Pokot Turkana Peace Initiative: 2017 and 2016 year end summaries
December, 2017 Truck Accident:
Hello Barry, this is the story about the tragic accident that happened between Marigat and Kapedo on the 9th of December. I made an inquiry earlier on whether we have a vehicle plying that route and i was assured of a GSU lorry and i indeed contacted the driver and he assured me he will take our food supply to Kapedo. So that fateful day i prepared everything and ensured all our food supply for the orphans were loaded onto the lorry and i made a call at Kapedo to get ready to receive the supplies. So many people were travelling that fateful day for Christmas and the lorry was really loaded since it was the only vehicle, given that no other vehicle can ply that route for fear of being shot. In total there were thirty people travelling to Kapedo and everyone was scrambling for a space. On reaching past Loruk after taking off, a herd of cattle suddenly crossed the road and the lorry driver was engaging at a speed of close to 80km/hr and to avoid hitting the animals he tried to swerve and since the lorry was overloaded it could not sustain the stability. It went down the drift spewing the passengers all over and the bags of supplies and other commodities went pressing and exerting weight to the passengers.The lorry ended up killing twenty two people on the spot,one child survived four sustained fractures and three others sustained serious tissue injuries and were admitted at Kabarnet referral hospital. Since then i have been busy providing counselling to the survivors at Kabarnet and later escorted the twenty two bodies for burial at Kapedo. As we speak we still have pending bills for those who were admitted at Kabarnet and more so also for those who were buried,and for the survivors some are still attending orthopaedic clinic for checkup. It was a sad day for Kapedo community because we lost teachers, community members, students and pupils, elders.
Samuel
January 13, 2018:
These numbers are telling a story. It is a story of peace. It is a story of struggle. If you read what these numbers are telling you, you will be moved by compassion as I was by the determination of people in desperate places in this world to survive, to thrive, to hope for a future.
Who would send their children to school when there is war going on outside the city? Who would plant avocado trees and mango trees on the edge of chaos? Who would support orphans and faithfully bring maize, beans, cabbages and tomatoes to this place in shambles at the edge of the earth? These are the questions that run through my mind as I read over the summary that our project leader Samuel Limaris sent me. I shake my head and I smile that there are people in this world who refuse to brush hope aside, but instead, continue to experience the joy of entering into the suffering of the people they are treating with such kindness.
Barry Bacon
Colville, Washington
baconbarry@juno.com
Pokot Turkana Peace Initiative financial summary 2017
Received Feb 2017: 1,316,962 ks
1/17 watchman costs x 12 months 48000
4/16 outreach clinic supplies Akoret 128040
2-11/17 total cost transportation and fuel 100000
2/22 100 kg sugar, 100 kg rice, 40 l oil 14200
2/22 maize, beans, cabbages, potatoes 64000
2/22 carrots, tomatoes 10000
2/22 50 soap, 50 kg tea leaves, 24 pkts milk 17400 (105600)
4/21 carrots, tomatoes 100 kg, beans 270 kg, maize 270kg, cabbage sacks,
66000
4/21 100 kg rice, 100 kg sugar, 40 l cooking oil 14200
4/21 2 sacks potatoes 8000
4/21 50 soap, 50 kg tea leaves, 24 pkts milk 17400 (105600)
7/22 24 pkts milk, 50 kg tea leaves, 50 soap 17400
7/22 270 kg beans, 2 cabbage sacks 32000
7/22 2 potato, 2 carrot, 100 kg tomato, 270 kg maize 42000
7/22 40 l cooking oil, 100 kg rice, 100 kg sugar 14200 (105600)
9/27 100 kg rice, 100 kg sugar, 40 l oil 14200
9/27 100 kg tomatoes, 270 kg maize 28000
9/27 2 cabbage, 270 kg beans, 2 potatoes, 2 carrots 46000
9/27 50 soap, 24 milk, 50 kg tea 17400 (105600)
11/23 2 potato, 2 carrot 14000
11/23 50 kg tea, 24 milk, 50 soap 17400
11/23 40 l oil, 100 kg rice, 100 kg sugar 14200
11/23 100 kg tomatoes, 270 kg maize, beans, 2 cabbage 60000 (105600)
Total food support 528000
7/13 school fees 2 girls 40500
5/12 school fees 1 girl 35000
6/24 school fees Kapedo orphans 6 150000
6/28 school fees 1 girl 24500
7/28 school fees 3 students 100000
3/17 school uniforms 55400
6/27 books and supplies 57700
Total school fees, books and supplies, uniforms 463100
9/28 photography expense 1000 1000
7/22 100 avocado, 100 papaya, 80 citrus, 50 mango 36000 36000
Received July 2017 499,081 ks emergency funds
7/24 5 bags maize, beans, 50 bundles hay, 15 jerricans oil, 50 bundles mosquito nets, water services
225540
9/24 oil, hay, mosquito nets, water, beans, maize 273540 499080
Total expenditures for 2017 1816042 ks ($17462 U.S.)
Pokot Turkana Peace Initiative Expenditures 2016
11/28/15 transportation of pipes and hoses, solar Kapedo water k19000
1/20/16 textbooks for orphans orphan support k1117
3/3/16 food support orphans k28000
3/3/16 refreshment for committee k2000
3/3/16 tent rental Akoret community center k12000
3/3/16 food supply, orphan support k2840
3/3/16 fuel, vehicle k17000
3/3/16 medicines, outreach clinic k41300
3/4/16 photography expenses k260
3/19/16 tank and tools, Akoret community center k35500
3/21/16 building materials Akoret community center k39060
3/22/16 caregiver support for Ian, orphan support k25000
3/22/16 skilled craftsmen, Akoret community center k70000
3/22/16 4 jerry cans for water, Akoret community center k1000
3/28/16 waterboozer (water truck) Akoret community center k60000
3/28/16 lorry (truck) hire sand, rock, transport Akoret k45000
3/28/16 stones, construction, Akoret community center k19200
3/28/16 transportation, Nginyang nursery k8000
*4/3/16 Peace expansion Lomelo, Lokori, Lokichari k838439
4/7/16 purchase of trees, fencing k80000
5/21/16 roto tank, water for orphan support k32900
5/28/16 Student education support k200000
6/1/16 stationary, orphan support k510
6/15/16 refreshments, committee expense k2000
6/15/16 food, orphan support k7128
6/16/16 transportation costs k19000
6/16/16 food for orphan support k28000
7/4/16 building materials Akoret community center k1720
7/5/16 transportation costs Akoret k19000
7/5/16 airtime expense, phone, communication k5000
7/16/16 balls, trophies, awards, ambulance, sports for peace k150000
*8/17/16 kapedo committee meeting expense k9500
8/22/16 water tank and fittings Kapedo water k32900
*8/22/16 fisherbod, Kapedo and Akoret k45000
*8/22/16 doors, Akoret community center k62000
8/22/16 timbers, roofing Akoret community center k80000
8/22/16 transportation materials Akoret community center k19000
9/3/16 cement Akoret community center k48600
9/3/16 fuel, car rental k19000
9/3/16 food orphan support k7128
9/3/16 transport of cement by m/c, Akoret community center k5500
10/3/16 Akoret community toilets k450000
11/8/16 security, Akoret community center k48000
11/8/16 food, orphan support k4279
11/8/16 food, orphan support k28000
11/8/16 paint and supplies Akoret community center k10675
11/8/16 Matron support k22000
11/8/16 fuel, car rental k17000
11/8/16 committee refreshment drinks k2000
11/8/16 gate, Akoret community center k8000
11/23/16 mail expense k2600
Totals through 11/16 K2731156
Total in U.S. $ = ks x 0.0096 = $26,219.
*paid to “The Institute of Pastoralism Development and Research, P.O. 16914-20100 Nakuru +254 0 202 318 479 http://lpdr.or.ke for security (78,000 ks) community forums (496,476 ks) IGA (187,500 ks), direct staff (76,462 ks)
By category:
Transportation: 111000
Orphan support:
Books, stationary: 1627
Food: 105375
Caregiver support: 47000
Water tank: 32900
Orphan support total: 186902
Committee expenses: 15500
Akoret Community Center:
Tent rental: 12000
Building materials: 755755
Labor costs: 70000
Security costs: 48000
Transportation costs: 129500
Akoret Community Center total: 1015255
Outreach clinic expenses: 41300
Communications:
Photography: 260
Phone expense: 5000
Mail expense: 2600
Communications total: 7860
Tree Expenses:
Transportation costs: 8000
Trees and fencing 80000
Tree expenses total: 88000
Peace expansion partnership development: 838439
Student scholarship support: 200000
Sports for peace expenses: 150000
Water development Kapedo: 32900
Fisherbod Kapedo/Akoret: 45000
Emergency funding at end of 2016:
11/23/16 15 jerry cans of cooking oil 46500
11/23/16 50 bundles of mosquito nets 20000
11/23/16 8 bags maize, 8 bags beans 128000
11/23/16 50 bundles of hay 25000
Total 219,500
12/23/16 50 bundles of mosquito nets 20000
12/23/16 5 bags of beans, 5 bags of maize 80000
12/23/16 15 jerry cans of cooking oil 46500
12/23/16 50 bundles of hay 25000
Total 171,500
Total spent from emergency funds 392,520 ks end of year 2016 391,000 ks
Total spent from project in 2016 3,122,156 ks = $29,992.
Pokot Turkana Peace Initiative: Initial Findings and Recommendations
2012
Introduction:
In early November 2012, a team of five (three Kenyans and two Americans) visited the town of Kapedo and the nearby area of Akoret in northern Kenya. We wished to assess the conflict between the Pokot and Turkana tribes and to determine how peace can be achieved. Our principle findings and recommendations are listed below. On behalf of the people of the Kapedo and surrounding areas, the men, women and children affected by this conflict, we thank you for taking the time to read this report and consider with us how we may help them.
Findings:
Examples of need:
We have an significant opportunity to develop peace in the region around Kapedo and Akoret by providing key development initiatives tied to a peace process. We are inviting you to become a partner with us in developing peace. Here is how you can help:
Development Projects;
1 papaya = $0.15
2. Pokot borehole: $15,000?
Reservoir for human use: $ 1,000?
Trough for animal use with overflow piping: $ 500?
3. Amani Center for Peace Orphan Shelter: $35,000?
Sponsorship for one orphan for one year: $ 1,200?
Office supplies: $ 500?
Computer: $ 900?
Telephone expenses: $ 120?
4. Connecting water to the Hospital: $ 1,500?
5. Connecting water to Kapedo: $15,000?
6. Demonstration garden Nginyang: $ 100
7. Akoret Health/Adult Ed/Worship Center: $35,000?
You can send a check to: Colville SDA Church, 139 E. Cedar Loop, Colville, WA 99114 USA. Donations are fully tax deductible. Mark the check for Africa Peace Project and tell us if you would like to designate your donation for a certain part of the project.
We thank you on behalf of the people who are cheering for you, the children of Kapedo and Akoret who are praying for peace.
Samuel Limaris, Program Director, nursing student, Pokot tribesman
Jacob Beles, Project Coordinator, Kenya
Ann Beles, member of PIK, Peace Initiative Kenya
Barry Bacon, physician, Colville Washington, USA
Craig Wolfe, premed student, Loma Linda, California USA
Updated financial statement and 2013 budget:
PokotTurkanaPeaceInitiative
2012 Income and Expense Summary
Income: Expenses:
Bacons: $38,000 Patipat Water Project: $29,000
Samuel’s education: 9,000
Donations: 5,035 Steven’s education: 3,500
Medicines for Pokots: 475
Mango, citrus trees: 100
Pipes, model garden: 150
Travel expenses Kenya partners 600
Tools, blankets, gifts 200
December fundraiser: 5,361 Kapedo orphans: 5,361
Total income 2012: $48,396 Total expenses 2012: $48,396
Additional out of pocket: 6,307
Air travel out of pocket: 2,784
Budget 2013
Bacon’s budget in U.S. $ $23,000 (1,840,000 ks)
Monthly visits to Akoret $3000/year (240,000 ks)
Steven education support $5900 (472,000 ks)
Patipat final payment $12,500 (1,000,000 ks)
Hydrological feasibility $500 (40,000 ks)
Community based organization $260 (20,800 ks)
Mango/citrus Trees Nginyang $300 (24,000 ks)
Examining couch $100 (8000 ks)
Screen for privacy $65 (5000 ks)
Toilet construction $375 (30,000 ks)
Armand’s group will add to this.
Additional funds for orphan support and water development are expected from donations.
Hello Barry, this is the story about the tragic accident that happened between Marigat and Kapedo on the 9th of December. I made an inquiry earlier on whether we have a vehicle plying that route and i was assured of a GSU lorry and i indeed contacted the driver and he assured me he will take our food supply to Kapedo. So that fateful day i prepared everything and ensured all our food supply for the orphans were loaded onto the lorry and i made a call at Kapedo to get ready to receive the supplies. So many people were travelling that fateful day for Christmas and the lorry was really loaded since it was the only vehicle, given that no other vehicle can ply that route for fear of being shot. In total there were thirty people travelling to Kapedo and everyone was scrambling for a space. On reaching past Loruk after taking off, a herd of cattle suddenly crossed the road and the lorry driver was engaging at a speed of close to 80km/hr and to avoid hitting the animals he tried to swerve and since the lorry was overloaded it could not sustain the stability. It went down the drift spewing the passengers all over and the bags of supplies and other commodities went pressing and exerting weight to the passengers.The lorry ended up killing twenty two people on the spot,one child survived four sustained fractures and three others sustained serious tissue injuries and were admitted at Kabarnet referral hospital. Since then i have been busy providing counselling to the survivors at Kabarnet and later escorted the twenty two bodies for burial at Kapedo. As we speak we still have pending bills for those who were admitted at Kabarnet and more so also for those who were buried,and for the survivors some are still attending orthopaedic clinic for checkup. It was a sad day for Kapedo community because we lost teachers, community members, students and pupils, elders.
Samuel
January 13, 2018:
These numbers are telling a story. It is a story of peace. It is a story of struggle. If you read what these numbers are telling you, you will be moved by compassion as I was by the determination of people in desperate places in this world to survive, to thrive, to hope for a future.
Who would send their children to school when there is war going on outside the city? Who would plant avocado trees and mango trees on the edge of chaos? Who would support orphans and faithfully bring maize, beans, cabbages and tomatoes to this place in shambles at the edge of the earth? These are the questions that run through my mind as I read over the summary that our project leader Samuel Limaris sent me. I shake my head and I smile that there are people in this world who refuse to brush hope aside, but instead, continue to experience the joy of entering into the suffering of the people they are treating with such kindness.
Barry Bacon
Colville, Washington
baconbarry@juno.com
Pokot Turkana Peace Initiative financial summary 2017
Received Feb 2017: 1,316,962 ks
1/17 watchman costs x 12 months 48000
4/16 outreach clinic supplies Akoret 128040
2-11/17 total cost transportation and fuel 100000
2/22 100 kg sugar, 100 kg rice, 40 l oil 14200
2/22 maize, beans, cabbages, potatoes 64000
2/22 carrots, tomatoes 10000
2/22 50 soap, 50 kg tea leaves, 24 pkts milk 17400 (105600)
4/21 carrots, tomatoes 100 kg, beans 270 kg, maize 270kg, cabbage sacks,
66000
4/21 100 kg rice, 100 kg sugar, 40 l cooking oil 14200
4/21 2 sacks potatoes 8000
4/21 50 soap, 50 kg tea leaves, 24 pkts milk 17400 (105600)
7/22 24 pkts milk, 50 kg tea leaves, 50 soap 17400
7/22 270 kg beans, 2 cabbage sacks 32000
7/22 2 potato, 2 carrot, 100 kg tomato, 270 kg maize 42000
7/22 40 l cooking oil, 100 kg rice, 100 kg sugar 14200 (105600)
9/27 100 kg rice, 100 kg sugar, 40 l oil 14200
9/27 100 kg tomatoes, 270 kg maize 28000
9/27 2 cabbage, 270 kg beans, 2 potatoes, 2 carrots 46000
9/27 50 soap, 24 milk, 50 kg tea 17400 (105600)
11/23 2 potato, 2 carrot 14000
11/23 50 kg tea, 24 milk, 50 soap 17400
11/23 40 l oil, 100 kg rice, 100 kg sugar 14200
11/23 100 kg tomatoes, 270 kg maize, beans, 2 cabbage 60000 (105600)
Total food support 528000
7/13 school fees 2 girls 40500
5/12 school fees 1 girl 35000
6/24 school fees Kapedo orphans 6 150000
6/28 school fees 1 girl 24500
7/28 school fees 3 students 100000
3/17 school uniforms 55400
6/27 books and supplies 57700
Total school fees, books and supplies, uniforms 463100
9/28 photography expense 1000 1000
7/22 100 avocado, 100 papaya, 80 citrus, 50 mango 36000 36000
Received July 2017 499,081 ks emergency funds
7/24 5 bags maize, beans, 50 bundles hay, 15 jerricans oil, 50 bundles mosquito nets, water services
225540
9/24 oil, hay, mosquito nets, water, beans, maize 273540 499080
Total expenditures for 2017 1816042 ks ($17462 U.S.)
Pokot Turkana Peace Initiative Expenditures 2016
11/28/15 transportation of pipes and hoses, solar Kapedo water k19000
1/20/16 textbooks for orphans orphan support k1117
3/3/16 food support orphans k28000
3/3/16 refreshment for committee k2000
3/3/16 tent rental Akoret community center k12000
3/3/16 food supply, orphan support k2840
3/3/16 fuel, vehicle k17000
3/3/16 medicines, outreach clinic k41300
3/4/16 photography expenses k260
3/19/16 tank and tools, Akoret community center k35500
3/21/16 building materials Akoret community center k39060
3/22/16 caregiver support for Ian, orphan support k25000
3/22/16 skilled craftsmen, Akoret community center k70000
3/22/16 4 jerry cans for water, Akoret community center k1000
3/28/16 waterboozer (water truck) Akoret community center k60000
3/28/16 lorry (truck) hire sand, rock, transport Akoret k45000
3/28/16 stones, construction, Akoret community center k19200
3/28/16 transportation, Nginyang nursery k8000
*4/3/16 Peace expansion Lomelo, Lokori, Lokichari k838439
4/7/16 purchase of trees, fencing k80000
5/21/16 roto tank, water for orphan support k32900
5/28/16 Student education support k200000
6/1/16 stationary, orphan support k510
6/15/16 refreshments, committee expense k2000
6/15/16 food, orphan support k7128
6/16/16 transportation costs k19000
6/16/16 food for orphan support k28000
7/4/16 building materials Akoret community center k1720
7/5/16 transportation costs Akoret k19000
7/5/16 airtime expense, phone, communication k5000
7/16/16 balls, trophies, awards, ambulance, sports for peace k150000
*8/17/16 kapedo committee meeting expense k9500
8/22/16 water tank and fittings Kapedo water k32900
*8/22/16 fisherbod, Kapedo and Akoret k45000
*8/22/16 doors, Akoret community center k62000
8/22/16 timbers, roofing Akoret community center k80000
8/22/16 transportation materials Akoret community center k19000
9/3/16 cement Akoret community center k48600
9/3/16 fuel, car rental k19000
9/3/16 food orphan support k7128
9/3/16 transport of cement by m/c, Akoret community center k5500
10/3/16 Akoret community toilets k450000
11/8/16 security, Akoret community center k48000
11/8/16 food, orphan support k4279
11/8/16 food, orphan support k28000
11/8/16 paint and supplies Akoret community center k10675
11/8/16 Matron support k22000
11/8/16 fuel, car rental k17000
11/8/16 committee refreshment drinks k2000
11/8/16 gate, Akoret community center k8000
11/23/16 mail expense k2600
Totals through 11/16 K2731156
Total in U.S. $ = ks x 0.0096 = $26,219.
*paid to “The Institute of Pastoralism Development and Research, P.O. 16914-20100 Nakuru +254 0 202 318 479 http://lpdr.or.ke for security (78,000 ks) community forums (496,476 ks) IGA (187,500 ks), direct staff (76,462 ks)
By category:
Transportation: 111000
Orphan support:
Books, stationary: 1627
Food: 105375
Caregiver support: 47000
Water tank: 32900
Orphan support total: 186902
Committee expenses: 15500
Akoret Community Center:
Tent rental: 12000
Building materials: 755755
Labor costs: 70000
Security costs: 48000
Transportation costs: 129500
Akoret Community Center total: 1015255
Outreach clinic expenses: 41300
Communications:
Photography: 260
Phone expense: 5000
Mail expense: 2600
Communications total: 7860
Tree Expenses:
Transportation costs: 8000
Trees and fencing 80000
Tree expenses total: 88000
Peace expansion partnership development: 838439
Student scholarship support: 200000
Sports for peace expenses: 150000
Water development Kapedo: 32900
Fisherbod Kapedo/Akoret: 45000
Emergency funding at end of 2016:
11/23/16 15 jerry cans of cooking oil 46500
11/23/16 50 bundles of mosquito nets 20000
11/23/16 8 bags maize, 8 bags beans 128000
11/23/16 50 bundles of hay 25000
Total 219,500
12/23/16 50 bundles of mosquito nets 20000
12/23/16 5 bags of beans, 5 bags of maize 80000
12/23/16 15 jerry cans of cooking oil 46500
12/23/16 50 bundles of hay 25000
Total 171,500
Total spent from emergency funds 392,520 ks end of year 2016 391,000 ks
Total spent from project in 2016 3,122,156 ks = $29,992.
Pokot Turkana Peace Initiative: Initial Findings and Recommendations
2012
Introduction:
In early November 2012, a team of five (three Kenyans and two Americans) visited the town of Kapedo and the nearby area of Akoret in northern Kenya. We wished to assess the conflict between the Pokot and Turkana tribes and to determine how peace can be achieved. Our principle findings and recommendations are listed below. On behalf of the people of the Kapedo and surrounding areas, the men, women and children affected by this conflict, we thank you for taking the time to read this report and consider with us how we may help them.
Findings:
- The town of Kapedo has been depleted of its principle source of food (cattle and goats) and is almost entirely dependent on government supplied food assistance which arrives in sporadic shipments across hostile territory.
- The Turkanas, confined to the town of Kapedo itself, have lost their pasture land, some of their water supply, their self-sustaining water supply and many of the people, principally men, who lived in this once thriving community.
- The Pokots who live in the surrounding rural countryside possess the cattle, sheep and goats, but desire basic human resources, including education, healthcare, spiritual teaching, diversity of food sources, and especially water.
- The Turkanas must guard their town from further pillage and violence continually. Even drawing water from the river or obtaining firewood or palm leaves for weaving are dangerous tasks requiring the protection of armed men.
- The Pokots suffer because they fear coming to town for healthcare or supplies due to the violence.
- The experiences told by individuals living in the area of violence against men, women and children are disturbing and compelling.
- There are many on both sides of the conflict who are eager to work toward peace.
- Everyone we spoke to on either side is ready to work on development connected to a peace process.
- Priority one for the Pokots is a borehole with water for human, animal, and if supply allows, agricultural use. Additional priorities include local education, local healthcare and spiritual care opportunities.
- Priority one for the Turkanas is a shelter for the orphans of this conflict. Other top priorities include improving food independence and water supply along with income generating activities.
- Key church, government and education leadership are committed to peace and have formed separate committees who have developed a priority list and will work on strategies for bringing the two sides together for peace talks.
- We plan to begin with the key strategic priorities of both groups; an orphan shelter for the Turkanas and a borehole well for the Pokots.
- We will research the feasibility of plant based foods that will grow here in order to provide additional nutrition and potential income for both groups. In this light, we have purchased several trees which we will grow in Nginyang where there is an existing water system in order to test the plants prior to introducing them in the Kapedo area on a larger scale.
- We plan to improve the water system in Kapedo by tapping into another nearby well and connecting water from the town well to the hospital.
- We desire to improve the available healthcare system by obtaining other necessary medical equipment, improving education of staff, and improving vehicle reliability for the hospital.
- We will provide some plants and seeds for the Pokots to be planted near an existing seasonal water reservoir and the planned borehole. We are hopeful that certain dryland species (mangos, citrus, papayas, palm species, etc.) will thrive here, and that at least some will thrive in the naturally occurring saline water sources.
- We desire to build a shelter for the Pokots near the proposed well. This building will function for multiple purposes, including outreach clinics, adult education and spiritual care.
- We plan to identify at least one traditional birth attendant from among the Pokots who will be the recipient of additional education in childbirth practices and will act as a contact person within the Pokot community for emergencies. This individual would be identified by the Pokots as someone they could come to in an emergency. Once a reliable vehicle is in place, the designated person could contact the ambulance for assistance in transporting a patient for hospital care.
- We will ask the Turkana community if they are willing to hire a person from the Pokot community to work at the hospital so that the Pokots will no longer fear coming to the hospital for medical care
- We acknowledge that each of us of every tribe are from one original father and mother and therefore each of us has the same inherent worth before God and the right to live and prosper.
- We commit to work together with the communities of Kapedo and Akoret for the next five years.
- We will invest in those activities identified by the two communities that will promote peace.
- We will act as neutral peacemakers in this process without taking sides, but expecting accountability and commitment to peace.
- We will negotiate with the groups to stop violence in exchange for our continued investment in the development of the resources they need.
- Whenever possible, we will engage the opposite sides to be the instruments by which the desired resources are obtained. For example, the Turkanas will be the deliverers of healthcare and education for the Pokots, and the Pokots will be the deliverers of livestock and security for the Turkanas where appropriate.
- The two individual peace committees will meet separately, and then come together to discuss peace plans.
- The peace process will bring the two groups together when ready for a formalized commitment in some form.
- We will celebrate each step of this process and report back to you, our support team.
- We believe that this peace process will become known throughout the region and may serve as a model for other areas of conflict between the Pokots and neighboring Tukan, Samburu and other tribes.
- There is a low level of trust, likely on both sides, for the sincerity of the opposite side.
- There is a need for justice, especially for those who have committed violence.
- There is a need for the return of stolen property where possible by those who now are in possession of that property.
- There is a need for more consistent government presence, intervention, and fiscal support through this process. The government will be a major beneficiary of the peace process, in that the need for expensive maintenance of security forces and food supply across hostile territory will be reduced by peace.
- There is the sense by some that there are those who would disrupt or undermine the peace process because they are benefiting from the conflict.
- We have limited resources compared to the needs
Examples of need:
- Food supply for the Pokots is limited to meat, milk and blood obtained from their animals. They have virtually no access to plant foods except through limited trading with other tribes. No gardens or crops were seen in the immediate Kapedo or Akoret areas.
- A waterfall is present at Kapedo and a swampland area near Akoret which could be developed for agricultural or other purposes.
- The Pokots, though “wealthy” with cattle and goats, are tied to these animals and therefore unable to send their children to schools because of financial cost and need for cheap herdsmen for the livestock.
- Many of the children of the Pokots are naked or have ragged clothing and do not bathe. Basic health education about nutrition, hygiene, maternity care and family planning is urgently needed.
- Medical supplies including a functioning ambulance, medicines, mattresses, running water, sterilization of instruments, refrigeration, laboratory equipment, and bedding are needed for the hospital in Kapedo.
- Schools in Kapedo, though five in number, lack basic tools such as pens, paper, books, desks. No Pokot children come to school because of the conflict.
- Orphans within the town of Kapedo wander about looking for help in some form. Willing citizens give of their meager food stores in order to help the children. The children are for the most part enrolled in school, but their continued presence there is tenuous.
- The conflict has disrupted the meager tourism industry. No other visitors were present while we visited Kapedo. Lack of peace has led to the breakdown of water systems, food supplies, public transportation, commerce and job opportunities.
We have an significant opportunity to develop peace in the region around Kapedo and Akoret by providing key development initiatives tied to a peace process. We are inviting you to become a partner with us in developing peace. Here is how you can help:
Development Projects;
- Purchase of fruit trees: 1 grafted mango tree = $1.50
1 papaya = $0.15
2. Pokot borehole: $15,000?
Reservoir for human use: $ 1,000?
Trough for animal use with overflow piping: $ 500?
3. Amani Center for Peace Orphan Shelter: $35,000?
Sponsorship for one orphan for one year: $ 1,200?
Office supplies: $ 500?
Computer: $ 900?
Telephone expenses: $ 120?
4. Connecting water to the Hospital: $ 1,500?
5. Connecting water to Kapedo: $15,000?
6. Demonstration garden Nginyang: $ 100
7. Akoret Health/Adult Ed/Worship Center: $35,000?
You can send a check to: Colville SDA Church, 139 E. Cedar Loop, Colville, WA 99114 USA. Donations are fully tax deductible. Mark the check for Africa Peace Project and tell us if you would like to designate your donation for a certain part of the project.
We thank you on behalf of the people who are cheering for you, the children of Kapedo and Akoret who are praying for peace.
Samuel Limaris, Program Director, nursing student, Pokot tribesman
Jacob Beles, Project Coordinator, Kenya
Ann Beles, member of PIK, Peace Initiative Kenya
Barry Bacon, physician, Colville Washington, USA
Craig Wolfe, premed student, Loma Linda, California USA
Updated financial statement and 2013 budget:
PokotTurkanaPeaceInitiative
2012 Income and Expense Summary
Income: Expenses:
Bacons: $38,000 Patipat Water Project: $29,000
Samuel’s education: 9,000
Donations: 5,035 Steven’s education: 3,500
Medicines for Pokots: 475
Mango, citrus trees: 100
Pipes, model garden: 150
Travel expenses Kenya partners 600
Tools, blankets, gifts 200
December fundraiser: 5,361 Kapedo orphans: 5,361
Total income 2012: $48,396 Total expenses 2012: $48,396
Additional out of pocket: 6,307
Air travel out of pocket: 2,784
Budget 2013
Bacon’s budget in U.S. $ $23,000 (1,840,000 ks)
Monthly visits to Akoret $3000/year (240,000 ks)
Steven education support $5900 (472,000 ks)
Patipat final payment $12,500 (1,000,000 ks)
Hydrological feasibility $500 (40,000 ks)
Community based organization $260 (20,800 ks)
Mango/citrus Trees Nginyang $300 (24,000 ks)
Examining couch $100 (8000 ks)
Screen for privacy $65 (5000 ks)
Toilet construction $375 (30,000 ks)
Armand’s group will add to this.
Additional funds for orphan support and water development are expected from donations.
