In Kenya

So we weren’t chucked out of our house. Think we are safe for the time being. We are writing a new contract to make doubly sure though!
I am in Kenya for a week on a watsan conference. My team weren’t happy to have me away for a week but I left them in the safe hands of Chris so they couldn’t complain.

Its funny being back in Kenya after 3 years away. It was where we were evacuated to during my crazy Congo days. It’s also where me and Chris had our first weekend away together from the programme. Lots of memories…..

Just when you thought.......

.......it couldnt get any worse
It was the day of bad news and tough negotiation. Chris was welcomed at 9.0 with a visit from our landlady. She showed up on our doorstep with a policeman, a lawyer and the contractor who built the house. She was on the war path and was threatening eviction. She wanted money and we were the ones who were going to pay it! After two hours of tough negotiation, threats, emotion and finally compromise she left. We got a reprieve...shes not going to throw us out just yet. We are going to try and get a lawyer though.

Eviction??

At same time Jose, our logistician, was in discussion with our car hire guy. The drivers are fed up of staying in the hills of Lolomatua at the weekend and one of them mutinied. He got on a motorbike and drove 150km home. That left us without a standby driver in case of emergency; where we are without hospitals, doctors or emergency services.

Our local clinic

Meanwhile a local NGO came to meet Cheryl. They were one of 10 companies that had submitted an application to build one of our health centres. Before the second round of short listing, they received an ominous call. They were told not to bother turning up at the next round, as the contract would be awarded to a local contractor. When Cheryl called round a few more contractors she heard a similar story. People had been told it wasn’t worth continuing with their application….here jobs are awarded on what your family name is, how much power do you have. Its nothing to do with skills or ability to do the job.

Days like this you wonder is it all worth it? We are fighting the way things are done in this culture, belieiving that people are motivated by goodwill and that you can trust what people say.

We are OK!

At 5.10 this evening we felt an earth tremour which lasted a while but was not very strong. It was the effects of a large earthquake measuring 7.9 in South Sumatra. The map shows that it was over 600km from where we are in Nias. There are rumours of a tsunami but nothing is confirmed.

2 weddings and a feastival

Just back from a wonderful three weeks in England. Forgotten how good cheese tastes and how many lovely friends we have. It was a whirlwind of activity starting off with a classy wedding on the banks of the Thames and ending with a countryside ceremony in the hills of Lancashire.

Got chance to let my hair down with my friends from Burundi at the Greenbelt feastival (http://www.greenbelt.org.uk/) There was a even a group from Congo called Kanda Bongo Man to remind me of those butt shaking tunes.

It was three days of camping, portaloos and cold showers. I just didnt want too much luxury after my basic Indo living!

The wedding in Lancashire was lovely. We ate pies and mushy peas, crumbly Lancashire cheese and the bride put on wellies half way though for a trot round the Pendle hills.

We had such a lovely time back home just a shame it was over so quickly and we didnt have more time to spend with you.