The school in Marich and the clinic in Tikeet

Here are some pictures, one of the completed and operational Marich Early Childhood Development and Primary School, four of the Tikeet Health Centre Project on the Masol Plains and two of Dr. David Roden the major driving force and benefactor behind both of these worthwhile projects.

The Outpatients Building at the Tikeet Health Centre  has had the roof installed and the Inpatients Building is well under way with most of the basic structure complete.

FLICKR

More photos of Marich have just been uploaded to FLICKR.

CLICK HERE: FLICKR

FLICKR

Have just established a FLICKR Account............... just CLICK on the link below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/west_pokot_kenya/

I will hopefully add more photos to this and by the looks of it will be able to upload pictures to here when we are in Kenya.

For somebody else's slant on the area to be visited in May/June, why not search for either Marich Pass or Pokot under photos on Flickr. There are some outstanding photos from other people who have visited this beautiful area of Kenya............ or if searching is too time consuming, just click on the links, for Marich Pass and Pokot respectively, below.....

http://www.flickr.com/search/?ss=2&w=all&q=marich+pass&m=text

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=pokot

Water for West Pokot

This is a video I found on YouTube about the plight of the Pokot of West Pokot. Unlike the people of Marich and those people that live along the Moruny and WeiWei Rivers, most people

lack one of the basic needs of life - WATER!

 

GREAT NEWS - I have just read that the Waterfall Project has been completed.

The organisation concerned is HARVESTERS INTERNATIONAL.

Pokot siblings in Kenya

Pokot siblings in Kenya
Originally uploaded by martien van asseldonk

This is one of a number of photos posted by Martien Van Asseldonk on Flickr.

They can be found by typing in Pokot under a search of his photos.

I am most grateful for his kind permission to use these.

There are others who have also posted photos on the Flickr site and these can be found by searching for Pokot (1220 hits); West Pokot (160 hits), Marich (227 hits) and Marich Pass (180 hits)............ as at today's date.

And there was me thinking that nobody else had ever heard of the place!

Refugees, Famine.......................

Although Marich Pass and the immediate surrounding area has sufficient water, and food, due to the Cherangani Hills influencing the climate and the Pokot being a mostly agricultural people, you don't have to travel far north to find people living their lives on the edge. It is here that there is great human suffering when the rains fail or when there is insufficient precipitation resulting in the failure of the harvest.

We will pass through this area on our way to the Turkwell Dam HEP which is in an extremely arid area bordering Turkana. Here I have seen refugees from further north as the further north you travel the worse the situation becomes.

Food is a precious commodity, but nobody thinks twice when there is Tesco, Sainsburys, Waitrose or some other supermarket just round the corner with shelves filled to overflowing.

Spare just one minute to think about those less fortunate than ourselves.

A malnourished Turkana child pictured naked in a barren, desolate landscape!

There are other images that will educate you if you look on the PHOTOVALET website. Images 138813 to 138837.

See also the two links at the foot of the blog for The Tribes of Kenya and The Traditional Music & Cultures of Kenya, or just click on these links.

Header

I have reduced the size of the Header photo due to it being far too big................ however, the photo can still be seen at full size, showing the area surrounding Marich in all its glory, by clicking on the photo below.

The River Moruny & MPFSC

Just a short video, without music, but with the natural sounds of Marich filling the air............... NO traffic, No planes, No industry, No machinery, No other noises grating on one's nerves.......... just the pleasant, tranquil sounds of the natural world filling the air. PARADISE............................ HEAVEN........................... SHANGRI LA!

Another Video

This video of a slideshow or is it just a slideshow................. whatever......................... is almost identical to one already posted, but with a different soundtrack.

There are also slightly fewer slides, due to difference in the length of the accompanying music.

Latest News

Any further, in school, fundraising has been put back until January at the earliest. Why, I have no idea but we have suspicions! 

However, if it is to be January, then January it will be!

The latest news is that we are still awaiting approval for the field trip to go ahead. This is dependent on satisfactory Risk Assessments being completed, submitted and OK'd by County. I have been informed that there are no foreseeable problems but approval cannot be given until the nexceesary peperwork has been submitted by the EVC.

Once permission has been obtained we can go ahead and book and the COUNTDOWN will then begin in earnest.

The planned trip for the Year 11 group has been sanctioned subject to insurance and the students agreeing to a code of conduct for the trip. A quote has been obtained which is considerably higher than the current trip. The price has increased by £385 due to the planned safari being at the end of July i.e during High Season. 

More Videos

Some more videos from Marich Pass, The Marich Pass Field Studies Centre and the surrounding area including the Residents of this little known corner of Kenya.

One can't but be impressed by the beauty of the area, its people, the scenery.............................. it is hard to describe this paradise and much better to visit oneself in order to really appreciate the place.

If you'd like to visit, and include it as part of a safari to East Africa, then travel arrangements can be made through UKCONNECTION.

Web Photos

Whilst trawling through the Web, I was astounded at the number of pictures one can find when searching under POKOT or MARICH PASS.

I have attempted to contact those who own the copyright to the following photos, to no avail, but hope that they do not mind that I have used them to promote West Pokot and Marich Pass. I am most grateful for them as they really give the feel for the area.

There is one Photo (See above - top), of the five Pokot Women in traditional dress, for which copyright is owned by Dr. Robert T. and Margaret Orr © California Academy of Sciences. I am again most grateful for its use and acknowledge their rights.

In addition, I came across a site, during my hours of surfing, which relates to the many bridges that have been constructed across the rivers in West Pokot and elsewhere in Kenya. These bridges allow for the safe passage of people across rivers which at times are impassable and are at best treacherous. They have been built across the Wei Wei and the Moruny Rivers, which both flow within a short distance of the Field Studies Centre with the Moruny flowing past the Studies Centre. The organisation concerned is named Bridging the Gap.

Pokot Dictionary

The Pokot people have their own language, although some of the words used are similar to Swahili. The basics are as follows, with apologies for the spellings:

poghsio (pronounced poy-shhuh) - hello
poghsio nyoman (pronounced poy-shhuh nya-man) - hello (in response to a greeting)
karam nyoman - hello (friendly, in response to a greeting)
lenteneana - how are you?
karibu - welcome
karibu kau (pronounced kari-boo cow) - welcome to my home
mzuri - good
karam - very good
wena - a call to get someone's attention, to a man
weno - a call to get someone's attention, to a woman
kariama (pronounced karry-arma) - goodbye
kariama sieth (pronounced karry-arma see-eth) - see you tomorrow

FIELD TRIP RULES

STUDY TOUR RULES

Students to follow all rules of M.P.F.S.C. and from the Teachers.
Students to listen to what they are told.
Students must not leave the Study Centre site unaccompanied.
Students must not enter the river or its vicinity unaccompanied.
The use of iPods/radios/walkmans during the day is not permitted.
Students must ensure that sufficient drinking water is carried when away from the centre.
Students must ensure that they wear a hat when working/walking in the sun.
Students are responsible for their own personal belongings including clothes, cameras, jewellery etc.
N.B. Neither SHS nor M.P.F.S.C. can accept responsibility for loss or damage to personal property.
After 18.00 hrs, long sleeves and long trousers must be worn by students and insect repellent must be applied.
Anti-malarial tablets must be taken as prescribed by those students whose parents want this protection.
Students must, at night, use the Mosquito nets provided.
Students must take great care when handling the paraffin lamps provided at M.P.F.S.C.
When travelling through towns and cities, keep windows on the mini-buses closed at all times. Do NOT lean out of the windows and do NOT put hands/arms out of the window.
No Smoking or Drinking.
Footwear should be worn at all times whilst walking, due to thorns.

Geographical Locations

For those parents who wish to ‘keep track’ of their sons/daughters, below is a list of locations, together with their latitudes and longitudes, that we will be passing through or staying at during the trip.
These can be located on a number of map sites on the web including http://www.flashearth.com/

The List covers the route from Nairobi to Marich

NAIROBI 01° 17’ S 36° 49’ E JKIA 01° 19’ 49” S 36° 55’ 33” E
Village Mkt. 01° 13’ 46” S 36° 48’ 17” E
NAIVASHA 00° 43’ S 36° 26’ E
NAKURU 00° 17’ S 36° 04’ E Lake Nakuru is the lake to the south of the town.
Lake Elementaita and is the lake to the SE of L. Nakuru.
Greensteds School is between the two lakes about 10 miles outside Nakuru.
TIMBOROA 00° 04’ N 35° 32’ E
KAPTAGAT 00° 22’ N 35° 28’ E
ELDORET 00° 31’ N 35° 17’ E
MOIS BRIDGE 00° 53’ N 35° 07’ E
KITALE 01° 01’ N 34° 59’ E
KAPENGURIA 01° 14’ N 35° 07’ E
ORTUM 01° 26’ N 35° 21’ E
MARICH 01° 32’ 4.3” N 035° 27’ 56.9” E


On the return journey we will pass through Narok en route to the Mara Reserve:

Narok 01° 05’20” N 035° 52’ 33” E (Narok is the last major town before the Reserve).

Western Edge of Mara Reserve (location of Big Cat Diary HQ) is 01° 18’ 00” N 035° 02’ 19.3” E
and this can be found on the Big Cat Diary Link (See Links) with much greater resolution.

Kenya Field Trip 2009 - Equipment/Clothing List

Equipment/Clothing List

Toiletries (Soap, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Face Cloth, Shampoo, etc.)
Insect Repellent and Anti-malarial prophylactics.
Sun Block/Sun Tan Oil/Lotion.
Swimming Costume.
Slippers/Flip Flops.
Towel.
Sensible walking shoes (Safari Boots, Hiking/Walking Boots, Training Shoes, NO football boots).
Light jacket/Fleece
Long Trousers/Track Suit Bottoms
Long Sleeve T-Shirt/Rugby Shirt/Sweat Shirt.
Long Socks.
Clothes (in addition to the above) enough clothing for the trip to an area which, at this time of year, has an average daily temp. of 30°C and the nights can be cool.......... Hat, short trousers, T-shirts
Sleeping Bag................. if this is a problem, please contact field trip leaders (MH, RH, DM).
No expensive jewellery/watches.
Pens/Pencils
Small hardcover notebook or counter book for use as Diary.
Day sack - Large enough to carry water, food, camera, note books, pen, etc.
Water Bottle - 1/1.5 litre size (Plastic)
Torch + a spare set of batteries + Spare Bulbs or Wind-up Torch
Binoculars.
Cameras + charger/spare batteries + Memory Card
iPods/Radios/Walkmans for evening use only.
Reading material.
Snacks (crisps, nuts, biscuits, boiled sweets, mints, gum etc. Chocolate is not recommended).
Pocket Money/Allowance: £40-£50 recommended for purchase of sodas & gifts/souvenirs.
Alcohol Wipes / Wipes
Items for personal hygiene
Toilet Paper
Personal First Aid Kit - Plasters, Headache tablets

There will be the facility to recharge batteries and to download digital photos onto a computer.
A small generator is run for a couple of hours in the evening and will also facilitate some recharging of batteries.

It is not recommended to take mobiles due to the cost of calls from the UK but all teachers will have Mobiles fitted with local, Kenyan SIM cards.

All possessions are to be packed in a holdall or sports bag as well as the day sack to ensure ease of packing the buses.

All items of clothing etc. should be clearly marked.

A supply of plastic bags (Tesco, Sainsbury’s etc.) is useful for preventing leakage onto clothes in a suitcase or for packing wet clothes when travelling from one location to the next.

Please note that the ‘100 ml Rule’ is still in effect with regards to the volume of liquid permitted in hand luggage and No ‘sharps’ (knives, scissors, nail files etc.) are permitted on the aircraft.

Knives of any shape, form or size are NOT to be brought on the trip.

Valuables (cameras, iPods etc.) should be carried in hand luggage as should a spare set of underwear, socks etc.

Since there will be limited supplies of electricity, items other than iPods, Camera Batteries should not be taken.

Copyright

I have discovered the certain people are using my photos................................ this is in breech of Copyright............................. MY copyright! ..........If you want to use my photos............................ I'm flattered, as I feel most are very amateurish, but still mine .................... just ask, don't take............... THANKS.

Marich Pass Field Studies Centre Promo - Pts. 1 & 2

These are a couple of videos produced for the Marich Pass Field Studies Centre as promotional material.

They contain a description of how and why the Field Studies Centre was developed as well as an interview with David Roden, the FSC's Founder, and footage of numerous events in an around Marich for which David was directly responsible.

If it wasn't for David, the FSC and many projects in and around Marich and the surrounding area just would not have happened and would not be what they are today.

Thank you David for letting me know you and giving me so many wonderful opportunities in the past (and hopefully in the future!) to visit Marich and to get to know the people.

This is a short slideshow/video of Marich Pass and its environs.

It is also available by clicking on the YouTube links at the bottom of this BLOG but for those in schools, where access to YouTube has been blocked, you can now have the opportunity to watch it.

The soundtrack is 'Forest Hymn' from the album Deep Forest by Deep Forest.

Due to popular demand............... a second trip to Kenya.

Another day closer to returning to Paradise.

Even though the planned school trip is only open to those in Years 7 to 10, Year 11 have shown a keen interest in undertaking a similar trip. They were not offered the opportunity to participate as they would be halfway through their GCSE Examinations although some would have still preferred to go on the trip.

With this in mind, I have today opened the door for Year 11's interested in travelling to Kenya in July 2009 to sign up for a trip.
The holiday will be much the same as the first with less emphasis on the academic side of things. Students will still visit the Parks and Reserves as well as being able to see for themselves where the funds raised, whilst they were at school, have been put to good use at the Marich Pass Field Studies Centre in West Pokot.

It will be a time for celebration before they embark on the next phase of their education.

The web links below give an idea of where we will be going and the pictures and YouTube videos a taster of what life will be like in Marich Pass.

For the trip to go ahead there must be a minimum of 8 students and the max..................... well, the sky's the limit................... OK, 40!

It's nice to see that there are students out there who are not blinkered, who are adventurous, who have a heart, a soul and a conscience and understand that even though they are relatively very fortunate, there are others, out there in the great big world, that are a lot less fortunate. If they opt for this trip and not for Wii's, XBoxes, iPods, Mobile Phones etc. they will get to meet real people who have virtually nothing but have a lot more than most in terms of what is really important in life!

I just hope that for those who take the big step this holiday will be a life changing, eye opening and thought provoking experience which will stay with them throughout their lives and provide experiences and adventures that they can share with their friends, families, children and children's children.

The opportunities that are still available to travel to remote parts of the globe are becoming fewer and fewer. These areas are under increasing pressure from the outside, more-developed, western world to change and everyone should grab hold of the opportunity to experience these paradises at least once before they die.

Marich Pass should be included in everyones list of things to do before they die. Marich is far from luxurious but what it offers in return far outweighs what we expect as the basic necessities of life. Who needs electricity, MacDonalds, Tesco, Hot & Cold running water, TV and a variety of shops..................... I sure as Hell don't...................... they're not important and far from necessary.

Marich changed my life and if I had the choice of my present life or a life in Marich, I know what I would choose!