CEETA Project: News

I had a fantastic World AIDS Day! An opportunity arose for me to join a youth World AIDS Day event taking place in Ngong, Kenya. There were 10 schools who had sent representatives from their children's rights groups to attend the event. It was a group of around 80 children and several teachers. These kids were so bright and energetic!

I got the opportunity to give a presentation on HIV and AIDS, clearing up some confusion about the differences between the two and the routes of transmission. I was also able to give them the hopeful statistics about mother to child transmission and information about
treatments available within Kenya.

I have many exciting programs planned for my trip this time around! I will do my best to get to the cyber cafes with pictures and updates.

**** A Special Holiday Gift Idea! ****

Can't figure out what to get for the friend or family member who already has everything they need or want?

You can donate to the CEETA project in the name of someone else. This way you support a great cause and still give an amazing gift! With any donation of $50 or more CEETA will mail a special thank-you gift to the person you donate for! Direct from Kenya! Don't worry about donation money being wasted on mailings, I pay for all gifts and mailing fees with my own money :)

For example:
You donate $50 in the name of Britney Spears :)

CEETA project will send Britney Spears a special holiday gift from Kenya along with a note about the CEETA project to explain where her
holiday gift donation was given!

**** How to give the gift! ****

To give a gift donation, simply:

1- Donate securely online at:
https://www.registrationfactory.com/v3/?EventUUID=620D74F3

2- After the donation is processed I will email you to get the address and name of the person you are donating for!


Wishing you all a very joyful holiday season from Kenya!

With heart,
Adrienne
CEETA Project Founder/ Program Manager

I find it difficult to write a "final update" when I am already planning my return to Kenya. The work I have been doing there has been very fulfilling. In fact, I have decided to create my own non-profit and have already begun that process. I hope that in the future those of you who are performing or visual artists will be able to join and collaborate with me!

In my trip this time, I really expanded the work. New community and also an additional focus, FGM/C. I spent the last part of my trip in a small village called Katulye. It is near Masinga in Kamba land. Peter is the doctor in Saikeri and he lives there. I had visited Katulye for a quick weekend on my first trip to Kenya. They named me Mwikali, which means 'one who came to stay'. The community amazed me with their kind, gentle and hardworking nature. Kamba are farmers and corn abounds! I told them I would return to them in maybe a year or two . . . and so when I showed up a couple months later they remembered me. An old woman said something to me that was translated by my host mom. She said, "Mwikali, you have done good to return to us."

I was touched, and continued to be so touched by everyone and every group I met. I was introduced to the Assistant Chief and a young man named Alex. They were both to accompany me and help with translation as I visited the various community groups and schools. The Assistant Chief, Josphat, had prepared a packed schedule for me. I was to do HIV/AIDS education and testing. My first day we went to Masinga, the larger village nearby to meet with government officials and get their blessing and approval for my work. They welcomed me and had me sign their guest books. Then, after getting their approval we stopped over to the medical clinic to pick up HIV testing kits. It was there that I suspected things may not go smoothly, but we left for Katulye with them promising to send us testing kits. I was a little concerned about us going without the kits, but I decided to leave it in Josphat's hands and trust it would work out.

Sunset over the shamba in Katulye:



We began trekking around Katulye and holding HIV/AIDS education sessions with the groups and schools. I had written a song about AIDS in Kamba and they all got a kick out of hearing me sing it. Educating the Kamba was a completely different experience than working with the Maasai. The Kamba have a greater prevalence of HIV and more acceptance and understanding of the disease. Much of the Maasai community is still in denial of the existence of the disease and/or lacking understanding of it. The sessions went really well, and each one was special in it's own way. Since, they already had basic understanding of HIV, we were able to delve into some deeper knowledge about transmission and current treatment options for positive people. We talked about how the community still alienates those who are positive and ways we can combat that. I challenged each group to think of someone in the community they knew who had HIV. To think about how they were treated and how that person with HIV was ostracized by the community. I gave each person the challenge to reach out, show support and love for someone they knew with HIV.

The Magi Magi Group (water, water in Swahili) stole my heart! They were the first group I met with. Early in the morning they were out by Masinga lake tending a small shamba (farm). They work together to grow and sell food, then use the proceeds to assist orphans and HIV positive people in the community. The pics below are of them working in the shamba and holding a session with me. They are looking for funding to get a water pump, to distribute the water more easily to the plants. Once my non-profit is getting grants, I want to help them get a pump.


Then, I met with Ngukemwe Primary and High schools. The students sang to greet me and asked really smart questions. In Kenya, high school is not free and many students cannot go due to lack of funds. The Kamba really value education and the high school is a special project that the community has taken on. It recently formed to create a space for the poor children who could not afford to continue their education. They are building themselves up slowly and I was impressed with the young students. I also met with Katulye Primary, Katulye Damsite College (all girls dressmaking school), and Kituneni Primary. These kids asked the most phenomenal questions and really impressed me. They wanted to know why HIV doesn't pass through urine, why mosquitoes don't transmit the virus, how long HIV lives in a persons body after they die, etc. I couldn't believe some of the things they came up with! I predict many doctors will come from those schools :) But, perhaps the best question I got from all the groups was the following . . .

During discussion with Kituneni Primary we began to talk about how the community treats people who have HIV. I was challenging them to think of someone they knew who was HIV positive, to reach out to them and show their support. A young girl asked me, "What can I do to understand and help someone who has AIDS?"

She was so sincere. I could've cried right there as I answered her, "You may never understand what someone with HIV is going through. But, just by being their friend you will help more than you know. Because you know how HIV spread, you know it is safe to talk to them, to hug them and to be their friend. Can you imagine having a disease that causes everyone to ignore you, to avoiding touching you and gossip about you? Your love and support doesn't cost anything and may help them more than anything else."

We continued the discussion and I knew that not all of these children, men and women would take my challenge. But, some of them would, they would go home and begin the cycle of change. My words would sit in their thoughts and over time change their attitudes and behavior towards HIV positive people. Here are some pictures of me with the students and teachers:

Last minute another group wanted me to visit them before I left. They also assist victims of HIV and orphans. The group is called Mbukila Ngukile, which mean 'you lift me, I'll lift you'. Right away, I loved em'! This old lady kept singing to me and doing a little dance. I had my host mom translate. It was so funny! She was singing a little song that basically said, "I'm with a project, if you aren't with a project then I don't want to greet you." So funny! I imagine that when I'm older I'll be just like her. She's standing to my right in the picture below.

Here's their sign

and after our meeting they insisted we all have a soda together.


The HIV kits never arrived. It's kind of a long story, but I have promised the community I will return soon to do testing. Next time I come, the Ministry of Health has promised to send me all the kits I need, as well as nurses and translators to work alongside me, and free medical supplies for the community! I hope to return very soon.

Below are pictures of my dear friends in Saikeri (Maasai land) where I used your donation money to buy items for the community. Pictured are the students and teachers with books and charts that your money bought!


and my friends in the men's group in Saikeri:

You all have been so supportive, and I thank you with all my heart. 'Til' next time . . .
With heart,
Adrienne

Last week I undertook a very special journey. It had been my goal to find a video on FGM/C to share with the Men's group as well as other community groups in Saikeri. A friend from a Nairobi non-profit brought me 10 videos. After scanning through them I realized none dealt directly with FGM. So, I sent a shout out to my new non-profit friends from the FGM/C conference. I was given some contacts and was following up a lead. A man named Robert Onsondo worked for ADRA in Kisi and would be in Kericho for a couple days. He said he had an FGM video that I could have a copy of. Since Kericho was closer than Kisi, we decided to meet up there.

The bus would take me 12hrs of traveling round-trip, but I wanted to do it in one day. So, I awoke early and caught the new Easy Coach bus from Nairobi to Kericho. As I boarded, my seat was next to this elderly man. He won my affection instantly as he arose to offer me the window seat. We began some very light conversation and I was guessing he was Yugoslavian. He said he was retired and Nairobi was his home. He smelled of some grandfatherly musk, slightly tanned, rough hands and very sad eyes. The normal small talk ensued, "Where are you going?"

I explained that I was heading to Kericho for business and returning in the evening. I asked him the same. He turned his head to avert eye contact and explained, "I'm going to Kisumu, my brother is dead there." My heart stopped for a second. I told him pole . . . "Yes, pole." he said and we fell silent. Nibbling the biscuits that had been handed out by the bus attendant.

The bus pulled out into the noise and smog filled streets of Nairobi and we snaked our way through town and out to Westlands. I was morbidly glad for my bus partner's misfortune. I too was in a gloomy space, and I knew that with our combined gloom we wouldn't be pestering each other with small talk the whole ride. In fact, I was right, we rode in complete silence. Both staring out the window. Passing multiple police checks, small villages, zebras, cows, sheep, goats and grocery shacks.

For six hours, I gazed out the window, enjoying my thoughts and the silence. I thought about racism, and the different forms it takes. How strange it is to be a victim of racism in Kenya, mostly this happens in Nairobi. Outside the city and in general I am showered with love and welcomed. I thought about the challenges of being a white person in Kenya. I thought about the additional prejudice given to Americans. In fact, what once annoyed me has now become humorous. Whenever I tell someone I am from America, a game of 20 questions instantly begins. In this game, my opponent never fails to ask me if it is indeed true that the American government gives money to anyone who doesn't work.

To this question, depending on my mood, I always go into a short or sometimes a very extensive explanation of the welfare and unemployment system in America. After which, I always get the response, "Oh, so they do give people free money."

So, I've taken to denying my citizenship from time to time. Kenyans love to strike up conversation with whites, but I've realized that if you aren't American they aren't as interested. So, while I mostly enjoy the conversation, I've learned to say I'm Canadian when I'm not in a chatty mood. Especially when random men try to begin the 20 Q's game.

It got colder as we drove along. The zebras and random livestock were all along the roadside. The bus was 700 shillings one way. Round trip it would be about a $20 trip. It occurred to me that this would be my most expensive day ever in Kenya. Typically, I am on a 700 shilling a week budget. But, I felt as if I was on the most important mission in all of my time in Kenya. Like, i was heading out on some holy mission to retrieve golden scriptures. Golden scriptures, an FGM dvd, same thing right?

Still window gazing and thinking, another funny thought emerged. We were passing through Naivasha. On the news the previous night there was a story about how too much donkey waste in Naivasha was causing health concerns. So, the city had begun enforcing a napkin (aka diaper) law. There was video footage of donkey's hauling carts with napkins tied around their buttocks. I giggled a little and kept an eye out for donkey's wearing diapers. But, I didn't see any.

So, eventually I arrived in Kericho. Kericho is tea land, the highlands of Kenya abounding with plantations. It was such surreal sight, I'd never seen tea plantations before. The air was misty and men and women were walking through the tall tea with large bags on their backs picking the leaves. Robert sent a driver to pick me up at the bus station.

At his ADRA office we spent a quality hour of time talking about our common goals and FGM projects. He and his partner Julius O Mogire were so welcoming and generous. They gave me an fgm dvd to use and some laminated images with visuals of fgm complications and pictures of the various types of FGM. We snapped pictures of the three of us together and then I got a tour of the offices. They introduced me to the staff and had me sing one of my Maasai AIDS songs for them. They want me to collaborate with them to write a song in Kisi, and I said I would be honored!

On the way home, I caught a different bus. This one was only 500 shillings and was heading to Mombasa, but stopping in Nairobi along the way. It wasn't very roadworthy, but the other buses left very late so I decided to hop whatever bus was there. I was directed to sit in the front seat next to a young man.

I was tired and hungry, with another six hour bus ride ahead of me. So, when my new bus buddy started striking up conversation, I couldn't help myself. Right away he asked where I was from. I proudly exclaimed, "I am Canadian!" The conversation pretty much ended there. It wasn't until we stopped at the halfway point in Nakuru that he tried to talk to me again. This time, I had to hold back my laughter . . .

We boarded the bus after the break and he turned to me. He said, "So, in America if you don't work then at the end of the month the government gives you some free monies. Do they do that in Canada?"

"No." I replied. "Oh." he said and turned facing forward again. After that we had a nice silent ride home. But, I kept playing his question in my mind, and smiling to myself.

I got back to Nairobi very late at night, but was exhilarated by my success! I finally obtained the FGM video and will be sharing it with my friends in Saikeri this week.

Next week I head to Kambaland to do some HIV testing, counseling and teaching them a song I wrote about AIDS in Kamba! If possible, I may arrange a small community event with drama and music to educate the community about HIV.

Thanks for reading, I know this one got long. Your support of my work is appreciated, not just by me, but by the people in Kenya. As I always say, I appreciate any form of support you can offer . . . financial, emotional, prayers, hugs, emails, stickers whatever you can share! In my work here, I have chosen to use a donation system, and self fund. Since I am working on my own this time, the cost is considerably less than going through an organization. Besides a $1200 flight, any money raised can go straight to the community. So far, for this trip, you all have donated about $500. It doesn't even cover the flight, but I have used portions of that money to buy gifts and small items for people in Saikeri. Like potholders for the ladies, pens and notebooks for teachers, some clothes, etc.

Just want to let you know where that money is going to, it helps to fund my travel so that I can do the work here. The flight was charged to my credit card and I still want to do a backpack/ school supply donation to the school kids in Saikeri. So, if you have been considering donating, were wondering what it goes to, or were wondering if donations are still needed, I hope this has explained things.

You can donate at this link:

https://www.registrationfactory.com/v3/?EventUUID=620D74F3

Living vibrantly,
Adrienne

Supa ; Jambo ; Koro ; Nata!
Maasai ; Swahili ; Luo ; Kamba!

I've been back in Kenya for nearly a month and have finally gotten around to sending an update. I've been quite busy, splitting time between Massailand and Nairobi as well as organizing trips to do my HIV music project in Luoland and Kambaland. I must admit, I'm getting a little overwhelmed trying to learn all these languages at once . . . but my Maasai is progressing nicely and impressing the locals. They all want to know if I'll be taking a Maasai husband :)

I have so much to share with you, so please settle in and grab a cup of tea. I'll be serving this one in several courses so that you can take your time or save it and return later. I also invite your feedback and commentary. My process here is beyond challenging and now more than ever before I am feeling open and seeking to grow. I invite you to respond via email or comments and I encourage you to open dialogue with your friends and family.


FGM/C CONFERENCE; KENYA MEDIA!

Almost immediately upon arrival in Nairobi I was invited to attend a conference on FGM/C (Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting) at the Hilton Hotel in Nairobi. This was a follow up to a previous conference and was focused on addressing FGM/C in the media. On my last visit to Kenya I was astonished to find that 100% of the Maasai girls and women in Saikeri had been "circumcised". I had wanted to expand my HIV/AIDS program to include work around this subject. The conference was hosted by AIDOS http://www.aidos.it/ along with AMWIK http://www.AMWIK.org and I found myself inspired in a variety of ways. It was the perfect jumpstart to my FGM/C work in Kenya.

Each day different media representatives came to speak with us. I made some great contacts with people in television, radio and print media. I also met some truly inspirational employees from Non-profit organizations around Kenya and Uganda. My thoughts began racing as I laid mental plans for involving local media in my volunteer work! Much more to come on this...


RETURN TO SAIKERI; GIFTS AND GREETINGS!

For those new to my newsletter's . . . on my first trip to Kenya I worked in Saikeri, a small Maasai village located in Maasailand about two hours drive from Nairobi. I didn't let my friends know I was returning because I wanted to surprise them. What a surprise they had! I'd only been gone two months, so most people couldn't believe their eyes and asked if they were dreaming when I showed up in town last month. Word spread fast and people staring pouring into the town hotel where I was sipping tea.

They explained how greatful they were to see me again and that no white person had ever returned to Saikeri. I believed this because not many white people have even been to Saikeri. Many hugs and greetings were exchanged. They asked about all my friends and family in America and for me to pass greetings along to all of you. The donations you all have given went towards purchasing gifts for the community. They were so happy and send many thanks!!!

I also passed out the penpal letters and I think that excited them the most. Besides their gratitude, I would like to personally thank you all for supporting me in my return to Kenya and the work I do. I found that the VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center) I had begun in Saikeri was still running. I was happy that the doctor and nurse had kept it going, and that people were less afraid of getting tested. However, looking at the records I realized there had been a downward slope in the number of clients. The clinic isn't well enough staffed to devote an employee to the VCT, so during my time here I am spending half of my week in Saikeri doing HIV testing and counseling. I am looking into the possibility of the government funding a VCT employee there.


MEN AGAINST FGM/C???

One of the ideas I took away from the conference involved bringing together the young men in Saikeri to form a group of men against FGM/C. As much as I disliked the idea of going through the men to work against FGM/C I knew it was probably the best path to take. Saikeri is a very traditional community, in fact the Maasai are known for their adhearance to tradition. The society is very patriarchal and although FGM/C is illegal in Kenya the Maasai still hold secret "circumcision ceremonies" for the young girls. As I pondered this idea, and I thought of the young men in Saikeri who I had become friends with, the idea developed in my mind.

I realized that I already knew men who were against FGM/C and who would trust me and feel comfortable discussing the issue with me. The young men's FGM discussion then evolved even further in my mind. I realized that with all good intentions, several women's groups had been formed in Saikeri. But, no men's groups had formed and this may be a vital piece of the puzzle. In addition, as I thought about these male friends of mine, I came up with a list of issues that they too face. Last week, I got together with five of these young men. We sat sipping tea and discussing the prospect of a men's group. I explained to them my ideas and intent in bringing them together. I also expressed my hope that after an initial few meetings I would exit and they would keep the group going strong.

These guys were very excited about the idea. They ran with it, each sharing their personal ideas and opinions. They want to formalize it as a CBO (Community Based Organization) This week's agenda involves choosing a group name and beginning to select the primary issues that they will work with. I don't want to share too much because this is now their group, and I'm just an "honorary short-term female member". It thrills me to witness the first men's group in the area take form!


MUNGIKI & TERROR IN KENYA!

On a final note, I know some of you have been picking up a little of Kenya news. There are certainly some scary things going on here.Please do not worry about me, my Brooklyn street smarts are keeping me safe. I actually feel safer here that in the USA. I think about the two times I was robbed in New York, once at gunpoint and once stabbed. Or the terror attacks in NYC. Please, just know that I am being careful and playing it safe.

I've been delving into the local politics here. Politics are huge with Kenyans, as well as tea :) I wrote a song today about the Mungiki and feel even more political songs may be in store. Things are a little wild here, but I see disaster happening in countries everywhere. I also see so much joy and love, so much hope. Just keep the good energy and prayers flowing! We are changing a little more each day. Love you all!!!

Living vibrantly,
Adrienne


To donate click here :

https://www.registrationfactory.com/v3/?EventUUID=620D74F3

You can view more photo's of Kenya at this link:

http://purchase.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020402&l=9ae48&id=46301335

I don't know where to begin, and I don't have much time. I leave Maasailand in two days. I haven't even wanted to think about it. The AIDS event on Saturday was spectacular, and it has been captured on DVD!!! I will try to post some video clips when I return to the US. There were over 100 people there, and I feel very happy about how everything went. I feel a great sense of closure now that the VCT is running smoothly, people are coming for testing, awareness about HIV/AIDS is increasing, condom use is increasing and the community gathered for the first time ever for an event about the big taboo topic. After the event, I was adorned with so many Maasai ornaments from friends and my smile was nearly cracking my face! I have pictures, but cannot load them now. I have gathered up all my parting gifts for friends here and things for my loved ones at home. My dear new Maasai friends and the women's group are all pitching in taking the truck ride with me to the airport to see me off. I anticipate many tears and fierce hugs!

If it weren't for the gigs I have lined up and my sister's first baby on the way, I would change my flight and stay longer. I have fallen in love with Kenya! I told myself as a young girl, that if I ever came to Kenya I would never want to go back to the USA again. So true. I am hoping to return again very soon. If the AIDS program and VCT are running smoothly, I want to invest my time into working with a new friend on a women's empowerment project. Amongst many vital goals that he is working towards with the women, the primary focus is on stopping FGM (Female genital mutilation).

Don't get me wrong, I love you all very much and I certainly do miss my Brooklyn coffee and bagels! I am also thrilled to share my new songs with you, some written in Maasai and about AIDS. I will be recording my new album upon my return and hopefully releasing it later this year. I have shows in NYC, CT and Minneapolis upon my return . . . be sure to come out for some Kenya stories and Maasai songs! For those too far away, stay in touch and stay vibrant, I'll make my way to you during the late summer/fall tour!

With heart,
Adrienne

but it's better than nothing. I have finally taken the time to upload some photos of my journey here! Due to technical difficulties they had to be posted as links. I know it is so cold and perhaps snowy where you are right now. I am using all my heart to send out warm thoughts and visions of radiant sunrises to you from Kenya. Your each in my thoughts and I love ya'll!!!

Here's the view along my morning walk to the clinic.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/AdrienneNightingale/Kenya/morningwalk.jpg

The mountains in the distance are called Olorruca (caterpillar) and I hiked there with Naserian, Moi and Momera. Here's the view of the valleys beyond that peak w/ Momera enjoying the view :)

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/AdrienneNightingale/Kenya/Olarruca.jpg

I've been gifted a cow, a sheep and a small piece of land where I can make my future home in Kenya! Here's my little sheep!!!

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/AdrienneNightingale/Kenya/mysheep.jpg

The man who gave me the sheep, Domonique, is an international runner, an outrageously tall Maasai man who has befriended me. He's currently training for a marathon in Mombasa. We've been running along the dusty roads together. Here is a traditional Maasai manata where his 101 yr old grandmother lives:

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/AdrienneNightingale/Kenya/poohouse.jpg

The women's group that we began at the clinic is quickly stealing my heart away. These women are phenomenal! Here they are having fun dressing me in traditional attire :)

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/AdrienneNightingale/Kenya/womensgroup.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/AdrienneNightingale/Kenya/CataMaasai.jpg

Domonique also had fun dressing me up in ceremonial shookas. To my left is his sister and to the right, a neighbor.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/AdrienneNightingale/Kenya/Maasai2.jpg

and of course . . . the best Birthday ever was spent here . . .

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/AdrienneNightingale/Kenya/Birthdaygift.jpg

I'm trying to catch as many sunrises and sunsets as I can here. They energize me and calm my heart. My favorite trees here are called Oltipasi (something like that) and this is one framed by the sunset. Birds nests hang off the branches and they are so tall and ancient looking.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/AdrienneNightingale/Kenya/Olitipatree.jpg

Wish you all could be here! Things are coming along nicely with the testing at the clinic. The young men began showing up for testing this week. I was so excited to have lines outside my door this week as people waited to be tested. I also attended a wedding this week and met with the Maasai chief. He wanted to meet me and extend gratitude for the work I'm doing. I have pioneered the first and only VTC (Voluntary Testing and Counseling Center) in all of Maasailand. He has agreed to speak at my AIDS Event next month!

With heart,

Nashipae

Supa oleng!

It’s been a while since my last update, and there have been so many amazing developments that I want to share with you all. The past couple weeks I have not written because I’ve been very busy, but also I really didn’t know what I would say. My head and my heart are so full, overflowing lately. I’ve needed some time to process. I spent my birthday at the foot of the Ngong Hills in a town called Olooshoibor. I was staying with my friend Joseph’s family in their traditional Maasai home (aka “poo-house”.) Yes, the homes are still made with sticks and cow dung. We arrived just before sunset, and there were about 40 giraffes grazing. We also saw gazelles running by. It was the PERFECT birthday gift!

We finally made the trek to Kaijado to get condoms and HIV testing kits. The trip back to Saikeri was really interesting. I’m sure you can imagine the looks the Nairobi men gave us, two white girls carrying a gigantic box of 6,000 condoms. They would look at us, look at the huge box we were struggling with, read the box and then give us the strangest looks. On the bus from Nairobi to Ngong, they wanted to charge us extra money to bring the box on the bus. We ended up bribing the man with some free condoms 

Goal 1: Get condoms and HIV testing kits to Saikeri.

Goal accomplished!!!!

Our next goal was to begin HIV testing in Saikeri. This had never been done before, and we knew it would be a slow process. Since, the locals don’t want the Maasai nurse or doctor testing them, I was trained on the testing process. I began HIV counseling and testing on January 30th. My feelings and emotions about the testing are still very mixed. I believe it will take me a while to really process the work I am doing here. I cannot say how many people we have tested or results. Testing is private and confidential, and I want people to feel safe coming to me, so I am keeping very quiet about it all. But, what I can say, is that things are very good. Many pregnant mothers and mothers with young children are coming for testing. I wish more of the men would come for testing, but at least we have a start. The new project was so successful that the doctor returned to Kaijado last week to pick up more testing kits! I know this service is vital to the community. Although it is risky to be testing and emotionally challenging to counsel positive patients, I know that nothing but good is coming from this. I only hope that somehow the work will continue after I go. A young Maasai girl named Mary is doing an internship at the clinic. She has been helping with translation during the testing sessions. She is phenomenal and the Maasai really trust her. I am hoping maybe she can continue the work in Maasailand.

Goal 2: Begin HIV testing in Saikeri.

Goal accomplished!!!!

I’ve been putting in about 25 hrs a week at the clinic. The other hours of the day, I spend with youth groups and women’s groups. I began an HIV/AIDS group at Saikeri and Olmararoi Primary schools. It’s been such a joy to work with the youth and they are so eager to learn about AIDS. I also began a women’s group in Saikeri with the nurse. We’re meeting every Sunday and these women are amazing! They have been so warming and welcoming of me and the work I am doing. Thursday was Naserians last day here. They came to the clinic and dressed her and I in traditional Maasai clothing and ornaments. It felt like an all girl slumber party, sorry guys, I don’t know how else to describe it. They each gave her a goodbye gift, beautiful handmade crafts! Pictures to come . . .

In my last month, I am undertaking a huge project. I am putting together a community AIDS event. I have been writing some songs about AIDS and translating them into Maasai. I am writing songs for each of the youth and women’s groups that I work with. Last week I taught a song to the Saikeri children. Already I hear people around town singing and humming the tune. They are also making requests as I walk through town. I think they are flattered and impressed to hear me singing in Maasai. I am excited because I know these songs will live on long after I go, and continue to raise awareness and educate. I have gotten community members to volunteer to speak on specific subjects, perform skits, dances and songs for the event. I have also got someone who is giving me a goat to slaughter. In Maasailand, they say that unless there is meat no one will come. So, I’m trying to find some more goat donors. The women have offered to cook, and there is a lady in town with a video camera. I really hope we can get a video of the event. I’ll be updating you all about the event as it evolves. We’ve set the date for March 11th, in case any of you want to take a trip out for this glorious event!

I also want to say, that I wouldn’t be here now without the help of my friends, family and fans who donated. I think about you all so often, each of you. Even those of you who couldn’t donate money, but wished me the best and support me energetically. I am so grateful for each one of you. For supporting me and inspiring me.

With heart,
Nashipae

Supa!
(and you say "Ipa!")

The ride to Ngong was especially hilarious today. Usually, it's a crowded and uncomfortable one hour ride along the hilly dirt roads from Saikeri to the nearby city of Ngong. We pile into the back of a pick-up truck and for 70 shillings (about a dollar) we are transported to Ngong where everyone does their shopping for the week and accesses email.

This morning there were more people than usual, and we were pushing into the truck. Then, along came this Maasai man and one of his sheep . . . yes, that's right. We fit 13 people and one sheep into the truck. Plus the four men in the front cabin! As I held on for my life, I kept eyeing the sheep. I couldn't help but think about the news we got yesterday. Rift Valley Fever is once again breaking out, and there were two deaths this week already. The disease passes by mosquitoes, flies, livestock products and contact with livestock. I tried to stay as far away as I could, but the goat nailed me on the toes a couple times :)

It's a good thing I don't eat meat. But, the Maasai love meat and they have no refrigeration here. So, people are eating meat that has been sitting out for days and may carry a variety of diseases. Yesterday was a market day in our town. People come from all over to buy. sell and trade goods. The local doctors held an emergency town council to educate people about Rift Valley Fever and how to properly cook the meat and boil the milk before they consume it.

This week was especially rewarding. We were able to hold productive HIV/AIDS groups at two local schools. All of the schools here are understaffed, so the teachers asked us if we could help teach some classes while we are here. Thursday I taught at Olmararoi Primary. We spent the whole day there and ate lunch with the teachers. We cut up cabbage and Kale, and then stirred up some Ugali (corn meal with water). The children had corn for lunch. It is sent in huge bags from Germany, and vegetable oil is donated from the US. They boil the corn in a huge pot over a campfire and that is their food.

The class I taught was 8th grade, and there were only five students. The younger classes are overflowing. I inquired about the class size, although I already had an idea what happened. The headmaster explained that the young girls come from small villages and are often married off for dowry by age 13. The boys stop coming to school, or come irregularly because they have to stay home and herd cattle, sheep and goats.

Everyday I am hearing and seeing more things like this. Right now, I am just taking in information, trying to understand the culture. Teaching HIV/AIDS education here is challenging because often it opposes the culture. I have to be careful not to offend anyone, yet still give accurate information. We couldn't get the HIV testing kits last week because there is only one person in charge or dispensing them, and she was out. So we've been doing mostly educational programs. Monday we will take the journey to Kaijaro to get the kits and more condoms. It's no wonder that AIDS is such a problem here, no one knows their status, half the people don't believe in AIDS, most of the people don't know what it is or how it spreads and it takes so much time just to get testing kits. It will be such an accomplishment just to finally have the testing kits available.

Thanks to everyone for your love and support, and special thanks to all who have donated. Please know that it is all going to very good use. I've bought cleaning supplies for the local clinic and we're getting some chairs (they sit on rocks). I am getting together thank you gifts for everyone who donated!

With heart,
Nashipae (Adrienne)

Supa!

I've been so excited to share with you all about my experiences so far. Arriving in Nairobi was amazing, it felt like I was coming home. The people were all so welcoming and friendly. My host for the first few days was a Kikuyu lady named Emily. We enjoyed traditional meals, chai tea and singalongs with my guitar! I went to her Pentecostal church in Nairobi city center. That was an amazing six hour long, song and dance extravaganza! There were visiting performers from Uganda. I'll be visiting her again before I leave Kenya.

On Tuesday I left Nairobi for Maasailand. Hours outside Nairobi in the Rift Valley, past the Ngong Hills is a small village called Saikeri. I am staying with a host family in Saikeri with another volunteer from Germany. I knew I was in for a big challenge because we are the first volunteers and white people to enter this far into the interior of Maasailand. Some Maasai have never seen white people before and the area is very rural. It feels like I'm in a National Geographic film. No electricity, running water, or toilets . . . but I'm already getting used to all that.

Most Ma people do not believe in HIV/AIDS. Instead, they blame their sickness on evil spirits, curses or malaria. There is a very small medical clinic here and we will be working out of there part of the time. The rest of the time we are visiting local women's groups, schools, visiting distant villages, home visits, etc. No one in the area has been HIV tested yet, in fact they don't even have the kits here. We have realized that the disease is kept very silent and private around here. They are ashamed to let other Ma know that they have it, so no one will be tested because local Ma people run the clinic. So far, we're getting a good response from people. Because we are "outsiders" they feel safer confiding in us, and some have already agreed to be tested. Just getting some people tested will be such a great start!

Wednesday we will take the day trip into Nairobi to pick up HIV tests and condoms. So, next week, we will hopefully begin doing some HIV tests and counseling. Did I mention that we travel by truck? They pile as many people as possible into the back and along the rocky dirt roads we go!

Oh, there is so much that I want to share with you all, but I'll save some for later! I took the truck and then a matatu to get to Ngong today. We needed to buy water, batteries for our flashlights, etc. We were given Maasai names on our first day. They call me Nashipae, which means "being happy". Then, we were invited to the slaughtering of cows, which is a great honor. Women don't view the slaughtering, so it is a great honor to have been invited. I tried not to cringe as they slaughtered and then drank the hot blood from the cows. They drink the blood to honor their cows because the love them so much. The slaughtering was in preparation for a large feast the next day. A local Ma man had passed away, and Thursday we attended the burial. There were nearly 200 people from all over Maasailand.

Yesterday we walked two hours to visit Olmaroroi Primary school. When we arrived and greeted them, they wanted to sing for us. My co-volunteer (Naserian) and I tried to hold back our tears and they sang to greet us. Everyday we are shown so much love and appreciation. People who have so little give so much. I am so overwhelmed and look forward to sharing pictures and more info soon.

We certainly have our work cut out for us. We are beginning this program from the ground up, and things look promising. I just hope that we can get some volunteers to continue the work after us. It is so sad to see people dying within an average of two years from AIDS when they could be prolonging their lives and preventing the spread of AIDS with some basic education and medicines.

Also, if you haven't already, please try to make a donation.
Donations are tax deductible and gratefully accepted online at:
https://www.registrationfactory.com/v3/?EventUUID=620D74F3

Oleseri,

Nashipae (Adrienne)