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Rather than go on holiday during the summer of 2004, a group of British university students opted to come to Kisumu, Kenya to put their knowledge in the service of the needy.

Working under Tenteleni the group consisting of young women, dispersed themselves around various community organizations and child-welfare centres within the town of Kisumu. TEMAK was honored with the presence of Rachel Bingham and Catherine Bragon for close to two months between August and September 2004.

During their time at TEMAK, Rachel and Catherine worked in the elementary school, where they served as teachers during various lessons. They gave lessons in spelling and arithmetic as well as general knowledge. The kids were excited by the games the two British girls introduced at the centre. Rachel also engaged the older girls at TEMAK in debate revolving mostly around gender and reproductive health on such issues as HIV/Aids, marriage, dowry and empowerment. This exercise turned out to be a learning experience by both sides.

In order to gain a better understanding of the home environment of their pupils, Rachel and Catherine made trips to the slums of Kisumu where a sudden storm found them wading in knee-high murky waters. They initiated contacts with another primary school, Kudho Primary, where the headmaster invited them to give lectures on sex awareness to 14 year olds. Friendships were struck with the eager pupils.

The British students found time to discover Kisumu and its surrounding regions. They mingled with local people in churches, clubs and in markets. It was mostly a positive experience though some people, mistaking the students for rich tourists, would often ask for cash handouts. Kenyan politics were of great interest to the visiting university students who followed the local news keenly on television. Issues of corruption and poor governance were a favorite topic of discussion since poverty, which is a consequence of both, is clearly evident all around Kisumu.

There were occasional incidents of purse snatching as well, but all in all, the experience was fine for everyone. Rachel and Catherine hope to visit Kenya again were the chance to arise.

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Mrs Aloo: a woman in dire straits.

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