Comments on: Little Wasini Island Boy | Kenya

By: Muadh Amor Ali

Muadh Amor Ali — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:46:13 +0000

Hi everyone!
I wish i had money to invest in providing good facilities to the people of the islands such as Wasini. I live and own a small supply business in Mombasa and i have a lot of business ideas. The problem is that i cant do anything about my ideas as i dont have enough money to start such projects. But i can partner with two or more interested people and may be my ideas can take off.
I would like to contribute by asking tourists who visit beautiful places like Wasini Island or Siu Island or Faza Island all in Kenya or any other interesting historical places in Kenya to directly approach village elders and find out how they can help in terms of development.
You will find most of these islands they lack medical facilities and electricity. Schools could be there but the classes are overcrowded, the classes have no blackboards, the classes have no desks or chairs and the teachers are poorly paid.
My point is tourists who are also business minded can invest in providing facilities like cold storage which will be powered by generators or solar power. I am sure many fishermen will like the idea will be using such facilities at a fee.
Another facilities is a training centre as well as a workshop for repairing boats and engines.
You see the people of these islands lack formal theoratical training but can be very good in practical training. If they are given the opportunity to formally study at such institutions and they pay back through repairing boats and engines which are brought at the training centres they will highly appreciate.
Theses people rely on tourists for a living. The goverment get the big share and the locals get almost nothing.

By: Westy

Westy — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:55:55 +0000

thanks Alawy thats an epic comment on my post but probably the most meaningful one i have had on my site..

I will definately spread the word and let people know how they can help and even though i may not be able to straight away i will make plans for the future..

keep me posted..

By: Alawy, Abdillahi

Alawy, Abdillahi — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:03:45 +0000

God Bless Your Kind Heart Sir/Madam,
You pose a great question. I bet most of the tourists see what you have seen but don’t even know where to start in as far as addressing the situation of not only of the children but their mothers and the rest of the Wasini community.

There are numerous ways you can help. From the action you have already taken (soliticing suggestions from the internet) to– may be pointing the issues to international development agencies in your countries…to specifically look at island communities and initiate ways where tourists can help directly.

The Kenya government and the local governments within the country are powerless and –sort of unwilling to do something meangful even though they are the ones expected to worry about that Wasini child. Our leadership is corrupt and essentially self-serving and could almost be called crooks.

That is why direct action may be needed by people of your sensitivity and action. You can help in many ways as long as you are able to take matters in your own hands/initiatives and commitment —planning that will effect direct assistance.

Not beside the point , but I know one tourist (an Englishman working with Virgin Atlantic out of London) who eventually decided to move to Tiwi South Coast, Kenya and built a house. Ricky (if I remember his name) organizes youth and supports local soccer leagues in the villages. He buys uniforms, balls and stuff for the local boys and he has become a local hero in Tiwi.

As little as his initiative– it has helped many young boys (unfortunately not girls) to avoid drugs and becoming tour guides (school dropouts). I know of one German tourist who once gave me a pair of shoes that helped me to return to school in 1975. I actually stayed in school for a long time afterwards and studied agriculture. I now have a couple of degrees including a Ph.D from the Ohio State University. And I am now helping women in conflict zones stretching from Congo to Kosovo. I am a native Wasini boy too.

So it is up to you but small dreams initiate big changes if we are willing to go out of our ways and help.