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Reading, Writing, and Phones

Category: Donations received, Lion Guardian reports, Meet the Lion Guardians | Date: Feb 12 2008 | By: admin

Yesterday when I went out to collect the weekly forms, I gave Koikai a newly donated phone. He was full of excitement. Soon after Koikai received the phone we realized there was one problem. Koikai doesn’t understand the language and the set of the phone; it took me more than four hours trying to explain how to use the phone and what each menu means. Some alternative I gave was that he can exchange it to a Guardian who knows how to use that type of phone. Koikai is not the only one with that type of problem; even Lenkiloriti Guardian, Kapande, has the same problem. Most of the Guardians can’t read; they’ve learned the basic English. Enough to write their names, use a GPS and fill out two basic forms which are written in Swahili. They’ve all memorized their phones, especially the name list so they call the right person. The Guardians are very excited to have new working phones, it is just going to take some time for them to adjust to the new technology.

Even with the difficulties, Koikai was so overwhelmed with happiness at having a new phone that he took his little Sangale to have a photo of him with the new phone. But for some bad luck I don’t have a functioning camera yet. Hopefully this week I will be receiving a new one which was donated through the blog. Thanks again to our readers for the helpful donations!

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Here I am working with Kapande on his reading and writing in Lenkiloriti

6 Responses to “Reading, Writing, and Phones”

THERESA SISKIND, on 12 Feb 2008

Well, I don’t own a cell phone and when I have to borrow one, the menu confuses me too! Antony, thanks for your reply about how dark it is at night, I’m glad to hear that you have solar power. I made a donation on Feb.5th, I hope you recieve it soon, you can put it towards that camera if you like!

L riley, on 12 Feb 2008

Antony, hopefully that camera will make it’s way to you soon. I know you will put the camera to good use and take many wonderful photos to share with us. I will be looking forward to seeing that photo of Koikai and Sangale.

paula, on 13 Feb 2008

Anthony, I’m so impressed that you have made this blog such a great meeting place. We now have a USA blogger working with Ephrem on the ending charcoal blog - I hope that someone will offer to run a sister blog to help fund raise for you. I’m just looking at your donations on the right - it’s fantastic and I”m sure that you can do much more because there is a large number of people who care about what you are doing. Congratulations and keep the great stories coming.

Sheryl, Washington, DC, on 13 Feb 2008

Cell phones are confusing - period. Mine has more functions that I don’t know about than functions that I use. Looking forward to seeing the photo of little Sangale. What a great name.

s.

L Riley, on 13 Feb 2008

Antony, I just realized that when I sent the cameras to Seamus I forgot to put in the cell phone I was planning to send. Please let me know how to go about getting it to you.

Fiona, on 14 Feb 2008

Antony, Thank you for the update and I’m very glad Koikai was one of the recipients of the new phone. Cell phones are confusing for me too. I don’t know how you teach English there but would it help if we sent you some books, like picture books, to help with the teaching? I’m sure the children would enjoy them too once the warriors no longer used them.

Also, are they cattle grazing in the background of the picture with you and Kapande? The land there must be receiving good rain as it looks very beautiful and green.

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