I hate to admit this, but one of the things I miss the most when living in the village is easy access to technology. Sushi, seasons and of course friends and family are missed, but I dream about hi-speed wireless internet. The kind of internet that when you turn on your computer, Poof!, it’s there, and it’s fast! Okay, forget about the wireless part, just hi-speed would do. Oh how I miss the convenience of technology.

I know I run the risk of sounding like a whiner, but maybe after I explain my struggle for internet access, you’ll understand. The days that I need to connect to the internet go like this- I wake in the morning, get myself ready for the day, and then set out on my journey to connect.. It begins with walking with my laptop strapped to my back through the village. This walk consists of greeting everyone I pass, and taking in the breathtaking view of the Takaungu Creek inlet which opens up to the vast Indian Ocean (that’s my favorite part). Then, I journey down a slippery slab of concrete and wait at the bottom for the “ferry” to arrive. The ferry, however, is not a ferry at all. It’s really just a wooden canoe that is mobilized by a man pushing it along with a very long stick. When the ferry arrives, I, along with the rest of the passengers and their animals, bicycles, etc., wade out into the water and heave myself into the tiny 8-person boat (typically carrying 15 or more). When all are loaded, we begin the 10-minute or so crossing. When we reach the other side, we once again have to step into the water, which I might add I have seen a snake swimming around in. It was a small snake, but nonetheless it was a SNAKE! Once finally clearing the water, I climb a rather rocky hill where I eventually meet with a 4-kilometer dirt road passing through a large dairy plantation. Sometimes I walk this part, but most of the time I board a bicycle taxi. After the plantation, and still on the “taxi’, I ride alongside the “highway” for about another kilometer, passing over a large bridge, eventually reaching the small town of Kilifi. The whole journey takes about 1 to 1 ½ hours and results in me always arriving at my office a bit sweaty, and a little sandy.

What do I want for Christmas? The immediate eradication of extreme poverty from our planet, brought about by equal access to education, health information and services, and employment for all. If that’s not possible, hi-speed internet will do (for now). – Suzanne Jeneby

Vutakaka Junior School was started in January, 2004. The School has four classes, Kindergarten 1, 2 and 3, and Standard 1 (first grade). There are four teachers in the school, and we have a groundskeeper and two night watchman. The school has a great number of pupils and more parents are intending to bring their kids to the school, due to its high standard of learning. The school is now using the Vutakaka Center, where there also is adult education, the sewing program and all the other programs the EAC provides.

In the near future we intend to separate the school from the rest of the Center. This will enhance a good learning atmosphere for the kids. Our biggest problem currently is that we lack the finance to buy land and build the school. We need to build the current classes and add some more for next year. We therefore kindly ask for well-wishers to come in and help us build this school and we shall be grateful for that because our aim is to improve the standard of learning of the pupils.- David Kenga

Thanks to donor assistance, the EAC has recently purchased four goats for Vutakaka Center. The goats are as lovely as goats can be, and since they are milk goats, which are quite a bit different from the local breed, they are turning many heads.

What are we using them for? Well, one of the side projects of the EAC, which is about to become a major project, is to assist individuals living with HIV/AIDS, as well as other individuals and families in need of nutritional support. After milking the goats each day, we deliver the milk to some of the families most in need. We have also been adding the milk to the porridge at our nursery school, providing extra nutrition for our students.

Eventually, our farmers’ field school may be starting a breeding project with our goats so that we may actually be able to just give out a goat to each family we find to be in the most extreme need. This model is working well in northern Kenya, and we think we might give it a try in the coming months. More goat news to come-

This whale was actually caught by three fishermen from Takaungu, in three separate boats. It was the talk of the town last week, and is likely to remain so for years to come.

The EAC is a remarkable grassroots development organization offering real opportunities for positive change in the lives of hundreds of people, each and every day. In order to keep the organization continually running in good order, we are in need of ongoing volunteer support, both in and out of Kenya.

If you are interested in volunteering in Kenya, visit www.comekuona.org (Come Kuona will have a brand new website in mid-December!). Come Kuona is a separate organization, based in Kenya, that recruits and guides volunteers through the entire volunteer experience of working with us at Vutakaka Center in Takaungu, Kenya. We always need more volunteers to help us run the Center. If you have any questions about the program, please email volunteer@comekuona.org.

Moreover, if you have a passion for international development, and/or skills in non-profit / NGO management, and can't get to Kenya but would still like to volunteer, please contact Theresa Wilson at twilson@eastafricancenter.org. We would be happy to list you as one of our "on-call" volunteers in the US. (This means we would contact you if we need extra assistance for specific events or special tasks)