It's the Monday of the August long weekend and I'm sitting on the Via Rail train with my Tim Horton's coffee, looking out at fields of corn ready for harvest - this is so quintessentially Canadian...and Africa seems like a lifetime ago. Having just said goodbye to my parents and brother after a fantastic weekend in Ottawa with Seraphina (my niece) I feel so grateful for all that I have (clean water, family, health, money, education, transportation etc) and all that Seraphina has/will have as she grows up which is so different from many children in parts of Kenya.
Anyway,here you go, Day number 6!
Finally got up early enough for the Maasai Warrior morning walk. It was really peaceful and well worth the hour less sleep. James took us just outside the gates of Bogani, which felt far more dangerous that it really was but exciting none the less. We watched the sun rise over the hills and learned about the local flora and fauna (aka looked at different types of poop and tried to identify what animals had been there recently, lol!). Actually, it was really interesting to learn about the plants and what they are used for - you never know when that kind of information could come in handy.
Sunrise over the Mara
I learned that zebras eat cucumbers (wild ones), and we technically saw our first safari animal...see if you can spot it in the picture below!
For real, there is a Zebra in this picture that James saw with just his eyes!
After breakfast we were off to experience another one of the FTC "Adopt a Village" programs, a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA). Being an accounting firm, our group was particularly interested in how the micro-economics of this community worked (or that they even had such a thing!). Even I, not having any sort of accounting background, was blown away at how this rural community has basically started a bank right there on the front lawn of someone's home! Amazing.
Stephanie and some VSLA members
The VSLA program is similar to the merry-go-round where there are 12 members with a chairperson, treasurer etc. Every two weeks or so they gather at someone's home to make a deposit into the savings bag (buying shares), take out a loan, and/or re-pay some or all of the loan they have taken out. At the end of the year, dividends are paid out based on the number of shares you own and there is even an "insurance" bag in case of emergencies. Loans are given out to members who make a sufficient business case for what they would like the money for (for example, to borrow 600 shillings to buy eggs from a local farmer at 10 shillings a piece to sell at the village market at 12 shillings a piece, loan to be repaid in 4 weeks). The interest rate is 10% and paid up front. There are fines if any of the simple but effective repayment rules are broken (and if you are late or do not show up for a meeting!).
Omar helping the treasurer count the money
Me and my VSLA member waiting to make our deposit
It was very cool to actually participate in this meeting while Daniel, our facilitator, translated and explained how it all worked. What a great way to empower people in the community to make a business and earn money for their family! The program is self-sufficient and sustainable. Daniel oversees 20 or so VSLA groups in the region.
Daniel explaining how the VSLA works
From here we went to have lunch under an acacia tree (as you do!) and wait for a couple of the local Mamas to come and show us how to make beautiful beaded jewelry. Needless to say, being a jewelry and crafts aficionado I was very excited about this activity! :)
All I can say is beading is way harder than it looks and it took us ages to make one small, leaf shaped keyring (actually, only 2 people finished theirs, most of us took ours back to Bogani to finish on another day). Later, when buying my souvenirs for family and friends (and myself of course) I was very conscious of the reasonable price of these pieces given the time and effort that goes into them.
Making and selling the beaded jewelry is part of the FTC Alternative Income program. The Mamas (I think about 300 now) who were already making these necklaces, belts, etc for their sons and husbands are now paid by piece and the jewelry is sold by FTC with 50% of the profits going back into the FTC organization. There is a store in Toronto if anyone is interested!
Beading under the acacia tree
Note: when sitting under an acacia tree, remember that they used to be little thorn trees so check the ground before you sit down!
A couple of days later when I had some free time, I finished my "keyring" and it turned out pretty nice! I gave it to James the Warrior for doing something very special for me on Day 7....stay tuned! ;- )
See the Zebra now?
Growing up in Kenya and living on the border of the National Park, we would wake up to hoof prints and had to guess which wild animal had visited the night before. Back then, the wild animals were more discrete and didn't poop on our front door.
ReplyDeleteI do see the zebra!! Way cool. Tinky does bead crochet bracelets on her "T" commute to and from work in the 'Burgh. Must be in the roots! Imagine the zebra pooping on your front door! Not very discreet at all. :)
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