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Dear East African,
Executive Director's Message
I am THRILLED to announce that as of November 28th,
the EAC's Community Resource Center in Takaungu is
open! Our goal of creating a community resource
center
where we could work with the community to provide
educational and small-business related services to
people of the Takaungu sub-Location has finally been
realized.
We are starting 2004 with a real Center! It is big,
bright
and beautiful. Of course, we have plans for phase two
of the facility, but as of now we can begin our
operations. The road to this point has not been easy.
But WOW! we overcame it all and here we are, looking
at this fabulous building that is going to outlive many
of
us.
On behalf of the EAC I would like to thank everyone
who has made a donation of time and/or money to the
EAC since its inception. The EAC is
now operating a fabulous community resource center
providing a variety of services to a population of
10,000
people because you cared enough to assist. It is
because of YOU that the Center has become a reality.
Your donations are now providing tangible benefits to
the people of Takaungu.
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What's Happening in Takaungu? |
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In August of 2001, the EAC set forth toward the
establishment of a long-term development program in
Takaungu, Kenya. Exactly what the program would
consist of has changed over time. Two years and four
months later, the EAC has now, finally, opened a
community resource center in Takaungu sub-Location.
On Friday, November 28th the EAC had
its opening ceremony of the Vutakaka Community
Resource Center. More than 120 people joined us for
the event. The area sub-Chief and Chief both came to
offer their support. We cut a ribbon and planted a
tree. There was plenty of food for everyone and a
group of committee members even put on a small
drama
presentation for entertainment. The day was a lot of
fun. I can hardly believe our doors are now open.
As I arrived early one morning at the Center a few
days ago, I was met by a group of eight children
sitting
on the Center's steps. When asked what they were
there for, they answered, "We want the library". I led
them in, explained to them the process for signing in,
how to
take good care of the books and how to sign out when
they are through. As soon as I was done with my
short
orientation, they gathered around our wall size map of
the world and pointed out countries to one another.
After a few minutes they each grabbed a book from
the
shelves and began to read. After two and a half hours
of reading, a few bathroom breaks and a time or two
to
the water jug, they put their books back. Then, they
quietly signed out and left the building. As they were
leaving, one beautiful little girl shyly looked up at me
and said, "Madame Suzanne, I come tomorrow?" I
replied saying the words I have been
waiting to say for a long, long time, "Yes, the Center
will be open
Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm, you are
welcome anytime."
Visit our website! »
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Volunteers in Takaungu |
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I am writing this from Paris, France. It is long way from
Takaungu, which I left just two days ago. It took me
two days to travel this distance, but what a world
apart these two places are. When it was time to leave
Takaungu I hired a handcart for my bags and walked
with Suzanne and Mahmud the three miles through the
tropical forest to the road. We loaded the bags in a
matatu and I was off. When I arrived in London many
hours later it was cold and rainy. I thought, "Why am I
here? I should still be in Takaungu." I crossed London
to
catch the Chunnel train to Paris. By the time I arrived
at my cousins cafe on the outskirts of Paris, I was
tired
and ready to relax. I also was thinking that the cost of
the bus, metro and taxi fares, about $40, could have
paid for a month of meals in Takaungu. When I add in
the $45 train ticket, I could have covered both room
and board for an extra month. Instead I am in a cold
and rainy place. Yes, it is Paris. I shouldn't complain,
but it isn't Takaungu.
When I was planning my trip to Kenya, this year I
would
be there for 3 1/2 months, and my main goal was to
help
design and build a water pumping and filtering system
for the wells near what was to be the future EAC
location. Instead, I stayed 5 1/2 months and helped to
build the EAC building in an even better location with
piped water nearby. I am glad I stayed the extra time
and was able to see the building finished. It will be
exciting to come back at some time in the future to
see
what it has become and the benefits to the
community. I can already feel the excitement of the
people growing. There are so many people ready for
the
adult literacy programs. The people were excited
about
the micro-business development projects we will have
there. I have been involved with the EAC for more
than three years, from the first seeds to the first tree.
Now I will get to watch it bear fruit.
The last several months that I spent in Takaungu were
the first time that I had stayed in one place outside of
the US for a long period. I had traveled before, but
that
was skimming the surface. Even in Takaungu I didn't
get deeply involved in the community; my language
was
different. I am a mazungu, an outsider. Having grown
up in a small town, I know how outsiders are seen
even
after many years in a place. Even with all of these
challenges I did get to know a few people and meet
their families and friends. I did get to visit their houses
and join them for meals. It makes the place more
special when you make those sorts of connections. I
know that I could never fully understand the life of
people in Takaungu, since I come from a place which is
so different. I do know that even with the many
hardships that are faced in Takaungu, the people have
a good
life. Children are able to go outside and play without
the parents having to fear for their safety. This is a
place where the word "family" still has a strong
meaning;
you grow up knowing all of your relatives, unlike many
in America today.
The last week in Takaungu I took advantage of a little
bit of downtime and had one of the construction crew,
Katana, take me around the sub-location so I could
take some pictures and meet a few more people. We
started at his family home. In Takaungu, many
generations of a family live
together in a single compound. The mzee of the family,
the respected elder, Katana's grandfather, still lives
there with the remaining
two of his ten wives. We spent some time there before
walking for hours on end visiting households finally
finishing the day at one of the primary schools in the
area. The second day of photos was devoted to the
workers. I shot people peeling the husks from
coconuts
and pounding maize. We walked through the farmlands
to the coral mines, where hundreds of people work in
the hot sun cutting blocks from fossil coral. They cut
40 blocks on a good day and earn about $2 or $3 for
their labors. I even sat and mended nets with the
fisherman as they waited their turn to use the best
spots. I am very sad to leave Takaungu. It had
become
like a home to me. I will miss it greatly. I am not sure
when I will return to Takaungu. Inshallah, in a year or
two. I do know that it will always be a part of me.If
you are interested in volunteering, please email
suzanne@swiftmombasa.com.
Read letters from past volunteers »
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The EAC Appreciates..... |
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A HUGE thank you goes out to those of you with the
Massachusettes Jaycees Trust Foundation. This
foundation has just donated to the EAC all funds
necessary to finalize the construction of the entire
resource center complex. With these funds we will be
able to offer much, much more to the people of
Takaungu.
Members, Chapters, and States of the US Junior
Chamber have really been fabulous this month! A big
thank you goes out to the Ames Jaycees, Boon County
Jaycees, all of you over there in Wisconsin, Clive
Jaycees, and the Beavercreek Jaycees. Please forgive
me if I forgot your chapter. Thank you for everything
you have done for this organization. The US Jaycees
are making a real difference not only in their own
communities, but across the globe!
The EAC truly appreciates those of you who have made
financial contributions 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.
I would like to personally thank Mike McCarty for all of
his efforts in Kenya. Mike extended his time in Kenya
several times so that he could see the construction of
the Center through to the end. Without Mike's direct
efforts in Kenya, the Center would not be standing.
Thank you Mike.
More about the EAC »
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Wish List |
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We could really use a pedal powered sewing machine
for various sewing projects at the Center. We can buy
a nice one that will last us for years for $100.00. We
have started a very popular sewing club, which dozens
of enthusiastic women attend. Thus far, all sewing is
being done by hand. Please
contact me at suzanne@swiftmombasa.com if you
would like to make a donation toward this.
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 have two children's computer CD-ROMs here that
tell a story, then the children get an opportunity, at
the end, to answer questions about what they saw and
heard. It is a great interactive tool for the children to
improve their literacy and learn some basic computer
skills. Many children have come to our house to play
with the CDs and they absolutely love them. If you
have any of these that maybe your own child has
grown out of, or you just don't use anymore, can you
please contact Summer Starr at 206-271-9557 or
sstarr@eastafricancenter.org.
Make a donation »
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Address Change |
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Please update your address books. The East African
Center has a new mailing address. All our other
contact information is the same, though.
East African Center, PO Box 95703,
Seattle, WA 98145-2703
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