Dora’s Corner: April Updates from East Africa

April is here and as promised, there is a lot more to share on what’s been happening with Global Partners and the communities.

I got to make a much-anticipated return trip to Turkana in the last week of March through to the 2^nd of April. This time, I was accompanied by an Engineer to pave the way for selection, partnership, and implementation of a pilot project in either Kekorisogol (a community in Turkana South) or Lopii (a community in Turkana East). I loved the weather. It was good seeing familiar faces and focusing more on the vision of what a collaboration with these communities would amount to. 

We also have two new projects that we are embarking on: 

1. Construction of two new classrooms and latrines for boys and early learners at God Agak Primary in Homabay County.
2. Construction of latrines—three doors and urinal wings each for boys and girls, and 2-doors each for teachers and early learners at Bar Mathonye Primary in Kisumu County.

New projects often mean new communities and the opportunity to improve on our approach to project implementation and partnership. Now more than ever, there is a great shift and need for infrastructure in public primary schools given the advancement of Junior Secondary Schools. More schools and communities are reaching out calling for collaboration on construction of classrooms, latrines, and provision of water facilities in schools.

In last month’s post, I shared an update on the online course I’m taking called African Women in Leadership and Mental Well Being, and we are halfway through the course. The first three discussions focused on: Integrity, Forgiveness and Resilience. Clarah and I consult after each session and it’s great to have someone I can bounce off ideas, especially if there was a bit that needed clarification. There are three sessions to go and I can’t wait to wrap them up.

I am reading more as well and on the lookout for policies or literature on areas of interest, and this month I got to read An Access to Justice Manual for Persons with Mental Disabilities by ICJ-Kenya (link here). This manual provides an overview of the current policy and legal framework for persons with mental disability, including regional and international instruments that provide for their rights and outline state obligations.

Schools close on either the 20^th or 21^st of this month and I am very pleased that we would initiate the two new projects before they break.