Health project: Moringa tree madness

What drought resistant tree treats flu, rash, fever, anemia, malnutrition, can be a form of birth control and overall immune booster? Wait, is that even possible? Fortunately yes. This might be why it’s dubbed as a miracle tree. Okay fine. Since you asked so nicely, I’ll give you a hint. Funny enough, it’s found in pretty much every nation of the developing south that is afflicted with drought, many and most with limited access to healthcare. If you guessed the Mango, Pine or Gum tree, you’d be pretty far off. This Mti mwa myujizai or “miracle tree” is called the Moringa Olifeira. In addition to the conditions aforementioned it can even be used as a water filtration method as well as fertilizer for barren soil in the form of oil extract.

Ancient Asian and African societies have been using almost every part of this tree for medicinal purposes for centuries and guess who’s got whiff of this little miracle and its potential? That’s right! The GVI Shimoni Health Project is entering phase 4 of what we like to call ‘Moringa Madness’.  After tons of research (shout out to all our volunteers that played a part) and some extensive planting trials, we are drafting a presentation and setting up workshops for the Community Health workers, dispensary staff as well as our academic partners. In my book we all need a personal stash in our backyards and that’s what we are trying to provide for any and all who need it.

The aim is to provide awareness to our partners and soon after actually be planting in the schools with seedling nurseries at the dispensary. Who knows, soon patients could be handed a tree as a cost effective supplement to other medicine. The impact could be HUGE: starting from supplementary cost effective treatment to helping to make a critical breakthrough on prevention and treatment of some of Shimoni’s major health conditions. If you can’t tell, we’re really excited about it and wanted to share some of the progress with all of you. That’s it for now, signing off from Kenyan the coastal paradise known as Shimoni. Don’t forest to keep an eye out for more updates on Moringa Madness! 

Matata Diomande - Health Project Field Staff

Health project: Moringa tree madness

Bird nerd

Would you like to know what I saw yesterday? Maybe you really don’t want to but I will tell you anyway. I saw a Ret'z Helmet Shrike. If you don’t know what that is. It’s the bird in the picture below.

Retz's Helmet-shrike (Prionops retzii)

So, anyway, that’s what I saw yesterday. You wonder why I bore you with such information, don’t you? The thing is, as we were walking towards Transect 5 with this week’s Forest Ninjas, Georgia, Milly, Joseph and Kassim, we happened to see a black bird with a red beak and distinct red eyes. And what happened next is that I stopped and I was actually interested to get a closer view. And the weirder thing is that I actually tried figuring out what bird it was. And to make it all worse, I really just had to know what bird it was. So out came the bird book. And there we figured it out, all excited like little teenage girls front row at a boy band concert. A Ret'z Helmet Shrike. Beautiful bird.

Laura searching for birds on the coastline

Grey-headed kingfisher

But I'm not here to talk about the bird really. I'm here to talk about myself. Selfish, I know. But oh well. You see, before I came out to Shimoni, I had no idea that birds had names. I mean I knew there were eagles, and doves and sparrows and swallows, but that was as far as my bird intelligence went. So here I am, checked into Forest duty and six weeks later I am a fully fledged birdie! I can't even tell you what happened to me! All I know is that now I get excited when I see birds I can identify. Its like I'm slowly becoming a junkie! I don’t get it but all I know is that I'm loving it.

Forest volunteers taking a break from bird wacthing

So yes, it has been an awesome week on Forest and sadly my last as well. I still have a long way to go in this Birdie Junkie thing, but I am pretty sure I will get there. I have a feeling once I go back home, I will create my own Casual Observation form to record all the birds I see flying aimlessly everywhere.

Water bird monitoring survey

Sarah Kagotho is from Nairobi, Kenya and volunteering with us under the GVI National Scholarship Programme for 12 weeks.

Bird nerd

Communities Rally for Anti-poaching Campaign

The day was cold and grey, with the steady rain turning the roads into a quagmire as the marchers gathered.

Determined, splashes of colour against the grey sky and brown mud in their kangas; visually arresting Maasai in full regalia, clutching signs, this gathering of 165 people came together for one reason. With this number of people present, this Anti-Poaching educational rally was the largest community yet to protest against profligate poaching in Kenya.

Masaai Morans say no to bush meat!

Participants included, , Kenyans Against Poaching (KUAPO), Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW),AMARA, Ziwani Voyager Hotel, Mbulia Community Rangers, Kimalla Red Cross Youth group, Chumvini youth group Tsavo Pride rangers and other groups from the communities surrounding Taveta including Kasaani and Kidong.

Full of high spirits and a conviction of the urgency of our cause, we set off up the road, holding our handmade signs high, chanting slogans and singing our anti-poaching songs, some of them prepared at Kasaani with the help of GVI volunteers the week before:

“No elephants, no tourism.

“No tourism, no economy.

“No economy, no jobs.

“No jobs, no food.”

Waiting to be addressed by the warden at the KWS office. 

The route took us several kilometres up the road, past the KWS office, where a meeting with the Warden promised incentives to the communities to turn in information on poachers, trophies and snare locations.  Onwards, onwards to the Taveta marketplace, a bustling mix of traders from Tanzania and the local areas.

In full view of the marketplace we paused; ex-poachers stood up to speak – one had quit poaching only the month before, and to the amazement of his fellow Kenyans and Tanzanians alike, spoke of the newfound sense of freedom he felt now that he was no longer living in constant fear.

The main message: Stop poaching now, before it is too late. Join us in our stance, and welcome.

“Wanyama wanyama mama, wanyama wanyama,

“Wanyama wanyama mama, wanyama wanyama,

“Wanyama wetu wanaleta ajira nchini,

“Wanyama wetu wanaleta ajira nchini,

“Tujitoe tuwalinde mama, tujitoe tuwalinde,

“Tuijitoe tuwalinde baba, tujitoe tuwalinde.”

Kenyans United Against Poaching

What an amazing day to be a Kenyan.

Chloe Corne, Marine field staff

Communities Rally for Anti-poaching Campaign

My Tale of New Things and of Fishes

I caught a fish staring at me yesterday. Wide eyed, gazing steadily at my face, with an expression that seemed to question what exactly I was doing in its territory. She (as was assumed) did look very intimidating, and when she turned round and swam away, I took that as a cue and swiftly moved on to explore other parts of the reef.

 A few days ago, I wouldn't have had the slightest idea of what reef fish I would encounter, but thanks to the insightful tuition from the staff Bron and Chloe, I can now (not so proudly) say that I was stared down by an Emperor Fish.

Emperor angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)

The underwater world is in one word: exquisite. It is beautiful and amazing, indescribable and breathtaking all at once. I have never seen so much

harmony in one place. There are all kinds of creatures living down there together, in a system that they seem to have developed and perfected. The coral reef is home to all sorts of fish, from trumpet fish, to spotty spotted fish, to the over colourful Titan trigger fish and amazing schools of tiny fish that move in the most synchronized rhythm I have ever encountered. And no underwater encounter is ever complete without sight of the wise looking Green Turtles, which we were quite fortunate to see a decent number of today.

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

And since the best is always saved for last, this post shall be concluded by mentioning the four dolphins we saw today. I mean, it’s not every day that you see dolphins. And yes, they do look as sweet as we all think they do. I shall stand by that despite the fact that I only saw their fins. But yes, Bottlenose dolphins do look sweet and huggable. However, do not attempt the aforementioned, it might distress them.

Bottlenose Dolphins (T.aduncus)

This week on marine has definitely been one of the most exciting and most different weeks I have ever experienced in my life. It’s a totally new world that I have been immersed (literally) in and I cannot wait to learn more and learn..and learn…and learn.

Sarah Kagotho is from Nairobi, Kenya and volunteering with us under the GVI National Scholarship Programme for 12 weeks.

My Tale of New Things and of Fishes

Improving maternal health in Shimoni through antenatal care workshops

Kopa is a resident of Shimoni and joined GVI through our national scholarship program.  He has been working as field staff on the Health Project for nearly six months and is incredibly passionate about furthering public health initiatives in the Shimoni area.

Kopa hangs out with his favourite folks in Shimoni

I really appreciate what Safe Shimoni does, especially in terms of organizing training for the community members to educate them on various health issues. I was very happy when I got the news from Davis, the Safe Shimoni group chairman, that there was going to be antenatal care training.  The training was to be provided specifically for pregnant women in the Shimoni area.  The training was held at the newly constructed youth centre at the public dispensary, which was also constructed by Safe Shimoni. The members of Safe Shimoni were asked to mobilize all pregnant women in nearby villages to attend the training. The attendance was outstanding; there were 30 pregnant women present.

Excellent attendance turnout at the training

The training was to take three consecutive days. The training started on Monday and was facilitated by a doctor from Msambweni District Hospital.  He started by explaining what ante natal care [ANC] was and also talked about individual birth plans. These are essential to prepare women to give birth with reduced risk of complications.  A list of essential items were also discussed including things like razor blades, clean new 'kangas' (cloth worn as a skirt), some money, gloves, and contact details of your close family members.

Public health officer Patrick facilitates the workshop

The facilitator explained that expectant mothers should start attending Antenatal clinics by the latest at the fourth month of pregnancy. He warned the participants that by not attending the clinics or by attending late could lead to problems. He listed the major symptoms in pregnancy which include severe headache, nausea, convulsions, dizziness, vomiting, etc. One thing the facilitator said that I won't try to forget is, if the pregnancy is in the fourth month and you can't feel the baby playing in the womb,  you should visit a health facility immediately. This is because in just 28 days you can lose your baby's or your own life. I really enjoyed the training I hope I can attend another one soon.   

Eager faces taking all the information in during the training

Kopa Mchasa – Health field staff

Improving maternal health in Shimoni through antenatal care workshops

Shane's coastal forest research

 
At 6:30 am I felt the buzz of my phone alarm going off. We weren't supposed to go out until 8, but it’s nice to take the time to just sit and enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning. Today, we were surveying the amount of canopy down one of GVI’s marked trails. Up to this point in my GVI volunteer career I had only conducted human disturbance surveys and helped add to species lists for birds and other forest wildlife. After a hearty banana and porridge breakfast, we headed out from the base.

We didn't have to go very far (less than 20 minutes into the day) until there was a mass of Little Swifts zipping over head. Along the road to the transect spine we were greeted by a group of Colobus monkeys. Some leaped away into the trees, others stopped to glance back through their thick black fur before following. A last juvenile, lagging behind, watched us for a long time before finally jumping through the canopy towards the others.
 

A Colobus family peering down through the canopy

Reaching our trail we walked until hitting a clearing. Where we stood the vegetation had been roughly cut down with long strips of trees, the bark still on them, strewn about. Ahead there was a vast expanse of farmland. One of the main challenges the forest is up against is land being cleared to make the way for maize fields. We looked around for a while but we couldn't find any marker or indicator of where the trail was. It quickly became apparent that the day would be longer than originally thought. The plan then became to not only check the canopy cover, but to also mark out a new path at the same time that would hopefully follow the old trail as closely as possible.

Shane recording canopy measurements

During the survey every 10 meters we needed to figure out the percentage of what can be seen directly above by looking through inversely held binoculars (sounds counter intuitive, but it makes sense when you’re doing it). With one person doing what appears to be incorrectly using binoculars, another person 10 meters behind focuses a clinometers at the highest visible point from the first person and checks the angle (this determines height of the canopy). Together, what is recorded gives us information on the amount of canopy in the forest thus being able to accurately recorded possible vegetation decline. 

It was slow going at first, having not done the survey before, but we quickly improved and surveyed the whole 28 sections of transect, while marking the entire way. About 20 meters down from where we came out of was a marker on the ground. We weren't too far from the original trail! Everything considered it was a successful outing. The weather was beautiful (not like the previous few days of frequent random downpours), and we had numerous bird sightings, as well as another Colobus sighting and a Sykes monkey group as well. Another successful day in the forest as far as I'm concerned.

Spotting Monkeys

Shane Omersa – 8 week combination volunteer

Shane's coastal forest research

Christine's climate change conundrum

This week it was my turn to make a presentation for the weekly Adult Environmental Education class.  Members of the community come together to learn about environmental issues, led by the forest project. This week, the focus was on climate change in light of Earth Day 2013’s theme – The Faces of Climate Change. As a coastal town, Shimoni could be affected by rising sea levels in the future. A rise in the Earth’s temperature would lead to more droughts, inconsistent rains, and severe flooding. All these things would be detrimental to Shimoni’s wildlife, agriculture and way of life. In giving the presentation, I was faced with a dilemma. I could tell the people of Shimoni all of the consequences of climate change, but Kenyans were not contributing to the bulk of climate change. First world countries like the United States, my home, were the major culprits for this problem. Was it really right for me, an American, to speak to the people of Shimoni, who live much greener lives than most American, about leaving an even smaller carbon footprint?

Christine with some of her favourite folks in the community

While it was difficult to discuss my findings, it has inspired me to try to do more when I get home. I want to do more to inspire people in my town and at school to live greener lifestyles because our momentary indulgences are disrupting the lives of many Kenyan communities. Some of the Maasai people have lost almost all of their cattle due to droughts, and even producing vegetables and grains to eat has become more difficult with the inconsistent rains. When people in first world countries do not recycle or litter because we are lazy or buy environmentally unfriendly items out of convenience, we are directly affecting the lives of those who depend directly on natural resources. Many Kenyans depend on rain water, and so small changes in the environment have huge effects on their livelihood. The world is a web connected by the environment. The environment is our home whether we are from the states, China, or Kenya, and it is our responsibility to respect it for the sake of all those inhabiting it.

Christine with some of the cutest residents of Shimoni

Christine Kong – Health Project Volunteer

Christine's climate change conundrum

Conservation intern Bron finds her sea legs as marine field staff

Bron is a conservation intern with GVI Kenya Shimoni and has just started a three month work placement as field staff on our Marine Program. Bron comes from Australia and has a huge passion for conservation and research.

It’s Monday in the second week of my work placement as staff member and so far everything has been an awesome whirl wind of learning, teaching, reading and training. It so far has been a great experience to see things from the perspective of a staff member rather than a volunteer, and I am excited to be taking on more responsibilities and contributing further to the general undertaking of research surveys and base duties.

As part of the training, a couple of the other staff and I have been receiving crew training so we can assist on both the survey boat and smaller transport boat. This included learning how to pull up anchor and drop and tie off the anchor when we stop somewhere. Also, there has been some hilarious attempts at poling the boat (the act of using a long pole to push into the ocean floor to move the boat in areas where the water level is too low for the use of the engine), but due to some strong wind and tides we most of the time ended up going in the opposite direction of what we wanted, to the great amusement of everyone watching.

Bron getting settled as marine field staff on our research boat

Although there has been a lot of information to take in, the knowledge that I get, to spend my day’s snorkeling and watching dolphins play and care for their newborns is a great motivator. Even today we explored some areas of the marine reserve that isn't frequently studied for Humpback dolphins (unfortunately they choose to remain elusive on this occasion). Then we went and explored some of my favourite coral reef near an Island called Kisite where I spotted an octopus trying to pretend it was a piece of coral and eight blue spotted rays that were completely buried in the sand except for a tail and a pair of bulging eyes sticking out of the sand giving away their location. There was also an amazing array of other tropical fish, and having had a lecture on the fish found in the area; it was great to be able to identify each species as we swam over the colourful coral.

Bronwyn Kershaw – Conservation Intern and Marine Field Staff

Conservation intern Bron finds her sea legs as marine field staff

Health project achievements: developing a life skills teaching package to promote health awareness and education

GVI Shimoni Achievement Report: Developing a primary and secondary teaching package for critical personal...

Health project achievements: developing a life skills teaching package to promote health awareness and education

Earth day art attack!

Picture it - Mkwiro beach - the sun is setting, the fishermen are tending to their well-worn boats, the tide is slowly going out revealing the beautiful coral shelf, and the beach is teaming with excited young children. Why? Because it’s Earth Day! And what better place to celebrate than this beautiful island paradise?

Volunteer Sarah makes some initial sketches with local children.

Interns Stacey and Amy start drawing the outline of the world.

On Monday 22nd April, along with many other school children around the world, the children of Mkwiro Primary School got to do their very own project for Earth Day. The theme for this year was ‘The Faces of Climate Change’. Now for many on this island, ‘climate change’ is quite an abstract concept, but the people of Mkwiro rely on the sea for their livelihood, from fishing to seaweed farming, and being aware of the environment is essential. And while they may feel isolated, the children deserve to know that they are important and have their own place in the world.

Making Australia out of a beautiful Kanga.

So, in a true GVI team effort, Community staff joined forces with Marine Conservation staff and volunteers to help the children create a huge world map on the beach.  We drew an outline in the sand with sticks then in true ‘art attack’ style used kangas to fill in the continents! Kangas are a traditional coastal fabric made from cotton, worn by women and girls in a variety of ways.  They also have various uses in the home and their bright bold prints are a symbol of rural Kenya. While we arranged the landmasses as best we could, the children also gathered natural materials such as shells and rocks, to fill in the gaps and complete the collage.  They then had a whale of a time running in and around the map, guessing the countries and pointing to where Kenya was.  Some boys even began their own sand drawings of dolphins, which were amazing!  The volunteers had a wonderful time interacting with the children, (which is not something you get to do often on a marine research program!), and as the sun was setting behind us, we captured the moment by taking pictures from the coral cliff above.  What an amazing day!

Kathryn Hodskinson – Community field staff

Putting everything in place......

The final result!

Earth day art attack!

Tsavo west achievements: Setting up the new community library in Mahandakini

GVI Kenya Achievement Report: opening a community library in the rural village of Mahandakini

Tsavo west achievements: Setting up the new community library in Mahandakini

Shane's intrepid adventures during a day on the marine program

Shane joins us from Minnesota, USA as an eight week combination volunteer.  He spent his first two weeks on the marine project and will also spend time on the forest, community and Tsavo West programs.  Shane learnt quickly that sun cream is a man’s best friend in Kenya.

It had been darker that morning, and colder than it had been the week before. We had almost a full week previously of blue skies and rosy-red sunburns (always bring plenty of sunscreen, trust me). At 7 am we made our way through the nearby community of Mkwiro here on Wasini Island and with many onlookers, proceeded with all our gear down to the beach. It’s common for members of the Muslim community to pay close attentions to our doings within their area. We are greeted with a “jambo” here and a “jambo” there as we go by. We cram all that can be carried on to a small motor boat and putt over to our main vessel, the faithful “Bardan”.

As we set out on the channel I start my first task of keeping watch starboard for any signs of marine life. Most of our time is spent on watching the waves for any splashes or shapes that might just be what we are looking for, but then with a “switch”, I move to the back of the boat to begin recording our target observations. Someone calls out “trap” and the location, number, and other information is jotted onto paper. To the left is a splash, “turtle” is shouted. That is quickly written down. Twenty minutes later, I find myself port side gazing upon the waves once again. Waves, waves, more waves, a splash, but that was just a wave. The boat rocks back and forth, slamming the rough waters. The strong winds lift up the salty spray over the sides and into our faces. It is but only a minor distraction (refreshing in some cases). We continue our watch.

A couple of hours pass when we reach the Kisite Marine Park. Time to wash out the snorkel and mask, slip on the flippers, and jump in! Up to this point we have kept our eyes on the blue/green ebbing waves, but now, underneath the waters are revealed to be teeming with life. A mosaic of fish of all shapes and sizes are unveiled moving about amidst the massive clusters of coral beneath. Onward we swim through the warm current and to our surprise numerous rays are spotted. Some are gliding away, wavelike themselves. Others lie nearly hidden on the sandy floor. For an hour and a half we continue on until it’s time to leave the aquatic zoo to get on board for lunch. It is no five-star entrée, but it is gladly welcomed (who needs fancy food when you can have such an amazing experience in the ocean?). With full stomachs and having rehydrated (always a must), we shift to “dedicated search” and head back to base. The clouds have given way to blue sky, which means it’s time to apply the sunscreen.

Our return is alike the way out; just keeping all eyes on the waves. It is important to do this in order to know the coming and going of the changing sea conditions, whatever they may be, and what that might mean for our marine friends. Arrival at the beach signals the end of our survey day. The anchor is down, and with our gear loaded onto the motor boat, we cast of to the shore leaving Bardan behind until tomorrow.

Shane Omersa – 8 week combination volunteer

Shane's intrepid adventures during a day on the marine program

Community project achievements: Women's adult English classes

GVI Shimoni achievement report: local women complete beginners adult English course

Community project achievements: Women's adult English classes

Benja's farewell

It was  an unfamiliar situation at the start but the days passed by, and I felt like I belonged to GVI Kenya Shimoni. I liked all of the projects but most of all I was interested in being a forester. All faces were ones of strangers, everyone meeting for the first time, but amazingly everyone was friendly.

When I first came to GVI I didn't know much about primates, dolphins, birds, community development, capacity building or sustainable livelihood in Tsavo west community. I joined GVI Kenya on the National scholarship programme and I extended my time and became forest field staff, where I learned a range of skills, responsibilities, leadership and was contributing to globally important scientific research. People change, I am sure I am better than I was before GVI.

I went through all this programmes but I was so excited by the forest, every time I go out into the field I see new things: Green mambas, Snouted night adders, Zanj elephant shrews and many species of birds, these things make me feel alive. I love nature and I will always be a part of GVI.

Days fly, it feels like a month but actually it’s been over a year, the whole time I spent in GVI Kenya has been the best time of my life. It has been an incredible time. Mission accomplished. With that, I have to bid farewell. I am the happiest person in the world right now. It’s better than I ever thought it could be.

Benja- From Kenya

First days as forest staff

Taking a group of Volunteers out to the forest

Our impersonations of water birds

Spending some time on the marine project

My family back home 

Water bird surveys

Playing twister with the kids at wildlife club

Reading with the Shimoni kids

Just finished a survey in the forest

Baby white browed sparrow weaver

Me 

Benja's farewell

Health Project Achievements: Health Project volunteers assist at outreach to treat children infected by jiggers

GVI Shimoni Achievement Report: Volunteers tackle an outbreak of parasitic fleas by GVI Kenya - Conservation and community development

Health Project Achievements: Health Project volunteers assist at outreach to treat children infected by jiggers

Community project achievements: A look back at our work with the Mkwiro Women's Group

GVI Kenya Achievement Report: Assisting a local women's group to establish sustainable alternative income...

Community project achievements: A look back at our work with the Mkwiro Women's Group

Community project achievements: Setting up an internet cafe in Shimoni

GVI Shimoni Achievement Report: Setting up an internet cafe in rural Kenya

Community project achievements: Setting up an internet cafe in Shimoni

Hayley falls in love with island life on the marine project

Hayley is undertaking the four week combination expedition and has so far spent two weeks on the marine project.  She also spent four weeks at the GVI Limpopo project in South Africa.  Hayley comes from Oregon, USA and enjoys cooking up a feast for the other volunteers.

We arrived at the Mkwiro base last Saturday.  When I first saw base I couldn't believe that this is where I would be staying for the next few weeks of my life.  I wasn't sure about not having running water at first, but it was easy to get used to.  Although I did accidently use salt water to brush my teeth the first night, that is a mistake I will only make once.  Not having a refrigerator is not that bad either as we don’t have meat that often we get fresh veg and fruit all the time. 

After getting settled the sun started to set.  The base is right on the edge of the island so we have a beautiful view of the sun as it sets over the ocean.  There are lovely hammocks to sit in whilst you take in the sunset as well.  I don’t think I will get used to seeing the view every day.  It definitely something you shouldn't take for granted.

On Monday we had our first day out on the boat doing marine research.  It is the time of year when the tides bring in jellyfish so it did take us a couple of tries before we could find a transect to do a swim test.  A staff member always jumps in before volunteers to make sure there are no jellyfish in the water which is really wonderful, well for the volunteers at least.  The swim test wasn't too bad, just 200m without a snorkel or fins.  Snorkeling is really quite fun here because the Indian Ocean is so warm, it is basically like taking a bath every single day.

We kept searching for dolphins and we finally found a pod of Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins.  It was my first time seeing dolphins in the wild and I was very excited.  The pod had about 12 individuals in it.  Counting dolphins can be quite tricky at first but after a while you can get the hang of it.  My favorite part about the pod was that it had a new born which was adorable.   It just was so tiny.  Other than noticing how cute the squishy baby dolphin was, we had to take data on the sighting.  We always take a GPS location of where we first see the pod, record their behavior throughout the sighting, count the individuals and note their reaction to our presence.  Lastly we take data on the tourist dhows, basically recording whether or not they are following KWS guidelines.  The staff members take photos of the dorsal fins of the dolphins so that we can use them for identification later.

After the sighting was over Faridhi, our boat captain took us back to base.  He is really great, he normally spots most things like turtles and dolphins before the rest of us.  Once back at base we unpacked everything.   After each day on the boat we also have to input all the data for the day.  This typically takes us into the afternoon, but we still have time for some of the activities on the island, like cooking classes or jewelry workshops from the locals of Mkwiro. 

As the sun sets here I can’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else on the planet.

Hayley Serres – Combination volunteer

Hayley falls in love with island life on the marine project

Health project achievements: A look back at when the project first began in June 2012

GVI Shimoni Achievement Report: The initiation of the Health Project 2012

Health project achievements: A look back at when the project first began in June 2012

Community Project Achievements: A look back at our capacity building work with local resident Mohammed

GVI Shimoni Achievement Report: Assisting local community members to establish an environmental income gene...

Community Project Achievements: A look back at our capacity building work with local resident Mohammed

Two words that sum up David's time on the health project: karibu sana

As my two weeks as a health volunteer come to a close, I find myself leaving Shimoni with one Swahili phrase lodged in my head above all others: “karibu sana.” Whether we were weighing babies at the dispensary, handing out prescriptions at the pharmacy, or helping to construct a new youth wellness center, almost every one of my hundreds of interactions with locals included a few “karibu sana’s.” 

Health staff Kopa (Left), David (middle) and Christine (right) with children from Anziwani.

Sometimes it was me who said it after being thanked, but most of the time it was the locals themselves bestowing countless “karibu sana’s” on me. For instance, after a 45-minute walk in the rain to nearby Anziwani as part of an outreach project, we were greeted by about 20 smiling mothers and children all exclaiming “karibu sana” and genuinely excited to see us. 

David (left) with staff Kopa assisting at a growth monitoring outreach

Even when it wasn’t explicitly said, the people of Shimoni have conveyed how welcome we were with every smile, wave and firm handshake. Although I was handing out medicine and child growth-monitoring cards to people I had never met, their warm looks and friendliness showed their understanding that we were all united by a common goal: to improve children’s health in the area. There was no question that they all accepted us as honorary members of the community during our time here and appreciated our efforts, however small. For that, I say “asante sana, Shimoni”(thank you very much). 

David McKenzie – Health Project Volunteer 

David joined us as a volunteer on the health project for two weeks. He lives in New York and currently works in marketing. He has a strong passion for public health and that’s why he came to Kenya with GVI.

Two words that sum up David's time on the health project: karibu sana

Community project achievements: A look back at the initiation of our computer literacy program in Shimoni

GVI Shimoni Achievement Report: Initiation of computer literacy program April 2012

Community project achievements: A look back at the initiation of our computer literacy program in Shimoni

Embracing the rain

A Sykes monkey getting groomed whilst lounging on a tree in the forest 

They say that the rain is a friend to no one, it drenches everyone and everything in equal measure, but when it does, it brings forth new life. The past few days I have spent in Shimoni have proven this to be quite true. The rain has been a constant companion and a wonderful teacher as the Forest Ninjas trekked through the forest in search of recordable data.

Everything looks touched up by the rain, the forest is beautifully green, with the remnant brownness of the scorching sun that has been dominant these past few months. It has been quite interesting spotting all kinds of birds that call the Shimoni skies home. Little swifts, common bulbuls, the prettiest purple collared sunbirds and high flying black kites have all been flying around in bursts of renewed energy.

Small-eared Galagos are strictly nocturnal and have a very keen sense of smell

The trees are playing house to the famous Angola black-and-white Colobus which have been a little bit shy though we have managed to catch a few glimpses of them as they peek through the branches. We however got to clearly see and characterize the KG Family of Colobus on Wednesday morning at Changai Village. It was a really cool family moment to observe. Benja, our Expert Forest Ninja, pointed out that the two infants in the KG Family had grown quite a bit since the last time that the family had been observed. They have now acquired the infamous Black-and-White fur from their previous pure white baby fur. Cute.

Sykes monkeys are very inquisitive and this one is very interested in our camera

I went on my very first night survey on Wednesday night, an excursion that I started out with very mixed feelings about but ended it with all the excitement my young mind could muster. I mean, going out into the forest at night is not exactly something that pops up as exciting, because well, wild animals. However, after night walk, I am now fully convinced that I must one day attempt to domesticate a Small eared Galago a.k.a Bush Baby. It’s really fascinating how their little eyes glow orange when you shine a light at them. Little balls of fur and fascination.

This sub adult colobus spilt away from the group he was born into, he will eventually find a new group, but for now he is alone 

I can say that it really has been a learning experience, and it’s only been four days!! Shimoni Forest has a lot
to offer. From beauty to inspiration, to tiny insect bites and bruises from unforgiving tree stumps and I hope that I experience all and more of it in the next few weeks.
-Sarah

Sarah Kagotho is on our 12 week combination program she is from Nairobi, Kenya 

Embracing the rain