One Way to Cut Costs

I try to check the Kenyan papers every day. Frequently I learn something about the U.S. However, reading the Nation and the Standard also depresses me enormously. There is no escaping the corruption, famine, drought, and poverty that abide in Kenya. Today was no exception. It seems that there are now new rules for children entering first grade (standard 1). They will all need birth certificates. Wow, now there is a great idea to cut costs. Primary and secondary school are now supposed to be free. This did tend to put pressure on the education budget (and then there would be all the graft that takes place in each area of government) and you can't really tax the villagers since they don't make any money. So the answer clearly is make sure the kids don't go to school. Reminds me of the poll tax we had in this country before Civil Right.

So here it is, taken from the Nation Newspaper today. My heart sinks.

By PAUL JUMA Posted Wednesday, October 28 2009 at 20:18

A birth certificate may soon be a compulsory requirement for admission to Standard One. The government plans to issue the directive that may be effective next year. The move could bar about 60 per cent of children who are estimated to be without birth certificates from joining school.

The proposal is among some drastic changes which the Ministry of Immigration plans to make as it implements its 2008-2012 strategic plan.

“We are in the process of negotiating with the Ministry of Education to make it mandatory for all children joining standard One to have birth certificates,” Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang’ said on Wednesday at the launch of the plan.

A Good Dog Day

On Friday I was interviewed by a writer who rode his bike across the U.S with a charity called Go the Extra Mile. I had watched him interview another young woman who clearly struggled with her life, but loved what she did. She even cried a little while describing her work with autistic children and horses. It was heartwarming in that way that news people love and cameramen want to poke mikes in your face.

I was next up. I had been having a very busy but good dog week. Just back from Puerto Rico, busy with clients and readying for back to back meetings for One Village on Sunday. I bellied up to the table, even spoke French to the cameraman (he was French) and answered questions. “Had I ever been afraid for my life?” Yes.
Why would I think of going back…blank stare from me..see this where I just don’t fit in I guess. It never dawned on me not to go back, One Village is what I’m supposed to do. He asked me if I’d always been such a maverick and I had to say yes..it would be one of the main reasons my marriage to Dr. Conservative failed. Then the final question, “How would I describe my life?” to which I answered “I’m dancing in the light. It’s as sweet as life could get.” And he was done. I was of no interest to him.

Here’s the deal, I get to work with the most amazing people on this planet. The research team who is writing a grant to improve healthcare in Kenya, came together 4 weeks ago. They are cranking out a grant with the grace and style of a finely honed surgical team. And they only met each other 4 weeks ago. As I watch the emails fly past me, everyone helping each other, I can get incredulous that I get to be part of this, or just downright joyful that somehow I get to put people together and get to watch them be the very best of who they are.

I’ve got a Board of Directors that any E.D should kill for. They are bright, creative, enjoy each other and really dig in. I think I told the bike guy this in the context of what’s wrong with most charities today. Most charities have people my age on the board. They sit on lots of boards, each other’s boards blah blah blah. They do it cuz it makes them feel important. However they don’t change things, they don’t think outside the box, they don’t challenge the E.D to be the very best she can do for fear she will let them down. If you get to be the very best of who you are, if you get to watch people gel and become friends and make a difference in this world, what’s not to love?

So what I’m sayin’ is that it’s pretty cool to be me, and I’m having a really really good dog day.

Lillian

It's been a while since I've checked in. I read in the Nation and the Standard, Kenya's papers that there are "rumors" that youth are arming themselves for the 2012 elections. I know they're not rumors since I've heard what the tribes say about each other. However, it's 2 years away and the folks don't want to scare away what tourist bucks they can get.

In the North of Kenya there is drought while where I work they are preparing for floods and cholera. Famine continues in Masai land while the Sio threatens to overflow it's banks next to Manyole and Malanga School. And the beat goes on.

We're working on a grant to bring micro-computers to rural Kenya and change the way health care is done over there. We have an amazing team putting that together. One of the members donated a cow to one of the schools. While I can't find a photo of her, I did come across this movie of Lillian that I made 3 years ago and decided it's time for you to meet Lillian.

I know the accents are hard for American ears, but do try. The story is quite compelling.
And in the meantime, keep the faith y'all.