OF SIX GLASSESS AND WHAT EATS US

Every day we meet here in our learning circles, we learn important lessons even we, as adults. I know , that is a very appropriate title. What is eating us?Today all of were asked one question, 

"There are six glasses in a row. The first three are full of water, and the next three are empty. By moving only one glass how can you make them alternate between full and empty?"

I will confirm that this question was not for the children but rather directed towards us adults. Us teachers, us who think we know it all. And as usual there are those among us who ran to answer it quickly, others who were slower and preferred to think longer , others who gave up on the first try.

Lesson learned...our children are different. Our teacher today taught us that we should not let our classrooms be controlled by the brighter children. Yes , those of us who run to answer first were actually right, but because the teacher did not give us that tick just yet, she forced us to think. To think of alternatives. What else could we do about this situation?

Do we ever give our children, even ourselves time to think of alternatives? Are we too quick to give right to those who are right ? Have we ever considered that there are others in the room given enough time will get it right? are we too quick to finish first, complete the curriculum, go ahead of the pack?

Of Kenyan libraries and Friends who support them

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together - Vincent van Goh

have you ever thought about how one book can make a difference? How one book can build a nation or inspire a movement? Have you ever thought about how a space in the right place at the right time can inspire minds?

The trip to Meru today was about a mind inspired, a space that opens doors and windows of opportunity to the youth , a space that is changing its community a person at a time.The Tunachop Launch, did not disappoint. There is something about a room full of youthful faces that moves something in me. It is a roomful of potential, bright minds and futures that we have not yet even began to be dream about.

Our hero today is named Kenneth. A young man who started off at the library (KNLS Meru ) when he was just a tot. Sometimes we underestimate the little things in life. Let me explain. This is a child that was born like any other but the difference is, he was allowed into the library and the library opened for him a window of opportunity. With free programs that teach you about computers to people who really care about what happens to the you in the community. They don't just let you as a youth sit idly. They have all this little innovative programs that keep the youth busy , from going for hikes to having a vegetable patch that the kids can participate in, to letting them participate in library activities such as putting books back on the shelves, cleaning, and going out for outreach programs. They even get certificates of participation that have seen many of them get leadership positions in their respective schools.What better space to send your child?

I could hear the pride in Kenneth's voice. He is now at Stanford University California. This son of the African soil is making people like you and me proud despite being strangers that this far He has come. He did not just leave, he is here today because he is paying it forward. He feels its time to sow the seed in others that was once sown in him. I've been watching the faces of the librarians here with immense satisfaction. The tree is grown. Here is evidence , living proof that libraries can change lives. It is one of their own. The room is filled with awe as he explains what his program can do for others. I can see minds awakened. I can see pieces fit into each other like lego blocks. This is not just a library anymore its a transformational space with great leaders.

WHERE DOES IT ALL BEGIN?
Books inspire , evoke dreams, show us that we can achieve whatever we aspire to do. However, not everyone has books. American friends of Kenya looked into Africa and saw Kenya. they say communities that needed help in terms of getting books, and not just books, but books that were well sorted, and useful and fun to read.  They came up with a model that enabled community libraries to be born and sustain themselves for years with little or nothing except for resources which they send every year that include books, library materials, school supplies and medical supplies. They do not just stop there, they promote parent involvement,encourage proffessional development and create networks to foster communications. And the impact has been felt.

That is why we are here today. This here is a library which has been touched by AFK . AFK saw that libraries both community and public were dynamic , versatile centers that invested in empowering and educating  young people. The potential for libraries is immense .In Meru, it does not just stop at Kenneth. There are many more others lives being touched here- great resources and great leaders at work. AFK's influence is not limited to Just Meru, they are all over the country through dynamic network leaders who are doing great things.

A labour of love. Selflessness that cannot be captured in words. Today I was inspired. What we do is not in vain. Wherever it is you are and you have contributed to such a worthy cause , never stop giving. It is because of you that our Kenyan sons and daughters will be able to change their communities...sometimes a book at a time, a step at a time and like Kenneth, a great idea at a time.

#American friends of Kenya
# Inspire Nyeri Kenya
# KNLS Meru

written by Emily Miller.

Water Scarcity, Cause of Conflict in Kenya

(guest writer) Francis Njuguna

World Water Day which is held annually (March 22^nd) to focus attention on importance of freshwater and advocate for sustainable management of water resources.

The 2017 theme was ‘Water and Wastewater’; in support of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.3 on improving water quality and reducing, treating and reusing wastewater. The theme intended to build on previous World Water days by highlighting the mutually beneficial relationship between water and wastewater for sustainability and development.

As we celebrated the day, majority of Kenyans are facing starvation brought about by lack of water with the most affected being the pastrolist communities who have been forced to seek water and pasture for their livestock in far off places. This made the pastrolists encroach on wildlife conservancies and other communities’ land. The encroachment led to bloody confrontations, death and loss of property. And it’s all because of water scarcity.

The 2014 Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) show that seven in ten households have an improved source of drinking water. This situation remains the same as shown by data from Twaweza’s latest opinion poll on water and sanitation. In the KDHs survey, 9 in 10 households in urban areas have improved drinking water compared to 59 percent of households in rural areas. The survey also note that it takes 30 minutes or longer to obtain drinking water for more than one quarter of households in Kenya.

Uwezo Kenya Annual Learning Assessment of 2015 shows that 54 percent of villages in Kenya do not have a protected water point. The data also established that 32 percent of public primary schools do not have a water source within the school compound and yet, for those with water source within the school compound, they actually don’t have water throughout the year. A worrying fact is that average walking time to and from water source for 12 percent of the schools is at least 30 minutes.

The Uwezo Kenya data also indicates that only 22 percent of households in Kenya have access to piped water. Twenty six percent of households in Kenya fetch water from the river, 8 percent buy water from vendors with a similar percentage depending on rainwater while 34 percent have either a shallow well or borehole as their main source of water. The 2015 Uwezo Kenya assessment data also shows that 35 percent of Kenyans do not treat drinking water.

These grim statistics demonstrate that we have a long way to go in regard to water accessibility and availability in Kenya’s households and schools. Making water accessible to all citizens as envisaged by Vision 2030 is not a walk in the park. It requires re-strategizing and allocation of more money in the right places that will support water infrastructural developments for underserved areas.

All over the world, majority of wastewater from our homes, towns, industries and agriculture flows back to nature without being treated or reused. This pollute water for drinking and irrigation by losing valuable nutrients and other recoverable materials necessary for agriculture. Reducing, safely treating and reusing wastewater in agriculture and aquaculture will protect workers, farmers and consumers from communicable diseases and promote food security, health and wellbeing.

With so many fresh water bodies and fresh rivers flowing across the republic, it is a high time that both the national and devolved government systems accelerate water accessibility to all and especially the pastoralist communities. This will go a long way in minimizing conflicts brought about by lack of water during dry spells. The government should invest to ensure that every Kenyan consumes clean water. It has been possible to connect every school in Kenya to the national power grid. It is also time the government embarked on ensuring that our children in schools have reliable clean drinking water.

These are grave concerns which require urgent attention as the 34^th President of the United States of America, Dwight D. Eisenhower, noted - among the treasures of our land is water; fast becoming our most valuable, most prized, most critical resource. A blessing where properly used but it can bring devastation and ruin when left uncontrolled.

Francis Njuguna is a researcher with Twaweza East Africa. For feedback, send an email to fnjuguna@twaweza.org