November 14: A Group Effort and a View of Mt. Kenya

Wednesday's activities involved a collective effort of the DWC team together with about 20 adult  members of the village  including both men and women.  We replaced  sections of the original  local 1 1/2 inch PVC water distribution line in the adjacent County of Fittings with 3 inch pipe to allow for an expansion of the system to service more families.  In my mind as a planner it might have made sense to  go larger in diameter to plan for the future, but this seemed furthest from their minds at this time.

  

This trench was only a couple feet deep and in an open area beside the road and was more in line with the pictures we had seen on the DWC website. Only about 100 feet was dug up and back filled in our time there today, so to us progress seemed slow, but it was mostly because there were a limited number of shovels (also too short, too round and too flat) and hoes so that we all had to take turns at the job. There is no doubt that today's task and the future work on this section of the distribution system could be more efficiently handled with a small backhoe, but the local people would not take the same pride in their accomplishments I'm sure as they did today. To those of the local community in attendance tremendous progress was in fact made, both at the task at hand, but in learning more of each other's lives and  traditions as we sat together chatting over tea /coffee and bread when we were done. There were  some very enlightening conversations which hopefully will be shared by other members of the team when able.

Our work was over by early afternoon but not at our choosing, and all of us felt we had not given enough of our time to the day's task or to the project, but these things are not within our control. So it was back to the lodge for a late lunch and a cold beer or two, some reading and a little volleyball.

We finally at the end of the day as the clouds parted from the mountains were able to catch our first glimpse of the snow covered peak of  Mount Kenya. Spectacular sight. 

We do not know what the next days job will be until we gather in the morning with the project coordinator Margaret. Our first order of the day, as it is every day and was again at the completion of today's efforts, was for Margaret to give thanks in prayer to God and to all those that have made this water project possible. 

Beth Halpenny

DWC Participant 

Kenya, November 2013

November 13: A Tour of the Community

Its the Kenya Water Project Team reporting in again with some bedtime reading:

As you will note-getting a little more descriptive on our precise location.

All is well here and we have had no rain these past two days which has made for much improved working conditions! Yesterday the group split up with the "elder" members taken by Faith on a walking tour of the water tanks that had been built in the village by past volunteers or service organizations, a visit to the project office and a visit to the homestead of some of our host partners. Some trivia we learned from our time spent with Faith today: (more so a note to myself so I don't forget).

We at first thought residents in the village got water from the storage tanks directly as we had seen people carrying jugs, but a family unit can pay 25,000 KES ($ 295.00 CDN) or more if they are able, to have a water connection to their house. On top of that there is a monthly maintenance fee of 200 KES. If a family cannot afford to pay for the maintenance fee they must work on the project for the day, a day's pay being equivalent to 200 KES ($3.00 CDN). Yes that's all- makes our minimum wage not look so bad! If a family can't pay the fee and does not show up to contribute their time to the project the neighbors have the ability to shut off their water to avoid anyone taking advantage of the good will of others, however in a village where there is such caring for one another and everyone seems to be "family" in the collective sense, one doubts that this ever would occur. If it did, the only alternate water source is the river but even if at a location within close proximity of the village it is of questionable quality due to human or agricultural impact.

Memorable moments of the elders' day: Tuesday we were visiting with one of the local mothers whom, despite being very ill at 70 but seemingly more like 90, was still tending her six gorgeous grandchildren and was nonetheless just so happy to have us peak into her home as a matter of interest. It was entirely of wood slab construction as there is no dimensional lumber here, and the roof was made of tin although some homes in the village have thatched roofs. There was a mud floor, no hydro and all in all very primitive by even local standards.

We were also welcomed into Faith's home and met husband Frederick who took time from hoeing his potato field to pick and serve us passion fruit from his trees, show us around their farm and the "forest" which the couple were gushing with pride about as they had planted it themselves. The wood from the forest which they selectively clear and some coal sold locally, are the only source of fuel for cooking. Their house had a concrete floor, a small 1x2 ft solar panel on the roof that powered only a couple of light bulbs when it was working and the "toilet" was an outhouse with only a small whole in the floor so one has to have good aim!

Sam and Joanne with Faith, Frederick, and kids.

There is no refrigeration of course. The milk is direct from the goats so we do tend to have only boiled milk with our tea of coffee. Whatever meat they eat is what they kill that day or is bought fresh from the local store and consumed only fresh.

The main crop being harvested now is potatoes for a bag of about 200 kg which will sell for anywhere from 1500 KES4 to 2500 KES ($30.00 CDN max) in peak season and they only get two crops a year. Not a large sum by any means. They also grow their own fruit such as lemons, tomatoes, bananas, papaya, mango, and pineapple and in fact we passed a 10,000 acre Del Monte Pineapple operation on our route here from nearby. Always thought pineapple came from the US and Hawaii. A variety of vegetables common to us are grown for local consumption so they are virtually self sufficient in this regard importing little from elsewhere that they really need. Green bananas are a fruit that is boiled and served as a vegetable like a potato - quite interesting.

Many farms of the less able families are owned by the government and on a 3 acre plot a family will plant potatoes which they sell themselves for profit, but in exchange they must plant cyprus trees and tend them as part of the reforestation project.

Not much of a productive day Tuesday for the four ladies in terms of the project, but it was a day for learning more of the culture, seeing and meeting local people and marveling at their lives with no cares, no material possessions, and nothing but a positive outlook on life. What does seem odd though is that despite the simplicity of life here, many young people have cell phones and some apparently are on facebook! However the majority as one would expect, certainly know nothing about a computer. Cell phones are charged with solar power with their being no electricity in their homes and we haven't yet found the "internet cafe"!!

The younger members of the project team tackled the replacement of some sections of the water line in the rain forest valley Tuesday, but fortunately conditions were nowhere near what we encountered on day one of the project site. They were challenged with some pipe connection issues to reduce from 10 inch steel to 8 inch PVC which team member Dan an engineer, observed with much frustration. All that was needed was a reducing flange/collar which they did not have or had not even though about. But as volunteers here only we are to take the lead of the project coordinator and only assist when and how we are asked. In the end the time spent walking to and from the project site was longer than the time spent on the job but this seems to be quite typical from what we understand. No one seems concerned.

Brooke and Dan heading out to the site.

Beth Halpenny 

DWC Participant 

Kenya, November 2013

November 12: A Trek to say the least...

We are back after our first day on the job so to speak, more of an orientation day really, but I wanted to send a picture (below) of the job site as we found it today. Quite amazing in all respects and nowhere near what we had expected to find, in fact much more of a challenge than one imagined from the accounts of past volunteers, pictures and videos on the DWC website. 

Firstly we were prepared on this trip with gear for warm weather with work shorts and maybe a pair of long pants thrown in for protection from the bugs only. Little did we know when most turned up in shorts for our first day's expedition that the team would be sent back to put on long pants for protection from the stinging nettles, several layers for some warmth and rain gear also as we were heading into a rain forest. Who would have known that weather in Africa at what is the start of their Spring could be so cool, nor would we have had any inkling of the sort of conditions we we're faced with today.

The village was quiet warm and dry when we started out and in fact was the same on our return several hours later. Nothing had changed. The smiling faces of the young happy children greeted us on our way to and from the work site with the greeting "Jambo" or Hello. It was a holiday today and for most of the week for younger children as the older ones are writing their exams today.

We started off as a group of seven volunteers and our local guides, Peter, James, Faith and the project coordinator Margaret. Both of these ladies were in light canvas shoes and dressed in long skirts heading to the work site for the day. As an aside, apparently there is a cultural tradition here that the ladies cannot wear pants after their first son is married unless their husbands' concur. Odd and not practical, but so we are told.

It was warm and humid but not overly so when we left the village. We walked to the job site from the village which is about elevation 1050m above sea level to the base of Mt Kenya going up maybe 100 m or so I'm told. Our trek was on foot which will be the daily routine, and is about 12km return into the valley which is in a rain forest at the base of Mt Kenya.

When we finally found our way to the water distribution pipe at the base of the valley it was pouring rain, cool and a quagmire of mud. I say "found our way" as we literally almost got lost foraging our way through the rain forest trying to find the work site. Our group of four were trying to a take short cut, with a guide I might add, to catch up with the others whom had gone ahead. Our delay was a result of unfortunately losing one member of the Toronto team (my roomy Sue) to a bit of fatigue, altitude sickness or maybe the effects of the malaria drug we are not sure. What a shame for Sue but for her own well being it was best to stay behind, as hard as that would have been for her I'm sure. 

Our trip down the slope was uneventful thankfully but had its challenges and hazards along the way. It was steep and slippery and as we traversed the lower portions of the valley it dropped suddenly to the river on the downward side with open trenches from the previous water line installation on the side slope which had become overgrown and was somewhat hidden. One had to watch one's foothold and take a welcomed and helping hand often.

The river at the base of the valley flows very swiftly down the mountain, having gathered its volume from both rainfall and the glacial melt from the glaciers at the top of Mount Kenya. The water at the intake is clean but silty and this water is used currently both for irrigation and domestic water supply. Some of water is stored along the way down the mountain in various water tanks to which people walk to to get their water.

The water distribution system that serves the community starting at the base of the mountains is in a deeply carved valley and it was installed originally in 1970. It is now in need of enlarging from 8 in to 10 in diameter to increase its capacity and service to the community and the steel pipe is being replaced with PVC. Sections of it must be dug up and the trench varies in depth from a couple feet to 6ft plus, but some sections of the pipe are readily visible on the surface or even suspended in places. However it is all in need of replacement over the course of the project and over time. But things don't happen quickly here so we have discovered, thus the phrase "hakuna matata" meaning no problem, or "Sawa Sawa", its OK.

We all returned safely to a warm sunny afternoon, a late lunch and an opportunity to write of this experience in our journals. But our clothes and boots remain wet and saturated with mud hopefully to dry before the fire tonight as tomorrow is another day.

Some may opt tomorrow to take on a different task, and one that is equally as beneficial to this community. It entails an ongoing reforestation project and tree planting effort. But others are destined to take on the challenge of some hands on excavation tomorrow in the river valley as shown in this photo.

To all those that read this, we feel perfectly safe here and well looked after by the staff at Mount Kenya Leisure Lodge where we are the only guests at present. The rooms are adequate but cool, hot water isn't necessarily guaranteed, but at the end of the day we can crawl into a bed warmed by a hot water bottle that had been slipped between the sheets while we were dining.

We have been welcomed with open arms and nothing but smiles from those in the community. The native people here are very friendly, open and laid back for sure. As I said things don't happen fast. The addition to the lodge and a pool were started in 2008 and still are not complete and I doubt will be anytime soon from what we saw happening today. Just as an observation, so many buildings we saw on our route in fact looked abandoned ( maybe even condemned before completion), but perhaps may have been under construction for many years. It seems most obvious that there is no such thing as a Building Code in Kenya or in this County nor any evident signs of worker safety regulations witnessed by the rickety "twig" scaffolding we saw on the side of the half completed buildings.

Anyways, this will be a trip of great memories, new friendships, and fun yet challenging experiences. if today's events are any indication.

Beth Halpenny 

DWC Participant 

Kenya, November 2013

September 12: Trying to make a difference

When the Softchoice Cares board decided to go to Maai Mahui, Kenya earlier this year I was extremely excited but at the same time I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would we actually be able to make a difference? Would the people we came to help really even want us there? Would I be able to make a real connection with someone local? Would our presence and our efforts on the ground be worth the cost of the trip? I had no idea…

Our first day in the village, it was obvious that no matter what I had prepared for it wasn’t enough. As we walked through the middle of Maai Mahui along the “HIV Highway” we saw people living in steel shipping containers and 1 room huts, children were running beside us laughing and waving as they ran through garbage barefoot that we were all trying so delicately to step over and around and I couldn’t help noticing the amount of abandoned buildings and churches that had at some point been built with the purpose of providing assistance but had long since been forgotten, it was incredibly overwhelming. How would we be able to even make a tiny impact in just two weeks let alone something that would be sustainable for years to come?

Fortunately, that afternoon we sat down with Charles and Jeremiah, the assistant director and Director at Comfort the Children who walked us through the different programs they offered and how they worked tirelessly to empower members of the community regardless of race, religion or background. They told us that the Knowledge and Resource Centre we had come to build would begin to change the community immediately, providing access to the internet and to equipment that was beyond anything in the area, including the university about 25km away. It was so encouraging to hear how much they’d already accomplished and to see how excited they were to have us here.

Almost two weeks later as we’re preparing to wrap up our trip and leave the project in the capable hands of CTC I’m confident that we’ve done a world of good here. Charles and Jeremiah at CTC are two of the most inspirational people I’ve even met, bringing energy and enthusiasm to everything they do regardless of how overwhelming the task may seem. Greeshan, the foreman of the construction crew we’ve been helping is someone I could sit and talk with for hours. Listening to him speak of the challenges he’s overcome just to become a mason making $4/day and how proud he is of the life he’s been able to provide his children moved me to tears. Hearing his excitement that his children will be able to learn some basic computer skills and have access to the internet gave me confidence that we are actually making a positive impact here.

I may never fully grasp the true impact of what we’ve accomplished here but I can only hope that we’ve made a difference in the lives of people in this community; I know they’ve certainly made an incredible difference in mine.

Dawson Smith
DWC Softchoice Cares Participant
Kenya, September 2013

September 11: We're in it for the growth

I’ve always seen this Softchoice Corporate value as developmental, but mostly focused on a North American perception of ourselves, our careers, and how we utilize our own strengths for our own advantage.

Career success mixed with my will for personal improvements along the way = Growth.

Since being in Maai Mahiu and working with locals and the CTC community, that view on growth has evolved and a new perspective has formed on how selfish that truly is.

I can’t even begin to process everything I’ve learned and now feel following our experiences in Maai Mahiu…

What if we had everything working against us, and were asked to make the same strides to growth we would back home?

I’ve spent some time interviewing people at CTC international about what this knowledge and resource center (KRC) computer lab will bring to their community, and have began to understand how selflessly hopeful the team here is about it’s prospects.

It’s been inspiring to hear the CTC team talk with excitement about how they can now start learning programs to help give the people of Maai Mahiu a fair shot at growth, as well as offer them an outlet for self led development.

I’ve also started to understand how without their selfless work and funding like the Softchoice community has provided, it would continue generations damned into this vicious cycle of poverty.

The primary school system in Kenya is a “free system”, funded by the government, however there are associated costs that schools require parents (and in some cases, children) to be able to pay in order to attend and learn. These fee’s are as low as 300 shillings per semester (or approximately $3.50 USD). This is the primary building blocks of education, but when the decision is either food on the table for the family, or your child in school, often the basic necessity would be chosen.

$20 back home is what? A medium pizza? An album on itunes?

What $20 could do here is feed a family for weeks. It can be the essential aid needed in HIV/AIDS prevention, or could pay school fees to get a child their basic education for 1.25 years. These people view something so nonchalant to us, as an opportunity.

How can you begin to compare those scenarios, especially when you hear that some of the best paying jobs for locals are only averaging an income of $3-$4/day and rent for a family eats up most of that earnings?

The result of this is that something that has become so commoditized in our society, once again has meaning to me. Talk about a reality check, here it is.

This is growth. My mind has been blown as I start to truly begin to understand them individually, their challenges, and their socially driven limitations.

A dollar to me as middle class feels so selfish now, yet a week ago I wouldn’t blink twice at a night of bottle service with friends.

What that cost for one night out could do here would be life changing…that’s months of earnings for a family all working full time (children working full time included).

I cant help but think where would I be if I hadn’t come.. would I be the same person claiming growth as a great sales win, a great documentary I watched on my cushy couch, or new customer relationship?

Growth is now a bigger topic. Its about development on a whole new level. Not just personal gains, but how you drive unselfish growth through such a basic action as this donation. This will be life changing not to just the CTC organization, but to every individual who walks through the door.





Ian Zagrodney
DWC Softchoice Cares Participant
Kenya, September 2013

September 11: When pride equals education

I grew up in an affluent suburb of Chicago where I attended a public high school that ranks in top tier of schools throughout the USA. From there I attended Clemson University, where I achieved a BA in Communication Studies and minoring in Business Management. I was very blessed not only to be lucky enough to grow up in an area that provided a top-flight high school education, but to also have a family that provided tuition for my college education.

Am I proud of my academic achievements? Sure, I’ve been happily assisted in resume building. But if you asked me point blank about how I felt about school I’d say something along the line of “it sort of ‘happened’ rather than was ‘achieved’”.

Would you answer that question of pride any differently? How about your friends/colleagues/family?

While there are an elite number who have earned degree upon degree and have their careers based upon this status, I have found more often than not that education seems to be largely overlooked in my social circles, namely the processes by which we are able to be educated or at least have the capabilities to seek education.

In the last week here in Maai Mahiu I have been found this to be quite opposite, and continue to be amazed by the intense pursuit of schooling, let alone actually receiving honors and degrees. Education is everything in Kenya, and the first topic of conversation from parents talking about their kids, or peers asking us about our experiences. There are hardships that many have overcome to seek out schooling, and in situations I’ve encountered a devotion to give a child an opportunity that wasn’t available for them.

I will forgo telling the processes of school systems here in place of a few stories:

• Craig highlighted the story of our driver, Paul, in an earlier blog post. Paul’s parents were peasant farmers and couldn’t send him to university because of the fees. As his own kids grow older though, Paul is determined to put them in college starting with his 16 year old son who wants to be a lawyer. Tuition is $1k a semester, and Paul is committed to be able to afford this by the time his son turns 18.

• Our other driver, Joe, is quiet and shy in comparison to Paul. When he showed up the other day with a giant grin, we knew something was going on. “Today is my daughter’s first day of University,” Joe said. ” She is the first in our family to attend university.”

•  On Tuesday last week we visited members of the Maasai tribe, who are one of the last indigenous tribes of the 42 here in Kenya. We visited their school and delivered pencils and other school supplies, which I have never seen a schoolchild so happy to receive. I couldn’t help but notice a few kids off to the side of the celebration that didn’t have school uniforms, and therefore weren’t allowed to participate in the fun. Despite it being a law in Kenya to send your child to school, the parents of these kids either couldn’t afford, or refused to pay the 300 Shillings a semester (roughly $3) to send their child to school.

• Greyshawn, the foreman of the construction group we’ve been working with scored a 68 out of 72 on his entrance exam into university with hopes of being an engineer. Much like Paul, his parents couldn’t afford to send him so he’s been working construction the last 20(ish) years making close to $5 a day. Greyshawn wants to make sure he doesn’t have to put his kids in a situation he himself faced.

• Rocky is heading the agriculture project at the CTC which will supplant the KTC we are helping to build. He has no formal training in horticulture or agriculture studies and was never able to afford the university tuition. But despite his quiet demeanor, Rocky’s passion for learning is infectious, travelling to conferences across Africa to learn more about agricultural studies. Of the 600 species of trees found in Kenya, Rocky is planning on bringing between 200-300 to the new CTC site alone. There is no doubt his developed knowledge has allowed him to make connections across the country to allow this to happen.

• The current Director of the CTC here in Maai Mahiu is an incredible man named Jeremiah. He grew up locally in a poor family, remembering “I always wished I could be adopted into another family who would give me a different chance. I didn’t want to be associated with the family I had.” Ultimately Jeremiah made it all the way to Ann Arbor where he received a Masters in Counseling at the University of Michigan. Upon being faced with an opportunity to take a well-paying position in Grand Rapids, Jeremiah decided to pack up his family and come back to the place he knew could benefit most from his support and teachings, and to give the chance to bring educational opportunities that he never had: Maai Mahiu.

These are just a few stories that I’ve come across over the last 10 days, but they’ve all led me to understand that there is a thirst for knowledge and education here that is undeniable, and one that I selfishly thought may have only just aligned to my own past experiences. I can only be so lucky to hold such high expectations for myself as I move through life, and will make sure that opportunities that Paul or Greyshawn may have missed out on will be recognized as sacred ones I will make sure not to lose sight of when raising my own children.

I couldn’t be more ecstatic about the opportunities that the KRC will have to offer the people of Maai Mahiu to help bridge the digital divide. To help bring access to education makes me flush with pride, and without doubt has refueled my own desire for knowledge. I can’t wait to hear what this means for all of my new friends in Maai Mahiu as well.

Alex Drozd
DWC Softchoice Cares Participant
Kenya, September 2013

September 11: Blood, Sweat, and Laughter

Over the past several days I have learned more about myself, my limits and where my strengths lie, then ever before. I have learned in short order that I am NOT the most gifted craftsman, that I CANNOT swing a hammer with the best of them and that am I simply NOT the strongest person in the league. The amazing thing here is that these admitted weaknesses, simply don’t matter while here in Maai Mahui. The one thing that does matter…is community.

Over the past 10 days, I have had the absolute privilege to be introduced to some of the most unique and innovative people I have ever met in my life. I have met Jeremiah, the executive Director at CTC, who in my opinion is one of the most charismatic people I have encountered. His eyes light up when he speaks of his city, his people and his goals in shaping the community of Maai Mahui.

I have met Charles, the Assistant Director at CTC, and have been simply overwhelmed by his ability to extend his reach to the 41,000 people that reside in Maai Mahui.

I have also been blown away by the workers at the construction site. I find it inspiring the way these gentlemen carry themselves. They work incredibly hard, but understand the need to stop, reflect and LAUGH. There isn’t an hour on the site that goes by without us sharing a laugh while learning about all of the amazingly innovative and impressive ways in which they approach building a home. These men know what hard work is. They bleed, they sweat and they laugh.

The one common thing that links these efforts together is community. Everyone involved understands what they are working towards. It is not about who the smartest or strongest is on the site. It is truly about teamwork. They are a collective working towards a better tomorrow. They pick their brother and sister up when he or she falls, they are not afraid to stop what they are doing if only for a second, to teach there brother and sister something new. They listen, the act and once again, they laugh. These men and women have perspective and a genuine love for their country.

As I reflect about our mission to build a Knowledge Resource Center in Maai Mahui, I think about how proud I am to be part of this Softchoice Cares board. My 14 friends have all grown over the past week and a half. I have been witness to personal breakthroughs, new friendships being created and a true sense of collaboration within our team. This is a special group, one that I am proud to be a part of and one that my wife and daughter will be hearing about this Sunday.

Craig Bator
DWC Softchoice Cares Participant
Kenya, September 2013

September 10: "I can read, I can read!"

These are the words of joy that we heard many times over as we fitted eye glasses for the young, the old and the very old in the village of Maai Mahiu, Kenya.

What an incredible day it was. The Softchoice team worked closely alongside the staff at Comfort the Children (CTC) to assess over 230 people, who came early to line up and endure the rain.

Spending time with every person gave us a closer glimpse into the way of life here and it quickly became evident that there are many, many hardships; struggles that we, at home, take for granted. But the people of Maai Mahiu have a wonderful humbleness and grace; their appreciation for our efforts to help ease some of their burden was very, very moving….and we all felt it.

Here there is a strong connection to religion. It provides hope and guidance to a challenging existence. So for them to be able to pick up the Bible and see the words clearly was a miracle; an amazing thing for us to witness. For those who struggled to see into the distance had a new view on the world around them; perhaps giving them a better sense of certainty. Their embrace was warm and their blessings numerous; we are so happy to be doing this.

Thanks to the Buckner Eye Institute for the kind donations of the eye glasses. And thanks to the people of Maai Mahiu for allowing us to help. We feel honored to be here.

Theresa Tomczyk
DWC Softchoice Cares Participant
Kenya, September 2013

September 10: We are all the same

Fundamentally we are all the same. Though our appearances are different, on the inside we all have a heart to love, a brain to think and eyes to see the world. We all have desires, needs, hopes and dreams. The want to do our best and succeed whether it’s personally or professionally. No matter who you are or where you’re from, we are all the same at the core. This is something I’ve always known.

When we first arrived in Maai Mahiu we took a walk through the city. It was something I had tried to prepare for but seeing it in person still shocked me. The homes look like slums, there was garbage everywhere from glass to plastic bags and even barbwire. There were children walking through the streets alone and dirty. It nearly broke my heart when I saw the most beautiful little girl with no shoes walking through what we, in shoes, were trying to avoid. It almost seems like everyone is just hanging around with no work. Everything and everyone seemed to be on top of one another like chaos. It was overwhelming and left me trying to catch my breath. I wondered how are we so different than the people here?

It’s been a week now and the perspective has changed. When you look harder and peel back the layers you begin to see just how similar it is to your own home. The slums no longer look like slums. The homes closer together and on top of each other are just like our town homes and small apartments. The shopkeepers are sitting outside their shops talking to their neighbours waiting for patrons. The children walking alone through the streets are nothing but smiles, happy with what they have and seem to have the community keeping an eye on them. Yes, there is still garbage all over the streets but the dirt itself, well, think back to a time when you had a summer with no rain. How dry everything was. How dusty and dirty everything felt and looked. With little rain to wash it all away you can begin to see where the feeling comes from.

Roads, shops, homes, families and community. Heart, brain and eyes. When you look at us all and peel back the surface we are all the same. For me this trip has made me see that more than ever before.

Tara Bradbury
DWC Softchoice Cares Participant
Kenya, September 2013

September 9: A life without giving is a life without happiness

When the Softchoice cares trip to Kenya was first announced it would have been natural for someone to ask why Kenya and why not somewhere local? My answer to that question is our social responsibility should not have boarders. Just like our own children are not any more important than anyone else’s, not to mention the Kenyan children. This maybe a bit far fetched for some of us as we always revolve around OUR families, OUR communities and OUR country most of the time. After arriving here in Kenya I can reaffirm the decision that was made by the Softchoice cares board to come to Kenya. The need is much greater and the opportunity is tremendous to give back here in Kenya, specifically in the village of Maai Mahui. I’m grateful that Softchoice has given me the the opportunity to serve here in Kenya and thankful for the rest of the Softchoice family for getting behind the cause in helping with fundraising with donations, monetarily and otherwise.

I often wondered what giving back meant in a greater context other than just social responsibility or philanthropy that the corporate culture presently seems to be embracing. Why do we give back? Is it to check off the box or to do some good because it is the responsible thing to do? Are we giving out of abundance or giving back to fulfill a need? Or is it to share some simple life pleasures with someone otherwise would not have the opportunity to enjoy.

Giving starts with simply reaching out and it can be a simple “hello” to brighten someone’s day or by just meeting a need. Giving back without expecting anything in return has the greatest fulfillment. A life without giving is a life without happiness regardless of our material possessions.

When we first arrived Nick Foster stated that “we are not here to expect anything back but to serve this community the best we can as we have planned”. It made sense at the beginning but as the days went along it appeared I was benefiting as much as I was giving back. My heart is full and has a greater sense of accomplishment just being here. Is it because the giver has more power than the receiver or it is a feel good story I still do not know but what I know is I do not want this feeling to go away.

Hubert Sinniah
DWC Softchoice Cares Participant
Kenya, September 2013

September 5: Hello, my name is Paul...

I consider myself to be a family man. I am a proud son, brother, husband and new father. Every Sunday I head to my parent’s house in Streetsville to sit around our family table, my childhood table, and share in the weeks adventures. I am really looking forward to my next Sunday at home because I have a lot of beautiful stories to share with my family. The first thing I will tell them is that I missed them and love them. I will then walk them through a day in which I witnessed love in a form which to this moment makes me smile. I will tell them about my new friend Paul.

Throughout our trip I have had the absolute privilege to have daily interactions with Paul. Paul is a proud Kenyan, father, husband and the best guide I have ever met. He has escorted and guided our team for the past three days and at any pause in the program, has taken his personal time to teach us about Kenya, its unbelievable people and why he calls this home.

Today Paul, who volunteered his time and scheduled break to help us shovel stones, discussed family with me. Paul is a husband and father of two. When the subject of family arose, Paul’s wonderfully expressive face lit up. As I shared stories and background info about my beautiful wife and daughter, Paul told me about his family. He was glowing when he discussed his son’s ambitions and daughters caring manner. He was quick to honor how hard his wife worked and when prompted for a picture of his kids, I had them in my hand before I could ask for the honor of seeing their faces.

Paul’s differentiator is not that he is the best driver I have met (which he is), the best tour guide I have ever met (which he is) or on of the most genuine person I have met (which he is). Paul’s differentiator is that he is proud. He is proud of his work. He is proud of his 16 year old son and his desire to root for Manchester United and pursue a law career. He is proud of his 13 year old daughter and her wild ambitions. He is proud of his wife, because…she is his life. When I asked Paul today, how do you manage to do such a great with your work and still provide and be there as a father, he smiled at me at put his hand on my shoulder. He then turned to me and said “I love people. I love the people that I drive, I love the people that meet, and of all, I love the people that are my family.”

I am 10,000 miles from home and now know that love…is love. I often find myself scrutinizing conversations or topics that just don’t matter. I waste time worrying about something menial, something that in the grand scheme of things means nothing. Paul works in an environment which he loves. He does not seem to consume himself with materialistic goals, or gossip or ANYTHING that falls outside of providing an amazing atmosphere and happy discussion, to talking about his wife, son and daughter. Paul gets it. He gets life.

When I go home I am going to kiss my wife and daughter, phone my family, and let them know that I love them. With all of the unnecessary stresses in life, I now have clarity. I now have focus. I have this because I got to fly with 14 of my friends to Kenya and on day one meet an amazing man offered me his hand and said “Hello sir, my name is Paul.”

Craig Bator
DWC Softchoice Cares Participant
Kenya, September 2013

September 3: Softchoice Cares Meets Maai Mahui and the KRC

Today we finally had the opportunity to hit the ground running. This was the moment that we have all been anticipating and preparing for the past five months. We began the construction of the Knowledge and Resource Center (KRC) that has the potential to change Maai Mahui and the people of the community forever.

Yesterday as we were guided through the village of Maai Mahui, we all saw first-hand something that many of us are unable to articulate and an experience I am still trying to comprehend. A town of 41,000 people. A community that struggles with many problems, from the basics of running water, to the extremes of the highest AIDS population in Eastern Africa. Barefoot children aimlessly running the dirt streets that are littered with trash. It was the foundation that we all needed to truly appreciate how all the blood, sweat and tears we are and will be providing can offer hope and potential for a population that deserves more.

As we arrived at the site of the KRC this morning, we were quickly greeted by the construction workers and we immediately got to work. None of us knew what to expect or had a general plan of attack. We were to follow the direction of Gershawn, the project manager, and work with his team of eight men who are contracted by CTC for the next three months. There was a pile of over 900+ 50 pound bricks that needed to be moved from the ground to the foundation, and neatly stacked in preparation for the building of the walls. Knowing that we have a mix of physical capabilities within our group, an assembly line quickly formed. This was no easy task, but the complaints from our group were minimal and the team work and dedication we all conveyed impressed everyone on site. Rearranging piles of rocks, sifting through sand, stirring concrete, moving more bricks, throwing stones into a truck, leveling concrete, pushing wheel barrows of dirt, moving the bricks again, were all just some of the ways we tirelessly spent our many hours on site today.

At any one point of the day, if you were to stop and look around, you would find each of us paired up with a worker or a group of them. They worked side by side with us as we learned about their lives and as we informed them of ours. Their curiosity about our lives was equally countered by our curiosity about theirs. Most of the morning, I spent my time with David; a 30 year old man who has a wife, a child, and is person that I greatly respect.

I’m not one to hold back any of the rapid questions that are running through my head and fortunately neither was he. Although I am aware of the financial disparity between our country and theirs, I have never fully grasped what we consider basic rights/needs, and how they view those items as a privilege or something they could never afford. David couldn’t believe that when it snows, our houses were not cold inside. He asked if we had a “machine to keep the house warm.” Hot water was not something that he regularly encounters, nor was a shower. He and his family live in a two bedroom house where they bathe by heating water that comes from the one faucet in the house. He explained to live in a house with a shower, you would have to be able to afford the 10,000 Shilling monthly rent that came along with it. To put it in perspective, 10,000 Shillings is roughly $100. To anyone in North America, this does not seem like much, but when you are making $5 (at best) a day the financial avenues to get to $100 are not available. Think to yourself what you have spent $100 on within the past week or month. Was it a necessity or an item of luxury? David and his crew worked 26 hours straight to lay the foundation of the KRC and did not receive a dime more than their 6,000 Shilling per month wage.

By the generous donations of the Softchoice community and the hard work of the Softchoice Cares board, we will be bringing the first library and computer lab to Maai Mahui. Bridging the digital divide in Maai Mahui will not only bring opportunity to people like David, but also to those working for CTC that are relentlessly trying to better the village they are ever so proud of. I am confident that the technology project and construction of the KRC will forever change the community. Day 1 proved to be the experience we were all anticipating and we are certain that what is ahead of us will only help to improve the lives of so many.

Matthew Zito
DWC Softchoice Cares Participant
Kenya, September 2013

August 30: Perspective Evolution

How many of us have used the phrase, “worst day of my life.” How many of us have felt the gravity of something so wrong, we felt like we’ve been the only people exposed to this sort of unequivocal injustice that knows no bounds? Plenty of us.

The other day, I heard one of my good friends say, “Worst day ever.” And he meant it. He meant it with every fiber of his being. He didn’t even question it. When I asked him, “What’s up?” He barely had an explanation. He left his phone and home and got lost on the way to pick me up.

Mind you, I’ve been getting ready to go to travel to Kenya for a few months for this volunteer opportunity. I’ve been evaluating every material possession that could possibly pass through customs with a sort of discerning eye that I’ve never possessed before. I’ve been wondering what would be offensive to the male population, what clothing will hold up against the equatorial climate, what sort of items won’t Bring to light the fact I’m a spoiled American that has always been afforded the sort of luxuries that they never will? What won’t leave me “hungry”? What won’t leave me feeling like I’m missing something for two short weeks.

Part of my prep of going to foreign countries that I don’t know much about always involves a little bit of research. Who are these people, what preconceived notions will they have about me and the country I come from? What is their recent history. About 7 minutes into a documentary about Kenya that was an hour long and I already had tears streaming down my face. A woman was talking about the unspeakable violence she tried to report to the police, only to have the police tell her, “you took a shower, if you want to submit evidence, go back to those men and get some more.” A young man, barely on this side of puberty spoke about how he split up from his parents by accident during a street rally. He found them a short few hours later – and had to identify their bodies. I was 7 minutes and 2 stories into a piece on a country I would be visiting less than a week later – and I was humbled beyond belief.

“The worst day of my life.” A phrase I’ve heard roll off of people’s lips so commonly, it’s depressing. Once I take a step back and evaluate that, I just think – is it? Really? Is it the worst day you’ve ever had? Is it a day so terrible, you just want to crawl up into a ball and give up? When I hear the explanations for the “worst day ever” it involves, not finding a parking spot right away, the 4 Starbucks on the way to work are really inconvenient to get to, the vending machine was out of pop tarts (a plight close to my heart), my phone died, my commute sucks, my boyfriend never gets me flowers…

As I sit here on my comfortable couch, in my house full of things I could survive without, typing on my expensive laptop – I can’t help but think about the fact that my worst day ever will probably never compare to a day in the life of the people we are traveling to meet.

Diane Rodriguez
DWC Softchoice Cares Participant
Kenya, September 2013

August 29: All my bags are packed and I'm ready to go...

It’s a bit surreal to think that in a few short hours, myself and 14 of my fellow colleagues will be leaving our respective cities and traveling half way around the world to start a project that will forever change the future of a community of people in Maai Mahiu, Kenya.

With the support of family, friends, and our peers at Softchoice, we’re about to start a life changing journey – not only for others, but for ourselves as well.

Leading into this trip, I’ve spent a lot of time in self-reflection. Thinking about the ‘what if’s’, ‘what is it like now’, and ‘what will be’ as a result of our time spent on the ground. It’s a bit of a mind overload, to say the least….

Now, I’ve never been anywhere in Africa… and although I like to view myself as a well-travelled individual, I can’t help but feel a little overwhelmed leading into this experience.

It’s with mixed emotions of excitement, anxiety and hope that I depart for this mission. I can’t help but admit that I’m starting to feel those pre-trip jitters. This is something unlike any trip I’ve been on before… but the reality is, this isn’t about us. It’s about the impact we’re there to make. The experiences that we will take home with us forever, are merely a fringe benefit of the greater cause.

As we lead into our adventure, I’m excited to watch this mission evolve and take shape. I can’t even imagine how this trip will change me personally; my views of the world, as well as my view on my own life coming home after our trip… but I’m excited to see that unfold.

The African proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” is something that I’ve continued to give a lot of thought to as we get closer and closer to departure. That’s what we’re there for. Although we may be worlds apart, we’re all the same. I don’t think anyone can anticipate the emotions that will occur once we’re on the ground… but the growth we’ll experience as we learn about the culture, the people and the impact of this project will be unwavering.

To my family, friends, and colleagues who have contributed to this cause, asante (thank you)! I can’t wait to share the experiences we’re about to have with you while on the ground, and once I’ve returned.

So for now, remember: Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean, I’ll miss you until we meet again!

Ian Zagrodney
DWC Softchoice Cares Participant
Kenya, September 2013

January 18: Final Goodbyes

We knew this day was coming, and its always impossible to fully prepare for the tears, the warm handshakes and hugs and the "please return soon." There is so much joy in our hearts tonight as we sit around the dinner table reminiscing about the past two weeks, the amazing people of Kenya, the project, the eyeglasses, grateful hearts on both sides. We attended the tank construction site for the last time, had tea and were promised pictures of the completed tank. We then walked down the dusty road, which has grown so familiar to us over the past few weeks, seeing the adults on the side of the road greeting us with the national language of Kenya, Jambo or the mother tongue of people here, "wi-mwega" which means "are you well?" in Kikuyu. The reply is "kwega muno" which means "I am well."

The celebration was held at Nderitu's home and many members of the community attended, including the committee that took so very good care of us.We each thanked the community for going out of their way to be so hospitable, and as I mentioned earlier, many tears were shed. We danced, we sang, we ate the most delicious meal and we drank copious amounts of chai tea. The time soon came that we had to leave and return to our accommodations, and after final goodbyes, we walked past so many people along the road that were there to wait for the ballot box to arrive from Naru Maru, because today is election day, the primaries in Kenya.

Tomorrow we begin our journey south to the Rift Valley for our safari.

Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Naro Moru, January 2012

January 17: Our trek to see the water source

We wanted to see the source of the water so James and Peter guided us to the foot of Mt Kenya, where the tree plantings could be seen, then into the jungle. We were warned to watch our footing and to jump behind the nearest tree if a large water buffalo should travel down the narrow trail. Oh the adventure...

Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Naro Moru, January 2012

January 16: Rains tested the water tank..and it works well!

It rained hard yesterday evening so the walk up to the site today had mud puddles here and there. We passed the daily herd of cows and sheep on the way.
The tank had two rounds of stones and a pool of water from the heavy rains. It was good to know it works and holds water :-) The stone rounds will proceed beyond our departure on Saturday.

Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Naro Moru, January 2013

January 15: Water tank is coming along...

The base of the water tank has cured. We could only watch the technical process of brushing bitumen and wiring rebar where the mortar and rock blocks are placed. The blocks are then precisely set into mortar.
We went to Margaret's birth-home nearby and watched her mother "shosho" pounding maize kernels into flour, while a large calderon of milk is being boiled for chai which will be served to all of the volunteers working on the water tank.

Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Naro Moru, January 2013

January 14: Eye testing and glasses for the community!

It was a long but productive day eye-testing and providing eyeglasses to 180+ community members.We also trained the Kenyan team that will carry on doing this when we leave.  Each person learned all tasks. DWC Participant, Cathy Graven showed everyone the eye interview technique. We split into teams and some worked with eye charts while others adjusted frames. The "eyejusters" were oil-filled and as the knob was turned the chart became clearer and clearer for each client. When the adjustment was as good as they could make it, the syringe was clamped then removed, and the adjustment became permanent.

We also handed out sunglasses to the community so they can protect their eyes from the high ultraviolet of the Kenyan sun at this 6000ft altitude.

Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Naro Moro, January 2013

January 13: Free day

Today we drove to the equator and witnessed the Coriolanus effect, bought school supplies and a new DWC cellular, then spent a few hours around a hotel pool relaxing.  It cost $500 kenya shilling to swim  (approx 5.50CDN)

Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Naro Moru, January 2013

January 11: Feeling right at home

Today was another full day. The base layer had already set and we spent the better part of the morning wiring rebar into a grid. The rest of the time the community volunteers mixed concrete and poured it into the rebar grid.

Margaret invited all of us to view her beautiful farm, then into her home, and after grace, served us a delicious lunch (the main meal for Kenyans) of mokimo, maize kernels, boiled potatoes, and the boiled leaves of calandra, which is the leaf of a squash vine. The meal included a fragrant meat and vegetable stew and shredded cabbage with wonderful spices. Finally, to finish it off we all had chai either sweetened or unsweetened.

Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Naro Moro, January 2013

January 10: Digging and moving gravel

Today was a relatively easy day digging a short drainage ditch while the community volunteers broke the larger rocks in the water tank base into smaller pieces. We had to move some of crushed gravel aside so that the drainage trench could be lengthened.

Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Naro Moru, January 2013

January 9: Very welcoming volunteers, leaders and community!

I didn't have much time to post earlier today, so here is a little more, posted from our hotel bar. There is a TV presently broadcasting a world traveler being interviewed on his sailing boat. Laurel is comfortable in a chair talking to Marcia, while Don and Dave ask the bartender why Kenyans don't wear sunglasses. His reply, "they don't like the dust getting in their eyes when the sunglasses are on"....interesting.

Margaret is the leader of the volunteer teams that arrive to help us each day. Each volunteer is coordinated to work two days of the two weeks we are at the project. It is a lot of fun, but it has a serious side; if a volunteer arrives late, they are sent home and fined! Our small group of volunteers have it a little easier; we have breakfast at 7:30 and meet one of the reforestation project Team Members, Julius, Bernice, Lucy (Nderitu’s sister) or Margaret, who accompany us on our 30 minute walk to the project site. Nderitu, for those of you who don’t know him, is DWC host partner contact and was born in this community and coordinates the projects. He lives in Colorado, and he and his Brother David are the principle operators of Wilderness Kenyan Safaris based here as well. The team members do not accompany us because they are concerned about security, they do it out of respect for our efforts, which Margaret says they admire because we came so far to their little community, and we could have gone anywhere else in the world, but we chose her community, so she says they are so thankful!

The Kenyan countryside is lush and painted with shafts of golden sun in the morning light. Mt Kenya rises majestically before us as we walk the first part of the road. People have already staked their sheep beside the sweet grass on the roadside and children are walking to school. School is both public and private and usually located close to each other. School for the older students starts at 7:30am and ends at 5:00pm, with a 45 minute lunch break; for Kenyans, education is the key to helping the community. There are children walking on both sides of the road, dressed in various types of uniforms, some with close-fitting toques and sweaters; it is cool here at 6000 ft altitude, with daily temperatures in the mid-twenties and nighttime temperatures around 15-16 degrees Celsius.

People feel very safe here, the children walk along the roadside throughout the day, as young as four years old; people old and young site by the roadside and say ‘jambo’ as we pass by them, roosters are crowing and children scurry out of their farms to watch us, often saying ‘jambo’ and waving. Margaret says everyone in the community knows the names of everyone else, in the neighborhood of 10,000 individuals. On the days when Bernice accompanies us, for example, Margaret walks down the road from her farm, a milk jug from her cow, nearby, to shake each of our hands and welcome us to another day of work. Margaret is also a leader, “like my Father and Grandfather before me,” she told us.

Today we moved tons of broken rock into the pit, ran out of rock and waited another hour before a dump truck delivered more crushed rock. We quickly resumed our teamwork, moving rock hand by hand to the edges of the pit so that the engineer and lead hand could coordinate the placement of the rocks. It was a very full day.

Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Naro Moru, January 2013

January 9: Completed the base of the water tank

We completed digging the base for the water tank today with the help of community volunteers. It was all overseen by an engineer so that the tank will be built perfectly.We also pitched rock into the pit so that it can be tamped into place tomorrow. Everyone is doing well, some stomach upsets and fatigued muscles are normal for this work. The food at the Mt.Kenya Leisure Lodge is great and the 40 minute walk uphill then downhill each day is really getting us into shape. All along the way, people from the community wave and say "jambo" which is "welcome and hello."

Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Naro Moru, January 2013

January 8: Water is a precious commodity

We all arrived in Naro Moru safe and sound.  Internet access has been poor, so I am finally "in" and posting a summary.
In Nairobi, were met by our driver David in the airport with our huge bags of glasses (1000+), soccer jerseys and soccer balls. You would think we are distributing these items as our main focus, but actually we are going to Naro Maru to help the community build a 50 cubic metre water storage tank so that the community doesn't to depend on government restrictions (1 hour of water per day) during the dry season, and for the rest of the year. Water is a precious commodity, especially this water, which they have brought by irrigation pipe from a source far away on the slopes of Mt. Kenya, so it is their potable water. They have had to walk several kilometers to a river and bring all their water home by pail in the past, so a water tank is a huge progressive step.


Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Naro Moru, January 2013

January 3rd: Kenya dig it?

The title is a tacky play on words (I know), but we are headed to Nairobi, Kenya tomorrow to work in a small community called Naro Maru at the base of Mt. Kenya where we will be helping build a water tank and install underground water lines for the community.

Cam Grant
DWC Team Leader
Kenya, January 2012