Moving Mountains
Your task is to move a mountain from one end of the swamp to the other. By moving the mountain, thousands of lives will be saved; countless others will be empowered to rise up out of poverty, and reach their fullest potential. You are given a shovel. The earth is heavy, your steps are shaky and unsure. Some of your load falls and is lost in the murky abyss. Other pieces are full of rocks and you are unable to manage them with the tools at hand. The light is dimming. Night falls. You become lost in a curtain of darkness. A hand reaches out, you are provided a cart. A motor is heard in the distance, someone is operating a earth mover. Slowly, dawn breaks on the horizon. You are surrounded by people, some local, some from far off lands. Together you are working side by side with people from all walks of life; some old, some young, all with a vested interest in moving the mountain across the unforgiving landscape.
The mountain may never be fully moved. Some may succeed in transferring their loads, touching lives, raising the under-represented up, out of despair. Others may only be here for a short time and offer only hope and encouragement, but their success should not be measured to any lesser degree. Success is in the synergy of the whole; the doing, the caring, the giving and collaborating; the stepping out of one’s world to be there, at some level, any level, for those in need.
The People That Have Inspired
During my time here I have worked with countless people doing work that has left me inspired, energized, and hopeful for the future of this country. Links to the nonprofits I have worked with are listed below. Each one represents at least one person that has put in countless hours to collaborate with me either directly or indirectly to make these projects a success.
In addition, I must mention the local heroes. The Clinical Officers, who day after day see a wide variety of patients suffering from chronic illness, acute traumas, and tropical diseases. With only 4 short years of Medical School, these individuals bravely take on the needs and management of rural community clinics; where plumbing is a distant dream, electricity is unpredictable, and technology is limited to an old autoclave, and a stethoscope. In lieu of radiographic means, these clinicians are experts in tactile assessments, mastering palpation, percussion, and egophony. Life support is a warm tender hand of a family member. Preventive medicine is based on education; oncology screenings are virtually nonexistent. On the outside, Kenya appears as a world hopelessly full of challenges. Addressing extensive health and socioeconomic needs within a country with little infrastructure, is a dire task. However, in taking a closer look, this is a country full of inspiration; success stories based on perseverance, the tenacity of hope, and a belief that tomorrow will bring a better day.
Project Updates
Water Filters:
Sustainability is key as I wrap up my hands-on contributions to the development and expansion of the Hygiene and Sanitation Project. With a donation of $200 we were able to travel to Nairobi and pick up 10, 20L containers with fitted ceramic filters. These containers and filters will be distributed to the most rural clinics in Osani and Viagenco.
The limited accessibility of the Osani and Viagneco clinics was well demonstrated on our return trip home this past weekend. This being the rainy season, long heavy rains can be counted on each evening. We left our meetings in Osani early to start our 3 hour trip back to Kisumu. The rains came a bit early, and the muddy, rocky roads were no match for our 40 year old Land Rover. We found ourselves stranded in a ditch for 4 hours. But thanks to the efforts of a priest in a pickup and Action AID (a nonprofit with a much newer Land Rover) we were able to be back in Kisumu before the wee hours of the night.
Our goal is to develop a local filter factory, which will distribute these much needed water filters to the entire Nyalenda Province. After a tour of the Nairobi factory, I am very optimistic a similar production plant can be recreated in or around Kisumu. We are in the midst of further developing this plan and identifying key resources in Kakamega.
Soap Making:
I’m continuing to work with a local women’s soap making group supported by the OMEGA Foundation to develop small size bars that can be purchased for patient and clinic use. We delivered ice cube trays to the village 2 weeks ago and look forward to picking up our newly made, ice-cube-sized, soap bars this week.
Dormer Bio-Tech has begun drafting a grant proposal to the Gates Foundation to for support of a local community-based soap making consortium. I look forward to reviewing the draft and continue to collaborate with this company as we develop plans to improve the socioeconomic conditions of the local people.
Politics:
Kenya is ranked as the 6th most corrupt government in the world (based on citizen perceptions).(REF) As a result any plans for sustainable change must have the support and backing of key members of parliament, or else any profit gains can easily be lost long before it gets to those in most need. To combat this phenomenon, I had the pleasure to meet with 2 members of Parliament this weekend who represent both Osani and Viagenco areas. They were extremely supportive of our plans for both filter and soap production and will personally see to it that government processes are streamlined in order to support efficient development of these factories.
It Takes A Village:
The following are nonprofits that I have had the pleasure to collaborate with in the development of The OGRA Hygiene & Sanitation Program:
Direct Relief International: http://www.directrelief.org/
Dr. Mike Marks, has held the vision of a filter factory in or around Kisumu, Kenya for over the past year. It was his vision and guidance that has been key in my ability to advance the filter factory project.
Dormer Biotech: http://www.dobitherapeutics.org/about.html
Dr. Anton Dormer has been an incredible support throughout most of my project development phase. His vision, to develop a commercial soap factory in Kenya that will support the community and be a catalyst for socioeconomic change within the region. His vision, support, and guidance has been key in advancing the soap factory concept.
Thrist-Aid: http://www.thirst-aid.org/
Curt Bradner has been a key consultant in the development t of the filter factory concept. His nonprofit has support the construction of 8 successful filter factories within the developing world. His eagerness and vast knowledge in the development of colloidal silver manufacturing has been priceless.
SWAP: http://www.swapkenya.org/
Alie Eleveld, the Program Director for SWAP Kisumu, has been a wonderful friend, and support since my early days in Kenya. Not only does she provide our program with high quality, discounted water containers, but she has welcomed me into the nonprofit community and has placed me in touch with some key, like-minded individuals throughout Kisumu and Kakamega. Her efforts have been a great launching pad for the program.
OMEGA Foundation: http://www.omfo.org/
Rose Dianga, Program Director for OMEGA Foundation, Rabour was key in introducing us to successful women’s soap making groups. We spent much time with these strong, inspiring women and have learned far more then soap making. I will be forever grateful to Rose for providing us the opportunity to bring these beautiful women into our project.
PATH International: http://www.path.org/
Dimitra Patrikarakou, a consult for PATH International holds a similar vision as we do, bring water filter manufacturing to Kisumu. Through challenging Skype sessions Dimitra has been a great support and guidance. Her group will provide the marketing analysis of the area, and will assist us developing a full marketing plan for the water filters.
Action AID: http://www.actionaid.org/
Thanks to Action AID’s local driver, who on a very rainy night decided not to take the ferry but instead drive around the lake. I will be forever grateful. He patiently waited while we were pulled free, only to find that he too was stuck in the mud. Fortunately his Land Rover incurred no damage and he kindly provided us the 2 hour ride back to Kisumu.
ACCUMEN FUND: http://www.acumenfund.org/
As a newer member of this group, I’m excited, anticipating the contributions and education that this talented, worldly, and widely experienced team of experts can provide our program. The discussion boards are awe inspiring. Its members have boundless energy, hope, and vision for a better tomorrow. I look forward to continuing to be a part of this group, as I learn and grow with in the nonprofit sector.
Photos From the Week
Visiting Filter Factory in Nairobi: http://picasaweb.google.com/researchrn68/FilterFactoryInNairobi#
Osani Clinic Garden: http://picasaweb.google.com/researchrn68/OsaniClinicGarden#
Meeting Members of Parliament: http://picasaweb.google.com/researchrn68/MeetingMembersOfKenyaSNationalParliament#
Visiting the Minister’s Estate: http://picasaweb.google.com/researchrn68/TheMinisterSEstate#
Ground Breaking for Sugar Cane Refinery: http://picasaweb.google.com/researchrn68/GroundBreakingForSugarCaneRefinery#
John Carney Said:
on April 2, 2010 at 1:30 pm
I like the ice cube tray idea. We may have to steal that one.
Christine Said:
on April 2, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Hey John,
Good to hear from you. I stll have to pay a visit to the women’s group in Rabour to see how the ice-cube soap bars turned out. These women make great soap wit a super recipe – no lye, just fermented aloe vera which actually holds antimicrobial properties! The Women of Rabour were actually using plastic soap dishes for molds which resulted in rather large bars. To keep the size small and affordable for clinic patients, we convinenced them into trying smaller sized bars. Keeping my fingers crossed!! Let me know when and where your group will head to next!
All the Best,
Christine