Sunday, September 30, 2007

My experience in Have, Ghana and Gunadiish's Weekend trips



My experience in Have, Ghana, will never be forgotten. There is so much beauty and peace in the day-to-day lives of the people. From the start I was welcomed with open arms in my village and became very spoiled by the kindness of the people, their attention and appreciative present-tense way of living. It's just an entirely different mindset than what I am used to, and it was a breath of fresh air.

The impact of EDYM Village on the local Have community also truly amazes me. The organization aids their community in all ways possible: from sustainable agriculture methods to education to micro-finance. I was proud to get my hands dirty and to help in EDYM's growth.

Many fond memories continue to stick out in my mind: Trekking up Have's mountainside with local friends, introducing the game of frisbee, trying new local dishes like Banku for the first time, learning how to graft mango trees, manufacturing Moringa Tea, the peacefulness of just sitting on a family's porch, invitations to local football practices, late night drumming sessions, and the weekend excursions all over Ghana with Gunadiish and the other volunteers. I wish I had had the opportunity to stay longer than one month.
Rashelle Simpson
Have Village volunteer
Sustainable Agriculture
August, 2007

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

My most memorable experience

My trip to Ghana as a volunteer was very memorable. The thing that stands out most are the people of Ghana themselves who are very friendly, very cheerful very hospitable and very optimistic.

I chose to volunteer for Women Empowerment Program. I stayed in a small town called Nsawam, a two-hour drive from Accra, the capital city of Ghana. I worked with an NGO called AMPA which is contributing significantly in the area of HIV/AIDS education. I helped with many workshops and seminars organized by AMPA resources foundation. I helped by helping to conduct group discussions, role plays and dramas to raise the awareness of the issue. The role plays and dramas were part of the workshops. The people participated very enthusiastically in all the tasks organized by the volunteers. In fact, it was a two-way learning process. I learned a lot from them as well. I would go to AMPA office at about ten in the morning and workout the details of the seminars and workshops and off we would go to meet the targeted groups. The beautiful thing about the workshop discussions was the willingness of the people to discuss the issue openly and honestly.






The weekend trips that we went were out of this world. The most memorable one was the trip to Mole National Park. That night was a magical one with a very beautiful starlit night with even the Milky Way visible. The campfire, the exotic African drums and the dance created a magical night.

Geetha Nagendra
Hong Kong
August 2007
Nsawam project volunteer
Women Empowerment/ HIV Aids project

Monday, September 24, 2007

Teaching in Kpandu

My time in Ghana was wonderful.



I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly and caring all of the people were. The weeks that I spent here went by way too fast and am already expecting to return next year. I worked in a school teaching art to primary students. The children were eager to learn from me and enthusiastic about everything I taught them. I was welcomed by the students, teachers and the entire community of Kpandu, (a village in the Volta region), in a way that I could have hardly imagined. I brought along myriads of educational and art l supplies which enabled me to achieve my objectives.
I recommend this experience to anyone with an open mind and love for other cultures. I have many things that I would love to accomplish in Kpando and hope to continue helping when I return home. The people have inspiring hearts and had a lot to teach me. I encourage future volunteers to do and see as much as you can with the time that you have. Leave all of your preconceived notions at the door and absorb all that you can.

Mia Maureen Jensen
Seattle, USA
September 2007
Art work in Preschool and primary
Delta Preparatory School
Kpando,

Friday, September 14, 2007

Ceremony in Aveme - Ghana, Vlta Region


Playground before Playground after

Courtney been dressed as the queen of the village. Courtney, Zach and Mr Godson
*

After we finished building the playground the people of the village Aveme Dzeme threw a ceremony for all the volunteers. Zach and I, the two out of the four volunteers that were left, were able to feel the gratitude from all the people of Aveme. I hadn't expected such an extravagant ceremony. I knew there would be food and dancing, but nothing like what experienced. When we first arrived there were tents and chairs set up all around and all the people of the village were dressed in their finest attire. We were welcomed by the Chief and all his elders and we were given an introduction. Then we were led to the Chief's house where we were dressed up into the traditional wear. As we exited to house all the village was waiting at the door with drums, and rice, and beautiful cloths that they laid on the dirt ground for us to walk upon. Also one of the men who had helped build the playground had a gun which he was shooting in the air. When we made it back to our original seats we were named Developing King and Developing Queen Mother. All the villagers cheered and sang and played their drums. Then we were kindly asked to make a speech to the people. We each stood up and shared how welcomed we felt and that we were also thankful for them. That we would never forget of our experiences in Aveme Dzeme. After we ate and danced some more, the whole village went to the playground site where Zach officially opened it to the school. It was amazing to see all the children play, I could see in their smiles how thankful they were. I will never forget that day in Aveme Dzeme. Not only could i see the appreciation and gratitude from all the villagers, I could also feel how true it was.

By Courtney Portal
U.S.A.
Kpando, Aveme & Have Volunteer
Building School playground, Teaching, &Sustainable Agriculture
August 2007

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Consider Kenya, Summer 2007


It’s an overwhelming thing to consider. “Should I do this? Am I actually going to travel to Kenya?” These were the thoughts running marathons through my head as I sat watching my flight taxi into the gate. I looked around, alone, saw the faces of my fellow travelers and then felt mine sink. “What the hell have I done?”


I could make a hackneyed attempt at telling you what I did at Mama na Dada and Namunyak Maasai Welfare, respectively. I could tell you of the people, the gorgeous landscapes, the sweeping hills, or how all the clouds in the wide expanse of space above all seemed to be rushing from the further reaches of the planet to this singular place. I could tell you all of this, yet still you would not truly understand. And that is exactly the answer. What I have done is found an understanding. An understanding of the world, of relationships, of genuine love and community. And, perhaps most importantly, of struggle. Not in its expected form, however. The lifelong struggles of disease, drought, exploitation, and government corruption have grown roots in the soil of this place. From these roots have grown its people. The men, women, and children are all leaders, eager to find direction in the mud and mire of their under-developed homeland.


At Mama na Dada I arrived like some kind of celebrity. In the States, in the city, if you were to greet a stranger on the street, the best you could get is a returned sense of aversion. Everyone that met me wanted to know my name, where I was from, wanted to shake or hold my hand. They want to know you! There’s no suspicion, no hidden agendas, no aversion to speak of whatsoever. They are reaching out, trying to find direction in this beacon of hope: you.


So often I wanted to pick up one of the kids at the Mama na Dada Day Care Centre or Namunyak Maasai and never let go. I did not know their language, but you grow to realize that those things don’t matter. Come as you are and you will learn even more about what that truly means, what you mean to the world and to the individuals who suffer from it. There will invariably be some trepidation maybe even some hesitation when confronted with these realities. Some kids may not want you to jostle them into your arms at any given chance. Just know that it is your presence alone that is the utmost blessing. It may not seem like it was that hard to get there, but to get out is the struggle. You serve to those kids, and to everyone, as an example, as a personification of freedom, of moral strength and integrity. You may not have known it, but your nationality has bought you strength. Its youre responsibility as a human being to live it and to share it.


This lesson was never more clearly learned than from Emmanuel Leina Tasur, director of operations and projects at Namunyak Maasai Welfare. When I thought to go there, many past volunteers and others looked at me like I was crazy. “I heard that there wasn’t much going on there.” “Those Maasai are wild!” was what one Kenyan even told me. This convoluted notion of the Maasai is something that precedes their magnificent strength, once more, signaled by their presence alone.


Indeed, when I arrived, I was shocked. However, I was offered an opportunity. In the vast landscape I found in front of me, I found a total completeness and complete emptiness. These antithetical notions were not battling with one another, rather they were existing as just that: notions. My mind needed to understand this place. As I grew closer to Emmanuel, his wife Lillian, his three kids, their cousins and all of the guests that would come by every day that feeling of emptiness faded away. It was not Maasailand that was empty, it was me, still searching, still applying notions where they need not be. I just needed to be, with the same genuine quality the Maasai inhabit that remains unchanged throughout history.


As contrived as it may sound, the past two and a half months in Kenya, I have learned to love. Not only all of my new friends and surrogate families, but also myself. In this world, we think that we can find the answer to happiness in impulses, capital gain, boyfriends and girlfriends, but we cant. I campaigned with Emmanuel and taught sexual health education and creative writing at Mama na Dada with Daniel Rateng. Have I ever even considered doing any of those things before? The answer my friends, is no. It wasn’t until I dared to just be and exist in an environment that supported a goal of individual empowerment that I realized true happiness and success.


Reward comes when you use an opportunity to take a risk. The ultimate reward comes when you do it for someone else.


Epilogue:




September, 2007
Los Angeles, CA


Just yesterday I ran into a Mexican man selling blankets door-to-door in the middle of summer. I held the door open for him to an apartment building and began to speak to him in Spanish. “No se te nota!” he said, referring to my rather un-mexican appearance. I told him that it was unfortunate that my Mexican background is so unapparent, that I am proud to be Mexican. He was stupefied. “You are the first person who I have heard say that in the 6 years that I have been in this country,” he told me.


Now, you may be wondering what my point is so I’ll just tell you. This man was selling blankets to doors that were, I’m sure, routinely shut on his face as we sweated through the streets of L.A. Before that he did hard labor in a plastics factory, construction work, and gardening before that. He did all this for his family back home, suffering under a corrupt government regime, poverty, and strife, and now Hurricane Felix. So just remember, when you travel, you bring your culture with you. Make sure you know what that means before you watch your plane taxi to your gate wondering what the hell you have done. And take pride in what that means, because if you don’t, no one will, and your roots will just get stuck in the mud and mire that keeps you caught up in a notion of happiness. Instead just remember: all you have to do is be.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

THE BEST TEN WEEKS OF MY LIFE.

I arrived in Muhuru bay, home of the Mama Maria Clinic and it's projects with little idea of what to expect but was greeted so warmly by the villagers I would be living with, that it was difficult to not feel as though you had been part of their family for years. The ten weeks I have spent in Kenya, seven of those being at Mama Maria and the others at Namunyak Maasai Welfare, have been the most rewarding, eye opening and humbling ten weeks of my life. At Mama Maria I was involved in the building of the new volunteer compound site where the new clinic will eventually be placed, and the upkeep of the ambulance. The clinic is running a continuous battle against Malaria and has to give out so many drugs in this fight that it is consistently under pressure to try to keep from running out of these precious resources. Throughout my time there I met many different people and the one thing that stood out above all else was there overwhelming happiness. Despite the fact that everyday there is a struggle to buy food and collect drinking water from the lake which is often filled with parasites, and that simply feeding your family every day is your main objective, everyone has an amazing appreciation of life and unwavering faith, which humbles you to the bone. I made an uncountable number of friends, both locals and other volunteers and as a result of the experiences we went through together, these friendships became very strong. For the people I was able to meet and the things I was allowed to accomplish I am eternally grateful.

After my seven weeks in Muhuru Bay were up I headed to the hills of transmara and to the Namunyak Maasai Welfare project that is led by Emmanuel Leina Tasur. When one meets Emmanuel you can tell that there is something special about his character, but it was not until a couple of days of living with him and speaking with him on various issues that I realized how truly inspirational he is. He is running for MP for the whole of Transmara constituency, which is inhabited by the Maasai and Kipsigis tribes, and has an amazing vision for this area. He allowed me to see how much hope there is, not just in Transmara but throughout the whole of Kenya for it's future. Its people are truly amazing and have simply been let down by years of corruption, broken promises and marginalization by the government. Emmanuel believes that Transmara is an area on the edge of prosperity and I believe he is the man that can finally bring this area into this prosperity that they so deserve. He and his family are some of the most warm and welcoming people I have ever had the opportunity of meeting and they love every volunteer that stays with them. I was given the chance to speak on his behalf at some of the political rallies that we attended and jumped at the chance of portraying my belief in his vision to people of the area. Transmara is a simply stunning land; its fields expand to the horizon everywhere you look and its culture is probably the richest I have ever seen. We were able to experience many cultural Maasai events, which were simply stunning to see and it was fascinating to follow a man around that is starting so many projects for the area and is so warmly greeted by everyone you meet. It is a long and hard road that Emmanuel is beginning, but with our support for him and his projects, I believe Transmara can be transformed into one of Kenya's great regions and aid the continued development of Kenya as a whole.

I will sorely miss this great country and all the people who I have had the fortune of meeting, so much so that I am already making plans for a return trip either next year or the year after. To anyone who may be considering volunteering in Kenya, make the jump with an open mind and an easy going approach and you, as I did, will have the most incredible, rewarding and inspirational experience of your life – of that I'm sure.  

By Chris Kwiatkowski.

chriskwiatkowski@hotmail.co.uk

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Jambo! from Ryan Drysdale

Jambo! I just spent a month at Namunyak with Emmanuel and company and had the best time. Before I left I was a little hesitant about my safety alone in Kenya, but after a couple days with amazing people I felt completely safe. Emmanuel is an amazing man who is about to make an amazing difference to the Transmara District by running for Parliament. I learned more from him than I have in a semester at college and at college I don't get to go on safaris!! Emmanuel is also an amazing safari guide. My advice is if you are thinking about going even just a little bit do it! You will have such a great experience and be able to see the optimism and potential of a great country.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Karibu and Jambo!

Village Volunteers was an incredible experience.  I just spent 6 weeks at Common Ground program and 10 days at Namunyak Masaai Welfare.   Both places were unique in it's own way and have opened my mind without question.

 

The people I met and came to love at common ground were absolutely amazing.  During my stay I was able to work on various sustainable development projects.   I was also able to take part in several physical education classes with the kids which was a lot of fun.  The kids there are amazing and it was not easy saying goodbye.   I only hope I was able to give the people of common ground as much as I received from them.  The accommodations make you feel right at home and Mama Sandra and Mama Elizabeth make one mean chapatti.

 

Numunyak was also a great time and I was only there for a little more than a week.  During my short stay I was able to pick the mind of a Emmanuel Tasur who is currently running for MP.   Emmanuel has an amazing vision for change and I hope he keeps his vision ripe.  During my stay I was able to attend a fundraiser for a local school as well as a political rally.   I ended my trip with a safari at Masaai Mara which was awesome.  The wildlife is unmatched and Emmanuel is a great guide.

 

The best part of this experience has been the people I have met and the friendships I have made.  It is no fun saying goodbye, but this experience has given me all the reason to come back to Kenya.   If you are at all curious about experiencing Kenya this is the way to do it.  It will be something you will never forget.  

 

Joshua Braunstein – Dix Hills, NY – USA - jsb100@gmail.com

Ian Crump Journal Entry

I have just returned to Nairobi after spending five weeks with the Village Volunteers Common Ground and Namunyak Maasai Welfare projects, and hundreds of things are going through my head….

The main emotion right now is sadness at having to not only leave the programs, but I'm already missing the many people that I had the great fortune of meeting and working with. During my stay, I worked with a number of volunteers, and none of us were ready to go "home", so my feelings are definitely not unique. It doesn't take long for Africa to plant a seed in your heart, that's for sure!

I came to Africa knowing that I would probably learn more from the people here, than I could possibly ever repay through advice, education, business training, etc. and I was right. I also came to Africa with a "plan" on what I hoped to accomplish and be involved with, and though many of those specific ideas did not come to pass, I know that what I did get involved with was more important to those people involved.

 

I began my stay at Common Ground, just outside of Kitale in the west of Kenya, and was met with open arms by everyone… from the 300 students at the onsite school, to the other volunteers, to the employees at the program, and especially by the head of the program, Joshua and his family. Though African culture and way of life is significantly different than the western culture I was raised in, it only took a few hours for me to start marveling at the beauty of the Kenyan culture, and I quickly forgot where I had come from a short few hours before.

This feeling continued as I traveled to the Namunyak Maasai Welfare project, where I was fortunate to meet and work with Emmanuel. He has a very clear vision of what he believes the people of his district can achieve by working together, and all of the people I met there are personally committed to doing their part to making this vision come to fruition.

The excitement that we were met with from everyone that we worked with: the widow's groups, the youth groups, the woman's groups, etc made my heart very warm!

I know I'm not alone in saying that I'm already looking forward to my next visit to see these very special people!

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Oriti Kenya “ Goodbye Kenya in Luo”

The blog was written by Village Volunteer Mariel Rosen on July 31, 2007
Evey029@hotmail.com

Oriti Kenya “ Goodbye Kenya in Luo”

I was not ready to say goodbye to the amazing people I grew to care so much about when the time came for me to leave Mama na Dada. The three weeks I spent in Kunya village allowed me to make lasting friendships and unforgettable memories with people who were more welcoming than I could ever imagine. I feel a piece of my heart will always remain there and I look forward to when I can visit that place and those people again.


Although I only visited Namunyak Masai for one week, it was long enough to see that Emmanuel Tasur is an inspiring, passionate and motivated person from who I learned a lot. Transmara is a beautiful place that is very peaceful. Though many of the programs lack financial backing, the vision that Emmanuel has for his people and community is worth every penny one can spend to visit and help support.


Sunday, July 22, 2007

Karibu!

I have just returned from Namunyak Maasai Welfare and I had an amazing experience. I first arrived in Nairobi and stayed overnight with Junior. Another volunteer, Kit came in at the same time from England. Junior took us to an amazing Ethiopian restaurant for dinner. The next morning we were escorted to the bus station where we rode the bus to Kericho. Emmanuel and his wife Lillian greeted us there and we stayed the night in Kericho with other volunteers. The next morning we headed to the village. Transmara is beautiful. It is very green with many hills. When children hear the car coming, they run to the side of the road to wave to you. We arrived at the house and the boys were assigned to one hut and the girls to another.

            Everyday was different. We spent some time at a local secondary school for girls. Carol (another volunteer) and I did a girls empowerment group with one of the classes. We also met with a youth group and a women's group who were both trying to start a business to better their situation and to better the situation for their children. It was very inspiring to see their determination to bring themselves out of poverty. We went to many schools to meet the students and to see the current conditions of the schools. Emmanuel is running for Minister of Parliament so we attended political rallies. We were also able to meet orphans to hopefully get them sponsored when we got home. Emmanuel also took us on a safari at Masai Mara. I never thought I would be so close to lions, cheetahs, elephants and so many more! It is definitely worth the trip.

            The Maasai people are wonderful. They were so happy we were there and would always stop to greet us. The children were especially happy and would follow us as we would walk home and would want to shake our hands. Emmanuel and Lillian are very kind and work very hard to give you a wonderful experience.

            One of my favorite parts of volunteering was meeting other volunteers. You meet other people who have come from all over the world with a common goal. Everyone I met was wonderful and I plan on keeping in touch with each of them when I go home.

            I would highly recommend anyone thinking about volunteering to do it. You will have an amazing experience, one that you will always treasure.

 

Kara Berneathy

July 2007

klberneathy@yahoo.com

 

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Jambo!

Jambo!
Village Volunteers was an amazing experience for me.  Since the time scheduling was extremely flexible I was able to fit it into my summer plans.  I spent three weeks in Muhuru Bay at the Mama Maria Clinic and one week in the Transmara province with the Namunyak Maasai Welfare Project.  It was very enjoyable at both locations, and staying with the two different tribes, the Luo and the Maasai, enabled me to get a well-rounded experience of life in Kenya.
    At Mama Maria, I was able to work in the lab at the clinic and test people for malaria. I also helped out at the new site they are building – a brand new expanded clinic with enough room for surgery and a maternity ward, all on the shore of beautiful Lake Victoria.  The huts at the compound we stayed at were very nice – and the solar showers in the evening made it an extremely comfortable stay. To top it all off, the food was amazing, with fresh pineapple and deep fried tilapia straight out of the lake every evening.  Before dinner we would go to a rocky hill near the compound and watch the sun set on beautiful Muhuru Bay.
    After my stay there, I took a bus out to Kisii where I was picked up by Emmanuel, the coordinator and man-with-the-plan for Namunyak.  We stayed at Emmanuel's house in Oronkai in the picturesque Kapune Valley. There I helped teach at local schools and helped Emmanuel at his political rallies (he is running for Minister of Parliament for the district).  While there I also went to the Masai Mara National Reserve for a safari in Emmanuel's car.  The view was breathtaking – the savannah stretched out to the horizon, covered with zebra, gazelle, and giraffe.  We also saw elephants, hyenas, warthogs, and hippos, all in the idealized African landscape.
Once I returned to Nairobi, I went shopping in the market and visited the National Aquarium and Reptile Habitat. The city contrasted sharply with living in the villages, so it was fun to look around. Overall, Village Volunteers was wonderful, and I hope to return to Africa one day to visit this lovely country again.

Hakuna Matata,
Ryan Dowdy
July 2007

Friday, June 22, 2007

Become a Village Docent

Recently, Village Volunteers has had a surge in volunteer participation, and while we are very excited to have so many people involved with our partner villages, we have become overwhelmed with the amount of inquires.

As such, if you are an alumnus of our volunteer program and would like to help familiarize soon-to-be volunteers about the specific region where they will be volunteering (and obviously, where you have volunteered as well), please email Shana@villagevolunteers.org to let her know that you would like to help.

It's a great way to continue to support the efforts in the village programs, pass on your experience to others, and help make their experience as enjoyable as possible. Better prepared people make better volunteers.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Our Newest Blog Ever!

We've switched from our old TypePad account to our friends at Google and are giving the Blog a slightly adjusted look and new content. Come back soon because we'll have stories from in the field, pictures, and much more.