Packing for Somalia

I’m off to Somaliland in two weeks time to participate in an Irish Aid funded project evaluation (Somaliland is an autonomous region in North West Somalia). I’m looking forward to it; it’s a fascinating part of the world. It sounds far more adventurous than it is though - where we’re going it’s relatively peaceful and stable.

What to wear

I need to find appropriate clothes for the trip. The hejab (a long dress) and the headscarf aren’t wardrobe staples of mine. I’m a fan of both: The headscarf means bad hair days can be forgotten about and the hejab is super comfy and stops me from getting burnt to a crisp. Fortunately for me, my friend Sofie has a good supply of both and is happy to lend them out.

FGM

The project that we’re evaluating is funded by Irish Aid and aims to reduce the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the area. The practice is widespread in Somalia, as most people believe that it is an Islamic requirement.

In fact, it is not and Muhammad never subjected his wife or his daughters to it. But saying "no" to FGM is not easy, as you are likely to face ridicule from your peers and may find it very difficult to get a husband.

From preliminary reports, the three year project has helped reduce the practice of FGM in the area. I’m looking forward to finding out more, particularly what encouraged people who have stopped to do so. I'll keep you posted on my experiences out there!

Dancing Kenyan Style

Most Irish people, but particularly Irish men, will only dance after several pints. In Kenya, they dance any time of day. No drink or drugs needed - just a modicum of rythm and a willingness to let yourself go.

This time two weeks ago, I was dancing under the midday sun with 200 boys and girls from all over Northern Kenya. Yes - I kid you not. This was broad daylight.

We were celebrating the "Children's Voices" conference, which brought together children from the many different tribes here and gave them a chance to voice their concerns to the Government.

Drama

Through dramas, poems and testimonies we heard how their lives were affected by the food crisis, insecurity and crime, water shortages, poor health care and early marriage.

They then presented their recommendations and requests to the Government of Kenya in a formal document. The Government was represented by the Ministry of Health and the Department of Children's Services.

Tough Questions

The children asked their government many tough questions, which represented a real break with the tradition of silence and not challenging ones elders.

"Why do we only have 2 doctors in our hospital and the only time they are punctual is for lunchtime?" "Why do we not have any tarmac roads or police in our area? Many people are being attacked".

Dancing

And afterwards we boogeyed. The popstar (Jimmy Gate anyone?) informed the audience that I was the first mzungu (Swahili word for white person) he'd met who had any rhythm. I was chuffed.

Working with Kenyan Farmers

Part of my job as Programmes Officer for World Vision Ireland is visiting the development projects to see how things are progressing. The other day I made a long bumpy journey in the back of a pick up truck to a place called Mutonguni in Eastern Kenya – an area which has not received a drop of rain for almost a year. Supporting Farmers I met Lucy Ndemange and her husband Sammy. Lucy is a member of the Kauwi Farmer’s Group, one of twenty groups that received training in new farming methods from World Vision and the European Commission . The new methods should help Lucy and Sammy grow enough food to eat even in times of drought. "We planted kale and tomatoes and we harvest once a week, which earns us 3,000 bob (€28) per week. We are using the money to pay for our daughter’s secondary school fees and we have plans to expand this technology across our farm. Our neighbours have even started copying these methods" explained Sammy. Water Luckily, Lucy and her neighbours have access to a well, which they can water the crops from, but it’s not easy work: She let me have a go at pulling the 20 litre bucket up the 18m well shaft and laughed when I broke into a sweat before it was half way up. You need to be made of strong stuff to survive out here.

World Vision supports Cadbury Fairtrade advert

Cadbury in Britain is certifying its Dairy Milk bar with fair trade cocoa from Ghana. This means farmers in Africa will earn a guaranteed minimum price for their harvest which is good news. World Vision worked with Cadbury to help create their latest advert for this new Fairtrade Dairy Milk bar . The ad features renowned Ghanaian hip-hop artist, Tinny. Read more about the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership here.

Sending the Rain from Ireland

It can be a killer early morning flight from Dublin to Nairobi - this time it was a 4.30 am start.

Fourteen hours later, I arrived home in the dark. Yet again there’s no power. This is nothing new to me – on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays I have no electricity.

No Electricity The ongoing drought has dried up the rivers serving Kenya’s hydroelectric power stations and the Government is imposing strict power rations to ensure that the manufacturing and business areas continue to be served. Weather forecast

I fumble the key into the lock. From the darkness, my delighted dog comes barrelling out at me. He’s covered in mud. At long last, it’s been raining! As an Irish person, it almost goes against my nature to hope that the forecast for “good rains” will be correct, but the livelihoods and lives of people here depend on it. There’s been little to no rain here for the past year. While we complain about our seemingly perma-rain in Ireland, we would definitely miss it if we went without it for a year. Sunburn and half-naked builders Our grievances would be small at first – sunburn, half-naked builders – but they would quickly grow as water and electricity were rationed. Agriculture and industry would take a major hit, undermining an already struggling economy. In Kenya, this is the reality now. If only we could send some of the rain from Ireland over here.