Sagam Village, Kenya: 05 December 2004

FROM THE EDITOR
Dear Esteemed Readers of the Marenyo Community Newsletter. I would like to take this earliest opportunity to thank you for the support you have accorded us since we started this newsletter. This is the third issue now rolling out. However I want to apologize for being out of air for some time. The computer we were using has been having some small problems that is why we have not been in touch with you. Otherwise we are planning it to be a continuos feature as we are setting up a media center and work would be now easy. However we are kindly asking anyone with any help to come forward and assist us. We are very sorry for any inconveniences caused. These are what we have for you in this third issue.

SAGAM COMMUNITY HOSPITAL VCT CENTRE BECOMES A REALITY.

603—4 is the VCT site number for Sagam Community hospital .It has been a long struggle for the VCT site at Sagam Hospital to be what it is today as we are going to press. We have been to hell and back first looking for the approval from NACC, which took us some good time, before we could get that approval, the director had to intervene for us to get it. We thank Dr Okal the Provincial Aids Control Coordinator for the support he gave us for that. After the approval, the other major task was getting the kits from the Siaya District Hospital. The reason being that they were out of stock in the whole country. So I was wondering quietly what situation we are in this our beloved country of ours, because just as I had said in our first issue that nothing seems to have changed with this our new government. It seems that there is no Kenya without corruption as it seems it is the way of life of which you have to accept or else you go to hell. We were being told that the kits were out of stock in the whole country so one would be left wondering aloud whether for all this time Kenyans were just contracting AIDS without any precaution as people should take control of their lives with VCT. I think the Government of Honorable Kibaki should do something about its commitment against the fight of HIV AIDS.

Our neighbor, Uganda led us by example, which we should emulate and here our case here are just empty rhetoric. We should be open with ourselves that the situation not only in Sagam but the country as a whole is very bad.

Recently the forth estate was in a dilemma when one of the daily wrote that 40% of our MPS were too sick to be insured. The legislators went for their throats immediately plainly denying that story as fabrication of the media. Personally I think that the number can be slightly bigger than that as truly most of these our leaders look very sick and it is high time they admit that all is not well. If it were my wish, then on 1ST December 2004 as it was recently, they would have led by example by going to the nearest VCT Center and they do a voluntary test and they publicly announce their status of which none did not even His Excellency the President. So Waheshimiwa (Honorables) I think your constituents need to emulate you and I think that is why they voted on KTN Prime news recently that they think you are not doing enough as far as the fight against AIDS is concerned and I think they have a tangible point worth writing home about.

I am sorry for writing all that kind of stuff, it is only that I just wanted to drive some points home as far as fight against HIV/AIDS is concerned in the country as a whole Sagam Village included. The government should do away with all bureaucracies when it comes to the fight against AIDS. By this I mean they should relax rules when it comes to procurements of HIV/AIDS kits drugs included and they should also make it easy for registration of a VCT site as there are very many people out there in dire need of VCT sites in the rural villages. For example from Sagam village, the two most nearest VCT centres are in Siaya District and Kisumu District, which are over forty kilometres apart. So do you want to tell me that one who needs a VCT service should travel all that distance with Hon Michuki’s reign of speed governors and seat belts so they will pay at least Kshs 200/= for a free VCT in Siaya and Kisumu . So in this case for you to go for a VCT you have to part with atleast Kshs 300/= because you will at least drink porridge with Nyoyo(githeri). Because this is what you can afford for lunch with one hundred shillings with this economy.

Sagam Hospital’s VCT site number is 603—4, as for my understanding but I stand to be corrected by the authorities concerned with VCT registration, it means that 603 is the district code because Kisumu District is 602 and 4 is the site number for Sagam. So this means that Sagam is the forth site in Siaya District. This is a mockery of the whole situation because Siaya District with close to millions of people cannot be served with only four VCT sites and it is over twenty years since AIDS was discovered in the country. So it means that for all this years Siaya have just been having one or two centres which is really pathetic, because Sagam just got its registration just two months ago which brought them to be four centres in the whole District. After registration it was just a cat and mouse game about reagents which are out of stock till when the Provincial AIDS Coordinator intervened and that is when they supplied the Hospital with reagents on Monday 29Th November 2004. So after such long struggle we are now having a full operational VCT centre. It was also a positive for the hospital because World AIDS day found the kits there and I was actually the first person to be tested. I will be confirming it after three months then God willing during every World AIDS day. I would like to urge all the residents of Rabuor Sinaga Area to come and know their status because people are so sick here as I see some of my friends and I cant believe my eyes. There is disaster already happening here because there might no future leaders and these projects which our seniors are initiating might collapse, as there will be no people to take care of them, as we will have gone back to our creator. My fellow youths let us take the challenge from here as these older generation has done us all that we need so we should maintain and even improve on this. I have to admit that we the youth have not done enough and we need to pull up our socks. Now that we are going to have a community media centre, we can make a difference through the pen and paper if we can’t do those others of hard labor.

Lastly everyone is welcomed for the VCT Sagam na achukue control ya maisha kabla UKIMWI uichukue.

Report by.

Ben Erick Sewe

WOMAN IS TREATED WITH RESPECT AFTER KILLING MONKEY.

The village folks are revering a woman in Ratudi village after she successfully poisoned atleast eight monkeys; both young and old.

As any other person of her village or neighboring villages, the name monkey spelt a nightmare. The primates were known to indiscriminately wreck havoc on maize, banana or any other plantations in the area. The monkeys are known to the extent of digging up maize seeds just planted. Their destructions range from chewing sugarcane stems far away in the streams to eating bananas as close as right at the door steps. During dry seasons when famine is prevalent, the primates risk further to grab ugali from kitchens or kill young chicks and eat them on top of trees.

The villagers have made futile attempts to chase away the monkeys but are heavily dis-advantaged by the fact that the village is donned by tall eucalyptus or cypress trees almost in every home. These efforts by the villagers were rewarded when a woman; Aoko, discovered what could be a method of counter attack that involves minimum sacrifice. The woman sacrificed a bundle of ripe bananas and a couple sachets of rat poison, which she reportedly injected into the bananas before hanging the whole bundle on a tree. Monkeys feasted on the bundle that whole evening and the following day the woman woke up very early to go and collect the carcasses of the primates. She is reported to have collected eight carcasses. This has prompted the whole village to view her as an imaginative innovator with her method considered a massive success.

The villagers now treat the woman with a lot of respect and for sure let’s give credit where it deserves.

Report by
Messoh Onyango Vincent

a.k.a
Lawyer Mpuddy Deckker.

A MAN CHASES HIS MOTHER AWAY FROM HOME

Many questions still remain unanswered after an elderly woman ran away from home in an attempt to flee away from her enraged son.

The man was reportedly annoyed after a friend told him how much the mother had said about him. The mother allegedly said that her son has been bewitched and is no longer capable of making any informed decisions. She was reported to have said that her beloveth son had been bewitched by members off the clan and she added that she no longer needed the son “… any closer to her home”

The man reported to have been told this story also told it to a friend during a drinking spree where that woman’s son; Stanley to overhear the story. He traced the whole story back to its origin in an attempt to establish how much truth by in it. The woman lost control of herself when allegedly confronted by her son who wanted to look deeper into the whole story and she is reported to have hurled abuses at her son. This inflicted more pain to the injuries already suffered by the man who lost his temper and wielding a panga in hand charged at his mother with his all might. The mother was fortunate enough to escape through an opening in the hedge and ran away to a neighbor’s home. She later on came for her clothes and went back to her maiden home after her own son locked her house and swore to kill her any time she would be spotted near that house.

The matter has since been taken up by the area chief with traditional conservationists arguing that it could be resolved domestically without government’s interference while law enforcers say that it was serious case including intent to kill.

Report by
Messoh Vincent

A.k.a.
Lawyer Mpuddy Deckker.

TRAGEDY

VILLAGE IN SOMBRE MOOD AS V-P DIES

A dark cloud of sorrow and mourning hung over Ratudi Village as the unexpected turned out to be the inevitable. Kenya’s eighth Vice President and possibly, the most gifted one had passed away in a London Hospital.

It all began at a busaa (traditional brew) den when news was broken to a group of men on a drinking spree. At 1.25pm an old man; Tom came to the home with his transistor radio held in his hand and broke the news that the Vice President Mr. Michael Christopher Wamalwa had been pronounced dead. He added that the national broadcaster, KBC during their one o’clock news bulletin had broken this news. All other men were sent into panic. Some found it too difficult a task to control their emotions and had to shed a tear – drop or two while others simply remained dump-founded.

After the breaking of the news by Mzee Tom, most men ran home to collect their radios in order to keep themselves posted as they went on drinking. Even after getting the announcement themselves over the radio and hence believing, it none still had the courage or the language to express their feelings and verbalize their thoughts. It was an unusual mood of sorrow contradictingly at a place once so noisy and happy that none could ever imagine such a sullen feeling while entering the home. All that could be heard were sounds of drinking tins and the tragic announcement aired at fifteen-- minute intervals over the radio. It once seemed that that home was the actual residence of the Vice President.

The mood was no less different beyond the perimeter fence of that home. The youths who were always seen daily loafing along the road or just seated by kiosks where they would expect others to gather were no more. The whole village possessed the characteristics of a dead log and for once man-eating rabbits who’d be expected to meet no resistance could even invade it looked like this village. It was a cloudy day with no wind and everything was till that one could tell even by the look of the naked eye that on this Saturday, not even the maggots and caterpillars had the strength to chew on the leaves.

Mr. Michael Wamalwa was born in Sosio Village of Kimilili town, Bungoma District but later on moved to Trans Nzoia with hiss Senator-father William Wamalwa. He was a student at Chewoyet High School and Strathmore School before joining Kings College, London, for a course in Law. He took his masters at the London School of Economics and attained a Ph.D. in law at the Cambridge University before being a lecturer at the Nairobi University. Since joining politics, he has changed the nortion that politics is a dirty game by actively fighting for justice and using his command of the Shakespeare language to instill some diplomacy into the game.

The law don is also known to be an admirer of other great personalities as Winston Churchill of the United Kingdom, John Fitzgerald Kennedy of the United States and the great Roman Writer William Shakespeare.

Report By
Messoh O Vincent
A.k.a.
Lawyer Mpuddy Deckker.

RASTA SWEARS CELEBRATION OF SANCTIFICATION

Members of Ratudi Village are expecting a treat of drama as a boy has sworn to hold a party in commemoration of the day that Emperor Haile Selessie of Ethiopia died. To all rastafarians, this is the day of Selassie’s sanctity and the climax of establishment of thee Rasta faith.

Michael had made his plans known to his father in a bid to get some financial support towards the party but his father, who is a strong follower of the Roman Catholic and strongly opposed to the idea of his son being a rastafarian, declined to offer any assistance and told his son that he would never let that party be hosted in his homestead. He demanded that his son change from the Rasta faith to any denomination within the boundaries of Christianity, which has been described by Michael as a divisive denomination.

Michael, as many other rastas, views Christianity as a divisive denomination working in obedience to serious seengent religion. The major issue that is causing a rift between Michael and his father is the different perspective from which they look at each other’s faiths. Michael’s father thinks that rastafarism is an evil faith of idol- worship that seeks to sanctify Haile Selassie in a bid to validate the worship of a man like any other. On the contrary, Michael believes that rastafarism is the world’s final redemption, the only religion that preaches the truth, justice and equality. Michael views Christianity as an oppressive religion that seek to “rob the poor and bill the blind”.

After Michael’s father turned down his son’s request, the son on the other hand, swore to get an alternative venue to host that party after failing to commemorate other religious occasions attached to other pioneers like Marcus Moziah Garvey, Jenaisy Bhingi, Malcolm X or even Bob Marley.

With both parties now fighting a battle of diplomacy to win extensive back up in support of their different missions, only time will tell.

The battle has now taken a diplomatic turn with each party claiming that the others are misguided. Michael uses the famous quote by Malcolm X “ No one can give you freedom, no one can give you equality. So if you’re a man, take it”. His father on the other hand keeps saying “ A club can never feed itself unless it is taught hunting by the lioness”.

Report By.
Messoh O. Vincent.
A.k.a.
Lawyer Mpuddy Deckker.

QUARREL

BROTHERS TO BE POISONED AFTER DOMESTIC QUARREL
Three brothers are to be poisoned by their stepmother in Ratudi Village after a domestic quarrel.

Trouble started on Sunday night the 3rd of August 2003 when a boy Michael went to fetch water in a room used by his stepbrother Ali Hassan. His step- brother under unclear circumstances beat him up and this prompted his blood brothers Everett: his elders and Vitalis his junior to join the war. It was declared an all out war with the three brothers having a united stand and mounting what they called “… The resistance of Babylon”.

Monday morning was like any other for the parties and nothing looked new except that there were no greetings or exchange of words from across the two families. All the boys were away with Everett at work. Vitalis at school and Michael away with a friend until four o’clock when Michael and Everett came back at almost the same time. The brothers reportedly drew up a plan of activities decided on the previous night. At four thirty Michael was seen collecting chairs, which were later on stored by Vitalis, back from school. Vitalis recalled an incident when the stepbrother Ali had told Everett that they were no longer brothers. Ali had reportedly told Everett “I’ll never mourn when you die and don’t mourn when I die because I’m no longer your brother”.

Tuesday was the climax of it all when Ali’s mother, annoyed by the previous day’s incident decided to seek a method of fighting the three united brothers. She made attempts to obtain poison but her efforts failed which led to more rage by the brothers. The three declared a breakdown in all family ties and warned their stepbrother against any nasty incident. They reclaimed every property of theirs that was being used by the stepbrother’s family. All their property was put under their own custody in an attempt to lead a life of peace distant from their stepbrother; Ali’s family. This was understood by Ali’s family to be; as they called it; a power demo. Ali’s mother has now admitted that the only way to silence the united brothers is their resistance to Babylon is to poison them.

The woman has now made atleast three attempts to acquire poison and still swears to other village folks that her step brother’s sons will have to go. She is allegedly trying to obtain an animal spray or poison extracted from a type of snake and is reported to have shared it with some people in the village though no one dares talk about it lest they be held accountable.
Reported by
Messoh O. Vincent.
A.k.a.
Lawyer Mpuddy Deckker

YOUTH DON’T NEED SEX

There is a difference between a sex affair.
And making real love.
You only do it under pressure.
And you don’t have to do that
Youth, there is no need for sex in love.

Some of you think it kills pain
But the truth is only a postponement of it
Only for the problem to come back recurring
Sex never helps you fit into the society
I say there is no need for sex baby.

There is one truth you haven’t realized
Having babies is a full-time responsibility
You can never die for abstaining
But unprotected sex has chances of killing
Youth, you really don’t need sex to feel real.

Youth don’t seem to realize the value of your body
That is your body, you need to respect it
That body needs the respect for it
Remember that it’s the temple of the most high.
You don’t need sex, it makes you dirty.

Just a decision changes you forever
A bad decision pushes you to your worst
All good decisions make you better
Love can do without a sexual affair
This sex will never be the climax of love.

Strength of love is never equated by sex
Having sex has never been a sign of commitment
Just kisses are not quaranties of promises
Hey youth! You don’t really have to lose yourself
Understand it that you don’t need this sex.

Don’t push yourself into very tight positions
A position where you lose your conviction
Never agree to lose your self-control
You may see sorrow when it comes out
Yeah, this sex needs substitution.

There is so much you owe your body
The wise conviction that it is your body
Your mind alone need to control it
Respect, love and honour it everytime
Abstaining is a decision out of responsibility.

Sex brings diseases and loss of respect
You have babies who’ll never know the other parent
You get to adult life before the rite of passage
Your education is forever distracted
With so many problems we don’t need sex.

Poem by
Messoh O. Vincent
A.k.a.
Lawyer Mpuddy Decker.

N/B: This poem is extracted from the book “ IMPLICIT ROMANCE IN EXPLICIT LANGUAGE” of the series of books “A RIDE ON CLOUD NINE,” written by Lawyer Mpuddy Deckker.

SECRET TO SUCCESS

The one and only secret
That drivers all big men to success
Is by them getting started.

There is no lift to success
So you have just to take the staircase
Success never drops from heaven
Only luck plays that game
But even luck should find you at your best
To enhance your chances of getting the best
You love to keep working hard for this success.

You can never be on top of the world
Just when you take a single jump
Luck either comes or never
But opportunities will always be there
And success is quaranteed to everyone
There is only a difference in the velocity of the river
But this river keeps flowing forever

Success never comes from the moon
Neither does it drop through the roof
Before you see it, you have to look.

Success only takes time
And patience opens up the opportunities
It never erupts like a volcanic dream
And those who seek always find it
Success is to be sought daily
Because with each day it keeps on building
You only need to go look for it.

Success does not possess all
But gaining with each day an amount
Success never comes to a stop
Even to the greatest it always flows
You only have to keep turning it on
And always maintain it at that position
Because it knows no hero.

Success is the difference between
Entertaining a bright idea in life
And implementing the idea in your lifetime.

Success is not having a lot of money
Or still, rising to the highest point
But building a position of your wish everytime.

Poem By
Messoh O. Vincent
A.k.a.
Lawyer Muddy Deckker

N/B: This poem is extracted from the book “MORE OF JAH TEACHINGS AND MISSIONS.” Written by Lawyer Muddy Deckker.

DISTRICT COMMISSIONER VISITS MUNDHINE COMMUNITY

The first ever visit of the District Commissioner, Siaya to visit Mundhine Community was today the 23rd September 2003. By 10.00 am the Divisional Officer, and all the administration officers of the division had arrived and waiting for the arrival of the DC. At a corner Jiinue Theatre Club prepares himself or herself to receive entertain the guest. The divisional heads of different departments within Yala including the area Councilor had arrived and awaits the DC’s arrival. By 11.30 am the parents of Mundhine Primary School had arrived and were seated besides their children, (pupils of the school). The day’s occasion was to be held at the school’s grounds. At the same time the DC arrived and paid his first his first courtesy call at Mundhine Dispensary where he planted a tree. By 11.45, marks the arrival of the DC at Mundhine Primary School. After signing the visitor’s book he was walked around the school by the Headmistress Mrs. Onguko, he planted a tree at the school before taking his position at the arena.

The day’s events started by the Divisional Officer welcoming all the guests from the District Headquarters; Siaya. It was followed by entertainment from Jiinue Theatre Group and the pupils of Mundhine giving their heartfelt to the DC. Mrs. Onguko introducing the staff of the school (7) and pupils summing to 260 followed this. She asked for support from the DC and willing NGOS to come into the school’s assistance in terms of development because it was in a very poor state. The area Councilor Mr. Ochieng Kidis also called for the support of the school. He also requested the DC to assist in the construction of the roads within the community. He requested the DC that if the Pathfinder – COPHIA Project carries home based care. They should be mobile and not concentrated in Yala town while neglecting the rural areas.
Mr. Aweyo, the school patron thanked and welcomed the D.C. for the visit he also thanked the elect project and said that soon the school shall have both electricity and water through support from RSA. He added that RSA gives support to schools in the area by issuing desks and soon they intend to start a community polytechnic at Mundhine. This will help children around the bordering community. A temporary polytechnic will be opened at Sinaga church. Mr. Aweyo also said that Mundhine School intends to start a rehabilitation centre to absorb and assist orphans and those in need. His cry was the rampant spread of H.I.V / AIDS in the area hinders many development and requested MOH and NGO connected to come into assistance for most in his area involve themselves in risky behavior i.e. bang and alcohol intake and that can lead to being infected with the virus
Mr. Amani the chairman of development committee in Marenyo sub – location supported that there is a high rate of H.I.V / AIDS infection and the MOH to assist. He also requested the D.C. to always come and assist the school when Mundhine primary school holds harambee .he also requested the D.C. to request the extension officers to carry field work and on return D.A officers Mr. Peter Isige said that there has been less offices due to retrenchment and retirement and will do the best by posting the extension officers per location. He also encouraged the locals to practice.
Mr. Amani also requested the D.C to ask the KEMRI why they have neglected this area in distribution of nets yet malaria kills many people in the area. He asked the MOH to always supply enough drugs and the KEMRI to distribute nets in this area like other areas within the district. The D.C invited the MOH officer Mr. Magak who said that first when it comes to H.I.V/ AIDS it should be given a wide support. He encouraged people to voluntarily go for V.C.T. He also encouraged parents to openly talk to their children at home on H.I.V /AIDS .He also added that there has been a shortage of health staff in the district and promised that he’ll post 2 staffs to Yala sub- district hospital and one to Mundhine dispensary. Mr. Magak called his fellow Doctor from KEMRI, Mr. Michael Onjecha who is the project Coordinator; University of Pittsburgh to talk on Malaria. On answering the question about nets he said that KEMRI can not neglect as claimed and to him he knew that the whole of Gem Constituency had been supplied with nets but having known that this area was left out will do anything possible by next week. He also encouraged mothers to always take their children for medical attention immediately a child is infected with malaria and should not wait for long because this is why in most cases people die of the disease.

On the issue of education thee representative from the D.E.O’s office said that “a child is like gold” and should never be neglected. He encouraged parents to take all children who are out of school to go to school since Primary School is free and opened to all children throughout the country. Coming to Mundhine he requested the community to assist in the building of the early childhood education section which was in a poor state. He said E.C.D. was the foundation of all education grounds.
On the issue of roads, the Siaya district engineer for roads Mr. Juma Bura said that first the community to enlarge their roads before they come to assist. On the issue of having pumps from Rabuor to Ngiya he said that they have a system for putting bumps on roads and so far the statistics for accidents is low within the region. He also said that bumps are not good on slope because it will increase accidents instead.
The OCPD Siaya Mr. Polycap Etyang thanked the Wagai and Yala division residents for their positive assistance in terms of security. He encouraged the residents of Yala division and this community always to check on the people we select as security officers.
In general the D.C thanked the unity brought by RSA for the development projects in the community he said that in many areas people wait for the government to bring projects and developments in their areas. He said that he’s heard all the plea of Mundhine residents and will assist in all ways possible. He also thanked one Mr. Apudo –a resident of Mundhine for his donation of a land to be used to build a polytechnic. The D.C said that everything would be done on security matters because without secured environment there can be no development and thus we can not achieve our goals.
Coming to youths he thanked and said he was grateful for the performance from the young artist- Jiinue Ndani Ya Amaini and said will always give support to youths whenever they call. Mr. Ogallo (D.C) concluded that he is at anybody’s call and will always respond when invited.

.
Report by Sandra Ndede

HELP THE ADOLESCENT WHO IS UNDER STRESS

Having gone through the adolescent’s stage. I have come to realize that this is the most crucial stage in one’s life. It is very vulnerable in that, there is always this stigma in the girl or boy going through this stage that only keen and sociable parents can notice. Being one that has gone through it, accepting certain changes in our lives sometimes becomes very stressed and this results to aggressiveness.
Adapting to new images sometimes is a big problem to many of us. For example in my case physiological changes i.e. my body appearance, sex characteristics and others developed very slowly as compared to my peer group and I was always very embarrassed and I use to feel the same when with friends but all this I found it difficult to question why things happen differently. Developing personality, I use to hide my emotion every time whenever my mum questions my feelings for the day.

Having developed my personal identity with time and established emotional and physiological independence from my parents. Inspite of my apparent rebellion I later realized that the most thing I needed now was the support of my parents. I was under a lot of pressure from my peer group and many things that I was advocating for were not my own but as a result of peer pressure. I felt very insecure and always exaggerated this security image. But though the love and support from my parents both dad and mum and I was able to re—established my self—esteem.

During difficult times my parents always gave me the support I needed at that particular time because sometimes as I can remember I used to have intolerable behaviors but they (parents) were still very friendly and always encouraged me to open up and be sociable to everyone in the house including my elder brothers and sisters. The worst parts of it is when my parents treats me like a child; I was always at loggerhead with my mum because myself I use to feel I’m old enough to take care of myself but my parents on the other hand felt that I still needed their security to do things correctly. I believe many youths / adolescents may be having similar or even worse experience in this stage of adolescent and are very stressed. Always be open to your parents, be friendly and since its very impossible to avoid all sources of stress at this stage you can try and look for a peaceful and quite place to relax and preserve your mental balance.

Item by Sandra.

COMMUNITY AWARENESS ON HIV/ AIDS AND CONDOM USE

The Dophil Anti AIDS Youth Group, being a group of youths who have volunteered to help in creating awareness on HIV/AIDS carried out a study to know how much people in the communities they serve i.e. Luhya and Luo knew about AIDS and condom use. This study was carried out on 1st December 2002 from people living around.

The group found out that most people in these communities know that AIDS is a reality and most had lost relatives through the disease. They also know the major signs of the disease and mentioned them to us.

When asked how AIDS came about many said it came from a monkey. Others told us that it was a curse from God to punish people of the world. Others said that it’s a revelation from the bible “that we are leaving in the last days of which Nations will rise against Nations and that there will be Diseases, which have no cure.” We thought about this statement and considered it maybe to be true. Since AIDS has no cure.

We also had an old Mzee telling us that AIDS was a disease of the youth and mainly for the youth because they are promiscuous. He couldn’t accept that also old people die from the disease. We also had this old mama who told us that in the 1980’s when a person died of AIDS the corpse used to be wrapped in silk clothing’s and nobody was allowed to view the corpse until it was buried and that is why the disease was not spreading unlike nowadays when we view and even touch people with AIDS and that might be the reason why it has spread so much. We tried and explained to her ways through which HIV/AIDS is not spread but she could not accept them or rather as many say our efforts to advice fell on deaf ears. So this helped us to note how myths are deeply rooted in this communities.

We also introduced the issue on HIV testing we found that all whom we talked to had never gone for the HIV testing. Many said that they do not see the need of going for it since they believe they are faithful. Others said that they would really like to go for the testing but they cant raise money for the testing and that if free HIV testing could be introduced they would go for it. Concerning unmarried youths, the gentlemen were really to go for the testing but the ladies were much afraid.

On condom use we really had lots of amusements. We were happy that many knew about a condom. But all that were interviewed on it never knew the right procedures to follow when putting on a male condom. They did not look for the expiry date before opening the pack, some put the condom upside down and they didn’t pinch the tip of the condom while demonstrating.

They also said that the condom wasn’t 100% safe and that if you used a microscope you would see tiny holes. Others said that it can tear during sexual intercourse and others said it might burst and get stuck in the lady. Some also told us that for one to be sure he should put on two condoms. We explained to them how to use it and also to prove it didn’t have holes we filled it with air, they were also told that a condom can only tear if one puts o two condoms We explained to them how to use it and also to prove it did not have holes, we filled it with
Air .We also told them a condom could only tear if one
Puts on two of them due the rubbing between rubber and
Rubber. We also explained to them the advantages and disadvantages of the condom. When we told the men that
It was the ladies who should help them put on the condom, they said that ladies. Usually pierced holes in the condoms when they helped them. Likewise the ladies claimed that when men put it on by themselves they cheat them and pierce holes in the condoms.
When asked their opinion towards this widespread of HIV/AIDS many called on the youth to abstain and said it the only solution and cure for AIDS. They asked all married couples to be faithful and that people use condoms though they were not 100% effective. But they stressed on the youth being helped to abstain till marriage and also asked for free HIV test in services to help the people know their status as it would do much to reduce the spread of AIDS when one knows his/her status. They also asked us to be aware of the disease and are trying to fight it out to hold a seminar and educate even the old on this disease. They also asked for free antiretrovirals to help those infected and also if we could help the old people who are left to care for young children left behind when their parents die.
We as group noted as we were volunteers and that if we get funding we shall consider all tha6t they told us. So I present this study project and appeal to donors and well-wishers, NGOs and governments to consider us as we would like to carry out more studies in the interior and help the communities. They really need our help. We also need to fight the deep-rooted myths on HIV/AIDS and if possible find a home for children left orphans due to HIV/AIDS and also organize seminars on HIV/AIDS. All these need money which we can not raises we appeal to well wisher and donors to please chip INS soon as possible.

Report by

SUSAN A MUKHWANA
Dophil group.

KENYAN SEES GREAT HOPE FOR THE NATION.

It is always counted a virtue in a man to love his country. With us it is more than just a virtue. It is a necessity a condition of survival When a Kenyan says that he loves his country he means not only that he loves the high Nandi hills, the capital city glistening in the sun, the wide rising plains the great mountains and the sea.. He means that he loves an inner air , an inner light in which freedom lives and in which a man can draw the breath of self respect. Men who have offered their lives for their country know that Patriotism is not the fear of something; it is the love of something. Patriotism with us is not the hatred off Uganda; it is the love of this Republic and of the ideal of liberty of man and mind in which it was born and to which this Republic is dedicated. With this Patriotism Kenya can master its power and turn it to the noble cause of peace. We can maintain military power without militarism; political power without oppression; and moral power without compulsion or self—satisfaction.

The road we travel is long, but at the end lies the goal of peace. And in the valley of peace we see the faint outlines of a new nation fertile and strong. It is odd that one of the key to abundance should have been handed to civilization on a platter of destruction. But the power of the atom to work evil gives only the merest hint of its power for good. I believe that the day is not a gift but a price; that we shall not reach it until we have won it. I say to you now that there is work to be done that the difficulties and dangers, which surround our path at home and abroad, are innumerable. There is sweat and sacrifice; there is much of patience and quite persistence. Perhaps the goal is not even for us to see in our lifetime. But we have undertaken a great adventure. Let us proclaim our faith in the future of man of good heart and good cheer, faithful to ourselves and our traditions, we can lift the cause of freedom, the cause of free men, so high that no power on earth can tear it down.

(Odongo Lang’o is a practising journalist from Gem.

KANYIBUOP HAPPENINGS (THE VERDICT IS YOURS).

It was one of the bright Sundays afternoons at around 5.00 p.m. Some girls were bathing at a stream while some boys were herding heads of cattle at an opposite direction though separated with a bush. Then suddenly the girls could hear someone wailing from the bush. Since the voice of the wailer was familiar to her, she decided to go and check for herself whether her senses were right.

On reaching the spot, she found her fellow village mate a male busy canning the child as a dog. So She asked the man to please stop caning the child. This is what the man had for a reply; “Are you the one who sent the boy to graze these cattle in our maize garden?” He hailed abuses at the innocent girl then ended up slapping the girl. There was a small fight between the man and the girl. Leaving the story like that thinking that it was over.

So the girl returned to where the boys the other girls were taking bath. After bathing they carried their buckets full of water heading home. So was it that (by the time these girls were tidying up after bathing, the man ran back home to collect a panga [slasher made] to come and continue with their fight.

Immediately the girls reached the limelight i.e. in front of their gate through a path way, than the boy also arrived carrying his panga and started telling the girl whom they had initially fought with to start “ng’ang” how she was initially. The girl was more than shocked, because she thought that everything was over at the stream.

Before she could even utter a word the boy was already caning her with the slasher (panga), on seeing these, the other girls joined in the fight. Within no second, the boy’s (man) head was oozing blood and nobody had slashed or knifed him. It may be a stone that cut him since they were rolling down in a stoney area.

The man’s brother arrived and joined in the fight and without knowing its source. He threw three big stones at the lady was wrestling his brother. I believe that the lady may suffer from internal injuries if she does not seek medical attention immediately because may be one of her ribs were dislocated due to the stone throwing that was going on.

After they were separated, the man went to the hospital to be stitched on his head. While the lady whom the stones were thrown at, also went to seek treatment.

What makes the case look so funny is that the man’s side are demanding to be paid for the hospital bill while hiding the fact that they used stones in the fight. What they ought to know is that the lady’s might end up being too costly than theirs, so they shun their mother and carry their own burden.

All in all, still there was nobody who had cut the man on his head. Men should not engage in fighting with the girls / ladies and if they should, then they MUST not use any arms because it looks sheepishly if a boy goes to fight with a girl and he is carrying a panga. I think it’s the girl who should be carrying that, not the man.

In your own opinion, who do you think might have cut the boy? Is it the slasher—panga like, he came with, and the stones down there, one of the ladies or who.

The verdict is yours.

Report By Eve Shaureen.

MOBI—CRAZE

This issue of mobile is very good since it makes communication easy and at anytime one can communicate to the other. But the worst part of it is when a born-shags owns it and even dreams while walking that he is being rubbed off his mobile with violence. So please stop being illiterate.

There is this fellow from (my village area who owns a mobile (siemen’s make) and seems to be boasting since he is the first born—shags to own a mobile though he is an illiterate boy.

The boy brags to an extent that he tells his pals to be flashing whenever he is in function or with a group of people so that he could be recognized to own a mobile.

Since the boy has a grudge with one of his first cousins. He always assumes that this cousin of his does not want to see him prosper. Due to the fact that he usually has to pass behind his cousin’s home, he took the advantage.

One Mooney night as he was going to his rented house for sleep as usual, he decided to make some fun by wailing out for help that somebody wants to rob him off his mobile phone. When people gathered around and asked what was wrong. He quickly said that his first cousin was the one who was trying to snatch him his mobile phone. Something surprising is that by the time this boy was shouting for help, his first cousin was busy in the house with some his brothers telling stories.

When asked how the attacker was dressed, he couldn’t even give a clear and vivid description about the attacker, he said one description after another and even ended up mixing his own mind that the person he saw resembled his cousin or not. He didn’t have a stand
… So at the end he accepted the fact that he was just imagining things that had never happened to him and even asked for forgiveness.

Mobile owners please don’t be silly, know that even street children own mobile these days. Don’t imagine of being rubbed off a mobile and then you start imagining / thinking out aloud because the day that it will be stolen, nobody will believe you, since you are always a dreamer.

Report By Eve Shaureen

THE IMPORTANCE OF THEATRE IN HEALTH COMMUNICATION.

Drama is the most exciting method of information. It reaches a thousand at one go. Its easy to understand with a need for previously learnt skills i.e. reading and writing and it is friendly because people actually see themselves on stage. In situations where illiteracy and other impediments to information access abounds; drama offers the best opportunities for participation in identifying needs and general awareness building. Through drama as artists are able to paint the picture of the community with its various social health and economic problems.

The importance of drama in health communication like us Jiinue’s we use people’s language, idioms and other forms to deal directly with Socio-Economic problems that faces our communities.

I have always encouraged youths in my community to join theatre because to me I always feel that theatre;

i) Is entertaining, educational and developmental.
ii) Is culturally relevant and inexpensive.
iii) Can be used to raise issues of the moment to stimulate discussion and dialogue.

I have always seen the effectiveness of drama in health communication since I started performing as PET. Member as in.

i) That it invites community participation in health development projects.
ii) It analyses health development issues.
iii) Health in mobilization / calls communication.
iv) Enhancing innovation and creative approaches to health development issue and problems.

Drama also helps in building confidence as in problem identification, data collection, analysis or organizing for collective development action. Some of the artists that I have seen have gained personality through drama. For those like SANDRA who cannot hit the nail on the head; why not try drama to be an artist. It’s a lot of fun in this field. You cannot believe unless you give it a trial.

Report By
SANDRA ALICEJIINUE THEATRE GROUP

Sagam Village, Kenya

Wednesday, December 08, 2004

MARENYO (RSA) COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

JI-INUE NDANI YA AMANI THEATRE GROUP

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