OVC

Today, I went out into the countryside with a program called OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children).  They are a part of AMPATH that goes out into the community making sure children enrolled in the program are getting everything they need.  I went to a town called Iten.  It is near Kerio View, so I was pretty much hiking through the Rift Valley all day long.  It was awesome, and the views were amazing!

 Note the waterfall in the background

The first place we visited was a small mud house with a child head of household.  He was 17 when his parents passed away due to HIV, and now he takes care of his 4 younger siblings.  We talked with him about starting planting some sakumuwiki and other vegetables for the family to feast on.  He already had sweet potatoes and some corn planted.

The second home we visited was quite far down into the valley, and we had to walk the whole way.  This time there was a 13 year old boy who was living with his 11 year old sister.  Their parents lived farther down the valley, and they lived separately from them because it was closer to school.  He was in charge of the cleaning, cooking, and everything on the homestead.  They only saw their parents once a week.  They had 5 chickens, a cow, and the cutest puppy ever.  I wasn’t allowed to pet it because we didn’t know if it had rabies or not.  Not taking any chances.

 

Puppy!

We stopped at the car to have a quick snack, and a group of children came to visit.  I gave them all a piece of candy.  They all wanted their picture taken, and then wanted to see it.  They thought it was the funniest thing seeing themselves.  They were asking 'which one is me?'.

The group I was going around Iten with: Rose, Kipsinget, Fredrick, and Elizabeth (Ruth not pictured)

The third home we visited was a mother and her 3 children.  When we walked up, the littlest one (about 2 years old) had a sweater and no pants on.  He just had his winkie hanging out there for all to see.  No one even blinked an eye.  Must be common here, but it’s the first I have seen.  The first 2 children were born with HIV because the mother had not been diagnosed yet, but the youngest was lucky enough to be treated and not get the virus.  The mother was a smart woman and was managing both of the boys and her own ARVs correctly.  I got to see the stove she was cooking on.  It was designed with rocks and mud, but hers was pretty elaborate for what it was.  There was an area for the fire, and she used a flat rock to wedge between the side and pots for when they are different sizes.  She also had made a warming area to keep the meal warm when the kids were still at school.  

The last place we visited was a home where about 20 people in the community were forming a group to pool their money, so they can give loans and have a social fund for the community.  The group has a specific acronym, but I can’t remember what it is exactly (GISA maybe?)  They were working on their constitution and implementing rules for the group all day, and we came at the end of the meeting to hear about the progress that had been made.  After the updates, the visitors were all asked to say a few words of encouragement.  Basically I gave an impromptu speech about my experience thus far.  We shared tea after all the chatting was done (and it was the BEST chai I have had here).  I am now a tea drinker, although I may be swayed back to coffee after my first trip back to Starbucks. J

Before leaving Iten, we went to one of the workers, Kipsinget, Uncle’s farm.  He showed us around and how he grows mangos, avocados, millets, maize, sorghum, beans, and bananas.   He also has non-grazing cows which can produce about 26 L of milk each day (pretty amazing for the cows here).  He usually grows vegetables as well, but he said there is not a market for it now because it has been so wet this season, and everyone is growing them.  He waits until dry season to grow them because he has a water reserve for his crops.

On our way back from Iten, we stopped and got mahindi choma (roasted maize).  It is very common for many people to be making this on the side of the road.  Yummy!  Once back in Eldoret, I went downtown and ordered some special made souvenirs from Robert.  That pretty much sums up my day, and it was an incredible experience.



Partially eaten.  The kernels come out down to the rind.  Makes it look like a squirrel ate it :)