A Balance of Power

One of the hot topics of news here is the recent elections in next door Kenya. As predicted, there was trouble and many people died, but after a couple of days the results were announced and the “good guy” got in. I have to own to being incredibly ignorant here, but our Kenyan translators have been educating me and even the taxi driver yesterday was telling us what a good thing this is. As usual, the foundation of the conflict there was power and tribalism or – it’s not what-you-know but who-you-know.

Power also seems to be the theme in our small Homoeopathy for Health in Africa community. First the translators’ electricity went down, then the Sherrs’ electricity, including the generator (I know that you are now well aware of out random power provision here, but this was just individual houses). Then the translators’ electricity returned but the cleaner blew up the gas cooker (I didn’t like to ask). Finally – and most tragically – after hours of cutting, marinating & preparing our meal last night, the gas cylinder ran out before we had a chance to produce a gastronomic delight. As I say tragedy. But this was as nothing when, in the morning, it dawned on each one of us individually – no boiling water! For us Brits that means no tea (and words cannot convey the enormity of this loss) and for Cynthia this resulted in no coffee (which quite frankly is the Argentinian equivalent catastrophe). We are all pretty easy-going here and no cooked food, cold showers or torch-light reading can all be borne with equal grace. But no tea in the morning?

It was at that point that I seriously began to consider putting the iron in a mug to heat some water (OK not seriously). However salvation was on its way in the form of Joseph, our caretaker; he came back and we were able to go and get a new gas cylinder. (Of course, as you would expect, this then called for the Gas Happy Dance).

I am beginning to realise that, despite our comparatively simple existence (that’s compared to the UK not to Tanzania) there are still so many things we rely on. Let’s face it, during our desperation phase we considered – but did not act on – the idea of going out to Joseph’s place and using the wood fire they use to cook on. So we weren't desperate enough to do what they do every day....