Back to reports index

INTRODUCTION

Having left the rehabilitation center on the fourth of February this year, it was time to try and re-enter society again and it was not without trepidation that I arrived back in Nairobi.

The idea for goinghomedotcom had already been taking shape when I was in the 'rehab' but it was only after arrival in Nairobi to my welcoming wife and family did it begin to crystalise after further detailed discussions with my wife Eileen.

Office space was going to be another major headache. Where was goinghomedotcom to be housed? What of equipment? Even a computer to start with? This was obviously going to be a major problem

What was needed was to decide which platform would be the best for disseminating the awareness message and educating Kenyans especially the youth on the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse. At the same time the country had to be educated on the disease of alcoholism. The stigma attached to this disease could only be countered with education.

Thus getting the website up was given priority with newspaper articles and T.V appearances and public lectures following in that order. Then last but definitely not least talking to the families or those caught up in the throes of addiction who had got in touch with me through my articles or were referred by word of mouth. What I did here was to give guidance on the course of action to be taken so as to get the victim help in the fastest possible time.

Illustrations for the website as well as a camera to take photographs and a scanner to digitise these illustrations and photographs were also priorities which needed to be tackled urgently in order for the site to become viable.

The hunt for books and audio visuals was also on and this saw me and several volunteers scouring the pavements, bookshops as well as approaching individuals for all kinds of books. This was because there were three main projects which needed stocking namely:

• goinghomedotcom Resource Center
  This is to house books, magazines, and other literature as well as audio-visual materials pertaining to the awareness campaign on alcohol and drug abuse so that school groups can visit and journalists or producers can get material for reference all in one place.

  At the same time families of those who have a sick member can learn more about alcoholism and addiction so as to be better able to help their loved ones.

• goinghomedotcom Video Production Unit (VPU) Resource Center
  A lot of budding journalists, authors or producers out there are fully loaded with enthusiasm but hardly anything else. The deck seems to be completely stacked against assisting them further their goals. Books are the fountain of knowledge and yet the price in Kenya is prohibitive. At the same time when it comes to books on the media or writing, journalism, radio production and now website publishing there is a near total lack of learning materials to help out. goinghomedotcom VPU intends to redress this imbalance so that those intending to enter these professions but have little or no resources are not held back. To this end numerous books and magazines have been acquired and we feel confident that we will soon have enough materials to become operational.

• goinghomedotcom Library
  Reading opens doors to far away lands and even other planets all from the comfort of ones chair. It is a very profitable way of spending ones time as well as a good way of obtaining correct information on the dangers of substance abuse. At the same time recovering alcoholics and addicts will have a place to go and read as well as borrow books novels and videos as they slowly re-enter society.

CONCLUSION

Good progress is being made into turning goinghomedotcom into a reality emails have come in from all over the world sending suggestions and encouragement. Several newspaper articles and T.V. appearances on the disease of alcoholism have elicited overwhelming response and this is cause for great hope.

Television appearances were on:

• Nation T.V.s' Eyes On The People

Newspaper articles were:

• What is alcoholism Saturday Nation newspaper, Saturday Magazine - September 8 - 14, 2001
• My slide into alcoholism Saturday Nation newspaper, Saturday Magazine - October 13 - 19, 2001
• You can recover from alcohol addiction East African Standard newspaper, Profile Magazine - November 17 - 23, 2001

We got a location in Hurlingham to base the organisation as well as computers for the work. This was all thanks to the Science and Engineering Research Center who generously gave us the use of one of the rooms in their offices. SERC has continued to be of great assistance to goinghomedotcom and for this our profound thanks.

Work on the website is progressing very well and it should be up by next year. It was also agreed upon with the Programme Director of Asumbi Treatment Center, Nyanza that goinghomedotcom would design, host and maintain the website for the institution.

James Kamawira popularly known as Kham and one of Kenya's leading cartoonists has also come foward and volunteered his services at no charge to do most of the illustrations the site will require. This includes the logo for goinghomedotcom which was designed by him. Once again our profound thanks to him. Mr. Kamawira is also a member of the advisory panel of goinghomedotcom

To all who have had us in their prayers we thank you and hope for your continued well wishes in the coming year. Thank you and may God bless you all.

David Ogot snr.
Director, goinghomedotcom Trust,
Nairobi.
18th. December, 2001

This site is designed by David Ogot snr. And hosted by
Science & Engineering Research Center
©goinghomedotcom 2001 - 2006
Disclaimer Privacy Policy