Last Days In Mumias

01/08

Alarm went off at 7.55am and I got straight up in need of the loo!! My stomach is playing up again and just can’t cope with this food. Got dressed and had some breakfast, then got ready for my last day in Mumias. While waiting for Pius I decided to sit outside and get a bit of sun. It is my only chance as the Kenyans don’t like to be outside if it isn’t necessary, so have barely been in it. Caroline the maid came over for a chat. I told her it was the big day for a hair wash in cold water! She said why cold, you have hot water, just press the button!!!! WHAT??!! I had been having cold showers all week when I could have been having hot! Dammit! Never mind, it is all in the experience! The security guard then came over for a chat and asked what had I brought him as a present? He also wanted to know how much my watch cost, and way eyeing it up. I tried to change the conversation but it was very awkward. Luckily Pius came to pick me up. We went to the cyber café so I could upload my blog but the network was down so we would try again later.
My first stop for the day was the head office to meet with the secretary and the accountant to help my understanding of how the charity is run. All stuff really of little interest to me but I did appreciate the organization and how well and efficient it is run considering the lack of resources.
Once I was done I read the daily newspaper while waiting for Pius to pick me up. They had an interesting article about the ritual of circumcision. It is a big deal here and the season of circumcision is about to start. Groups of 20 or more boys will gather with an audience over hundreds to have the procedure performed on them. If they wince or show any emotion then they are considered weak and will bring shame on their family and themselves. Amazing!
Pius came and took me to the field office where I was to assist again with the computer class and was also an opportunity to bid farewell to those I had met there. The computer teacher Pauline showed me some of the work the students produced for their exams. The students here are around 18, and the work they were producing was of a similar standard to a year 7, really brings it all home. The technology is about 30 years behind and they are learning now for the first time.
Whilst I was teaching a bit about word and excel, just some basic tips, Fred called to see how I was getting on and to let me know he had sorted the itinerary for when I return to Nairobi to include a museum trip, a trip to the national park and giraffe centre, and some shopping. Sounds good, I need a bit of light relief after everything so far! He is aware I had felt lonely this week so had also arranged for me to visit his mother in a nearby village which is where he is from, as well as have dinner with Mariam, an HIV positive peer educator for the charity at her home in the village.
I said goodbye to those I had met in the office and then went to visit the last part of the charity that I had yet to see, the school health clubs. 60 schools are involved and I was going to visit Shitoko school for girls for a very short time. Within each school they have chosen 4 pupils from each year group to come together to make up the health club. They have speakers who come to educate them on HIV/Aids and the risks, preventions, as well as the importance of education. It is then their job to educate their peers and spread the word. I met the group who were excited to see a muzungu, and we had introductions. I then spoke to them about myself and the importance of education, and belief that you can succeed. Pius had asked me to encourage them to carry on working hard as they are at the age when many drop out and fail. In Kenya traditionally women are seen and treated worse than the men, and seen as less important. So I spoke at how I have become a teacher, and it is possible if you focus and work hard, and believe in yourself. Pius said they were inspired and he thought I had done a great job so I was pleased. We took some photos and said our goodbyes.
We then went to visit Fred’s mum in a village near Mumias. She doesn’t speak much English so Pius translated most of the conversation. She was very pleased to see me and gave me a big hug. She has very little, lives in a small house with her last born girl and her grandchild who were very sweet. She has been given a cow by SAIPEH which helps give her her income. She also harvests nuts and was busy working when we had arrived. Fred rang and spoke to his mum through Pius’ phone. She was pleased to talk to him. We spoke and introduced ourselves and then left. Fred’s mum gave me a bag of nuts as a gift, and a very generous one by her standards. It is very strange to see Fred living so differently from his mother. It shows he has worked hard and achieved in order gain success and a better life.
I then went for lunch with Pius in a café and then to the internet to try again. Was successful this time!
I said goodbye to Pius and the driver took me to Mariam’s village. It is a village of about 300 people who live in very basic huts with little. She showed me around and I met many of her neighbours and the children. At first they were not sure what to make of me, but gradually the longer I was there the more comfortable around me they became. All of the women were preparing their meals for the evening. Mariam showed me around her house, a living room, store room and bedroom, all inter linked and VERY Basic. In Kenya because of the way they cook and prepare they have their own huts they call kitchens! They cook and prepare form scratch, down to making the fire themselves and even catching the dinner! As a guest and to show real respect Mariam had slaughtered a chicken, and I watched her prepare it. This was a shock. I have never seen it before. The removal of all the feathers, the boiling, the burning off the feet skin and head skin etc. What freaked me out was that everything was going to be eaten of the chicken except the intestines. The feet and head are apparently the best bit!!!! Aaaaah! Another real experience! While the rest was being prepared ( I couldn’t bare the smoke on my eyes) I watched the children play and looked through some of Mariam’s photos. The children played for the whole time I was there ( 3 hours) with just a bit of straw knotted together to make a skipping rope. They also drew out hop skotch on the ground with a stick and played.
Mariam sat me down over dinner and I asked her to tell me her story. She was one of two wives with 6 children between them and they all lived in the same house as the husband. The second wife died and Mariam was blamed for using witchcraft on her which obviously wasn’t true. She them later found out her and her husband were HIV positive and the husband died because of it soon after. She was left with the disease and the family to take care of. She had very little. She has now been living with the virus for 19 years and is using her experience to make a positive difference in others’ lives. She is truly an inspiration.
The driver picked me up shortly after and took me back to the guest house where I could have a hot shower and wash my hair!!!! Yey! I packed and then went to bed, exhausted from the day and aware of the early start tomorrow.