Billet Night
Submitted by Jeff Wichtel
February 12, 2006
Tuesday night was “billet night” for the Mukurwe-ini group, an event that we had been looking forward to with great excitement (and a little apprehension). Each of us was to spend one night in the home of a local family, to learn more of Kikuyu culture life on a shamba (family farm). Most of the homes we had seen on our rounds had been very humble, without electricity or interior plumbing, so we knew we were in for an experience.
Jeff was assigned to stay with Dr. Ayub Kiniaru, the veterinarian with whom the group had been working with for the previous 2 weeks. Like most families in the district, Ayub, his wife Grace, and their adorable two girls Joy and Baby Ester, live in a modest 4-room mud-brick and rough-hewn wood home, with a steel roof. Although small, the home was painted and very well maintained compared to those we had seen previously. This is one of 3 homes in the “boma” (compound); the other homes are occupied by Ayub’s mother and father, and his eldest brother and family. Grace’s family lives just across the valley close enough that you could shout to get their attention. No getting away from family!
The Kiniaru home was very well-equipped, with a real flush toilet (but Kenyans don’t seem to need toilet seats). There were 5 fluorescent light fixtures and a 13-inch black-and-white TV, operated from a 12-volt battery which was charged each day with a solar panel – a sophisticated set-up for the district, providing 5-hours per day of power and the opportunity for Jeff to catch up on the semi-finals of the African Cup (football).
After Jeff had a “sponge bath” using water in a basin that had been heated in the kitchen, Ayub and Jeff had a few “Tuskers” (the local brew, excellent). It’s definitely a man’s world in Kenya: Grace stayed busy cooking and minding the baby while the men relaxed and drank, eventually putting on a great meal for Jeff and all of the extended family. The digital camera provided a lot of fun for little Joy. Ayub’s brother and sister-in-law, both teachers, stayed after dinner; long discussions ensued on the new government’s education policy and politics in general, two topics that occupy Kenyans around the clock. Jeff spent a comfortable night in the room they had prepared for him, sleep disturbed only by the multitude of dogs, roosters and other Kenyan livestock that do not seem to recognize that night is a time for slumber.
Ayub, Grace and family are very intelligent, generous and welcoming hosts, with a single-minded focus on working hard to provide the very best opportunities for their young children. Because Ayub has a good job as veterinarian to the co-operative, and Grace has work in a cosmetic shop in town, the future looks promising for these humble and hard-working folk, at least when compared to many others in the district. We wish them well.
Matthew spent the night at Bernard’s home who is the operator of the new laboratory at the Wakulima Self Help Group Dairy. When I arrived they were so excited to have a muzingo (white person) on their farm. They took me to all five brothers and had tea with each. By the time I was done by stomach was full of liquid and my hand tired of greeting each person with excessive handshaking. Next they wanted to take advantage of my being a veterinarian. They wanted me to check some cows for pregnancy. I said it shouldn’t be a problem, until I realized I was missing rectal palpation gloves. They didn’t think it was a problem, so needless to say I scrubbed my arm very thoroughly that night. The night ended with us talking and taking pictures. Sleeping, well that was an understatement with the dogs barking all night, so when I heard the milk hitting the metal cans I woke. It was 4:30 and I helped milk. Manual milking was quite a different experience compared to Canada. We then had to walk the milk to the pick up spot. It was about 3 km away and then an hour and a half wait. I was really appreciating the Canadian milk truck at this point in time. Breakfast was some more tea and bread. I wished them well and said goodbye with a few hugs. As I walked away I couldn’t help but think what a happy hardworking family. I hope their hard work and determination pay off and like their cream they rise to the top.
Krista and Lawana stayed at the co-ordinator of the Wakulima Dairy’s house, Mr and Mrs. Gerald Kariuki. Their experience was very similar to the experiences enjoyed by the others. The home is located on the very top of a tall mountain, quite far from the town of Mukurwe-ini. There is absolutely no electricity or running water at their home. Therefore we had a traditional Kenyan supper by lantern light and the way to the bathroom outside was led by flashlight! Gerald was telling true stories of how leopards used to come through the roof and eat the goats (which used to live in the house). This made the buddy system a necessity when going to the bathroom! Upon arriving to the bathroom we were intrigued to find no toilet seat but a concrete hole in the floor of the outhouse. Overall it was a priceless experience and really gave us an insight on the true Kenyan way of life.
February 12, 2006
Tuesday night was “billet night” for the Mukurwe-ini group, an event that we had been looking forward to with great excitement (and a little apprehension). Each of us was to spend one night in the home of a local family, to learn more of Kikuyu culture life on a shamba (family farm). Most of the homes we had seen on our rounds had been very humble, without electricity or interior plumbing, so we knew we were in for an experience.
Jeff was assigned to stay with Dr. Ayub Kiniaru, the veterinarian with whom the group had been working with for the previous 2 weeks. Like most families in the district, Ayub, his wife Grace, and their adorable two girls Joy and Baby Ester, live in a modest 4-room mud-brick and rough-hewn wood home, with a steel roof. Although small, the home was painted and very well maintained compared to those we had seen previously. This is one of 3 homes in the “boma” (compound); the other homes are occupied by Ayub’s mother and father, and his eldest brother and family. Grace’s family lives just across the valley close enough that you could shout to get their attention. No getting away from family!
The Kiniaru home was very well-equipped, with a real flush toilet (but Kenyans don’t seem to need toilet seats). There were 5 fluorescent light fixtures and a 13-inch black-and-white TV, operated from a 12-volt battery which was charged each day with a solar panel – a sophisticated set-up for the district, providing 5-hours per day of power and the opportunity for Jeff to catch up on the semi-finals of the African Cup (football).
After Jeff had a “sponge bath” using water in a basin that had been heated in the kitchen, Ayub and Jeff had a few “Tuskers” (the local brew, excellent). It’s definitely a man’s world in Kenya: Grace stayed busy cooking and minding the baby while the men relaxed and drank, eventually putting on a great meal for Jeff and all of the extended family. The digital camera provided a lot of fun for little Joy. Ayub’s brother and sister-in-law, both teachers, stayed after dinner; long discussions ensued on the new government’s education policy and politics in general, two topics that occupy Kenyans around the clock. Jeff spent a comfortable night in the room they had prepared for him, sleep disturbed only by the multitude of dogs, roosters and other Kenyan livestock that do not seem to recognize that night is a time for slumber.
Ayub, Grace and family are very intelligent, generous and welcoming hosts, with a single-minded focus on working hard to provide the very best opportunities for their young children. Because Ayub has a good job as veterinarian to the co-operative, and Grace has work in a cosmetic shop in town, the future looks promising for these humble and hard-working folk, at least when compared to many others in the district. We wish them well.
Matthew spent the night at Bernard’s home who is the operator of the new laboratory at the Wakulima Self Help Group Dairy. When I arrived they were so excited to have a muzingo (white person) on their farm. They took me to all five brothers and had tea with each. By the time I was done by stomach was full of liquid and my hand tired of greeting each person with excessive handshaking. Next they wanted to take advantage of my being a veterinarian. They wanted me to check some cows for pregnancy. I said it shouldn’t be a problem, until I realized I was missing rectal palpation gloves. They didn’t think it was a problem, so needless to say I scrubbed my arm very thoroughly that night. The night ended with us talking and taking pictures. Sleeping, well that was an understatement with the dogs barking all night, so when I heard the milk hitting the metal cans I woke. It was 4:30 and I helped milk. Manual milking was quite a different experience compared to Canada. We then had to walk the milk to the pick up spot. It was about 3 km away and then an hour and a half wait. I was really appreciating the Canadian milk truck at this point in time. Breakfast was some more tea and bread. I wished them well and said goodbye with a few hugs. As I walked away I couldn’t help but think what a happy hardworking family. I hope their hard work and determination pay off and like their cream they rise to the top.
Krista and Lawana stayed at the co-ordinator of the Wakulima Dairy’s house, Mr and Mrs. Gerald Kariuki. Their experience was very similar to the experiences enjoyed by the others. The home is located on the very top of a tall mountain, quite far from the town of Mukurwe-ini. There is absolutely no electricity or running water at their home. Therefore we had a traditional Kenyan supper by lantern light and the way to the bathroom outside was led by flashlight! Gerald was telling true stories of how leopards used to come through the roof and eat the goats (which used to live in the house). This made the buddy system a necessity when going to the bathroom! Upon arriving to the bathroom we were intrigued to find no toilet seat but a concrete hole in the floor of the outhouse. Overall it was a priceless experience and really gave us an insight on the true Kenyan way of life.
posted by Admin at 6:42 AM
1 Comments:
My maiden name was "muzingo" I've looked for years for the origin of my name. You may just have given me something to work with. thank you!
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