Trans African Caravan of Hope

Caravan Chat - A Discussion with the Second Oldest Caravanite

2011-12-23T09:41:00.000-08:00

Written on the 10^th December,2011

‘The whole idea of going to COP doesn’t make sense if we don’t negotiate with nature.’ ‘So how do we do that?’ l ask after hearing such a sweeping statement. ‘ We negotiate with nature by leaving activities that disturb it and nurturing those that encourage it.’

This was a statement that Mzee Charles made when l spoke to him about his experiences as the second oldest caravanite.

Mzee Charles right in the middle of Thundering Drums

I am finalizing this story as we go through seriously winding and somewhat bumpy narrow roads on our way to Morogoro.

‘You know,’ Mzee Charles raises his right hand to emphasize his point. ‘Catastrophes don’t have boundaries. COP has lost its sense that we were trying to arouse as we protested on the streets of Durban.’ He then reminds me of Japan and the catastrophe they went through even though they are an industrialized country. ‘It didn’t matter that these people have industries and a lot of money. When natural catastrophes come, they strike the poor and the rich alike,’ he insists adding, ‘These countries should remember that, when they say no to binding deals.’

Mzee Charles stands tall at about 6feet and is 62 years old. He has energy of someone way younger than he is. ‘I have missed by family of 4 children and 4 grandchildren and my mother,’ he says of his participation in the caravan. Even though he is not a farmer, He has continually told his family that they needed to love nature and to take care of it. Mzee Charles is glad that one of his children is working in the agriculture industry. ‘That makes me happy because he took after what l have taught them,’ he says proudly.

He is a social worker who worked for the last 12 years as a Public Relations officer with Iringa civil society organization ,ICSO an umbrella body in Tanzania that works to rebuild capacity of Civil Societies administrations, gather and disseminate information, and to assist civil society to have a common face.

He tells me that Durban was important to him because of the advocacy and networking aspects that are key to his organization that he is keen to share once he gets back.

Advice to his government

He tells me that there is a big problem in Tanzania. Felling trees is big in Tanzania. He explains, ‘Other countries are depending on Tanzania to get their logged trees.’ Consequently, ‘trees are growing at a low rate. The technology of felling trees has grown greatly so it means one person can fell a lot of trees that won’t be replaced,’ says Mzee Charles. He also notes that felling trees has also exposed land which has become bare. ‘It has led to drying up of sources of water,’ adds Mzee Charles. He says that this exercise has led to women having to travel for long distances to get water for the household use.

His advice? ‘Our government should do away with duty on electrical goods so that many people can use electricity in their houses and this will stop tree felling.’ He has observed that most people in rural Tanzania use firewood as their source of energy. He believes deforestation will be curbed greatly if this is adhered to. He also wants the government and well wishers to, ‘Promote local artisans to promote energy saving stoves.’

Finally...

‘Two things, ‘ he tells me. ‘One, let all who are elected into public office know they are there to serve the electorate. They should hold public interest first including protecting natural resources.'

‘Secondly?’ I prompt him. ‘Secondly, The caravan was a great idea that brought many African countries together. People sat together, sent one message out and had one song.’ He says this even though not perfect, was a historic event. He adds, ‘All of us should take away from this lessons learned and improve on everything we learned.’

By Maria Wanza

Caravan Chat - A Spooky Tale from Our Travels

2011-12-23T09:32:00.000-08:00

Written on 10^th December 2011

Iringa, Tanzania. Courtesy of photos.igougo.com

A few minutes ago l was sitted next to the driver and catching up on stuff as he drove us to our lunch spot in Mbeya. I got back to my sit to catch a few winks only to realize sleep had eluded me. I then decided to write this piece.A story is told about the power company in Iringa; a strange story that started last night because someone ‘had to show us’ where the graves were.

As you travel, you might have noticed power lines that run along the road. This is a story about those lines.

Now in Iringa there is a story that a power company tried to run the lines over some graves where some old men had been buried. It is said that the power on those particular poles didn’t work no matter how much the technical people tried. And many of them tried. Get this, the power poles that followed the ones on the graves worked just fine.

Mzee Charles who lives in Iringa tells us as we listen keenly that the technical people tried to explain it away by saying every time they dug they came across a grave. In this part of the world graves are sacred. ‘Yeah, who doesn’t know that?’ you are thinking. I know graves are sacred and especially in Africa. But here my friend they are seriously sacred. You don’t even talk bad, not about the dead, and certainly not about their graves. You simply don’t.

So that said, the electricity poles had to be re-routed across the road by a number of poles, and then taken back to the right side. It worked. Just before the electricity drama was the road drama. The road in this particular area where the graves were has a bend. The road technicians tried to build a road over the graves and it cost them a life. The community here says that it is the dead that didn’t want to be disturbed and so it affected the system. This seems to be the overriding belief.

At the point that the road technician died, a decision was made and discussions were held with the family who later agreed to move the graves to a different location, after spiritual ceremonies. The electric poles were later returned and the road is now being rebuilt without the bend. What a tale. Only they have proof of it happening. I had to spook you with a story from Iringa, Tanzania.

By Maria Wanza

Caravan Chat - Where Art Meets Science - Part 2

2011-12-23T09:25:00.000-08:00

Written over a period of days starting 2^nd December 2011, past midnight at University of Kwa Zulu Natal

A few days later in Zambia as we head back home…

Art at its best

Banda is an award winning well known artist in Zambia. To say that Banda is animated is to seriously underestimate his nature. He is also an all-round artist is one of the most active members who works with Kachere Studio. I met him in Zambia.

My first impression of him was that he was seriously soaked in his art that he almost looked like art himself. I have spoken to him on a number of times but this morning, we are discussing his art over breakfast here in Zambia, a place where l found that people eat caterpillars. We are at a beautiful hotel that we just checked in with the caravanites in the wee hours of the morning. I am privileged to write this in Zambia as we do our trip out of Southern Africa and into Eastern Africa. Only l didn’t meet him in South Africa, l met him in Zambia when they displayed their art during a caravan of hope ceremony.

He tells me, ‘We create our art from recycled materials. The animal figures we make are done with both recycled materials and paper Mache.’ I marvel. They are very many animals.’ I ask him when he started his art and he says, ‘when l was very little, like by the time l was 6 years.’ ‘I used to be a teacher but now l am an artist,’ he explains to us.

And they kept working...

My friend has joined in this animated conversation. My friend, Obed wonders aloud, ‘So how much do they pay you?’ He shocks us when he says, ‘l volunteer most of the time.’ We insist, ‘how do you pay for your bills?’ ‘aaah that,’ he says casually. He goes on to explain how he is an art ambassador, teaches art to the high and mighty in Zambia plus works a lot with the government. ‘aaaah!,’ we chorus, our question having been answered. ‘For this,’ he insists, ‘we did it at no cost at all.’ This is a man who loves his art.

Final Words

Kachere Studio continues to impress as been seen through their work in schools, exhibitions, conferences and as covered widely on radio, TV and newspapers.

‘Climate change and environmental issues carry jargon with them and to the society, it becomes difficult to understand,’ Alexas says. ‘We have to make it easy for people to understand these issues,’ Alexas adds. He feels that COP17 has been a huge learning experience for him and his artists. ‘ It was good to be part of history through the Trans African Caravan of Hope.’

By Maria Wanza

Caravan Chat - Where Art Meets Science - Part 1

2011-12-23T09:12:00.000-08:00

Written over a period of days starting 2^nd December 2011, past midnight at University of Kwa Zulu Natal

The first time l saw them, in late November 2011, in Zambia, l thought, what great creativity.

About Kachere Studio and their Environmental Campaigns

Banda, busy at work

Since their inception in 2006, this team of experienced artists has created awareness on the impacts of climate change through their art. Their art is double edged; it presents both fun and learning, especially for younger crowds. Part of their art has seen them create figures of endangered species that they take round to schools and other outlets in their awareness agenda. They also do a lot of painting on clothe.

I find myself chatting to Alexas Phiri who is not only the lead in this team works under Kachere Studio but also an environmental activist. This studio has been running award winning environmental awareness campaigns called “HIGHLIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH ART” – GO GREEN – “Tiyeni Tibiliwile.” According to Alexas, ‘This is an innovative artistic campaign to increase public and political awareness and understanding of the need for environmental protection and sustainable utilization of our environment, and natural resources.’

His organization contracts artists who in turn interpret climate change and other environmental issues through paper Mache molds, illustrations, and paintings among other forms of art.

Alexas and Banda at Univesity of Kwa Zulu Natal

Preparation for the Big Climate Justice Walk

I ask Alexas as we sit on the floor at University of Kwa Zulu Natal what his organization is all about, He gruffly says, ‘Maria, l have a brief, you can read all about us from there.’ I figure, Man of a few words but heavy on action as his work clearly shows. As he opens his laptop to give me the document l watch his artists Banda and a gentleman whose name keeps escaping me, who are busy hand painting banners for tomorrow’s big march. Oh! Tomorrow is the big climate justice march where all countries gathered here from all over the world will be demanding that justice be done by polluters and to pressure for a legally binding deal, the cutting of emissions by developed countries among other demands.

So back to the central working place in Kwa Zulu Natal, We are now transferring documents and some photos of their work. I continue to watch his team hard at work as other caravanites begin to help in what turns out to be an all night of working. They set out to paint 6 huge banners, 4 mini ones and several placards. These were all hand painted. Their contribution on the day of the big climate justice protest was significant.

Read Part 2...

By Maria Wanza

Caravan Chat - A POTATO COUNCIL WITH AMBITIOUS PLANS

2011-12-19T02:04:00.000-08:00

'If you are talking about the African economy you are talking about Agriculture,' Kevin Kinusu

'We cannot claim to have won, the purpose of UNFCCC COPs is not to emerge any group as a winner and another as a loser, but to facilitate the world to agree, and we had an agreement in Durban. Let’s focus on how the agreement can move as a mile in the struggle against Climate Change and its Impacts on our people'...Kevin Kinusu

Kevin Kinusu addressing a session during the just completed COP17. Courtesy of iisd.ca

Written on the 28th November 2011

Potato Council? That is the first thing l chorused when l first heard about the organization that Kevin Kinusu, the program officer represents. My next question was, ‘what does the Potato Council do?’ It turns out quite a lot. We sat for this interview at around 1am as we had some tea in Durban, South Africa. Yes, The Caravan reoriented our work times so that interviews could take place any time.

Genesis of The National Potato Council of Kenya

The National Potato council of Kenya was formed to coordinate the potato value chain actors. The potato value chain is a composed of all the actors and players in the potato industry including Agrodealers, producers, traders, researchers, Government, industries, parastatals and farmer organizations.

The Association commenced in 2005 when a Potato Value Chain Committee was formed. It covered all industry actors who included farmers, traders, government, parastatals and private sector and the processors.

There were several critical areas of focus by the committee. First it was about the standards. Kevin tells me that potato as a crop requires high standards, looking out for pest and disease especially bacterial wilt. This soil borne disease, he tells me, is so vicious that it takes 7 years of a farmer doing land rotation for him to recover. The second issue was marketing. ‘We didn’t effective enforcement of standards most importantly packaging standards. These were available but not implemented, ‘ Kevin notes.

The Standards Explained

The potato agronomic and post harvest handling standards are well articulated in the legal notices number 44 and legal notice number 113 which are yet to be enforced effectively .Legal Notice number 44 was developed in 2005 while Legal notice number 113 was in 2008 to back the first one. Both legal notices cover issues of packaging standards. Kevin explains that, ‘Legal notice Number 113 is specifically about packaging and it specifies 110 kilogram for both white and red potato varieties for local standards.’ There are specific packaging standards for international markets. On the other hand, Legal Notice Number 44 covers agronomic practices, the potato as a source of food security, production of quality seed potato, production of quality ware potatoes, empowerment and active involvement of farmers in potato marketing..

Recommendation of the Value Chain Committee

The value chain committee recommended a national body that would coordinate different bodies inorder to have solutions to deal with the problems that were arising in the industry. Kevin says, ‘The coordinating body is a good idea because of the diversity of the players in the industry.’

The KEPHIS Example

He gives me an example of KEPHIS which is a main regulator that checks seed quality. He adds that, ‘The importance of KEPHIS is that it is a key player in dealing with the issue of the shortage of certified seed in Kenya.’ Kevin cites a South African example where there is 98% certified seed while in Kenya we have 3%. Further, South Africa has 800 potato farmers, in Kenya we have 800,000 farmers which means we need more seed. Kenya has more potential for the seed market and yet we have all these farmers without certified seed. Kevin points out, that ‘1% certified seed means out of 800,000 farmers, only 8,000 use certified seed.’ Noting that, ‘ One of the greatest challenge was to sort out is this issue of certified seed.’ And the Potato Council began processes to sort it out.

Doing Something about Certified Seeds

In 2010, the Potato Council carried out a comprehensive survey that in essence indicated who needs seed, their location and varieties and amounts they needed for planting. ‘It was detailed because it was important to match demands that needed to be supplied,’ Kevin points out

So as we wind up l ask Kevin what his expectations are of COP17 for farmers. Without losing a beat he says, ‘When you talk about adaptation to the farmers, you are indeed dealing with two challenges; Financing and crop security.’

He explains that , ‘Planting one or two acres is an investment and the security the farmer has is based on the weather.’ ‘The reason we think potato could be a solid crop is that it is a short seasoned crop,’ he adds. If it is planted in January, it means around April farmers area harvesting.

Other than the short season, the yields in potatoes are huge compared to what a farmer can make from maize. The average production is 40 to 60 tons per hectare which could easily translate to Kshs600,000. Compare it to the maize is way higher. The potato market is broad and massive. We have many channels of use of the potato that cut across both domestic and commercial use.

Kevin tells me that Kenya has for a long time concentrated on highland variety that can be grown in cool places. ‘We are now working towards having a breed that will grow in ASAL areas like Wajir, Mwingi and Machakos,’ Kevin says adding, ‘To do this will translate to food security for these areas.’

So the importance of this COP cannot be underestimated. ‘For a new innovation like the potato council we think our efforts at national levels can be complimented if the agreements at UNFCCC are supportive of the Africa development agenda,’ l nod knowingly.

Here is where the financing support comes in. ‘If we are dealing with poor farmers it means if we want to introduce new technology or irrigation, this means calculating the expense that farmers would need to be backed up,’ Kevin says. Change of technology and taking up of modern farming requires heavy financing

The decision on adaptation funding has some bearing on whether farmers in Kenya would actually improve resilience. It is not just about adaptation. ‘Let’s look at agriculture. Can COP17 develop a work program for agriculture? Developing this would translate into direct financial considerations specifically for agriculture, ‘notes Kevin. He goes on, ‘ This issue was raised in COP15 but in passing . In COP16 it was never mentioned. This time round the African farmers believe it is about time for it to be given priority.’

It is not just talk for Kevin

The East African Farmers Federation is presenting this position that we need a working program for agriculture agreed upon in COP17.‘ If you are talkingabout the African economy you are talking about Agriculture.Countries in Africa depend on Agriculture as their main stay,’ Kevin says.

Post COP17

Even though we did not have a work programme on agriculture put in place, I would want to point out that this cop was a tall order and I must salute the presidency for her good effort. The few steps made are mach appreciated given how the situation was. I can only hope that we as Africa can maximally take advantage of the climate green fund which will most likely be available by 2012 as commitments are already being given; we can also take advantage of the agreements on the considerations for adaptive capacities above all of the poorest and most vulnerable countries to be strengthened. We cannot claim to have won, the purpose of UNFCCC COPs is not to emerge any group as a winner and another as a loser, but to facilitate the world to agree, and we had an agreement in Durban let’s focus on how the agreement can move as a mile in the struggle against Climate Change and its Impacts on our people.

By Maria Wanza

Caravan Dispatches - Flashback - Organized Chaos Border - Part 2

2011-12-19T01:43:00.000-08:00

Part Two

Written 7th December 2011

Beitbridge Border. Courtesy of Zimbabwereporter.com

So that stamped we go back to the buses and hear that we will leave as soon as we are done inside. Hope rises. It is now past midnight and we are really tired. We wait while some of us get inside the buses to continue with our naps.

Believe me, 5 hours later we were still waiting to be cleared. Problem? There are some manifesto documents that didn't come in copies from the south African border but are needed as a set by the Zimbabwean officials.

So now someone,l don’t know who, goes back to the South African border to get them. Once that is done we get out but not quite. The drivers say they want security escort because after what seems like 4 stops at roadblocks they figure we will keep doing this dance and never get through Zimbabwe. I forgot to mention that we are eager to go home and that Zimbabwe is one country we are driving through nonstop. How ambitious can we get? So we get some sort of escort of two policewomen.

I don’t know how much that helped, all l know is that we were at ease after that even though there like numerous police roadblocks. We drive through Zimbabwe and take a break in Bulawayo. As some of the caravanites disembark we move on to the next border. Oh but did l tell you about the drama at the Zimbabwean Beitbridge border? When the officials at the way bridge started to ask for a whole lot of money saying it was for customs and whatnot? Oh it was drama. When caravanites noticed that the negotiations would take unnecessarily long they decided to get off the buses and mil around. Do you know how it looks with over a hundred people miling around because you are trying to get monies that someone else is meant to get? It was drama.

The drivers insisted that they knew they were meant to pay at the customs while these officials shakily explained themselves. So the stand down began and no one was budging until after what seemed like forever, the officials knew that these guys were not folding. Plus the buses were just piling on. When we were done we went on to the border and paid the rightful people and obviously got out of there.

By Maria Wanza

Caravan Dispatches - Flashback - Organized Chaos Border - Part 1

2011-12-19T01:38:00.000-08:00

The Beitbridge Border – From South Africa Into Zimbabwe

Written on 6^th December 2011 at Night

Photo of Beitbridge Border. Courtesy of Zimbabwereporter.com

Oh my word! Who has been to this border at night? I am talking of the Beitbridge Border that we got into right from South Africa. I can’t believe it. There must be thousands of people at this border a caravanite says a loud to which l readily agree. As far as my eyes can see, there is a sea of both humanity and some very high tech buses.

These people are all coming through from South Africa to places like Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia among other places. My friend warned me as we started out, ‘Maria, this is the busiest port within Southern and Central Africa if not all of Africa.’ We kept wondering, how busy can it get? Oh! well we are here and for real l have no idea what time we will clear out. The bus queue is so long that l have no idea if we will be here till next week. No l am not kidding you.

Just then as l am wondering about the time we will spend here we are told to alight and go and have our passports stamped. We walk towards the passport area and l am not lying to you when l say, the queues are unforgiving. There are like over 200 people per several queues. As luck would have it, a caravanite comes from inside and says to me and some other ladies, ‘why are you standing here? There is a caravanite queue right inside.’ We make a beeline for it shortly after she points it out. We are so relieved. We get inside and queue behind our fellow caravanites. It seems like not everyone has heard about the special queue. ‘l know they will hear of it,’ a lady from Zambia says.

At the counter we are met by an angry official. Angry because she has just thrown back a passport at my colleague who is looking equally flabbergasted. ‘What haven’t l done?’ she asks as she pushes the passport back to the angry official who says nothing but keeps stamping away at other passports. When our fellow caravanite figures it out she quickly fills it and gives it to her and it is stamped with no questions. The next on line does the same mistake only this time she begins to shout at the lady, ‘stop throwing my passport back at me without telling me what is wrong. This is the first time l am travelling and some of these things are new to me.’ She stands there defending herself and loudly enough for everyone to hear. The angry woman then points out the missing data to which the caravanite from Malawi says, ‘was that so hard?’ As she finishes her sentence l had already gotten a pen and filled out mine. This woman behind the desk is tired and is not in the mood of helping travellers who don’t seem to understand procedure.

Once we get stamped my friends and l walk out but not before checking all the caravanites documents we can see. We warn them to have everything right, otherwise…

By Maria Wanza

Caravan Dispatches - Flashback -Leaving Durban

2011-12-19T01:13:00.000-08:00

Written on 5^th December 2011

Durban. Courtesy of celsias.com

I am writing this as we leave Durban and head into Pretoria. It has been a wonderful week full of activities. I sit here and think to myself how beautiful to have gotten involved in such a historic moment…a road trip through 10 countries.

The Trans African Caravan of Hope is indeed first of a kind in this continent. To be part of history, is to know you contributed to something positive in the continent. I have heard people say on several occasions, we wondered if you would ever make it. I guess when we started out we didn’t think how engaging this trip would be. I have seen people at their lowest and their best. I have witnessed kindness from caravanites one to another that was not expected.

One of the most beautiful thing is to witness a melting of the different communities into one African melting pot that is the Caravan of Hope. Last night one of the caravanites told me how they will miss everyone and how going back by road will give them time to appreciate all that participated. See that is the thing. This morning someone told me, ‘l feel so sorry for you guys and the distance you have to cover.’ ‘Well ,’ l quipped knowingly, ‘it is shorter compared to what we covered on our way in.’

What people don’t get is that we almost are unaware of the distances. We are glad that we did this. The distance is long but we are glad that we were part of history.

By Maria Wanza

Caravan Dispatches - Flashback - Of Big Malls and Well Maintained Roads

2011-12-19T01:08:00.000-08:00

Some flashback ....

Written on the 29^th November 2011

Hibberdene, South Africa. Photo Courtesy of telegraph.co.uk

Today it is sunny in Durban. The kind of sun that you wish you had time to go for a deep swim. We are on the road heading into town in what will be a one hour plus journey. Our hosts have been gracious at Hibberdene, the area we have been putting up.

Today we change places and get nearer to the International Conference Centre, where the Climate Change Conference is taking place. What has not stopped amazing many of the caravanites is the road network here. The roads are so well done.

For Kenyans especially it is a culture shock to be driven around on roads that have no potholes. The drive we have is one of the longest l know yet if it were in Kenya it would take us more than 3 hours to maneuver through traffic. The lanes here are also a shocker. They are mostly four to six lanes. No not 3 for each direction but 6 for one direction. And no, it is not just for one road like that of Thika road in Kenya. It is most roads. The minimum lane road is like the one we are on right now. It is two lane. Compared to Kenya cars here move fast. Sometimes it is all the six lanes coming at you.

Courtesy of blog.travelpod.com

I remember wanting to cross the 6 lane road yesterday from the conference centre and asking one of the policemen, ‘how do you cross these lanes?’ He simply answered, ‘ Wait until the robot stops them.’ The traffic light that is.Seriously, well done and maintained. The country side is beautiful and clean. You should be here to see it.

Then we noticed something yesterday. The traffic police are mostly women, beautiful women in pretty uniforms and white hand gloves. Oh my recipe for accidents in Kenya. No seriously. These women are pretty. Just noticed them especially yesterday when we were leaving the conference centre. Oh and they stop the cars and the motorists stop.

Can that happen in Kenya seriously? Yesterday we went out to print some documentation we needed at a mall that is near the centre. It was fully packed. I wondered aloud, ‘Don’t people have anywhere to go other than sit around and have coffee?’ To which the local who was taking around said, ‘well this is a popular bus stage hence the big number of people.

This place is big on malls.Oh they are big and splashy. While in Kenya we have just a few and others coming up, South Africa is way ahead. Indeed a culture shock for me. Note to self-Kenya needs to attract more investors.

By Maria Wanza

Somewhere in Tanzania at a Roadside Cyber Cafe

2011-12-10T04:21:00.001-08:00

The bus is hooting.We are in Tanzania just having eaten good fish and ugali for lunch.I have to run.I have so many updates to do but internet has been bad. So l will keep writing.Expect to do a lot of reading....cheers and thanks for the support

Caravan Brief - 71 Candles Lit In Honor of Prof Wangari Maathai

2011-12-04T22:12:00.000-08:00

Prof Wangari Maathai. Photo courtesy of Wedo.org

A friend of mine said the other day of the Prof Wangari Maathai night that was planned for Kwa Zulu Natal, ‘Wangari Maathai belonged to all of us. This is because to all of us she meant something different to all of us.’

Last night over 500 people gathering from different nationalities gathered to commemorate the life and times of Prof Wangari Maathai. As 71 candles were lit several people gave testimonies of who Prof Maathai was to them.

Professor Karanja, CEO of the Green Belt Movement was the master of ceremony. During a light moment he said that Prof Maathai was most beautiful at her angriest especially because how she went all out to make sure that things worked.

Josephine camel, who is the chair of African women caucus said that on behalf of women of Africa, Prof Maathai left a legacy for all of them. Adding that, ‘If Wangari Maathai was here she would have told the negotiators to consider gender at all levels of decision making , give them access to land and information.’

Gordon Brown former UK Prime Minister said via video that Prof Maathai had blazed the trail for women’s rights and a green environment. Saying of her, ‘ A great woman is gone but her ideals live on.’ Al Gore on the other hand said Prof Wangari combined both grace and courage and vision and persistence, wisdom and empathy.’ Former United States Bill Clinton paid tribute to her tireless advocacy work in human rights.

Among several other awards that Prof Maathai received one of those was the Chairman’s award of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). This is a recipient a civil rights organization for ethnic minorities in the United States.

Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director of Greenpeace International and who is also a human rights activist gave a passionate tribute. In it he pointed out that Prof Wangari Maathai didn’t see Africa as a poor continent. Adding that we were, ‘ richest below the ground and the poorest above the ground because people fought for these riches.’ He said that Prof Maathai had a concern that there were too few black faces when green faces met. This, he said, meant that there needed to be more people from the African continent who sat at decision tables during climate change meetings.

As the evening wore on, two of Prof Maathai’s favorite songs were sang. They were the South African anthem and the nursery school rhyme, ‘this little light of mine,l am gonna let it shine.’ Just before the official closing Wanjira Maathai, Prof Maathai’s daughter spoke to the meeting where she registered her heartfelt thanks to all that attended. She went on to say that the Wangari Maathai institute that will be based in Kenya is one that will embrace innovation through experiential learning. ‘ A lot of challenges that we face as a society are not single solution problems instead they are messy complex problems that require new thinking,’ Wanjira noted. That, she said, is exactly what the institute will be doing.

Mithika Mwenda, continental coordinator of PACJA who also attended the meeting began by challenging all that were present to think about the legacy they were leaving behind. He pointed out that the caravan of hope was about telling the African story which ‘tonight was all about.’ He said that the COP17 talks were entering their second week after unsuccessful first week. This only meant, ‘ they were not sure how much money would be delivered for adaptation.’

As the evening came to an end with so many speeches to meditate on, the group that had heartily sang this little light of mine was urged to plant a tree and register it on the Green Belt Movement website under the Humming Bird title. Just like that, the humming birds story lives on.

Written by Maria Wanza

High Profile Actress Visits With The Caravanites

2011-12-04T22:09:00.000-08:00

When it was announced that an actress from China was going to be part of those people who would visit and have a chat with caravanites, we didn’t know what to make of it. We had not heard her name before. So we waited. I waited. Eagerly. Seeing that l have done some acting back in Kenya. I wanted to meet her. And so she visited with us. Hai Qing is an Oxfam ambassador and travels the world creating awareness on various development issues.

That afternoon, outside the Howard dome at the University of Kwa Zulu Natal, we shared our experiences from across Africa. Hai heard about women in Zambia through Milus a woman farmer who was part of the caravan. She told of how the rural woman suffers because of lack of access of modern facilities. She urged Hai, ‘to send the message to the right people in China that they needed to cut emissions.’ A woman from Lesotho who l will call Mama Anna had a request. She requested Hai to let the leaders at the COP 17 know, ‘that the group knew they were talking on their behalf but could they ask us directly what we think since we can talk for ourselves.’

Grand Pa Paul, who is the ‘youngest’ caravanite at age 66 and also officially known as Paul Okong’o gave a word on behalf of the fisherfolk. He said that farmers had a calendar which told them clearly of the seasons. But that is no longer the case seeing that rain fed agriculture is not working. ‘We need other approaches to deal with climate change,’ Grand Pa Paul said. He gave an example of Lake Victoria, which is the second largest fresh water lake. He shared that it had been invaded by hyacinth, which caused a disruption in fishing activities which in turn affected the economic status of the community. Grand Pa Paul urged Hai, ‘to go out there and share our experiences.’ Adding that, ‘we need collective responsibility that could easily lead to a strategy of mitigation when it comes to dealing with climate change.’

Nicolas from Zimbabwe who represented the youth went on to share how sad it was that their parents actually went to school through finances that were gotten from agriculture. Now though, that is a different story.

All this while Hai Qing listened attentively to the caravanites as her interpreter made it easy for her to break the language barrier.

When she spoke it was interesting to watch and listen. She didn’t raise her voice like she was talking to a lot of people; instead she spoke like you would speak to someone whom you are having tea with. I found out later that it was cultural not to raise her voice so loud. She came off so gentle and l remembered seeing her movie line ups and thinking, ‘she must really be an actress. How does she cross between doing a daughter in law role in quite a number of her movies and to being this soft spoken?’ Anyway, back to the bench outside Howard dome at University of Kwa Zulu Natal where we had gathered.

After listening to all of us ever so patiently, Hai promised to raise awareness of issues she had learned about promising, ‘ I will highlight these issues to decision makers and newspapers wherever l get a chance.’ Hai’s involvement in climate change is very personal. As a mother of a four year old, Hai says that she is concerned about the future of her son. Further committing, ‘If no one will do something, l will.’

I heard her commitment but l wondered about her busy schedule and how she keeps it balanced. With mastered ease she says ever so calmly, ‘I do my best. My schedule is full but l do my best.’ We nod knowingly. Hai tells us that she will continue to use her celebrity status to air people’s concerns to those that can make a change.

On COP17 she notes, ‘ l hope countries will get an agreement and that the Kyoto Protocol shall not be killed.’ She further notes that the climate fund shall be implemented practically. When we were done with the interviews, l remember some of my friends and l were awed at the fact a woman this famous and a leading actress in China possessed this kind of down to earthiness as she dealt with development issues.

By Maria Wanza

Caravan Dispatches - Farmers Wow At COP17

2011-12-01T13:44:00.000-08:00

I have been debating for the last few hours or so whether to sit down and write this entry in the midst of drowsiness and fatigue. Don't forget sleepiness. Hmm! that is an English word seeing it didn't go underlined red at the bottom:-) Anyways,l have to tell you this even though it is a few minutes to middnight here in University of Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.

Farmers, African Farmers, Resilient Farmers. On this Farmers Day, we had the African Farmers 'Kamunkunji' or Parliament if you like. Farmers from Lesotho, Swaziland, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia among others attended and actively participated in the event.

What wowed me was the active participation that farmers had this evening. It is enough that they had activities all day and then had to come and have this meeting. But no, they had to be heard. That told me that they are ready for climate justice and that the slogan, 'Climate Justice Now' is a very timely and viable tagline.

Reflecting after the event in the L5 hall where we had the meeting,l kept thinking,'If you weren't here, you missed big time on hearing the real voices of those affected by climate change' This right here was the voice that brought everyone to COP17 in Durban, South Africa, the farmers voice which is the future for Africa.

The Farmers Kamukunji gave the farmers a safe space to share their experiecnes which included concerns, challenges, recommendations and solutions.I have never seen caravanites this active after 7pm. By then they usually have attended so many events hence the fatigues.

The farmers spoke on and on and they wanted to be heard. We literally had to cut the meeting short because they wanted to keep sharing. I was humbled. We then did an exercise that allowed us to interactively review Oxfam's new interesting report aptly titled, 'Overcoming Barriers.' If you haven't read it, get it and go through it. The Farmer's voice is represented here again.

You had to be there and witness the energy and the positive vibe that everyone had. An official report of the meeting will be availed soon. But man! you my friend had to be there to understand why l and others were so wowed by the farmers.

Caravan Brief - I Am Not Here For Sympathy But For Justice, Former Ireland President

2011-12-01T04:37:00.000-08:00

Her Excellency Mary Robinson

Her Excellency Mary Robinson, former Ireland president met with Trans African Caravan of Hope caravanites yesterday at University of Kwa Zulu Natal. Her Excellency was there as she put it, ' to listen to the caravanites and help them articulate their voices on the floor of negotiations.'

Paul Okong'o during an interview

During the participatory session she met and listened to a round of speakers who included farmers, women and policy people. One such farmer is 66 year old Paul Okong'o who has come to be fondly known to caravanites as Grand Pa Paul. He urged Her Excellency to use her position and urge polluters to reduce carbon emissions and not to kill the Kyoto Protocol.

Milus, a woman farmer from Zambia urged world leaders to work with farmers from their level in order to tackle their problems effectively.'If you come to me and keep asking for audited books from a small scale farmer like me, where am l meant to get them?'She asked as the participants cheered on.

AugustineNjiamnishi, the Central Africa PACJA coordinator asked the audience not to seek sympathy from Her Excellency or any other leader. He encouraged Africans to demand justice since the culprits are known. He discredited those that thought climate change was an invention instead he urged leaders to avoid false solutions which Africa didn't need. In her wind up speech, Her Excellency Mary Robinson picked the baton from Augustine saying she didn't come for sympathy but to fight for human rights and justice. 'If your voice is heard directly there would be urgency,' she said of the limited involvement space for the civil society during this COP meeting.

She encouraged the caravanites when she said that world over the caravan of hope had received recognition especially because of how it brought so many people by road to Durban, South Africa for COP17.
Her Excellency also noted that farmers needed affordable renewable energy. This, she urged, would help farmers to farm and fish better.

The interactive session was wound up by Robert Chimambo, who is part of the PACJA steering committee. He warned that climate change was a 'titanic situation.' 'That even though Africa is sinking first, all other countries would soon follow suit.' He urged her excellency to send the message to world leaders that in dealing with climate change, the people on the ground needed to be consulted if there was to be any success.'

By Maria Wanza

AFRICAN FARMERS PARLIAMENT AT COP17

2011-12-01T03:31:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE

The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, PACJA, will host an African Farmers Kamukunji where farmers from more than 10 countries will be discussing the impacts that climate change has on their livelihoods, and their hopes for the future as African farmers need to adapt to the catastrophic effect that climate change will for future generations.

The kamukunji will be divided into two sections. First farmers will share experiences and reflect on the topics that are being discussed at the UNFCCC. Farmers will review a new publication by PACJA with Oxfam Interational and Kulima Overcoming the Barriers How to ensure future food production under climate change in southern Africa. Farmers who have read the report state that it has important recommendations for the entire continent for African leaders to build on in their country adaptation plans. The report presents interviews with over 200 farmers in five countries (Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe) and their knowledge about the climate change they are experiencing which is largely backed up by scientific data.

The kamukunji will be made up of 60 farmers from across Africa. Many are travellers on the Trans African Caravan of Hope, organized by PACJA, a historic campaign trail from Bujumbura, Burundi to Durban, South Africa passing through Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

The meeting will be attended by other Caravanites, farmers, civil society, policy makers and leaders from around the world.

The Trans African Caravan of Hope is an awareness road trip that went through 10 countries covering over 7000 kilometres to get to Durban, South Africa for UNFCCC COP17 meeting. This Caravan started from Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and into South Africa. Other countries that have joined the caravan include Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland and Nigeria.

Media will also get interview opportunities with farmers who will participate in this event.

Date – 1^st December 2011 Venue – University of Kwa Zulu Natal Time – 5pm – 7pm

For more information please contact

Maria Wanza @ +277 3910 9263 / Or Katy Mcdermott @ 0027796965332

Caravan Chat - Where Marriages and Climate Change Come Into Play

2011-11-30T08:34:00.000-08:00

Grace and Ronica during the Interview

Every time l thought of writing this story, a sly grin would cross my face. These two women farmers from Zambia literally connected climate change and the waning of marriages in their rural villages. I will come back to that in a minute.

Meet Grace Tepula who is small scale Zambian Dairy Farmer and a mother of five and who has 5 grandchildren. She also grows maize and groundnuts. And adds, ‘Maize is the staple food of Zambia you know.’ I nod.

We are standing outside the International Conference Centre in Durban, South Africa while having this interview. She is excited to be talking to me but has this expression on her face that says, we had better get it right in Durban.

Climate change has affected the community she finds herself in. ‘Climate change has reduced our milk from 50 to 60 liters a day to 30 to 40 liters a day, ‘ she says. Adding that the hot weather makes it difficult to grow fodder for the animals which are zero grazed for purposes of reducing diseases.’

Of the rains and expected harvest she says, ‘There has been a drop in harvest because of wells that are drying up.’ Maria, she calls my name. I gesture knowingly. ‘There has been reduction of water levels. The hot season that starts in August and ends in October has had an extension,’ Grace adds. This has been to their detriment. It has simply meant that they didn’t have fodder for their animals.

Another farmer standing next to her quips in, ‘ It has also meant that we are buying the fodder at expensive rates.’ That is Ronica Mona who is a mother of 5 children and 5 grandchildren and who lives in Luanshya. Their faces defy their ages. I guess it is the jovialness they have as they do this interview or is it because they just had a demonstration where they demanded their rights in front of international media? I can’t put a finger on which. I am glad they are doing this in the first place. Back to the interview.

Grace tells me that commercial farmers are making a killing from selling them expensive fodder for their animals. ‘I would rather grow my own fodder to avoid the expense, ‘she says. Adding that, the big scale farmers are privileged because they are able to irrigate their farms.'

Ronica brings in the twister that l mentioned above. ‘Our men failed to dig copper because our mines were closed. The women through Heifer International got empowered and started digging white gold, milk,’ she says with what seems like a sly grin on her face. ‘ Our marriages are now stable and we are looking after our men,’ she adds.

Grace who is standing next to her jumps in quickly, ‘ Men who don’t work in Zambia are called Loafers. These men experience inferiority complex when they are idle but because of the white gold they no longer are idle and broke.’

Adding proudly, ‘We take care of the animals, milk them and sell the products. After we are done, we bring the money back to the family and all is well.’ I grin. It is just the way they light up when they discuss this subject.

The white gold is however getting threatened by climate change.

Grace tells me that every animal needs 40 to 80 liters of water on a daily basis. Something that is no longer viable because of the hot weather and drying up of wells.

They have a message to leaders attending COP17. ‘Help us financially to cope with droughts and famines because you are the main emitters and therefore cause that greatest mess,’ says Grace.

Ronica winds it up by saying, ‘We want a fair deal. ‘ The interview is over but the women start to laugh in unison. I know they know. Ronica says as if reading my mind, ‘What we have told you about our marriages is true.’

By Maria Wanza

Video on Trans African Caravan of Hope Welcome in Kwa Zulu Natal ....

2011-11-28T01:25:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmiTzTCae3M&feature=youtube_gdata_player

More videos from the caravanites courtesy of Action Aid

http://youtu.be/OtpU-JVHUCw

http://youtu.be/_bcjx8Oi8qo

Caravan Brief - Trans African Caravan of Hope Opening Ceremony Held in Kwa Zulu Natal University

2011-11-26T08:57:00.000-08:00

We shall shout it loud. We must be heard

I am writing this piece from Kwa Zulu Natal University where we are meeting with all the caravanites who have travelled over 7000 kilometers to be here.I am sitted right at the back observing the whole room. It is electric with ululating women accompanied by chanting crowds. Watch the video
http://youtu.be/QK-OvoOboP0

They listened attentively

Just outside a while ago, the caravanites chanted...Climate Justice Now,Kyoto Must Not Die.

A leader spoke urging the group to reject Carbon Markets. 'We don't want Carbon Markets.We don't want Offsets.' The cause of climate change, he said, is global warming by fossil fuels. He led the crowd chanting, 'Leave the Oil in the Soil and the Coal in the Hole.' He urged President Zuma and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, must listen to the voice of the people.

Now back to the hall where we are meeting. TBoy from Zambia is singing his heart out against the impacts of climate change. The crowd is on its feet. Others clapping, waves from flags of representative coutnries with voices so loud. Just before that we had a couple of off the cuff speeches.

Prof Patrick Bond, Director at Kwa Zulu Natal and also an economist said, 'You have taken the sacrifice and really worked on this. COP17 they are on the 4degrees target. They have have to bring it down to 1degrees. By December 9th if it is a conference of polluters. It means no carbon trading no REDD.We must leave the oil in the soil and the coal in the hole. We must leave Durban in a way we have never seen. We are going to come and educate. This is the right place to educate because it is a university.'

Participants watching a video

The once Bolivia Chief Negotiator said, 'what is going to be discussed here is that debt shall be increased more than 40%. If this happens Africa will suffer more than 8degrees Celsius increase,' he passionately said. He added, 'We want to stop the ecocide. Over 350,000 people die because of causes of Climate Change. Imagine a world that increases with 4degrees Celsius and an Africa that increases with 8degrees Celsius. They are burning and selling Africa.' He said that if Africa doesn't fight here in Durban the rest of the continent will be wondering what happened to us.

So far, the Trans African Caravan of Hope activists have collected over 2million signatures across the continent.

Joe of Action Aid International said, 'Our governments will not do what they need to do. The people need to tell the people that this is not going to be allowed to happen.' She said that she felt hopeful when she saw crowds of people who came chanting up the road with a lot of energy.That is what the caravanites have displayed inspite of lack of sleep for the last 36 hours.

Africa is United

Mohamed Lamin from Oxfam Senegal assured the caravanites that West Africa had been following the Caravan of Hope. 'We will change the way negotiators take over,' he said while adding that, 'If you want to succeed in life bring people together. Your direction is the right direction.'

Mithika Mwenda, continental coordinator of PACJA thanked partners who were working the alliance to ensure that this event was a success. He had a message for President Obama, 'US should not think that they are giving us charity. We know Obama is coming.Let us stay alert so that we can baptize him with fire.We are going to baptize our leaders with fire too if they joke.'

Crunch Time As Caravan of Hope Arrives in Pretoria, South Africa

2011-11-26T07:58:00.000-08:00

This Piece is being written on our way to Durban at around 9.30pm on the 25^th November, 2011. It has been a relaxed day today. As we drive for the next 6 hours, we realize we are about to descend on Durban and crescendo what has been a spirited campaign. This morning over 100 caravanites from the Trans African Caravan of Hope chanted demands outlined in the Africa People’s Petition as they waved placards and patriotically held their country flags high. This was outside the Union Building in Pretoria.

During the meeting the continental coordinator Mithika Mwenda urged South Africa ‘not to let Africa down during this COP17.’ The group then picked on that and chanted it out with the realization that COP17 is just a few hours to kick off. The Caravan of Hope is travelling over 7000 kms by road to Durban, South Africa. The caravanites have witnessed what climate change has done in the continent including increase of temperatures in all the countries we visited like Kenya which also played a hand in the drought and famine that the country experienced early in the year, heard about Zimbabwe’s Veld fires, Uganda’s mudslides, Zambia’s late harvest due to delay of rains among others. The list is endless.

This group presents a cocktail of the true reflection of Africa. Here we have farmers, youth, scouts, womens groups, religious representation, civil society, government delegations. These people come from both rural and urban area representation.

Africa is diverse. For her to be heard during this COP17, diversity must be her strength.

I remember a woman farmer in Zimbabwe saying, ‘Go and be our voices since we cannot come. Make sure we are heard.’ I just don’t know how many times l have heard that. It is the realization that sinks in to everyone aboard that this COP17 must count for Africa. Like Mithika said in one of the flag offs, ‘Kyoto Must not die in South Africa.’

Caravan Picture Speak - Uganda Speaks

2011-11-24T05:03:00.000-08:00

Setting Up

Vice President Ssekandi Signs Petition

Government Officials Meet Up with Activista Youth of Action Aid who organized the flag off event

Our gracious host in Uganda. She was lovely. You can see the smiles on the Caravanites' faces.

Caravan Picture Speak - Zimbabwe - Drums of Climate Justice Thunder in Zimbabwe

2011-11-24T04:49:00.000-08:00

Drums of Peace Group Lead in Rhythm

The Drums of Peace is a group that communicates its messages through drums. They helped lead the caravanites in what turned out to be a rhyth thundering Zimbabwe.

Age Didn't Matter

Everyone Joined in

Hear Us

The participants held a procession on the streets of Zimbabwe before gathering for addresses by their leaders

And The Streets Thundered

We As Women Take the Brunt of Climate Change. We Shall Be Heard.

We shall fight for our future

Caravan Picture Speak - Bulawayo, Zimbabwe...A Spirited Dramatization of the Petition

2011-11-24T04:28:00.000-08:00

This is Us

Here's How we Send Our Message

Here we go

Her Song, Their Song, Our Song

The above team is an award winning group that dramatizes messages. This time the group dramatized the Trans African Caravan of Hope Petition that is being presented to the incoming COP17 president, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane in South Africa.

The song they did stirred a number of emotions. At first, it was anger of what Africa is being subjected to and a little while later, eyes across the hall were getting teary and hands were reaching for handkerchiefs or Kleenex, It was moving.

Caravan Picture Speak - Zimbabwe - Lest You Forget Our Petition

2011-11-24T04:08:00.000-08:00

Here's What

We will Keep Repeating this Until We Are Heard

We are fighting for our future

Food Security Must Be Addressed

The Disease Burden Because of Climatic Changes is Wearing Africa Down

Caravan Dispatches - Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe What A Pleasant Aroma

2011-11-24T03:53:00.000-08:00

Drums of Peace, An Entertainment Group That Engaged the Caravanites,Much to their Delight

So as it turns out Zimbabwe turned out to be one of the most hospitable countries in this whole trip. Only it caught us by surprise. The people were very helpful and friendly.

Take our courtesy call to Davis Dumezweni Luthe, Town Secretary of Plum Tree, which is a border town between Zimbabwe and Botswana. This visit that came in last minute turned out to be the best ever decision we made. The town secretary of Plum Tree, which is 9kilometers from Botswana, is apparently a comedian. It was indeed a relief to have someone crack us up on this trip seeing that we had a long journey ahead of us.

At a meeting in his office, he noted in his speech that, ‘Every level of government must appreciate climate change and do that by mainstreaming it.’ He added that not only did Zimbabwe draw up mechanisms. The 7^th MDG which speaks of Environmental Sustainability is a serious issue for them. He wound up the speech with teaching us what Plum Tree stands for Peace, Love, Unity, Manpower, Trust, Resources, Enter , Exit. To which he got a huge applause.

Flashback, just before we got to the Plum Tree area we had gone through a supermarket to purchase some supplies for the long journey. It was during that stop that we went through to a restaurant where we loaded up on dinner. As l was on my way back to the bus, some gentlemen who were having a drink called out wanting to know, ‘what are these buses about?’

So l stood there and began what has become less than a 5-minute speech on what the Trans African Caravan of Hope is all about. Right in the middle of my ‘spirited’ speech, one of the guys quipped, ‘can we buy you a drink?’ ‘Hmmm! Why?’ I asked curiously. ’Because you took the time to explain to us what the Caravan is all about,’ l thought, yipee. So as someone got me my Pepsi, l continued to tell them about the flag offs and the welcoming events in different countries. While walking back to the bus l thought, what nice people.

To top it up, we went to check out into Botswana.

Just the sheer number of people that are in this caravan is mind boggling but it is the way the Zimbabweans made sure we got what came across as coordinated-no-wasting-time service that amazed us. The town secretary waited as they completed our paper work.

You had to be here to experience it. Right from the hotel to the cabbies to all that we met and worked with, they were so considerate and thoughtful. This is also the only country where we got dollars back when we booked rooms, bought food or shopped at the supermarket. Most of the countries, actually all countries we have been to have given us local currency once we gave them dollars.

My East African friends and l analyzed it and we all felt that like one put it, ‘Zimbabwe was a surprise package.’ I tell you none of us saw this coming.

Caravan Dispatches - Botswana, What A Let Down!

2011-11-24T03:35:00.000-08:00

I started to write this blog when we were leaving the border of Botswana and driving down to Gaberone. But as fate would have it, my computer blacked out because it needed to be powered.

So here l am about 5am the very next morning writing as we drive along some very clean and organized Botswana streets. I almost didn’t want to do this entry. The caravanites were and are not a happy people. A group of the caravanites, specifically Burundians and Rwandese were turned back and asked to go to the high commissioner to get visas for entry. Believe it we were so angry.

These two countries have been getting their visas processed at the border because they don’t have a lot of these missions resident in their countries. Having witnessed them going through very tough border checks we wondered what had really happened. Once those 4 hour talks failed, the Zimbabweans who had been waiting to make sure we got through alright, sent in a diplomatic contact who got our people out and into Zimbabwe. And the Zimbabwean hospitality followed us right into a not so friendly Botswana border. What a culture shock?!

The further we drove away from the border our thoughts were with those caravanites who we will meet in Pretoria as they will not come through Botswana. I remember as l got into the bus l told one Botswana official, ‘You have actually cut one of our limbs.’ To which he had a buffled look. I repeated it and he just stared. I think he didn’t get it that these caravanites have gelled and that if anything happens to any part of the team, it affects all of us. This team right here represents African solidarity.

By Maria Wanza

Caravan Chat - Remembering Late Prof Wangari Maathai on the Way to Durban

2011-11-23T00:45:00.000-08:00

Prof Wangari Maathai

PACJA will on 28^th November 2011 hold a Waangari Maathai solidarity night in Durban, South Africa. It is expected that song, dance, tribute speeches will render the air as the Trans African Caravan of Hope caravanites remember and honor the late Prof Wangari Maathai who gave so much to the community she found herself in.

‘If Prof Wangari Maathai was here she would reinforce messages that we have heard throughout from the leaders we have met so far. She wouldn’t be talking about Africa being compensated but rather that we as Africans need to look for homegrown solutions,’ Says Joseph Kabiru. He had the opportunity of interviewing the late Prof Wangari Maathai during his stints at both BBC and Nation Media Group. Joseph Kabiru is also a caravanite from Kenya.

I am talking to him whose article on Prof Wangari Maathai got published by the Guardian. He also had interesting perspectives hence my talking to him. His article can be found at http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/sep/26/farewell-wangari-maathai-my-heroine

As a young man, his first impression of Prof Maathai was that, ‘she was the toughest woman in Kenya.’ She stood by her values and ideals. She was consistent in both her political and environmental battles.

‘This woman started to discuss climate change in the 70s way before the world had picked up on it,’ says Kabiru who grew up in surrounding area of MAU forest. His community benefited from what the government called the ‘shamba’ system where landless people were allowed to cultivate in forest areas They would then be urged to replace the trees. It was confusing for the community. ‘The trees are growing, the crops are growing. what is the farce about forests?, ‘ The rural folk had wondered when in the early 70s the Late Prof Wangari Maathai started urging communities around the MAU to move away.

‘The community didn’t quite understand the connection. It was confusing. The logic of the ecosystem didn’t make sense at all,’ says Kabiru. It also didn’t help much because the political elite painted her negatively every chance they got. But she fought on. She began working with women’s groups where she taught them not only the importance of trees but also how to plant and take care of them. So far the Green Belt Movement has planted over 40 million trees across Kenya since the 1970s.

Based in Eastern Africa, The MAU is the largest water tower in the region and its existence has been threatened on several occasions because of human encroachment. ‘All major rivers in East Africa are fed by the MAU, ‘ Say Kabiru adding that rivers like Sundu and Molo rivers are now dried up.’ Adding that if one went deep into the MAU one can’t help but notice that there has been destruction because of heavy logging.

‘Now looking back, she knew what she was talking about,’Kabiru adds.

By Maria Wanza

Caravan Chat - Global Warming, Nothing But Destruction

2011-11-22T23:24:00.000-08:00

The poem below was recited at the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe by 11year old

Samuel Tembo from Sir Roy Welensky School during a brief welcome ceremony.
This poem was written by his father who urged him to recite it with a lot of feeling in it.

Samuel Tembo

Global Warming, Nothing but Destruction

By Samuel Tembo

Global warming, global warming, global warming

What global warming to talk about

What good is in global warming?

What beauty is in global warming?

Nothing but destruction

The protective ozone layer have been destroyed

The sun’s rays falls directly on us

Climatic conditions have been affected

What beauty is in global warming?

Nothing but determination

Global warming who created you?

You have opened the floodgates of hell

You have killed thousands of people

Millions have been displaced

Chickens and goats have been drowned

Worms and bridges have been swept away in floods

Lizards, chameleons and insects engulfed in flames

Yes, l see nothing but destruction

We have seen EL Nino in Zimbabwe, cyclones in Asia

Tonados in the USA, Veld fires in South America, Heat waves across Africa

What beauty is in global warming?

Nothing but destruction

Let us come together as a community

Let us come together nation

Let us come together as one world

And stop global warming

Because it is nothing but destruction

Fighting for Climate Justice for the Marginalized

2011-11-22T23:14:00.000-08:00

He fights for the marginalized with a clear focus

Joseph Mururu from Kenya is a caravanite with a mission. He is going to Durban, South Africa to fight for climate Justice especially for the marginalized communities he is working with. Joseph who works with the Shape the Child Charity Foundation tells me passionately that for years now they have continued empower marginalized communities in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, ASAL, areas by capacity building them on issues of food security. Shape the Child Charity Foundation also works with orphans and Other Vulnerable Children. They also have education and health projects.

The Marginalized

Their description of marginalized also includes empowering communities leaving in the slum areas. He tells me, ‘The slum areas are also marginalized. They lack social amenities that a lot of people take for granted.’ Shape the Child Charity Foundation works in Kibera the largest slum in Eastern and Southern Africa whose education levels are low compared to their counterparts in other parts of the country. They also work in Turkana, Isiolo and Kajiado district. He tells me in no uncertain terms, ‘we are growing the list because the need is great.

A Child Who Got Help

‘He was only 9 years old and had a heart condition so bad that when the medical camps couldn’t take care of him we took upon ourselves to ensure he was fine. Today he is a healthy boy,’ Mururu tells me of a young man who had attended one of their medical camps a while ago. After seeing so many helpless people with health care issues his organization decided to build a medical centre right in the middle of Kibera. They still hold medical camps for the slum and other marginalized communities. Joseph says, ‘At any given time we handle liver or heart or kidney conditions.’ It is at these camps that they let people know about the highly subsidized health care center they run.

Of Health and Planting Trees

The children treated here at no cost are below 18 years old. Shape the child has also done the same with cases of handling lack of education for the orphans and OVCs they work with. It is this education program that saw them start a tree planting initiative that has now been taken up by 23 schools and counting in Kenya. This initiative is aptly named ‘Miti Shuleni’ which is Swahili for trees in schools. For nearly a year now, the schools have been getting tree seedlings and advice on how to ensure they are planted and taken care of in the right way. ‘It is important for us that the children learn about tree planting at an early age,’ he says of the initiative. He tells me that he thinks about mitigation and adaptation.

To this end, Shape the Child is actively involved in awareness creation on issues of mitigation and adaptation in as far as climate change is concerned and especially in the marginalized areas. ‘We have taught them to do farming since these are largely pastoralist communities. ‘We had to work at changing their mindsets. We showed them there was an alternative, ‘he adds about the farming initiative. Joseph says together with his team, they have taught the communities how to farm sorghum, a crop that is drought resistant. In addition to that the farmers have now learned how to plant fruits like oranges, bananas and passion fruits which do well in their dry areas. ‘The women in these hardship areas have continued to encourage. It is times like this we know we have to fight for climate justice and especially now in Durban, ‘ he quips.

Singing About Collective Responsibility

2011-11-22T22:35:00.000-08:00

This is our land This is our world what we do today determines our future.

Achieng Abura, Musician from Kenya

I am writing this enroute Bulawayo from Victoria Falls which is about 171 kilometers away. Yes, we are in Zimbabwe. The falls were beautiful. Pause. I will tell you about that in my next blog.

Right in the heart of Zimbabwe achieng abura is belting out a song on collective responsibility in as far as climate change is concerned. If you don’t know, Achieng is one of the most prolific singers in Africa and who is based in Nairobi, Kenya. This mother of one is also an environmental scientist who understands the whole climate change issue.

I have heard her music but the first time l heard her play live was during a tribute to the Late Prof Wangari Maathai that was held in Nairobi Kenya. I was so tongue tied at her performance. Achieng has a voice that is so strong that l remember thinking during her performance it sounded more like a Bob Geldof concert, It was thunderous.

‘Matching your act after that was a nightmare,’ l told her the very next week as we sat in her cozy house discussing the possibility of working together. I was with my colleague, Ann, at the time. We were humbled that a musician of her caliber would even let us come into her home to discuss our project. Something that never happens with musicians at her level. The project? The Trans African Caravan of Hope, where she got to perform during the flag off in Kenya.

So now we listen to her. Her music is Trans African because right at the back of our bus, a Zambian 50 plus year old caravanite is dancing away. She is so carried by the music that she adds a rhythmic stump as she sways back and forth. I smile knowingly as all the attention goes back to her.

‘I worked on this album for about a year,’ Achieng had told us when we met her. ‘It takes time to come up with songs that stay with the people, ‘ she had added. It is true. Her music is timeless and authentically African. The meticulous work included bringing in a musician from the Borana community to sing along in one of what has become our favorite song. Of that she says, ‘we had to get it right especially in terms of accent.’

She has two complete environmental albums and she is still doing more. ‘What is your drive?’ l remember asking her. ‘I do music to change lives. My music is about people remembering the message,’ she had said. I sit back and think as we get closer to Bulawayo, isn’t this what we need as we head to COP17? That the world remembers Climate Justice is NOW.

By Maria Wanza

Caravan Dispatches - Somewhere in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

2011-11-22T22:28:00.000-08:00

Bulawayo City Hall

I am sitting at the balcony of the hotel we checked into late last night here in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. It is about half past six in the morning but like l mentioned before, it looks like 8am in Nairobi.

The morning is chilly but there are sun rays that are teasing their way through the heavy clouds.I don't know if they will tease enough to scare the clouds into some sort of retreat.

From where l sit, l grin knowingly. This could be anywhere in Africa.

Straight ahead on my right there is what seems like a taxi man who is calling out to passengers going to a certain place in the city. The drivers are hooting as the conductors try to convince the potential passengers to get into the cars. Just down the road on my left is a petrol station that is still closed.

As the ravens at two roof tops away peck at some grains l can’t help but marvel at how different countries in Africa can have such similarities.

Last night when we got in there was no food at the hotel and we had to go find something to bite. ‘Is it safe?’ You knew that question was coming. ‘Oh yes it is. You don’t need to worry,’ the receptionist had assured us. He was kind enough to direct us to a good take away place. No not a fast food place but a take away place with good homemade food. I have found out that that is very different. In most places we have been to take aways are usually associated with fast foods. Here we found out that these places with homemade take away foods are popular.

At 10pm they were still open and we had to queue. As l waited in line, l chatted with the owner and he told me he lived in Nairobi a while ago. I then told him why we were visiting Zimbabwe and l went into all-about-the-Trans African Caravan of Hope event speech. Hmm! Something l have done during border crossings especially in Tanzania, Malawi and Zimbabwe. So back here at the balcony in Bulawayo l can see that the traffic is picking.

Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital city Harare. It is estimated that there are about 1million people who live here. This is city is multicultural whose residents speak at least 3 languages including English. These are Ndebele, Xhosa, Kalanga, Sotho, Nambay, Tonga and Venda. The Majority of this city’s population belongs to the Ndebele ethnic and language group. Bulawayo is considered at the industrial and business capital of Zimbabwe. That little brief from Wikipedia can work for you for now.Smile.

Caravan Dispatches - The Spice That is the Caravan

2011-11-21T21:53:00.000-08:00

Variety. Uniqueness. Creativity. That is what has marked this caravan as we have found ourselves in different countries but with the same agenda of fighting for climate justice.

I am writing this on the bus as we go from Lusaka to Livingstone, Zambia which is a 7 hour journey but no worries, we have acclimatized. 7 hours now looks like kid play. So it is here that l can’t help but recall how countries have interpreted the message of the Caravan through their activities. Yesterday, about 55 caravanites joined us from Lusaka Zambia. We are now slightly over 120 caravanites in 4 branded buses as we head to Durban, South Africa.

Back to the recalling … The Trans African Caravan of Hope worked through task forces in all the participating countries. The coordinating task force which was working from Kenya coordinated with key country task force members. The country task force members then ensured coordination worked within their countries. The world should know that we went to Durban, South Africa for COP17 and we were not quiet about it.

Spiced Up the Tshirts

When it was all said and done, we have had common designs but different interpretations. This not only came through our activities but also in the communications materials. While Kenya and Rwanda had white T-shirts with green and red collars respectively, Uganda chose green and red t-shirts. Zambia had interesting colors which included grey, beige and black. Coupled with that was a few more that had been meticulously hand woven with a heavy African heritage. Malawi gave us among other things, straw hats that the caravanites have taken to wearing since then.

Spiced Up Activities

Burundi

In Burundi we had the police who gave president like escort to the border. Cars were getting sirened off the road for the buses to come through. For one minute there we knew the feeling our presidents have when they decide to use the road and we ‘little’ people are either shoved or made to wait in traffic until they are done. Malawi has also used a lot of sirened police. Talk of attention. It is not enough you have branded buses, you are now accompanied by police cars with sirens.

Rwanda

Rwanda planted over 3500 trees at the break of dawn and had over 1000 policemen and members of the army doing a beautiful band thing. It was a sea of blue uniforms.

Uganda

Uganda held a concert after the heavy rains that hit the city shortly after the flag off was done in the morning by the vice president hon Ssekanda. The concert was graced by … and …. Graced the occasion.

Kenya

A prisons band literally stopped traffic in Nairobi on a Sunday afternoon. The police cordoned roads to ensure that the caravanites hold their procession with no interference.

Tanzania

Tanzania had dancers who were elaborate in their presentation. This event is one that had the tightest security we have experienced since we started. A caravanite told me, ‘ this is the first highest ranking official who l have witnessed being so friendly. We chatted with him like we were old friends.’ I guess it must be a Tanzanian trait because one of the caravanites from Tanzania tells me that the president, His Excellency Hon Jakaya Kikwete is his friend. As our mouths gaped he went on to explain their friendship even adding that the president had given him a call and encouraged him to attend the caravan. Hmmm! How nice.

Malawi

It is Malawi that still stands out so far in this whole trip. Malawi had slightly over 4000 people participate in the event that included the ‘Big Walk.’ Indeed it was a big walk, about 6kilometers but the caravanites from other countries swear it was more like 10kilometres. Beatrice from Tanzania tells me, ‘ the craziest thing is everytime you would ask one of the Malawians where it is they were going, they would say, ‘just around the corner.’ ‘ I am told this corner never materialized. one that was marked by pomp and color and a lot of dramatics. If it was not the loud vuvuzelas, it was the extra loud loud speaker that was alerting the world of their demand for climate justice. And then there were the dances. Maria Whittaker from the United States and who is a caravanite on this road trip is animated as she tells me about it. Her hands are in the air and her face is lighting up as she goes on, ‘And then there was this lorry that was carrying the loud speaker and we would stop for a minute and we would dance.’ Oh did l say she stops and dances? Yes she does. ‘ Plus women were carrying kids, there were old women and young people,’ she ends abruptly as she is pulled away from me for a quick consultation.

Zambia

In Zambia there were three events; one in Chipata and the other in Lusaka. Chipata witnessed had every country get a tree planted in their honor. Kenyans felt honored as the Permanent Secretary Hon Mwale planted a tree in honor of the Late Prof Waangari Maathai. If you want to talk about elaborateness, then so far Lusaka takes the cake. They had over 100 children from Sunshine School perform two songs and also sign the petition. Something new is that this petition was presented by two kneeling caravanites. Respect, l am told. Lusaka also gave us a dramatized message on climate change and its effects and how to mitigate and adapt coupled with energetic dancing and rhythmic drum beating. It is here that the flagging off Minister announced the highest contingent to join the caravan. We get to livingstone quite late and charge up for the next day.

Zambian Permanent Secretary Urges Global Leaders to Commit to Legally Binding Deal

2011-11-20T14:33:00.000-08:00

A tired look flashes across his face as he tells me that he now has to irrigate his farm because the rains are failing. It is costing him more.

Flanked by PACJA continental team, Permanent Secretary Eularia Mwale during the Meeting

‘My government therefore, including other stakeholders, stands firm in support of the need to ensure that global leaders conclude a legally binding climate change agreement during the UNFCCC conference in Durban, ‘ Said Eularia Mwale. She is the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President of Zambia, Provincial administration Eastern Province. The PS was speaking during a welcoming a speech of the Trans African Caravan of Hope in Chipata, Zambia yesterday.

Women with children on their backs and others in their 70s ululated and sang spiritedly as the caravanites entered the event area and began to socialize with the attendees. The caravanites joined in and danced along whether they understood the words of the songs or not. It was all in the spirit of solidarity. These women had come from all over Chipata district.

The Caravan of Hope has been to 6 other countries since the 9^th November 2011. Zambia is the 7^th country on the list of 10 countries that are involved in the Caravan which is a huge awareness road trip that is headed to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change meeting in Durban, South Africa.

During the meeting, the Hon Mwale also appreciated the input that the government of Zambia has continued to receive from the civil society that has been aimed at effectively responding to the challenges imposed by climate change. I spoke to her after the meeting and she said that her government has given priority to women farmers. Adding that through their farmer support input program, women farmers have continued to receive inputs for farming through their clubs. This program, she said, is aimed at working towards contributing to total food security for Zambia.

This has also been happening across the gender divide. This must be good news to Marksesio Ngoma, who is a maize, beans, sunflower and sweet potato farmer. A tired look flashes across his face as he tells me that he now has to irrigate his farm because the rains are failing. It is costing him more. The hot seasons seem longer than ever. That is why this COP17 is important to farmers like Marksesio.

Robert Chimambo from Zambia Climate Change Network, ZCCN, who also attended the meeting said that the failure of the global leadership to set up firm collective actions by 2009 as agreed through the Bali Process was a disappointment. He urged as he reiterated the Permanent Secretary’s call that, ‘all parties to the UNFCCC need to act with renewed urgency and determination to ensure a fair and safe legally binding deal.’ This has been the clarion call as African leaders graced the Caravan of Hope events across Eastern and Southern Africa.

The participants who held their respective country flags also witnessed the planting of trees dedicated to all the countries that caravanites have gone through. What made it interesting was also a tree that was planted in honor of the late Prof Wangari Maathai.

By Maria Wanza

Caravan Dispatches - Of Welcoming Government Officials and Timing Culture Shock

2011-11-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

19^th Nov, 2011

So now we are on our way from Chipata, Zambia. A supermarket attendant asked me, do you know how far it is? And before l could answer he said, ‘600kms plus.’ I smile. He smiles back. I tell him, ‘I think we will survive. We have so far covered over 4000kms and we are still going.’ I hear myself say that and l can’t believe. What? We have surpassed the half way mark and we are still going strong. Chipata, Zambia gave us a feeling of being wanted. The government through its DC had last night at around 7pm spoken to us. We felt privileged that a government official had taken the time to come and meet us. What was more surprising was what happened when we got to the border in order to clear and get into Zambia. ‘Oh so you are the Trans African Caravan of Hope team?’ To that we chorused yes. So at that point we didn’t have a clue as to what we had done. We were kind of taken aback. We listened on. ‘Okay so we have your tomorrow’s program here. Let’s check you in.’ And just like that we began what would feel like ‘we are glad you are here experience.’ Just a few hours ago we finished the event and we went to pick snacks. After that, the police gave us escort for about an hour.

I have to tell you about the change in timings. I know for sure East Africans were shocked by the fact that when we awoke this morning, 4am looked more like 7 am to them. In fact, one of them had already gotten out to find a cyber café. He told me that when he found one, the proprietor there said, ‘we are open only at 0800hours and not earlier.’ To which he said, ‘How can you be closed when the sun is high in the sky?’ His answer, ‘No one will come to the cyber at 5am simply because the sun stands high in the sky.’ Yeah, what culture shock. We got to Lusaka fine and found some very hospitable people. Cheers Lusaka.

By Maria Wanza

Caravan Dispatches - Somewhere in the Border of Malawi and Zambia

2011-11-19T14:05:00.000-08:00

18^th November, 2011 in the evening

Somewhere in Zambia, Chipata border

I am writing this at the border of Malawi and Zambia where we have been for about 4 hours waiting for our friends to be cleared at the border. It has been a good day. Wonderful, actually. The Malawi event was what many have called the best so far. It started with a 10 kilometer walk and went on to an elaborate meeting which was graced by the deputy prime minister. After having lunch we drove down to the border and most of us had our papers cleared; Guys are waiting around patiently. I think we are learning that waiting is part of the whole process. Some of us had to have our passports done and so that wait. People are friendly here. Very helpful indeed. There are enough flying insects in this place. They crawl on your clothes. Don’t be alarmed. They are not harmful. We are sleepy. Really sleepy. My legs look like balloons. They are swollen because of sitting for long hours in the bus. But l think they know not to throw a tantrum. They have to get used to the idea the will have to un-swell on their own.

Caravan Picture Speak - Malawi Welcomes Caravan of Hope with Song and Dance

2011-11-18T01:52:00.000-08:00

Song and dance by the Malawians welcomed the caravan of hope as they got in from Tanzania. Find the story http://bit.ly/s6TChl here is the story in pictures.

Drum Roll

To the Right

To the Left

Now Jump

Let's go down

Let's Go

Caravan Chat - When the Marginalized Maginalize the Marginalized - Part 2

2011-11-17T22:46:00.000-08:00

Of bad roads, illiteracy and conflict

In Isiol,o you have only one tarmac road that is the Nairobi-Isiolo road which is deteriorating fast. Infrastructure development is at a minimal. Minimal infrastructure development translates to lack of access to education. 92% of women in upper and North Eastern are not educated according to the United Nations. A combination of illiteracy, leaders who capitalize on people’s ignorance, dwindling resources are all a cocktail that makes for conflict that flares up with murderous consequences. Not just human to human conflict but also human to animal. When a clan is attacked they tend to move away and not as neighbors to human beings because there is no trust. They move away encroach on conservancies or the other way round. So they move away and burn charcoal for energy. What they don’t burn, they sell. Then hits the migration season where elephants move in search for food and water. In the process of encroachment the humans tend to plant a certain type of acacia tree that is locally known as ‘chagara.’ Elephants like this acacia tree. We have had a farmer who found 90 elephants on his farm one morning. The herd was following the acacia tree.

Any significant changes since Friends of Nomads started operations?

Yes, there have been significant changes. With the passage of the constitution the community here demands knowledge. When l have talks with people they come from as far as Merti to Isiolo which is over 250 kilometers. They come to ask about good governance. People in this area have been voting without knowing why they are voting but the constitution has changed all that.

A Program that Changed Communities Mind Set

We have also done a program under the UN program on gender and governance where we looked at devolved funds together with the community. When we went through the process the community stopped a Community Development Fund, CDF, funded project. The kitty had been used to construct a Kshs5 million hospital which ended up with no medicine or medical staff. The community now knows that the CDF money belongs to the people and not the government. That is what people’s participation does.

Compiled by Maria Wanza

Caravan Chat - When the Marginalized Maginalize the Marginalized - Part 1

2011-11-17T22:32:00.000-08:00


Nkatha Mercy, Program Officer, Friends of Nomads

She doesn’t stand out in a crowd, but Nkatha Mercy should. Not with all the knowledge she has about the local community she serves. Nkatha is part of the caravanites who are headed to Durban, South Africa.

Situated in upper Eastern in Isiolo county, Friends of Nomads, the organization she works as a program officer, has a vision of empowering pastoralists for a better life. I begin what ends up being an intense and animated 10 minute chat about what she does and why climate change and climate justice is intertwined with governance.

Climate change and good governance

Climate change and climate justice are cross cutting issues that are intrinsically tied to governance. Bad governance caused the drought and famine that Kenya experienced. In days past, they had ways of telling the seasons and had ways of working them out amongst themselves. Now, when drought happens in this area, you have leaders pitting communities against each other as they fight for natural resources.

Of Killings over Natural Resources

Matters are handled fast when it is a tourist who is shot but when it is locals it takes them time to even recognize something happened. As l was leaving for the caravan, 3 people got killed but the authorities didn’t do a thing. People fight for natural resources all the time. The media doesn’t capture this. Extreme poverty, clan politics coupled with illiteracy make for a deadly combination. There is a lot of Clanism here. It doesn’t help that the society is not exposed. They also have minimal interaction with the outside world. Throw in the different dynamics that all these communities bring with them and you have a deadly mix.

So, what does good governance mean?

Good governance means participation and engagement of the communities. It also means that leaders are held accountable and communities experience equitable distribution of resources. Good governance must not just be heard but it must be seen to be happening. Borana are majority in this area and more specifically the Sekuyes, which is a clan within Borana community. Top positions in this area are occupied by this community which automatically causes conflict among the other communities.

Marginalized getting Marginalized by the Marginalized

Biggest issue in the environmental area is land. Isiolo is an area that is full of national parks. It is the second richest after Narok. Yet the riches serve only a few. This is marginalization within marginalization. The community as it is already marginalized by the outside world and the situation trickles down to among themselves.

Marginalization by government policies is deliberate which is seen in Sessional paper Number 10 of 1965 by the late Tom Mboya. In essence, the policy advocates investment of resources in areas with potential of high returns and hoping it will trickle down to the populations, which obviously does not. 20% of Kenya constitutes of high potential while 80% is Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, ASAL. 90% of all livestock comes from ASAL areas. There is also cash from the game resources. These areas are also tourism areas because of the national parks which means more revenue by this community. That Sessional Paper was really bad for this community.

Read Part 2....

Compiled by Maria Wanza enroute to Malawi

Caravan Dispatches - Tanzania Enroute to Lilongwe, Malawi

2011-11-17T21:54:00.000-08:00

Fueling for the journey ahead

It is about 8pm on the 17^th November 2011, as we leave Karonga, Malawi where we have just had dinner and are now headed to Lilongwe in 3 bus convoy headed by the Malawi team. These buses have attracted so many people since the caravan started. It’s a natural reaction and especially if you see 3 buses full of people just driving across your town. Anyways, I seem to like writing the caravan dispatches while in motion. So this is being written as the bus is in full motion with caravanites beginning to catch some much needed sleep. It has been a long day. Just yesterday we were in Dar with the Vice President who was flagging off the caravan. It looks like ages ago.

We have travelled over 1600 kilometers to just be here. Here being Malawi whose border officials are over friendly at a time when people were so tired. Funny thing is, our bodies are acclimatizing. The fatigue seems to settle and altogether disappear. That must be good especially because we still have Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and finally South Africa to get to. We had a a day of driving through Tanzania straight into Malawi. That can be tiring but also very interesting.

The money changing is mind boggling. You get to the Malawi border and there is forex bureau. Oh an official one, Most of the time you just have the local guys who have appointed themselves as money changers doing the business. Sometimes it is good. Sometimes it is bad. You could end up getting a raw deal or a very good one. What an oxymoron.

Then there are the different modes of officials on the borders. At the Rwanda border they were very fast and so were those of Tanzania. The Malawi ones though were friendly but to some very tired caravanites. There are borders that we found very strict officials while others were very relaxed. Tonight the weather is warm. The bus l am in has most of its windows open. No one is complaining or making frantic requests of please close the windows. Very different compared to the other countries at night. Working with a team like this one has to appreciate the logistics involved. This right here is not child play. Getting everyone together even for simple tasks can be mind boggling. But l have said before, the logistics team here is both professional and diplomatic. Of course group dynamics come into play. You can expect that with not only different personalities but also with different nationalities.

That said, l can’t wait to get into Malawi and see what it is they have planned for the day. I know there is a procession at 8am followed by some activities. The reason l can’t wait is because this team came to meet us at the border and had a whole activity take place right there. Back at the eating joint, l made friends with the receptionist who let me charge my mini laptop. Friendly people. She told me about Lilongwe just enough for me to nod and think…do some little digging about it. For now the driver powers on with either side being pitch black and the caravanites taking a pause. I probably should do that. I will keep you updated on my observations on caravan dispatches.

Caravan Picture Speak - Tanzania's Loud and Clear Message

2011-11-17T21:13:00.000-08:00

Drum Roll....

The Tanzania leg of the Caravan of Hope was marked with both celebration and sober reminders ahead of COP17 meeting in Durban, South Africa. Find the story at http://bit.ly/sD0fID Following is Tanzania's flag off in photos.


Tanzania Vice President Dr Mohamed Garib addressing the audience which included caravanites

Rebecca Muna, ForumCC Coordinating Team member speaking during the flag off function in Dar es Salam, Tanzania

Tanzania we are here!

Loud and Clear Message

Caravanites with their representative flags

Caravan Dispatches - A Stuck Bus Somewhere in Tanzania

2011-11-15T11:54:00.000-08:00

14^th November, 2011

Somewhere in Tanzania

Hmmm! ‘Gari imekata mafuta,’ whose literal translation means, ‘the car has cut oil.’ This means the petrol is not getting into the right places hence causing the bus to get stuck. Ok that is enough explaining, l need to tell you about the journey.

So this is the second time this is happening. It is nearly 7.30pm and we are stuck right in the middle of nowhere. The drivers say it is a few kilometers to Dar es Salam. On each side of the road a few huts and some bushes and it is totally pitch black. No really.Here when it is dark, it really is dark and especially if the area has no generators. I want some fear to kick in but it can’t because the people around me are so relaxed. One caravanite says, ‘it is time to do a poem which would be titled..in the still of darkness,’ to which he gets a round of laughter. The driver who is not answering when we ask what is wrong, is working feverishly to correct the problem. The second bus has already caught up with us and its drivers join in. 15 minutes after tinkering with the engine or whatever it was, the bus is ready to go. I laugh when l hear one of the drivers saying, ‘when l touch this bus it behaves itself but when it sees a hill it begins to misbehave.’ Really? It has now become a living thing?

We take off into the night hoping that this was the last episode. I haven’t reached yet. I am still wiring and on the road to Dar. Let us finish this when we get there. An hour later, we are in Dar and the bus has conked out again. This time though we are so relaxed. I think we have faith in our drivers. Now after all the scary experiences we know they know what they are doing. Tinker for 10 minutes and drive off to the hotel.

By Maria Wanza

Caravan Dispatches - Nairobi City and the Waiting Drivers

2011-11-15T11:50:00.001-08:00

14^th November 2011 at around 5am.

By Maria Wanza. Written while driving to Namanga Border and filed today…

‘Maria, imagine everyone is here and the buses are not here yet,’ that was one of my most dreaded calls and yet l got it. Flashback a little. Just after the successful event we had in Nairobi, we were informed that we would be leaving at 2am. So ideally everyone should be at the reception area around that time. We got to the hotel earlier a tired lot after travelling overnight from Kampala to Nairobi. After having dinner back at the hotel l debated whether to just get ready and go to the reception area and sleep on one of their comfy chairs.Obviously l decided against it because the next call l got was that dreaded one. Fast forward, literally flew out of bed, freshened up and headed downstairs. Aaaah! I should have gotten an award.

I finally look at my watch and it is way past 3am and the buses? No where to be seen. Downstairs. Bags everywhere with caravanites lying on most of them.I hear, ‘is this the ten minutes the drivers said they would take?’ Then a few jokes are made. Let’s not go there for now. All l know is that we look like fatigued campers. The drivers show up after an hour and half wait by the participants. Once the participants see the buses, they are more glad than angry now. I like this lot. They are all at once tough and understanding. And so we leave Kenya at around 4amish and drive down to Namanga border. And the baton gets passed on to Tanzania…

Caravan Dispatches - Schizophrenic Weather along the Way - Kampala and Dar es Salam

2011-11-15T11:48:00.000-08:00

14^th November, 2011

‘This weather is schizophrenic,’ a caravanite says. He is right. This trip has been interesting. The weather changes without fail. One moment it is hot and the next it is chilly. A minute later and you have a serious downpour. Today at the border of Kenya and Tanzania we drove into a light drizzle which turned into a a heavy one and later it shone like it had not rained. The Uganda border is also one that gave us a challenge as it was raining cats, dogs and everything in between. I feared that our documents would get wet. The Task Force of the Trans African of Hope was the first to traverse the terrain of this caravan. We started out in Nairobi and drove down to Kampala over night. That was the first time were experiencing how the caravan was going to feel. Boy! Was it tiring. I think we had imagined how it would be but had not gotten into our system that indeed this was going to be both fun but also very tiring. That same day we went to a partner’s office, discussed more on the caravan over lunch, then the weather happened. It rained so hard that people who had been sent to get our lunch had to wait it out for 2 hours for the water to subside. The lunch did eventually come. The weather though didn’t change as it rained most of the night.

Back to the present….

I am in a bus now headed to Dar es Salam via Morogoro, where we will stop for lunch. We are sweating because of the heat but heavy clouds have been dancing along with the sun. I can say with certainty, it is going to be raining soon and not lightly. Yes, l have since coming to this trip, acquired a talent of being a weather man. So two hours later and it has just started to rain, heavily. The caravanites in the bus l am in are sweating. Yes, and l didn’t stutter. It is raining heavily as we wait for one of our buses to finish up some matter with the police. So here we are. We can’t go out because you will be drenched and inside the bus, a cooking cake box. So l sit here with my face running a river, not of tears but of sweat. Hours later…Somewhere in Tanzania. It is still raining heavily.I am looking through my window and all l see are heavy clouds amidst heavy downpour. It looks foggy and so our driver is being cautious.

Caravan Dispatches - Kampala City Effect 2 - Of Delays and Thunders

2011-11-15T11:45:00.000-08:00

Next Morning…

12^th November, 2011

We awaken to a hot Kampala morning and a smiling host who has been waiting for all of us at the breakfast area for a while now. Oh she is warmth exemplified. She tells me she has been up for a while now waiting to greet each of us. Hmm! How nice. Service with a smile. We have breakfast and go to the stadium but not before a caravanite from Uganda tells me in no uncertain terms, ‘prepare yourselves . That concert will start two hours late.’ What? Really? Yes really. And she was right.

We get there and the suppliers seem to be setting up their equipments. A little tent is being prepared for the Vice President. So exactly two hours late into the programme, the event begins. The function is not more than an hour and a half after which l run off to file my story but not before running after the vice president’s assistant for the speech. So l take off. Oh the weather thing again. Shortly after that vice president leaves a light drizzle starts to pour which turns out to be one of the heaviest downpours we have witnessed since starting this journey. Hmmm! I guess there goes the heavily anticipated afternoon concert.Meanwhile, l am glad l went with a fellow caravanite to file the stories. Only now at the cyber l have all these photos which can’t upload. Grrhh! I decide to file without photos and l am glad l did because as l view the last blog l have done, you guessed it, blackout. Smile…we are covered.

We go back to the hotel and find those nice smiling people waiting with a variety of African dishes that make up for a sumptuous lunch. I get there earlier than most people because my fellow caravanite who lives in Uganda offered to give me a lift as l went to cover my story. A few minutes later the caravanites walk in drenched. Indeed it’s a caravan. Nairobi here we come…