Tanisha and I, after over 30 hours of travel (including a long layover in Amsterdam where we actually got to get out of the aiport, explore the city, and even enjoy some real Danish pastry), made it back to Fort Collins safe and sound late Monday night. We are currently recovering from the travel and craziness of our travels, starting to sort through all of the information we gathered, while also jumping back into classes for the home stretch of spring semester. We are very excited to compile everything we learned, start planning for a successful summer field study, and return to Kenya in May. We think there is so much potential to make a positive and lasting impact with the work we are doing...we can't wait to get on the ground and hopefully make a true contribution!!
Check out this link to see pictures from our trip...
http://travel.webshots.com/album/570664387vRMmwD?vhost=travel
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Heading Back...
Karibou!
We are in Nairobi after a long week in Njoro and Eldoret. We are boarding a flight tonight at 10pm tonight and will arrive in Denver Monday night.
This trip has proved to be very fruitful and we are very grateful to all the people we have met and their openness to collaboration with us. Kenyan people are so kind, we are looking forward to our return at the end of May.
We have much more to report and pictures to share when we are back in the States, but due to lack of time here are at the internet cafe I must keep it short.
Until then...
We are in Nairobi after a long week in Njoro and Eldoret. We are boarding a flight tonight at 10pm tonight and will arrive in Denver Monday night.
This trip has proved to be very fruitful and we are very grateful to all the people we have met and their openness to collaboration with us. Kenyan people are so kind, we are looking forward to our return at the end of May.
We have much more to report and pictures to share when we are back in the States, but due to lack of time here are at the internet cafe I must keep it short.
Until then...
Monday, March 16, 2009
Jambo (Hello) from Egerton University
What an experience the last couple of days have been. I think both Tanisha and I are still in awe that we are finally here and really getting the opportunity to see the region and meet the people we have been reading about so intently for the last 4 months!
After we wrote last, we went exploring around Nairobi and did some shopping at the Village Market. Tanisha worked her bargaining skills for some Kangas (a wrap worn by women in Kenya) and a few other gifts and she did a great job but was later disappointed by the lower prices being offered by other stalls within the market. And it was hilarious, with her competitive spirit she was so angry with herself the rest of the day!!
Yesterday, after attending church we made our way here to Egerton University in the Rift Valley...what a drive! There were baboons and warthogs and zebra right on the side of the road, grazing right along side goats, sheep, and cows...you definitely can't see that back home. And then Dr. Semenye took us on our own little safari (which means journey in Swahilli) down to Lake Elementaita to see the flamingos...what a site. And there were these two boys who were running after the car the entire time wanting to sell us the beautiful flowers they had made from the flamingo plumes they had collected. With their determination, running after us for such a long distance, we could not resist!! It really puts into perspective the situation here...
Today we had our first opportunity to see the River Njoro region. Getting a real lay of the land was really exciting and fulfilling after reading about it for so long. We were also able to visit some of the household that have been using the filter. I really can't find the words to explain the experience. Reflecting on the day I think we are both extremely overwhelmed by the extent of the need but also encouraged by the opportunity and potential to really make a difference!!
Until next time...
After we wrote last, we went exploring around Nairobi and did some shopping at the Village Market. Tanisha worked her bargaining skills for some Kangas (a wrap worn by women in Kenya) and a few other gifts and she did a great job but was later disappointed by the lower prices being offered by other stalls within the market. And it was hilarious, with her competitive spirit she was so angry with herself the rest of the day!!
Yesterday, after attending church we made our way here to Egerton University in the Rift Valley...what a drive! There were baboons and warthogs and zebra right on the side of the road, grazing right along side goats, sheep, and cows...you definitely can't see that back home. And then Dr. Semenye took us on our own little safari (which means journey in Swahilli) down to Lake Elementaita to see the flamingos...what a site. And there were these two boys who were running after the car the entire time wanting to sell us the beautiful flowers they had made from the flamingo plumes they had collected. With their determination, running after us for such a long distance, we could not resist!! It really puts into perspective the situation here...
Today we had our first opportunity to see the River Njoro region. Getting a real lay of the land was really exciting and fulfilling after reading about it for so long. We were also able to visit some of the household that have been using the filter. I really can't find the words to explain the experience. Reflecting on the day I think we are both extremely overwhelmed by the extent of the need but also encouraged by the opportunity and potential to really make a difference!!
Until next time...
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Nairobi for the First Time...
This is Tanisha reporting from Nairobi, Kenya. After 24 hours, a small debate about Amsterdam being Dutch or Danish while on our layover in Amsterdam, 4 movies (including Australia- which I highly recommend) , and multiple airline meals including those tiny sealed cups of water, Becky and I arrived in Nairobi at about 8:30 pm last night and were able to get settled into our hotel last night and get to bed by 11pm.
I have forgotten that I have a love-hate relationship with mosquitoes. They love me, and I hate them. But by 1am I had already been bitten by a couple of mosquitoes and freaked Becky out by waking up abruptly and hurrying to spray the mosquito repellant on me and her. I also freaked her put later at 4am when I laughed out loud and lamented over the mosquitoes. Anyhow, we are taking the malaria pills-- and trying to repell the mosquitoes as best as possible. Not a big deal yet.
We already met with a contact who has been doing extensive work with Biosand Filtration and other development work in rural parts of Kenya. The meeting proved to be encouraging to both of us, and hopefully has set the pace for the rest of the trip. Tomorrow we are off to Njoro to meet Dr. Semenye and other project partners at Egerton University.
Until next time....
I have forgotten that I have a love-hate relationship with mosquitoes. They love me, and I hate them. But by 1am I had already been bitten by a couple of mosquitoes and freaked Becky out by waking up abruptly and hurrying to spray the mosquito repellant on me and her. I also freaked her put later at 4am when I laughed out loud and lamented over the mosquitoes. Anyhow, we are taking the malaria pills-- and trying to repell the mosquitoes as best as possible. Not a big deal yet.
We already met with a contact who has been doing extensive work with Biosand Filtration and other development work in rural parts of Kenya. The meeting proved to be encouraging to both of us, and hopefully has set the pace for the rest of the trip. Tomorrow we are off to Njoro to meet Dr. Semenye and other project partners at Egerton University.
Until next time....
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The beginning of something beautiful...
Greetings!
Well this is the first official blog for the Running Water International blog. This is Tanisha now 1/5th of the team based out of the GSSE (Global Social Sustainable Enterprise) at Colorado State University. Becky and I will be heading to Nairobi, Kenya tomorrow for our Spring Break. We will be in-country, making contact with our project partner (SUMAWA) a research group comprised of UC Davis, University of Wyoming, and Egerton University (in Kenya). We will also get a chance to see some communities that are already using the Biosand Filter and how it has impacted the communities.
If we get a chance, we will send reports from the field this spring break. Above is a picture of our team (Becky Fedak, Dr. Rick Turley, Tanisha White, Aseel Anton, Sanghamitra Chatterjee, not pictured- Muna Luftallah).
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