I've spent the last five days at my place so a lot has happened! Anyone viewing the new photos I have posted to my archive in the community will notice that there are some duplicates. Sorry for this but the internet connections here are so sporadic. You may notice that my fence looks an awful lot like "chain link" (as opposed to the thorn one I have been raving about for months).

It is indeed chain, but of a very VERY low quality. The Maasai urged me to use it (as many of them have begun to) as it provides superior protection against unexpected garden assaults from goats and cows.

They didn't say anything about baboons though.

Samwel and I were on the home stretch of the compound fence when they showed up. Grisly creatures....Obviously up to some sinister plan for world domination . They watched us for most of the morning and would occasionally "hoot" at one another....As if to say, "Hey, check out this white guy".

At one point, two of them sat directly opposite us with the fence as our only separation. They picked their noses for awhile, often exchanging inquisitive glances with each other. Finally they started plucking at the fence with their index fingers and SMILING at each other! I swear! This may not seem like anything overly threatening, mind you....Just offensive and I took it personal....As if they were doing it to let me know they would be back in due time (once my veggies are plump and delicious).

I've started a baboon perimeter defense campaign since they left. More barbed wire....Thinking of a solar charged electric fence also. If they want war, it's on!

Speaking of baboons, several volunteer friends of mine traveled to Hell's Gate last weekend and had a pretty interesting encounter. One of these beasties actually (violently) swiped a bag and ripped through it to get at a few bananas....Chewing up one of my borrowed Dalai Lama books in the process. The whole story they gave was pretty scary and as a direct result, the "baboon terrorist" level at "casa de' Kasey" has gone from orange to red.

The fence is now done! I feel like this first step is symbolic of success. The fence I have erected (photos to come soon) is quite a bit different than the others in the area...Mostly in that it is solid and well constructed. Many of the others made from this type of wire are not doing much. Watching the mzungu work in the sun has become a spectator sport for some of the locals. They're really curious as to what I am up to and I take every opportunity to show them what I am working on in the hopes that they will apply it at home.

I have created a new invention! Hopefully the photos made it to the community. The SUPA SIFTA has been born. Basically, the contraption is a tripod with a large suspended sifting box. It has increased our ability to sift the soil (allowing me to separate large rock, gravel, and soil) dramatically! It is working great. The deep beds will be done in no time at this rate. Planting will follow soon after!

I have been writing a lot lately. Most of my thoughts have been geared toward getting more people into a self-sustaining livelihood. I am receiving emails from people all over the world who have either stumbled across the Network website, or read a mention of me on the internet. They all say the same thing "I wish I could do that".

Of course, anyone can.

I can accept that it's difficult to break the "comfort zone" that we westerners have fallen in to but NOT impossible. Debt, the 9-5, kids this and work that. Is all that really an excuse though? Are we no longer in charge of our own destiny? When did the 401K, insurance benefits, and material things become more important than any individual moment? REALLY think about it people.

The first two weeks were hell. Now, I am settling in to a lifestyle that is so difficult to verbalize. It's physically stressful in a satisfying way, simple to comprehend, and the rules of this type of existence are so basic that they haven't changed in eons. I am loving it! Come back to us!

I've raved long enough about that for this entry but to the regular readers, prepare yourselves for more. I regret to inform you of the expiration of this phrase: "BUT I CAN'T.

GO find yourself. The only way to do it is to run against the grain of our society of prescribed nonsense.

As always, thanks for reading.

Namaste,

Kasey

Hello all.

I certainly miss writing about Kenya! I'm sure that most of you have been keeping up with the current political situation. Thankfully there has been a lull in reports of violence. With a new series of protests planned by the Orange Democratic Movement in Kenya (in multiple towns across the country), we can only hope they can keep their demonstrations are conducted peacefully. All we can do is wait and see.

Events and discussion taking place over the next week or two will determine the course we take in planning the future of our volunteer placement program and sustainable work in general. Each day I get emails or phone calls from people all over the world. They all want to know the same thing; "What are you going to do"?

I don't have all the answers on this one folks. When the Network of Change was founded in 2006, we didn't foresee a situation as unique as this one. Of course we did expect some minor issues during the election (it was discussed during more than one board meeting) and in the end, the risk seemed minimal to me. We can only look towards the opportunities that exist. Kenya needs us more than ever. In whatever way I am able, I will remain committed to our work even if a bitter end presents itself.

2008 was looking very bright for the Network. We had multiple partnership arrangements in development; good prospects for funding seemed ripe for the picking and we had a series of innovative projects planned. Though it will take a significant effort, I am considering some ideas that have been put forward in regard to the possibility of operating in another country until Kenya is calmer. Perhaps we will merely be limiting the type of work we undertake in Kenya until a later date. More on that as things develop.

I am sad to announce that the time has come to discontinue the Network of Change Community site (of which all of you are members). The site was created as a support system for our volunteer program and it has been a great resource for us to communicate with our supporters. Volunteer placement was a primary source of project funding for the Network. Since the issues in Kenya erupted, our volunteer placements have declined significantly and we have had a lot of cancellations. Therefore, we have some decisions to make in regard to Kenya's volunteer program. Closing the Community is one of those decisions.

The site will cease to operate on Friday the 18^th of January (at no specific time). If you have blog posts, photos, or otherwise that you would like to save; now is the time.

To accommodate the continued interest of our friends, I invite all of you to stay tuned via our website at www.networkofchange.org. A newly updated version of the site will soon be available to keep you up-to-date on developments within the organization and events in Kenya. Of course I will remain available at any time through email: kasey@networkofchange.org.

Newsletters will remain available and will be delivered via email.

I am pleased to say that I recently received an email from my counterpart in Kenya, Mark. He has informed me that an effort to continue work on the Beth Holloway Sustainable Garden in my absence has succeeded. The Network supporters in Olosho-oibor seem to have pulled together (as I suspected they would) to finish the project. According to Mark's report, the water tanks are in place, the gate was completed, and seeding will begin soon. With a little luck, Beth's gardens will be producing in the upcoming rainy season! I am trying to find a way to arrange some photographs for us. A special thank you to: Mark, Paul, and Rosemary for their diligence and planning ability. A very special thank you to Joel Sike, whose commitment to our work and the Network philosophy is truly astonishing.

It is of great value for us all to realize that the heart and soul of the Network of Change philosophy is still very much alive and well in Kenya.

I'm confident that 2008 is still going to be a great year. If all goes well, I will return to Kenya as soon as it's feasible. It's true that things are not proceeding exactly how we expected, but sometimes that's how it goes. A setback is all in how you take it.

In closing, here's a little tidbit I found the other day;

"Rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you".

Lao Tzu (531 B.C.)

Thanks for reading.

Namaste,

Kasey

Kenya has some problems.

I have been hesitating to post this journal entry and have kept it to myself for over 72 hours now. I have been trying to decide what to say and how to say it. In the end, I have decided it is best to keep this simple.

I am regretful to announce that I have been forced to return to the United States due to the onset of violence and political instability in Kenya. I am now in Missouri trying to regroup.

Many donors, volunteers, and members of the Network Community website have emailed to get a status update. We are doing our best to respond to each email.

In the mean time I can say only this; I will return once the situation is safe again. In an effort to ensure the safety of our volunteers, I made the judgment call that turned them around. It wasn't an easy decision and leaving was very difficult.

As of now, our projects and the work on our field post in Olosho-oibor have stopped. As updates are made available to us, I will post them here. I am meeting with the Network Directors and some advisors shortly to determine what steps need to be taken from a logistical standpoint to tie up the loose ends in regards to our volunteers, project work, and budgeting for 2008.

In closing I want to share a paragraph from today's Daily Nation in Kenya:

"Our beloved country is a burnt-out, smouldering ruin. The economy is at a virtual standstill and the armies of destruction are on the march in the Rift Valley and other places... It is unbelievable foolishness for Kenyans to destroy their economy, their homes and their entire way of life in the name of politics and on behalf of people whose lives of comfort and luxury are continuing as normal".

For the best source of news on the situation in Kenya, please visit BBC World online:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/africa/2008/kenya/default.stm

As always, thanks for reading. Thanks to everyone who assisted with getting me out of the country. Especially my family.

Please send Kenya a wish for peace.

Namaste,

Kasey

It has rained albeit only for a day and a half. The whole landscape is illuminated with a haze of relief. It has been made a fitting and welcome gift by the Maasai. Since the moisture arrived, a feeling of happiness has swept through the area. My gardens are smiling and some of the Maasai have begun planting kale.

I have moved into my house and it is more than comfortable enough for my needs. Samwel has moved into the extra room to keep me company and to free up room in Rosemary's place. I just hope he can get used to my American style of cooking. I went into Nairobi a few days ago and stocked up on food. I even found "Hunts" brand ketchup and couldn't resist.

A wonderful gift arrived just in time for the holidays. My grandmother and mother shipped a large box of cookies and sweet bread back in early November. The experiment was to see if her new sealing device would succeed in preserving the items for the trip (which always takes longer than it should). It worked! Very few things were moldy and even those that were a bit spoiled are being enjoyed with great relish by her thankful grandson. Even the green "spongy-fuzz" that accompanies the cookies is scrumptious. I suppose I have been without such treats for too long.

I will be spending today (Christmas day) with Rosemary's family. In the Ngong market I found a large kiosk filled with ripe cherries and purchased 50 shillings worth (a lot of cherries). Yesterday morning I dipped them in chocolate that I melted over the fire. I will also try to stew some apples with cinnamon and sugar for them after this entry is posted.

Speaking of which, I will cut this one short. Things here are going great. The next month will be busy since we have several volunteers on the way. As I have said before, I am looking forward to their company.

So far no election violence has been reported but tension is still present. After the 27^th things will go on much as they always have.

There are so many holidays taking place this time of year. I hope that you enjoy whichever one it is that you celebrate.

As always, thanks for reading.

Namaste,

Kasey

The drought is getting critical. There is literally no green vegetation remaining in the whole valley aside from a few little gardens and some patches of "prickly-pear cactus".

Droves of Maasai men and boys are pushing their cattle out of Maasailand and into the highlands surrounding Nairobi (and even into the city itself). Tantalizing signs of rain keep appearing but so far, there has been nothing. The cattle that were once bright and healthy have taken on a dull appearance and their eyes are full of hunger. The result of course, is suffering on the part of their owners. Soon the cows will begin to die and with them, the cultural and material value that they carry for the tribe will also be lost.

I have never seen such calamity. Despite this challenge, the Maasai I am closest to assure me that times have been worse and are sure to get better. The short rains which are historically typical for this region seem to have failed once again. One wonders what unfortunate circumstances the dawn of global warming will create next.

What is in store for us people? We should all be asking ourselves what we are going to do to help the situation.

Our garden project continues to go well. I have posted several new photos of the progress on my Network Community profile. The spring feeding the village has been sporadic with its flow so we won't be planting right away. We were able to purchase some large holding tanks and will soon have them to collect rain from the gutters of the primary school roof. Once we have a back-up water supply established, these drought periods will be more manageable from the project standpoint.

My house will be finished on Wednesday. I hope to be moving in before the weekend. I am going to hold off on posting any more photos of the progress on the house until it is done. I must say that it turned out better than I anticipated. It's a humble dwelling but very functional and should serve us well over the coming years.

Recently I decided to move my next US visit to February instead of the original plan of April. Over the past month it has become evident that the Network is moving in a whole new direction. Our 2008 budget is going to be more encompassing than originally expected. As a result, my presence is required back home for a short period of time. I'll be coming with plenty of Maasai jewelry and hope to be attending a couple of fundraisers. The main purpose of course is meetings. My schedule is already filling up. I will return to Kenya in time to be present for our upcoming library project and will likely return state-side for a second time in 2008 though the exact date is unknown.

It will be great to see my family and friends. As of February I will have been here for six months. It will probably take a bit of adjustment to be home again as the lifestyle here as compared to there is quite different. Even so, I am looking forward to the trip.

Politics here in Kenya seem to be going well. With the election rapidly approaching there have been a few isolated incidents of violence. We are all waiting to see how things turn out. The country is in a split. The two top candidates seem to have nearly equal support. It will be a close race.

Dik-dik (very tiny "elfish-like" deer) have been sneaking into my garden at night. By morning there are usually several young zucchini that have small bites taken from them. I don't know why they don't eat anything else. Samwel has been placing snares around the compound to try to snag them. He has succeeded on more than one occasion thus a generous supply of fresh meat has been available. The Maasai relish meat of any kind with gusto.

I myself don't like to see these jolly little creatures meet their end in the steel noose. Oddly I have ended up being more vegetarian since I arrived in Kenya than before. In an effort to protect the swelling Dik-dik population I have begun placing more thorns around the fence to keep them away. Samwel accepts this but with an obvious tone of disappointment.

I have become a skilled bargainer in the small markets of Ngong and Nairobi. My need for a Kenyan presence to barter on my behalf has expired. I enjoy visiting the colorful markets with their colorful people and haggling over the price of tomatoes and lamp paraffin.

It's always remarkable the people you encounter when bazaar shopping. Of course there are the ever present beggars and street children who are always approaching with an outstretched hand and a mumble of "give me pesa (money)". My policy for adults and children alike is this; I don't give money but I will buy you food. I typically take them to a café, sit them down, order the food and have a visit with them before parting ways. Some of the stories written on the faces of these people are inexpressible in writing or speech. Obviously some of the men are just out for booze money so this policy helps in weeding them out. Still, this isn't a very sustainable approach. It just fills their bellies long enough to find the next willing pocketbook. I can't say no to someone who is genuinely hungry.

The sunsets here have become my favorite time of day. I try to catch at least 5 minutes of the show each night. I don't even try to photograph them as I know a digital wouldn't do it justice.

I'll close for now. As always, thanks for reading.

Namaste,
Kasey Cox

[Kasey Cox is the Field Director for the Network of Change Organization, a 501C3 non-profit which is headquartered in the United States. For more information on the Network please visit: http://www.networkofchange.org/ or to read back issues of Cox's journals; http://networkofchange.ning.com/.]

I am glad to announce that we're making a lot of progress. The last month of this year has marked the implementation of our first sustainable garden project.

Let me begin by saying that quite a few other organizations have done these garden projects [in Kenya commonly known as "school dukas" which is Swahili for "shops"] but I really feel that more NGO's should get involved with this type of work, especially those who work in rural areas. I don't know of too many kinds of projects that are as sustainable and beneficial to a community [when managed properly] than school gardens.

Moving people toward new ways of thinking is, I think, as important as finding the fiscal means to help them.

The idea began simply enough: "Let us start a garden at this school. It won't cost much money and when it's producing, the faculty can even sell vegetables to raise money for books and other materials".

That line of thinking quickly evolved into: "Let us start a garden at this school; Not only will it give us the obvious benefits; BUT if we create an agriculture education class and offer it during lunch break [a notorious time for the older kids to slip into the bush and make "whoopee], we may be able to lower the teen pregnancy rate for the school [believe it or not; 8 in 12 months] AND teach them new methods of agriculture all at once.

[Though that last part sounds like a bit of a stretch, the implementation of an agriculture program during lunch would require one teacher to be in the school compound between 12:00 and 1:30. Just having an adult present to act as a chaperone during this time will be enough. The school admin and all of its teachers have signed off on the idea.]

So we broke ground today after about three months of research and planning. Fortunately our volunteer placement program has taken off quite well so we are filtering the majority of the fee's we've been collecting into projects like this one. In fact, if it weren't for our volunteers, this project would not be happening. Thanks to them, we have this garden and possibly one other for 2008. Hopefully we can do more of them if these two prove to be successful.

We really want to set the example with these gardens. One of the agricultural techniques we're using is the construction of a series of deep beds [which have proven to be so useful in my own growing endeavors here in Kenya].

Essentially deep beds begin with a hole about 4 feet wide and 20 feet long [to provide for easy access to the plants]. After the hole is dug, the removed soil is sifted and any remaining gravels are sorted by size for other uses. Simply enough, the sifted soil is mixed with manure and placed back in the hole. Finally, you end up with a nice fertile, sandy loam soil [similar to potting soil in consistency] with plenty of organics to hold water deep in the soil of the bed.

The interest is so high in this type of gardening [which, by the way offers incredible vegetable yields] that many people showed up just to watch us digging today. Because it is so dry and because these beds hold the water SO well in this drought stricken place, I am hoping to see deep beds as a common feature to every shamba in the area one day in the future.

The first volunteer for this project [Kate from the US] will arrive on December 30^th. A mother and daughter duo [Julia & Ashley] will arrive on January 3^rd. I'm looking forward to working with all three of these ladies. With their help, I know we will make the project reach its full potential.

The project name itself came from my wish to honor an old childhood friend. Beth was a really sweet person who I never really knew in my adult life but in my younger years, visits from Beth and her brother Lucas were events to be remembered. She was lost to diabetes some time ago and it was a huge blow for her family and friends. The Holloway family is full of very good people. When we were discussing a project name, I knew that this one had to be for Beth. A sign will be erected on the project site in her memory.

I have posted a bunch of new photos from today's work on the sustainable garden to my photo album on the Network Community site. There will be more to come as we progress.

Otherwise, things are going great. Two visitors from the US have come to stay at Rosemary's place. John and Loanna Day arrived several days ago. At first, they didn't know what to make of this white man who obviously spends too much time in the bush but luckily it didn't take long and we have all warmed up to each other to become friends. Loanna is involved with a women's empowerment organization called MWEEP [just starting] and John is helping with the construction of a bunch of desks for a remote Maasai school. Both of these people are doing great things. I am in full support of MWEEP and hope get a link to their website on the Network home page soon.

The weather has cooled off a bit but it's still really warm in mid-day. I still have to shade my deep beds to keep the younger plants from getting fried.

Now for the latest "oddball" story. Two nights ago [10:30, very late for this place] my laptop battery was dead so I made the decision to trek out to the school and get it charged; maybe do some internet chatting and emailing in the process.

Knowing full well what the risk was, I put on my large, red shukka and headed out the door. Much to the protest of my Maasai hosts who as usual didn't utter a word but instead gave me "the please-don't-do-that-stupid-thing look".

It was dark.

I made it within about 50 yards of the school before I finally saw the hyena standing right beside of me. At first I thought it was a lion but I got a REALLY GOOD look so I am quite sure today that it was a hyena.

Of course I stopped dead in my tracks. As usual, I had my big knife on me and fumbled into the big, red shukka [which was blowing about horribly in the high winds that plague the valley every night] for a good grip.

Human and hyena; the two odd creatures just stood looking at each other for awhile. I decided after a few moments that it wasn't so menacing and finally I hissed a little. I meant to whistle. It came out as a hiss.

Terrified, the mad beast ran away. So did the hyena. [Just kidding children; never run from something with k-9's that is that much bigger than you areJ]. But I did go home and cursed myself for being such an idiot and going out so late.

I'm since told that the same night a cow was taken down my hyenas just a short distance from the school.

Ahhhhhhhh. Just another day in Africa.

As always, thanks for reading.

Namaste,

Kasey

Though it may be annoying for regular readers, I think I will mention one last time how convenient my existence has become since I can access the web from out here. (No more trips to town, yeah!) The regular aspects of managing the Network of Change only take up a few hours in the morning and night. Some days are busier than others of course, but luckily most of the time; I have the majority of the day to work on my place.

Actually, I expect to have the whole house framed (and mostly square) by tomorrow evening. I say "mostly square" because the only available lumber is rough sawn and most of it is rickety and twisted from drying out too quickly as it sat in anticipation of a buyer. This stuff will work fine for what I need though; I'm not looking for anything too fancy.

I would have been finished framing by now if not for yet another scorching day. To describe the sun here as merely "searing" is a drastic understatement. It's REALLY, REALLY an inferno. You could fry an egg on a rock in the shade (perhaps I will give that a try to see if I am exaggerating that one or not).

Kenya's expected short rains are nowhere to be seen and it is very dry. The whole of Maasailand is a crunchy brown. I know the Maasai cattle are feeling the effects of not having enough for grazing. If things don't improve, all of the animals are going to start losing weight quickly. Everyone here is anxious for rain. Their thoughts are always turned toward the sky and their prayers (which blare each Sunday from a loudspeaker outside of their PCA church) seem to be laden with requests for mvua (rain). Typically January is noted as a very dry month. If we don't get some moisture soon, January could bring some real trouble.

The strangest thing is that a week ago, the weather was quite different. It was dry, but cool and quite tolerable outside. It has taken less than a week of direct sun to put us in the straits we're in now.

The heat has also caused my crops to wither. To protect them, I spent today constructing large shade screens (wooden frames with large pieces of burlap stretched over them) which are working fairly well at projecting shade onto the deep beds and the nursery. I'll have to move the screens every morning and after mid-day, but I can almost hear the plants sighing with relief. Another few days of direct sun at these temperatures would have been fatal for a lot of the plants I am trying to cultivate.

Luckily, my water needs are really minimal. The deep beds retain moisture like a sponge and since I started mulching with white plastic (for a cooling effect) and sawdust, a few liters is all it takes to get us through each day. If I needed too much water, I think the community would be throwing crooked glances. They already think I am nuts for building a toilet without digging a hole (I'm doing one of those dry compost toilets). On top of that, the crazy white guy (more red these days because of the sun) still attracts a lot of gawkers who still can't believe I am capable of physical labor.

A special thanks to Jeanne. She gave me a gift of several chickens a couple of days ago. They're really great and they seem to love the coop we built for them. For now, I have to catch them each evening and put them in a cardboard box for the night. Without someone to sleep nearby, they are at the mercy of whatever creature may have a hankering for a nice chicken dinner. Once I move into the house, I'll be close enough to them to leave them out all night. Hopefully we'll have eggs soon.

To say I have been in a grumpy mood for the past two or three days would be correct. Necessity has dictated that I practice more patience than usual and it's been a bit of a struggle. This turmoil revolves around the fact that the Maasai are absolutely, one hundred and ten percent certain that it is beyond my skill level to build a simple iron sheet shack. (Though it's looking just fine and is already 30% finished).

I remember that we went through this same process when I was putting up fence; I think I had more patience back then since I was still new to this place. When I was tacking up the fence I don't know how many times I heard "but you are white", or "how is it that you don't hire a fundi to do you work"? (Fundi means handyman). Those who didn't speak just gave strange looks.

After the fence was done, people came from all over and looked it over in approval. The comments turned to; "The posts are very, very strong" and "nzuri sana, sana!" (Meaning; very, very good!) I even got requests to help put up fence for other people! Again, those who didn't speak just gave strange looks.

But now, their ever shifting attention has turned to the shack. I have to remind myself that even a simple construction project like this is, to them, a big deal. It's a new house, and the standard for the area. Sometimes it's hard to keep smiling despite the fact of how funny it all really is. And in case you're wondering, those who don't speak are STILL delivering very strange looks!

I have to keep holding myself back a little to keep from rushing on the work. I find myself very anxious to prove them wrong on this issue. The agitation stems from my desire to want them to be able to relate to westerners (besides me) on their own level, at least in some way.

It continues to interest me how their views ended up so distorted toward the west. Even those who have traveled to the US or Europe return here with a myriad of incorrect notions about westerners. There is a gap between the Kenyan culture and the western culture, and it is much wider than I realized in the beginning.

I'm really enjoying the work out here, even with all of the little, quirky aspects of existence in this country. I've become very content in this place. I still find myself humbled by how happy the poorer residents of Maasailand (and Kenyan in general) are.

There are people out here who have nothing but a mud hut over their heads, a milk cow in the back, some ugali in the cook pot, and a few naked babies running around yet; they are the most content people you could imagine. They are provided for. They are the middle class of the African world. Not even having a basic education, they have attained something most of us in the west are always in pursuit of. That simple thing called happiness. Amazing.

As always, thanks for reading.

Namaste,

Kasey

I'm excited to announce that this is the first entry that I have been able to write AND POST from my place in Maasailand. I've been lucky enough to find some local technology that allows us to pull an internet signal from the cell phone towers in Kenya through a little external modem. Of course there is no electricity out here so the solar set up I have provides all the juice my laptop needs.

It's strange to think that these days, after meditation; I can have my morning chai, putt around in my garden, then sit down and write about all of it (though I hope to have something more interesting to report from time to time). From here on in, it will be quite a lot easier to stay in touch.

Lots has been going on. Now that the Network is an official 501C3, we are making quite a few new contacts. I was fortunate enough to get to spend the last few days with two men named Wayne, and Tony from a Canadian organization called "Developing World Connections".

Wayne is the founder of DWC and a very seasoned world traveler. His life story is really interesting and his sustainable philosophy in relation to project work mirrors my own in many ways. Tony is a crew leader for the organization. He had quite a lot of questions for me when we first met and we've had some excellent conversations. I really enjoyed their company and the opportunity to show them around Nairobi and Maasailand.

They came on behalf of DWC to explore the possibility of expanding their programs into Kenya. I learned a lot just talking with them. These guys have a lot more experience than I do in this line of work so it was nice just to hear what they had to say. We're hoping to work with them as partners during our Community Learning Center Project here in Olosho-oibor in early 2008.

Speaking of projects; Preparations for the Beth Holloway Sustainable Gardens Project will launch in the next two weeks (see the project plan/proposal in the Network archives). We now have the funding to get started and everyone here is anxious to see the first big project go in.

Our own Network volunteers will be taking care of the initial work to get the project off the ground.

Once completed, the gardens will provide a source of renewable income for the school and will also act as a local educational resource since we'll be implementing some agricultural techniques that have not been seen around here. The students and teachers will be able to turn the money earned from selling vegetables into funding for books, materials, new desks, and whatever else is needed. This project will also really benefit the local community by providing a location for them to purchase fresh, organic produce (rather than traveling all the way to town).

There is a ton of work to be done of course. The digging will be extremely taxing since the area is packed with tons of rock. The Network may also end up hauling some truckloads of more fertile soil from Ngong Hills into the project to help with that aspect of the work though this depends on the budget. Having a good plant nursery in place will make working with organizations like the Green Belt Movement (who is interested in planting trees in the area) easier as well. Right now we're trying to get the area fenced off (to keep the critters and livestock out) so that everything is ready for our volunteers to begin.

So all in all, things are progressing well. The Network is bearing fruit.

Personally, my morale couldn't be better though it did take a bit of a hit last week. The wind here has been really, REALLY strong lately. So strong in fact (like a sandblaster with all the loose dust), that it blew through the mounds in which I have planted my squash. It actually uprooted some of the larger plants and their roots were exposed to the wind, sand, and sun for long enough to cause quite a bit of damage. I've salvaged what could be saved. Many sprouts were lost though.

My efforts at creating sun and wind breaks (by seeding in taller plants like broom corn and sunflowers around the edge of the garden) haven't yet matured so I am hoping that this problem is not something that will recur often. I have also noted that some kind of creature seems to have taken a liking to my watermelon plants. They have been dug up a couple of times now but oddly, the plants themselves seem to like it. They're growing quicker than ever.

Now that I have internet access here, my days of traveling to Ngong, Nairobi, and Karen are pretty much over. There will be a huge cost savings associated with spending most of my days in Maasailand. From here on in, I will only go into town for food & supplies (perhaps once per week since things rot so quickly). I don't care for the cities here in Kenya so this, to me, is a great blessing. This place is really quiet and peaceful. Such dissimilarity compared to the city.

After three months of existing among the Maasai (and Kenyans in general really), I can say that I feel as though I am fitting into the culture much more easily. Understanding the method of speech they use has become easier and to make matters better, they have also gotten used to my accent. Misunderstandings are rarer these days. My propensity with Swahili grows each day. Maa (the Maasai language) is still difficult to pronounce.

A few days ago, Mark (my assistant for those who are new) and I were walking down the street in Nairobi when I got the strange urge to look upward slightly. As I lifted my head, a large wad of bird crap smacked me in the face. Most of the sticky mass adhered itself to my sunglasses (whew!) but the rest trickled down my cheek.

Naturally I stopped in mid-stride. It was a bit surprising really. Must have been a pretty large bird; perhaps something pre-historic. Noticing I had stopped, Mark put his hand on my shoulder and said "Oh, my brother. You are a blessed man!" When I inquired as to how he had reached this conclusion, he responded; "Ooooh, my family believe that if da bird feces hit de face, it mean that you prosper".

Thank goodness for optimism! Bring on the bird *&#! As always, thanks for reading.

Namaste,

Kasey

Greetings to all. I've had yet another long silence between journal entries. Since I last wrote here, a lot has happened. The Network directors in the US finally received word that our determination letter from the IRS for our 501C3 designation has been given a last stamp of approval. It's been almost a year coming so that news was very well received.

Oddly, one of those sporadic events that I am always writing about coincided with our receipt of the 501C3. So of course, the day will always be easy to remember.

On the night I received the IRS news from our chair in the US, I immediately contacted Sami (my friend and taxi driver) and asked him to take me to Olosho-oibor to grab my computer. I wanted to launch the latest version of our website right away and also inform some potential partners that some light had been seen at the end of the bleak "IRS/501C3 tunnel".

My plan was to go back to Ngong that night and work through the wee hours composing emails and making site changes. Having access to electricity for my laptop would be a luxury and I figured I could post the emails and site updates the next morning.

It was very dark before we reached Kimuka and we were still several miles from Olosho-oibor. As our car rounded a bend, I could just make out another vehicle pulled over into the ditch with all of its doors wide open. There were about ten men standing in the road so Sami had to come to a stop. He edged the car closer to see what was happening. It was then that the fight really kicked up. Apparently a group of Maasai (most in their 20's and 30's) had gotten tanked up on "changaa", (the local brew) and decided to have a free-for-all in the middle of the bush. Rocks were chucked, punches were thrown, and as quickly as it had begun, the smoke cleared and everyone began to separate. Something had happened.

Sami barked a few words of Swahili at them as things cooled down a little. In the glow of Sami's dim headlights, I saw a young kid stumbling toward the car holding his head in his hands. Blood was everywhere and was freely gushing through the spaces between his fingers. He lowered his arms and I could see an enormous gash running the length of his forehead along his scalp and down his right cheek. The result of a blow from a Maasai club (or sword, we weren't sure).

Because it wasn't safe to get out and I wasn't equipped to do much of anything to help the situation, Sami pushed through and we continued to Olosho-oibor. I was really worried about the guy so when I got to my place, I grabbed my large first aid kit and several pair of latex gloves. By the time we got back, the truck and all of its occupants had vanished. Hopefully they took him to the hospital. It was obvious that he needed stitches BIG TIME. I confess that I was relieved to find them gone...Then I felt guilty for feeling relieved!

There truly is never a dull moment in this place.

As time goes on, I am more and more astonished at the level of alcoholism here in Kenya. I scarcely go a day without seeing at least one heavily intoxicated person lying on the roadside and have even seen grown men urinate on themselves in the middle of town. Unfortunately there is no resource for alcoholics to attempt recovery. I think that at this point in Kenya's development, such a program might be in vain. Most people simply shrug them off. "That's just how he is. This is Kenya"; they say.

My place has really taken off, especially the "lil-sprouts". It's safe to say that the deep beds are a success. I've been photographing the progress of the new plants every few days. They're growing at a very satisfying rate and I am planning to spend the whole of tomorrow thinning seedlings and transplanting some of them into their permanent homes.

This week (or possibly next as my schedule is filling) I am planning to purchase the remaining materials to finish my house. Besides the water storage tanks, there is only iron-sheet (tin), a little lumber, and some cement remaining. Once the temporary house is done, I have plans to outfit it with furniture crafted from the local shrubbery. Everything is very humble but I am really proud of it. I'll be posting photos of the construction as it progresses. I'm just glad to have only one load of supplies remaining. Taking loads into the bush is a little nerve racking and a lot of work. This load will be fairly big with the water tanks so I might have to hire a lorry. At this rate I will be moving in within 3 weeks.

Mario is the last remaining volunteer. He will be leaving this week. It's a bit sad to see him go. He was here on day one when my little homestead was still bush. He is the only foreigner to have actually seen the whole process from square one until now and he has helped me a lot. Although the guy is a "pyro-maniac" (he is!), he will be missed. I'll be looking forward to the volunteers who are coming in December and so on. It appears that there will be several.

For anyone interested, a large shipment of Maasai jewelry will be on its way to the US on Wednesday, the 14th.

It's a great selection (lots of wooden idols, great jewelry, bracelets, and shukka) as I have been trying to coach the Maasai on what sells the best. A friend of mine (Silo) is traveling back to the US with everything. As far as I know, she is planning to sell what she can at a fundraiser in Seattle then she will be delivering the remainder to our directors in Meeker in person. She's volunteered to drive the distance on her own which is awesome (Thanks Silo!).

As usual, all of the proceeds go to the people who made the items. In this case, the hopes are to raise enough for a plane ticket for a pastor to travel to the US to do ministry work (which I believe is actually non-paid).

From our Directors in Colorado, a portion of the items will also be shipped to Missouri for sale.

This week I have a meeting with two men who are traveling here from an organization in Canada called Developing World Connections (DWC). We have had this meeting planned for months and I am excited to finally be able to welcome them to Kenya. We're scoping to determine if their mission and ours can work together in the capacity of volunteer placement. The prospect looks positive.

Knowing that they are receiving visitors, the Maasai have worked to prepare a traditional dance for these guys. It should be really good, they usually are. I'll probably take them to Olosho-oibor next Monday. In the mean time, I will be in Ngong a lot with relatively regular access to the internet so I am hoping to accomplish a few things as a side effect.

The top national provider for Kenya's cellular service "Safari-com" has started offering a nifty little device that allows an internet connection from anywhere. I signed up and purchased the modem last week in the hopes of being able to send email from the bush but unfortunately they sold me a faulty SIM card so the whole process has been delayed. They're working on the issue. I am hoping that my next journal entry comes from Olosho-oibor.

I've posted some new photos to my Community profile. I think there were 20 or so. Not to brag but some of them are pretty good. Even got one of the most recent baboon invader for your viewing enjoyment.

So all in all, things are continuing to go well. Interest in agriculture continues to grow as people see my gardens. The Maasai have tons of questions for this mzungu though at times I wonder how much of what I say is lost in translation. I am continuing to pick up new Swahili words every day. The language gets easier with time though I have been so busy that it's been hard to dedicate solid time to study. Samwell's lessons have also been less than adequate over the past two weeks. The fault is mine. Hopefully, after this week things will slow down and we can pick up where we left off. It was probably good for him to have a break anyway.

I will close for now. I really enjoy hearing from everyone!

Thanks everyone for the continued letters of support.

Namaste,

Kasey

Things here in Kenya continue to go very well (except for the fact that after a week, the Network site and my email is STILL "flip-flopping" up & down! Soon reparied I hope!). My life here continues to be hectic but I've taken to following a new schedule to alleviate some of the frenzy. I've actually managed to make Saturdays my "day off" although I still prefer poking around in my garden as opposed to sitting around.

The sprouts in my garden are really shooting up now. The nursery bed is frosted with a greenish tint that really clashes with all of the crusty brown that appears everywhere else. The Maasai are hoping for the short rains to come early. This place is EXTREMELY dry right now and getting water is not easy.

An interesting new development: Some days back, a kid (20 yrs) named Elliot was passing by my compound and I stopped him so we could chat across the fence. I had noticed him passing by on occasion, obviously curious as to what the mzungu was up to. It didn't take long for the course of our conversation to turn to agriculture as I explained how the gardens were designed to function, how my dry-compost toilet would require no pit to be dug, etc.

He was amazed by the apparent effectiveness of the "deep beds" and asked to see my drawings and plans for the place. Elliot was so excited to learn about the techniques we are implementing that he practically begged me to allow him to volunteer his time to learn more. Of course, I was thrilled. He has since started his own deep beds (in hopes of growing and selling produce) and wants to make his home a self-sustaining "mirror" of my own. It's these little victories that keep me going. I continue to lament that the only way to help these people for the long term is to bring them new ideas. Seeing Maasai youth light up at the prospect of a new idea, even the simple ones is a privilege to witness.

Some time back an event occurred (now dubbed the "bovine brawl") that somehow skipped my last two entries (pardon my forgetfulness). The travesty occurred one afternoon as I was bringing a load of materials to my place. As usual, I had procured the services of a man who owns a rickety old pickup to transport everything to the bush. After buying all of the supplies, he went from shop to shop collecting everything and cramming the goods into his truck. When we met at the agreed upon place, about 15 Maasai were sitting on top of the pile, all sporting broad smiles. They were going to hitch a ride with us.

Mario (a great friend of mine and an excellent volunteer) happened to be with me during this trip. Since all other places were occupied, we climbed precariously onto the tailgate and the whole group proceeded to Maasailand. For those who have never experienced proper 3rd-world transport, let me say that any trip taken in this fashion which doesn't link to some event (or mechanical breakdown) is to be treasured as a great success.

During this particular outing, the only set-back was when the front bumper fell off the truck. The solution was easy though, it was placed ever so carefully along the laps of Mario and I and we continued on our way. "Hakuna matata" style.

This was all well and good until we (some kilometers later) encountered a fat old man standing in the road. Our sputtering engine ground itself to a stop as the driver and this "mzee" exchanged words for a few moments. Behind them, all could observe two large bulls locked in mortal combat.

Now, I am not an expert on cows. I have had my fair share of experience with them but I never really see cause to worry when two bulls are butting heads a bit....Apparently, this is MUCH more serious to a Maasai. When proper notice was taken of the bulls, several men and one very, very old man (wearing an Ohio state sweater no less) barreled out of the truck and proceeded by bombarding the bulls with ENORMOUS rocks and large sticks.

The event seemed to take on an almost ritualistic feel...Maasai men wearing their finest suit-coats and "shukka" (robes) are all at once screaming, jumping, spitting, squealing, and BEATING these two bulls senseless. In the process, the bulls crashed into an acacia tree thereby toppling it to the ground. Mario and I were speechless at first....he broke the silence with an accented (Mexican) chuckle and the phrase; "They're felling trees."

This was all too much for me to take and I burst into the worst, absolutely uncontrollable laughter I have ever experienced...It wasn't the whole event that pushed me over the edge....It was the suit-coats and the fact that I was watching all this while cradling a rusted out bumper in my lap. Tears streaming out, the Maasai women behind me patted me on the back through the whole process. They had never seen a white man laugh like that.

As suddenly as it began, it ended as the bulls fled into the bush to escape the Maasai assult. Proud, panting, sweating, and grinning, the participants each climbed back into the truck to take back their respective places for the ride home.

To truly savor the event, you had to be there. I wanted to share it nonetheless. Part of the appeal of this lifestyle is the unpredictability and I cherish the bizarre moments that frequently emerge, seemingly from nowhere.

In other news: Bodies (presumably dumped by corrupt police) continue to surface between Kiserian, Ngong, and Olosho-oibor. It seems that the newspapers have more stories regarding this horrible issue each week. In general the Maasai all say that this sort of thing happens from time to time and continue about their business almost unconcerned.

I want to send out a special thank you and goodbye to all of the volunteers that have come and gone in the past two months. Goodbye to Silo, Ana, Yasmine, Adrian, and Amy. I hope to see you all again. Each of you has contributed something special to the Maasai communities in so many ways and you know how big a part you played in making my precious gardens what they are today. Of course you are welcome any time. My shack is always open.

Saying goodbye to these folks is really difficult since we become good friends so quickly as a result of living in such close quarters. Soon the sad day will come when Mario and Jess will be heading back home. Then it will be only the Maasai and I once again.

I should close for now. I am on my way to visit a friend who lives some distance from here. I have a 7 kilometer walk through the bush ahead of myself today (after the matatu drops me by the road side). I don't want it to get dark on me so I'll say tutoanana.

Best wishes to all. As always, thanks for reading.

Namaste,

Kasey