CWC visited the Laghonyi Cultural Centre in Mnamu, which is run by Wadawida Wavini Gonda CBO, a traditional dancers and cultural group. The centre is in a community-conserved area having paranoic views of the Taita plains and Mt. Kilimanjaro and is near caves with a very rich Taita history. The dancers engage themselves in two Taita traditional dances, Kishawi- without drums, and the Mwazindika- which includes drumming. They are planning to incorporate two other traditional dances, Zeze and Mshondo, to diversify their products.
The excursion terrain and the climb up are very challenging and only 4×4 vehicles can make it, at the peak, one has to walk /hike for about 200mtrs from where the vehicle is left and requires a full visit. However, the group can however show the make some traditional artefacts that we can sell from Lions Bluff curio shop as a way of promoting them
CWC Eco Rangers of Maktau Primary School planned for a Tree Planting activity at Maktau Police Base. They have an indigenous seedbed at their school compound which is part of their environmental conservation project. From that, they had 35 indigenous seedlings for planting during the activity. They invited our community liaison, who joined them, carrying along other 35 more indigenous seedlings as a motivation, making a total of 70 seedlings, to be planted.
Coincidentally, a KWS team from Maktau had planned for tree planting at the police station as well. A team of 8 KWS officers, led by the Warden-in-Charge, joined with 50 more seedlings. We joined hands to plant some of the seedlings at the station, where we were joined by the police officers and later planted some at the Maktau Health Centre, where the health officers joined as well.
On 13th November 2023, National Tree Growing Day, CWC participated in a tree planting activity at LUMO Community Wildlife Conservancy. CWC contributed 600 seedlings out of the 1400 seedlings that were planted during the activity. Lions bluff Lodge staff, LUMO Conservancy management and staff, and over 200 community members participated.
Among the dignitaries present were the Deputy County Commissioner (Guest of Honor), Assistant County commissioner (Mwatate sub-county), Sub County Director of Education – Mwatate, Taita Taveta Women Representative, Member of Parliament- Mwatate, Bura Ward Member of County Assembly, area chief and assistant chiefs, and other partners.
Dr. Berger and friends visited Latika Primary School and did deworming and general check-ups for pupils between 5 months to 10 years. A total of 42 pupils came, accompanied by parents and guardians. 30 students were from Latika Primary, while the other 12, were their siblings who had not yet joined school. All the children were checked, including their heart rate, lungs, eyes, ears and skin. 15 children got dewormed, while 8 were given lotion for ringworm infection. Some also got recommendations for medication and tests as needed. There was a case where a boy had symptoms of blood deficiency and a blood test was recommended.
The 470 kilograms of plastics collected during October, it was taken for recycling, and the proceeds were at the cost of Kes 34 per kilo of plastic. Thanks to the Text Book Centre, who were gracious enough to give us a list of books with discounted prices, a part of their charity, thus getting more books for the schools with the same amount. The 10 piloting schools made their selection, compiled the list, and made the book purchase. So far, the already purchased books will be distributed come January 2024, when the schools re-open.
CWC has been following up, and giving financial assistance of both medical and nutrition support for the three-and-a-half-year-old boy at Latika Primary. A Hb test was done at a nearby Health Center the level was 6.5g/dl, which was termed moderate anaemia. For one week of medicine and dietary support, the Hb level rose from 6.5g/dl to 6.7g/dl, which shows it might have been a nutrition issue. CWC continues to support the boy he is stable. Also, CWC is planning to look for a sustainable way of supporting the parents to enable them to provide for the family.
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