Strike

Ever since the government announced its budget last week the teachers have been upset. One of the campaign promises made by the new president was laptops for every student entering first grade next year. Money was allotted for this in the new budget. I have been hearing fellow teachers complaining about it saying it was unfair to teachers. I didn’t understand until yesterday their reasoning.

Most employees in Kenya are civil servants including health care workers and teachers. That means when employees are frustrated with their salary or working conditions they have to negotiate with the government. It seems that the only way to get the attention of the government is to go on strike. When health care isn’t available or schools and universities are closed, that they notice. Unfortunately the government doesn’t always keep their part of the agreement.

If you remember, teachers went on strike during September last year. Part of their grievance was that they had never gotten the agreed upon salary increase promised over ten years ago. As part of the negotiated settlement, the government agreed to harmonize (make equal to) the salaries of all civil servants. (The teachers’ salary was less than other civil servants.) That agreement was kept.

However, the second part wasn’t: they would harmonize the allowances teachers receive to that of civil servants when the new budget came out. Allowances are extra pay for things such as housing, transportation, hardship allowance for those that live in remote areas, etc. That’s why teachers were so upset last week, the new budget hadn’t allowed for the increase in teachers’ allowances.

There has been talk of a strike for over a week. I really hadn’t paid much attention to the talk and we haven’t been watching the news lately. The teachers and the government started negotiations on Friday and were to continue on Monday. If the teachers’ conditions weren’t met, they would go on strike. Yesterday we heard rumours that the strike was on. However, our school representative to the union hadn’t received any official communication about a strike.

I don’t teach until 10:20 today so I didn’t go into school until about 9:30. When I got there I was informed that Mr. Terrer, our union representative, had received notice that the strike was on. Teachers were already at school and most were making arrangements to leave shortly. At tea time there was much talk in the staff room about what to do. They warned that we needed to be ready to literally jump over the fence if they should show up. Union officials often make site visits to make sure teachers are not working. Violence is usually involved.

Rumour was that they had already been to St. Michael's in Kitale this morning to check on them. Our gatekeeper had been alerted that he wasn’t to allow any visitors on the compound.

I have class at 10:20. I decided to remain because most teachers were still there, teach that class and then leave. During the last five minutes of class there was a gentleman at the door . It’s extremely unusual for visitors to appear at the classroom, it simply isn’t done. I finished my statement and walked over to greet him and see what he wanted. He politely informed me that there was a strike and that no teachers were allowed to teach. I thanked him and told him I would leave. I’m guessing I got special treatment because I’m a mazungu.

I saw four union officials. They were herding teachers off the compound. When I went to the staff room, it was pretty deserted. I gathered my things and dropped off work for another one of my classes. I heard one of the officials say they were going to escort us off the compound to make sure we left.

As I left I gave a couple of teachers a ride. Immaculate had hidden in the bathroom. There was a banging on the door and she was told to come out. I guess she was in there for over five minutes thinking he would go away. He didn’t.

Ebby was telling that she along with many other teachers were in the staff room when the officials came. They were rudely ordered to get off the compound, teachers weren’t even to be in the staff room. It sounds as if they were extremely harsh and threatening. They said they would be back this afternoon with whips to make sure no one was there.

So, I have an unexpected holiday. I won’t go to school tomorrow. I’ll go early (6:30) Friday morning to drop off work that I have prepared for my Form II and IIIs to do while I am gone for the next ten days for the wedding. They may or may not do it. If the strike lasts for long, students will be sent home. The last strike lasted for two weeks.

To further complicate all principals are in Mombasa this week for convention!

I’m glad to report that as far as I know, all St. Monica’s teachers are safe.

You Live in a Desolate Place!

After returning to Kenya from our trip to the States in April and early May, I asked John to print several photos that we had taken while we were there to illustrate spring and the awakening of the earth after the cold winter.



Armed with these photos I shared them with the students. I was so thrilled with my lesson.



We were talking about foods that grow in Kansas. I was explaining that Kansas is further north of the equator so our growing season is shorter. I was trying to explain strawberries, blueberries, cucumbers, lettuce, etc. I finally thought of the pictures in the dictionary so we opened them up to the fruits and vegetables pages.



They started asking about the foods shown there.



No, we can't grow bananas. No we can't grow pineapple. No, we can't grow mangoes, papaya or passion fruit either. I heard one of the students comment as I was leaving class that day, "Boy, it must be a desolate place!"

Mission Integration Program

John and I travel back to the States in late April for the Mission Integration Program for Maryknoll Lay Missioners that have completed their first contract. MIP is a chance to reconnect with our classmates in orientation and reflect on our experiences in other cultures. It was a wonderful experience. It felt as the if the seven of us had seen one another just a few days before rather than 3 1/2 years ago.



These are our MKLM classmates: back: Nan, Mary, Lindasy, Cindy, John front: Erica, Minh

We stayed at the convent of the Maryknoll Sisters so mealtimes were delightful. Currently there are over 100 Sisters living and working there. The cafeteria was a great place to meet them and hear stories of their time in mission. What a wealth of experience! The bad part is that we were often late for our meetings because we were busy talking to the Sisters!



We had the opportunity to spend time with two Sisters that worked in Kitale for years, Sister Noel and Paula.


The last day of MIP we had a Recommitment and Blessing ceremony. Three missioners have decided to leave MKLM and return to the States. Four of us have renewed our contracts for another three years. Mary asked me to anoint and bless her as she transitioned out of MKLM.


We were gone for three weeks. We spent the first week with Andrea and Melissa. The last two weeks were in Ossining, NY. Over the weekend we had a chance to ride the train into New York City. It was a beautiful spring day.



As we were leaving, we shared one last taxi ride with Mary. We will miss her enthusiasm, energy and smiling face here, but know she is doing what she is called to do.

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For more pictures, click here

Monkeys on our Fence

Not just anybody can say that they have monkeys living in their area! For a long time I didn't realize the difference between the sound some birds make in our neighbourhood and the monkeys chattering. It is a high shrill sound that does sound like birds. We have always enjoyed watching them play making the tree tops sway as they jump from branch to branch on the roofs.


John calls them his angels. Whenever he is discouraged or down he seems to see monkeys. That brings a smile to his face and reminds him to lighten up.




Yesterday when I went outside in our yard there were six monkeys with two babies. While I watched they moved from one tree along our fence into another tree where they began eating flowers.




Look at how long their tails are. Did you see the babies head in the mother's arms in the first picture? Isn't nature amazing?

Kenyan English

Because I’m teaching English, I’m extremely aware of the difference between British and American English. Sometimes the wording of my fellow teachers and students is interesting because it’s a direct translation of Kiswahili into English and isn’t really grammatically correct. I’ve been marking compositions, so I’ve jotted down a few that I thought you might find interesting.

We experienced some slight hiccups today. = We’ve had some problems today.

My body was removing smoke. = It was so cold I could see my breath.

We ate to our satisfaction. = We had plenty to eat.

He coughed the engine. = He started the car.

He added value. = He improved himself, his skills, or his work
.
Slowly by slowly we footed. = We walked slowly.

We slept late. = We went to bed late.

She fished out the person who shouted. = She found out which person shouted.

She had all her basic needs. = She had everything she needed.

I had no otherwise. = I had no choice.

Somehowly = Some how

The chairs are available for hire. = You can rent the chairs.

Maryknoll Family

During the election several Maryknoll Lay Missioners stayed at the Maryknoll Father's house in Nairobi. I thought you might enjoy seeing some of our colleagues.


Russ, Fr. John Conway, Fr. John Lange, Kathy


Mary, Fr. Joe Healey, Fr. Mike Kerwin, myself


Bethany, Rehema, Curt


Kathy, John O'Donoghue, Mary, Russ, Fr. Joe Healey, myself, Fr. Mike Kerwin, Melissa


Anita, Curt, Fr. John Lange, Fr. John Conway, Bethany, Rehema

We did do other things besides eat all the time! In the morning we gathered for Mass in the chapel. We all worked on our own projects during the day and gathered again in the evenings. The evening entertainment was a puppet show put on my Bethany and Rehema or a movie. Of course, there were always a few people in the television room checking for the newest election result news.

Flight from Nairobi to Kitale

Last week when we were traveling from Nairobi to Kitale we took a small plane.


Due to the weather, we weren't able to get very high, but John was able to get some great photos of landmarks.

south side of Nairobi


Kibera, one of the largest slums in Nairobi


Mt. Longonot, an extinct volcano


escarpment of the Great Rift Valley


Lake Navisha and greenhouses that grow flowers for the European market


Curio Valley


natural forest vs. farming


more greenhouses


Almost home in Kitale