Kwere

I met a man today at a site known as Kwere, a canyon that in many ways reflects the Grand Canyon located in Arizona. The difference between the two is the canyon in Kwere is not being shaped and sculpted by mother nature, it is in fact being shaped by the hand made hammers and hours upon hours of physical labor done by the men and woman that work here. From the top it is a very inspiring and magnificent site, but as you make the rocky, jagged decent down into the canyon, you begin to realize the painstaking work that has taken place in order to form this place. There are no machines, no trucks to haul the broken rocks up to the rim of the canyon, there is however, the sacks, buckets and the backs of the people.

Jackson, the young man I met and interviewed at Kwere is 23 years old, he had to give up his dream of becoming a boxer so that he may provide for his young family. During our conversation, Jackson was very open and held nothing back. He told me that he and the many other people that work here are in need of serious assistance. When we touched on the topic of living cost, I asked him how much does he spend a month on food to make sure he and his family eats well, his reply..."I can't answer that, I don't know what it is like to eat well". I then asked him if 100 usd dollars would be enough to feed his family for one month, his response..."nobody here spends that much money to buy food". You see, Jackson makes 5 usd every two weeks, those that are older and not as fit, make less.

This is one of many stories that I have encountered during my stay in Kayole. Times are severely tough here, but if you arrived here blindfolded with no knowledge of the area and it's poverty, you would never guess the horrible situation that is taking place here. The people are willing to share any and all of their possessions (including their food), with any outsider....even an American. The more and more time I spend here, the more I realize my purpose for being in Kayole. The people see me as an opportunity to be their voice and reach the outside world. Have I stepped in over my head? I don't think so, I don't pretend to think I can change the world, however I will do everything and anything to educate it on areas like Kayole, Soweto and Majesertio, MX.

You might be wondering what this story has to do with my film and Arrow Web Hospital. It's quite simple, without Arrow Web, people like Jackson can't get the basic medical attention that is needed. If he and the others are unable to get the aide, they can't work, if they do not work, they are not paid and they do not eat, not to mention their kids will never see the inside of a classroom. I should mention that Jackson has a wife and a 2 year old daughter. They become one of the many million who's story may make our media in the states right before the news breaks to cover a story about another overpaid actor or athlete that ordered steak and was delivered chicken, or how making 20 million dollars a year isn't enough to feed their families...we all know what a tragedy that is!

Msungu

Msingu, or "white man" in English is what I am known as to the kids in Kayole. Everyday I arrive at the hospital I hear "msingu, msingu", It's not said in a derogatory manner, but instead the opposite. Everyday I am greeted with hand shakes from many people, curious as to what I am doing in their neighborhood and when I explain to them, they want to know why. My answer is easy...I care!

I was able to film several kids receive their measel shots, as you can imagine there was alot of scared kids that was followed by alot of crying. I usually have a hard time seeing children in any type of pain, but in this case I knew it was for the best...try telling that to them and they think your nuts! Another baby was born (that makes 3 in three days). I was able to film the surrounding area of Kayole-Soweto through the sunroof of a car. That's right, some how I was able to fit my camera and myself through the sunroof and film the streets of Kayole. I don't think I have ever had so many eyes on me at one time throughout the entire time we were shooting. Although Kayole is considered a slum, it is a functioning area that has many businesses of all sorts. It truly is an amazing site.

Daily life for me so far has been very interesting. One day you may have running water, the next day you may not. Internet access requires alot of patience and at times the electricity will be cut to preserve the power for the rainy season. Things that I have taken for granted in the States, I have quickly learned to appreciate while my stay in Kayole. I knew that this project was going to be a challenge, I just hope that I can deliver a product that will not only help the people of Kayole and the Arrow Web Hospital, but make them feel proud of who they are and where they come from. Although I am here to do a job, I want to and I need to interact with the people so that I may come away from this experience a better person than I was when I started it.

As I mentioned before, I am having issues posting a video blog, but I will continue to try so that you all may get a little glimpse into this beautiful culture and it's friendly people.

First Impressions

From the time my plane landed in Nairobi, I knew that I had landed in a very special place. I was met at the airport by my guide and friend Bramuel, the director of Arrow Web Hospital. We started off with a traditional Kenyan lunch and headed over to the hospital so that I may see where I would be shooting for the next three weeks. When I arrived at Arrow Web, I was greeted by several kids and each one of them had their hand extended out to me with a huge smile asking me, "how are you?" It's no secret that I am an outsider and many instantly pegged me as an American. The people of Kayole know why I am here and they have made it a point to make me feel welcomed.

So far, one baby has been born at Arrow Web and I am told that many more will likely follow during my stay here in Kayole. I feel so far removed from my life in the States and for the next three weeks I hope it stays that way. I have made a decision to embrace the local traditions, customs and way of life during my stay here in Kayole. I feel it is the only way that I can truly understand and appreciate the daily lives of the people.

The streets of Kayole are filled with the laughter of children, the aroma of the street vendors that cook their dishes on an open wood fire pit, the banging of tools as the men fix, shape and build their homes and shops along the dirt roads of Kayole. The faces of Kayole are the faces of hope, compassion, believe and love. The stories can go on for ever, I hope to bring you just a few in hopes that we all can recognize what is important in our own lives, what is priority and why it is necessary to make the appropriate changes that we all know is needed to make our world a much better place for the kids. The road for these people and Arrow Web is a long and bumpy one, but it is a road that has already begun to be paved with the generosity of the international community, the staff of Arrow Web and the volunteers.

I still plan to post video blogs, I am having a few issues with my Internet connection out here, I appreciate your patience and look forward to hearing your feedback.

WlD

Seattle to Nairobi

I'd like to start off by introducing myself, my name is Wes Downer, I am a documentary filmmaker from Seattle, Washington. On September 17 I leave the comfort of my own home in the states to travel to Kenya, Africa. The purpose of the trip is to document the area known as Kayole-Soweto, it's residence and the Arrow Web Hospital that treats and attends to it's 760,000 plus population.

My intentions are not to be the "story teller" nor the creator of stories, I will simply be the messenger. I plan to post video blogs to show the viewers exactly what it is I am doing and seeing on a daily basis. The residents of Kayole are in need of serious medical supplies, equipment and attention, it is my goal to produce enough visual evidence to see that this happens in hopes of gaining international support, both from the United States and the UK.

It is not important that people know who I am, but it is extremely important that they know what myself and the hundreds of other people are trying to do to bring much needed attention to this area of the world. I understand that Kayole-Soweto is not the only place in the world that needs international attention brought to the spot light, however it is where I will be and because of that, it is my primary focus. Poverty is an universal problem that effects every country and every type of person in existence. More and more people each day become one of the several millions that live life below the poverty line. Perhaps that is something that will never change, however, every single person deserves the basic "luxuries" of life such as the right to basic education, the right to change his or her current situation and the right to medical help. This documentary film is in no way a political statement, it is however an insight to a way of life that probably most you reading this, including myself will never have to experience. Knowing that, I believe we still have an obligation to help those that truly cannot help themselves. I hope you all follow the blog, I hope the people of Kayole are able to capture your hearts, as I am sure the will mine and I hope together we can find a solution to this problem whether it be in Africa, America , the UK or anywhere else in need of serious attention.

To see more photos of this experience, visit my facebook page under the name Wes Downer and I will post more pictures throughout my stay in Kenya.

Baby DM Donation Supports New Mothers

On August 29, 2009 Bramuel was able to pick up a donation from Baby DM Scandanavia, a marketing company located in Helsingborg Sweden. This kind donation will go a long way toward helping new mothers at Arrow Web Hospital. Arrow Web Hospital staff are extremely grateful for this show of support to the people of Kayole-Soweto. Thank you for helping us welcome the newest members of our community to the world.