May I wish each and everyone a very happy New Year.
A wonderful young lady scientist who invented the board game ‘Brainac’ gave me the game to sell at a cost of $20.00 each (great value). She said she would donate $5.00 from each sale to the Kanthi Dispensary project. I have raised $275.00 from the sale of the games which will go towards the wages for the Nursery school teacher.
The New Year’s news is not terrific with regards to the water supply to Kanthi. Having sent two long emails during the holiday period to Hon. Rachael Nyamai expressing the disappointment I was feeling regarding the collapse of the projects…..I received a 28 minute telephone call from Rachael yesterday. She said she wanted to speak to me and explain the situation rather than writing emails. Apparently the source of the water to Mutomo is non functional (for whatever reason!) and so they are seeking a new source at a cost of Ksh 6,000.000.00 (A$82,192.00 approximately depending on daily rate of exchange). Initially Rachael said that the Kenyan Government set their budget and there was no other money until the next financial year’s budget. However during the conversation she said they were trying to get the water flowing to Mutomo and that Kanthi would be the first village to be connected!! There was no actual commitment to a time frame during the conversation although in Rachael’s last email she made mention of March, 2015.
I then asked about the school and she said that the allocation to build the school was ‘underfunded’ and so she said she would email me with dates regarding the building and opening of the school. I am still waiting on this email and so in the meantime the children would have to ‘walk that trek’ again.
She said they have many problems in Kenya and not a lot of money, however education was a primary concern then health.
Rachael said she visited Kanthi during the Christmas period and took photos of the projects and would forward them to me, I am still waiting on the email.
I asked about having a clinician to work in the Dispensary, Rachael said that unless it was ‘open to the general public’ and ‘not just a community venture’ then the Government would not support it. I have to contact Daniel to see what the issue is in it ‘not being open to the general public’. I am surmising that perhaps because the village people built it they (the community)therefore ‘own it’. However I have a concern of its sustainability if the clinician’s wage is dependant upon the payment received for consultations and no Government support. This is for Daniel and the village to decide and manage.
I received the cost for the joinery works for the Dispensary as follows:
4 tables Ksh 20,000.00 7 chairs Ksh 18,000.00 Examination couch Ksh 4,500.00 3 benches Ksh 2,850.00 Total Ksh 45,350.00 (A$621.00 approximately depending on exchange rate). I shall send this amount over together with Ksh 30,000.00 (A$416.00) being the wages for the Nursery school teacher for the next six months.
I received the contact details of Nze-mary who is the person who can give me full information regarding the Mutomo hospital. He may also be able to direct me onto others if necessary. I am hoping that the hospital being a Missionary hospital may see a way to send a clinician (even part time to start) to service the Dispensary…..Fingers crossed. I also need to find out about medical supplies (Rachael’s contact in the US did not come to fruition). We have many supplies here which were kindly donated however the cost of shipping and their actual arrival is a grave concern!
We are slowing hopefully getting to the ‘finishing post’ with regards to the Dispensary becoming operational.
Should you wish to read past bulletin update please visit the website www.walkforwater.com.au/news
Cheers,
HELEN
