After travelling for three days across dozens of countries – and with too many layovers – I arrived in Oyugis, Kenya on my birthday.
Western Heads East intern Rani Suleman poses with the project’s Yogurt Mamas.
A good sign? I definitely thought so.
I was one of eight students from The University of Western Ontario given the opportunity to travel to Africa this past summer as part of Western Heads East’s efforts in responding to the HIV/ AIDS crisis in Africa.
Established in 2004, Western Heads East (WHE) engages staff, students, faculty and the broader community in teaching, research and service targeting the African HIV/AIDS crisis. The main goal is to raise awareness and funds to support the exchange of learning experiences, while making a difference in Africa.
The probiotic yogurt technology at the core of these programs was developed at Western by Drs. Gregor Reid and Sharareh Hekmat. It has proven to improve the immune system and has shown to possibly reduce the risk of HIV infection in women and lower mortality and morbidity due to diarrhea in children and patients with AIDS.
As part of a team of three, along with fellow Ivey students Amanda Armstrong and Jennifer Eldridge, we worked hard to establish this probiotic yogurt enterprise. In addition, we also trained the group of local women – affectionately known as the Yogurt Mamas – on how to run a sustainable business.
After establishing the project in Mwanza, Tanzania, WHE opened their first sites in Kenya this past year and are esplanding to include Rwanda. At the heart of the project is the empowerment of women who work hard to make a difference in their communities.
As part of the first group of interns selected to travel to Oyugis, I fell in love with the people, the culture and the way of life. Oyugis quickly became my home. Never had I imagined taking part in what was a dream come true for me.
While in Kenya, my learning never stopped. There is so much to discover about the rich culture and heritage that makes up mankind’s motherland.
Soon after my arrival in Oyugis, I started working in the kitchen. My goals were to research the possibility of replicating the Kenyan business model across other African communities, document my findings on intercultural differences and issues faced when researching target markets for the yogurt, and develop social marketing tools to increase the acceptance and usage of the probiotic yogurt.
Although I had goals, in such an environment I had to focus on what was important at the time, which was to establish the kitchen and have it running as soon as possible. Jen, Amanda and I – with the aid of our project coordinator Roy Omulo – got the ball rolling from getting the necessary equipment to the Yogurt Mamas and the funds required for operations.
After production began, I travelled with the Yogurt Mamas to the different distribution centres to help them hand out the yogurt to the study clients. Through my interaction, I was able to improve my Swahili and find out some interesting things. I learned that Kenyans believe Western nations don’t have poverty and homelessness. It was interesting to try and see the world I came from through their point of view.
While working in the kitchen I was struck with how time is viewed between Canada and the home I had made there. Most people I met did not have the luxury to plan for the future let alone a week down the road. Survival was all about living each day for what it was.
These differences were really brought home for me when at work one day I came across an HIV-diagnosed client interested in joining the study. With no more room, I advised her to come back in six months for the next phase. After grudgingly agreeing, she looked me in the eye and simply said, “I will see you in six months – if I am alive.”
Even family roles are different. Children who are no more than 10 are responsible for tending to their siblings, some of whom are mere infants, as the parents go out in search of food to put on the table.
While in Kenya, every day was an adventure. Market days were always a treat as they only occurred twice a week. During those days the town came alive with people spilling out from every nook and corner. On many occasions, Jen, Amanda and I would go for walks with our friends around the town to see more of the lush paradise in which we were living.
We always tried to make time to play with the neighbourhood children. These quickly grew; at times almost 50 kids would be playing with us. The colouring books, balloons, skipping ropes and soccer balls we brought were a huge success.
Many have asked if I had any regrets, and I must say the only one I can think of was not having the opportunity to stay longer. Time and again I was reminded of the precious gift I was given to immerse myself in such a rich culture.
Every day I was able to work with the locals, meet new people and develop new relationships – many of which I maintain today. I can’t remember a time where I was so happy as when I was in Oyugis. And I am happy to say the projects in Kenya and in Tanzania are successfully operating.
Yes, there are always challenges and barriers to overcome, but the reward of seeing the smiles and the feeling of empowerment in the Mamas makes it all worth it.
Learn more
In 2002, Stephen Lewis (UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa) spoke at a conference hosted by Western’s Housing Department. Moved by the plight faced by millions in Africa, a group of Housing staff formed the Western Heads East Steering Committee to develop a sustainable community development. WHE was established in 2004.
https://www.westernheadseast.ca