It is always a treat to visit the Kanyala Little Stars School on Rusinga Island. I have been dropping in to this school for the past 8 years and it has been interesting to see it grow and prosper. The school was started by Benta Odihambo, a local widow and ex-teacher who poured her heart into trying to improve the education of vulnerable kids in the community.
For a long time, she struggled to make it work but in the past few years, with support from CanAssist and other individuals and organizations the school has grown to 290 students all the way from age 4 to Grade 8.
The newest addition of classrooms to Kanyala Little Stars school. Still a bit of outside finishing to to but it is a sturdy and spacious building.
This year we were pleased to provide funding for a building that houses two classrooms. Since the property is running out of space, provision was made with a strong base to eventually be able to move upward.
The school has had academic success with their grade eight students standing at the top of the local district and third out of ninety in the sub-county in standardized exams done to determine admission to secondary school.
Benta Odihambo’s sons, Blasto and Samwel accept the donation from the St Mark’s congregation in Barriefield to purchase sanitary pads for the older girls at the school.
The women of St Mark’s Church in Barriefield, just outside Kingston, have formed a special bond with Kanyala Little Stars and I was pleased bring money from these women to the school for purchase of sanitary pads for the older girls – a program that has dramatically improved attendance for these girls, one of whom topped the girls marks for the district.
I have missed having a visit with Mama Benta this year – she died unexpectedly in mid 2013, but the family continues to manage the school and attempts to keep the high standards.
Yesterday I paid a visit to the S.P. Geddes Early Childhood Development Centre near the fishing village of Kamin Oningo on the shore of Lake Victoria in Kenya. The school has been named after my late father who, through the CanAssist African Relief Trust, funded construction of classrooms, a latrine, water tank and fencing for the school.
Dad’s name is emblazoned on the school gate and a Canadian flag flies proudly beside the Kenyan one in the school grounds.
In addition, when I visited the school two years ago there was a little fellow who they had named Stewart Geddes, in honour of my Dad. This child is now about 2 1/2 years old and wanders around the school like he owns it.
When you ask him what his name is he replies “S.P”. Now this is particularly endearing to me since my mom always lovingly called my Dad “S.P.” I got to have a visit with him and even a cuddle when he fell asleep on my lap. Any parent/grandparent will know just how special this is.
I also visited the community fishing village where CanAssist provided a latrine where before there was none. The Beach Management Unit Chairman reported that it was being used and maintained and that just the day before the Public Health Officer visited the community and commented how this was a grand health improvement.
I plan to return to the school next week. A Kingston family has asked me, on their behalf to set up a small feeding program at the school to set up better nutrition for the 120 kids who attend. I will work on that and hopefully have photos of the children enjoying a nutritious lunch later in my time here.
I first started to feel like I was back home in Africa when I got on the Kenya Airways plane in London and was greeted by polished, professional, friendly flight attendants, all dressed in bright red blazers. They are just so welcoming and gentle and I knew I was in good hands.
After 35 hours of travel, like the lions, I needed some rescuing so I was excited and pleased to be met at the Kisumu Airport by Mary Etuku, the manager of the ICIPE Guest House where I will stay for three weeks.
After a brief stop to get my mobile phone working properly, we drove to Mbita, about 2 1/2 hours from Kisumu.
I had come to Kenya to visit but also to check on some of the projects we have been doing in the last year and realized as we bumped along that we would pass one of our school projects near Kendu Bay. Our driver, Kennedy , kept his eyes peeled and found the sign for Kamser Primary School so we did a U-turn and headed back , unannounced.
Desks at the Kamser Elementary school provide in 2014 by CanAssist.
The students were away from the school on their lunch break but three teachers sat under a tree marking notebooks. They took me into the classrooms to show me the desks that CanAssist had funded last year. This was a bit of a win-win since the desks, rudimentary but functional, we’re all made by local carpenters, thereby providing some modest local employment as well as providing the desks for the students. CanAssist had also provided a rainwater catchment tank. The teachers told me that after a good rain, the tank fills and can supply drinking water for the 500 pupils at the school for several weeks. Prior to getting the desks, the students, usually 60-80 per classroom, were sitting on the floor to learn.
I was delighted to start my 2015 Africa trip this way. My Jet lag dissolved. I was pleased to see how these teachers were appreciative of our support and their report of how this contribution to the school had made a difference to the well-being of the students.
After a good rain, this tank will be full and provide clean drinking water at the Kamser school for several weeks.
I may have brought them something else – another blessing. About 10 last night there was a 2 hour torrential thunderstorm that dumped much-needed water on the community. There has been no rain for weeks. I smiled as I lay in bed, my screened patio door open, and listened to the rain pour down, knowing that around this community there were water tanks filling up.
The sunsets over Lake Victoria from the lawn in front of the ICIPE Guest House are wonderful.
Today has been a beautiful, cold, crisp, clear wintery day in Kingston. Fresh white snow, blue skies, lots of sunshine. My friends in Africa would find this unbelievable. The sun is shining and it is minus 10 degrees. But if you bundle up and soak in the beauty it is truly incredible.
A post-Christmas tradition for me when I spend a few holiday days in Sarasota is to go to a couple of movies. If the weather looks dull, I jump on the Longboat Key trolley into town to catch a matinée.
Here are some of the films I have seen this week.
Gone Girl.
Generally I like this kind of film with convoluted plot lines and the peeling off information like layers on an onion. When I got to the end, however, I left the theatre feeling generally uneasy. I was not sure why. I think that by the end of the movie, I was feeling like I had spent two hours with characters, none of whom, I liked. I liked the acting. I didn’t like the characters. Maybe this is a credit to the movie that they could get under my skin so much.
I had the initial plot twists figured out almost from the word go. So I enjoyed the second half of the movie more, not being sure where it was all heading.
I looked online when I got home to find that there has been quite a bit of discussion about the ending of the book (and movie). It seems that I was not alone in finding it unsatisfying. It is difficult for me to say much more without a lot of spoilers. So I will let you see for yourself. 3 1/2 Stars out of 5 from me.
Into the Woods
I will start by saying that I am generally not a Sondheim fan. I find his music lacks tunefulness. And Into the Woods is particularly lyric heavy with the music fitting the lyrics rather than the other way around. I have also said before that there are very few stage musicals that adapt well to film.
This one is an exception. The fantasy and story-line(s) of Into the Woods worked better for me as a movie than when I have seen it performed live. In a movie you can make a real Giant, a beanstalk and a witch that disappears in a whirlwind of dust. This visual stuff was lots of fun.
I liked Meryl Streep when she was witchy, Johnny Depp when he was Wolfish and the two princes made me laugh out loud when they were singing “Agony” while splashing around in a waterfall. The kids in the movie were fantastic and I liked it that the actors were not all people I knew. In Les Mis I was put off by the fact that I was very much aware that I was watching Hugh Jackman and Sasha Barron Cohen and Russell Crowe.
I came away thinking that there must be a life message here somewhere but the problem is that there are hundreds. Lots of overlapping themes – parent and child, good and evil, old and young, rich and poor, right and wrong, lost and found – you named it, it’s there. Then again, isn’t that like life itself. We are wandering in the woods and never sure what is coming next or where it will take us. Life just isn’t a straightforward story.
This movie may become the 21st century equivalent of Wizard of Oz. It must have been tempting for director Rob Marshall to shoot this film in 3D but I am glad he did not. No need to overwhelm us.
If you like the stage play you will probably like the movie. If you can’t let your fanciful self go into the muddle in the woods or you don’t like people singing their dialogue you may find this one over the top. I liked it and give it 3.5 stars of 5.
The Theory of Everything
Stephen Hawking is certainly an unusual phenomenon and this movie outlines the earlier part of his life extremely well. Sometimes it is a struggle to watch but then you think what a struggle that life must be to live, both for him and his family. Incredible, really. I am sure there were many moments in the lives of Hawking and his family that would not make for good cinema so we are just witnessing the tastier bits.
Eddie Redmayne is consistently in character and gives a realistic portrayal of the disabled Hawking. His contorted facial expressions are all that he has left near the end to tell us what he is thinking and feeling and he does this extremely well. Oscar bait here.
Felicity Jones (who is she, anyway?) also gives a strong, moving and credible performance as Hawking’s wife, Jane.
Cambridge as a backdrop is elegantly perfect.
Warning: you will shed tears. 4 stars of 5.
PK
I picked this one to see as I thought it would be different. It was.
It is a mash up of Mork and Mindy/ET/Fred and Ginger meet Austin Powers done up Bollywood style, set in Bruges, Belgium and Delhi, India and all in Hindi with sub-titles. It is a 2 1/2 hour story about a big-eyed, big-eared alien from another planet trying to get home and two star-crossed lovers who need his help to find themselves again – with social commentary about religion and a few song and dance spectacle numbers thrown in. The film is awash in pastel colours, almost cartoonish at times but very pleasing to watch. And I must admit that I like the Bollywood production numbers, if just for their vitality.
Although it has broken the record for Bollywood films internationally I was alone with two women who did not need sub-titles in the theatre watching it the afternoon I went. I have no idea how many stars to assign to this movie. I have nothing to compare it with. I did find it entertaining. And it was drizzling rain on the beach so this was a bright alternative.
I have been in Florida for the past ten days, enjoying some warmth and sunshine and wandering barefoot in the Gulf of Mexico. The sunsets here have been colourful most evenings and I have taken a drink and my camera to the beach at 5:15 to just sit and soak them up.
Next month I will be enjoying equally spectacular sunsets overlooking Mfangano Island in Lake Victoria almost on the equator in Kenya.
I will share a compilation of photos of the past week with you here. Sit back and enjoy.
Facebook has been offering photos from the past year as a rehash but it only uses photos that were posted on my Facebook page. Anyone who knows me also knows that I like to do things my way. So here is my version of 2014 in review.
In addition to these photographic glimpses, there were many more moments/hours with family, medical residents, friends who share my passion for helping in Africa, the cast and crew of Fault, Starbucks chatters and my KIngs Town Players Brew Pub buds – lots of friends and family to hug and laugh with throughout the year. Thanks to all of you who were part of this. And for those who missed out in 2014… we are starting a new year if you want to be in next year’s collection of happy memories, I am always willing to have coffee or a beer or dinner or lunch or just a chat.
I bought myself a Christmas present today while in town to see a movie. It is my very own All-Clad 3 qt Stainless Steel Sauté pan with its own lid and a handle that stays cool. At home I do a lot of stove-top cooking with veggies and rice and pasta and salmon and this pot has been crying to me through the store window all week.
I then went to the store and bought some stuff to try it out, just guessing what I might make. Here is the recipe I came up with. It was a great initiation for my pan.
Step by step instructions:
1. Turn on your stereo to some music you like and with which you can sing along. You may also want to close the curtains as dancing might break out. I am a big proponent of the “Dance like no one’s watching” slogan as long as no one is. My music choices included Toto, Queen and Slumdog Millionaire. I sang and danced as I cooked. It adds flavour of some sort, I find.
2. Open a bottle of red wine. I chose one that was recommended by Bob Benford when he and his wife visited me earlier this week – Apothic Red – California – good choice, Bob. 3. Gather the ingredients and chop them up. I got some Roma Tomatoes (I am disappointed in the quality of vegetables available here in Florida. These ended up rather anemic. You would think with this weather they could grow decent veggies. I guess not.). Porcini mushrooms (all that was left in the mushroom bin this evening as obviously the tourists are flocking in and getting ready for New Year’s), Onion, garlic, fresh basil.
4. Boil up the water in a big pot with a bit of salt and when it is boiling throw in some spaghetti. 5. Heat up the Sauté pan over medium heat and when it is hot add some oil, just enough to cover the bottom. When that heats (about 30 sec to a minute) add the onions then garlic then mushrooms and finally the tomatoes. Stir for a couple of minutes till they all are cooking nicely then put the lid on the Saute pan, peeking and stirring occasionally.
6. When the spaghetti is al dente, drain it, spray it with some cold water and then add it to the tomato mix. Add the basil at this point too. This final cooking of the pasta in whatever sauce for a couple of minutes is something my Italian friend, Gloria taught me. It allows the pasta to take up some of the flavour of the sauce, whatever it is.
7. Onto the plate and top with grated Parmesan. I had enough for two, as you can see but I toughed it out and ate it all myself. 🙂 Next time I will add capers as well for a little zing.
The pan manufacturer said that clean up would be easy and it was. Warm soapy water and a dishcloth. No stick. Makes me very happy.
Can’t wait to try some more. This will likely be my go-to kitchen pot. Now, how to fit it into my carry-on luggage?
Tonight I experienced a different sort of Christmas Eve from the many I have had before.
Before I start, let me add, that my three kids and five grandchildren were all with me on the weekend and we had a really wonderful celebration of the season. The next day I headed to Longboat Key, Florida to a time share that I have “owned” for 35 years. In fact, my family spent a few Christmases here many years ago.
Today, despite being about 27 degrees C there was rain on the horizon so I jumped on the Longboat Key trolley into Sarasota to a movie. Review to follow.
The movie was out at 6 and the next trolley back to Longboat was not for an hour. As I walked up the street it looked pretty deserted, only a few people hanging about looking somewhat inebriated by the bus station. I was early and across the street was a bar that seemed to be hopping. So I went over to grab a beer while waiting for the bus
Tables were full but there was a place for me at the bar, right beside the band. What fun I had waiting for the bus. After only one beer I was definitely into the Christmas spirit, toe-tapping and smiling ear to ear and singing along. If my bus was not due I would have stayed for a second.
At the bus station I sat near three guys who were happy to be together, no money but spending Christmas Eve w
ith each other. Friends. After a lot of hugging and Merry Christmases they decided that they had 17 minutes until their bus arrived and they should go get a beer. My suspicion is that they would miss their bus. But it was actually heartwarming to see them enjoying each other’s friendship and feeling festive despite their circumstances.
As I got on the bus it started to pour rain. I was the only rider. It was like having a chauffeur back to my condo and the rain let up just as I was to get off the bus 100 metres from where I am staying.
For Christmas, my daughter Heather had given me some US$ to spend on entertainment while on holiday. Today, for $22 I got transport in and out of Sarasota, a movie a beer, a tip for the bartender and $5 for a guy sitting beside me who was listening to the music but had no money to buy a drink. A priceless Christmas Eve.
The evening was memorable. I am still smiling and feeling very Christmasy despite being here on my own and it being warm outside. I am happy. I hope your Christmas Eve has some memorable moments too.
Some stories get told over and over again at Christmas. Frosty the Snowman, Night Before Christmas, The Wise Men and Shepherds. This is one I like to remember and particularly this year.
One of the Christmas traditions for Canadian families involves putting up the tree.
Flashback to 1957.
Our family has recently moved into a new house on Victoria Street in London, Ontario. It is time to put up the Christmas tree. My Dad is delegated to get a tree and bring it home for the family to adorn on a wintry Saturday afternoon.
Dad drags the tree into the living room, leaving a trail of sticky pine needles through the kitchen and over the dining room carpet. The tree, of course, is much bigger inside than it appeared on the lot. The top spire is bent up against the ceiling. Dad heads back out to the garage to cut it…
johnageddes 