September 4, 2010
Karl and I experienced one of the true joys of travel - - delay!
I always think of the many airports around the world I've had the privilege of visiting that boast enjoyable coffee shops, outstanding shopping and clean, comfortable waiting areas and wonder to myself why seven hour delays happen in airports with minimal food options and limited creature comforts. I made the best of it and made some new friends and caught up on computer work until the battery power finally gave out.
We arrived in Mombasa in the early evening and were greeted by Susan & Mary with Maryknoll of Mombasa. They kindly introduced us to the local gelato merchant. A real treat, especially after Karl pointed out we really hadn't had anything to eat since Thursday. We had the opportunity to visit with Susan and Mary at their home and checked into the hotel, looking forward to dinner and some much needed rest.
September 5, 2010
Karl and I used today to recharge our batteries - - both from a sleep deficit standpoint and computer perspective as well. We spent time answering emails, writing blogs and taking a moment to absorb all we've seen and done over the past two weeks.
Mombasa is the 2nd largest city in Kenya. It is next to the Indian Ocean and is a major port city.
Through multiple translations, Mombasa means "Island of War", due to the many changes in its ownership. Mombasa has a warm, tropical climate and we are here at a good time of year - - not too rainy and not to hot. Average temperatures are about 83 degrees in September. There is a spectacular breeze that blows off the water, so though this is one of the hottest locations we've experienced on our journey, the ocean breeze, white sands and beautiful turquoise water makes the afternoon heat and sun agreeable.
September 6, 2010
We began the morning with a trip to the local Star of the Sea School where we participated in the Monday morning meeting for the Maryknoll team. This group does incredible work in the support of the people and their families living with HIV/AIDS. We enjoyed hearing from the Maryknoll teammates about their various projects as they updated the group and made plans for the week ahead. The Bishop, brothers, sisters, nurses, doctors, statisticians and project managers are all part of the Maryknoll team.
We also met with the team that manages the Pepfar work being done - - over 50,000 orphans and vulnerable children receive services as well as more than 13,000 families access homecare services. We met with Sister Pauline and her team. She graciously agreed to travel with us to meet Sister Veronica at the clinic she manages in Mikandani outside of Mombasa. They have a vibrant center where they provide critical services to the community living with HIV/AIDS. After our clinic visit we traveled to an area with over 50,000 low income people. We met with several families who are receiving food by prescription through the clinic. We then shared ideas for possible collaboration and discussed the many challenges that exist for the people in this area.
September 7, 2010
We traveled to Nairobi and boarded an overnight flight to Amsterdam. We are anxiously anticipating our flight home to Chicago. I was reminded of my last travel through this airport with Illinois Soybean Association grower leaders Pat and CW. I missed them on this trip and fondly remembered what a great adventure we had the last time I was here with them. Karl and I finished up some of our remaining plans for follow up after the trip and prepared for the long flight home.
September 8, 2010
We are happy to land in Chicago and make our way back to Champaign. As we drive south on I-57, it is evident harvest has progressed into full swing. It's amazing what three weeks and some hot dry weather can do for moving combines into the field and getting crops out.
As we look back and reflect on our time in Africa, we are pleased with what we accomplished. We presented information on NSRL/WISHH work, provided soy processing and application examples and shared nutrition information. We visited South Africa, Sierra Leone, Kenya and Tanzania. We participated in conferences and workshops in all of these countries. We met with NGO partners, government partners, University colleagues and industry partners. We were able to complete some of our projects and begin new ones that hold great promise - - all focused on promoting the use of U.S. soy products in addressing the challenges of malnutrition in Africa.
We look forward to the work ahead with our current partners and have great expectations for the relationships and collaborations that will unfold in the months ahead with our new partners in Africa.
Regards,
Bridget
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Soccer Balls and Soy in Africa
August 31
Today was the second day of the workshop and we presented our work with school nutrition programs around the world. It is always a excellent opportunity to share with new audiences all of the great work being done by WISHH/NSRL through the support of the Illinois Soybean Association for children around the world.
I have gotten into the habit of bringing footballs (soccer balls) with me on these travels to give to local children and schools. This trip I am also bringing footballs that were given by my family and friends. Several of these footballs were given to Dr. MacNamara to give to the villages near Njala University.
This afternoon, Karl and I returned to our journey by driving to the pier and boarding the ferry. The ferry is much better in the daylight when you can see Freetown, the port, and aren't just barreling across the water in the dark. We also enjoyed the local music which is played at loud volume throughout the trip! We then boarded the bus back to the airport. It was a bit of de ja vu in reverse today. We flew back to Accra and then embraced our overnight flight to Nairobi. We hoped for sleep and a quiet plane that night.
Nairobi is that capital of Kenya, and a hub of poverty, crime and desperation. These factors and others lead to high malnutrition in this city, which has its highest effect on children.
September 1
It is a new month and a new country. We arrived this morning at 7:30 am and drove to the workshop hotel. Nairobi has some of the most challenging traffic in the world and we spent a fair amount of the commute sitting still. High above in the trees were very large storks that flew over the traffic with what looked like a good laugh on their faces at our predicament.
Our hosts were kind and gave us an opportunity to clean up prior to the workshop. Somewhere along the way I acquired a cold including a nasty cough. Dr. Symon located cough syrup and kindly administered two teaspoons to me. I flashed back a little to my childhood! It did the trick and I was able to present without that annoying cough.
The workshop was a collaboration of organization by Egerton University and NSRL with Egerton doing the heavy lifting. We have been working on a project to include soy in local recipes for the students and staff to purchase in the Egerton cafeteria. The next steps are to expand this effort to the other universities in Kenya. The workshops included participation from the Ministries of Education, Agriculture, and Health as well as other Kenyan universities.
We were very pleased that the recent constitutional referendum was accomplished peacefully earlier this month. Kenya is a country of great opportunity but it is not without challenges. The infrastructure and food processing businesses are becoming established but there is room for continued expansion and development. Even in a more developed nation such as Kenya, malnutrition remains a challenge with half of the population living below the poverty line.
The Illinois Soybean Association has been working with WISHH/NSRL on a school feeding project in the Masai Mara, Kenya. This has been an excellent project and one very close to our hearts. Through ISA support, two schools began offering a hot school lunch to the students. The students, community, teachers, and parents learned about nutrition and its importance as well as about hygiene and food safety. The community has seen the results of this program in increased school hours and higher test scores, but most importantly in the energy and health of their children! The community is now supporting the school lunch program as it continues to offer the students the nutrition they need.
Upon completion of the workshop, we re-boarded a flight in the evening to Tanzania. When we landed, we had hoped for a glimpse of Mount Kilimanjaro, but due to that lovely local traffic, that was not to be. Instead we landed in the dark and traveled to our hotel for a short evening.
Regards,
Bridget
Today was the second day of the workshop and we presented our work with school nutrition programs around the world. It is always a excellent opportunity to share with new audiences all of the great work being done by WISHH/NSRL through the support of the Illinois Soybean Association for children around the world.
I have gotten into the habit of bringing footballs (soccer balls) with me on these travels to give to local children and schools. This trip I am also bringing footballs that were given by my family and friends. Several of these footballs were given to Dr. MacNamara to give to the villages near Njala University.
This afternoon, Karl and I returned to our journey by driving to the pier and boarding the ferry. The ferry is much better in the daylight when you can see Freetown, the port, and aren't just barreling across the water in the dark. We also enjoyed the local music which is played at loud volume throughout the trip! We then boarded the bus back to the airport. It was a bit of de ja vu in reverse today. We flew back to Accra and then embraced our overnight flight to Nairobi. We hoped for sleep and a quiet plane that night.
Nairobi is that capital of Kenya, and a hub of poverty, crime and desperation. These factors and others lead to high malnutrition in this city, which has its highest effect on children.
September 1
It is a new month and a new country. We arrived this morning at 7:30 am and drove to the workshop hotel. Nairobi has some of the most challenging traffic in the world and we spent a fair amount of the commute sitting still. High above in the trees were very large storks that flew over the traffic with what looked like a good laugh on their faces at our predicament.
Our hosts were kind and gave us an opportunity to clean up prior to the workshop. Somewhere along the way I acquired a cold including a nasty cough. Dr. Symon located cough syrup and kindly administered two teaspoons to me. I flashed back a little to my childhood! It did the trick and I was able to present without that annoying cough.
The workshop was a collaboration of organization by Egerton University and NSRL with Egerton doing the heavy lifting. We have been working on a project to include soy in local recipes for the students and staff to purchase in the Egerton cafeteria. The next steps are to expand this effort to the other universities in Kenya. The workshops included participation from the Ministries of Education, Agriculture, and Health as well as other Kenyan universities.
We were very pleased that the recent constitutional referendum was accomplished peacefully earlier this month. Kenya is a country of great opportunity but it is not without challenges. The infrastructure and food processing businesses are becoming established but there is room for continued expansion and development. Even in a more developed nation such as Kenya, malnutrition remains a challenge with half of the population living below the poverty line.
The Illinois Soybean Association has been working with WISHH/NSRL on a school feeding project in the Masai Mara, Kenya. This has been an excellent project and one very close to our hearts. Through ISA support, two schools began offering a hot school lunch to the students. The students, community, teachers, and parents learned about nutrition and its importance as well as about hygiene and food safety. The community has seen the results of this program in increased school hours and higher test scores, but most importantly in the energy and health of their children! The community is now supporting the school lunch program as it continues to offer the students the nutrition they need.
Upon completion of the workshop, we re-boarded a flight in the evening to Tanzania. When we landed, we had hoped for a glimpse of Mount Kilimanjaro, but due to that lovely local traffic, that was not to be. Instead we landed in the dark and traveled to our hotel for a short evening.
Regards,
Bridget
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