I joined my college on 8th January 2007 and, as I left home, I was very nervous and didn’t know how it would be but my induction left me with the urge to know more.

The classes/ lecture sessions on day one were good and the tutors and lecturers were very friendly and accommodating. They gave us a lot of time to consult with them and to share their experience in life in different professions. We had 4 days of classes each week on Monday to Thursday with field work on Fridays. The field work gave us a lot of experience as this was a multi-ethnic community with different backgrounds.

The college gave a lot of insight which has benefitted me greatly. I’ve started to train others in the Project/ community groups on epidemiological surveillance which will help us to know the status of the community health and to combat any epidemics which might occur. I’m looking forward to helping maintain a healthy community, free from diseases and sickness, physically, mentally and socially. I was very successful in the exams in achieving not less than a credit, which gave me an average of first class pass equal to distinction in the Diploma for Community Development.

Through it all was an electioneering period in Nairobi which brought many problems, especially in the post-election violence, when our hostel was burnt down while we were away for the weekend! I also had a personal problem when my mobile and 6,500/- (around £50) were snatched in Nairobi, but it didn’t shake me academically. In Kirongo we look forward to a better life, with a community that is healthy, food-secured, educated and self-dependent in all their endeavours – combining agricultural knowledge with community health and development.

Thanks to Amani UK for their consideration, both in training and other social support during my stay in Nairobi. I’m a changed person, as during my training a health problem was identified with my wife, leading to her being operated on in April 2008. A very disturbing experience, having just spent 12 months away in Nairobi for my personal studies. Thanks to all the Kirongo Project staff for their moral support for my family while I was away, making it easier for me to study and most of all Amani UK for providing the funds and means to achieve everything.

Melkio Otieno
Kirongo Field Staff

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