Power, Internet, Water

February 21, 2013 (Thursday) Market days are always interesting. Of course prices increase when they see the white skin and they have a huge smile when they find out you know the system. 

There are rows and rows of fruits and vegetables. The ground in this area is very fertile and great for growing produce. There will be basket goods brought in from Lodwar and piles of clothes for those who want to take the time to search through them.  It’s a treasure hunt and you can usually find something to take home with you.  I've been enjoying the mangoes! 

Three street boys approached us at the market today but we didn't have any bread with us. So we found a place close by that served chai and mandazi so the boys could have something to eat. Their clothes were filthy and their feet swollen and swore from running around barefoot.   

When we entered there were several that stopped eating and just looked at them. They certainly didn't blend in with the other people there but no one asked them leave. The boys didn't give it a second thought. They sat right down and enjoyed their food!

Power and internet access is always a problem here.  You can almost count on not having power sometime during the day.  Then there are times when the power is off for days.  Lately we have had a third problem…..no water!   The tanks are empty even the reserve rain water tanks.

Every day the water is piped into the tanks for a few hours and then it is turned off but for two weeks or better the water has not been flowing through the pipes.  To solve this problem water is being brought in everyday on donkey carts.

Handmade items are beautiful here.  The wood carvers, basket weavers, painters and various other artists all got together for an art show here on the lodge grounds.  Some of the skill seen here has been passed down from generation to generation.  

For a lot of the artist the sale of their artwork determines if their children go to school or not.  Without uniforms, shoes, socks, books, a haircut and a few other necessary items the children cannot attend public school.

Ugali (corn meal) is cooked over the open fire until it is so thick that you have to tip the pan over and pound the bottom of the pan for it to come out. It is a staple food and loved by almost all of the natives. It fills them up and they don't feel hungry.

Psalm 107:8-9 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.