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Nonfiction Matters
Inside Nonfiction Matters

More from Kenya, and TLA

April 11, 2008 By

Mary’s Lates (and New Invitation for Questions) and a few Notes

Hi all, back from a great week with the 9th graders in Bloomington, Illinois, I am off to TLA next week, I hope to see some of you there. I am buzzing with ideas from the high school visit, would be happy to discuss with any of you in person. 

What follows is the latest from Mary. As she mentions at the end, she can send questions to Kenya easily, so if you, or any kids you work with, want to be use that connection, please do so — email pen pals.

Because our day at Jackson’s village was busy with planned events—dancing, watching a cow bled to make their tribal drink of coagulated blood and milk, drinking chai, and so on, I didn’t interview his wife, Susan Nekwama.  So I e-mailed Susan questions. Although her way of life is very different, many answers sounded much like those a U.S. mother with a one-year-old would send. Below are a few:

 
1. Please tell how you get water. 
Usually I get water in the evening together with other women in the village. We go down to the river 1 km from our house. I carry water using a plastic container about 20 litres, enough for cooking overnight and early next morning. I wash Mereso and clothes at the same time.
 
2. What are common illnesses that you deal with in village? How are they treated?
Mostly colds and malaria. We take medicinal herbs first, in case they don’t work we visit Aitong Health Centre. Most of the times herbs work well.
 
3. What illnesses do adults fear?
The most feared is HIV/AIDS. No cure.
 
4. What is different when Jackson is home?
I get strong and motivated when my beloved husband is close.
 
5. What do you worry about?
Jackson is spending much to help brothers and sisters go to school and other family needs. He also needs to save for Mereso and others but it is hard to do so. I am worried because we have not saved anything yet.
 
6. Do you have any dreams about what you’d like to do, like learn another language or become good at something you’ve never tried?
I speak Maa and Swahili. Jackson teaches me to speak some English words. Maybe I would like to start some business when Jackson gets enough funds for capital.
Remember–Jackson and Susan will answer your questions.
 
 
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