As we find hopes & dreams to make ends meet, due to climatic change! April 18, 2011
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Sam, friends and contacts
All -
I am copying Sam's email below. It makes a suggestion for possible helpful action, given the local problems his community is facing as a result of failure with the rains. I don't know exactly who will see this. I don't know if there will be any resulting actions, but at least his message will be more visible.
Sam -
Please will you give more information about what you are thinking. Are you saying that if the community had a little capital then people could buy additional food from KIsii of Oyugis and then they would sell it locally? Are you saying this would make a profitable small business for some people? It would also mean that local people had more food available. Have I understood you properly?
Are you serious that this food buying and selling could be profitable? I am wondering how it would work. I suppose that everyone is having problems getting food now the local supply is failing. Perhaps there are some people who usually buy local produce (and do not grow or sell any)who will have money to buy food, but cannot find any to buy - so they would be customers. What of the people who usually grow their own food, and sell some of the surplus at the market. I am thinking this - if the crops are failing and therefore they have nothing to sell at the market - how will they have money to buy the food people are selling?
I am not making any promises about finding money - but the more information I have the better the chances are that something may be done. What is the smallest amount of money that would enable you to arrange one of these food buying trips? If the first trip was successful would that mean the money would come back to you again. Would the money keep going around and around? After the money came back from the first trip then could you lend it again to arrange a second trip, and after that would there be money for a third trip and so on?
What size community are we talking about here? Are you talking about a few women going just to fill a few stalls with edibles, or are you talking truck loads?
I remember that when there was the post election turmoil in Kenya money was sent by mamamikes. If we got soem money would that be the best way to send it?
You say children will be dropping out of school. Please explain why. Is it because there will not be money for fees etc, or because they will not be well enough to go to school, or a mixture of these reasons, or what?
Please continue to send me information and I will continue to pass your information on.
Pamela
From: Samwel Kongere <jambita1@yahoo.com> Date: 17 April 2011 10:16
Subject: Re: Fwd: As we find hopes & dreams to make ends meet, due to climatic change!
Dear Pam,
As a community hope, we do thought of buying edibles crops as far as Kisii or Oyugis to substantiate our food stock. There is a booster Kiosk where women can the products for profit as well.
As you discuss with friends, well wishers, charities, and others, many children will be dropping out of school come second term which begins on May 2nd 2011.
Thanks very much for replying and discussing.
Samwel.
On Thu Apr 14th, 2011 11:37 PM Etc/GMT+12 Pamela McLean wrote:
>Dear Sam
>
>My friend. You are obviously facing deep trouble, and I do not know what to
>do to help you. I am not a great organiser or leader. The only thing I am
>any good at is sharing information with people - and perhaps helping them to
>think together.
>
>Sam - that is all that I know to offer you at this time and I feel it is so
>little that I am almost ashamed to offer it at all. But maybe if we all
>bring what we have, and what we know, and what we do best, perhaps in some
>way it will help you in your trouble.
>
>This is what I have done so far -
>http://www.dadamac.net/initiatives/research-and-development/collaborators-connect-and-climate-change
>
>I am sorry I have not responded sooner. Please tell us, what do you think we
>can best do to help you and your community?
>
>Pam
>
>---------- Forwarded message ----------
>From: Samwel Kongere <jambita1@yahoo.com> Date: 13 April 2011 12:51 Subject:
>[mendenyo] As we find hopes & dreams to make ends meet, due to climatic
>change!
>
>Hello Pam, Graham and all,
>
>It is real for us this year and last year. This is the planting season for
>us in Rusinga island but the fluctuating rainfall, the planted crops are
>withed, leaves small and hot sun will dry them up.
>Our farms are nolonger productive what can we share to change as climate
>would favour us? If additional exchange programme is added.
>Community culture product, what is happening?
>Is IT for development nolonger an advantage? And if so why all this wars &
>battle for leadership?
>Fine life is first changing but which way?
>Samwel.