|
Dear East African,
The United States holds 4% of the world's population.
Growing up
in a suburb of Seattle, I used to think the U.S. WAS the
world. When I first left home, six years ago, I was
shocked to see that so many different foods,
languages, cultures and even toilets exist on this
planet. Yes, the world is a remarkably diverse place. I
recognize how fortunate I am to be one of the very few
who have actually had the chance to leave my home
country, explore far beyond its borders, and return. It
still amazes me that so many people who can travel,
don't. There is no class I have ever taken that has
given me more insight than living abroad. No matter
how vulnerable, lonely and downright frightened I have
from time to time been while traveling, I would never
trade in what I have learned, or the joy I've
experienced.
Now, with the EAC, I am able to extend an opportunity
for international travel to many people. This past week,
I have seen the arrival of my 20th and 21st guest to
Africa. Sarah and Megan, the EAC's two most recent
volunteers have arrived. I hope this experience will be
one they forever treasure. I hope they share it with
everyone they know, and I hope many, many more
follow their lead.
I think I have a kanga you will like, Mishi's bhajias
are hot, and the breeze couldn't be more perfect. When
are you coming? Karibu Kenya.
|
|
What's Happening in Takaungu? |
 |
It has been another busy month! First of all, Jenn and
Brian returned to America. They are deeply missed here
in Takaungu by many, many people. The house just
isn't the same without them. They both contributed
greatly to the progress of the EAC. We were fortunate
to have them here. We can only hope for more
volunteers like them. (Good luck to the both of you as
you re-adjust. Don't forget to eat a Cinnabon for me.)
The EAC has now established an official forty-member
committee here in Takaungu. As of September fourth,
we have ten representatives from each of the four
separate communities within the Takaungu sub-
Location. On the eighteenth of this month, the
committee votes for its Chairman, Secretary and
Treasurer. It is exciting to finally see an official body of
local residents specifically in charge of EAC program
design, implementation and management. Moreover,
many of the new committee members have been
volunteering at the building site.
Speaking of the building site, construction couldn't be
coming along better. Six days a week we have between
twelve and thirty adults show up to assist, not to
mention all of the children. The establishment of the
resource center is truly a community driven endeavor.
According to the project Foreman, the first building
should be complete in two weeks. We plan to spend
October finishing the doors, windows and building the
necessary furniture. I can't wait to actually walk in the
front door of the completed building.
Visit our website! »
|
|
|
Volunteers in Takaungu |
|
Never underestimate the strength of a woman. Women
are amazing. Women carry the weight of the world,
and then carry babies for nine months. Working
alongside the women of Takaungu, Vuma, Kayanda, and
Kanyumbuni has been an experience I cannot give
justice through words. I have discovered that
constructing a building, work that some would assume
falls soley under "manual labor," is not only challenging
physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
The women of the Takaungu sub-Location have come
together putting strength, and sweat into constructing
a resource center for themselves.
Women show up everyday, volunteering their time to
help with the construction.
Women balance heavy coral blocks on their heads to
the construction site. Women dig ditches, fill in the
foundation, cook a lunch for 25 people, carry 20-litre
jugs of water on their heads from half a mile away, and
then take a little break to breast feed one of their
children. At the last EAC committee meeting one
woman stood up and held the men accountable for
either not coming to help, or not putting their sweat
into construction. It was great to watch her confront
these men, who in the end, couldn't help but agree
with her.
My physical abilities are, of course, not up to par with
these incredible women, but I
have been pushing myself to work alongside them as
best I can. I have come to understand that although
we come from vastly different backgrounds,
upbringings, and speak a different language, we share
similar emotions and common bonds. I feel blessed to
share time with these women and have learned so
much about myself, and about the values I hold close
to my heart; love, family, community, and coming
together to achieve a common goal, being the change
you want to see. - Jenn Holmes, EAC Takaungu
Volunteer, June-Septemeber 2003
Volunteers make the EAC possible. If you are interested
in volunteering, please email our Volunteer Coordinator,
Jenn Holmes, at volunteer@eastafricancenter.org,
or call Summer Starr at the EAC's Seattle headquarters
at 206-271-9557.
Read letters from past volunteers »
|
|
|
The EAC Appreciates..... |
|
The EAC appreciates the GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN
JAYCEES!!!!! who this month donated $2000.00 toward
the establishment of our public health library and
$400.00 toward the purchase of books. Thank you!
Your contribution has helped this project so, so much.
Your decision to make such a contribution has made a
significant impact on the progress of the EAC. We really
can't thank you enough and we look forward to keeping
you informed of the positive impact your funds have
made on this community.
Though I really want to list you by name, I will refrain.
Let me just say, thank you to everyone who has
donated wish list items, school supplies and money to
the EAC over the last month. We have really needed
your assistance, especially during this time of
construction. Thank you for being there for us. You are
making this project happen. Your generosity is
acknowledged and deeply, deeply appreciated.
Thank you to the donors of the wall calendars. They
are now in Kenya. They are HUGE! We are going to put
one at the EAC's library at Takaungu Primary School,
and the other at the Center. They will be treasured for
a long, long time.
More about the EAC »
|
|
|
Wish List |
|
As we are constructing the
East African Center's resource center, we are asking
you to please sponsor bricks, and/or bags of cement.
One bag of cement is $6.50, and each brick, 14 cents.
In August, we were able to purchase 3600 bricks and
50 bags of cement. We need another 20 bags of
cement to finish the first building and 80 bags to finish
the second. For the second building, we need 4,400
bricks. If you would like to sponsor either bricks and/or
bags of cement, please send a (tax
deductible) donation to the East African Center at 109
West Mercer St. Seattle, WA 98119. On the memo line
write: # bags, # blocks
Along one wall of the resource center, we will have a
few laptops set up for use by the community. These
laptops on a table will make up a "Tech Corner". We
would like to add to this "Corner" some Teach Yourself
to Type cds. We don't know of any specific training
program, but we know that such programs exist. So, if
you happen to have any sort of training cds for learning
how to type, please contact Summer Starr at 206-271-
9557 or sstarr@eastafricancenter.org.
Also for this "Tech Corner" we would like a few
Microsoft Office basic how-to books. If you happen to
have any books on learning Microsoft Word, Excel,
Power Point, etc., that are just collecting dust, please
send them our way. Actually, our Seattle office will
send them our way, again 206-271-9557 or
sstarr@eastafricancenter.org.
We need travel power converters having 220 V input.
Any questions about this, contact Mike McCarty at
mcrt@aol.com.
Make a donation »
|
| Quick Links... |
|
|
