Siku Njema

Good day!

Happy 4th of July everyone! I had a wonderful weekend in Mombasa. Liz, Adam, Sarah and I met Nat and Sonjya there. Nat and Sonjya are working for the IRC in Nairobi. We ate Italian and Chinese, walked to Old Town stopping at Fort Jesus on the way, and had great coffee! I of course fit in 5 hours or so of dancing at a great outdoor club and then we hit the beach on Sunday. It was a great escape and I happy to be back in Takaungu where everyone knows your name.

Yesterday morning I walked with a community health worker to conduct some surveys. As always, it was an interesting experience. At the first house we found, back through a sugar cane and banana farm, I sat on a piece of wood that worked well as a chair across from the woman we were interviewing. She did not have any idea how old she was (which is relatively common) and sat breastfeeding one of her 8 children. Baby chickens ran under my legs while we spoke. We ask questions about malaria, HIV, family planning, diabetes and the types of medical care they seek. When the health worker asked if they used mosquito nets in the house, the woman laughed and pointed behind her as she answered the question. I put together some of what she was saying and seeing the mosquito nets there pulled tights between panels of wire used to keep the chickens in, I figured that she had used them for a short time, but then decided to use them for a livestock fence instead. The community health worker stopped laughing along with her and explained that the nets were talking to her and she was afriad, so she couldn't sleep under them anymore. I couldn't believe that what was she was saying, but she repeated it, and it was. We all shared in the laugh.

Later, I was talking to a teacher here at the school who speaks very good English. When I explained the story, he said it was true, that 3 years back the news reported that some people who lived out in the country in Kenya thought the treated nets were haunted and were speaking to them. Many people became afraid of them and wouldn't sleep under them. At the next place, a baby goat was headbutting my leg.

The program manager here who I was working on marketing things with was arrested and fired for stealing from the organization. That was a pretty big bummer since he had been working for them for over a year and was essentially stealing from these kids.

I am still teaching at the after school program most Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This Thursday and Friday is World Population Day and the EAC center has been choosen as a celebration site. I am going to be helping out and taking pictures though I am not sure what all we are doing. I think there will be health plays, sports and live music.

The young girls that play volleyball and sometimes rugby or basketball, have another match I think this Friday so I will be cheering for them. This weekend I will be here in Takaungu at the beach, relaxing. Jealous huh? :)

I am the only one who hasn't gotten sick (Hopie I know you are knocking like crazy on something for me right now) and I have read several books. "What is What" has been my favorite and I seriously recommend that everyone who reads this blog reads that - it is amazing!!! Last week I went to the movie theatre next to my house downtown. This is a room the size of my bedroom (or smaller) in Brooklyn. There is a TV in the front and bleachers made out of 2X4s on the side. It is blasting videos and movies all day and night. Sometimes they play Bob Marley music videos and other times Tupac. Most of the movies are from Africa, but this night was Resident Evil Extinction - I loved it! Oh and they are playing an Arnold Swarcheneger (sp?) movie next week - of course right?

I hope all is well with everyone at home! Thank you all for staying in touch!