The Plan
The Clean up
Marking the lines
The New Tables
Painting the Lines
Assigning the Seats
Moving the BIG Table
The Control Flow Arrows
At End of the Day
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Big Day!
The big day arrived. Time to upgrade Jewelry Production!
The Plan
The Clean up
Marking the lines
The New Tables
Painting the Lines
Assigning the Seats
Moving the BIG Table
The Plan
The Clean up
Marking the lines
The New Tables
Painting the Lines
Assigning the Seats
Moving the BIG Table
Friday, February 20, 2009
Work; Eat; sleep.
Last weekend was quiet. I wasn't feeling well so besides a trip to the bank to collect my ATM card I pretty much stayed in. One of the soccer lads called to the door to see if I wanted to play soccer on Sunday but I politely declined. There was a Muzungu tourist playing so I guess they wanted to balance the sides. The night before was Valentines but I normally ignore that anyways. It is as big in Kenya as at home with the women dressing predominantly in red, and loads of teddybears doing the rounds. At least the women folk are getting treated well here one day of the year.
At work we are planned for the new Jewelry Production floor Plan. I have taken up a Project co-ordinator role, have an implementation plan and all! But it has meant never ending planning meetings which has tired everybody out.
Wednesday evening was different. Makoa the office 'runner' kindly collected a package from the post office sent by Neal, my Irish mate in Canada. All the lads gathered around as I opened and I passed around the books, shared the music and films and papers/magazines. We all had a long conversation about films and music. I even got a packet of rolo's. I gave Nato my last one. It's OK it has no significance here. The Time magazine had The Big 'O' on the front so of course they were all mad to keep it. There was even a bidding war starting...so we agreed that it would stay in the office until everyone has read the Obama story. Most of them borrowed a book to read, in fact I lent most of the books I have read to Makoa. He loved 'Memoirs of a Geisha', thought it was the best book ever. That evening I happily whistled my way home and read for a very long time...Neal you are a legend of a man!
Since my last blog, Abdu's Dad invited us all out to Kikambala (a few miles outside Mombasa) for a BBQ. The family have a beautiful house (similiar to those in Lamu) with four floors each with ever more stunning views of the sea. His Dad spends the Summer months in Canada and lives in Kenya during the winter. He is a advisor (Political science) for the UNDP and the house was was full of books and winding staircases. His Dad stood captivated as he explained that Vasa Da Gama, the Porteguese explorer, would have sailed past here in the 15th century. Cool!
After a hour or two on the beach we sat down to what can only be described as a feast. All the volunteers and Abdu's Da's friends ate and drank with abandon. It was mighty. Later we were supposed to go out but after a few drinks we ended up just kicking back at my place with a bottle of Kenya cane.
Note to self: bring a bottle home for the brothers to sample.
Back at work the Kaizen "Vital few" is forming our way forward. Put simply, we are building the four pillars for future success, which are:
Culture: Motivate the employees to be stakeholders in Bombolulu's future, therefore more co-operative, productive and open to change...and Communicate! Communicate! Communicate! (note to self: speak slowly. Even when tired or excited!)
Finance: Financial goverance to encourage (ahem, enforce) cost awareness, cost effectiveness and accountability
Operations: Improve supply chain methods and controls ensuring on time delivery of quality products
Marketing: Explore and exploit all potential Markets Local and export, using all available resources (especially d'internet)
Oh ya, and every so often just kick back and enjoy ourselves.
M.
BBQ Pics
Personal Learning
One of the first Kiswahili phrases I learnt was 'sina pesa', 'i don't have money'. You need it as you get begged at the whole time. One evening last week while walking to the workshop I was approached (well he wheeled his wheelchair) by a man I only vaguely knew. I said hello and when he stuck out his hand to shake mine, I took his hand. I was still in motion as I was planning a slow walking handshake. But the handshake developed into a grip hold and I was stopped in my tracks. 'I am hunry. Please help me'. I have trained my mind to think, be sustainable, giving handouts isn't sustainable. But before I thought, I had reached into my pocket and gave him what change I had. F*** it, I'm not heartless. I can teach him how to fish tomorrow.
At work we are planned for the new Jewelry Production floor Plan. I have taken up a Project co-ordinator role, have an implementation plan and all! But it has meant never ending planning meetings which has tired everybody out.
Wednesday evening was different. Makoa the office 'runner' kindly collected a package from the post office sent by Neal, my Irish mate in Canada. All the lads gathered around as I opened and I passed around the books, shared the music and films and papers/magazines. We all had a long conversation about films and music. I even got a packet of rolo's. I gave Nato my last one. It's OK it has no significance here
Since my last blog, Abdu's Dad invited us all out to Kikambala (a few miles outside Mombasa) for a BBQ. The family have a beautiful house (similiar to those in Lamu) with four floors each with ever more stunning views of the sea. His Dad spends the Summer months in Canada and lives in Kenya during the winter. He is a advisor (Political science) for the UNDP and the house was was full of books and winding staircases. His Dad stood captivated as he explained that Vasa Da Gama, the Porteguese explorer, would have sailed past here in the 15th century. Cool!
After a hour or two on the beach we sat down to what can only be described as a feast. All the volunteers and Abdu's Da's friends ate and drank with abandon. It was mighty. Later we were supposed to go out but after a few drinks we ended up just kicking back at my place with a bottle of Kenya cane.
Note to self: bring a bottle home for the brothers to sample.
Back at work the Kaizen "Vital few" is forming our way forward. Put simply, we are building the four pillars for future success, which are:
Culture: Motivate the employees to be stakeholders in Bombolulu's future, therefore more co-operative, productive and open to change...and Communicate! Communicate! Communicate! (note to self: speak slowly. Even when tired or excited!)
Finance: Financial goverance to encourage (ahem, enforce) cost awareness, cost effectiveness and accountability
Operations: Improve supply chain methods and controls ensuring on time delivery of quality products
Marketing: Explore and exploit all potential Markets Local and export, using all available resources (especially d'internet)
Oh ya, and every so often just kick back and enjoy ourselves.
M.
BBQ Pics
Personal Learning
One of the first Kiswahili phrases I learnt was 'sina pesa', 'i don't have money'. You need it as you get begged at the whole time. One evening last week while walking to the workshop I was approached (well he wheeled his wheelchair) by a man I only vaguely knew. I said hello and when he stuck out his hand to shake mine, I took his hand. I was still in motion as I was planning a slow walking handshake. But the handshake developed into a grip hold and I was stopped in my tracks. 'I am hunry. Please help me'. I have trained my mind to think, be sustainable, giving handouts isn't sustainable. But before I thought, I had reached into my pocket and gave him what change I had. F*** it, I'm not heartless. I can teach him how to fish tomorrow.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Look Ma...I'm on the radio!
Do you remember that nice Lady who came to visit me before Christmas. This Lady...
Umeeda Umedaly Switlo
Public Engagement Officer with CUSO-VSO in Canada
(with Prod Manager Shadrack, and Kaizen consultant Alex;)
Well she interviewed me and has podcasted the whole thing. Warning: It's 20 minutes long.
Go to http://cuso.podomatic.com/?p=2 and search for 'Duggan', then press the play button.
There is also a few more interviews with the people in Bombolulu.
Notes on Interview:
a)When asked about the song 'It's a long way to Tipperary' I wanted to say, 'We don't sing that much as it's a British Army marching song' but I felt it would set the wrong tone for the interview.
b)When I said Galway was 'the graveyard of ambition' I was quoting the Jackines I worked with in Dublin at the time. Galway rocks. I won't hear a word said against it.
c) When asked what I want to do after the assignment, I think covered all bases:- Work in Development in the area of Education- Live in Ireland (even though the above would mean working aboard)- go back to college to study (Even though that would probably mean not living in Galway)- Work with disabilities, in the area of education (In my spare time obviously!)
Clear as muddy water.
d) Yes. They have fish (samaki) and chips here...but they don't have a McDonaghs...after getting drenched walking the prom on a Sunday with your friends. That's what I meant by 'a different environment'.
d) Yes. They have fish (samaki) and chips here...but they don't have a McDonaghs...after getting drenched walking the prom on a Sunday with your friends. That's what I meant by 'a different environment'.
e)It was just before Christmas so I was missing home more than usual.
f) The clicking sound is Umeeda's daughter taking photos (she was the official photographer for thier trip)
g) I have no idea why the photo they used was an extreme close up.
MD.
Cultural Learning
Viasi is the best snack...EVER! Potato chunks covered in batter and fried in oil. They sell it in small plastic bags on the side of the road everywhere. 20 bob worth of that, and a banana (5-7 bob), and lunch is sorted.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Life and a bit of history
Life in general
Wow, January is over already. I am now well into the 4th month of my year here. In many ways I have been lucky with my assignment:
- great gaff
- working at an established organisation with loads going on
- good climate (if you don't mind sweating a bit)
- lots to do outside working hours, and good few volunteers close by
- ample quiet time for reading, writing and general faffing about
All in all, Life is good.
Bombolulu History
As the weeks pass I am forming a deeper understanding of the history of Bombolulu and of VSO's connection with them. In the mid to late 90's the place was booming. Over 300 people were employed and tourism was increasing every year. Then El Nino hit. The flooding nearly detroyed the place, ruined the showroom and all the stock. As well as this Election clashes and
both embassy and hotel bombings by terrorists affected the numbers of tourists visiting Kenya. The place nearly shut down. The workforce was downsized. Only strong donor support and loyal customers saved the place. Since then Bombolulu has struggled with limited tourism numbers, exasperated recently by the election clashes. The fact that there is a worldwide recession will really hit us in 2009. But Bombolulu has survived so far, and there are loads of initiatives ongoing that will hopefully make the organisation leaner and more secure.
So, Bombolulu has been around a long time an has seen many VSO volunteer come and go, I'm still working on the list:
Dates- Name- Nationality- Role
Bill Robison Scottish Project Manager
Monica - Swiss
Rolands and wife
Moji -British (Nigeria) Textile Designer
Masaki Chinese Designer
Some Italian Girl
Maria Kemp Scandanavian Designer - Textile & Jewlery
2004-6 Tom Cravens UK Marketing
2007 *Cindy and Jeff USA APDK and IT
*They only stayed a short while (6 weeks) due to the serious illness of one of their parents.
2008-2009 Mike Duggan Irish IT Specialist (that's me!)
The Tom Cravens guy; I am very like him apparently. Explains why some people in Bombolulu even now call me Tom. At least nobody thinks I'm Dutch anymore.
What else?
- Had a visit from Alan, an Irish Lad, from Limerick. He is working in a hospital as a 'freelance' volunteer amoung other things. He is trying to get an assignment with VSO.
- Was working Saturday morning; Management meeting. Despite a false start it was pretty productive. Lots for doing next week.
- Went to Haller Park again. Very peaceful place. Saw the Hippos this time.
- Local hotel at home, Castletroy park is closing down.
Everywhere I go this week they seem to be playing flippin' Enrique Iglesias. I'll tell you this, he's no Joe Dolan.
Later,
M.
Cultural Learning
When watching Hippo's eat always check first that you are not standing in the middle of an ant colony.
Wow, January is over already. I am now well into the 4th month of my year here. In many ways I have been lucky with my assignment:
- great gaff
- working at an established organisation with loads going on
- good climate (if you don't mind sweating a bit)
- lots to do outside working hours, and good few volunteers close by
- ample quiet time for reading, writing and general faffing about
All in all, Life is good.
Bombolulu History
As the weeks pass I am forming a deeper understanding of the history of Bombolulu and of VSO's connection with them. In the mid to late 90's the place was booming. Over 300 people were employed and tourism was increasing every year. Then El Nino hit. The flooding nearly detroyed the place, ruined the showroom and all the stock. As well as this Election clashes and
both embassy and hotel bombings by terrorists affected the numbers of tourists visiting Kenya. The place nearly shut down. The workforce was downsized. Only strong donor support and loyal customers saved the place. Since then Bombolulu has struggled with limited tourism numbers, exasperated recently by the election clashes. The fact that there is a worldwide recession will really hit us in 2009. But Bombolulu has survived so far, and there are loads of initiatives ongoing that will hopefully make the organisation leaner and more secure.
So, Bombolulu has been around a long time an has seen many VSO volunteer come and go, I'm still working on the list:
Dates- Name- Nationality- Role
Bill Robison Scottish Project Manager
Monica - Swiss
Rolands and wife
Moji -British (Nigeria) Textile Designer
Masaki Chinese Designer
Some Italian Girl
Maria Kemp Scandanavian Designer - Textile & Jewlery
2004-6 Tom Cravens UK Marketing
2007 *Cindy and Jeff USA APDK and IT
*They only stayed a short while (6 weeks) due to the serious illness of one of their parents.
2008-2009 Mike Duggan Irish IT Specialist (that's me!)
The Tom Cravens guy; I am very like him apparently. Explains why some people in Bombolulu even now call me Tom. At least nobody thinks I'm Dutch anymore.
What else?
- Had a visit from Alan, an Irish Lad, from Limerick. He is working in a hospital as a 'freelance' volunteer amoung other things. He is trying to get an assignment with VSO.
- Was working Saturday morning; Management meeting. Despite a false start it was pretty productive. Lots for doing next week.
- Went to Haller Park again. Very peaceful place. Saw the Hippos this time.
- Local hotel at home, Castletroy park is closing down.
Everywhere I go this week they seem to be playing flippin' Enrique Iglesias. I'll tell you this, he's no Joe Dolan.
Later,
M.
Cultural Learning
When watching Hippo's eat always check first that you are not standing in the middle of an ant colony.
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