New Study Suggests HIV Unchanged In Nyanza Province
A just released survey suggests Nyanza Province had a HIV prevalence of 15 percent in 2007, which is virtually unchanged from the 15.1 percent in 2003. Nyanza district is noted for having the highest HIV prevalence in Kenya.

Community Group Improves Farming and Education in Village Beset by Poverty
Katutuni village in Yatta district (Eastern Province) was stricken with poverty so severe that many kids could not go to school. Hunger and starvation had set in and school was no longer possible. In this article, we see that the village rallied around Makutano Community Development Association (MCDA) to help improve both farming and education in the area. Their work has been a notable success and was supported first by the Safaricom Foundation and then by the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF). KCDF is a nationally focused grantmaker that focuses on community based organizations, whose endowment has received  major support from the Ford Foundation in the U.S.

Training for 300 jua kali across Kenya, meetings note post-election violence tensions remain
A car company held free repair and maintenance clinics in Kakamega, Kisumu, Kitale, Bungoma, Mumias, Kisii Nairobi and Nakuru to maintain motorcycles. Motorcycles, locally called Boda Boda, are a main form of taxi service in the areas. The meeting also noted high tensions in the Rift Valley as internally refugees (IDPs) from the 2007-2008 post-election violence have not resettled, even after the government’s latest effort called Operation Rudi Nyambani (Operation Return Home).

The Nomadic northern Kenya has Extremely Low Levels of Childhood Education
A shockingly high 70 percent of children do not attend school in northeastern province. Of the 770,000 children that do not attend school, 400,000 are from dessert-like arid northern Kenya. The remainder of those missing school are from slum areas throughout the country. New affirmative-action strategies for the education of nomadic communities was discussed in Nakuru (Rift Valley).

10Village Screen Shot

Communities are incredible. If you are part of a community you’re acutely aware of your needs and those around you. This has been the basis for improvements of all sorts - business, charitable, and personal - in every country. In America, we must first admit that we are almost entirely detached from what is happening in communities throughout Africa. 10Villages is an attempt to change that.

10Villages is a way to explore what people are saying about their own community. Instead of simply mining the data for statistics and heart-wrenching worst-cases for use in marketing an aid approach, we are simply sharing the survey data with you.

This is not about crunching numbers. We survey and speak with people. Each person is important and holds interesting views that helps form a larger community of information.

What’s Unique is: 10 Villages does not rely on others to diagnose the problems, rather it sources the people directly. Here we let you learn from others in Kenya and draw your own insights and opinions.

Browse and explore the information in 10Villages. You can quickly learn about what we are fighting for and focused on: community improvement.

Greg with a family in Thika, Kenya

In the last post I said that toys for children was definitely something you should bring to Africa because they are in such scarce supply. The point of gifts is not merely a matter of maximizing the utility of the receiver - rather it is, as we have all experienced during the holiday season, to expose the receiver to something they might not otherwise be able to enjoy. Gifts are a personal reflection of those that give.

I read a story recently where a former head of the IRC went to see a refugee camp in Burundi. He brought a soccer ball for the kids to play with, but was stupefied to find the children vanquished with starvation and a lack of resources, which rendered his gift of a soccer ball useless. He subsequently returned to the U.S. and raised $300,000 in week to improve the situation.

Even in this case, I am sure he does not regret bringing a soccer ball to Burundi. The soccer ball was the object through which he was able to see his naive perspective and the great need for further resources. Those resources don’t fit in suitcase like a soccer ball. It was the vital resource of money that helped enable the building of wells, buildings, and bring in food. It helps save lives. And after a child has the food, water, and shelter they are going to want to play football.

So what should you bring to Kenya or another part of Africa? Here’s what I suggest.

• A Visa credit card/check card - Africa has ATMs. I found some poor advice in (new) travel books that suggest carrying your trips needs all in cash
• $300+ cash
• DEET Mosquito replant - Also it kills jiggers so rub a bit on your feet just to be safe.
• Simple medicine kit: thermometer, fever reducer (acetaminophen / ibrophen),  Pepto-bismuth (unlike other stomach aids this kills the bacteria of contaminated food), sugar packets + salt (mix with water to rehydrate in cases of diarrhea), Malaria meds (I like malarone and use it not to prevent malaria but to treat it if needed, but how you use it should be your preference), bandaids + neosporin
• Hand sanitizer - you’ll shake a lot of hands, so this can help prevent a cold
• Toilet paper - don’t get caught without it.
• A quick drying camping towel - this is invaluable for how quickly it dries and how much space you save over a regular towel.
• A LED lantern + batteries - you’ll likely find many times when power is out, or the village simply doesn’t have electricity.
• A LED pen-light - Keep it in your pocket to help you see at night
• Travel book with maps of the cities and towns.
• An umbrella
• Swiss Army/Utility knife
• A sheet or hostel sheetcase - you don’t need a sleeping bag
• Travel insurance - it’s extremely cheap, why not.

And a few things you won’t need:

• A tent - unless you really want to go camping independently, at most campgrounds you can rent a tent so there is little need to bring one. If plan to travel freely and think you might need to camp on so someone’s property with their permission, will likely result in them inviting you in to stay with them.
• Hordes of cash, there are ATMs
• To change your cellphone plan over to a international plan - you can buy and Sim card, air time, and a new cell phone if needed pretty cheaply once you’re there.
• Soap - you can bring your own soap but I would recommend buying some antibacterial soap from a grocery store, given the water and shower water is likely insufficiently treated.
• Mosquito net - every hotel has one, and they are difficult to install yourself
• Iodine tablets for water -It would be very rare that you need this. You are likely used to bottled water in America and naturally bring sufficient bottled water while you’re out and about. Plus, Iodine tablets are difficult to use, it takes an hour or so.
• If you’re staying at a cheap hotel (less than $10/night) or hostel, you might want to pick up some bug spray to fumigate.

With all that you should have plenty of room for a few toys, along with your other belongings.

Handmade fleece pillowcases given to kids in Kenya (photo: Boyznberry)

I happened to notice a blog post by an aid worker in Ethiopia that recommended that you NOT bring gifts for kids when you visit him. Rather, he suggests, you should make a donation to Save the Children or another charity working there. I think I understand where he’s coming from. He likely realizes that resources are extremely scarce, for instance the space in your luggage is quite limited, yet the social challenges we face in Africa are tremendous. This makes people want to economize, optimize, and maximize! People want to squeeze out every last drop of value and see that every last bit of space is purposeful. However, I cannot agree that someone traveling to Africa, or Ethiopia, shouldn’t bring gifts for children. In fact, I would think that would be one of the most important things.

The reason is simple. Unlike in the U.S. or the U.K. it is probably quite difficult to find a shop that sells toys. You’re more likely to find a bookstore or shoe store than a toy store. The local economies in Africa are already resource scarce and therefore have already economized, optimized away most toys from the market. In these places it is not uncommon to see older siblings becoming the de facto parents. But we cannot forget they too are still children and need to play. There are things that are more essential than playing, but we have to recognize that playing is itself essential.

Giving gifts and toys to children is a cultural extension of who you are. When someone gives a small toy or gift to a child they are sharing part of their joy as child, part of what they like and want to share. Giving a small gift to kids is not a substitute for a donation to a charity. They needn’t be mutually exclusive events, you can and should do both. And there’s nothing stopping you.

One of my best days in Nairobi was when I was walking back home after checking my email. Along the way I bought a Kit-Kat and as walking a young girl - I would guess about 7 years old - starts following me. Smiling, her hand is out begging. We walk and now my hand is out asking her for something. Then she puts a balled up slice of bread in my hand and I reach in my shirt pocket and give her the Kit-Kat. She smiles and runs off.

Now that was an exchange that made my day. I learned what she eats throughout the day, just a balled up piece of white bread. So that’s what I ate throughout that day. And she got to enjoy what I enjoy - Candy!

Now do I think made a lasting impact in the girl’s life? No. Do I think I ’saved a life’? No. But, I do think I made her day. She made mine. And I think if you have an opportunity to do that you definitely should.

And the giving of that gift did not take away from my giving to international charities.

Kibera Soweto, East

The Kibera slum is slowly upgrading its housing from mud, dirt, sticks, and rusted tin to ominous concrete. Above is a view of Kibera Soweto we took while visiting last fall. In the skyline you see the houses being constructed by the Government and UN Habitat; below lay the rooftops of the slum residents that are to move into the new houses.

The idea is that as they move out and into the new houses it frees up more space for the Government and UN Habitat to build more housing under a program called KENSUP, Kenya Slum Upgrading Program. Ideally, the process continues until Kibera and other slums throughout Kenya are no longer a slums. The Government has long claimed that all residents in Kibera – what’s thought to be around a million people – are squatter on Government land. For nearly 50 years the Government has largely abandoned this land and now is beginning to reclaim the land and provide affordable housing for the residents.

Affordability is a key issue. In previous projects the Government has seen costs outstrip rental values. This leaves the newly constructed buildings vacant. So lets take a quick look at the costs of this project. News reports indicate that rents have been set at 1,000 /- (~ $13.37) per room.^[1] Half pays for water and electricity and the other half pays for housing.^[2] UN Habitat is targeting a total construction cost, including infrastructure, of $3,750 - $7500 per room. With 600 rooms, that places the cost of the Langata housing project at about $2.25 million - $4.50 million USD.

A back-of-the-envelop calculation shows that at the low-end (zero interest, $3,750 construction costs, the full $13.37 rent goes toward costs) it would only take 280 months (~ 23 years) to breakeven. This duration is inline with typical mortgages and appears reasonable. However this calculation also reveals the little leeway they have in construction. If the upper construction target is realized the time to breakeven doubles to nearly 47 years. This starts to highlight the difficulty in providing housing to people who can only afford $15 a month, when we would like everyone to be able to pay $15 a day for housing.

It’s also important to notice the extremely slow pace of this project. UN Habitat and then President Moi originally conceived the project in 2001. The Kibaki Government and UN Habitat signed a memorandum of understanding in early 2003 and officially launched the project in Oct. 2004. In June 2007 the UN reported that they were 60% complete and targeting a completion date of April 2008. Yet it took until Sept. 2009 to be “completed”. We use “completed” to acknowledge that while people are moving into the housing units they have yet to finish the connecting water and electricity services. Obviously, the political disruptions and violence from December 2007 – April 2008 can account for some justified delays, however given the project began in 2001 and launched in 2004 we see that this project is progressing at a remarkably slow pace.

This slow pace is good in the sense that the abandoned government land is being reclaimed in a structured manner with adequate notice; but bad in the sense that most people of Kibera cannot expect adequate housing anytime soon.

[2] See, for instance: http://www.youtube.com/v/QZWe33fToPo

One of Covalent’s big efforts is cutting through the black box of the aid system. We want to go beyond online profiles and snap decisions on charitable giving to engage donors with communities and charities that provide vital support. We are trying to do so in a careful and meaningful way. We also face a number of very real constraints as mentioned in my last message.

The way we seek to meet these needs is through a school for donors in America. Each semester a select group of donors are admitted and empowered with the means to make amazing grants in Africa. Admissions is a highly selective process based on achievement and social responsibility. We select strong candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences. With admissions comes a wide array of benefits including: orientation; learning modules that draw from top experts in philanthropy, Africa, and aid; unparalleled international support in Africa; and the possibility of financial aid. The idea is to draw on America’s diverse leaders to support a wide array of charities and communities in Africa. Importantly, these donors retain their individual choice through advisory privileges of donor advised funds. This enables a thoughtful system of giving that avoids centralizing and concentrating powers by refreshing each semester.

After a donor goes through the program and makes a grant the work does not end there. In fact, it is just beginning. Through Covalent Global’s presence in Africa, starting in Kenya, we are able to see that the grant and the work is carried out properly. The information is relayed back to America to meet compliance standards and importantly to send to the donor. The donors are able to hear first-hand, about the challenges faced and the success and achievements of the work. They know just how their project is doing, this too is a learning process, and this enables them to make better giving decisions. Because of this, after a grant is completed donors become alumni and continue to have access to Covalent Global’s international giving services.

Thank you. Next week, I will discuss some financial matters. I will talk about the creative ways Covalent Global is using the idea of financial aid to assure that projects in Africa receive adequate support and the admitted class can be based the quality of the applicant.

I am sad to report that this goal was not achieved. I motivated my full efforts, my mind, my time, and my heart to this effort. I cut out all other options to assure that I held true that all my effort would see this through. This effort is not been barren but rather has born a new direction for Covalent Global Capital.

The idea behind this effort is not small. It is not to be awestruck with pity and help a few people in Africa. It’s big. To circumvent a system that doesn’t work well at all, that provides little if any support to those providing charity, schooling, and social service to their communities. With the goal of starting in 1 year there is the natural pressure to start small, show that you can help. I have resisted this, not wanting to yield to external private interests and not wanting to impose my particular likes and dislikes of certain charitable efforts. To advocate to help a particular charity group is noble, but you must recognize it is the effort of an ant. You need millions, yes millions, of ants droned in to carry any significant force. I do not see Covalent Global as an ant; to advocate for a select few goes against our values. We seek a fair and accessible system for all. So we are not starting as an ant because: No ant, not even siafu, can grow as big as an elephant, ndovu.

I saw Covalent Global as an elephant. It would take care of the legal niceties required to allow many donor advised funds to give to African-led charities. The problem with this has not been the legality. Rather, I returned to an America that is changing. Changing so much that it even elected a Black president. Haha, what? But more importantly for Covalent Global, America has seen a dramatic fall in the financial markets. With assets off 28%, many at foundations are struggling to keep their job. America is still very wealthy, but suddenly losing nearly 1/3 of what you thought you had can be scary. That makes people very hesitant to act on new programs and ideas. Furthermore, the competency of individual donors and foundations on international giving and charitable giving to Africa, in particular, is quite low. It is improving, notice Fidelity Charitable, one of the largest donor advised funds, is now working with CAF America and other intermediaries to carry out international giving; however the general low level of actual giving to Africa makes it hard to see an elephant these days. Rather the elephants in the room are becoming the problems themselves.

If Covalent Global is not an ant and it’s not an elephant, what is it? Hmm, a camel? Haha, maybe. Camels are tremendously useful for a wide number of reasons. Plus, it is always funny to see a Camel amongst the urban density of Nairobi. Really, what Covalent Global is doing is working to address the elephants in the room as mentioned above, especially the biggest elephant of them all, that very little if any financial support reaches those providing charity, schooling, and social service to their communities throughout Kenya and Africa in general. In doing so, we are becoming more than just an intermediary or a link that enables funds to flow. We are becoming a provider of information and educator for effective giving. We are creating giving programs that foster critical thinking and allow select donors to leverage their donations financially and internationally (e.g., a donor’s $8,000 could become $20,000; local offices and information straight from communities throughout Kenya). This giving program has many things in common with universities.

Learn more about these plans in this brief: Covalent Global Executive Summary. In the weeks ahead, I will discuss this new direction more and source your views and ideas. Is Covalent Global now a Camel or something else? Together we will explore what Covalent Global really is.

Salaama - tutaonana baadaye,

Jason Higbee

In 2008, I visited another urban slum of Nairobi, Kibera. In particular, I spoke with people and community-based charities in the Soweto section of Kibera. There, donors were responding to the ever-present need for more environmentally friendly sanitation facilities. Think: toilets or often a improvised toilet, to above ground open-air sewers and drains, to rivers - now imagine the messy, the smell, the sickness, the filth. Yuck!

The donors (including the U.N., the Government of Kenya, and some national NGOs/Trusts) have found a great solution, and we were calling it bio-toilets. Bio-toilet facilities are community toilets, showers, meeting halls, and sewer processing facilities all in one. Modern toilets are constructed and the waste is processed underground and in open-air trenches next to the building. You can also get a shower. The waste is processed in a environmentally friendly way and produces a by-product of methane that is captured for use. The methane could server a variety of purposes such as heating a boiler to produce hot water for the shower or perhaps filled in small tanks and used for cooking. The fuel will burn a lot cleaner and be safer than traditional charcoal burners (majiko).

These bio-toilets are great. It’s a “neat” idea and is certainly very needed. But really now, how excited can you get about toilets. Whether you have a hole in the ground, or a fancy Japanese Robo-Toilet, it’s still just a toilet. No matter how fancy, environmentally friendly, it will always be just a spot to go to the loo, to take care of yourself, and be done with it. Poo.

You understand the greater context of this by being in Kibera. There are other major issues pressing the community. Overcrowding, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, orphans, crime, just to name a few. In this context the best you can say of these toilets is they are just “neat” and needed.

So what happens when the toilet facilities are opened to the public?  A protest.

But pay attention carefully to what the people are saying. They are not really protesting toilets per-se, rather they are protesting the horrific inflation that is taking place, up over 25% in 2008. Listen carefully, and you will see that they are forcefully, but peacefully, protesting against the government using the high inflation to its own advantage. “Stop Playing Politics with Unga” (Stop Playing Politics with Flour),  reads one sign. The people are well aware of government corruption and how it is affecting their well being. They protest against corruption and for the needs of the people.  And it’s long overdue that we start listening to Soweto, Kibera and the people of Kenya.

A woman from Soweto summed up the situation quite well, she said, “Toilets, toilets, toilets all they give us is toilets. We have many other pressing issues, it cannot be all toilets.”