Quaker Witness in East Africa

The Conditions in Kenya

2008-07-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Friend,

Friends Liston Ayodi, Director, Rural Service Programme, and Jean Smith, founder of Kuwesa, are scheduled to speak and take questions at the 15^th Street Meetinghouse, 3 Rutherford Place, New York, NY on Thursday, July 31, 2008, 6:30 – 7:30 pm.

The topics will be:

1. The Conditions in Kenya and

2. The Programs of the Rural Service Programme, with headquarters in Kaimosi, Western Kenya

Anyone interested in contributions to the RSP and or Kuwesa, one of the RSP’s projects – are encouraged to:

send working used laptop computers (with batteries which hold a charge)
donate knitting machines
purchase crafts and clothing made by Kuwesa

Please mail laptops to arrive by 8/8 or bring on 7/31:

S. Jean Smith, Esq.

45 West 34^th St.

9^th Floor

New York, NY 10001

Yours in Friendship,

Glenn R.

HIV Widows at Work - Kuwesa

2008-02-04T13:03:00.001-08:00

E-MAIL the Kuwesa Organizer

To see more pictures of the Kuwesa Women's economic project
click here.

Kenya

2008-01-31T17:03:00.000-08:00

Civil War/Humanitarian Assistance/Durham Friends Meeting/Rice, Suki/

Local supporters of Kenyan orphanage watch with horror/

Brunswick Times Record/Brunswick/ME/USA/31-Jan-08/

DURHAM — An orphan care center in Kakamega, Kenya funded, in part, by a local Quaker group, remains in jeopardy today amid politically charged violence in ...

Kenya

2008-01-29T15:42:00.001-08:00

Civil War/AVP///One man helps moderates tackle the roots of Kenya's ethnic rifts/Christian Science Monitor/ Boston/MA/USA/29-Jan-08/
Hezron Masitsa of the Alternatives to Violence Program in Nairobi, Kenya, says the time has come to find common ground......A practicing Quaker, a peacemaker by nature and profession, Masitsa is part of a small but significant group of Kenyans who are ready to heal the country's ...

Kenya

2008-01-27T22:19:00.000-08:00

Civil War/Religious Unity/Non-Violence/Malimo, Churchill/
Fresh protests as Kenya crisis grinds on/
Christian Science Monitor/ Boston/MA/USA/16-Jan-08/

Pastor Churchill Malimo, head of the Friends Church (Quakers) in Nairobi, says that churches have fallen down on their responsibility to halt the violence.

"Churches must rebuke leaders who don't want to provide rule of law," says Pastor Malimo. "We can speak with one voice and tell our leaders we want justice, but not by fighting. We must resist attempts to allow our people to be misused by people in power." Unfortunately, all Kenyans come from one tribe or another, and "some pastors are taking sides, so the church is not speaking with one voice." . ..

Humanitarian Assistance/Education/Civil War//
In Kenya, sanctuary put to the torch/
The Oregonian/ Portland/OR/USA/6-Jan-08/

As part of the solution, the Harambee Centre, co-founded by Kuto and Jackie Goldrick, and West Linn High School brought two teachers and four students from Kenya to Oregon five weeks ago.

"We will send them back when it is safer," Kuto said. "I'm a Quaker. I advocate for peace. That's my bottom line. I'm optimistic when I think of the people, the human beings, the average American and the average African. But we are all at the mercy of our leaders, our presidents. Every morning when I wake up, I'm hopeful those leaders will look at things a little differently." ...

Kenya

2007-01-07T19:32:00.000-08:00

Politics and Economics/Bweywe Friends Church//Steadman defends poll as leaders allege bias/Standard/Nairobi/Kenya/Africa/12/23/206/Mudavadi, who spoke at Bweywe Friends Church in Emgwen Constituency in Nandi on Saturday, said that the pollsters were out to wrongly shape people’s minds ...

Directions to 3 Rutherford Place, New York, NY

2006-12-22T20:46:00.000-08:00

Map

Driving:

From South and West: Holland Tunnel, Hudson Street north to 14th St, 14th St. East to 3rd Avenue, park
From North: Deegan (Rt. 87) to 3rd Avenue Bridge (free, turn right off ramp, merge onto bridge) or Triboro Bridge - to Manhattan (toll, easier), FDR Drive South to 23rd St., follow road under elevated roadway to 14th Street, turn right to 3rd Ave, turn right to 15th St. park
From North and West: GW Bridge to Harlem River Drive South, to FDR Drive South to 23rd St.follow road under elevated roadway to 14th Street, turn right to 3rd Ave, turn right to 15th St. park

From East: Midtown Tunnel to 2nd Avenue South to 15th Street, park, or turn right, park

Trains to:

Penn Station - take subway A, C, E, downtown to 14th Street, L train to 3rd Avenue, walk north to 15th St, right to Meetinghouse

Grand Central Station - take subway 4,5,6 downtown to 14th St/Union Square, walk east to Meetinghouse

Bus to:

Port Authority - take subway A, C, E, downtown to 14th Street, L train to 3rd Avenue, walk north to 15th St, right to Meetinghouse

Kenya - 2007 World Social Forum

2006-12-05T09:25:00.000-08:00

Humanitarian Assistance/Religious Diversity/Simiyu, Benson//Protestants to mobilise for 2007 World Social Forum in Kenya/Episcopal News Service/New York/NY/USA/1-Dec-06/... African churches.". Pastor Benson Simiyu of Quaker Friends Church said: "It's a chance for us to let the people know the truth.".

[Ecumenical News International] Nairobi, 29 November (ENI)--Kenyan Protestant church leaders have pledge to mobilise their followers for the 2007 World Social Forum to be held in Nairobi from 20-25 January, saying their presence there will be of critical importance.

"We cannot let others arbitrate issues for our followers as we watch," said the Rev. Habil Omungu of the Kenya Anglican Church as leaders on 27 November announced plans for the meeting for proponents worldwide of an alternative way of conducting economic life.

African churches will participate at the WSF from 20 to 25 January through a platform of the Roman Catholic organization Caritas and the All Africa Conference of Churches.

The WSF usually meets each year when "anti-globalisation" supporters coordinate global campaigns and work out strategies regarding their issues. The forum tends to meet in January when the World Economic Forum, seen as representing mainstream capitalism, meets in Davos, Switzerland.

"It's important for the churches to be present in all these meetings so that they can articulate their positions," the Rev. Grace Kaiso, a Ugandan co-chair of the Caritas/AACC platform said. Kaiso said the groups would hone new ideas, acquire skills and network with others from around the world. "You are going to be the face of the African churches."

Pastor Benson Simiyu of Quaker Friends Church said: "It's a chance for us to let the people know the truth."

Burundi - Peace Activist to Speak

2006-11-19T15:54:00.000-08:00

Posted by Quakers in the News

qinfriend@gmail.com

International Conflict/Great Lakes School of Theology/Friends Church of Burundi/Richmond Friends Meeting/Burundi peace activist to speak Thursday/Richmond Times Dispatch/Richmond/IN/USA/9-Nov-06/... /.Burundi peace activist to speak Thursday

Elie Nahimana, a religious leader and peace activist from Burundi, will speak on "Healing After War and Conflict: Reconciliation Between Hutus and Tutsis in Burundi" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Richmond Friends Meetinghouse, 4500 Kensington Ave.

Nahimana is president of the board of Great Lakes School of Theology and clerk of the Friends Church of Burundi. During the 13-year civil war, which ended in 2005, Nahimana, his wife and their five children were forced to flee from province to province, losing three homes that were destroyed during the war.

For details, see www.rpec.org or call 232-1002. ..

Darfur Crisis

2006-11-18T13:24:00.000-08:00

Friends discussed the crisis in Darfur and make available a link to a website which provides much information.

Kenya / Western - CROSSROADS SPRINGS CARE CENTER

2006-11-09T08:23:00.000-08:00

Orchard Park Friends Meeting welcomes inquiries and financial contributions for Crossroads Springs. All funds are transferred directly to CSI in Kenya.

Checks may be written to:
Crossroads Springs/Orchard Park Quaker Meeting

C/o Clerk, Orchard Park Quaker Meeting

6924 East Quaker Road

Orchard Park, NY 14127

Crossroads Springs Institute, Hamisi, Kenya, is an orphanage and school for children whose parents have died of HIV/AIDS. It was founded in 2004 and currently cares for 135 boys and girls aged 4 ½ to 9 in Early Childhood classes through Standard IV. Food, clothing, health check-ups, loving care, and schooling are provided. Dr. Meshack Isiaho, founder, is assisted by a director, head teacher, assistant teachers, cooks, cleaners and watchmen. When dormitory rooms are completed, 100 children will be in residence and overnight care provided.

Orchard Park Friends Meeting has partnered with Crossroads Springs since the beginning, receiving contributions and establishing a separate bank account for making transfers to the designated CSI bank account in Kenya. Monthly financial reports and annual audits are sent from CSI via e-mail to an Orchard park Friend who reports to Monthly Meeting. Friends write acknowledgements for contributions and do a newsletter mailing twice a year to donors. OPFM Peace and Social Action Committee makes Crossroads Springs a priority, initiating activities such as making a local newspaper appeal for gifts in honor of mothers on Mothers’ Day and collecting gifts in a hollow gourd for mosquito nets

We encourage visits to CSI. In September 2004 a work group from US and Canada, including three from our Meeting, spent 2 weeks at CS, helping rebuild a partially finished building for the orphanage. They met children, teachers and community members, attended Gavudunyi and Kakamega Quaker Meetings. They were warmly welcomed and learned a great deal. The following April a member of that group returned to CSI for a few days. A group from Western New York visited in March 2006 and will return in November this year. In June 2006 Deb Naybor, executive director of Both Your Hands, spent a few days, working with 100 widows, widowers, and guardians to establish 7 small businesses with micro loans. Our visitation is not a “system,” but rather a matter of keeping connected in friendship and support, as well as receiving progress reports.

Dr. Isiaho is a Quaker, member of Gavudunyi Monthly Meeting. We would think he would welcome visitors and observers from NYYM and wider Quaker groups. He has met with Eden and James Grace, and John Muhanji at FUM office in Kisumu.

Please visit the Crossroads Springs website at

Orchard Park Friends Meeting welcomes inquiries and financial contributions for Crossroads Springs. All funds are transferred directly to CSI in Kenya. Checks may be written to:

Crossroads Springs/Orchard Park Quaker Meeting

C/o Clerk, Orchard Park Quaker Meeting

6924 East Quaker Road

Orchard Park, NY 14127

Please go to the Crossroads Springs website for Vision, Mission, Strategy, photos, and newsletters. www.crossroadssprings.org

Kenya - Orchard Park Meeting (NYYM) - Crossroad Springs

2006-10-13T20:23:00.000-07:00

Orchard Park (NYYM) Meeting has supported and funded the Crossroad Springs project for many years. The Meeting has developed a postive trust relationship with local organizers in Western Kenya. The project has become integral to the life of Orchard Park Meeting.

Weblog Administrator Guide

2006-08-31T14:28:00.000-07:00

Who can read this Internet Weblog?

The website / weblog can be read by anyone who has access to the internet and uses a web browser to read the news that have been shared. There is no way that this website can be kept private from anyone who would like to read it.

Who can post information on this Internet Weblog?

Administrators or those who have been given the posting email address of the weblog can contribute postings. (Administrators must fully publish emailed postings before they can be seen by the public)

How are posts organized?

Posts are organized in reverse chronological order - the newest posting at the top. If anyone would like to share the location of the weblog/website they would copy and paste the URL (Uniform Record Locator) http://quakereastafrica.blogspot.com
In the body of an email and forward it to anyone.

How to post to the Weblog:

Loggin URL: http://blogger.com

User Name: As you have selected after being invited to be a member of the weblog
Password: As you have selected after being invited to be a member of the weblog

The administrator, or co-administrator(s), who can be added at any time, may post to the weblog in two major ways:

A. By Posting Directly through the weblog administrative interface
- By logging on as above,
- click on the Weblog: Quaker Witness East Africa,
- click on the ‘Create New Posting’ Tab
- Write or copy and paste your heading and text.
- Headings should follow the protocol – Country / Name of Project / Post Title
- upload and position any pictures you would like
- Click on Publish Now, to make the posting visible to the public

B. By sending an email to the following posting email address:
- quakerafrica.east'at'blogger.com

(the subject line of your email will be the title of the post, the body of the email will be the text of the posting).

- emailed postings will be posted as a ‘draft’ and not published fully until one of the administrators logs on and publishes the posting. This can be a sort of approval process, where the administrator has editing ability before the posting is fully published.

Who else can make postings on this weblog?

Anyone who has been given the posting email address: quakerafrica.west'at'blogger.com

Who may comment on a posting?

Virtually anyone. Comments to postings are restricted to those who register and sign in to the Blogger Membership Database. (Blogger is a Google free internet-based weblog software environment) Comments can be restricted further, if this is desired, for example, only to those who have been invited to be members of this weblog.

How do I add links to the right hand sidebar?
See Blogger Help.

How do I invite others to be members (and subsequently make them administrators) of the weblog?

- Loggin to Blogger.com
- Click on Quaker Witness West Africa
- Click on the SETTINGS Tab
- Click on MEMBERS
- type or copy and paste email addresses of those you’d like to invite
- Once members have joined, go to this page and click the box ‘Administrator’ if you’d like them to be able to fully publish emailed posts, or to be able to edit or delete postings or errant comments

Who may post and share on this Weblog?

2006-08-31T14:27:00.001-07:00

Any Friend who would like to share information about humanitarian aid projects may share information here.

The Weblog Administrators, and those who know the 'Send To' email address of the weblog can contribute postings. ( The weblog administrators must fully publish emailed postings before they can be seen by the public)

The Send-To email address to post news is quakerafrica.east'at'blogger.com

How to post to the Weblog:

2006-08-31T14:27:00.000-07:00

Important: Posting Guidelines

To maintain some order in posting, please use the following protocol for naming and identifying the posts:

Post Title:
Country Name / Project Name - Post Title
Post Body:
Please begin each post with the writer's name, Monthly Meeting and contact information

-------------
Here's an Example: (When posting on East Africa website)

Kenya / Project Z - New Board of Trustees Named for Project Z

posted by Marvea X. Quaker
member of Friendsville Monthly Meeting
Quaker@aol.com
001 212 555 1212

On January 1, 2007 the board of Trustees was named for Project Z in Kenya......etc etc etc
-----------------

The administrator, or co-administrator(s), who can be added at any time, may post to the weblog in two major ways:

Loggin URL: http://blogger.com/ User Name: As you have selected after being invited to be a member of the weblog Password: As you have selected after being invited to be a member of the weblog

A. By Posting Directly through the weblog administrative interface - By logging on as above, - click on the Weblog: Quaker Witness Southern Africa, - click on the ‘Create New Posting’ Tab - Write or copy and paste your heading and text. - Headings should follow the protocol – Country – Monthly Meeting – Name of Project - upload and position any pictures you would like - Click on Publish Now, to make the posting visible to the public

B. By sending an email to the following posting email address: - quakerafrica.east'at'blogger.com (the subject line of your email will be the title of the post, the body of the email will be the text of the posting).

- emailed postings will be posted as a ‘draft’ and not published fully until one of the administrators logs on and publishes the posting.

Who else can make postings on this weblog?
Anyone who has been given the Send-To posting email address: quakerafrica.east'at'blogger.com