Part II - LDS Charities' Projects in Kenya



Kisumu Branch - We just got out of church

 The pictures below are from the NRT Training.  The neo-natal resusitation couple from SLC came over for the training on May 14-25.  We assisted them in training 127 mid-wives, nurses in a 2-day course in two separate locations.  There were also seven pediatric physicians from Nairobi that helped with the basic training - at the end of the training we distributed the resusitation equipment to each participant who agreed to go back and then they become the trainers to other staff.  One in 10 babies have breathing difficulties when born, this training and equipment will help save many babies.
This is the Kisumu LDS Branch, the sr. couple also lives on the bottom floor, the chapel is on top - open air in the trees with a view of the city.  Kind of different to hear the city noise during sacrament!!!!

 Before we left, Dick is stuffing envelopes with Kenya shillings to pay 120 participants this stipend for travel, lodging and meals.  (Its like playing monopoly - only I didn't pass Park Place.  We were packing alot of cash - kind of scary!

 This is the specialist, Steve and Deb Whipple who have been to Kenya for 4-5 years doing the training of the physicians just days before the training. 

We were the ones who did all the arrangement of hotels, meals, conferences, training materials, importing the equiptment, travel. etc.

Check out the little dark baby manequins the participants work on as they practice their "Help Babies Breath" skills.  This 2-day class was held in a small, cramped hotel rooftop with no restrooms - but in the rural areas there was not much to pick from.  It was a difficult course and we couldn't stop until everyone passed.  Our days were long, we worked very hard, but the class worked even harder to learn the skills.  It was so worth it!!!





Check us out on the roof, we had computers, printers
to manage the training course

 The entire course (registration, facility, pre-post tests), had to be documented for the files and the church.  It was pretty intensive and first class.  We will be doing another course in the fall so we were glad to get the training and understand how it all works.  Steve and Deb are very capable and I think we all made a good team!  It will be fun to work with them in the fall and in 2012.

 This is the second class in Homa Bay, at a District Hospital on Lake Victoria.  The classroom was much better and the course went smoother.   Just to keep things challenging, the hotel we stayed at lost their power in the night and the class was to start prompt at 7:30 am - try getting ready in the dark!!!!! Nothing is easy in Kenya! 




The caterer making capaties - look closely!
She and her husband are Members

 There is no way for me to describe how the caterers pulled off meals for 65 people for two days - it was all made outdoors, by hand, in the dirt with no available water, electricity,  refridgeration or stoves, they would just fill buckets of water and carry them to the area on the grass and prepare all the food.  They cooked with charcoals and big pots - we were amazed.  It was all traditional african food!





We were sure surprised to see how nice the caterers set everything up.  So much hard work for the caterers, but there were no hotels or services so we had to contract the meals out.

 Dick was loving doing all the medical stuff - like he was back being a paramedic!   Next time he will be certified to actually train the trainers - he can't wait!   He got along with the physicians really well and they asked him to pass out the graduation certificates to the participants.  This is a project that we both believe in and enjoyed doing, anything but being in the office!!!!

 Like I said.... this is a rural area.  Check out the road ahead of us.  This is more the norm once you are in the bush.  Realize we are 8-9 hours from Nairobi on the Kenya/Uganda border, once in awhile we do have asphalt but most of the time its dirt roads.  Everything takes longer here and is harder to accomplish!!! But whose complaining - not me.

Well finally we had a little R&R.  This is over looking a game preserve at Lake Nakuru.    The Whipples were more than fun to be with as well as very hard workers.  The second week they were here we made site visits to set up two more locations for trainings in 2012.  It was a very busy two weeks but a nice change of pace.  Now back to Nairobi and the office and to get Whipple's on the plane to SLC.

May, 2011 - Our Humanitarian Projects Finally Start

 We hope you all enjoy this version of our blog - most of it will dedicated to finally starting our projects.  The first couple of months in Kenya were spent getting comfortable with missionary life, then it was a month of office work, and now, in May, we have had many visitors, water short term specialist (17-day stay to resolve a large water project that had contractor problems, then our bosses from Johannesburg visited, and the  NRT (neo-natal resusitation couple) came for 14 days, we assisted them in the Help Babies Breath Training.  The following pictures will help you see what we've been up to. 

You'll note that when I left my hair was somewhat longer, then with Dick's persuasion I went for a cut from the locals, what a disaster....then in an effort to fix that mistake I tried to cut it again myself - didn't do too bad but thought I'd try the local hairstylist again - now I have the shortest haircut ever!!!!!  HELP - Where's Romela!!!!!  Oh well, no worries - we have more important things to do.

The Richardson's are our bosses from Jo-burg they are originally from Louisana.  They visited us for five days giving us training and looking at our proposed projects.  We enjoyed spending time with them. 



The Richardson's From Johannesburg



Jericho High - All boys school   



 We were invited to a presentation from the community, parents and headmaster of this 780 all boys school.  The boys  live here full time while in school. The only have water 2 days of the week.  They want LDS Charities to drill a borehole, some showers and latrines.  What's different about this project is that its right here in the suburbs of Nairobi.  It will be a small project but good because its close and we can montior the work as needed.

The school went all out to present the proposal - it was a 4+ hour tour and presentation.  The needs are so great and we need to stay objective in choosing the right projects that meet the most needs.  We felt this school will be good to partner with because the community, parents and school have accomplished so much with so little. We liked this school because they want to help themselves, and they are not afraid to work for it. The head school master truly has a vision.  

These pictures with us sitting around with the dignataries are too much. They make us look like we are important and know something and we don't. Very formal presentation!  

 May 4th...we headed 8 hours west of Nariobi to the Butere area - quite rural.  We are doing site visits to the schools where we'll start a big water and sanitation project.  These are typical latrines out in the bush at the schools.  I know there is a better way, and we will find it.  Maybe we will be known for way cool latrines.  Can you tell Elder Tuttle took over the blog for now. Like I told you before I have other talents. 

This is a spring in the Butere area.  90 percent of the women fetch the water. I guess they are stronger than the men or else the men are just too busy.(WORKING?...not!)  I carried they-re 5 gal water cans to the top of the hill to show them that men really can carry water.  They thanked me several times.  This is the area we are going to capture 66 of these springs which means, dig out the head of the spring, lay pipe cover with gravel and cement.  This makes a good safe spring.

This is an example of a rain water catchment off the roof into the tank, which is a good system - the area receives alot of rain.  The only thing is they don't know about PVC cement for the fittings and most seem to come undone. 

The person to the left is Rita, Janet's new best friend.  She is the superintendent over 39 schools.  She and Janet hit it off like two pees in a pod.  They have big plans to put all the men to work.  When Rita talks everyone listens.  She is one cool lady who broke out of the typical water-fetching mold.  We will be spending a lot of time with her.

 How good is your aim?  We didn't try this one.  Besides as you can see...No Door.  We can't wait to build them new latrines, we might even surprise them with a "special sit-down style" toilet along with the traditional "squat-type".  Oh Joy!

This is Rita's first grandbaby, You would think this baby was dressed for the north pole. Not so, this is normal attire for in the house.  3-layers, plus the hat.  Can you say suffocate?  That's how I felt just looking at the cute little thing. 

OK - now this was cool!!! Eating with your fingers at Rita's house.  Ugali (Kenya's main staple), rice, meat with some juce on it and some mashed up green stuff and no seasoning. Here's how it works, take a chunk of ugali and mix it up with rest with your fingers.  Then lick your fingers. What a great time we had! 

 Rita put on her African attire and we danced, then listened to her loud Christian music videos.  She is one cool lady. She will be our friend for life.

Here's our good buddy Justis Suchi,  He works for an NGO (Reach the Children).  We will be partnering with him on the 46 springs, 15 latrines, 2 boreholes and 12 rain capture on the school roofs. Suchi is one honest, transparent, happy, friendly, educated, spiritual guy, and he is also our friend.  He is the only Kenyan that talks loud so I can at least hear one African out of 39 million.

We'll publish this post for today and will continue tomorrow with part two.  Good evening to all - we love you all and thank you for your prayers and support.  Take care of each other and stay healthy, safe and happy.

Love, E/S Tuttle, Mom/Dad, G&G, Dick/Janet