In Kwajok, I saw one Karate group in town! On the day of basket ball match, we found them on the next site.
I was really surprised to see their practice as they count "Ichi! Ni! San!(1, 2, 3 in Japanese!)"
Actually, in Juba, we do have another Martial Arts group who practice Karate! Surprise!!
But many people don't know the difference between Kung Fu & Karate though... hahaha
They wanted skirts or one piece which can cover whole body
but, unfortunately, we didn't have such items in the stock...
(The ladies clothes were already sent to other locations...)
Today, I was a part of clothes and Non Food Item(NFI) distribution to those who ran away from their own land in Pibor, Jonglei State due to tribal fighting.
They had to run away as soon as possible and didn't have time to carry their own things.
So we distributed some basic items which might help their survival life here in Juba.
Part of it, we had donated clothes from Fast Retailing (a Japanese apparel company which is well known by UNIQLO brand). People were happy to receive those donated second hand clothes!
Since my main role at the office is not this type of assistance, it was first time for me to assist IDP(internally displaced people) directly. So I was glad to assist them directly and become part of delivery of Japanese products.
After we travel from Marangu(Tanzania) to Nairobi(Kenya), we joined big family Christmas gathering of our Kenyan colleague. It was really lovely and fun moment even we met them for the first time! I thank their kind hospitality!!
After one night in Nairobi, we travel again up to mountain to visit the place called Nunguni, which is around 2 hrs drive from Nairobi.
In Nynguni, we had UNICEF colleague who was working in South Sudan up to recently and visited her family. Again, the mountainous scenery was really beautiful! And wonderful to know, that woman and her sister built beautiful school on their own land for the local community.
After I spent 6 months in Africa working with staff from many countries, I strengthen my respect to African women!! They are really powerful and hard working!! Their attitude and story always encourage me a lot!
On Mombasa road, we found 10 giraffes!!
On the way to Nunguni
They named the school after their mother who was a teacher
Beautiful school with lots of facilities! This is just an administration block!
Dormitory - They have dorm for both girls & boys!
Classroom
On the hillside, they have their own farm to feed the kids
as well as commercial purpose to sustain the school running.
They have cow as well for kids feeding! Chai with fresh milk was really nice!
They are planning another expansion project in coming years!
Their main challenge is water due to limited amount of rain in this region.
On our last day in Tanzania, we could see full view of Mt. Kilimanjaro!!
On the foot of Kilimanjaro is amazingly beautiful with lots of layers!!
On the way to Kilimanjaro National Park
I spent this Christmas weekend in Tanzania & Kenya visiting my colleague!
Especially Tanzania was really really really beautiful!! Definitely, I wanna go back for more longer vacation!
We enjoyed our short stay at our colleague's lovely house on the foot of Kilimanjaro National Park.
This time, my mission was full of events by chance!
While I was staying in Kwajok, there was a basket ball match which was initiated by players themselves!
It was super excited event with big gallery.
The result was.... Kwajok won!!
Did you know there was a NBA player from South Sudan?
He has been donating several sports facilities in South Sudan.
Today, I fly off to Tanzania & Kenya for long Christmas weekend! ;-)
Since Monday, I have been in Aweil for a mission. This time, my mission is about our shelter project.
However, I had a chance to drop by TTI which we inaugurate in Sep.
I was very happy to see many people at the site and to catch up with familiar faces from the ceremony preparation!
Coincidentally, I learned that yesterday was the first day of very first training at TTI!
100 teachers from Northern Bahr el Ghazal state are receiving 9 days training on Alternative Education(Education for Adults, I heard) at TTI! Great!!
The island was simple but much better than I expected!
Had BBQ lunch
Beautiful sunset...
Continued to second party on the main land...
Today, we had a farewell BBQ on small island in the river Nile.
It was so sad for me that these best friends are going to leave Juba... They have been really great friends to me for these 6 months.
But I'm glad that we could spend really lovely Sunday afternoon together!
Wishing them all the best in their future!!
Tomorrow, I'm off to Aweil(Northern Bahr el Ghazal State), Wau(Western Bahr el Ghazal State) & Kuwajok(Warrap State) for final mission in 2011!
When I arrived in Juba, I surprised to know that the mineral water we buy at shops are bottled in South Sudan.
Where is those facilities??
And surprisingly, not only one brand. There are several brands.
More surprisingly, if I go for mission to other states, I still find locally bottled mineral water in the market.
The picture is the one from Rumbek, Lakes State.
And I always curious about where the water come from? The Nile or somewhere in the mountain??
I wish I could see the bottling factory. But maybe better not to see??
Actually, I also heard several cases similar to this guy who came back to South Sudan with high expectation but went back to Khartoum(North) again after they found South Sudan is not what they expected to be yet.
I don't know much about South Sudanese people's life in North or other countries during the war period.
Some people told me that they had education and job opportunities there(even they live in refugee camp!) but there are much less opportunities in South Sudan like this guy mentioned in the video.
Unfortunately, I cannot compare since I've never seen their life in other place. I only see part of South Sudanese life now in South Sudan.
While we hear this kind of stories, South Sudan receive a quite number of Kenyan, Ugandan and Eritrean who works in service industry such as restaurant & hotel or on construction site(even as simple worker). If they are cheaper and better, is this capitalism or what?
Of course, this is not all the case. To build a nation, we need strong commitment and much patience, I believe.
During my Beijing stay, I had a meal plan not to miss my favorites & 'musts'!
(Of course, I cooked a few times for my family & even frozen some dishes as stock! ;-))
My departure day was perfect combination of my favorite restaurant (we ordered everything we wanted to eat!!) and indulging massage!!
Thanks to this relaxing week, I could survived 24 hrs travel today! Ready to work again from tomorrow!
