Yesterday the apartment which will roughly house us for a
month or so was leased. It is truly a
nice place with cold running water, toilet and shower. As we are only staying the short time the
furnishings will make it like camping in a suburban apartment. It is on the edge of Isiolo and so far
tonight it is fairly quiet.
Monday we started in earnest. First a trip down the beautiful wide empty
newly tarred road to a nearby village to look at a building style that would
work even better than what we had planned. As most of the residents in this area do not
drive or own an automobile, Mickey the van comes in handy as a “free Ride” for
many. Their fare this time was a photo.
Then off the main
road to the dusty, bumpy dirt road. Isiolo
area is a dry, semi arid desert. The
stark beauty is striking. Trees with a
few green leaves hanging on until the rains. Trees with no leaves only thick
thorny branches to protect them from the scorching sun. We meet a few truck carrying sand. The Turkana
community is finally earning some compensation for the sand pits that are on
their communal land. This not only
brings in money for the community from the sale of the sand but also employment
for many of the strong young men in the community. This is one of the happiest events for this
community. A meeting of the Turkana
community in this area had been planned for the discussion of a variety of
community issues. Paul Mero thought it a wonderful idea to bring the Rescue
Center to the front at this time. The meeting was long and hot but the Turkana
community is very welcoming. Children
greeted me and some cried that terrified“first white person” cry. The meeting as usual is under “the Tree”. I
am never quite sure how they tell everyone to meet and under which tree. But
when we arrived there were some tables set up under the tree and a gathering
crowd of men, women and children. One of
the interesting things to notice is and he variety of clothing. 
From the most
traditional shuka, with interesting hats decorated with feathers, knives,
spears and walking sticks for the men; kanga, and mountains of neck beads for the
women through shirts, ties, cotton dresses to jeans on women!. The women mostly
gathered under trees further in the distance and many cooking a meal. The men
were gathered under two trees around the tables. Security guards were posted
around the meeting site in case there was any outside disturbance. As the
meeting time drew nearer, people could be seen coming cross the sand in all
directions. Finally the meeting began
with greetings and prayer.
During the speaking opportunities from elders and community
leaders, I wandered around a bit and greeted women, children, security officers
and men. Many did not speak English but
those that did were more than happy to explain about their culture. Younger men gathered separately from the
elders. This is the tradition. Elders will approach the young men when they
have something to say or teach. The
younger men can approach the elders but usually with a problem for them to solve.
It I Some of the elders remember our first meeting in 2009
when they dedicated the land to the project.
It has taken until 2012 to obtain a building grant and some had wondered
what had happened. They were very happy to see I was back and this time ready
to build. They are ready to dedicate
time and resources to the project.
After a long day, I returned to Isiolo town to purchase the
bare essentials for a comfortable night sleep.
A mattress, sheets and pillows.
Then off to the new apartment to “camp” in the hallway as it is the only
light bulb in the place. Here I sit
alone on a round café style chair in the darkness, recalling the adventure of
the day, wishing for a cup of tea with fantastic
little modem connecting me to the rest of the world.
Tomorrow, off I go shopping for household essentials, like a
tea pot! Oh I suppose I could get some dishes and soap too.
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