Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Update From Furaha: October 30, 2008
Good morning brothers,
I hope this finds you all fine,we are all doing alright.
We are glad to receive Gilbert's mail briefing us a bout the transfer of funds as well as the January visit,we really continue to appreciate God for His doings,we will continue our prayers towards the success of January visit also to Tracy tell her that she can count on our prayers and wish her dad quick recovery and God's intervention.
Thank you Jeremy for sharing with us an idea on the long term sustainability,we will continue thinking on the same line.
As we said before we have been following the idea of securing lease and up to this moment we have secured a two year lease for the offices,we are still following the one for the school compound,they are currently under different managements,we hope to finish up on that soon.About piping of water to the school,we went for the applications it's a little longer process,we still have to secure PIN NO.which we are already processing after which Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company will come to survey the land before we are granted piped water,we are optimistic a bout this as well.The health department is part of Nairobi City Council under whose jurisdiction the water and sewerage Company falls hence they understand the process.
Also,Anthony asked a bout what next after feeding program,well,hope you remember Ron sent us some funds for internet project,the funds have been in our account until recently when we bought four new computers, internet connection modem and a four port switch,we only fell short of connection fee from the providers ,next week we are visiting telekom offices - the main internet providers company in Kenya to confirm if so far there is any changes in connection charges then we will get in touch with you,after this we will have a achieved the goal of having FCC connected.
However brothers,let's continue putting God first in everything,its great what he has done and all he is a bout to do.Be blessed.
Dan.
N/B Chris has been having problems with the quick book software that we uses to record our finances,that's why it has taken us long to update you with financial reports,he succeeded to have one from friend so soon the reports will be there with you.
I hope this finds you all fine,we are all doing alright.
We are glad to receive Gilbert's mail briefing us a bout the transfer of funds as well as the January visit,we really continue to appreciate God for His doings,we will continue our prayers towards the success of January visit also to Tracy tell her that she can count on our prayers and wish her dad quick recovery and God's intervention.
Thank you Jeremy for sharing with us an idea on the long term sustainability,we will continue thinking on the same line.
As we said before we have been following the idea of securing lease and up to this moment we have secured a two year lease for the offices,we are still following the one for the school compound,they are currently under different managements,we hope to finish up on that soon.About piping of water to the school,we went for the applications it's a little longer process,we still have to secure PIN NO.which we are already processing after which Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company will come to survey the land before we are granted piped water,we are optimistic a bout this as well.The health department is part of Nairobi City Council under whose jurisdiction the water and sewerage Company falls hence they understand the process.
Also,Anthony asked a bout what next after feeding program,well,hope you remember Ron sent us some funds for internet project,the funds have been in our account until recently when we bought four new computers, internet connection modem and a four port switch,we only fell short of connection fee from the providers ,next week we are visiting telekom offices - the main internet providers company in Kenya to confirm if so far there is any changes in connection charges then we will get in touch with you,after this we will have a achieved the goal of having FCC connected.
However brothers,let's continue putting God first in everything,its great what he has done and all he is a bout to do.Be blessed.
Dan.
N/B Chris has been having problems with the quick book software that we uses to record our finances,that's why it has taken us long to update you with financial reports,he succeeded to have one from friend so soon the reports will be there with you.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Update From Furaha: October 25, 2008
Greetings Pete,
Thanking God for your ministry and the financial support you have committed to feed many back here.
We are all doing well.
Even though its tough back there financially at the moment, I believe God will provide for every person giving towards the feeding program in your ministry.
I truly cant express the joy it has brought to many back here but everyday and moment of enjoying the meal its always memorable.
The Jiko is really a big asset to us back here it has reduced the consumption of firewood to almost half...its truly an energy saver.
The staff and kids really enjoy there meals and are full of energy and excitement than before.
The pastors are still committed in working together and they have kept us all on a tight schedule of visiting there churches every Sundays.
They have a calender that requires us all in furaha to attend there church services every week, we have so far attended 3 churches and its always a blessing to be part of their congregation and see them preach as well.
They have picked their leadership and Pastor. Francis is their Chairman. We went to his church first and we really enjoyed the service, he is truly the unifying pastor that is holding all of them together and a remarkable preacher.
We will be glad to know if its still possible to attend the Global Leadership Summit starting next month 10th and 11th. (Note from Pete: this is something we are trying to arrange with the Willow Creek Association).
Kindly let us know if its possible to communicate this back to them.
The software is unbelievable coz of all the resources it carries, the pastors and us are slowly learning how to use it and enjoying the resource.
I have been taking some pictures of the churches we have visited so far, I will send them to you as soon as i sort them out.
Pass my kindest regards to all in your ministry.
God bless.
David
Thanking God for your ministry and the financial support you have committed to feed many back here.
We are all doing well.
Even though its tough back there financially at the moment, I believe God will provide for every person giving towards the feeding program in your ministry.
I truly cant express the joy it has brought to many back here but everyday and moment of enjoying the meal its always memorable.
The Jiko is really a big asset to us back here it has reduced the consumption of firewood to almost half...its truly an energy saver.
The staff and kids really enjoy there meals and are full of energy and excitement than before.
The pastors are still committed in working together and they have kept us all on a tight schedule of visiting there churches every Sundays.
They have a calender that requires us all in furaha to attend there church services every week, we have so far attended 3 churches and its always a blessing to be part of their congregation and see them preach as well.
They have picked their leadership and Pastor. Francis is their Chairman. We went to his church first and we really enjoyed the service, he is truly the unifying pastor that is holding all of them together and a remarkable preacher.
We will be glad to know if its still possible to attend the Global Leadership Summit starting next month 10th and 11th. (Note from Pete: this is something we are trying to arrange with the Willow Creek Association).
Kindly let us know if its possible to communicate this back to them.
The software is unbelievable coz of all the resources it carries, the pastors and us are slowly learning how to use it and enjoying the resource.
I have been taking some pictures of the churches we have visited so far, I will send them to you as soon as i sort them out.
Pass my kindest regards to all in your ministry.
God bless.
David
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Update from Huruma
Hallo guys,
I hope you are all doing good,it's been a while since we last communicated,we are all doing well here in Huruma,the kids,teachers,social workers,guardians,leaders and the rest of the volunteers.
As you may have predicted,we have been quite busy,running with firstly the school renovations after which immediately we engaged into laying foundations for feeding program as well as the follow ups of the newly initiated FCC pastor,s fellowship program, however we must apologise for not keeping you informed on the progress as may have been expected.
My beloved brothers,firstly let me thank God for His Faithfulness and Goodness,it's been along journey to the feeding program,together we have been praying that this defining moment of our journey would come,and here it is,God has answered our prayers,all we have to do is thank and glorify his name,may all the people who played any role to the success of this,however small it was,whether in forefront or behind the curtain be blessed and abundantly rewarded by God,to us its The hand of God seen at work.
Contrary to our anticipation,the feeding program commenced on 6th October,from the time we received the start up funds,we immediately started the preparations hoping to beat the deadline in vain,as we all know,we have never done this before,this was our first time,there are a lot of difference in actual since hence since the beginning of the program,we have been and will be working out the practicality of the program for the next few weeks.
We had to interview cooks,ensure that they are well qualified both by experience and health wise keeping in mind that they would be handling kids who needs special care,this then meant that we had to send a number of interviewees for tests to scrutinise their health status,this consumed time something we didn't foresee,these and other reasons led to the delay.We finally managed to employ one cook and recruited two other volunteers who would be assisting.
Kids and and teachers were quite excited,you should have seen them,i know our God is happy because someone contributed to ensure that this young ones,the least of our brothers have smiles on their faces,we took some videos David will be sending some pictures and possibly footages and Chris will be sending other reports as well.
Friends,on behalf of my fellow leaders here i want to say that we are grateful for efforts you have made so far,even though we cant reward you,our God in heaven will do,we are praying for you,pray for us too,lets embrace God's ministry,lets spread the gospel of Jesus,let's change the world,let's make a difference,let's build God's kingdom.
Be blessed,
With Love,
From Brother Dan.
I hope you are all doing good,it's been a while since we last communicated,we are all doing well here in Huruma,the kids,teachers,social workers,guardians,leaders and the rest of the volunteers.
As you may have predicted,we have been quite busy,running with firstly the school renovations after which immediately we engaged into laying foundations for feeding program as well as the follow ups of the newly initiated FCC pastor,s fellowship program, however we must apologise for not keeping you informed on the progress as may have been expected.
My beloved brothers,firstly let me thank God for His Faithfulness and Goodness,it's been along journey to the feeding program,together we have been praying that this defining moment of our journey would come,and here it is,God has answered our prayers,all we have to do is thank and glorify his name,may all the people who played any role to the success of this,however small it was,whether in forefront or behind the curtain be blessed and abundantly rewarded by God,to us its The hand of God seen at work.
Contrary to our anticipation,the feeding program commenced on 6th October,from the time we received the start up funds,we immediately started the preparations hoping to beat the deadline in vain,as we all know,we have never done this before,this was our first time,there are a lot of difference in actual since hence since the beginning of the program,we have been and will be working out the practicality of the program for the next few weeks.
We had to interview cooks,ensure that they are well qualified both by experience and health wise keeping in mind that they would be handling kids who needs special care,this then meant that we had to send a number of interviewees for tests to scrutinise their health status,this consumed time something we didn't foresee,these and other reasons led to the delay.We finally managed to employ one cook and recruited two other volunteers who would be assisting.
Kids and and teachers were quite excited,you should have seen them,i know our God is happy because someone contributed to ensure that this young ones,the least of our brothers have smiles on their faces,we took some videos David will be sending some pictures and possibly footages and Chris will be sending other reports as well.
Friends,on behalf of my fellow leaders here i want to say that we are grateful for efforts you have made so far,even though we cant reward you,our God in heaven will do,we are praying for you,pray for us too,lets embrace God's ministry,lets spread the gospel of Jesus,let's change the world,let's make a difference,let's build God's kingdom.
Be blessed,
With Love,
From Brother Dan.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Napa to Nairobi: How Do We Know We’re Helping?
A reality exists in our world: there are a limited few who have resources and a massive majority who do not. The ones who “have” are generally in some way responsible for why the poor are poor in the first place.
Some people feel so bad about the fact that they have resources when others do not that they go into poorer parts of the world with lots of resources to give away.
Some people are motivated by compassion instead of guilt, and they do the same thing.
Still others have a need to feel needed, and go into all the world to save it, in the hopes of feeling important in someone else’s eyes.
Whatever the motivation, often what happens is that a flood of resources makes it to a particular area, along with directions on how to use it. What the do-gooder doesn’t realize is that there are great assumptions about what is needed “over there”; all based on what they know from their life lived “over here.” Unwittingly, they impose their own cultural biases upon their recipients. They are happy to give what they think is needed, with little input from those who actually know the context where the help is needed. Since the end result is that much needed resources get to a much needed area, both parties move ahead.
But what happens down the line?
Sometimes a dependency is created, and those in need are given a fish instead of learning to fish, and are therefore facing a future of trouble, especially if their donor’s funds dries up or the donor dies.
Sometimes Imperialism is resurrected. New, Western colonization pops up in the strangest places – slums feature flavors from a culture thousands of miles away. It’s a bad fit, like telling a cat that it needs to act like a dog – it’s just not going to work for very long.
Sometimes the long term result is worse than it was in the first place because the motives and the mission were inherently flawed.
Our approach to making a difference in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya, is not at all like the above. Our approach is modeled after the design laid out by one Nairobi’s largest church’s pastor, who applauds the desire to help coming from the West yet laments the travesties noted above. He recommends that indigenous people call the shots, and that genuine relationship between the two be maintained.
Chris, David, Kerry, and Dan were raised saw that in their home-town slum of Huruma. They noticed that the orphans were falling through the system cracks. They were falling behind in school from lack of parental support. They rose to the occasion. They began tutoring children at a community resource center called Furaha, which in Swahili is translated as “Joy.” This tutoring would give the orphans a much needed boost, since living conditions make it difficult for them to receive much help from their guardians, who often are trying to raise as many as eight children in a very small space on about $1 per day.
With unemployment hovering around 70%, the likelihood of continued economic hardship is certain. And if education is neglected for the orphans, their future prospects are severely limited. While they would love to be self-sustainable, the reality is that without outside assistance, that dream could take several generations to materialize.
That’s where we come in. We have resources we can share.
What we don’t have is a clue – how could we possibly know what needs to be done half a world away? We don’t know. We must rely on those who live and breathe the context to direct whatever assistance is provided.
We have gotten to know the leaders of Furaha and found them to be exceptional in their character and commitment to giving the orphans a chance for a better life. Their goal is to be sustainable as soon as possible, and then help other similar programs begin in other parts of the massive slum. The more centers that exist, the more children can be helped.
Based on our relationship with them, we ask them what they are experiencing, and what they sense they need to provide long-term help. Naturally, since our resources are limited, they must prioritize their projects based on urgency and long term impact. We provide what they don’t have and cannot get – resources.
With our ongoing support, they are able to begin multiple small businesses based on a micro-loan program whereby funds are loaned to individuals who want to begin a business, who then pay it back so that another person may do the same: a peanut butter production business, a bead-stringing jewelry business to begin with (each require a little under $200 to get going). Leadership training for the Furaha leaders is made possible because of our generosity. And lunch is provided for 400 students every school day – this means they will have the caloric means to maintain attention and actually learn.
In return, we are the greater beneficiaries. We may be tempted to think that we are the only ones helping them. But the reality is they teach us a great deal – lessons we need to learn.
That’s how relationships work.
It is possible (but not necessarily likely) that over time Furaha could get these things going without outside help. But how many hundreds or even thousands of kids would lose out during that period? And how much would we lose out for not knowing them during that time?
Here’s the deal… We are family. We are the family members who were born where resources flow abundantly. Our brothers and sisters in Kenya were born into a resource drought. We don’t know how to do life in Kenya. They do. We wouldn’t know what to do to help them live abundantly in spite of their challenging circumstances. But they know how. What they don’t have are resources to realize their life potential.
We’re not their saviors, we’re their family. So let’s do what we can for the ones we can.
Some people feel so bad about the fact that they have resources when others do not that they go into poorer parts of the world with lots of resources to give away.
Some people are motivated by compassion instead of guilt, and they do the same thing.
Still others have a need to feel needed, and go into all the world to save it, in the hopes of feeling important in someone else’s eyes.
Whatever the motivation, often what happens is that a flood of resources makes it to a particular area, along with directions on how to use it. What the do-gooder doesn’t realize is that there are great assumptions about what is needed “over there”; all based on what they know from their life lived “over here.” Unwittingly, they impose their own cultural biases upon their recipients. They are happy to give what they think is needed, with little input from those who actually know the context where the help is needed. Since the end result is that much needed resources get to a much needed area, both parties move ahead.
But what happens down the line?
Sometimes a dependency is created, and those in need are given a fish instead of learning to fish, and are therefore facing a future of trouble, especially if their donor’s funds dries up or the donor dies.
Sometimes Imperialism is resurrected. New, Western colonization pops up in the strangest places – slums feature flavors from a culture thousands of miles away. It’s a bad fit, like telling a cat that it needs to act like a dog – it’s just not going to work for very long.
Sometimes the long term result is worse than it was in the first place because the motives and the mission were inherently flawed.
Our approach to making a difference in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya, is not at all like the above. Our approach is modeled after the design laid out by one Nairobi’s largest church’s pastor, who applauds the desire to help coming from the West yet laments the travesties noted above. He recommends that indigenous people call the shots, and that genuine relationship between the two be maintained.
Chris, David, Kerry, and Dan were raised saw that in their home-town slum of Huruma. They noticed that the orphans were falling through the system cracks. They were falling behind in school from lack of parental support. They rose to the occasion. They began tutoring children at a community resource center called Furaha, which in Swahili is translated as “Joy.” This tutoring would give the orphans a much needed boost, since living conditions make it difficult for them to receive much help from their guardians, who often are trying to raise as many as eight children in a very small space on about $1 per day.
With unemployment hovering around 70%, the likelihood of continued economic hardship is certain. And if education is neglected for the orphans, their future prospects are severely limited. While they would love to be self-sustainable, the reality is that without outside assistance, that dream could take several generations to materialize.
That’s where we come in. We have resources we can share.
What we don’t have is a clue – how could we possibly know what needs to be done half a world away? We don’t know. We must rely on those who live and breathe the context to direct whatever assistance is provided.
We have gotten to know the leaders of Furaha and found them to be exceptional in their character and commitment to giving the orphans a chance for a better life. Their goal is to be sustainable as soon as possible, and then help other similar programs begin in other parts of the massive slum. The more centers that exist, the more children can be helped.
Based on our relationship with them, we ask them what they are experiencing, and what they sense they need to provide long-term help. Naturally, since our resources are limited, they must prioritize their projects based on urgency and long term impact. We provide what they don’t have and cannot get – resources.
With our ongoing support, they are able to begin multiple small businesses based on a micro-loan program whereby funds are loaned to individuals who want to begin a business, who then pay it back so that another person may do the same: a peanut butter production business, a bead-stringing jewelry business to begin with (each require a little under $200 to get going). Leadership training for the Furaha leaders is made possible because of our generosity. And lunch is provided for 400 students every school day – this means they will have the caloric means to maintain attention and actually learn.
In return, we are the greater beneficiaries. We may be tempted to think that we are the only ones helping them. But the reality is they teach us a great deal – lessons we need to learn.
That’s how relationships work.
It is possible (but not necessarily likely) that over time Furaha could get these things going without outside help. But how many hundreds or even thousands of kids would lose out during that period? And how much would we lose out for not knowing them during that time?
Here’s the deal… We are family. We are the family members who were born where resources flow abundantly. Our brothers and sisters in Kenya were born into a resource drought. We don’t know how to do life in Kenya. They do. We wouldn’t know what to do to help them live abundantly in spite of their challenging circumstances. But they know how. What they don’t have are resources to realize their life potential.
We’re not their saviors, we’re their family. So let’s do what we can for the ones we can.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Beginning Relationships…
Before we headed to Huruma – Nairobi, Kenya’s second largest slum – we paid a visit to Steven Marori, Director of Kenya’s branch International Christian Ministries (based in Bakersfield). Awaiting our arrival were two of the four men we would get to know very well – Dan and Kerry – two of the founding members of Furaha Community Center. The agenda for our meeting was primarily to establish a relationship between the Furaha leaders and this ministry, which provides a variety of educational opportunities for Christian leaders. By the end of the meeting, we learned of an upcoming leadership seminar that my friend and GHC colleague, John Jackson, would be leading, and another seminar coming in November. We knew two things immediately: there was no way these young leaders could afford to go to either seminar, and that we wanted to get them there!
We made our way to Huruma. You know when you’re getting closer. The roads change to dirt from pavement. The structures shift from mostly sound-looking facilities to make-shift buildings constructed from wood, tin, and cement. Trash is everywhere – not because people don’t care, but because these streets are not serviced adequately. Open and flowing sewage ditches which, combined with the trash problem, create an unmistakable aroma. The streets were lined with stand after stand each marketing a one line of goods: socks, shirts, pants – each at a different store. Vegetables, chicken, grilled corn, goat head soup, goat leg soup, a butcher shop. You could find four of each of these stands on a block. You might even find some of the goods being sold of a blanket in the middle of an intersection.
Furaha Community Center is located right in the thick of Huruma. A sign painted on a sheet metal gate announces it’s location. As our mini-bus (think of a Toyota version of a VW Eurovan with 10 seats plus a driver) pulled up, we got out and were immediately welcomed by a large group of Furaha volunteers – some security, some social workers, some leaders. We walked down an alleyway to their offices and community room, where we were introduced to each other. These new friends are the ones responsible for making Furaha click day to day, providing education for 400 children on a dime, most of whom are orphans, a clinic for HIV+ women, and a limited-collection library that is used by many families in the slum.
After a short wait, we were escorted to the school area – a 20x60 commons surrounded by lean-to classrooms made with 2x4’s, plywood, and tin roofs. The commons was filled with the students awaiting our arrival. Mostly dressed in their uniforms (not required but clearly preferred by the students), the behavior we witnessed was remarkable. Certainly, there was excitement in the air – these kids knew guests from afar were arriving; guests that look quite different than your average Kenyan. But in spite of the hype, the children were incredibly well behaved (I’m thinking of my own kids’ elementary school lunch room and assemblies as reference). They were excited but calm, really welcoming but also respectful. We shook their hands, saying hello as they welcomed us to their school.
We were seated in front of them, while the school’s head teacher led a brief ceremony to welcome us to their school and city. They sang songs – and I mean they sang songs – that communicated their love of God and their joy to provide us hospitality. After the brief program, we toured each classroom where the students were ready to teach us a song and share their areas of discipline with us.
We also saw what we couldn’t see – hunger. There was no announcement letting everyone know that there would be no lunch that day. They never have lunch. That’s the problem. For them to do simply satisfactorily in school, they need calories – especially the second half of the day. Many of the kids just don’t get through the day (if they come back at all) because their bodies are simply giving out. A primary agenda of ours was to see if a feeding program would make a lasting difference for these kids. The truth is, food would make a massive difference for their future, because it would mean education. Everyone knows the phrase, give a man a fish and they’ll eat for a day, teach a man to fish and they’ll eat for the rest of their life. In this case, giving them a fish (beans, actually) is teaching them as well.
After lunch with the leaders (which we of course paid for), we discussed the agenda for the rest of the week before piling in the bus and heading to our hotel in Nairobi. We were all wiped out by early evening – the 10 hour time difference was catching up. My first impression: the center was living up to its name, which is Swahili means “Joy.”
We made our way to Huruma. You know when you’re getting closer. The roads change to dirt from pavement. The structures shift from mostly sound-looking facilities to make-shift buildings constructed from wood, tin, and cement. Trash is everywhere – not because people don’t care, but because these streets are not serviced adequately. Open and flowing sewage ditches which, combined with the trash problem, create an unmistakable aroma. The streets were lined with stand after stand each marketing a one line of goods: socks, shirts, pants – each at a different store. Vegetables, chicken, grilled corn, goat head soup, goat leg soup, a butcher shop. You could find four of each of these stands on a block. You might even find some of the goods being sold of a blanket in the middle of an intersection.
Furaha Community Center is located right in the thick of Huruma. A sign painted on a sheet metal gate announces it’s location. As our mini-bus (think of a Toyota version of a VW Eurovan with 10 seats plus a driver) pulled up, we got out and were immediately welcomed by a large group of Furaha volunteers – some security, some social workers, some leaders. We walked down an alleyway to their offices and community room, where we were introduced to each other. These new friends are the ones responsible for making Furaha click day to day, providing education for 400 children on a dime, most of whom are orphans, a clinic for HIV+ women, and a limited-collection library that is used by many families in the slum.
After a short wait, we were escorted to the school area – a 20x60 commons surrounded by lean-to classrooms made with 2x4’s, plywood, and tin roofs. The commons was filled with the students awaiting our arrival. Mostly dressed in their uniforms (not required but clearly preferred by the students), the behavior we witnessed was remarkable. Certainly, there was excitement in the air – these kids knew guests from afar were arriving; guests that look quite different than your average Kenyan. But in spite of the hype, the children were incredibly well behaved (I’m thinking of my own kids’ elementary school lunch room and assemblies as reference). They were excited but calm, really welcoming but also respectful. We shook their hands, saying hello as they welcomed us to their school.
We were seated in front of them, while the school’s head teacher led a brief ceremony to welcome us to their school and city. They sang songs – and I mean they sang songs – that communicated their love of God and their joy to provide us hospitality. After the brief program, we toured each classroom where the students were ready to teach us a song and share their areas of discipline with us.
We also saw what we couldn’t see – hunger. There was no announcement letting everyone know that there would be no lunch that day. They never have lunch. That’s the problem. For them to do simply satisfactorily in school, they need calories – especially the second half of the day. Many of the kids just don’t get through the day (if they come back at all) because their bodies are simply giving out. A primary agenda of ours was to see if a feeding program would make a lasting difference for these kids. The truth is, food would make a massive difference for their future, because it would mean education. Everyone knows the phrase, give a man a fish and they’ll eat for a day, teach a man to fish and they’ll eat for the rest of their life. In this case, giving them a fish (beans, actually) is teaching them as well.
After lunch with the leaders (which we of course paid for), we discussed the agenda for the rest of the week before piling in the bus and heading to our hotel in Nairobi. We were all wiped out by early evening – the 10 hour time difference was catching up. My first impression: the center was living up to its name, which is Swahili means “Joy.”
Welcome To Our Home
On our second day in Kenya, we went back to Furaha – our home base – from which we set out on a walking tour of the slum, with several stops along the way. The purpose of the day was to help us understand the environmental context which is home to somewhere between 350,000 to 800,000 people. Our first stop was the home of a couple who are doing their best to raise their children (and then some) as they struggled simply to survive. The father is HIV+, and is fighting TB. We later learned a remarkable thing about the man – he was still there. Most men leave their wives and children if they become infected with HIV. This one stayed, and was highly praised by the social worker who accompanied us. We would also later appreciate how nice this first home was. Even though it was a very simple 8x10 room, the dozen or so other homes shared a water spigot for cooking, a toilet that could flush (not quite like a Western toilet, however), and a bathing room with a spigot.
We visited the last home late in the day – the tenth or so such home visit. Like most of the others, the woman we got to know was HIV+. She was raising her two children (plus others) alone – her husband left years ago. Her particular dwelling was especially challenging. To get to her home, you simply followed an open trench sewage ditch flowing through Huruma. When it turned a corner, so did you. This sewage ditch runs along the outside wall of this woman’s home. It literally sits slightly above her home, as her place is built on an incline. Not only does she not have electricity, no running water, and no toilet, but when the rainy season comes, the sewage ditch overflows – you guessed it – right through her living room (which is basically her entire home). Try raising kids in that.
In the middle of the day we got to sit in on Furaha’s clinic for HIV+ women. After introductions were made, the women sang a few songs – partly for us, and partly for their mutual encouragement. The songs were songs of faith, courage, and battlecry – to educate more and more women about the dangers of HIV and the steps they can take to protect themselves. The leader of this session was a dynamic woman who is living with HIV herself. She told her story: “How was it that I became infected with HIV? I am a smart woman! I married a Christian man! I was sure he was faithful! I am a Christian! People like me don’t get HIV. But even though I am HIV+, I am not ashamed. I am proud. I am still alive. I stiff have life to live. And I want to help other HIV+ women live theirs, too.”
Once a woman is diagnosed as HIV+, their husbands leave them to fend for themselves because they do not want the stigma of being associated with the disease. Note: in the overwhelming majority of cases, they women are infected by their husbands who contract the disease from engaging unprotected sex with local prostitutes. These men leave their wives and children. They are often never seen or heard from ever again.
One difficult challenge Furaha is trying to meet deals with anti-retroviral drugs used to combat AIDS. For most, these drugs are free – provided by non-government organizations (NGO’s). We saw their delivery trucks during our walking tour. The drugs don’t work well, however, on an empty stomach. Most of these women barely cover rent and water. They might get a 6 oz. serving of what we would call a very dense, white, bland cornbread for the day. That’s it. And it’s not enough to allow the drugs to do their job. Furaha, therefore, provides milk and bread at their clinic, so that the women can take their drugs along with food.
Before we headed back to our hotel, we met again with the leaders of Furaha. We learned that the women diagnosed with HIV+ were often rejected by local churches because of their disease. Since I knew I would be leading a cluster meeting of local pastors in a couple of days, it became clear that this was certainly an area we needed to address.
How can you put into words such an experience such as we found walking around? You cannot see the endless rooftops of shanties. You cannot remember watching your every step as you navigate through garbage-laden streets and alleyways. You can’t smell the smell. You can’t see the faces of those who saw us and wondered what we were doing there. I never felt that we were in danger, especially since we were accompanied by Furaha volunteers wearing “Security” t-shirts. We certainly saw despair, but that’s not all we saw. We also saw much joy in the faces of children. We saw dedication in the eyes of the Furaha leadership. We heard hope in the voices of women living well who are also HIV+. These people are living in extreme poverty, but their spirits are not impoverished.
As a Westerner, I began to realize that I was going to be helped as much or more by them as I would help them in return.
We visited the last home late in the day – the tenth or so such home visit. Like most of the others, the woman we got to know was HIV+. She was raising her two children (plus others) alone – her husband left years ago. Her particular dwelling was especially challenging. To get to her home, you simply followed an open trench sewage ditch flowing through Huruma. When it turned a corner, so did you. This sewage ditch runs along the outside wall of this woman’s home. It literally sits slightly above her home, as her place is built on an incline. Not only does she not have electricity, no running water, and no toilet, but when the rainy season comes, the sewage ditch overflows – you guessed it – right through her living room (which is basically her entire home). Try raising kids in that.
In the middle of the day we got to sit in on Furaha’s clinic for HIV+ women. After introductions were made, the women sang a few songs – partly for us, and partly for their mutual encouragement. The songs were songs of faith, courage, and battlecry – to educate more and more women about the dangers of HIV and the steps they can take to protect themselves. The leader of this session was a dynamic woman who is living with HIV herself. She told her story: “How was it that I became infected with HIV? I am a smart woman! I married a Christian man! I was sure he was faithful! I am a Christian! People like me don’t get HIV. But even though I am HIV+, I am not ashamed. I am proud. I am still alive. I stiff have life to live. And I want to help other HIV+ women live theirs, too.”
Once a woman is diagnosed as HIV+, their husbands leave them to fend for themselves because they do not want the stigma of being associated with the disease. Note: in the overwhelming majority of cases, they women are infected by their husbands who contract the disease from engaging unprotected sex with local prostitutes. These men leave their wives and children. They are often never seen or heard from ever again.
One difficult challenge Furaha is trying to meet deals with anti-retroviral drugs used to combat AIDS. For most, these drugs are free – provided by non-government organizations (NGO’s). We saw their delivery trucks during our walking tour. The drugs don’t work well, however, on an empty stomach. Most of these women barely cover rent and water. They might get a 6 oz. serving of what we would call a very dense, white, bland cornbread for the day. That’s it. And it’s not enough to allow the drugs to do their job. Furaha, therefore, provides milk and bread at their clinic, so that the women can take their drugs along with food.
Before we headed back to our hotel, we met again with the leaders of Furaha. We learned that the women diagnosed with HIV+ were often rejected by local churches because of their disease. Since I knew I would be leading a cluster meeting of local pastors in a couple of days, it became clear that this was certainly an area we needed to address.
How can you put into words such an experience such as we found walking around? You cannot see the endless rooftops of shanties. You cannot remember watching your every step as you navigate through garbage-laden streets and alleyways. You can’t smell the smell. You can’t see the faces of those who saw us and wondered what we were doing there. I never felt that we were in danger, especially since we were accompanied by Furaha volunteers wearing “Security” t-shirts. We certainly saw despair, but that’s not all we saw. We also saw much joy in the faces of children. We saw dedication in the eyes of the Furaha leadership. We heard hope in the voices of women living well who are also HIV+. These people are living in extreme poverty, but their spirits are not impoverished.
As a Westerner, I began to realize that I was going to be helped as much or more by them as I would help them in return.
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