Category Archives: Kenya

Alisa Recovers from Bug and Teaches Grammar!

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Alisa has gotten over the infection/virus/bacteria that has plagued her for the past week as she adjusted to life in Kenya. She was taken to the nearest hospital earlier in the week for a malaria test, which was negative, and is finally regaining her appetite and strength. She is currently living with Emanuel, a school teacher with 4 children, near the town of Kilgoris. During the past week she and a group of other volunteers from the British Isles and the US put together latrines for the school, and also moved in beds for the boys’ dormitory in anticipation of the approaching school year. Emanuel’s school has been set up to prepare children for the national high school entrance exams that determine which high school you will be admitted to. Two of Emanuel’s own children attend boarding school two hours away in anticipation for these exams. Alisa has learned that public schools do little to prepare children for high school, as they adjurn for the day at noon. Thus Emanuel has set up his school for the children of the region. Continue reading →

Internet in Kericho

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This is my first internet access since Nairobi. I am currently in the city of Kericho which is about 2 hours or so from the village I am currently living in. I have only been here a few short days and already of have exprienced so much.

The food is delicious. We eat a lot of squash and vegi’s with rice or pasta, fruit (lots of pineapple), and either steak or beans for protein. The volunteers live in cement huts with bunk beds. Emmanul has 4 precious children who love to color and play soccer. Most of Emmanuls family lives around him so there are always cousins and other children over in the yard playing too.

All the children in Kenya have a school holiday this week because of the vote on the constiutional referendum. Everywhere I go I see vote YES promotions- I have only seen vote NO in the papers. The students will be back to Emmanuls school on the 5th so then we will be able to start teaching. Right now we are just getting the new boys dorms cleaned and the bathroom built.

Saturday we attended a Maassi wedding with lots of singing and beautiful bead work. The bride was 6 hours late, but no one seemed to mind.

Later in the week we are going to a Maassi warrior graduation that only happens every 7 years, so I cant wait. We have to dress in traditional outfits and beads.

See this link for info on the Warrior Graduation

Made it to Kenya

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I had a fairly smooth 4 hour flight from Joburg to Nairobi, but it took me over an hour to get through immigration. I thought the point of getting a visa early is so you do not have to wait in line with everyone getting a visa but the people in charge told everyone it didn’t matter what line you were in even though there were signs for Kenyan residents, east African, visa, & other.

When I finally made it to baggage claim my backpack was just lying on the floor in front of the carasel.

All day I was nervous that village volunteers would forget to come pick me up because my information and itinerary had been sent months ago, but James was there to get me when I walked out of customes. It is very overwhelming when you step out of the sliding glass doors because there are tons of people with signs and you really have to stop and scan them as they all glare at you.

It was a short drive to Wendys house where I had dinner and was shown my room for the night.

Wendy is very nice and an Apple fan. She really enjoyed playing with the iPad.

I wasnt able to get a SIM tonight when I arrived so it might be a few days before I get one.

Leaving for my first village tomorrow with 4 other volunteers from Slovenia.

Sorry I wish I could write more but I am very tired. I just wanted to post so everyone knew I had made it safely.