NANCY
There shall be peace on earth, but not until
All children daily eat their fill,
Go warmly clad against the winter wind
And learn their lessons with a tranquil mind.
And then, released from hunger, fear and need
Regardless of their color, race or creed
Look upward smiling to their skies,
Their faith in life reflected in their eyes.
It has been said that grandmothers are remarkable women. They’re a wonderful combination of warmth, kindness, laughter and love. No better example is the Kings Kikima Grannies, two groups who will never meet each other but who are connected in every way. For 14 years, these women, from vastly different backgrounds, have have been raising 64 grandchildren for the love of the children. The Kenyan grandmothers lost their children to HIV/Aids and have made it their goal to raise their grandchildren. “ It has been said by Stephen lewis, that Africa is being carried on the backs of the grandmothers.”
Ruth Kytha is our hands and feet in Kenya. About 30 years ago she and her family had come to Wolfville so that Ruth could study at Acadia with a CIDA Scholarship. Ruth returned to Kenya to become a Community Development Officer Wendy Eliot had remained friends. When a group of women started discussing the possibility of a grandmother group, it turned out that Ruth had contacted Wendy for support in her village, Kikima. Wendy then contacted Ruth about the possibility a heart to heart connection . Ruth knew of a group of 27 grandmothers who were desperate for help. And when the number of interested grandmothers in Kings County, the number was 27, coincidence, I think not! Our vision became a reality. She said it was an answer to prayer.
In 2008 Kenya was going through its third year of drought. What little money they had was needed for food, the children were not able to go to school. In Kenya, one cannot go to school unless one had a uniform, there was no money for this luxury. And the people were hungry. We knew then what we had to do . We fundraised for the next 11/2 years, $450 was sent monthly to the grannies through Ruth Kytha for food relief. This was enough to feed 90 people for the month, can you imagine! The drought continued but at least the people had food and more children were able to go to school. Once the rains came we were then able to send all the children to school and this has not been interrupted , even during several times of short droughts.
Soon, Ruth came to visit family in Nova Scotia. What a thrill to meet this gentle woman who is working so hard for her people. She also brought us gifts from our grannies, beautiful bags made from their grass and earrings, just what women like no matter where in the world they are! Ruth was able to fulfil some speaking engagements while she was here, speaking to students at Horton and Central Kings. The Wolfville Rotary Club was so impressed with Ruth and the Kings Kikma project that they agreed to buy the grannies each a goat. This was something that the grannies had longed for as the goats provide milk, cheese, wool and manure! The Kings grannies were very excited as well! Twenty-seven goats were given as a surprise Christmas Gift. There was much dancing and rejoicing!.
It was in the fall rainy season that Ruth came and while here she received word that the rains had started!! When Ruth left she took with money to buy seeds and a donated supply of seeds from Halifax seed Company. Unfortunately, these did not do well in their climate, lesson learned. However, their own seeds flourished and we were able to look beyond food relief. This was Ruth’s message :Thank you so much for all that you do. It truly does make a huge difference in the lives of the gogos (Zulu for grandmother) and the children. The commitment of the Kings Grannies is amazing and at times makes us feel that we have loving mothers who care for us.” With this powerful connection the Kings Kikima Grannies believe in what Margaret Meade has said, “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful , committed people can change the world, it is the only thing that has.”
BETSY
Over the past 14 years the grannies have provided or been involved in providing….
- Micro loans
- Water tanks
- Irrigation system
- Tuition, uniforms, computers, bedding, travel money (boarding school) –EDUCATION
- Sexual Health education workshops
- Food relief when needed
- Over the past several years we have been able to not only provide for the grandchildren’s education but also to help the grannies in their advancing years. Money was sent so that beds could be constructed and bedding purchased. Gardening tools were bought and solar lights so they could light at night. They have grown old and the responsibilities they have do not make things easier. The good thing is that their grandchildren have grown and are supporting them in small ways.
- Blankets/ Shoes
- Tools
- Solar lights
For different celebrations such as Christmas and Easter, money is sent to Ruth in order to buy some treats and food to take home. One Christmas, the children had suckers and the grannies white bread and pop. Another time it was the goats which were received with much dancing and singing. At Easter the children were given new clothes. We have wonderful pictures of these gatherings . The faces are happy in sharp contrast to the ones we had received at the beginning. We knew that trust had to be established with these women who had to endure so much. They needed to know that we are here for them for the long run, not a project that was only there for a short time. We shared love, kindness, warmth and laughter. We do this through letterwriting and Ruth being our elaisez.
In order to make sure we have monies for all our projects and events we continue to focus jewelry sales from donated jewelry . This has grown into other events and, silent auctions, plants, art from jewelry, knitted items and other things. We also have received financial support through personal donations, an Anglican Church Women’s International Project and the outstanding support from the Rotary clubs of Wolfville and Kentville. The Grannies have made almost 300.000 in the past 14 years.
This is a quote from a report that Ruth has sent.
In a report from Ruth….
You do not know, but there are very many satisfied grandparents and grandkids in Kikima. The work you do may not be considered big by world standards but it certainly has changed many lives.
NANCY. UPDATES
> Covid vaccine is more readily available with 4 million Kenyans with at least 1 dose. Ruth’s team of helpers have received both shots. The children were only sent home once during an outbreak. They continue to be well, no sign of HIV or COVID.
There are only 20 children still in school. Many are working using the skills they have learned and some are financially helping their grannies. Of the 68 children who started in this project 14 years ago only 10 have dropped out completely.. A number of the remainding children who have graduated have gotten married and started families. This project is a success story and we are on the way to the finish line in about 3-5years time.
We are pleased to share that we have carpenters, teachers ( 2in a private school), hospitality management, hair dressing, dress making, electricians, entrepreneur – knitting school uniform sweaters. We purchased the knitting machine for her. Four are in university, mechanics, business management, hotel housekeepers, masonry, causal labours, one pastor and one studying to be a pastor.
This area, unfortunately, is also affected by climate change and so depended on the rains. It is the rainy season now but the rains are not lasting as long as they once did and this a affecting production on their little farms.
> I would like to finish this with a quote or two from a loyal supporter Jennifer Bush-Anderson, a food security expert from Wolfville…”What an achievement to have secured tuition for the students for another year. We know that getting a good education in Kenya is expensive so your efforts every year are so impressive and will be so appreciated by the Kikima grannies. “
Your group is such an inspiration to the power of local partnerships working on a small scale providing essential support to hard working people in need of targeted, consistent help over a number of years.
BETSY
As Ruth has said, It is clear that the Kings Kikima Grannie Project is offering something that has been missing in the lives of the beneficiaries and their grandchildren. They are full of praise for the help they receive and pray for the health of the Kings Gogos and wish them well.
Obviously this could not happen without support such as yourselves by coming to our events and inviting us here tonight to tell The Granny Story.
“Many small people, in many small places, do many small things, that can alter the face of the world.”
We all wish you well and would like to close with this quote from Barbara Coloroso
In North America, we are notorious for “me”. “mine”, and “more”. We have got to be, “ours”,”us”,”enough”. If I were to make a wish for every child it would be enough—enough love, enough food and medicine, enough
Kings - Kikima Grandmothers 