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Written by: Leah Bryant

Rhino Poaching In The National Parks

There were no examples of rhino poaching in 2020 due to the pandemic, but how impactful is the issue of poaching?

In the 1970’s, rhino poaching became a new cultural epidemic which began the start of the ongoing decrease in its species. South Africa is home to a staggering 80% of Africa's rhino population, although over the years due to the intensity of poaching, the numbers decrease drastically as time goes on. Rhino poaching is the illegal act of killing rhinoceroses with the use of a tranquilliser gun to stun and partly sedate the animal, before brutally slicing off their horns. The intensity of the cut to the rhino often leaves them slowly bleeding to death in a very traumatic, lengthy and painful process.

Although a heinous crime, rhino poaching has been a huge part of southern African cultures for years as their horns are known for the majestic reputation. A rhinoceros horn is famously used as a key ingredient within medicine and herbal remedies, a symbol of high status, an item to be sold illegally to the black market for high value, and has even previously been believed to be used as an aphrodisiac.

However, due to the speed and severity of COVID-19, rhino poachers were forced to put down their weapons and halt at the act of animal assassination. It became apparent that a noticeable decline in the number of rhino killings developed as the pandemic and its lockdown began to make an impact on the lives of humans all over the world.

The impact of the pandemic, although incredibly traumatic, has inevitably stalled the incessant action of hunting for rhinos and brutally killing them in their natural habitat, which has allowed for these beautiful creatures to roam freely on their own land.

Unfortunately, due to the impact of this brutal act over the past fifty years, once the pandemic is over it is highly unlikely that any noticeable difference in numbers will be seen in-regards to these desperately endangered animals. The desirability of their horns are still in high demand in many parts of China, Vietnam, and numerous countries in South Africa.

Though it is a positive movement that numbers of deaths have dcreased during the pandemic, the fact remains that once the world regains normality, these creatures will still be in vast danger. Therefore, it is important to educate one another and choose ways in which we can help to allow the lives of these beautiful animals to be as harmless and natural as possible.

Ways in which we can help to make a difference to the lives of these rhinos are by looking into some additional organisations and charities in which the safety of the animals are the paramount. Below we have linked some amazing operations that are making a difference and that you can get involved in yourself!

Links to Rhino Poaching Charities :

http://www.poachedrhino.org/

https://www.savetherhino.org/

https://support.wwf.org.uk/adopt/a/rhino

Though we do not always see the harmful things that can happen in this world, we can always do our best to help to make a change.

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Written by: Leah Bryant

The Different Tribes of Kenya

What are the key differences between contrasting tribes?

Kenya is an incredibly diverse country that is filled with endless cultural differences and an essence of long lived customs and traditions. There are over 40 individual ethnic groups in this East African country, all equally as connected and affiliated with the love and adoration of communal bonds. Kenya is home to a variety of tribes, all filled with contrasting heritage and folklore practices. In this blog post, we are going to delve into some of the more popular and controversially interesting tribes in Kenya, in hopes to grasp a sense of what the Kenyan people can share with us.

The first tribe we’re going to talk about is the “Kikuyu” tribe. The Kikuyu tribe is one of the most popular tribes in Kenya and has developed its own set of cultures and traditions.

The tribe members are usually acknowledged for their large scale farmers and their “cash crops” which include the selling and distribution of both tea and coffee. They also have their own language which has kept its high importance in multiple areas where urban language (such as English and Swahili) hold great value! The Kikuyu man is given permission to marry more than just one woman at a time, providing that he is able to prove that he can support the wife accordingly. It is also common for a man to pay for his bride, as a sign of respect in their culture. The tribe is often associated with being both aggressive in behaviour, but subsequently looking after their own and showing respect to one another.

The next tribe we’re going to talk about it the “Mijikenda” tribe, which is located in the coastal region of Kenya. This tribe is so big that it comprises of over nine sub-tribes, whose cultures all revolve around the areas of “clans” and “age-sets”. Altogether there are around 1,900,000+ tribe members! It is considered as one of the most important Kenyan tribes as it gave birth to the Swahili culture. Often referred to as “clans”; Mijikenda members tend to live in groups of several family members and often have their own scared space to conduct rituals and prayers which is known as a “Kaya”. They are additionally known for their incredibly impressive cooking skills, with their staple dish being “Wali”; a meal prepared with rice and coconut milk.

Our third tribe is called the “Luhya” tribe. This is the second largest tribe in Kenya, holding an incredible 14% of the Kenyan population. They are based in the Western part of Kenya and withhold an impressive eighteen sub-tribes within the Luhya name, all in which practice their own dialect of the Luhyu langauge. A large part of their culture lies within the circumcision of young men. It is seen as an important ritual in majority of the sub-tribes, as it marks the transition from boyhood to manhood. The tribe is also known for its popular sport of bull fighting, alongside also being renowned for their love of food.

Our fourth tribe is called the “Kalejin” Tribe, which is the third most popular group in Kenya, forming an imposing 12% of the Kenyan Population, whilst additionally holding eight sub-tribes. Kalejin people live together in thatched huts which are often created out of mud, cow dung and wood. They enjoy practicing large-scale farming as a means of living and enjoy engaging in cattle keeping. They are also known for their love of fermented milk.

Our fifth tribe is called the “Kisii” tribe, which forms 6% of the Kenyan population and is based in the highlands of Nyanza in Western Kenya. Kisii families are usually large in quantity and choose to live closely together, with their daily activities include cooking and farming. Male circumcision is also an important factor in this tribes beliefs, but with the addition of female circumcision also being introduced. Although originally mandatory to be carried out by this tribe to circumcise a young woman (often before the age of five), the ritual has since been outlawed though continues to be practiced in some parts. Kisii members have been described as rather short-tempered, but also adhere to worshiping a god named “Engoro” who is a supreme deity of an ancestral spirit. The Kissi culture is also known for its development of basketry, soap stone carvings and pottery making.

Our sixth tribe is called the “Maasai” tribe, who are known for their renowned affinity with their cultural history in which they effortlessly mix with their more modern way of life. Only inhabiting around 840,000+ people and famous for their distinctive dress sense, The Maasai tribe are incredibly fascinating. Maasai families usually live in groups of ten to twenty members within their enclosure that they call “Enkang” which is protected by wires, fences and bushes. They live their lives dedicated to cattle farming which steadies their primary source of nutrition. They believe in a supreme god called “Enkai” and are known for their endurance and courage to become fearless warriors.

The last tribe we will be looking at is the “Luo” tribe, forming a grand 13% of the Kenyan population and residing within the Western parts of Kenya. Luo people depend on fishing as their main means of living and usually show reprimand if a Luo member does not dedicate their livelihood to this. Something authentic about this tribe is that they are known for their act of mourning. Luo tribe members are rotationally hired as “professional mourners” by locals, in which they will collectively mourn the life of someone who has passed. An important Luo tradition is to not only practice male circumcision on young boys, but to also introduce the extraction of six lower teeth. This practice is said by the Luo’s to distinguish the men from the boys. Luo people are additionally acknowledged for their reputation of bragging.

When learning about these tribes and all of the differing traditions and cultural preferences, it is incredible to acknowledge the depth into which each tribe possesses. Whether it be a means of community, the importance of survival, the principal of dialect or the significance of food, each of the tribes have one thing in common, and that is the connection they hold between themselves and their chosen tribe members.

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Written by: Olivia Cowell

One of the most vital and prominent ways we assist Excel Emmanuel Education Centre is through the donation of money to enable their feeding programme to continue. The feeding programme was set up by Porridge and Rice (our mother charity). The programme allows all students and staff to receive two nutritional meals every day, and for many, this is their only reliable source of food.

When the pandemic began in March 2020, the school faced the issue of many parents of the students being unable to pay the small tuition fees to allow the students to attend school. This loss in tuition fees, albeit tiny (£5 a month) led the school to have to cancel the feeding programme altogether.

Since Hope for Excel began in July 2020, we have been able to support this feeding programme to continue by regularly donating to the school. We have been regularly reminded how important this is for the children, as a hungry child cannot learn. The money acts as a double payment between subsidising the tuition fees of the children whose parents cannot afford it, and paying for the feeding programme.

We receive updates from the feeding programme daily, of the children receiving their Uji (porridge) in the morning, and sukuma wiki (spinach), beans and rice in the afternoon.

Excel Emmanuel is currently on their long school holiday between academic years, therefore the feeding programme is temporarily halted while schools are closed. Hope for Excel is using this time to accumulate donations for when the school returns, to ensure we are able to continue their feeding programme. We are hoping that as the pandemic slowly disintegrates, parents of our students will be able to find work and restart paying the tuition fees, so our donations can be channeled elsewhere, such as more educational resources and other larger projects in the future.

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Written by: Olivia Cowell

Without sounding too Marxist, the distribution of wealth around the globe is notoriously unfair. The super rich vs the super poor is prominent in every country, even those considered economically and socially advanced.

However, this is normally secluded behind closed doors and offshore bank accounts. In Kenya, it is all around.

Upon my visit in 2019, I was taken aback by the sheer juxtaposition of the population. Central Nairobi boasts high sky rises and plush pools, golf courses and fancy malls. The suburbs of Karen and Runda have mansions, hidden behind walls and CCTV cameras. Remnants of colonialism linger in the architecture. Completely silent, no sounds to be heard except the occasional car leaving the heavily gated entrance.

20 minutes down the road, you are in Ngando - the location of Excel Emmanuel Education Centre. Litter filled streets, wild animals roaming, children playing in dirty pools filled with mosquitoes potentially carrying dengue and malaria. Very little sanitation available, no fresh water, corrugated iron housing. However, an unabashed sense of happiness, gratefulness and contentment within the community. Children skip happily down the roads, chasing after goats. Women laugh to themselves on the roadside on their way to do laundry. I have never seen a community so welcoming and genuine.

I do not want this to inspire a message that we should feel sorry for those in Ngando, that they are unfortunate or living awful lives - because ultimately they are happier and more free than any of us. The juxtaposition between wealth is obvious to me, a middle-class white British girl who has experienced nothing other than fresh water, brick housing, substantial cooked food every day, and never had a second thought about it, as well as those living in the most affluent neighbourhoods in Nairobi. This is not something that plays on the mind of those living in Ngando, they do not dwell on the fact they have less than their compatriots.

My overall message is simply raising awareness of the sheer difference in lifestyles by which different people in Kenya live. I want to make it clear that there are no enemies, winners or losers here. The situation that these people are in is a wider societal issue that owes itself to hundreds of years of colonialism, capitalism and corruption. Certainly not something a 23 year old from Britain will be able to dismantle...

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Written by: Olivia Cowell

2020 and 2021 have been difficult years for us all, in one way or another. The silver lining of it all is how the distance caused by the pandemic has led us to grow stronger together.

This is something that we at Hope for Excel have taken in our stride. Whilst we were unable to participate in craft fairs, pop up shops, and other public fundraising events, we have grown our online presence and partnered with other like-minded charities, aiming to address the same issues as we are.

Our partner charities:

Restart Africa

Restart Africa is a small charity, based in the UK, that assists street children in Gilgil, Kenya. The charity managed to set up an orphanage which homes up to 30 children, who otherwise would live on the streets. By sharing a similar ethos to us, we knew our fundraising mission would be perfect to assist both of our causes.

Growth and Goodwill in Africa

GAGA is a UK charity which provides funds and support to individuals or organisations who require support in South Africa.

Street Child UK

Street Child is a large UK charity, tackling the issue of homeless children around the globe.

Porridge and Rice

Most predominantly, Porridge and Rice receive the vast majority of our donations. Porridge and Rice support 5 primary schools in impoverished communities in Nairobi, Kenya. They provide assistance for school meals, educational resources, improvements to infrastructure, and addressing more specific needs that the schools face.

How do the partnerships work?

With our successful Etsy store bringing in a gratefully sufficient amount of donations, we have partnered with these charities to allow us to spread our products further, through the use of their mailing lists, social media, contacts and networks. Each charity has a unique discount code, promoted by them to their audience, who will then use this code to purchase from Hope for Excel. All profits from these orders are then split 50/50 between the respective charity and Hope for Excel.

What do we hope to achieve?

Times are tough right now, for everyone. Fundraising is an industry that has taken a significant toll from the COVID restrictions due to the person to person nature that it thrives in. We at Hope for Excel do not want to contribute to the culture of charities being against one another, when we are all (or should be..) in this for one reason only - to assist those we have set out to assist. We do not see it as a competition if there is another charity set out to carry out similar work, we see it as a blessing that more people are willing to help those in need. We hope that our partnerships with these charities will further all of our missions.

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Written by: Olivia Cowell

Working in a school environment, the children have clear uniforms with the school logos, as well as lanyards and ID badges. The children are very easily recognised as members of my school. Walking down the street after class has been dismissed, it is clear which children have spilled out of my school.

At Excel School, the children have a uniform, however no official logo or embroidered identification on the apparel. They have a requirement for a red hue, but the styles differ based on what their parents can find/afford. Generally, these children wear the same uniform every day, for their entire school careers.

A key identifying feature for most people in the workplace is a lanyard. A small piece of material which allows people to form a sense of unity. From personal experience, I have never particularly paid attention to my staff lanyards - purely because they are just common practice and have always been so.

Hope for Excel thought this unifying apparel was an important aspect of creating a stronger bond between our students and staff. By being able to identify each other as Excel students and staff, we felt this would create a stronger sense of family, as well as increasing security. The children at Excel begin school at 5 years old. It is easy for these children to leave the school and wander around the streets. By having no identifier on the uniform, how would anyone know where to return the child?

HfE designed and created new lanyards for all staff and students. These also hold importance for the staff, as many of our teachers considered lanyards to be a status symbol, only worn by businessmen and women. We want our teachers to feel proud, as we are incredibly proud of them.

We hope that these new lanyards will provide a sense of security for parents knowing that the children have an identifying piece of clothing, and that our teachers will feel proud to express their workplace.

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Written by: Olivia Cowell

March 2021 marks a very important period for our students in Excel, it is exam season!

For the students, this is the pinnacle of their school careers, everything they have worked hard towards for the last 13 years has led to this.

At Excel School, the KCPEs, or Kenyan Certificate of Primary Education are externally supervised exams that the students must undertake to receive a formal certificate concluding their completion of primary school. From here, they are able to go into further education in high schools. These external exams are essential in our fight against poverty, as the official documentation certifying education is a step in the right direction to break the poverty cycle and get our students into employment.

As nearly all of us will be aware, external exams have rigorous requirements to ensure that cheating is not possible. These requirements have to be adhered to, or the school and students face the inability to complete the exams.

One of these requirements is having the ability to have separate desks for students to complete their exams. We were alerted to this restriction a few months ago by the staff at Excel - saying that the pre-existing desks did not meet the standards required. We knew we had to do something, and we had to do something fast.

Fortunately, due to the support from our Etsy sales, we were able to provide the funds for 20 new desks for Excel School. The students were thrilled, and even wanted to take turns sitting in the new chairs.

But it didn’t end there!

After hearing about this, ShareCare LTD, a care home service provider in the UK, was inspired to do the same. An additional 25 desks were purchased by this company, allowing Excel to receive 45 new desks in total, and ensuring all of their students are able to carry out the exams.

Sometimes it is easy to take for granted the opportunities provided by our schools - as a teacher in the UK, it never crosses my mind that the requirements of having separate desks and individual learning spaces is something that could be a limiting factor in countries around the globe.

We are grateful that we have been able to help the students at Excel, and provide a sustainable donation which can be used for years to come. We are also happy to know that the desks were sourced by a local carpenter, and therefore the donations have benefitted not only the school, but a local business too.

They even painted our name on the desks as a gift to us!

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Written By: Innes Anderson

Hope for Excel’s partnered charity Porridge and Rice, are providing a sustainability programme aiming to provide their schools and society with new areas of income. This should enable them to prosper and live independently without the charity’s supervision. Unfortunately there are many schools in the Nairobi slums unable to afford the funds to support teacher’s salaries and children’s education. Our schools have been brought up to date with paying teacher’s salaries and we hope to ensure that this is maintained.

Pig Rearing Project

Porridge and Rice have extended the pig rearing programme, which began at Compassion CBO in order to provide meat and additional income. In 2013-2014 Compassion CBO gave 5 women each a piglet and training on how to how to rear the animals. The five women who profited from this, agreed to give a piglet from each litter to another woman in order to help them start the programme. This created a sustainable industry and a reliable source of income; as sows can be bred and piglets sold, and the boars bring in income by being used to impregnate the sows.

Chicken Rearing Project

Beginning at Compassion CBO, Porridge and Rice have also extended the chicken rearing programme to provide meat and additional income. This programme began in 2015 and works similarly to the pig breeding programme, however it is a quicker way to earn income. The women were provided with training and were then able to sell the eggs that were produced. The women receive laying chickens that are fully vaccinated to begin with, so that they have the best chance of success.

Agriculture

Compassion CBO has four plots of land for cultivation in Githogoro and near Limuru. They grow a variety of produce such as; pumpkins, papaya, and flowers. The land provides a small income for Compassion CBO as well as an opportunity for training. Many seedlings are given away to women so that they can start an agricultural enterprise of their own.

Porridge and Rice are encouraging the growing of vegetables to supplement the schools’ food supply. Currently the schools are now self-sufficient in yellow sweet potatoes.

Porridge and Rice have set up a “land fund” so that schools don’t have to rent premises. Their first plots have been acquired, but more are needed in order to ensure a safe and secure space for children to be educated in.

Donating to our Sustainability Programme

Contributing to our land fund is a great way to ensure that both staff and students are in a safe and reliable space. We want our other schools to be on charity-owned land as it guarantees security for the future. By donating £5, it buys 3 chickens which helps to make schools financially independent. If you aren’t in a position to donate then don’t worry, reading and sharing this page is already a fantastic contribution.  

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Written by: Innes Anderson

Rights and Gender

Our charity Hope for Excel and Porridge and Rice, are fighting to remove the gender imbalance that exists in Kenyan society. Many girls and women still lack access to basic services, and women remain under-represented in making decisions that directly affect their lives. Education plays a huge role in ensuring that girls are provided with the same equal opportunities as boys.

Period Poverty

Young women are missing out on their education, due to being unable to afford efficient sanitary protection. This is a huge problem. No girl should have to fall behind in class due to this issue. A lack of sanitary pads has led to an estimated one million girls missing school every month.

Porridge and Rice provide sanitary protection for all menstruating school students and female teachers. Better education about menstruating is essential. There are still accounts of “Period Shaming” girls going to school on their periods unfortunately brings the unwarranted teasing and bullying from boys, another reason as to why female students are missing out on school. It is vital that education on menstruation is taught to both girls and boys.

FGM and Discrimination

The division between women and men in Kenyan society is still apparent.                      

Children should be taught the importance of equality and valuing someone’s character. Porridge and Rice operates a “no discrimination policy” where discrimination on any grounds is not permitted in their partner schools.

Many girls are still being subjected to the illegal practice of FGM (female genital mutilation). There is still a strong social pressure for girls to undergo circumcision and today a girl is still considered to be unclean if they do not go under the procedure. It is a highly traumatic and painful experience that is still taboo in Kenyan culture to discuss.

Porridge and Rice’s partner school, Compassion CBO runs an anti-FGM programme, which the charity fully endorses. They work to end gender based violence, empower women economically and socially and enable them to live responsible and fulfilled lives.

Child marriage

Porridge and Rice have also put in place a child protection policy, which includes no discrimination and no corporal punishment (as required by UK law).

Child marriage has been illegal since 2001, but still continues in Kenyan society at 23%.

Due to COVID-19, many girls were cut from support systems aiming to protect them. Dorkus Parit from Hope Beyond Kenya stated that “because of COVID-19 the safety net that schools were providing for many girls was removed leaving them at risk of child marriage”.

Porridge and Rice ensure that if a girl leaves school because she has been subjected to FGM and been married, her brothers are excluded from school.

How can you help?

If you’re asking yourself, “What can I do to help?” you can make such a big impact just by raising awareness of the issues that women still face in Kenyan society. Whether it be through social media, starting a conversation with a family member or friend, and sharing this page is always a great way to start. If you would like to donate there is a section on the Hope for Excel website for more information.

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Written by: Innes Anderson

Why is fundraising important?                                                                                                                       

Our charity Hope for Excel is an organisation creating bright and vibrant crafts, advocating for better education and healthcare in Nairobi, Kenya. We rely on donations in order to keep making a difference, every donation that is contributed, no matter how small is guaranteed to make an impact on someone’s life. All profits are directed towards Porridge and Rice, who support 5 schools in Nairobi. They provide food for students, and provide educational resources and vital lessons such as Women’s rights, hygiene and disease control.

What is the direct impact, where are your donations going?

Education                                                                                                                

Education is such an integral part of a person’s life. By donating, you are giving someone the chance to pursue a career that they otherwise may not have had the means to support themselves through. Giving £10 educates a child for a month, and £300 can put someone through university, this is only one example of the difference donating can make.

Porridge and Rice have a sponsorship scheme which allows donators to sponsor a child to complete their education. This is a great direct way to see the impact of your donation. Hope for Excel contributes to teacher income for the staff at Excel Emmanuel Education centre, and by donating £80 you are helping to pay a teacher’s monthly salary.

Healthcare

Porridge and Rice invest in improvements to hygiene solutions such as bathrooms and washing facilities, educating teachers and students about the importance of hygiene and how to reduce the spread of disease.

Malnutrition decreases the chance of a child succeeding in school, with a higher chance of them contracting illnesses. Our feeding programme aims to remove the hunger and malnutrition. Porridge and rice provides two well balanced meals per school day to each child and teacher at our partner schools. Just £2 feeds a child for a week.

Fundraising

A great way to fundraise is by putting on events, but due to the current circumstances of COVID-19, it’s a brilliant way to start getting creative. On our website we have link to our Etsy store where you can find a range of beautiful paintings, handmade soaps, earrings and cards. It’s a great way to get inspired.

Donations

We are very appreciative of any donations.  You can also donate in other forms such as clothes, games and books. There is a section on our website with more details.  Don’t worry if you’re not in a position to donate as by simply passing on the message you’re helping our cause.

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Welcome!

This is the Hope for Excel blog, where you will be kept up to date on our fundraising activities, projects in Kenya, and general updates about Kenya as a whole. 

This blog has the goal of educating our followers about where the donations go, focusing on the 7 programmes:

1) Feeding and Nutrition

2) Health and Hygiene

3) Facilities and Furniture

4) Gender and Rights

5) Extracurricular activities

6) Education and Sponsorship

7) Sustainability and Accountability

We will also be writing posts about key issues and updates experienced by our supported community in Kenya. 

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All profits go to charity.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/hopeforexcel

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