Sunday, May 13, 2012

Walking Water

It'd been a week since the water last functioned. It's rare for anyone in my tribe to feel satisfied with the  amount of water they get. Today I planned to get up extra early and be one of the first to have water quench my thirst. Most importantly I would be collecting water to prevent deathly dehydration from my family. I grabbed my oldest son, Jaranja and gathered five empty containers holding four galleons each. I gave Jaranja one container and tied it tightly across his shoulders and back. I took on the other four by balancing one on my flattened head and held the others either by hand or on my back. We then set off on a six hour journey for water to provide wellness for my family.
For the next two hours we traveled through scorching dust lands and left markers every few yards as indicators of the direction in which our village was. Jaranja was the first to spot other villagers. At this point I knew we were getting close. 
When we arrived to the water hole my son and I desperately ran to start filling our buckets. Once the containers were fully stocked we made sure the lids were closed tightly. We couldn't risk losing any water. Every last drop counts. 
Jaranja and I traveled for a few miles with what felt like boulders on our backs until we took a quick break. It's hard knowing I can't have as much water as I know I need. I was willing to sacrifice my thirst for my four children's lives. I allowed Jaranja a few tiny sips and we continued on our excursion. After hours of stress upon my back, head and arms and pricklers biting into my bare heels, we made it back to the village to serve the purpose of our agonizing voyage.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Transportation

Patience...
For the next few days my perspective on money-making will transform from receiving cash for special holidays to selling tea and coffee on the streets of South Sudan. This is the life-style of the benefactor from my 25$ Kiva Fund, Susan Foni.

Transpertation Plan:
Bus from SB to LA
Flight from LA to NY
14 hour flight from NY to Juba, South Sudan
Bus ride from Juba to Susan's Camp

Susan Foni: Day One

I watched as the wheels on the small jeep picked up mixtures of dirt and dust and pushed the particles to block the setting sun. I arrived in Susan's camp at about 7:00pm...
The vehicle pulled up to a circular gathering of about twenty huts and straw houses. I was greeted by Susan with a sweet peck on the check and the reassuring words, "shukran." She then led me to her dilapidated home and introduced me to spare bedding on the ground. She'd known that I was jet-lagged and needed time and rest to acclimate.
  A few hours later I woke to the sound of clinking pots. I arose from my "bed" and noticed Susan preparing her cart of tea and coffee. I offered to assist her by stirring the hot water and mixing it with hand picked herbs. Meanwhile, Susan instructed me on how to make her favorite cinnamon tea. She communicated how the process worked by guiding my hands through the various steps of smashing cinnamon sticks and grinding delicate flowers. She let me experiment and invent my very own tea, "which could be a hit in my village!" Susan had exclaimed. I used all the basic ingredients but added a rare flower seed only found in her village that reminded me of a certain smell at home.
 With Susan's experience, I learned how Sudanese tea and coffee is made carefully by the hands of a dedicated worker. Since the last hours of sunlight were approaching, we finished the mixture and let the tea brew over night and anticipated the result of our hard work.     

Susan Foni: Day 2

Surprisingly, I woke up before Susan this morning. It must have been my excitement and curiosity to see how the tea turned out!
Although I wasn't exactly sure how our brew was meant to appear, its aroma was splendid. Later Susan joined me for tasting of our soothing herbal teas. About ninety percent of the beverages succeeded so we kept the best for the day's sale and offered the rest to the kids playing outside. We then separated the varying types of tea and coffee into two categories: hot and cold.

Susan and I wheeled the cart outside and trudged for about five miles or so and came across a town with many villagers making their profit by selling clothing and animals. Susan guided me to her usual spot to set up her outlet. She greeted and introduced me to the other familiar workers doing their part to support their families.
Throughout the day about ten customers bought our beverages which made Susan and I were proud of our success.

Susan Foni: Day 3


I knew I'd regret planning this trip for only three days...
I awoke feeling rushed and in a stressed mood. I strangely always get this way on the final day of my visits. I wanted to make this day worthwhile and cherish my last time seeing Susan.
For breakfast I used left over tea that I had invented for a morning beverage that complimented our potato,bean, and ham meal. It then dawned on me how my creation would never touch my taste-buds again.
My bus would be coming in about two hours. Susan and I hiked up a nearby hill and pulled roots for  another type of tea Susan would prepare for tomorrow. I appreciated how hard Susan worked and how dedicated she was to her business. Even though her Kiva account was fully loaned, I contributed two-hundred dollars to improve her occupationI knew I'd regret planning this trip for only three days...
I awoke feeling rushed and in a stressed mood. I strangely always get this way on the final day of my visits. I wanted to make this day worthwhile and cherish my last time seeing Susan.
For breakfast I used left over tea that I had invented for a morning beverage that complimented our potato,bean, and ham meal. It then dawned on me how my creation would never touch my taste-buds again.
By bus would be coming in about two hours so I spent the most time I could fit in with Susan. We hiked a nearby hill and pulled roots for a another type of tea Susan would prepare for tomorrow. I appreciated how hard Susan worked and how dedicated she was to her business. Even though her Kiva account was fully loaned, I contributed two-hundred dollars to improve her occupation and relieve stress. She thanked me continuously and told me how lucky she was to have met me, "shukran shukran shukran!" I expressed the same gratitude towards her and we both embraced in a hug. In exchange for my leaving she presented me with a box wrapped in straw. Inside lay a supply of the flower I had my tea with! I was so thankful that I could share all that I learned with Susan with friends and family back home.

We said our last goodbyes and I expressed how much I'd connected with her and seen her as a second mother. I promised to keep in touch and departed with anticipation for the future...

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Communication

The main language spoken in Susan's village is Dinka.

Translations:

Hello - Cii yi bak


Goodbye - keyaa


What is your name? - yin na


Thank you - leee


Yes - ee


No - ei


Where? - keda


Good - gulp la wic


Bad - arac


Sorry - dier

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Currency

Currency Exchange for South Sudan:


$1 US Dollar = 2.675 Sudanese Pounds (SDG)


$5 US Dollars = 13.45 Sudanese Pounds (SDG)


$10 US Dollars = 26.9 Sudanese Pounds (SDG)


$20 US Dollars = 53.8 Sudanese Pounds (SDG)


$100 US Dollars = 269.0 Sudanese Pounds (SDG)

Monday, January 30, 2012

Hopper's Journey: A My

Once upon a time in the far away village of Feldunim, a baby rabbit was born. His parents decided to name him Hopper and expected him to be the highest jumper in all the land. After all, Hopper’s dad, Maxi, had won for the best jumper in his youth. 
As years went by and Hopper learned to follow his father’s footsteps, something just didn’t seem right. Every time Hopper attempted to leap he would always stumble over his legs. He didn’t want to disappoint his Dad so he kept on practicing, but saw no improvement. At school the other bunnies teased him for being a hare that couldn’t jump. The meanest bunny of all, Butch, bullied Hopper like no other.

As Hopper grew older his legs became skinny and frail. Hopper’s family soon realized that he would never be able to jump like a regular bunny. Maxi was so disheartened by this news and no longer had faith in Hopper. Other hare continued teasing and picking on him for his scrawny legs. Hopper believed that he would live his life like this forever, as the odd one out. Eventually all the other rabbits graduated from school and went to the Bunnylympics while Hopper kept on trying but  unable to improve on his jumping. 
Heartbroken, Hopper runs away from his embarrassment. He crossed treacherous rivers and looked passed the pain in his legs. Hopper transformed into a confident and strong individual. 


Before long Hopper came across a strange looking cage. As he grew closer he realized that it was his nemesis Butch, trapped in a poacher’s snare. Butch, weak and barely conscious whispered, “I’m trapped Hopper. Iv’e been trying to unhook the latch but my paws are just too big.” Right then it hit him. Finally Hopper could do something good for once in his life. His skinny leg was small enough to fit in the lock and set Butcher free. As Butcher was released from the trap he embraced Hopper with a hug. 



As they made it back to the village, Hopper’s incredible story had spread across the town. Maxi was finally proud of his son for such a incredible achievement. Hopper realized the strength he held inside of him all this time. It shows that everyone is different and unique in their own way. He was a hero.

Monday, January 23, 2012

My Visit With Maruge: Day 7

I met Maruge by the car and we departed with a long meaningful hug. I told him that I had a wonderful time spending time with him at his village and school. I wished him the best of luck and promised I'd be back to visit him again in the future. I cried slightly because I knew that by the next I visited my new friend could possibly be gone but in a better place.We said our farewells and I thanked him one last time for giving me the chance to spend time with him in Eldoret. As the van left I peered out my window and waved for the final time. On my plane ride back I wrote in my journal about the great experiences I remembered from my week long Visit with Maruge. In between the pages of my book I placed the flower I had received along the crease and closed it gently.


My Visit With Maruge: Day 6

This morning I awoke early and helped Maruge with his garden. I shoveled and fertilized while he collected food for his goat. Maruge took me to the vegetable section and he showed me how to pick fresh herbs for breakfast. After a tasty breakfast we made our way towards the school. On the path there we met up with a few students and raced for a few slow minutes. Today we got there early and made it in time to sing the national anthem. I had no idea how to sing the Kenyan version so I tried to mouth a few of the words. The class had a regular lesson of learning the ABC's and since I am pretty experienced with the English language I helped as teacher assisting the kids. Later that day we had a huge feast with most of the villagers to celebrate my last night in spend in Eldoret. By the end of a filling dinner Maruge pulled me aside and reached in his pocket. He pulled out a thin piece of paper. On that sheet I noticed that Maruge had neatly written out my name and had attached a particular dried flower. I had commented on this flower earlier in the day and said that I'd admired it's beautiful features. On the back side of the paper were the names of students at the school and pictures of stick figures playing at the school. I thanked Maruge for the special present and told him to share my thanks with the children I met as well. Tomorrow was the day I had to leave my memories and new friendships behind in Kenya.




Thursday, January 19, 2012

Vist With Maruge: Day 5

Today Maruge and I took a visit to the school he attends five days a week. We hiked on a dirt road for about 5 miles and discussed Maruge's lifestyle and school involvement. I still can't get over the fact that an eighty year old is in a primary school with small children. In the distance I noticed a tall gate with a sign that read, Kapkenduiywo Primary School. As we got closer I heard the joyful screams of children playing and chanting. When I got a better view my smile widened and I squinted my happy eyes. The sight of Kenyan boys and girls enjoying life and not caring about the poor environment they live in really opened my eyes and made me appreciate living in a beautiful city like Santa Barbara. As we arrived a few kids ran up but soon almost the whole school came to greet me. Maruge and I were surrounded with arms and welcoming hugs. I was overwhelmed by the number of excited children but was thankful for the love and attention. I relaxed as the teacher called us all inside and the kids gave me room to breath. The classroom was extremely small and in America would only comfortably fit about ten students. Compared to the classrooms Iv'e been in, the space seemed almost impossible to fit thirty students. There were children sitting on the floor and cramming in the seats but they were all so eager to learn. Focused on success, enthusiastic hands in the air, supportive of other classmates and determined.











Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Visit With Maruge and Friends: Day 3-4

I woke to the smell of beans cooking over a fire. It reminded me of camping, the calming sounds of nature and the smell of burning wood. Maruge and a few other villagers were already outside preparing breakfast. I started my meal with a hot cup of black tea.  I was handed a boiling porridge called Ugali which was said to be made out of fresh picked maize. The next course, Githeri, was a mix of chopped corn, potatoes, greens and it was seasoned to perfection. I was told by one of Maruge's friends that this dish was invented and made by their tribe, the Kikuyu tribe. I was surprised by the large portion size because of the poor community they live in.
For the next two days I was treated like royalty. I got to enjoy many different entrees and experience a new way of life. The meals I tasted gave me a chance to compare the food in Kenya to California. Most of the meals in Africa share the same ingredients, whereas America provides tons of variety and different genres of food. Another new taste I experienced was a cocoanut and rice recipe called Wali.


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

A Visit with Maruge and Friends: Day Two

Excitement. The minutes go by slower than the sun setting on the African planes. The ride to Maruge's village seems to take forever as I anticipate meeting him. I wonder how the village people will react to me and if they'll accept me into their culture. Maruge and I have a whole weeks plan of activities to do and I can't wait to get to know someone with such a significant past. The thick dirt road slowly transformed into a street filled with colorful people of all ages. Children ran after the van as I arrived in the village of Eldoret. The villagers made way for an old scrawny man who trudged up to the car. I got out and greeted Maruge with a friendly hug. He was silent at first but soon after our hug said his first word, "Karibu." I recognized that the meaning of this word was, welcome, after scanning through a translation book on the way here. Maruge took me to a shaded area under an acacia tree and watched five women dressed in colorful garments preform a tribal dance. I loved observing an unfamiliar kind of dance and getting to experience a new culture. I was overjoyed when Maruge pulled me up from my seat and taught me the choreographed dance. The rest of the day I visited with the village people and danced with the young children. I thought they might be interested in the style of dance I do at home so I showed them one of my ballet pieces from the Nutcracker. Luckily, I brought my pointe shoes, so I taught the kids the basics of being en pointe. It was getting late so Maruge took me to his house, a small shelter , and we quickly fell asleep after a long day.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

A Visit with Maruge and Friends: Day One

Anticipation. My second time in Africa was cooler and less humid than the last. Eldoret, Kenya had many wide open spaces and a safari-like feel. I fell asleep to the grassland noises of elephants, lions and other far away sounds I couldn't place. I awoke to a sudden change in sound to a city scene. I looked out my window and observed the tall yet unstable buildings. The city of Eldoret was buzzing with townspeople and told the tale of one of the fastest growing cities in Kenya. I couldn't wait to find my hotel and sleep off the day's journey. Tomorrow I'd be off to meet Maruge and spend the week with him and the people of his village.


Tuesday, January 3, 2012

MY STOP IN ELDORET, KENYA

On my way home from Panther Bior's village in South Sudan, I stopped in Kenya. I was invited to the village of Eldoret.



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