Adjusting

When I got to Kenya, there were definitely many new things to experience. While there was a lot to learn, I never felt really out of place. Many people warn you of "culture shock" when you go to a foreign country. Personally, I have never really experienced this. I am always so wrapped up in experiencing the new and exciting things that I never have time to feel homesick. Every time I come home from a trip like this, I feel it is harder to adjust to being home in the Western world then it is to adjust to living in Africa.

It was really overwhelming for to me come home, look around, and take in a the "stuff" that everyone (including myself) has. Huge houses, multiple cars, endless clothes, and supermarkets packed with more food than most people in the world could ever imagine. The basic necessities of life are taken for granted here. The poverty and suffering I witnessed in Kenya was heartbreaking. I think it truly hit me when I got home and realized how unfair the whole situation is. Being home really makes me appreciate all the people I met in Kenya and how much they taught me.

I feel as though this trip solidified the path I want to take. I definitely want to work in the Non-Profit/NGO sector, in a job that helps others. If I don't make a lot of money, that is fine. I realize more than ever that doing what you love is much more important. In the future I am sure I will settle down and maybe start a family, but I do not want to spend all that I earn on myself. I think it is really important to donate to charities you support. I got to see first hand that even the smallest amount can help to radically change someones life.

On a lighter note!

Things I will miss about Kenya:

·         Being able to jump on a motorcycle and go anywhere in town for 50 cents

·         The cows, goats, sheep, and chickens that run around the streets (and occasionally run into your office)

The random rainstorms that appear out of nowhere and strand you in strange places with complete strangers for an hour

·         Being called a Mzungu (white person), it was annoying at first but I will definitely miss random people talking to me, everyone was so friendly!

·         My own relaxation, going without internet for a week or more has been no problem. No chance that is happening at home….

·        Things taking way longer than necessary to get done. Frustrating at first until you just learn to go with the flow and realize it will all work out in the end

·        All the amazing people I have met at work, at home, and around town

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St. Paul's

For the past 6 weeks I have been splitting my time between the FAIR office and an elementary school close to my house. I have been volunteering there as a teacher, something I have little experience with. Luckily for me all the teachers at the school are so welcoming and super helpful. I have helped out in all the classes (the school has kindergarden through 8th grade). Mostly I have taught in 2nd and 4th grades. In 2nd grade I tutor a student who is the slowest learner in the class. When I started tutoring him he did not know most of the letters of the alphabet. He has made a lot of progress and his teacher says that before I came he rarely stayed in school all day, but now even when I am not there he sticks around. In class 4 I teach them math, english, and social studies. I have a lot of freedom over what I teach, normally I just ask the kids what subject they want to do that day.

This week is the last week of school so the kids are done with exams and even though they basically have no work left to do, they still keep asking me to teach them more. (I bet most of us have never heard a kid asking for MORE work to do!) Most of the kids at St. Paul's come from a slum area known as Bondeni. The majority of the kids do not have anything to eat for lunch everyday. Most of their uniforms are torn and dirty (they have one outfit they wear to school each day). The teachers have told me it is difficult for many of the children because they have problems at home, so when they come to school they are unable to focus. Despite all this I have been amazed by how happy and sweet all the kids are. They are eager to learn and even though I have been there over a month, they still get excited when I come and all want to give me high 5s. I think the reason the school is functioning so well is due entirely to the teachers. They are all motivated and really encourage the students to do well. I will really miss the kids when I leave. Teaching has been really challenging for me, but it has been one of the most rewarding things I have done here.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Pole sana! (Very sorry!) I can't believe that it has been over a month since my last post! The time here has been FLYING by and everyday is so busy. Since I last wrote my parents came to visit me which was an amazing experience. We went on safari in the Serengeti of Tanzania and in the Southern part of Kenya. I really think everyone should try to go on safari at least once in their life, it was incredible! Showing my parents around Nakuru was great, it was so fun to show them where I have been working and the people I have met.

Lamu- Feel Free

Lamu was easily my favorite stop on our trip to the coast. In fact, Lamu is easily one of the most amazing places I have ever been to. I really enjoyed it! The Arab influence is even more prevalent in Lamu and many people there are Muslim. It was really cool to see all the women and men dressed up. The whole city had the feeling that you stepped back in time. The streets were designed to be very narrow to keep out the heat (trust me it was still extremely hot). Because the streets are so narrow, there are no cars or motorcycles on the island. The only form of transportation (besides walking) is a donkey. At any moment walking down a tiny alleyway, you could suddenly be forced into a doorway to avoid a line of donkeys lugging cement bricks on their backs.

While Lamu was definitely full of culture and history, it was still very modern. We were lucky enough to find an awesome (and cheap) guest house that we got to ourselves. Also, even though some people have concerns about safety in Lamu, I felt really comfortable there. The people were very friendly. The atmosphere was probably why I loved it so much. It was very relaxed and one of the expressions people used a lot there was “feel free.” Definitely a great way to describe the island.

Mombasa

I recently went on a trip to the Kenyan coast with my roommates Jordyn, Lauren, and Grace. It was SUCH an amazing trip! Jordyn and I started out in Mombasa and spent two days there. We toured Fort Jesus, an old fort (obviously) that was built by the Portuguese in the late 1500s. It was right on the water, with an amazing view. Seeing the fort was cool but it was even more interesting to hear all the history behind it. Kenya has been impacted by many cultures including: the Portuguese, British, Chinese, and Arabs.

After the fort we wandered around the Old Town area. There is a big Arab influence and lots of impressive architecture and woodwork. The Mombasa market was INSANE as well. It was packed with food, fabrics, and tons of people. We had a tour guide who took us around and made it much less intimidating.

We also got a chance to hit the beach at Mombasa! So beautiful!!

The IDP Camp

At work this week I went into the field and visited an IDP (Internally Displaced Person) Camp. There are 1,400 people living on 16 acres in the outskirts of Nakuru. They were displaced after the 2007 election when there was violence throughout the country. They are all Kenyans, IDPs are different from refugees because IDPs are displaced within their own countries while refugees flee the home country. There was a dispute over the validity of the election and the result was widespread attacks between different tribes (there are over 40 ethnic groups in Kenya). So these people have been living in tents for 5 years and most have no plans to return home. They fear potential violence and would rather stay in the camp, even though living conditions are tough. Proper nutrition are shelter and the two main issues people face. One family we were supposed to visit was in mourning for a young HIV positive boy who had recently died. His body was still in the house, waiting for burial so we did not go inside. Without a good diet, treatment for the disease is difficult.

Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo

This past weekend my roommates and I went on a camping trip to two lakes in Kenya. It was a two hour drive (not including all the time on the backroads of the parks). We stopped at the equator on the way there, which was pretty cool. One of the shop owners did a demonstration to show us how the water moves in different directions on each side of the equator.

Lake Bogoria is known for its hippos and crocodiles. Jordyn and I went on a boat ride to see the animals and got to go visit one of the islands in the middle. It is inhabited by 1,000 Masai people who live off the land and mostly fish. The other island is home to one man, his FIVE wives, and his 27 children.

We camped out at Lake Baringo and it was SO BEAUTIFUL. The drive through the park was amazing (after negotiating our entrance fee down from 2,500 shillings to 750). It is surrounded by mountains and the lake was full of flamingos. The campsite was more isolated and we got to swim in a warm stream. It was really fun and we definitely surprised some locals who were taking baths. Lauren and Grace (our two crazy and amazing Australian roomies) started to help soap them up and we couldn't stop laughing.

The night ended with a bonfire and I taught everyone how to make s'mores. My Australian roomies are convinced that s'mores are easily the most significant contribution America has made to the world. The next day we got some more amazing pictures of the lake and flamingos. We also saw the hot springs and even hard boiled some eggs in them!

The Slum

Last week I went into the slums with my roommates. They all work for an organization called St. Gabriels, which helps families. The goal is to educate children and bring them out of poverty. We went on home visits to see the families and understand where the kids come from. It was really really difficult to take in. The slums themselves were not as bad as I expected. They were somewhat clean and the houses were spread out. However, once you got inside the houses you realized the desperation. They were these teeny-tiny rooms smaller than my bedroom back home where anywhere from 9-14 people live. I really couldn’t comprehend it. The stories people told us were incredible. People with no jobs, no money for rent, facing eviction, going 3 or more days without food, illness, and the list goes on. Hearing all of this really made me realize how difficult everyday life can be. Sometimes it is easy to forget because downtown Nakuru is fairly modern, but only a few minutes away people are truly struggling.