Tanzania and Kenya

Starting my last week of assignment for CNFA. Last week was interviews and conversations with the senior staff at Kenya Leather Development Council. In addition to the Scope of Work which requires information and technical steps on a Revolving Loan Fund, KLDC also requested information of the grading standards of hides/skins/leather, the registration of traders, and other strategies that will be considered in the future. KLDC is a “government” company with a mission that encompasses the entire value chain for leather – from the pastoralists (cattle and goat farmers) to the butchers/slaughterhouses to the tanneries to the finishing of leather to artisans who make shoes or other leather goods. It is a value chain that is very important to Kenya’s future, both from monetary and employment standpoints. My last week in Tanzania I was spent with two SACCOs in Katesh. These were newly created so the emphasis was “Banking 101”. One had interest on loans at the same rate without regard to the length of the loan; the other had a 40% annual effective rate on a 90 day loan as they were calculating it as 10% (borrow $500 – repay $550). Wonderful people who are trying hard to succeed. Met a delightful woman – 69 years young – who is working with the women of an indigenous tribe; men own all the cattle and keep all the money. She has groups of women working on handicrafts (beaded necklaces, bracelets, and decoration on fabric). I was given two shawls – one in Bassuto and one in Katesh. At the end of the training, Kissinga and I went back to Moishi. Stayed in a wonderful hotel – Bristol Cottages. Everything worked as compared to the Kilimanjaro Crane Hotel from the beginning of the trip. Bristol Cottages has staff who speak English, a wonderful breakfast, hot water shower, and other guests from all over the world. Delightful. Arrived in Nairobi on the 22nd after a very short flight from Tanzania. The plane was 40 minutes early, my luggage arrived first and the cab driver was waiting. 2+ hours later the cab left me at the Upper Hills Country Lodge. It is the same place that Jim/Kaye and I had stayed in September before the marvelous & Beyond safaris. It is a wonderful hotel with all of the amenities and staff who make you feel special. It is geared to the business traveler. Breakfast is the only meal which is served but it is superb. Next door is the Fairview Hotel (owned by the same company) which is geared to luxury and leisure travelers. There are 5 restaurants serving sushi, pizza, a pasta bar (best value), steaks, sandwiches, and everything in between. There is also a GREAT Chinese restaurant just 4 blocks from the hotels. I am very fortunate to be on this assignment with Bill Clapham from West Virginia. He is a retired USDA-ARS as the chief of a research facility. He is most interested in how systems work. We have written a long paper with recommendations for KLDC and will present our findings in debriefing meetings with the KLDC senior management, the CNFA Kenya Dry Lands Development Project and the Country Director for CNFA. On Sunday, Bill and I took a break from work and walked to the Masai marketplace. 100+ vendors were selling fabric, wood, beaded items, pottery, jewelry……..and they are great salespersons. Bill bought a beautiful wood bowl and fabric – I bought small gifts of beaded work. Ran into another CNFA volunteer, Jack Meyers from New Mexico. He and I had talked before his trip to Angola. Wishing all of you a wonderful week! Leaving Kenya on Friday at 11:00pm for Amsterdam, Atlanta, and San Diego. Have missed my Mother, kids Rob and Bari, and the grand animals as well as friends.