Day One on site

And the windmill begins!!!!

Day 1:
After removing my mosquito net and enjoying a lovely complimentary breakfast of eggs, toast, fresh pinapple and tea, we all set off for site. Jason and Duan stayed behind at the Hippobuck Hotel to finish assembling the structure while the rest of us head to the site to meet everyone.

Have you ever taken a school bus off-roading? I’m not sure how much I’d recommend it. Well, that’s essentially what will be doing for the next week to get to and from the site. Margaret’s home is about a 10 to 15 km out from Homabay, and I’d guess at least half of that is through dirt roads or grassy paths about 5ft wide—it took about an hour everyday. The first day was the real test—how far could the bus REALLY go through these fields? Good thing we all brought bags of candy to hand out to the school children that helped push us out of the mud!

Margaret’s home is set up on top of a large hill (which I’m guessing had some influence on why it was chosen to house the windmill…). Homes are scattered throughout the fields in this area, surrounded by fields of corn and grazing cattle, with no particular order to where the boundaries may lie. There is a water pump about a half a mile before Margaret’s home where her family get their water. They, like their neighbors, have no running water or electicity. Essentially for any modern supply/tool or use of technology (such as internet), everyone from Kochia has to walk the 10km to Homa bay. However, they do ALL have cell phones!!! And they work just fine out there! To charge their phones they also have to go into town.

Margaret welcomed us into her home and fed us rice, eggs, spinach and ugali (basically cornmeal boiled in water until it thickens) Many of the women in the community are part of a “development group,” and the entire group was there to greet us. All in uniform – name tag, white shirt and black skirt. Mr. Masango had his typical suit and tie on. Let me tell you how good we all looked showing up in our grease stained t-shirts and jeans.

The meeting began opened with a prayer followed by an introduction or each member. Everything was very formal. Only the person who was speaking stood. I must say, admit, it was my first time I’ve ever spoken to a room full of people that had no idea what I was saying. (The local language within this tribe surrounding Homabay is Luo.)

Khanjan and Mr. Masango explained, with the help of the translator/secretary of the group/minister, to the community how the windmill would work and how it needed to be a business. How everyone would have to pay to charge their batteries from the windmill so that the windmill would be sustainable.

Mr. Masango ended his speech with a quote from a fairly well-known man by the name of John F. Kennedy. “Ask not what America can do for you, but what can you do for America!” he shouted. The translator repeated and Margaret’s home was in an uproar of cheers! “Success! Success! Success!” Everyone shouted together….oh boy…. I really hope they don’t come after us with pick axes and spears if this thing doesn’t work…