tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75654637295152853132024-02-06T22:08:37.254-08:00Project Yongo"Every one of us gets through the tough times because somebody is there, standing in the gap to close it for us."
-Oprah WinfreyGereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-869693123842624532014-03-15T13:02:00.002-07:002014-03-15T13:02:18.712-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Apete wuon Orek fitting his new shoe<br />
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<br />Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-9141835866850345482014-03-02T15:05:00.003-08:002014-03-02T15:06:34.889-08:00Fifty Pounds Of ShoesThis years goal- one shoe,one foot at a time. More to come.Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-68598880231448496342012-09-20T18:53:00.001-07:002012-09-20T18:53:46.651-07:00Life's Long Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-40123547748132229552011-11-13T16:37:00.000-08:002011-11-13T16:47:55.138-08:00ImagineImagine a day when no child shall not fullfill his or her dream due to lack, a day when their dreams become reality because you took a stand and made a bold move...Just imagineGereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-87661031294786054812011-08-07T17:30:00.000-07:002011-08-07T17:39:06.999-07:00PovertyThe big question is how can we break the cycle? Simple, educate the people, dont just provide the daily meal. Give man a fish and you will feed him a while , Teach him how to fish and he will fend himself .Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-79354988794409224622009-01-01T15:52:00.000-08:002009-01-02T14:48:19.020-08:00Managing AbundanceAs a kid growing up on the shores of Lake Victoria, I learnt a lot<br />at the very tender age of nine. I would go out to look after the<br />cattle and at the same time fetch fire wood for my grandmother.<br />On the occasions when Mother Nature was in a foul mood - rain,<br />hail storm, wind - I would plan ahead and devise a way to ensure<br />I was under some sort of makeshift shelter. Despite all the<br />shortcomings, I would manage to guide the goats and cows safely<br />back home. On the sunny days I would "animal pool" (all the<br />village animals) taking turns with the other herders. Teamwork.<br /><br />My dad had about ten herds of cows and two dozen goats, plus<br />a few sheep here and there. These animals were not the easiest<br />to herd, but I learnt the trick: large quantities of green vegetation<br />for feeding, a salt tablet to lick, and lots of water. As long as they<br />were full there was peace.<br /><br />In his book <em>A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose, </em><br />Eckhart Tolle refers to this as "making peace with the present<br />moment." The present moment is "the field upon which the game<br />of life happens." But how could I take care of the goats with their<br />immediate needs <em>and </em>tend to the much larger animals, the cows,<br />who required a lot of grass and copious amounts of water? How<br />does a kid deal with such competing priorities and come out on<br />top? According to Tolle, it is in the "power of NOW."<br /><br /><br />Managing this abundance required a strategy - quick thinking and<br />acting, which every herdsman eventually masters. First, I had to be<br />fast in order to deal with the goats, which required finding an<br />enclosed thicket with the greenery they loved. Then, I needed to locate<br />a grassy green pasture for the (slow-eating) cattle...<br /><br /><br />Little did I know the same strategies would be required of me at a<br />later stage in life from a different position. Not that of a herds-<br />man; but of a provider and a leader. A lot has happened since then<br />with seemingly recurring similarities. For the purpose of this post,<br />I will revisit the year 2008.<br /><br /><br />2008 held many opportunities and lofty goals. There were many<br />breakthroughs. It was the year "Project Yongo" (the blog) was born,<br />midwifed by my friend Venetia. She is a true blessing, as this was a<br />huge endeavor. We created the blog to raise awareness about the<br />plight of the Agok community children, and Africa at large. I am proud<br />of the progress we have made. As we transition into 2009, my goal is<br />to reach a broader audience in order to help more kids realize their<br />dreams, and become what God has ordained them to be.<br /><br /><br />One of the major opportunities of 2008 came disguised as a hurdle.<br />I was laid off. For three-and-a-half months, I was on the constant<br />hunt for a job. Emails, phone calls, networking... I sent 720 emails;<br />only forty of those had my resume attached, which yielded twelve<br />interviews. No one appeared to be hiring due to the economic slump<br />in the U.S. and the subsequent collapse of the world economy. Even<br />though these were very unique circumstances worldwide, I did not lose<br />hope. Through this experience I found one thing to be true: when all<br />appears to be failing, there is one source which will never fail - God.<br /><br /><br />This was indeed a transition, and like any change of season, there was<br />a long spell of waiting, doubt, and frustration. I had my doubts about<br />whether a prospective employer would find it beneficial to hire a name<br />like "Yongo" and my frustrations about how long it would take.<br />I engaged in interview after interview, with each perceived rejection<br />leaving me to wonder (more frustration) why this particular employer<br />was not interested in me and what could I have done differently in<br />order to "pass with flying colors"? Amidst all of this, I kept deep faith<br />in God. I reflected on all he has done for me, from Korogocho to<br />America, from a 10 x 10 mud walled, sewer less shanty to a house in<br />Brunswick, Georgia, from <em>Alkala </em>(1000 miler) to <em>Adidas. </em>Not only<br />did he send an angel to guide me, but also to show me how successful<br />I could be in what I did. God is a Source of abundance.<br /><br /><br />I knew there was a reason for all of this, but I did not understand why.<br />I began asking "Why?" Then I remembered I am a "creation" like any<br />other and I will never be alone. I have angels guiding my path. The<br />soul-searching process began. As the social psychologist Stanley Milgram<br />describes in his book <em>Obedience to Authority</em>, "Often it is not so much<br />the kind of person a man is as the kind of situation in which he finds himself<br />that determines how he will act."<br /><br /><br />To a certain degree, I reacted to the situation. I almost let my ego take<br />control over my soul, wanting to know the cause. As the "herdsman"<br />I made a very conscious decision not to keep asking, and to guide myself<br />through this "drought." I had seen animals die and I have seen human<br />beings degrade mentally in situations such as this.<br /><br /><br />As a parent, a husband, and a leader there were several people leaning<br />on me for spiritual and moral guidance. A lot was at stake. I have<br />inspired a lot of young men and if I caved, then the entire "herd"<br />would be lost... I created a network of "spiritual warriors" like Laquita<br />King, Charles, Susan, Ms. Poole, Venetia, Pastor Rice of Mt. Orum<br />Baptist Church, Pastor Chris of Family Life Church, and Natalyne,<br />not to mention Julie and Pastor Scott who invited me for a prayer<br />vigil in Brantley County. I refused wilt and wither away, and went<br />back to where it all began. I knew God created me for a purpose and<br />did not bring me this far for his amusement, so the situation did<br />not change me. It made me stronger. As Pastor Rick Warren wrote<br />in his book <em>Purpose Driven Life</em>, "If you can worry, you can meditate."<br /><br /><br />My preference for meditation was born of the desire to know God<br />and to have a deeper understanding of my purpose on this plane<br />called "earth." How best could I be of service to God and his<br />creation - humanity? How could I be his friend? After all, in times<br />of turmoil you reach out for your friends. I had reached out for<br />all of my earthly friends, but where was my heavenly Father?<br />In John, chapter 15:15 Jesus calls us his "friends." Instead of<br />worry, I chose to connect with him through meditation and prayer<br />as these are the two avenues upon which he travels. I wanted<br />clarity and needed intervention not only from the loss of my job<br />but also for spiritual renewal. I needed to re energize my<br />archetypes in order to find meaning, if not a symbol in all of this.<br /><br /><br />In October, the funds started to dry out. I knew if I did not have<br />a job by November things might not be good. I started thinking of<br />things that could go wrong. I would lose my home, my truck, and<br />all the earthly "necessities." There was the risk of my kids going<br />without food and all that nice stuff. Several interviews along<br />the line, but nothing juicy, my faith did not change. I kept on<br />tithing, meditating, and praying. One Sunday afternoon a van<br />pulled-up in front of my driveway, as I was working in the yard.<br />Out came three well-dressed ladies. I recognized them. They<br />belonged to a church where I was a guest speaker back in<br />February. They said they heard I had been jobless for quite<br />some time and the Lord had sent them with some goodies.<br />They had a check for $500.00 and boxes of supplies ranging<br />from rice to chicken. Talk about God answering prayers! Here<br />I was thinking about how I will make payments and the three<br />ladies came in with a rescuing hand.<br /><br /><br />With each day, the economic news became more and more bleak.<br />Every employer I contacted gave me the same "doom and gloom"<br />story. My faith grew steadfast and my spirits were at their<br />highest. I made a call to my friends Paul and Kappy. I had not<br />been in touch with them since July, and though I did not reach<br />them, I left a message. Paul called me back that same evening<br />and we scheduled a lunch get together at a local restaurant.<br />During this time, we exchanged notes on which resorts to contact.<br />One week later we met again. At this juncture he stepped-in big<br />time, from taking me to stock up at Sam's Club to paying bills.<br />May the almighty God continue to Bless him. As Oprah Winfrey<br />puts it: <em>Every one of us gets through the tough times because</em><br /><em>somebody is there, standing in the gap to close it for us.</em><br /><em></em><br />Paul and Kappy have been the bridge to help get me through<br />the transition. A transition of abundance - born out of love<br />and service to humanity.<br /><br />On October 20th I got a lead from Jeff Newcomb. This is a guy<br />who was not in my database. It was a posting through Hcareers.<br />At the same time I received an email from a former colleague<br />inquiring if I had seen the job posting. This was around 9 a.m.<br />By 4 p.m. on the same day I was on the phone with this company<br />setting up an interview. On the 4th of November, I was in North<br />Carolina for a three-day interview. On the 14th, I received a verbal<br />offer. On the 17th, I received a written offer. On the 25th, I was<br />employed.<br /><br />I had wanted to do it "my way" but the supernatural has its ways<br />of making things happen. There is a reason why things happen.<br />All we have to do is look for the symbolic meaning. Caroline Myss<br />describes the life interruption in her book <em>Sacred Contracts, </em>this<br />way, "When your life plans are suddenly interrupted you can choose<br />to view that event as a 'contract intervention' rather than a crisis."<br />Surely this was not a crisis but a an intervention.<br /><br />Back to my friend Paul who has been very instrumental in this<br />changeover. When I was heading north he instructed my family<br />not to worry, and sure enough, when the Kia had a fatal knock,<br />he gave us his Chevrolet Suburban to help until such time when<br />I am able to buy another car. <em>Webster's Dictionary </em>defines a<br />friend as a "favored companion." I have been favored by my<br />friends God, Paul, V, Kappy, and La Quita, and the rest of you<br />who have been there for me. Lots of love to you all. <br />Ruwan Silva, you were a God sent angel who appears whenever<br />there is need. Think about the above events - how else can you<br />explain them? God's favor and love. In 1 John 4:16 John says<br />this about God's love "and we have known and believed the<br />love that God has for us. God is love; and he that dwells in<br />love dwells in God, and God in him."<br /><br />Now I am managing a new "abundance" relocating the family,<br />settling into the new job, finding a new home and school for<br />the Kenyans, and finding a tenant to rent my old house.<br /><br /><br /><em></em><br /><em></em>Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-16107879213936359682008-10-28T15:31:00.000-07:002008-10-28T15:34:19.884-07:00Religion<span style="color:#cc9933;">"This is my simple religion. There is no need</span><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">for temples; no need for complicated philosophy.</span><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">Our own brain; our own heart is our temple;</span><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">the philosophy is kindness."</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">-HH The Dalai Lama</span>Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-84572362913697237812008-10-14T07:00:00.000-07:002008-10-14T07:11:37.732-07:00ForgivenessCan we forgive and not forget? Is it possible to forgive<br />and forget? <br />According to <span style="font-style: italic;">Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> edition</span>,<br />the word<span style="font-style: italic;"> forget</span> is defined as: <span style="font-style: italic;"> To treat with inattention or</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">disregard.</span><br /><br />Therefore, if we are ready to forgive and not forget, then<br />we are <span style="font-style: italic;">saying</span> we are forgiving; but will pay attention and<br />give regard to whatever the grievance was...<br /><br />In his book <span style="font-style: italic;">Shining Through</span>, Hugh <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Prather</span> says this:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">To forget does not mean that we become insensitive to</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">pain or underestimate the effects of tragedy on ourselves</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">or others. It simply means that we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">accept</span> on faith that</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">peace can be brought into every situation and that God's</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">healing consciousness can sustain us through difficulties</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">and even personal devastation... Any form that fear takes</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">becomes less compelling when seen in the light of love.</span>Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-5434129860624460092008-10-02T15:31:00.000-07:002008-10-02T15:36:59.954-07:00Contents of My Life: Kate's Third Birthday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__HrDbe4GZcnV5h6_kJm7sw23JoXt0tDcu-pmIB553uqU2PRS0R1A6BpP9Im8VhvyeACzn5kK7xILge6UDzJ4qv9qWchO-GI3dwegOL2t1Jz5Xy-2-FNvEXNvWvTIt1lygsArNkzBniNQ/s1600-h/Kate+cutting+cake.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252689089664711538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__HrDbe4GZcnV5h6_kJm7sw23JoXt0tDcu-pmIB553uqU2PRS0R1A6BpP9Im8VhvyeACzn5kK7xILge6UDzJ4qv9qWchO-GI3dwegOL2t1Jz5Xy-2-FNvEXNvWvTIt1lygsArNkzBniNQ/s400/Kate+cutting+cake.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVc50bIVHpIPESGnLuFtaq-nhFYkSvd5dQ-tHWjz2059Nj0t0LFU2-ROFhGZGBkSEOtgiFgFyNjSmuuuGO2q6_DvDCSFurmCJuYwjFwmMgx7vNL2hKjVE9ouOOxIniKNIH07V1bZR9IGQ9/s1600-h/Look+what+i+have.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252689096774271314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVc50bIVHpIPESGnLuFtaq-nhFYkSvd5dQ-tHWjz2059Nj0t0LFU2-ROFhGZGBkSEOtgiFgFyNjSmuuuGO2q6_DvDCSFurmCJuYwjFwmMgx7vNL2hKjVE9ouOOxIniKNIH07V1bZR9IGQ9/s400/Look+what+i+have.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_mUYKaNDWvGgt1cGs8rbFkWrgsKT4K7XzhljdsKy-aSomAa2E9biw0ceI-ZuNaWudZH2e3FuBJBI8JkrKW1e51_lRnalXvZvnzpXt2JSfbDndx-ZZMFWh4lFIRwhzUYJBHv3_3PquwXS/s1600-h/Parties+goes+crazy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252689097316699442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_mUYKaNDWvGgt1cGs8rbFkWrgsKT4K7XzhljdsKy-aSomAa2E9biw0ceI-ZuNaWudZH2e3FuBJBI8JkrKW1e51_lRnalXvZvnzpXt2JSfbDndx-ZZMFWh4lFIRwhzUYJBHv3_3PquwXS/s400/Parties+goes+crazy.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3eGGQItr87AlyHlwXkA6hBNC9DKXaAep5s8TPqM8ejbT0TusvyOmQNHdgCh0Iw3HM9jnegzKHkalTZrihrdWDCq8vGIuUKrgAq8G5k1LWazx-lMWN9i4HVCgQGcGzZGTgDYPyfrBYGm8/s1600-h/YG+261.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252689100496686658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3eGGQItr87AlyHlwXkA6hBNC9DKXaAep5s8TPqM8ejbT0TusvyOmQNHdgCh0Iw3HM9jnegzKHkalTZrihrdWDCq8vGIuUKrgAq8G5k1LWazx-lMWN9i4HVCgQGcGzZGTgDYPyfrBYGm8/s400/YG+261.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAYa6v4mL8-LWcQugGsuBZVJ1N4rgrnoutw1MQKv6R48uYomJYm-H3c8W02iOg2HBjtNg6fmE-c3FDSCT9p9bI5q2whohHZYYrvSvosRdEquEiv1Te8CgaQRyHXl8cpZKGAwEfFWli1A9/s1600-h/YG+281.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252689102280811714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAYa6v4mL8-LWcQugGsuBZVJ1N4rgrnoutw1MQKv6R48uYomJYm-H3c8W02iOg2HBjtNg6fmE-c3FDSCT9p9bI5q2whohHZYYrvSvosRdEquEiv1Te8CgaQRyHXl8cpZKGAwEfFWli1A9/s400/YG+281.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-78694851476260226502008-09-23T10:37:00.000-07:002008-10-10T05:00:17.870-07:00The Village HerbalistEven though there was a major shift from traditional to<br />western medicine at the dawn of 19th century Africa,<br />to date, there are still several regions in which western<br />medicine remains inaccessible. These areas carried on<br />with the traditional methods of healing - some of which<br />have been incorporated into research for modern medicine.<br />It should not be lost that the majority of modern medicine<br />is deeply rooted in herbal extracts.<br /><br />As culturally diverse as Africa is, the herbs used from<br />region to region are the same. You will find that one<br />healer treks for miles and miles to seek the advice of a<br />healer from another tribe. Healers are vast in classification,<br />ranging from gods/ancestor appeasers, to ghost exorcists,<br />to outright witches. This group does not believe in any other<br />religion but their own - the practice of witchcraft and the act<br />of bewitching.<br /><br />Nevertheless, there is another category of healers which deals<br />purely in the school of thought that we get sick due to the<br />changes in environment and that what we eat can be supported<br />by the principles of equilibrium - which explains illness as an<br />imbalance of hot-cold, sweet–sour, wet-dry. It is typical to hear villagers<br />complain about malaria after the long "rain and dump" weather, as<br />mosquitoes multiply exponentially under such conditions. This category<br />of healer uses prayer to aid in the patients recovery, and will send the<br />patient in question to the hospital if the healing process is not met<br />with quick response.<br /><br />Damar fell into this last category of traditional healers. She was a<br />devout Seventh Day Adventist. For the purpose of this blog I<br />will dwell on this group of healers - what they do, especially<br />what my grand mama did and which herbs she utilized.<br /><br />*As a specialist in purging and emetic medicine, she had a very<br />strict routine. She could only see her patients in the morning,<br />with one condition: that you eat little or nothing the night before.<br />Anything after noon would only be dealt with if it was life<br />threatening. The emetic would make you vomit all the contents<br />of your stomach, (including all the rotten stuff) while the<br />purgatives would do the final cleansing of the body... talk about<br />natural laxatives...<br /><br />Whenever the above mentioned would not work, only then<br />did she resort to ‘surgery’. By making three incisions just<br />below the diaphragm or wherever the pain was felt, she<br />would suction the disease by inserting a goat horn. I have<br />three scars in my own tummy as result of this procedure!<br /><br />This rule did not apply to diseases such as colds and coughs,<br />which were treated in the evening using fumigants and<br />vaporizers. For a person suffering from chest congestion<br />Damar would boil eucalyptus tree leaves and bark , and cover<br />her patient with a blanket (water still boiling) so as to inhale<br />the steam.<br /><br />For skin diseases resulting from a measles attack or scurvy,<br />she would prescribe the pungent 'bitter apple' (angw’e) while,<br />‘neem’ (arubaini) tree was left to deal with fever. For<br />bacterial infections and open wounds she would dispatch<br />the ‘Aspilia’ tree. If you had a stomach ache, you would not<br />escape the wrath of the very bitter, ‘bitter leaf’ (achak).<br />If you liked eating raw food (which was the norm in the fields)<br />and had worm infection, you surely had a date with a whole<br />cooked pumpkin plus the seeds. For those who could not<br />control their appetite and had constipation, Damar was more<br />than happy to dispatch a concoction of aloe plant mixed with<br />either senna (owinno) or mahogany bark.<br /><br />Damar was not only a respected healer in Kagwa village,<br />but in the entire west Uyoma and beyond. This was not<br />due to her marriage to a famous traditional wrestler<br />Amos Ochiyo aka "Mahanya", but due to her natural<br />attunement with the environment. Having been born in<br />bushy and shrub-covered Sakwa, grandy learned to use<br />the herbs at an early age - a craft she perfected with time.<br />People would come from different parts of the country to<br />pay her a visit with different ailments. She provided them<br />with both physical and psychological treatments. She was<br />very compassionate, and never used this gift solely for<br />her own enrichment, but to serve others. I recall on more<br />than three occasions women flocking to her home with<br />sick kids but no money. She was more than happy<br />to help. Her favorite words were “When this child grows<br />up let her know who saved her life, and let her send me a<br />quarter kilo of sugar, now go in peace”. This was humbling.<br /><br />One day while sitting around the fireplace, I told her I<br />wanted to have as many cows as my grand used to have.<br />This was the answer:<br /><br />"If you really want to buy a cow and you don’t have enough<br />money, what do you do? Do you put the money away, wait, and<br />generate more? If the money can buy you two goats (m&f), then<br />go ahead and buy. After a year you will have begun to realize<br />your dream - the goats shall have reproduced and you will be<br />able to sell goats and buy a cow."<br /><br />*The above mentioned herbs and trees are currently used<br />in western medicine.Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-9302721025005560152008-09-13T08:53:00.000-07:002008-09-13T10:37:40.932-07:00When The Edges Crumble, Part IIHere is what I found out:<br />THE HIGHER SELF IS CONNECTED TO THAT OF OTHERS.<br /><br />I love my life here in the Golden Isles, and can give many reasons<br />why. Among them (in my opinion), the teacher-to-child ratio in<br />the school system here is just right. Of course (as with any<br />“immigrant” family) there have been the related challenges. We<br />arrived in January, midway through the school year. My eldest<br />son Oscar (who was in the 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> grade in Kenya) was sent back to<br />the 9<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> grade… It was kind of demoralizing and many times,<br />regret started creeping in. Yet, something inside kept saying: it’s<br />just one year, let’s move on. This “setback” challenged Oscar to<br />set his eyes on the prize – to work hard, have fun and be the<br />best “Oscar” he could be. On May 30<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> of this year, we celebrated<br />his graduation from Glynn Academy – where he played soccer and<br />was in the ROTC as a second lieutenant. He is now a freshman<br />majoring in chemistry at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Valdosta</span> State University. I am very proud<br />of his achievements. The other two boys are also hustling. Allan<br />is playing soccer for Golden Isle Soccer Club U18, while his<br />younger sibling Brian is chasing the piece of dead leather at<br />Coastal Soccer Outreach. Brian is 12 and already playing with<br />U16… He is also learning fine arts at Glynn Middle School.<br />He plays the guitar… Way to, “<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Brayo</span>”. Meanwhile, the two<br />princesses in the household give me a run for my time. Being<br />the father and nanny to Kate is a job I love, while Michelle will<br />always amaze me with her wit as I shuttle her to-and-from<br />school. Dealing with these two keeps me busier than a day’s<br />paying job.<br /><br />The truth is: I love my life. Period.<br /><br /><em>Turning back to the center - it is here that I will not lose sight </em><br /><em>of my purpose on this physical plane. Here, I realize it is best </em><br /><em>not to focus on 'what I have lost; but on what I am becoming </em><br /><em>due to the loss’. I have stayed away from the edges, as they </em><br /><em>are too brittle. Turning to the center of my creation I seek </em><br /><em>guidance and my archetype readily provides me with all the </em><br /><em>help I need: </em><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Venetia</span> K. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Hanratty</span>-Saunders has been a key figure in helping<br />me realize my dream of serving others. She is the "editor in<br />chief" for Project <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Yongo</span>, and has helped keep me in focus with<br />my life’s purpose… When my son Oscar was moving to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Valdosta</span><br />to attend college, I went to hire a U-Haul. I became reacquainted<br />with Jim Bonds - it had been a year since we met. He asked what<br />I was up to, as he had heard about Sea Island laying-off 300 plus<br />employees. When I told him I was among them, he graciously<br />provided me with the keys to his 17-foot moving truck - free of<br />charge… Due to conflicting schedules and responsibilities,<br />shuttling Allan and Brian to-and-from soccer practice was<br />not something I could (realistically) do on my own every week.<br />When I shared this concern with Donna Johnson, she emailed<br />me right away saying she had instructed her son Stephen to<br />shuttle Allan. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Johnsons</span> live 20miles from where we live.<br />The Saturday before last, there was a tournament in Jacksonville, FL.<br />Donna took Allan (along with some other kids) to the games. She is a<br />God sent Angel… what a phenomenal human being... Not to be left out<br />is my wife Susan. It is her paycheck we utilized for sending money to<br />Kenya to help with my Grand mamas Funeral. Susan, because of you<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Damar</span> had a decent burial. I am proud of you… And in the midst of<br />this, I am still looking for a job placement. My professional mentor<br />(and a man I am proud to call my friend) Charles Saunders has been<br />very instrumental in showing me how to find my way around the<br />“concrete jungle” using the good, old fashioned computer.<br /><br />Next weeks posting will begin to uncover my grandma’s stories and<br />herbal/healing life.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#cc9933;">Post Script: In 1992 I went my late grandma for advice about a </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#cc9933;">small business (like all “business people” I wanted to be a success). </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#cc9933;">Someone had told me, if you don’t have ‘<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">JUJU</span>’ power you will never </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#cc9933;">make it. So off I went with this to my secret keeper, and she giggled. </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#cc9933;">These were her words, and I will do the best I can to translate them </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#cc9933;">into English:<br /></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#cc9933;">“There is no known medicine for business. The medicines I </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#cc9933;">have used </span></em><em><span style="color:#cc9933;">for years are being truthful, being able to </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#cc9933;">accommodate my customers </span></em><em><span style="color:#cc9933;">needs, and treating them </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#cc9933;">with respect - whether they are buying half </span></em><em><span style="color:#cc9933;">or all my </span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#cc9933;">merchandise; or just inquiring”.<br /><br />-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Damar</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Awino</span> the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Kagwa</span> Village Herbalist 1906-2008</span></em>Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-85599419643104150322008-09-02T22:25:00.000-07:002008-09-04T18:01:38.383-07:00When The Edges Crumble<div>Coastal living will always bring one to the realities of<br />the ocean's high and low tides... Georgia’s coast is no<br />exception to this natural phenomenon. Whenever the<br />Atlantic decides to cleanse itself, the marshes of Glynn<br />are covered with water. It takes a split second for any<br />unskilled boater to veer off and ruin his precious vessel,<br />as the waters recede back into the ocean, leaving behind the<br />beautiful golden grass (not to mention a nose-blocking coral<br />stench), and the picture perfect rivers and streams meandering<br />to download their contents into the ocean.<br /></div><br />This is the Golden Isles, home of the Sea Island venue for the 2004<br />G8 leaders summit, among other notable names.<br /><div> </div><br /><div>In January 2005 I relocated to this beautiful region with my family.<br />Being my first time in the USA, I became lost several times on the<br />small island of St. Simons and its mainland gateway town<br />Brunswick... okay, so I had never owned or driven an automobile<br />before... and though I did not know anyone here (save my long-time<br />friends Venetia Hanratty and Charles Saunders who were very<br />instrumental in our relocation), I loved it from the start. The<br />ageless oaks and the beaches - even though you cannot see<br />when an alligator is scheming to have you for lunch. </div><br />Like the ocean, the "tides" of (Golden Isles) life also have their ebb<br />and flow, leaving one to wonder (if you are not connected with your<br />inner-self) why it must go down so low, and will it ever go back to<br />being a high tide again? The ups and downs are part and parcel to<br />our being. There is a time to plant and a time to reap. The lapse<br />between plant flowering and fruition can seem long. This is when<br />our spiritual steadfastness is tested. It is when the edges begin to<br />crumble.<br /><br /><div>On August 4th 2008 at 9:00am my edges crumbled. I did not<br />scramble because I knew that there was a "center" with a "source"<br />and all I needed to do was ask to be re energized. Imagine being<br />called into an office to be told “we have eliminated your position,<br />please give us the cell phone and any other keys, and the security<br />will escort you from the building”. What a seemingly shameful<br />way to leave the workplace I had given my "all" to... a job I thought<br />I would hold onto until my retirement. I had to remind myself that<br />it was my first job in America. Moreover, the schools were going back<br />in a week’s time, and I have four kids enrolled in school... ohhh wait a<br />minute, one being college-bound... hmmm... the edges are<span style="font-style: italic;"> really </span><br />crumbling now. As I am penning this, my grandmother (my friend,<br />my childhood doctor, my icon) is lying instate waiting for burial on<br />Thursday and due to my circumstances I will not be by the graveside<br />to bid her farewell. She joined the other saint last Saturday at 6:00pm<br />Kenyan time, no more “wuon Olal” as she fondly called me.<br /><br />The major question: how do I balance the tension of these two<br />extremes - how can I rise above all these joys and sorrows to<br />weather the storm below? How can I dance my way through<br />crisis lovingly and joyously, accepting that this is just a low tide<br />and the high ones are on the way? How do I face these realities<br />and still be at peace with my higher self?<br /><br />Damar. Rest in peace. "Nya Ochiewo" fare thee well.<br />Awino sleep in peace. I love you as you loved me and<br />will cherish those moments we shared together.<br /><br />-To be continued next week -<br /><br /><br /></div>Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-91122210752706740802008-08-28T08:44:00.000-07:002008-08-28T09:04:21.265-07:00List of Items NeededAs promised, here is a list of items needed in order to<br />support the orphans' education:<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong>Pencils</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Pens</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Erasers</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#993300;">Rulers</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Notepads</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#993399;">T-shirts</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#66cccc;">Shorts (both sports & casual)</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;">Shoes</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;"></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Please send to either one of the following two addresses:</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">C/o Gereson Yongo</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">19 Galemist Lane</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Brunswick, GA 31523</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">- or -</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">C/o Benta Aloo Odhil</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">PO Box 020-2038</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">City Square</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Nairobi, Kenya</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">All donations are greatly appreciated & must be received by: </span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">November 15, 2008</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;"><strong>"What I know for sure is that what you give </strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;"><strong>comes back to you."</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;">-Oprah Winfrey</span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span></strong>Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-74760096774116837092008-08-20T12:42:00.000-07:002008-08-20T14:59:48.145-07:00Donating to the Needy and Ways to Economic SustainabilityDonkeys have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">always</span> been <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">referred</span> to as the "beast of burden". They serve as our "flat bed truck". Owning one or two can help get one out of poverty, as they carry water to the arid areas, and bulky items to the nearest market place. Their care and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">maintenance</span> is uncomplicated - they eat grass and sleep throughout the night and work all day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRqUFJjzoK42CAYrmNOeCwnJ9rDFnsepItuOeGejgoLkMZL3r8pk6mnyjp_q5z-WDx2Qqtf2qA4ekDR8JRenTx8Umv_JZnEzDw3bZ-chy3BioREeVhQxk0ApT0YbIxcWoBt6w9e9W0hnQ/s1600-h/Mode+of+Transport.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236688086160691666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRqUFJjzoK42CAYrmNOeCwnJ9rDFnsepItuOeGejgoLkMZL3r8pk6mnyjp_q5z-WDx2Qqtf2qA4ekDR8JRenTx8Umv_JZnEzDw3bZ-chy3BioREeVhQxk0ApT0YbIxcWoBt6w9e9W0hnQ/s320/Mode+of+Transport.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOyC8VLz8PKOYpPt6_EPQlU7CR8IVKh5DAAACUIog_PVEv0_W7GswGYJU8F6sU162p5GEKnaA9cG45idEB-uyo-hH_RMNSj1rp73AODnR_BV5vVIJL2CzBtb2ak0ySRamBlCzuMxMdqpp/s1600-h/They+need+it.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236688087672392066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOyC8VLz8PKOYpPt6_EPQlU7CR8IVKh5DAAACUIog_PVEv0_W7GswGYJU8F6sU162p5GEKnaA9cG45idEB-uyo-hH_RMNSj1rp73AODnR_BV5vVIJL2CzBtb2ak0ySRamBlCzuMxMdqpp/s320/They+need+it.jpg" border="0" /></a> These are the orphans talked about in my earlier posting. Here I am handing-over bales of maize flour, sugar and cooking oil. These are basic necessities which will sustain them for about one month. The cooking oil is for resale. It is repackaged in smaller <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sachets</span> for the villagers at an affordable rate. This way they are able to purchase other food-stuffs, bathing soap and necessities. The profit from such a venture is always 70%.<br /><br />In the upcoming weeks, there will be a "Donations" function linked to our blog for anyone wishing to contribute to our cause monetarily. In addition, I will post a mailing address and a list of "Items Needed" for anyone who wishes to contribute in that regard.<br /><br />I am deeply appreciative of your heartfelt care and interest in supporting<strong> <span style="color:#ff6666;">O</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span style="color:#ff6666;">u</span></span></strong><span style="color:#ff6666;"><strong>r Vision: to help expand the wealth and beauty in this wondrous world we collectively call "home".<br /></strong></span>Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-85397096529191899992008-08-12T09:04:00.000-07:002008-08-12T10:52:43.860-07:00Why Now?Every day the sun rises in the east, atop Got <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Huma</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Huma</span> Hills)<br />with a magnificent glow embarking on a westerly journey. A<br />journey summed with a spectacular set over Got <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Naya</span>. In its<br />wake, scorched earth, withered vegetation, and many-a-time<br />some dead animals, while its beautiful golden embers later turn<br />to silver and shine on Lake Victoria.<br /><br />As the sun, an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Agok</span> community child wakes up, too, beautiful<br />and innocent, to start a sure journey, hoping that today things<br />might be different. But the sun's glorious set brings a realization<br />that this was just another typical day. Another hopeless day.<br /><br />A typical day: a day in which she wakes up with reed marks on<br />her face and arm, and saliva drool white on the corners of her<br />mouth. She uses her hand to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">smoothen</span> the only daily clothing<br />(if any, which doubles-up as a pajama), blanket, and the formal<br />covering. She rolls her bed (reed mat, gunny sack, a cardboard<br />or an animal skin if she is lucky enough to have one) and places<br />it in a corner, looks for water to clean her face, and the rest is<br />gloom. 7:00 a.m. and beyond the horizon she can see the first<br />canoe approaching <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Gudwa</span> beach. This is the critical time and a<br />decision must be made, either head to the beach, or to school<br />on an empty stomach. This is what I grew up in, and as it was<br />then, it is still today.<br /><br />I have been going back to my village every year - in my words<br />to touch base with reality. This is a village I love. Despite all<br />the lack, they still show love. As a tradition, I usually buy sugar,<br />tea, salt and corn flour whenever I embark upon this trip, aside<br />from carrying anything ranging from painkillers and anti-<br />diarrhea medication to over-the-counter antibiotics. Of course,<br />don't forget about those used shoes and clothes I carry. In short,<br />I am a moving "Goodwill". While on the last trip, I had friends<br />visiting with me. My mother did not have the big chicken I was<br />looking for, so I sent the word out, who ever had one should<br />bring it.<br /><br />Most of the time they would bring it for free as a sign of<br />kindness, but this year, the crops had failed and the water<br />hyacinth had covered Lake Victoria's shore. The canoe (baby<br />boats) could not dock, and the fishermen had to find other<br />beaches of call. Anyway, at around 9:00 a.m. a young girl,<br />probably twelve-years old came to our home. I saw her talk<br />to my mother and from a distance they appeared to be<br />bargaining on something. After a few minutes, my mama<br />beckoned me and informed me on what the girl was there for.<br />She had heard I wanted to buy a chicken and they had one.<br />The asking price was $2 but we could negotiate. I quoted<br />$1.50. As my mom offered this young girl a calabash of<br />porridge, she advised me to go and see the chicken before<br />making an offer. I promised this young girl that I would<br />be at their section of the village at around 10:00 a.m.<br /><br />After she left, I enquired of my mother where their home<br />was and whose child she was. Mama informed me that she<br />was the daughter of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ochieng</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Ogola</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Ochieng</span> was my teacher<br />in middle school, a very enterprising young man. He and the<br />wife died of aids in 2002 / 2003. When I reached <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Ochieng's</span><br />village, what I saw shocked me. There were two other young<br />girls about eight and nine-years old, living in what used to be<br />their parents' grass thatched home. The first thing the<br />younger one said was that she was hungry and if I could just<br />buy the chicken so they could get food and a bar of soap to<br />bathe their emaciated bodies. Before I could enquire any<br />further on how long they had been without food, a frail looking<br />man in his late 30's came from the other hut. He called me by<br />my nickname. "Son of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Agok</span> is that you?" I responded<br />affirmatively. I recognized this man who used to be my fellow<br />herdsman - he would act as our leader. As other villagers, he<br />too was dying a slow death. An undiagnosed disease of which<br />I cannot speculate, but all said, he was in pain, surely, he was<br />in pain. It hurts to see another human suffer, especially when<br />all you can do is sympathise. That is what I did besides giving<br />Kenya shillings 100 ($1.30).<br /><br />Back to the kids. They had been without solid food for two<br />days and they had not bathed for four. I was touched, moved,<br />and embarrassed for not doing anything about all this<br />suffering. I paid $10 for the chicken, and my wife Susan<br />gave them some clothes. Then we brought soap, corn flour,<br />food, sugar, salt and other necessities.<br /><br />How could I have been so selfishly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">naïve</span> about where I came<br />from? The big question on our minds was how could we help?<br />Whatever we brought was just for this one family. How many<br />were out there going through the same tormenting life? The<br />following day I went to the village chief to find out what the<br />government was doing to assist the villagers, and how I could<br />help. I did not get much for answers. Meanwhile, my wife<br />was in a conversation with a local women's group, finding out<br />how we could assist, what the immediate needs were, and what<br />age groups were being affected. After getting the answers, we<br />returned to Nairobi and established a contact with whom we<br />could stay in touch - this was to be a widow, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Benta</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Aloo</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Odhil</span>.<br /><br />We agreed that any orphaned village kid should not leave<br />school for lack of school fees (high school) and she was to<br />check once every three months to provide updates. As for<br />the elementary school, I decided I would be sending money<br />every three months to buy school supplies. The big question<br />was how could I make this widow self-reliant while supporting<br />the schools? At this juncture I came up with a business model<br />whereby the widow buys the books from the wholesaler and in<br />return, I pay her the retail price. These books help in a class-<br />room of 40 pupils. January, 2009 will mark the second<br />anniversary of this project. Projects like these work and this<br />is a true testimony that it can be done.<br /><br />This has given <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Benta</span> hope that even though it will be three<br />months, there is something to look up for. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Benta</span> is now<br />responsible for ensuring that I am getting feedback on<br />the children's progress. She commutes every month<br />between Nairobi and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Agok</span> to check on the schooling<br />project. I have planned the next trip for January, 2009.<br /><br />To date, this project has two kids in high school with hopes<br />that they will become what God has intended them to be.<br />I have done this with very minimal resources, and know<br />there are other kids out there who need our help...<br /><br />One child at a time, one community at a time, one country<br />at a time, one continent at a time - together we will bridge<br />the gap. In my next post, I will address ways in which<br />you can help. I am ever appreciative of your readership<br />and your desire to support our efforts.<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">"Every one of us gets through the tough times </span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">because </span><span style="color:#cc0000;">somebody is there, standing in the gap </span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">to close it for us." -Oprah Winfrey</span>Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-1441420569982716912008-08-05T12:21:00.000-07:002008-08-05T12:27:55.880-07:00Recommended Reading<span style="color:#cc9933;">"We cannot direct the wind, but we can</span><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">adjust the sails. "</span><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">-Bertha Calloway</span><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;"></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;">Please follow this link:</span></strong><br /><a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/446490/-/tj2y16/-/index.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/446490/-/tj2y16/-/index.html</a>Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-39453740090124392502008-07-24T09:28:00.000-07:002008-07-25T04:35:29.212-07:00What is "Project Yongo"?Project <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Yongo</span></span> is my brainchild. Having lived and worked among<br />the poor in an AIDS ravaged community (among a plethora of<br />other diseases), I have decided to sensitize the world on the plight,<br />epidemic, and opportunities, which can be explored in order to<br />minimize, if not eradicate, the poverty within one African<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">community in Kenya called</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Agok</span></span> village.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Agok</span></span> village has lagged behind the rest of the country due to<br />cultural and political reasons, with the latter being the major<br />contributor. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">post colonial</span> Kenyan political system did not<br />favor this region. They were branded anti-government due<br />to the political ideologies of the country's first Vice President<br />who hailed from this region. This, coupled with cultural<br />beliefs in witchcraft (due to minimal exposure to modern<br />medicine, and women's inheritance), the AIDS epidemic, and<br />a poor infrastructure, has resulted in a lack of proper<br />educational materials and a high primary school drop-out.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Agok</span></span> school was built through community efforts in 1972 to<br />cater to about 300 plus children from this village and its<br />environs. It was not until the mid 1980s that other<br />communities started to build primary schools. This is when<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Buru</span></span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ndonyo</span></span> Primary Schools were born. These two<br />primary schools helped in off-loading the number of pupils<br />attending <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Agok</span></span>, but it also meant that the limited resources<br />were to be divided amongst the three.<br /><br />Meanwhile, for decades, the village's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Gudwa</span></span> Beach, has been<br />a beach of call for fishermen. This has had a negative impact<br />on the young girls in this society. Due to economic challenges,<br />they are forced to drop-out of school and marry some<br />fisherman because he can <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">provide the</span> much needed daily meal,<br />not only for the poor girl, but for her entire family.<br /><br />The boys are not left out either, as they too opt out of school<br />to look for income-generating ideas namely fishing. This is<br />mainly because they cannot attend school on an empty<br />stomach. Even the battle hardened ones who want to continue<br />cannot. How does it feel to see your mama and siblings go<br />without food for days, only to beg from your age mate who<br />dropped-out earlier than you? These kids are left with very<br />little or no choice but to drop-out of school.<br /><br />The same with AIDS orphans. The problem is this disease<br />kills both parents and leaves kids to take care of kids. At this<br />stage the choices are limited - either head to the beach and<br />get married or perish. And the circle continues.<br /><br />In an effort to deal with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">above mentioned</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">socio</span></span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">economic</span><br />ills, "Project <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Yongo</span></span>" was born. If through it five kids (3 girls,<br />2 boys) can be educated up to college level, it shall have<br />attained its goal. Please remember the emphasis on GIRLS.<br />They have been told they cannot be anything in the society.<br />While other villages have women doctors, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Agok</span></span> prides itself<br />in none. My three sisters dropped-out of 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">th</span></span> grade not<br />because of lack but because they did not have anyone to look<br />up to. All they heard was 'why waste your time, get married<br />and start your family... nobody cares about your education'<br />and sure enough that is what they did, despite Mama and<br />Daddy's resistance. That is the focus of this project.<br />TO SEND A GIRL TO SCHOOL & TO EDUCATE THE ORPHANS.Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565463729515285313.post-60332456602969079702008-07-24T08:38:00.000-07:002008-07-25T04:36:15.314-07:00WelcomeMy name is Gereson Yongo. I am a native of Kenya, born in Agok<br />village of Nyanza province, a small community of about 4000 people<br />found in western Kenya. The son of Jenipher and Washington Yongo,<br />my father is a pastor at a local church in the village.<br />I am the second born of eight.<br /><br />I was raised in the village of Agok at the shore of Lake Victoria.<br />Due to poor infrastructure or lack thereof, this village is inaccessible<br />during rainy season. It is a village with neither hospital nor electricity,<br />the nearest health facility being 20-miles away. This is where I<br />attended elementary school before joining Nyabondo High School in<br />Kisumu district and subsequently Kenya Utalli College in Nairobi, Kenya.<br /><br />As any other local kid I had a rough time growing-up: going without<br />food, walking in bare feet, suffering from malnutrition-related<br />diseases, running 5-miles to and from school, balancing life between<br />herding cows and goats, attending school, taking care of my siblings<br />while my mother went to the city to sell dried fish. It took a village to<br />raise me. From my grandmother, uncles, nephews, and church<br />members to the next-door neighbor, everyone chipped in to help<br />send me to school.<br /><br />After schooling I found myself with no option but to move to<br />Korogocho slums, Nairobi. I lived there for five-years, in a single<br />mud-wall 10 x 10foot room, with neither a bathroom nor running<br />water - not to mention electricity. The only good view I had every<br />morning was of running raw sewage in front of the house. It is in<br />the slums of Korogocho that I met the love of my life Susan Atieno.<br />As of May this year we have been married for twenty-years and<br />are blessed with five children. My eldest (who was born in the slums)<br />will be attending college this fall in Georgia, USA.<br /><br />It is through hard work and dedication that I made my way out of the<br />slums, and I owe it to God's hands. I have worked with various<br />reputable hospitality organizations spanning three continents. With the<br />most interesting work life (in my opinion) being in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,<br />where I lived for three-and-a-half years. I moved to the United States<br />five-years ago with my wife and five children.<br /><br />I have participated in building churches and houses for the widows<br />in my village, and am currently supporting needy children through<br />educational funds. I have been a guest speaker in several churches<br />in Brunswick, Georgia and am presently working as an Outlets<br />Manager at a prestigious 80-year-old hotel in the coastal region of<br />Georgia, USA.<br /><br />I believe all human beings irrespective of gender, race or religious<br />affiliation have latent qualities that can be tapped and molded into<br />whatever they want, and that poverty can be eradicated from the<br />face of the earth given the right tools to unlock that potential. The<br />key lies in education - both formal and informal.Gereson Yongohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846033594968734837noreply@blogger.com3