The Miracle of Ownership and Trust

Ownership and Trust - two words that the people of Odede have never used, well not for quite some time but with the wonderful facilitation of Alex and my encouragement these two words are growing in reality within the people of Odede - 'HOPE' our moto is coming to the fore.............it seems our 'White Cross' will one day be a reality as our processes are seem to be doing well. I want to give you an example of these 'Ownership and 'Trust words.

As you all know we are working on developing the Goat Project and if it was only up to getting goats that would be easy, well in Africa nothing is easy but with all these other things it just seems the goats are the least of my worries, at this stage anyway.................goats drink water and ofcourse we have to get water from the lake to the goats, all possible as I have organised the tank, pipes and Solar Wheelbarrow but then I have to get the trenches dug, about 350mtrs up the hill to the tank. I also have to dig a new Shamba for the Napier Grass and that has to also be fenced so the Hippo's don't eat the grass so I was left with a dilemah as I did not have the funds to do either...............so again Alex suggested we ask the men!!!! yesterday was our mens meeting and Alex in only his way started talking about "The Project' and how World Youth International has been an amazing support, told them what they have paid for and so on but we had a problem that there were no funds for digging the trenches and the fence around the new Shamba...............said he didn't know what we could do as this was a real proble...................well as Alex seems to do all the time, it was the 'MEN' that came up with the solution..........they would did the trenches and also dig deep wide trenches for the Shamba as Hippo's won't cross the trench..................WOW......there was no hesitation with them offering and let me tell you, for an African to do something for nothing, well that as you could imagine just does not happen as they live below poverty, every minute of works should be paid......./so this showed Alex and I that OWNERSHIPE and TRUST is something that they now have......and this is why we know that our project will work as they are constantly reminded that this project does not belong to me, or Alex, it is their's.

I was talking to Kate, the new volunteer after the meeting and as we discussed, it is so difficult to explain what is happeing over here but I just want all of you who are reading my Blog to know that we are experiencing the most amazing transformation of a community. Now I know there will be hurdles, we have already jumped quite a few but Alex and I belive there are no hurdles too high for us to jump and will continue jumping them, and we now are convinced that it will be with the support of these amazing people.

Yesterday Alex told them about the Community Dialogue Day at the end of the month which will include Youth, Women and Men coming together, informing them of their activites, discussing issues and just generaly respecting each other and the men were very happy. One man stood and thanked Alex for the opportuinity to do this. Alex also told them that they choose 3 representatives from the men, there will be 3 reps. from the womens group and 3 from the youths................he told them that they will be the 'Watch Dogs' of the entire project..............great idea hey. so all in all each day brings a new development, and so far all has been positive so continue to wish us luck and maybe a little prayer here and there would certainly no go astray.

So cheers and remember - 'Leap and the net will appear"

Marilyn