Odede Update

Odede Update - Well where has the time gone. So much is happeing here in Odede. Let me start with the Women's Group

They have been doing programmes with Margaret, an amazing Nurse that has been talking to them about immunisation and women's health. Our first Immunisation clinic had very few babies but with further education we had an amazing 80 babies/children immunised. We had children who were 3 years old that had never had immunisation so that was a true success. So it just shows that with education, things can change for the good. Our Immunisation Clinic is the second Friday of each month............There have also been 20 women chosen to do an intensive 2 week course on Birthing/ Pre-natal and Post-natal care. This is the beginning of the groups to form support teams throughout the village ie. Home Birthing, Home Based Care & HIV/Aids. One woman from each group will form an individual group of 3, a section of the comminity will be chosen and this will be the responsibility of that group to care for the area. So that will mean that the old women will be washed and fed, the pregnant women will be monitored and the HIV/Aids patients will have support and encouragment to obtain treatment......................

Now to the Men. They are growing stronger and stronger each week. Infact Alex and I have to keep on top of things as they are very demanding is so far as wanting to move into projects.........today was a great day as the Goat Groups of women have planted feed for the goats however local goat herders have allowed their goats to eat the womens crops so Alex explained there was a problem with Free Grazing and they decided to take action of the loose goat owners and suggested they support the women by building a fence to protect their feed crops......amazing work. We have also just planted another Shamba of Napier Grass and it is on the edge of the lake and Hippo's are our biggest problem. They, being the men said they will dig a large deep trench surrounding the land so that the Hippo's won't get to the feed............now again this is a first. Today we had men not only working from morning to evening but doing it for their women...........a great achievement on their behalf.

The Youth- Going strong. They are currently working on a Drama Presentation for our first Community Barazza. That is where the Men, Women and Youth come together on a monthly basis and discuss community issues. This is also a first and our first meeting is on 3rd June... wish us luck............The topic they have chosen to depict is "TURST/HONESTY" so I can't wait to see it.

THE HOPE NEWS - Yes we will soon have our own Community Newspaper/Newsletter. We have called it the Hope News. An Editor and 3 Journalists have been chosen from each group, men, women and youth and have to report monthly on topics such as community, politics, agriculture, health, water etc but all reporting must be on a positive basis. It must report on negative issues in a positive way...............they all seem very excited and I can't wait to share it with you. As I will be typing it up I will be able to post it on my Blog so look forward to some good reading.

Warren & Renee - (the Aussie Plumber) Yes Wazza and Renee arrived and before he knew it he was working. I am just so greatful for these two wonderful people who have come all this way to Odede for 10 days to assist with the plumbing of the Child Rescue Centre...............it continues to amaze me just how fortunate I am to have such wonderful people in my life..........Wazza had worked so hard, with little sleep as Jet Lag has taken it's toll..........but he gets up each morning and heads for the site.................I am just so greatful for his wonderful amazing work and for the support that Renee his wife has given him. Renee is a photographer and has taken some great photos so we are looking forward to seeing them soon.

So all in all lots is happening  and time is moving so fast that I now need to get started in purchasing these 104 goats for our opening day. 22nd July 2011.........will keep you updated.

I will leave you with "We're not meant to fit in. We're meant to stand out" and I truly belive that this is what Odede will do.

Cheers - Marilyn