I went home last night about 10:30 p.m. thinking about what I had said about the lack of water at Ngurunit. Quite honestly, I felt a bit dismayed that I forgot to talk about the innovation going on at Ngurunit. Not only did we tour 3 schools, but at one school, we got to see that they were starting an agricultural project (though fairly humble) and they had dug a well and were pumping water from the depths of the desert upwards. On specific days of the week, community residents would come to the well, collect water in their 5 to 10 gallon geri cans and carry it home for household needs.
Look at the greenhouse being constructed. They weren't quite sure what they were going to grow yet as the community would have to be the ones to decide on the crops.
Here's the collard greens they were growing--it's a first for the Samburu as they traditionally eat animals and animal products, not vegetables.
Ngurunit was our "tour of the schools". Follows is the headmaster of the most established school. You will see he was rightfully proud that his primary school (elementary school) was in the 1st 3 rankings in the entire area for the past 3 years.
Take a look at what types of school volunteers they need. If you parents think you are stretched with the task you do while volunteering at your local school, take a look under SUPPORT STAFF, Item #3.
WANT TO HERD SOME CAMELS?
The Local Rotary Club of Maralal District had placed a 500 gallon water tank at one school - it was empty when we were at this school, but if it doesn't rain, there is nothing to collect from the mabate (steel corrigated) roofs.
Ngurunit was nice. In some ways it was better than Marsabit and in other ways Marsabit had it beat by a long shot. More on Marsabit later. But my next post will be about Gatab. (pronounced Gaaaahhhhh-taaaahhhb). ;) Joy
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