (run by Muslim Northerners and located in Khartoum, capital city of Northern Sudan) is still failing, even in providing for its own, like-minded citizens in the North. The international community must ask itself why, when we are told by the news-media that the North and South are fighting over religious and ethnic lines, those in power continue to suppress the people they profess to support? It is a sad state of affairs across the board in Africa- we must be careful not to believe any one-sided version of events. From the ground, nothing is ever as simple as it seems.

Check out my links bar!

2009-02-25T02:33:00.002-05:00

Hey-o...

In case you haven't already looked, there is a box on the left side of the page with some links to articles about Sud Academy, CASS, and some interesting articles related to Sudan.... I just added one about the sexy Mr. Clooney meeting with the sexy Mr. Obama... if only we were all celebrities, maybe there would be more peace on our Earth. For now, we'll settle for Angelina and George.

At Long Last.... A Bright Future

2009-02-14T03:06:00.005-05:00

[Scroll down to see pictures below!]
Well- Friday the 13th marked not a scary or spooky day for the 5 Form 4 boys here in Nairobi, but one of a secure future and a year ahead that's lookin' as good as they do! When Francis (bottom right) first came into the office to hand me a receipt for the last payment, I was taken aback by how sharp and "smart", as they say here in Kenya, he was looking. I exclaimed, "Ah, look at you in your uniform, you look so smart Francis!", perhaps to his embarassment and the principal's amusement. "Their trousers have been tailored and now they are all set in their uniforms" he informed me. Perfect I said- now on to the learning.

I arrived on Friday to pay the remaining fees- Term 2 tuitions, national exam fees, and holiday tuition fees. It was lunch time, which consisted of shredded cabbage and carrots, boiled with corriander, and a potato-like corn meal they call "ugali". It didn't look overly yummy to me, but the boys were beaming and seemed pleased with the big portions senior boys are given. Abraham hadn't eaten and was anxious to get to his food- they tell me they don't have any pocket money for breakfast, so by the time lunch comes, they are ravenous! While all official fees and costs have been paid (with a small amount of money left over), there will remain a few costs that they will incur over the year. There are some more contributions that have been made this week, so I will use those funds to buy things like powder soap for their shirts (they have 3 white shirts, but wear them six days a week in the most dusty and dirty place you can imagine!), black dress shoes from the market, backpacks for those who carry books in a grocery bag, and 1 student who needs transport fees as he walks over 10kms to school each morning and is punished sometimes for being late. They still use corporal punishment in Kenya, so I think bus fare is a must for him!

When I got the tab settled with the Head Master, we headed out to take some photos! On the way we laughed and joked about their studies, and I met their Math teacher on the way out. He told me he had sat down with them and worked out a way for them to catch up in the work they missed and he said that they were great boys who were disciplined and willing to do the work. I thanked the teacher, Mr. Nyankundi (I THINK!) and told him to make sure the boys were doing everything they could to be successful. At the entrance gate, we met their Religion teacher who looked concerned that they were leaving just as lunch was ending. I assured him they'd be back to class soon and he said "Ok, Ok... you know these boys are great boys?" I said "Yes, of course I know they are!" And he thanked me for them and told me they would be fine.

Each boy demanded his own picture with me, and told me that upon returning to Canada, I must send them the prints for them to keep. They gave me the school's mailing address and I promised to send them pictures and even well-wishes in the mail, which they said will help motivate them around exam time in the winter. Here is just a couple that we took! (Note that the security guard wasn't exactly suave with the positioning and getting the school's name in the photos.... but you get the idea.) Thanks to all who helped- these are your faithful students!

A Circus of Learning by Seeing, Doing, Experiencing

2009-02-11T01:04:00.005-05:00

Life in Nairobi has suddenly picked up the pace for me! The last couple weeks have been a whirlwind, sorry for the infrequent posts!

First- to the most inspiring story at hand. The Form 4 boys have successfully entered into their second week of school. They keep calling me to tell me little details- one got his uniform pants, but they were too short so he has to wait until the Headmaster goes into "town" (downtown Nairobi, an amusement park of people, bikes and cars); another tells me he is so happy to be in school, he doesn't mind that he has to go on Sunday to catch up with all the missed work from January; yet another calls to ask if I'm back in Nairobi- "We miss you, Kellee!" Needless to say, they are happy and doing well as they try to get up to speed with the rest of the class. I know they'll be successful, they are all very bright and dedicated boys. I'll try to get a pic of all of them at school in their unis when they all have long enough pants!

Also, this past weekend, Sud Academy's school administration, a couple teachers, a representative they call "Mama Mary" from the PTA, and myself interviewed 4 applicants to be Headmaster at Sud Academy. It was a long day with many questions, and several languages being spoken- Swahili, English and Mama's native Dinka- but it went well and we selected a candidate who seems to be eager to help Sud Academy and also extremely capable of understanding the complex issues that face it. Since he hasn't yet signed the contract, but seems happy that we have offered him the position, I don't want to give you his name and jinx the process... I will post an update when everything is official. I am looking forward to Sud Academy getting back on it's feet.

When I was back in Canada and talking to Jane Roy of Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan, she told me about a newspaper that serves Southern Sudan by writing articles from their perspective, as opposed to all other papers in Sudan that mostly have a Northern point of view. This paper is called the Sudan Mirror and is published right around the corner from my house in Nairobi. Jane put me in touch with the colourful owner and columnist, former priest from Ireland, Dan Eiffe. Over the past few weeks I have met with him to discuss many issues facing Southern Sudan and also the Sudanese refugees that have fled their homes. I've decided to volunteer there to help edit some of the articles, and also write- I was told on Monday- for my own column on Education and related issues. Wednesday is deadline day and I managed to write an article on what questions need to be considered before a system of education is committed to in the South. As it stands, there is no formal education and the population is extremely illiterate, second in the world only to Afghanistan. I am waiting for it to be edited and then go to print- when that's been done I will post it on here for anyone interested to read.

In addition to all these new things, I visited an orphanage and clinic that is funded by the Canadian branch of an organization called Caring Partners Global, out of Kitchener, Ontario. The 8 hour bus ride through the Kenyan country side was beautiful, and I even saw a bunch of Zebras! But the work that is being done in this remote area in Western Kenya is amazing, and successful. The orphans, who mostly lost their parents to HIV/AIDS, seemed to shine with happiness. The mother's who came to the clinic to inoculate their babies and receive family planning methods seemed grateful and willing to participate in the healthy upbringing of a new generation. It was inspiring to see that so much good work is being done with the help of people from around the world.

I also moved in this time period, at the beginning of February... it isn't exciting so I won't write about it, but I have indeed been super super busy!

Thanks for reading everyone, I know some of you have contributed in your own way to the some causes you read about here- you're generousity encourages me to continue contributing in my own small way. Stay warm Canucks!

Uniform shopping with the boys!

2009-02-01T13:13:00.004-05:00

Saturday and Sunday this weekend was spent shopping in markets for deals on items like pens, pencils, math sets, textbooks, notebooks (we needed one HUNDRED 200 page ones! school rule)... and of course, uniforms! Some which we got in the market- shirts, ties, socks... Then it was off to school to settle the tab for admin fees and a few other costs. The boys will be attending their first day of classes on Monday! They are very excited! There are still Term 2 fees to pay of which we have some money, but not all... and there is also exam fees that are surprisingly high... my mom said she would keep up the fundraising so they will be able to cover all these costs. Go Susie Q. You will notice I am wearing a tie in the photos- the boys love it when I joke around, and especially love watching me bargain with people at the markets who would charge me twice as much because I'm a "foreigner". I am one tough foreigner though, they say! We tried many shirts on, and the saleslady taught a couple of them how to tie ties. When all was said and done, they were suited up for class tomorrow. Looking "smart" as they say here in Kenya. I will keep you all updated as to their first week of school! Thanks again to all those who have donated- these smiles are because of your generousity.

Les Boys et Moi

2009-01-31T00:14:00.002-05:00

Me and the boys!

Today and tomorrow we are out and about getting geared up. We are almost at our (increased) goal! Good work folks... you are part of something special in a stranger's life.

The Form 4 Boys

2009-01-23T03:45:00.002-05:00

Below please find the short profiles and individual pictures of the boys we have all be working to raise money for! So far we have raised over $2000 and I have paid their tuition fees for first term with the first money wire! They are looking forward to starting school next week but we require some more funds to pay for exams fees, holiday tuition and a few other school fees they tack on here in Kenya. It's looking good though! The boys thank all of you for the important opportunity you are so generously providing them...

Abraham Manyok

2009-01-23T03:44:00.002-05:00

Abraham Manyok Thuch
Abraham is 25 years old and comes from the Upper Nile region of Sudan, in a village called Poktap. When he was about 12 years old, the rebel army began training him to be a soldier, and when he was old enough at 16, he was put into battle. He fought only once, and then decided to escape the army in 1999, crossed the river Nile into the Bahr-el-Gazal region of Southern Sudan, and eventually made it to (relative) safety in Uganda in 1999. Some workers of the UN sponsored World Food Program brought him to Kakuma refugee camp in Northern Kenya in 2000, where he lived for 4 years. While he came to Nairobi in 2004, he didn’t enroll in Sud Academy until 2006 because he was very ill. His favourite subjects are history, government and religious studies. He is looking forward to attending school this year so that he can be properly equipped to move on to study politics or military science in university. He hopes to become a politician in Sudan so that he can defend the rights of his people. Manyok would like to say may God bless those who are kind enough to think of others in need, like him and his fellow classmates.

Dennis Muyodi

2009-01-23T03:42:00.002-05:00

Dennis Muyodi Otieno
Dennis is a 20 year old boy who attends Sud Academy, but is actually Kenyan by birth. He came to Nairobi to live with his cousin in 2006 after his parents passed away. Because Kenyan school fees are expensive, he decided to join Sud because the fees are manageable enough for his cousin to pay. He says without the presence of Sud Academy, he would not have been able to continue studying without the support of guardians or sponsors. He loves chemistry in school, but also is interested in history and Kiswahili, Kenya’s official language. After graduating Form 4, he hopes to become a doctor so he can help those in need. He encourages his supporters to continue in their spirit of helping, and wishes them the best as a thank you!

Francis Bangoang

2009-01-23T03:40:00.002-05:00

Francis Bangoang Riek
Francis was born in the region of Benitu in Southern Sudan, and while he is unsure of his birth date, he estimates that he is about 29 years old. He last saw his mom and dad in 1989, when there were clashes in his village between Southern rebel forces and the northern Arab militia. He is unsure if his parents were killed or if they managed to escape the attack, but he was captured by the rebel force and taken to Ethiopia where he lived for 2 years training as a soldier. In 1992, he was shot while traveling by UN escort and remained in Kenya to receive treatment to his wound. He lived in northern Kenya for 14 years in Kakuma refugee camp, until 2006, when he travelled to Nairobi for safety. He entered Form 2 (gr.10) in 2007 at Sud Academy. He says he loves all subjects, but especially sciences, history and government, and religion. He hopes to be a doctor one day, and wants to thank the donors for sponsoring the completion of his high school diploma. He says these people have helped him go from having nothing, to having the chance of becoming something.

Kuot Maduot

2009-01-23T03:38:00.000-05:00

Kuot Maduot Kuot
Kuot is 26 years old and comes from Tonj county and a village called Rualbet. When Kuot was 1 year old, his parents passed away and villagers took on the task of raising him until 1999. The UNHCR rescued him from his village and took him by bus to Kakuma refugee camp, where he lived until 2007. In 2008, repatriation of Sudanese refugees was taking place as peach had finally come to Souther Sudan. Even though he was welcome to go home, he had no parents, no relatives, no home and no school. Hearing of Sud Academy, he travelled to Nairobi in 2008 to enroll in Form 3 (gr.11). He says his favourite subjects are the sciences and if he has a chance to go to university, he would love to become a doctor. He says may God bless those who are offering him and his classmates the opportunity of learning, and thank you for helping those Sudanese who have been suffering for too long.

Lino Madut

2009-01-23T03:36:00.001-05:00

Lino Madut Angok
Lino is 25 years old and comes from Twic county, and a village called Mading. His journey to Sud Academy is a long and treacherous one that started in 1994 when he was captured by the Arab militia in his village and sold as a slave to an elderly woman in northern Sudan. His life as a slave for 4 years included regular beatings in the morning, and frequent starvation to force him to do work. When there was food, it was often mixed with dirt and stones. His duty was to look after cattle and goats, and he often went into the bush by himself with the animals. Here, he met some Nubian Sudanese (black northerners) boys and they inquired about his life as a slave. They told him of an church based organization called Redemption that could help him escape. Fearing for his life if he was caught escaping, he stalled for a couple weeks until finally letting them approach his owner. She threatened to kill them all if he left, but a couple days later while in the bush, he met with the Nubian boys and ran away in 1998. He eventually made it to Kakuma refugee camp in 1999, and lived there until 2006. When repatriation was occurring after the peace agreement in Sudan, Lino said he was too afraid to return to a country where he has no home, no parents, and the possibility of being captured and tortured again. He enrolled at Sud Academy in 2006, where he hopes to become a teacher one day. He loves politics and computers, and wishes to remain in Kenya for the long term. He is very appreciative of attending Sud the past couple years, and promises to pass with good grades at his new school thanks to his donors! God will bless their kindness.

2009-01-16T01:33:00.003-05:00

Here is a photo taken this week of the 5 boys who wish to begin their senior year of high school. (from left: Dennis Muyodi, Lino Madut, Kuot Madut Kuot, Abraham Manyok, Francis Bangoang)

The Right to an Education

2009-01-12T06:02:00.004-05:00

There is in existence a universal document that symbolizes the basic assumptions of what it means to be a human on this planet, interacting with those around us, and functioning as an individual imbedded in small collections of other free-willed individuals. From a Hobbesian perspective, the world’s citizens have an intrinsic dog-eat-dog instinct, and as such, it is necessary to have bodies that design and enforce laws, guidelines and limitations on power in order to protect those of us who are unlucky enough to be born without an upper hand. This system of guidelines, and indeed laws, is called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and was enacted in 1948. For more than six decades these laws have existed, and for six decades, every country in the world has been complicit in violating, to varying degrees, their basic tenets. One among these is the right to education. Here is what the Charter says about it:

Article 26

1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

Please click on map to see full view.

Even a brief glance at the literacy rates map provided by the UN indicates an extreme inequity in the fulfillment of these laws. Education today is being treated as a privilege rather than a right. It’s a shameful hindrance to the advancement of our modern civilization and there is nowhere in the world where this is more evident than on the continent of Africa.

Plagued by famine, corruption, droughts, civil wars, disease, poverty and genocide, this continent has found it next to impossible to educate its population. I believe that, at least to a substantial extent, this is the reason Africa has failed to leave tragedy in the past and catch up to the rest of the world. Knowledge truly is power, and it is something that is severely lacking in this corner of the world.

My experience here in Nairobi with the refugee students at Sud Academy has been an enlightening one. I have seen a thirst for education that is unprecedented anywhere else I have been. From what I can tell, education and knowledge are the most important tools the students wish to possess- this is their ticket out of war and disease, of hunger and idleness. They ask me to come early to teach them, and stay after dark so they can gain access to what little knowledge of the way things work that I have. They request I bring them my books from home, whatever the subject, or that I go buy them textbooks to learn about literature, history and religion to name a few. They demand I find them sponsors from the people at home so that they may continue learning until they become independent of hand outs. They say they must become doctors, lawyers, politicians and priests so that they can lead the way in a New Sudan, so they can guide their brothers and sisters, they say, into a freer world that focuses on the future rather than survival.

So you must imagine what it is like for me when I have to tell them I do not have access to thousands of dollars to help them all. As a self-proclaimed academic (I really like to think so, but it’s a wobbly true identity at best), it frustrates me to tell them I do not have the means to help. It angers me that they even have to ask, in a world where it is actually law for citizens to receive an education. And free at that.

Sud Academy’s funding for this year is less than it was in 2008. It’s no surprise, given the state of international financial markets, and the looming debt and bailouts that governments across the globe now face. Bank accounts shrinking, rising unemployment rates, less credit and more financial insecurity are all very real threats to economic stability, let alone growth. Explaining this complex web of how an interdependent world works falls on deaf ears here. “Do you still have a car? Do you still have a house? Are you able to buy rice? Do you have a toilet? Are you free from disease?” If the answers are yes, even to only some of these questions, most students at Sud Academy cannot possibly imagine being so lucky. Anyone who answers yes to all these questions is wealthy beyond their wildest dreams.

The point of my post, and the inspiration behind it, is this: there are five students at Sud who were supposed to have started their last year of high school on January 5, 2009. Without the funds to send them to another school, and without the facilities to educate them sufficiently at the modest (to be polite) school that is Sud, we have had to tell them “Sorry, you can’t continue and complete your high school education unless you find the funding yourself”. Confusion, disappointment and eventually persistent reapplications for sympathy and funding have been the result. I personally do not have the money to send them. I have promised them I would try to find other sources, and so here is my plea. It costs between $300 and $500 to send one student to a boarding school for an entire year. There are 5 Senior students that are eligible to continue this year. That is between $1,500 and $2,500. Providing food, shelter and education to 5 bright and promising students, this figure doesn’t seem impossible. I can attest to the dedication and interest, and also the desperation of these 5 students. Even though they have no textbooks, no teachers and even no classroom at Sud, they have shown up every day at school since January 5, hoping that I will bring good news with me each morning. When I tell them, “No, sorry- still nothing” they nod and smile politely and ask me to please try again.

If anyone is interested in sponsoring a student, or part of a student’s education at a respectable boarding school in Kenya, please contact me. It is not in my nature to ask people for money- I generally think it’s tacky and lewd. But inquiring minds in Africa deserve the same chance that Canadians receive, and I don’t think that because of the region of birth, the unfortunate result of poor governance or the cruel realities of war, a student should be denied access to the power of learning. For that reason, I hope we can manage to scrounge together and send these boys to school. It’s truly our responsibility as citizens of the world.

Thanks for taking the time to read- I hope I haven’t sounded like I’m begging! How distasteful that would be... ;)

Brief Announcement

2009-01-11T09:23:00.003-05:00

Hello you. I am sick FYI. Could be the tap water, or the shady restaurants I ate at last week in the slums, or the yummy Indian food I ate last night. Or maybe it's my emotional stress realizing itself physically. Not sure, but alas, I am sick! I was planning on posting a message on Friday about the crazy and busy week that the first week of school turned out to be. There were many meetings, some productive, some heated, and some outside school that were very interesting. Also there are some school issues and funding problems I'd like to share. All in due time- when my sweats and nausea stop, I'll write the post. Please check back in a few days...

Monkeys in the park...

2009-01-03T11:56:00.003-05:00

More intriguing trees!

2009-01-03T11:44:00.003-05:00

Intriguing trees...

2009-01-03T11:25:00.001-05:00

Nairobi Christmas

2008-12-25T12:51:00.006-05:00

My friend Theresa belongs to an Evangelical religious "movement", not a church, as she says, here in Nairobi. Some of her friends from the States are also here with their churches and decided to host a Nairobi style Christmas- it was really nice to have some North American home cooked food! It's been a month, and it was super delish. We did a gift exchange game called Thieves Christmas, where you essentially can steal people's presents- it's complicated, but I ended up with a thermos for my coffee! I told them the students at Sud Academy will thank them...as long as I have my morning coffee... I'm golden. Twayla, our hostess, even made little place cards with everyone's names- she is super cute. They were very welcoming and I am grateful to them for inviting me to such a lovely Christmas day- otherwise I would have spent it like any normal day, by myself. And that would be NO fun. Sorry about the formatting here folks. No idea how to space it correctly.

Swim time

2008-12-25T12:42:00.001-05:00

yeeeeeeeee... this water is freezing! I'm getting out ASAP.

Swimming after turkey lunch, before turkey dinner- first time for everything!

It's a wonder I didn't sink to the bottom...

Christmas poolside

2008-12-25T12:34:00.003-05:00

I've been hearing that the weather in Canada is akin to a true Winter Wonderland, it's hard for me to imagine it since I am here in sunny Nairobi, lounging by the pool waiting for my pending turkey dinner.... yum. Bikinis and stuffing- who'd have thunk it?

I am my teacher-mother's daughter...

2008-12-16T14:12:00.001-05:00

Well hello friends!

So much has happened since I last wrote… I know it has been a super long time, but I have been a busy little Canadian beaver here in Nairobi.

First order of business is Sud Academy, my purpose for the next few months (and beyond!). I have started a Christmas-break mini school consisting of secondary students from Sud. There are varying numbers as some come and go, but I have met about 40 students during these sessions and teach about 30 a day. They are all boys, and all super eager to learn about grammar and computers. Many had never even turned one on until last week, so we are talking pretty basic training here folks. I feel like it is 5 years ago and I’m teaching my mom! Ha, just kidding Q. Anyways, the computer classes are going very well. We learned how to turn them on, open up MS-Word, how to enter and remove text, how to use (a fidgety) mouse, change text size and colour, and “cut, copy, paste”. Good start for only 2 classes! They love it and I nearly have to boot them out at the end of the day so I can get back home while it’s still light outside. The English classes are also productive. We did some heavy comprehension stuff yesterday that was difficult but useful. Students also wrote papers to me about their life story, mostly containing info about their journey from Sudan to Kenya and Sud Academy. Some were happy, most were sad- all very interesting and inspiring. Their unwavering and demanding desire to learn could teach us in the West a lot about opportunity, determination and appreciation of that which we have.

Many express hopes of going to Canada, the US or UK for university. Some would rather stay in Africa. What they all have in common is their adamant commitment to and concern for their homeland, Sudan. Coming to Sud Academy to receive an education has been a wonderful opportunity that most children born in Sudan will never be lucky enough to have. While rustic by Western standards and far from perfect, Sud Academy is giving the students hope for their future- hope that they will be the generation to transform their torn and bleeding country into one that harbours peace instead of terror, and breeds love instead of hate. This is the kind of sentiment they indicated, not something I am sensationalizing for effect. Many have left family behind in hopes to return with the means to support them. Some have lost all family members in the tragic civil and government-led war that has been stealing Sudanese lives for 21 long and shameful years. I have enjoyed very much talking to the students about the politics and the situation in their country. Those who know me know I get very “excited” (not the smiling kind, but the red-faced kind) when talking about international conflicts and infractions on human rights, so the firsthand accounts of how things are really happening are immeasurable, and certainly not found in your morning newspaper. It is clear that the students and I will find my time here with them mutually rewarding.

On other notes from about town, Nairobi still exists in my mind only in a limited sense. I have ventured downtown, downtown only 1 time with my new friend Aulgah. It was a lengthy process, as traffic jams here are worse than Torontonian’s and GTA commuters could ever imagine. A “jam” as Nairobi-ites call it can clog a 1 or 2 km stretch for HOURS. Think hot, crowded, noisy, polluted and bouncy bus- not my idea of a good time, so I stick to my few km radius. Everything I need is here, and I am even hooked up to the web 24/7 via a little wireless modem that attaches to my computer. I wish we had this in Canada, it’s really convenient. I did go out of the city last weekend to visit the Animal Orphanage at the National Park, and then to the Giraffe Centre down the road. I got to hold baby cheetahs, and then play in the pen with their mothers.. and I fell in love with the sloppy faced and bug eyed giraffes. They were so friendly and peaceful, it’s hard to believe they are that looming!

Monday is my favourite day, when I meet my friend Theresa for dinner and a movie- Mamma Mia last week, Eagle Eye yesterday. It’s a super good deal, and for a while, I feel like I am back home with Scotty at the Queensway- except no Yogen Fruz or Tim Horton’s chili… microwaved hot dog instead. It’s bliss J. I have also visited a couple Kenyan homes, where I am always doted on from the moment I arrive. They are really very welcoming and giving, even when they might not have much to give. Little children of the neighbourhood who don’t often see white people run around me, staring, whispering or sometimes screeching excitedly, “Muzungu! Muzungu! Muzungu!” which means foreigner in Swahili. They are so super cute, I want to steal them and bring them home.

The place I am staying is closing for the holidays, so I am debating whether or not it’s worth it to stay in a hotel for a while in Nairobi, or if I should go on a trip to Mombasa with some other NGO workers. If I have to pay to stay somewhere in Nairobi, why not pay to stay on the beach front in Mombasa for the holidays! We shall see.

So in general, friends, Nairobi and the whole experience is going well. There are many daily challenges and frustrations that one faces here-from being asked for money, jobs, water, and food to rushing home in hopes of beating sundown, to people who say they will call me back and NEVER DO!, to missing my friends and family when I settle down for the night. But my sacrifice seems a pittance compared to some of the sacrifices people here make without a second thought. At the end of my time here, I will leave and return to a place of plenty, with love and security and the guarantee of a bright future. Some people- those for whom basic things like toilet paper, clean drinking water, soap and even food are a luxury- will not be so lucky.

Til’ next time folks, I hope you are all being good little citizens of your own world!

New Friends

2008-12-13T17:26:00.001-05:00

What can I say? Making friends has always been pretty easy... just would be nice if they were real, not clay... But these guys aren't so bad.

Kiss!

2008-12-13T15:40:00.003-05:00

OK. So you can put their food in your mouth, which are little pebbles of maize, grass and honey I think? Something like that... anyways, they will then come and slurp it out, but surprisingly, you don't get anything on your face because they do it so fast, and the end of their tongue is so slick and accurate! Their tongues are crazy long and have gray saliva that is actually GOOD for you, like polysporin, it heals wounds. This is because they eat from the Acacia tree which is full of antiseptics! This is about as romantic as I intend to get while in Africa, so I'm glad she was such a doll about it! I expect her to call me in the a.m...

Kelly and Kellee

2008-12-13T15:34:00.004-05:00

Also my new best friend, the giraffe called KELLY! Not the same spelling, but gotta love her.

She is eyein me for food...

Baby Lion

2008-12-13T15:28:00.003-05:00

Little Simba... actually a baby female lion. Just tryin to keep the flies away.. she looks a little sad though, don't you think?

Beautiful.

CHEETAH!!!

2008-12-13T15:19:00.003-05:00

Baby Cheetah!!!

People who know me know I am not a fan of cats- let me tell you. This was the CUTEST little guy I've ever held. I would actually take him home if I could- promise. His name is Mac. New best friend.

Sud Academy

2008-12-12T15:10:00.003-05:00

Kellee's computer class at the shop at Sud, but doesn't really generate much business.... not really that much "sidewalk traffic" so to speak. Mostly just little kids running from their mothers. So many students, so few computers! But- they love to help each other along the way... the beauty of learning, friends.

Computer Class

2008-12-12T15:07:00.002-05:00

Computer class time! Today's lesson was, "Cut, Copy and Paste"... took a whole 2 hours to get it down. But they're coming along. Cheers could be heard when someone successfully completed the cutting and pasting of the word Jambo! (Swahili for hello!) from one paragraph to another.... :)

Lunch Time in the Shade

2008-12-12T15:05:00.003-05:00

Boys lined up against the classrooms, hiding from the sun while eating their lunch. I was trying to take their picture, but the sun was so hot and I kept complaining. They kept saying "but madam, you are in the sun, we are in the shade, you must come to this side for the shade.... " ha.

Sud Academy

2008-12-12T15:00:00.002-05:00

Students and I outside the computer shop- less than flattering, but I thought I'd prove that I was actually doing something here!

Out and About!

2008-12-09T04:30:00.004-05:00

Even though this is blurry, you can see me and my friend Aulgah outside Java House cafe... At night, believe it or not!

Eating Out!

2008-12-03T08:59:00.001-05:00

This is a hamburger I have now had twice! It's super delish... But unhealthy to keep eating because it comes with fries, and I can't change it for salad because it's washed in tap water which will make my tummy very very upset! Fries it is!

Day Six and it's Lookin Good!

2008-12-02T10:58:00.000-05:00

So it is now day 6 of my Kenya experience, and I can honestly say at this point that I am looking forward to the many more to come!

While the flight here was a long and drawn out process, since I have left the airport things have been on the up and up. I was met by a woman named Theresa, who I was put in touch with through Lynn and Andrew Ironside back in Toronto. She has been like a God-send to me, teaching me the ins and outs of the Kenyan way of life, how to mount (and dismount) a matatu without incident, how to haggle bus fare, get to the store and back without being robbed and even what days I can go to the movie and get the ticket, pop, popcorn and a hotdog for a mere 400Ksh (about 6 bucks!). Yesterday we saw Body of Lies. I can't tell if it's because I'm in a different country watching a North American movie, but I loved it!

The place I am staying, Rosa Mystica, is pretty nice. It's guarded, which is an absolute must here in Nairobi (sometimes nicknamed Nairobbery, and pretty fairly so from what I hear). My room has a nice bathroom with hot water (most places don't!) and the place is very clean. Breakfast leaves a bit to be yearned for, consisting of bread, sausages (deep fried mini hot dogs) and mangos, which I'm not a fan of, but am grateful for in the morning! The instant coffee, a far cry from my usual Starbucks Americano, is the shining star of my mornings.

Each day, I visit the shopping centre across the street called Nakumat, which is an Indian run version of Wal-Mart. Surprisingly, it's about equal price to Wal-Mart at home, with Western items being far more expensive than local ones. Since I have no fridge, the food I eat at night consists of things like crackers (which taste like cookies), tuna, avocados, bananas, cucumbers, tomatoes, nutella (for the cookies) and german pretzels! You would think it was healthy, but this kind of diet calls for late night snacking! There is also a café at the mall called Java House that offers free wireless internet (slow) and really good western type food. I like their hamburgers, and chips seasoned with Indian spices. Yummy.

I have been out and about only in a limited sense, so that I can get used to my surroundings and how to get around safely. Since I have to be in before dark every night, I am generally home by 6pm which makes exploring a little difficult! Sunday, I met Theresa at her church where she was teaching Sunday school to small kids. Her church happens to be on the same road as Sud Academy, so we hopped on a matatu and had the ride of our lives down the fantastically bumpy road to "Sudan", as we told the conductor onboard. I have a video of it that I hope to upload, but so far all the internet connections I have managed to find are too slow to support videos. Pictures will have to do for now!

Since the kids are out of school for the month of December, there isn't much happening at Sud Academy these days. Some classrooms and furniture are in desperate need of repair, and we are waiting on the potential incoming principal to arrive from southern Sudan soon. Linet and Linet (secretary and deputy) have contacted some students who are still in Kawangware for the break and they are coming to the school Wednesday to meet me. Exciting! Depending on their age groups, we might have some lessons, but I think that more likely is that we will just chat and get to know each other, and hopefully they will indicate to me what they would like to work on for the next few weeks. I have made contact with some individuals in Nairobi, including James from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, and Lenard at the Sudan Mirror, a newspaper I hope to coordinate with in some respect.

So all in all, it seems that things are off to a pretty good start. I have to say that I miss my friends, family and boyfriend a lot, especially at night when I am in my room with no music, movies, TV or anything else to distract my mind. I am sure that will lessen as I get used to being here and when school gets underway for the 2009 year! Let's hope that I last as long as my return ticket is good for! Nairobi is far more expensive than expected... Eeeek.

Keep up all your contacts with me because I appreciate any news from home! I'll check in soon with another update... and more pictures of my adventures around town.

'Til then... Kellee in Kenya!

Hangin' On

2008-12-01T05:00:00.002-05:00

Matatu conductor holding on for dear life, hanging out the side of the van... I'm sitting in the first seat by the door. Yikes!

Crazy World of Matatus

2008-12-01T04:41:00.003-05:00

This is taken from inside a matatu, the cheapest mode of transport in Nairobi. Note the 5 others in front of us, all vying for room to zoom past one another. It's basically a big van with room for a dozen people. They go very fast, drive off-road if it means they can avoid traffic jams, and the conductor who is reponsible for taking money and directing the driver when to stop for passengers hangs out the door while it's driving. Sometimes he comes inside and leans over whoever is lucky enough to be sitting by the door. OR he might even sit on your seat with you, providing you aren't already sharing. HA. One of the more interesting experiences yet!

Sunday

2008-12-01T04:37:00.002-05:00

Sunday school kids at Sud Academy wave hello to the video camera!

Views from the plane...

2008-11-30T02:36:00.002-05:00

Crossing the Egyptian/Sudanese border, desert lands just east of the Nile River.

Views from the plane...

2008-11-30T02:15:00.000-05:00

Sunset over Northern Kenya- almost time for landing!

Views from the plane...

2008-11-30T02:02:00.002-05:00

Somewhere over Germany or France or Italy! Mountains that go on and on into the horizon...

Gearin' Up!

2008-11-21T17:24:00.004-05:00

Hello Everyone!

Forgive me and my mediocre page as I am not used to what some refer to as the "blogosphere"! I am new to it, and have set up this blog to keep friends, family and people interested in learning about Sud Academy up to speed on developments on the ground.

I am 5 days to departure and have much more to do in preparation, but the excitement (and anxiety) is starting to set in... November 26th is coming soon!

I will be staying in a hotel for a couple nights to start out while I get myself oriented and on Nairobi time, and then I will be on my way to Rosa Mystica, a guesthouse in Kawangware where I will live for the month of December. School is out for summer break in December so I will spend my time making contacts and connections around the city, in hopes of finding additional funding for the school, as well as learning about the students curriculum and what types of things the students wish to learn with me. Practicing English will be at the top of the list no doubt, but I'm excited to tutor them in off-hours, play literacy games and build excitement about the possibilities for education in general.

I am sure the challenges will be great, but the benefits of ensuring this generation's education and security are far greater, both in scope and impact. I hope not only for the student's sakes, but also our own, that those of us volunteering our time and effort to support Sud Academy can do so in a way that both allows and inspires students to take control of their own 'destinies', push through the struggles of today, and rise above the tragedies of the past.

Bid us well-wishes!