October 07, 2011

AGM and Forward!


It has been nearly three weeks since the Annual General Meeting or "AGM". So, as a friend says, 10 Poles (Pole x kumi)for the delay in posting this amazing experience. I am not sure that I can recognize all the heroes of the AGM, and certainly the amount of work that goes behind the scenes is impossible to recount. A few of the KIWAKKUKI "heroes" appear to me to be: #1 Aginatha-- Ok, I know that she has been a long-time supporter of KIWAKKUKI, but she has just started her new NGO, there have been changes at KIWAKKUKI, but she really put herself on the line for the whole day as the MC. I cannot show you every picture I took of her, but I can personally tell you that she was on her feet the entire day, running from this side of the hall to that, looking up and down, fielding questions, some of which weren't easy to understand and she would help, racing to the side of someone who tried to talk without a microphone-especially on the stage, and for all us short people..."thank you" for putting the microphone down, and for helping to make sure that everyone's voice was heard.
Agninatha Making her voice heard
Aginatha helping the KIWAKKUKI Treasurer to give her report
A huge thank you has to be to the districts who showed up for this meeting, and many of whom brought things to sell. I personally was the recipient of a huge harvest of a green banana plant that I happily sent to the KIWAKKUKI staff for their tea! And it was a GIFT. Thank you KIWAKKUKI Membership for your continued kindness to me! In addition, I had the opportunity to buy a fabulous samosa plate from Hii/Siha. I did not share one bite with my husband.
Way too many wonderful things!
As always, I love the dancing and music. I am very sorry that I won't post the videos that I took. Perhaps when I get the fine art of video on blog, I will. But here are the amazing Moshi Urban dance group. An Ngoma if I have ever heard it.

I have now understood better how the AGM works. It is sort of the old "10 cell leader" base. For the AGM, in each district, the District Coordinator assigns one person to represent 10 KIWAKKUKI members. In this way, hopefully, communication is at its best for an economical way to meet and gather and give information. Here are some of the 6 groups.
The Hai/Siha group is one of the largest of KILIMANJARO and very active.
The Mwanga group were just wild. I give them the "most enthusiasm award". For perhaps the smallest district, this group was awesome!
I know and love the District Coordinator at Rombo very well. Their numbers might not have been as big as some of the others, but they are so very rural and they were still there.
My dear friend in Same makes an ultimate sacrifice to travel all the way to KIWAKKUKI, but she does it with pride. I have driven there.... It is a LONG WAY!!! Thanks for hanging in SAME group.
Just because Moshi Rural has the "Moshi" name on it does not mean that it is any more accessible than Same, Rombo, Mwanga or Siha. Several students that friends of mine support are in Moshi Rural, and I have been in areas there many times. It is beautiful, but it is remote....at least by "Western" standards. You have to love these folks.
So, don't leave this important area out. Even if Moshi Urban should seem to be without problems, there are areas where the poverty and problems seem insurmountable. I do not have a picture of Agnes here on the blog, but my best "girlfriend" in Moshi, Agnes Urassa, is the acting director of social welfare in Moshi Urban, and as a former Chairperson, social worker, and friend, I can tell you that I have learned about the breadth of problems that we who live in Moshi Urban have. It is sad, unethical, and wrong from the ethical perspective.
The staff of KIWAKKUKI have become my dearest friends. They work hard. They are loyal, and we have learned to laugh and cry over so many issues that seem impossible. Thank heavens we still have dance (even if we are now senior citizens...... "Chini.......chini........chini!"
My young "son" continued to have this VCR recorder on his shoulder until he had to switch and say something and then grabbed it back...8 hours of running. Does Stephen Sikumbili get enough credit? NO I say, as I have said for many years.
Talk about the "Kiti Moto" my dear sister, VeryNice had to give the orphans report. She is facing massive cuts, and questions. A. Donors give for specific time frames, which do not totally correspond with graduation time frames. Asking them to continue to donate may be impossible. B. Donors are losing interest in supporting individual children. C. Children are having such difficulties with school--supporting sick parents sick themselves, stigma, now loss of donor funding...what to do. (if a child receives his tuition in the presence of KIWAKKUKI or a "mzungu--white" donor it can reflect badly on his ongoing schooling. Oh sadly, Very nice can give you more stories. I have a whole file!

Our new Executive Director as previously reported is serious, attentive and determined to restore KIWKKUKI to premier!

Board members who need to be saluted for courage and courtesy! Dear friend Sabina.
My friend Margaret who is just great.... KIWAKKUKI started the movement...KIWAKKUKI is part of me, and I will not give up KIWAKKUKI until I die! This is what we needed to hear!
Is this the best? I think that membership is the best....thus I have saved the Executive Director till the last. Thanks Immaculate for all your hard work!
I first met Egla in Moshi Rural East....we became friends and I returned not long ago to KIWAKKUKI to find that she was acting Executive Coordinator. This is a job with no praise or love....but I love you Egla!
"Naysayers here?" I really love our new Executive Coordinator. She is not only credentialed, but kind. She was part or still is of the compassion ministries. Everyone local knows this. So why am I surprised that I really like her so much? I don't know. Suffice it to say....happy now!
A great team!
Hang in there KIWAKKUKI