KCNP

09/12/05

We had our first meeting of the Kanga Community Network Project Board today.

They elected their 'officers' (Robert is the Chair, Shikookoo is the Treasurer, and Mabel is the Secretary. Mama Liz was elected the third co-signer on the account and Mrs. Kaundh was given the honorary position of Technical Advisor. Other members include James, Margaret, Jane, Grace (an OVC), George (an OVC), Pamela (PLWHA), and Mzee Elisha Onduro. And Elizabeth and I are the 'international oversight members.' Robert explained the plans that we have so far, and the floor was opened up to ideas for the proposed health center. Mzee offered the building on the church grounds (which is really his grounds) that is currently being used as the nursery (preschool) which is being transferred to a new building they are constructing on the primary school playground. Mrs. Kaundh had some good ideas about weekend youth activities that could have health messages. I tried to stay out of it as much as possible and only jumped in to answer questions about funding bodies and to encourage them to keep throwing out ideas, that for this to be a community project they needed to come up with the ideas. Robert and shared lots of glances as the committee independently came up with all the same ideas that we had already been discussing. The group all offered the labors and materials for the chicken coup (which was really great to see, it was totally like "I've got a hammer!" "I've got some posts!" "I can help!" "I've got a tape measure!" "I've got some wire!" There are still some things we'll have to buy, but it's really the intention that was so inspiring. Everyone at the meeting also offered a chicken to add to the cause.) We are going to start on that tomorrow at 10am.

There is a wicked storm tonight. The lightning earlier was the brightest I've ever seen. For a split second, its full daylight, and then we are plunged back into the storm. The rain is finally starting to calm. I can't believe I've been here for 6 weeks. The first two, everyday seemed like a life. Now I feel like I just got here yesterday. Strange.

After the meeting, James tried to convince me that a woman in town was naming her newborn after me. He's a jokester, so I don't believe him, and it would be a little twisted if it was true. But it was funny all the same.

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