Christmas was such a blast! Sangala and I made the 8 hour trip to El Doret with our friend Cassidy and her puppy Jua. In total there were 3 dogs so Sangala had a great time playing with his other puppy friends. In total there were about 11 people there and we partied way too hard haha! We had an ugly christmas sweater party and did a white elephant gift exchange. Hannah lives near a river so we went down to the river on Christmas Day and tanned and swam. We also spent a day at a hotel pool in El Doret where we also got to ride a camel! It was so fun, but scary when the camel was standing up and sitting down because you felt like you were going to fly off. After the pool we went out to the bars and danced the night away. I met a cool half Canadian half Kenyan skateboarder who showed us all around the city and took us to a beautiful resort and treated us to beers.
Overall it was amazing, but the party isn't even close to being finished. Today I went up to Bongoma to meet with two of my girlfriends and tomorrow we are heading to the island tomorrow on Rusinga in the middle of Lake Victoria. There should be about 11 people there for New Years too and we are renting a boat to another island nearby. I'll post again after!
Missed you all during Christmas time! Hope yours was as good as mine!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Back at Site, but not for Long!
I’ve been back at site now from Inner Service Training for about a week and man…IT IS BORING out here! The rural can really make you go crazy, I’m tellin ya. Most of the week I’ve been walking walking walking. I have to walk 2 hours to get to the bank. So I walk the 2 hours to Bomet just to find out I’ve lost not only my Peace Corps debit card, but my American one so I have no access to cash. So since I didn’t have the money to pay for transportation, I walked the 2 hours back! I’m sure getting in some kind of shape! The next day I had to make an hour long walk to my “closest” town to go on the internet and deal with ordering new cards. But the internet is soooo slow so it took me almost an hour to send one email! I’m having to get use to this life all over again it feels.
Thursday was a productive day and I wrote out an outline for my maternity ward project proposal. We also have a clinic for pregnant women and newborns that day so I gave the women a condom demonstration and helped weigh babies. The rest of the week I’ve just been working on integrating. I’ve been getting to know the shortcut paths through the bush and meeting lots of people. I had dinner at my supervisors the other night and met his two oldest daughters who are home for the holidays. They are very modern and speak English so it’s nice to have some people to talk to way out here. My supervisor’s son, Larry, is in “hiding” because he just got circumcised. When boys get circumcised here (around the age of 14), they have to be separated from women for a month before they can have a “coming of age” party and join society again. It’s an interesting tradition.
Anyway, well I’m trying to get adjusted back to site again, I actually will be leaving shortly. I’m planning on going to Hannah’s for x-mas. We are going to have a white elephant gift exchange with all of our friends and make amazing food! Then New Years, I’m heading to my friend Elizabeth’s site on Rusinga Island in the middle of Lake Victoria. So it will be nice to be on the beach and hang with the girls!
Thinking of everyone back home during the holidays and missing you more than ever!
Thursday was a productive day and I wrote out an outline for my maternity ward project proposal. We also have a clinic for pregnant women and newborns that day so I gave the women a condom demonstration and helped weigh babies. The rest of the week I’ve just been working on integrating. I’ve been getting to know the shortcut paths through the bush and meeting lots of people. I had dinner at my supervisors the other night and met his two oldest daughters who are home for the holidays. They are very modern and speak English so it’s nice to have some people to talk to way out here. My supervisor’s son, Larry, is in “hiding” because he just got circumcised. When boys get circumcised here (around the age of 14), they have to be separated from women for a month before they can have a “coming of age” party and join society again. It’s an interesting tradition.
Anyway, well I’m trying to get adjusted back to site again, I actually will be leaving shortly. I’m planning on going to Hannah’s for x-mas. We are going to have a white elephant gift exchange with all of our friends and make amazing food! Then New Years, I’m heading to my friend Elizabeth’s site on Rusinga Island in the middle of Lake Victoria. So it will be nice to be on the beach and hang with the girls!
Thinking of everyone back home during the holidays and missing you more than ever!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Inner Service Training
Training has been so much fun and it's been so good to see everyone! Our first week we learned about everything from creating sustainable income generating activities to community led sanitation techniques. It's been really interesting and I've been learning a ton, getting some great ideas for projects to implement at site, and feeling more motivated than ever in being a volunteer here in Kenya.
This weekend we were allowed to go into Nairobi and explore, which was quite the treat because we usually are not allowed in the city due to security issues. Saturday we shopped around and I bought a solar powered netbook! I'm so excited about it because my old computer only lasted unplugged for 20 minutes and now that I don't have electricity the solar power will be vital and I'll be able to stay connected. I also did some touristy shopping and bought some really beautiful local crafts and jewelery. For lunch we had amazing Italian food (definitely not bush food). At night we went to a 2 for 1 happy hour at Brew Bistro and it seriously did not feel like we were in Africa anymore. There were so many white people and live music and more importantly lots and lots of beer! Sunday we woke up early again to get a full day in Nairobi. We went to the Kenya Wildlife Service and checked out the animal orphanage. I got to pet a giraffe, had monkeys groom me and fed an ostrich! It was so cool and we saw some amazing animals like a cheetah! After, we went to KFC for lunch haha! Kenya just got it's first KFC in Nairobi and we had to test it out. Sufficient to say, it passed! I was sooo full after having the "Fully Loaded Box"consisting of a chicken burger, chicken wing, mashed potatoes, fries and a soda...ouch. We walked around the mall and I sat on a black Santa's lap haha! After we went to the Brew Bistro again for another round of happy hour!
Overall training has just been a nice escape from the bush. This week our counterparts have come out to participate as well. My new supervisor has joined me and we are mainly going to learn about nutrition and gardening as well as writing grant proposals. It should be an information packed week. I'm not gonna lie, it's going to be difficult to go back to the rural after such a fun filled 2 weeks!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Bomet and Beyond
Sooo much to catch up on since my announcement of moving sites. I have now been at my new site for almost 2 weeks, but let’s start somewhat before the move.
Hannah’s house was so much fun and I’m so lucky to have a friend like her to let me stay there so long. We had a blast in a glass! She lives close to a city so one day to celebrate we went into El Doret and bar hoped! During the days when we had no work to do, we just made paper beads and were super crafty. She has hot showers, western toilets and electricity! Plus she has a tv, so we watched Grey’s Anatomy! It felt like I was in America! Anyway, sufficient to say, I was reluctant to leave considering the unknown that lay ahead with my move.
Anyway, Peace Corps finally picked me up after a long, but fun, two weeks at Hannahs late on a Monday afternoon. We didn’t arrive to my old site Matayos until 8pm and they were making me leave by 11am the next morning! So I was a frantic mess packing everything, trying to say my goodbyes…Unfortunately when I got there, all the electronics I had left at my house were stolen. My house wasn’t broken into, so it was one of the 2 people I had trusted with a spare key and I have a feeling I know which one. But everyone denied denied denied so what was I suppose to do? Plus, I had to leave for my new site. It was so hard to say goodbye to all my students especially. All the teachers told me how much the kids loved me and my classes so I really felt like I was letting them down. I promised that I would visit in the future, but now Peace Corps is telling me I cannot even go back and visit the community because it’s not safe, etc. I’m really bummed, but understand it’s probably for the best.
So after the car was packed, Sangala and I headed 6 hours to my new community in the Peace Corps car. When we arrived, I was quite shocked. I was told I was going to be going to a community with electricity, atms, etc, but instead I showed up in the rural of the rural! My new home has no electricity in the entire village so if I want to charge my phone, I have to do it on a car battery! I think this is what I originally expected of what I was getting myself into when I joined Peace Corps, but then to be moved to a place with electricity before, I got use to having the luxury. Now, it’s hard to go back and adjust! My computer is so old it doesn’t really work unless it’s plugged in so I can’t do any work on my computer. There’s an internet café about an hour walk away, but I went there the other day and it took almost 30 minutes to load 2 emails!
So, it’s going to be an adjustment, but my new supervisor is really nice and has been showing me all the ropes. He took me into Bomet and showed me the post office. There’s also a library in the market town which is awesome. The only problem is that these are all a 2 hour walk for me so when I go into town I’ll have to make a big day of it and get things done. There’s not even public transportation that comes out to my house. Speaking of my house, it’s small, but cozy and I really like it (besides the electricity thing). I have a small bedroom, which basically only fits a bed, a living room and another small room I’ve made into a kitchen. My supervisor took me to buy a couch and some book shelves to it’s all coming together nicely. My water comes from the rain and I can just collect it right outside so that’s not too bad either. It rains pretty much 24/7 lately so walking to work is so muddy, I’m always praying I don’t fall on my butt.
I am now attached to a dispensary for my primary project. It’s so small and we maybe get 4 patients a day so I just basically have been sitting there reading and trying to get to know people. On Thursdays we have a clinic for pregnant mothers and newborns so things pick up somewhat. I’ve started teaching the mothers each week about different issues such as malaria, HIV, nutrition etc. At the clinic we also weigh babies and give injections. It’s so fun to weigh the babies because all we have is a hanging scale so we have to tie the babies up in a cloth and hang them from the scale. It’s so cute seeing them hang there haha! I’ll have to take some pictures. I also take this time to learn some of the local language. Everyone is excited to teach me Calingen and I’m trying, although it sounds like Chinese to me.
I think Sangala is liking the new site because there’s some other dogs there. They are sorta vicious African dogs though and sometimes attack him so that scares his mommy a lot! I always run out and pick him up. It probably discredits him in front of the other dogs, but I can’t help it, he’s my baby! I’m having major separation anxiety because I’ve had to leave him for a little over 2 week! I’m having the mama on my compound take care of him. He cried so hard when I left :(
Anyway, so I’m away from site. First was Thanksgiving. I went to my friends Cassidy and JoJo’s site which is only a few hours away from my new place. We slaughtered a chicken, made fish, mashed potatoes, squash soup, pumpkin break, honey glazed carrots, and even had an apple pie! It was delicious. The problem is, I’m not use to eating like this, so Sunday, when we all left to go to our training together in Nairobi, I got sick…on the driver. I had a little 24 hour bug and couldn’t travel on with the rest of the group so I stayed in a hotel to recover for the night. In the morning I felt better and headed up to training to meet up with everyone else.
Now I’m in Limuru at a nice hotel getting to catch up with all my Peace Corps friends for Inner-Service Training. We are learning about income generating activities, tree planting and sharing experiences from the last 3 months at site. It’s weird for me because now I’m at a new site and have only been there for 2 weeks so I don’t have a lot to contribute. But it’s great seeing everyone and we are having a blast. The food is good, there are hot showers, western toilets and, best of all, internet! It’s good to be connected again.
I’ve updated my new address to the left so feel free to keep the goods coming! I’ll try to stay in touch as much as I can, but now with my new living situation, I’ll be somewhat cut off. Letter work really well and I’m happy to write now that I have all this time at night without electricity. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and I was thinking of home. It was good to talk on the phone with my family! K well I’m off for now, but if you email me within the next 2 weeks I’ll be available!
Tutuonana!
Hannah’s house was so much fun and I’m so lucky to have a friend like her to let me stay there so long. We had a blast in a glass! She lives close to a city so one day to celebrate we went into El Doret and bar hoped! During the days when we had no work to do, we just made paper beads and were super crafty. She has hot showers, western toilets and electricity! Plus she has a tv, so we watched Grey’s Anatomy! It felt like I was in America! Anyway, sufficient to say, I was reluctant to leave considering the unknown that lay ahead with my move.
Anyway, Peace Corps finally picked me up after a long, but fun, two weeks at Hannahs late on a Monday afternoon. We didn’t arrive to my old site Matayos until 8pm and they were making me leave by 11am the next morning! So I was a frantic mess packing everything, trying to say my goodbyes…Unfortunately when I got there, all the electronics I had left at my house were stolen. My house wasn’t broken into, so it was one of the 2 people I had trusted with a spare key and I have a feeling I know which one. But everyone denied denied denied so what was I suppose to do? Plus, I had to leave for my new site. It was so hard to say goodbye to all my students especially. All the teachers told me how much the kids loved me and my classes so I really felt like I was letting them down. I promised that I would visit in the future, but now Peace Corps is telling me I cannot even go back and visit the community because it’s not safe, etc. I’m really bummed, but understand it’s probably for the best.
So after the car was packed, Sangala and I headed 6 hours to my new community in the Peace Corps car. When we arrived, I was quite shocked. I was told I was going to be going to a community with electricity, atms, etc, but instead I showed up in the rural of the rural! My new home has no electricity in the entire village so if I want to charge my phone, I have to do it on a car battery! I think this is what I originally expected of what I was getting myself into when I joined Peace Corps, but then to be moved to a place with electricity before, I got use to having the luxury. Now, it’s hard to go back and adjust! My computer is so old it doesn’t really work unless it’s plugged in so I can’t do any work on my computer. There’s an internet café about an hour walk away, but I went there the other day and it took almost 30 minutes to load 2 emails!
So, it’s going to be an adjustment, but my new supervisor is really nice and has been showing me all the ropes. He took me into Bomet and showed me the post office. There’s also a library in the market town which is awesome. The only problem is that these are all a 2 hour walk for me so when I go into town I’ll have to make a big day of it and get things done. There’s not even public transportation that comes out to my house. Speaking of my house, it’s small, but cozy and I really like it (besides the electricity thing). I have a small bedroom, which basically only fits a bed, a living room and another small room I’ve made into a kitchen. My supervisor took me to buy a couch and some book shelves to it’s all coming together nicely. My water comes from the rain and I can just collect it right outside so that’s not too bad either. It rains pretty much 24/7 lately so walking to work is so muddy, I’m always praying I don’t fall on my butt.
I am now attached to a dispensary for my primary project. It’s so small and we maybe get 4 patients a day so I just basically have been sitting there reading and trying to get to know people. On Thursdays we have a clinic for pregnant mothers and newborns so things pick up somewhat. I’ve started teaching the mothers each week about different issues such as malaria, HIV, nutrition etc. At the clinic we also weigh babies and give injections. It’s so fun to weigh the babies because all we have is a hanging scale so we have to tie the babies up in a cloth and hang them from the scale. It’s so cute seeing them hang there haha! I’ll have to take some pictures. I also take this time to learn some of the local language. Everyone is excited to teach me Calingen and I’m trying, although it sounds like Chinese to me.
I think Sangala is liking the new site because there’s some other dogs there. They are sorta vicious African dogs though and sometimes attack him so that scares his mommy a lot! I always run out and pick him up. It probably discredits him in front of the other dogs, but I can’t help it, he’s my baby! I’m having major separation anxiety because I’ve had to leave him for a little over 2 week! I’m having the mama on my compound take care of him. He cried so hard when I left :(
Anyway, so I’m away from site. First was Thanksgiving. I went to my friends Cassidy and JoJo’s site which is only a few hours away from my new place. We slaughtered a chicken, made fish, mashed potatoes, squash soup, pumpkin break, honey glazed carrots, and even had an apple pie! It was delicious. The problem is, I’m not use to eating like this, so Sunday, when we all left to go to our training together in Nairobi, I got sick…on the driver. I had a little 24 hour bug and couldn’t travel on with the rest of the group so I stayed in a hotel to recover for the night. In the morning I felt better and headed up to training to meet up with everyone else.
Now I’m in Limuru at a nice hotel getting to catch up with all my Peace Corps friends for Inner-Service Training. We are learning about income generating activities, tree planting and sharing experiences from the last 3 months at site. It’s weird for me because now I’m at a new site and have only been there for 2 weeks so I don’t have a lot to contribute. But it’s great seeing everyone and we are having a blast. The food is good, there are hot showers, western toilets and, best of all, internet! It’s good to be connected again.
I’ve updated my new address to the left so feel free to keep the goods coming! I’ll try to stay in touch as much as I can, but now with my new living situation, I’ll be somewhat cut off. Letter work really well and I’m happy to write now that I have all this time at night without electricity. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and I was thinking of home. It was good to talk on the phone with my family! K well I’m off for now, but if you email me within the next 2 weeks I’ll be available!
Tutuonana!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Kwaherini Matayos
These last few weeks have been such a hectic and stressful time for me. In fact, I’ve probably been the worst off I’ve been since I arrived in Kenya. Let me recap:
I went to Kisumu for Halloween and had an amazing time. I was a zebra, my friend was a giraffe and my other friend was an elephant. I was walking around bucking my foot like a horse and making people hand feed me carrots. It was a great time! I had candy, pizza and amazing food. Kisumu is always a great escape from the village.
Anyway, so after a high weekend, I began a VERY low week. I arrived back to a strange man hanging around my site. For security reasons I cannot tell the entire story, but basically he ended up telling people I had “fallen in love with him” was “begging him” to marry me and it was causing problems with him and his wife. For one, this guy wasn’t even from my village and two, I knew him for a day before he was saying this. So because of this and some other security threats, I had to leave site and go stay with my friend Hannah.
I’ve been at Hannah’s now for about a week and half and I’ve finally received news on what my future holds. Peace Corps has informed me that I have to leave my site…I have to leave everything I have started, all my health clubs, students, friends, organization and completely start over in a new village hours away from my original home. It has been devastating information to receive. I was finally beginning to feel apart of my community and making some real connections. I was finally getting real work done, but now I have to pick up everything I know and move to a village that is not even in the same providence let alone speaks the same language.
I’ve been trying to take this in stride, it’s been extremely difficult to accept, but I’m trying to remain positive. On Monday I will be moving to Bomet, Kenya which is in the Lower Rift Valley. They speak Kallengin and are located in the highlands so life will be colder than I’m use to. One positive about this is that it is located near the Maasi Mara which is a tourist hot spot here in Kenya. Also, I’m thinking about it as another chance to explore more of Kenya. It is not going to be easy, and I’m defiantly nervous to start over, but if I could do it before, I can do it again.
I do not know the new address just yet, but I will post it as soon as I do. I travel back to Matayos on Monday to collect my things and then Peace Corps will be helping me move into my new home in Bomet. I’m asking for all your prayers in this difficult transition. Thank you again for all the support. I truly am blessed.
I went to Kisumu for Halloween and had an amazing time. I was a zebra, my friend was a giraffe and my other friend was an elephant. I was walking around bucking my foot like a horse and making people hand feed me carrots. It was a great time! I had candy, pizza and amazing food. Kisumu is always a great escape from the village.
Anyway, so after a high weekend, I began a VERY low week. I arrived back to a strange man hanging around my site. For security reasons I cannot tell the entire story, but basically he ended up telling people I had “fallen in love with him” was “begging him” to marry me and it was causing problems with him and his wife. For one, this guy wasn’t even from my village and two, I knew him for a day before he was saying this. So because of this and some other security threats, I had to leave site and go stay with my friend Hannah.
I’ve been at Hannah’s now for about a week and half and I’ve finally received news on what my future holds. Peace Corps has informed me that I have to leave my site…I have to leave everything I have started, all my health clubs, students, friends, organization and completely start over in a new village hours away from my original home. It has been devastating information to receive. I was finally beginning to feel apart of my community and making some real connections. I was finally getting real work done, but now I have to pick up everything I know and move to a village that is not even in the same providence let alone speaks the same language.
I’ve been trying to take this in stride, it’s been extremely difficult to accept, but I’m trying to remain positive. On Monday I will be moving to Bomet, Kenya which is in the Lower Rift Valley. They speak Kallengin and are located in the highlands so life will be colder than I’m use to. One positive about this is that it is located near the Maasi Mara which is a tourist hot spot here in Kenya. Also, I’m thinking about it as another chance to explore more of Kenya. It is not going to be easy, and I’m defiantly nervous to start over, but if I could do it before, I can do it again.
I do not know the new address just yet, but I will post it as soon as I do. I travel back to Matayos on Monday to collect my things and then Peace Corps will be helping me move into my new home in Bomet. I’m asking for all your prayers in this difficult transition. Thank you again for all the support. I truly am blessed.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Gettin Jiggy With It
I haven’t written a blog update in awhile because I felt like not much was happening in my life, or at least nothing important enough to share. Until today when I started to reflect on my last few months here and realized how much I really have done in such a short amount of time. Although there is a lot of down time, when I do get out and about I like to think I’m really making a difference.
My health clubs are going great! I’ve got 2 going strong and another 2 in the works so by next week I should have 4 functioning health clubs. So far we’ve talked about assessing our values and how our behavior reflects on those values, we’ve learned about risky behaviors and their consequences and we’ve played a lot of fun games. One day we played “AIDS Attacker” where one person is AIDS and everyone else has a card that says either “has many sexual partners”, “uses condoms every time”, “abstains, says no to sex”, “is faithful to uninfected partner”, “has STD”, or “uses condoms occasionally”. When the “AIDS Attacker” tags someone then everyone has to decide if that person would be vulnerable for HIV depending on what their card read. It was really fun and the kids had a great time running around and tagging each other. I’ve gotten to know the teachers pretty well too and have even had dinner at one of their homes. They are really supportive and it’s nice to be making friends. One of the schools, Emprizza, is a non-profit school that completely supports the children who go there. If you’d like to consider being a donor please contact me and I will give you their information. They are a great organization and not only help vulnerable children attend school, they also have community outreach projects. Another project they are working on is creating a community library so if you would like to donate any books, please send them my way!
I attended World Food Day on October 14th in a village called Nesewa. There were all these different booths set up which were advertising different information to farmers and villagers such as food productivity, livestock keeping and energy efficient cooking methods. They had all this amazing food that I had never tried and some staple Kenyan dishes with twists to make them healthier and tastier. There was dancing from local school children, singing and even acting. The village chief gave a really inspiring speech about how lucky we are here in Matayos to have stable food resources when our neighbors up in the northeast are starving daily. It really makes me feel grateful.
I also attended another event this month for World Hand Washing Day. It was held at a local school in the village of Muyafwa. We taught the children how to properly wash their hands and the importance of using soap. We also showed people how to build affordable hand washing stations out of sticks, a jerry can and some rope. Finally, we treated people who were infected by Jiggers. No, “getting jiggy with it” is not a good thing here in Kenya! In fact, Jiggers affect 10% of the households here in Matayos and only 40% of those infected have been treated due to lack of disinfect chemicals needed to treat them. If you don’t know what Jiggers are, they are tiny bugs about the size of flees that live in dust and lay eggs in your skin. When they grow they are incredibly painful and cause people to loose their limbs. They can easily spread to the hands and other body parts as well. So we went to a few local homes to treat the worst cases and the rest of the people made their way to the school where we had a mass treatment center. I cleaned between the nastiest feet I’ve ever seen.
I went to the Chief’s Baraza about a week ago. A Baraza is a community meeting where people can get together and discuss issues with the leaders. Basically I learned that there are women doing illegal brewing of alcohol in the villages in order to support themselves and the Chief wants to get them away from that by creating some other income generating activities (IGAs). So I’ve come up with an idea to teach the women how to make bracelets with the Kenyan flag on them. I learned how to make them when I did the site shadowing with PCV Louis Vayo. Anyway, the women were really interested so with their help, I’m going to buy the beads this next time I’m in Nairobi, and then I’m going to set up a class to teach them.
Besides that I have been traveling on the weekends when I can. I’ve visited a few other volunteers’ sites and have seen how they live and what they are doing. It always feels good to hang out with Americans because I don’t have to speak slowly or in broken English. My friend Hannah literally lives in a mansion. She has a puppy too so I brought Sangala up to visit and we had a great time pretending we weren’t in Africa in her mansion. I don’t know how Peace Corps set her up with that, but all I know is she’s one lucky volunteer. She even has hot showers! I’ll be back to visit her for sure ;)
Since then, I’ve been trying to stay in site more on the weekends. This coming weekend will be my third straight weekend in site. I’m going a little stir crazy, but staying the weekend really makes a difference. I go to church with local friends and play soccer with some of my students. The weekend is a time when I can really spend quality time with community members and I’m trying to make the most of it. I’ve been running again and that feels good. Oh and I finally bought a full length mirror, which I have to say is an essential item for an only child and I have missed it so. I got a virus on my computer which really freaked me out, although I have to say it is a miracle that the same computer that I’ve had since Freshman year of college is STILL working. Luckily, another computer savvy PCV named Daniel talked me through how to fix in on the phone and it’s working again so I’m soooo relieved. I watch a lot of movies on my computer and also have work related activities, so it would have been a bummer if it could not have been fixed.
Anyway, thank you for those of you who have written or sent me a package here in Matayos! Note to everyone, if you send smaller items in padded envelopes they come quicker. Also, on the customs form where it asks how much the items you are sending cost, lie! The more they cost, the more I have to spend to pick them up. Either way though, keep them coming. Special thanks to Sharron and Sarah for the toys, candy, roach trap, magazines, etc. I practically cried when I opened it! If you are thinking of things to send me, any magazines, old or new, would be great because I want to teach the women headed households how to make paper beads and sell them for profit. Oh and since Thanksgiving is coming up, if you want to send a dried gravy mix, that would be awesome too!
Love and miss you all and hope everything is going well back in the States.
<3, Nekesa
My health clubs are going great! I’ve got 2 going strong and another 2 in the works so by next week I should have 4 functioning health clubs. So far we’ve talked about assessing our values and how our behavior reflects on those values, we’ve learned about risky behaviors and their consequences and we’ve played a lot of fun games. One day we played “AIDS Attacker” where one person is AIDS and everyone else has a card that says either “has many sexual partners”, “uses condoms every time”, “abstains, says no to sex”, “is faithful to uninfected partner”, “has STD”, or “uses condoms occasionally”. When the “AIDS Attacker” tags someone then everyone has to decide if that person would be vulnerable for HIV depending on what their card read. It was really fun and the kids had a great time running around and tagging each other. I’ve gotten to know the teachers pretty well too and have even had dinner at one of their homes. They are really supportive and it’s nice to be making friends. One of the schools, Emprizza, is a non-profit school that completely supports the children who go there. If you’d like to consider being a donor please contact me and I will give you their information. They are a great organization and not only help vulnerable children attend school, they also have community outreach projects. Another project they are working on is creating a community library so if you would like to donate any books, please send them my way!
I attended World Food Day on October 14th in a village called Nesewa. There were all these different booths set up which were advertising different information to farmers and villagers such as food productivity, livestock keeping and energy efficient cooking methods. They had all this amazing food that I had never tried and some staple Kenyan dishes with twists to make them healthier and tastier. There was dancing from local school children, singing and even acting. The village chief gave a really inspiring speech about how lucky we are here in Matayos to have stable food resources when our neighbors up in the northeast are starving daily. It really makes me feel grateful.
I also attended another event this month for World Hand Washing Day. It was held at a local school in the village of Muyafwa. We taught the children how to properly wash their hands and the importance of using soap. We also showed people how to build affordable hand washing stations out of sticks, a jerry can and some rope. Finally, we treated people who were infected by Jiggers. No, “getting jiggy with it” is not a good thing here in Kenya! In fact, Jiggers affect 10% of the households here in Matayos and only 40% of those infected have been treated due to lack of disinfect chemicals needed to treat them. If you don’t know what Jiggers are, they are tiny bugs about the size of flees that live in dust and lay eggs in your skin. When they grow they are incredibly painful and cause people to loose their limbs. They can easily spread to the hands and other body parts as well. So we went to a few local homes to treat the worst cases and the rest of the people made their way to the school where we had a mass treatment center. I cleaned between the nastiest feet I’ve ever seen.
I went to the Chief’s Baraza about a week ago. A Baraza is a community meeting where people can get together and discuss issues with the leaders. Basically I learned that there are women doing illegal brewing of alcohol in the villages in order to support themselves and the Chief wants to get them away from that by creating some other income generating activities (IGAs). So I’ve come up with an idea to teach the women how to make bracelets with the Kenyan flag on them. I learned how to make them when I did the site shadowing with PCV Louis Vayo. Anyway, the women were really interested so with their help, I’m going to buy the beads this next time I’m in Nairobi, and then I’m going to set up a class to teach them.
Besides that I have been traveling on the weekends when I can. I’ve visited a few other volunteers’ sites and have seen how they live and what they are doing. It always feels good to hang out with Americans because I don’t have to speak slowly or in broken English. My friend Hannah literally lives in a mansion. She has a puppy too so I brought Sangala up to visit and we had a great time pretending we weren’t in Africa in her mansion. I don’t know how Peace Corps set her up with that, but all I know is she’s one lucky volunteer. She even has hot showers! I’ll be back to visit her for sure ;)
Since then, I’ve been trying to stay in site more on the weekends. This coming weekend will be my third straight weekend in site. I’m going a little stir crazy, but staying the weekend really makes a difference. I go to church with local friends and play soccer with some of my students. The weekend is a time when I can really spend quality time with community members and I’m trying to make the most of it. I’ve been running again and that feels good. Oh and I finally bought a full length mirror, which I have to say is an essential item for an only child and I have missed it so. I got a virus on my computer which really freaked me out, although I have to say it is a miracle that the same computer that I’ve had since Freshman year of college is STILL working. Luckily, another computer savvy PCV named Daniel talked me through how to fix in on the phone and it’s working again so I’m soooo relieved. I watch a lot of movies on my computer and also have work related activities, so it would have been a bummer if it could not have been fixed.
Anyway, thank you for those of you who have written or sent me a package here in Matayos! Note to everyone, if you send smaller items in padded envelopes they come quicker. Also, on the customs form where it asks how much the items you are sending cost, lie! The more they cost, the more I have to spend to pick them up. Either way though, keep them coming. Special thanks to Sharron and Sarah for the toys, candy, roach trap, magazines, etc. I practically cried when I opened it! If you are thinking of things to send me, any magazines, old or new, would be great because I want to teach the women headed households how to make paper beads and sell them for profit. Oh and since Thanksgiving is coming up, if you want to send a dried gravy mix, that would be awesome too!
Love and miss you all and hope everything is going well back in the States.
<3, Nekesa
Friday, September 16, 2011
Introducing Nekesa!
That’s me! My new KiLuyah name is Nekesa. It means the harvest. They gave me the name Nekesa because I came to Kenya around the time of the harvest. Most children are named after the season or time of day they are born. I was born in January and that name means “hunger” or something so I told them I’d prefer to be named after the time I was born a Kenyan. So here I am, Nekesa, just a typical village girl who baths in a bucket, hand washes her clothes and catches her water from the rain. Yup, that’s me now haha. I’m getting use to it and life is very calming here. I have so much time to reflect on myself and who I am, what my values are, who I want to be, what demons I need to face…it really has been a personal journey more than anything else. It’s not always easy being in my mind, but when there’s not much else to do I might as well take the time to reflect I suppose.
The last week has been overall good. Besides the usual malaria sessions I perform with Pembe Tatu, I was able to go see the World Food Program hand out food to those most vulnerable in a local village. The community members vote on the people in their village who are most in need of the food and then those people get to come once a month and collect corn, beans and cooking oil. WFP has sponsors from all over the world and each bag of food is printed with the country donor that sponsored it. It’s good to see America’s flag on a number of the bags. It shows people we really do care. I’m not necessarily for handouts, but I think it’s better than going to bed hungry.
I got in a pretty bad bicycle accident the other day. Don’t worry, I’m ok, but it defiantly gave me a reality shock and I may not be riding my bike for awhile. I live on a main highway, but people bike on it all the time too. So I was following another biker when out of no where a huge bus came by, hit me on the side and I went flying off the side of the road! They didn’t even stop to see if I was ok! Luckily some of the villagers ran to my rescue. I got the wind knocked out of me so I couldn’t even speak. They threw me into their car and rushed me to the Health Center (the same one I work at, which was a little embarrassing). By the time I got there, I was fine except my hand was really messed up. It’s been swollen for about a week now and badly bruised, but honestly I was lucky I just wasn’t more hurt. I really feel like God is watching over me here.
Life is hard here, much more difficult than the typical Americans. I went to a house the other day to pass my condolences on to some parents who had lost their 3 day old baby. I saw the baby’s lifeless little body. It was so hard not to cry right there and then. The parents didn’t know why she had even died. I couldn’t help but think that if this was America, this might not have happened. People don’t have access to the same medical luxuries here. When I got in my accident all they did was put iodine on my scratches and feel my hand to make sure it wasn’t broken. They don’t even have access to x-ray. Anyway, the father said to me, “Everybody says this is all a part of God’s plan, but I don’t understand why God would take my child from me. She didn’t even get to know I exist.” It was truly tragic.
Speaking of the medical system, I went to help deliver a baby the other day and was so excited, but the mother was having trouble dilating (they don’t have drugs to induce that here or even pain medication), so she had to be referred to the nearest city. They didn’t have a personal vehicle so they had to take the local transport! The matatu is the local transport and it’s so crowded there are people sitting on top of one another, the drivers drive like they are high on glue and it always smells like armpit and fish in there…I can’t imagine being in labor on one. Anyway, I don’t want to hear any complaining out of American mothers in labor ever again…just imagine giving birth in Africa. There’s one labor room and a bunk room for the new mothers. The babies don’t even have cribs!
So on the bright side I have began plans to start my Health Club at the local girls boarding high school and I’m really excited! The Guidance Counselor there is going to help me. Next week I’m going in to promote the club and hopefully girls will sign up. I’ll be teaching them everything from HIV/AIDS and STI awareness to the importance of having self-esteem, goal setting, time management, relationships, reproductive health and many more important topics. I’m planning on doing a lot of creative learning through art and theater because they don’t get a lot of that in school. Schools here are very exam centered and they don’t get anytime to do any fun activities. This is also where I’m hoping to start my soccer team. I think it will be a good way to have fun and also incorporate health. I’m really looking forward to this because I think it will give me something to do that will hopefully really make a difference in these girls lives.
Anywhoooo, miss you all back home! Thank you to all of you who have been reading my blog. I also want to say to my Cousin Logan, congratulations again! Love and miss you!
Sincerely,
Nekesa
xo
The last week has been overall good. Besides the usual malaria sessions I perform with Pembe Tatu, I was able to go see the World Food Program hand out food to those most vulnerable in a local village. The community members vote on the people in their village who are most in need of the food and then those people get to come once a month and collect corn, beans and cooking oil. WFP has sponsors from all over the world and each bag of food is printed with the country donor that sponsored it. It’s good to see America’s flag on a number of the bags. It shows people we really do care. I’m not necessarily for handouts, but I think it’s better than going to bed hungry.
I got in a pretty bad bicycle accident the other day. Don’t worry, I’m ok, but it defiantly gave me a reality shock and I may not be riding my bike for awhile. I live on a main highway, but people bike on it all the time too. So I was following another biker when out of no where a huge bus came by, hit me on the side and I went flying off the side of the road! They didn’t even stop to see if I was ok! Luckily some of the villagers ran to my rescue. I got the wind knocked out of me so I couldn’t even speak. They threw me into their car and rushed me to the Health Center (the same one I work at, which was a little embarrassing). By the time I got there, I was fine except my hand was really messed up. It’s been swollen for about a week now and badly bruised, but honestly I was lucky I just wasn’t more hurt. I really feel like God is watching over me here.
Life is hard here, much more difficult than the typical Americans. I went to a house the other day to pass my condolences on to some parents who had lost their 3 day old baby. I saw the baby’s lifeless little body. It was so hard not to cry right there and then. The parents didn’t know why she had even died. I couldn’t help but think that if this was America, this might not have happened. People don’t have access to the same medical luxuries here. When I got in my accident all they did was put iodine on my scratches and feel my hand to make sure it wasn’t broken. They don’t even have access to x-ray. Anyway, the father said to me, “Everybody says this is all a part of God’s plan, but I don’t understand why God would take my child from me. She didn’t even get to know I exist.” It was truly tragic.
Speaking of the medical system, I went to help deliver a baby the other day and was so excited, but the mother was having trouble dilating (they don’t have drugs to induce that here or even pain medication), so she had to be referred to the nearest city. They didn’t have a personal vehicle so they had to take the local transport! The matatu is the local transport and it’s so crowded there are people sitting on top of one another, the drivers drive like they are high on glue and it always smells like armpit and fish in there…I can’t imagine being in labor on one. Anyway, I don’t want to hear any complaining out of American mothers in labor ever again…just imagine giving birth in Africa. There’s one labor room and a bunk room for the new mothers. The babies don’t even have cribs!
So on the bright side I have began plans to start my Health Club at the local girls boarding high school and I’m really excited! The Guidance Counselor there is going to help me. Next week I’m going in to promote the club and hopefully girls will sign up. I’ll be teaching them everything from HIV/AIDS and STI awareness to the importance of having self-esteem, goal setting, time management, relationships, reproductive health and many more important topics. I’m planning on doing a lot of creative learning through art and theater because they don’t get a lot of that in school. Schools here are very exam centered and they don’t get anytime to do any fun activities. This is also where I’m hoping to start my soccer team. I think it will be a good way to have fun and also incorporate health. I’m really looking forward to this because I think it will give me something to do that will hopefully really make a difference in these girls lives.
Anywhoooo, miss you all back home! Thank you to all of you who have been reading my blog. I also want to say to my Cousin Logan, congratulations again! Love and miss you!
Sincerely,
Nekesa
xo
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Village Life
Life in the village is slow, but good. I've been trying to keep myself busy, but then other days i just laze around and do nothing absolutely nothing, which feels amazing. My puppy, Sangala is good and healthy. The vet came and gave him a vaccine for rabbies and deworming. He'll be the healthiest dog here that’s for sure. Whenever I’m busy out doing work, my new friend Millie watches him for me. She even feeds him! He’s stopped crying so much at night too so that makes me happy. We are making progress in our little life here in Matayos.
Anyway, the other day I ran into a bunch of American missionaries that were about my age so I asked them if I could go out with them for the day. We walked way back into the villages and I heard some really sad stories from families that are struggling. One house we went to had a child with a horrible skin disease. She was only 10 months old and the mother could not even afford soap. I think the disease could be prevented with just basic hygiene, but when there is lack of water and money, families have to make priorities and food is number one. It’s hard to see suffering like that because it makes me just want to do something immediately, like take the child home with me and care for her. Anyway, at another house there was this old man who couldn't walk. He told us that sometimes when it rains he gets stuck outside and rained on because no one will be home to carry him inside. His wife has to predict when to go to the markets based on the rains so she can be there to help him, but predicting the weather is not the easiest thing, so he sometimes gets rained on or else they will starve. Anyway I told them I live here and to come to the clinic if they can and I will talk to a doctor with them. I oddly have a lot of authority here, sadly I think because I'm white. They think I'm like a doctor myself or something. I was telling the nurse the other day that the reason why I'm in health is because of experience I've had with San Francisco Aids Foundation and she couldn't believe I didn't even study medicine in university.
I've been volunteering a little at the VCT too (voluntary counseling and testing) and helping out with the HIV testing. It's intense because you can see the fear in someone’s eyes when they come to get tested and the whole time I'm just praying please don't test positive. I sat in on an HIV support group the other day too. It was really interesting, but also made me concerned because I’m not sure how I can really help. I mean these people already KNOW about HIV etc, so I can’t teach them anything new really. What it seems like they need most is funding for their group so they can expand their farm and make more money for their families. Well money is something I don’t have, and even if I did, I don’t want to just give it out because it’s not sustainable. So I said maybe I could show them some income generating activities or something. It feels like a heavy burden on my shoulders because they expect so much from me. I just hope I can help at least a little.
I've also began work with my primary organization, Pembe Tatu. We go way out into the villages and do talks about malaria and show people the amount of money they will lose getting malaria instead of just spending a little money on a net to sleep under. Then we demonstrate how to tie and hang the net. It's all in Kiswahili and I try, but I can't really help too much due to lack of language skills on my part. People are so shocked to see a white person. Unfortunately when they see me they automatically think I'm rich, have money and will give it to them. It's sad and racist. I wasn't even rich in America! But I mean when I go out to these villages it makes me think how lucky I really am. I complain about the cockroaches and whatnot, but in retrospect, these houses have far worse conditions and the people have little to nothing. They live that way their entire lives, whereas I only have to deal for 2 years. It gives me strength actually.
Anyway, I’m missing home and missing Americans in general now that I’ve been at site for awhile. While it’s nice to have down time, I think I might begin to go a little stir crazy soon haha! I made my neighbor come over and play cards with me today because I was so bored and had no electricity. I guess I’m just feeling like I don’t quite know what to do with myself. It will come though and soon enough I’m sure I’ll get busy once I find my place here. Tomorrow I’m buying a bicycle so hopefully I can start exploring even further!
Anyway, the other day I ran into a bunch of American missionaries that were about my age so I asked them if I could go out with them for the day. We walked way back into the villages and I heard some really sad stories from families that are struggling. One house we went to had a child with a horrible skin disease. She was only 10 months old and the mother could not even afford soap. I think the disease could be prevented with just basic hygiene, but when there is lack of water and money, families have to make priorities and food is number one. It’s hard to see suffering like that because it makes me just want to do something immediately, like take the child home with me and care for her. Anyway, at another house there was this old man who couldn't walk. He told us that sometimes when it rains he gets stuck outside and rained on because no one will be home to carry him inside. His wife has to predict when to go to the markets based on the rains so she can be there to help him, but predicting the weather is not the easiest thing, so he sometimes gets rained on or else they will starve. Anyway I told them I live here and to come to the clinic if they can and I will talk to a doctor with them. I oddly have a lot of authority here, sadly I think because I'm white. They think I'm like a doctor myself or something. I was telling the nurse the other day that the reason why I'm in health is because of experience I've had with San Francisco Aids Foundation and she couldn't believe I didn't even study medicine in university.
I've been volunteering a little at the VCT too (voluntary counseling and testing) and helping out with the HIV testing. It's intense because you can see the fear in someone’s eyes when they come to get tested and the whole time I'm just praying please don't test positive. I sat in on an HIV support group the other day too. It was really interesting, but also made me concerned because I’m not sure how I can really help. I mean these people already KNOW about HIV etc, so I can’t teach them anything new really. What it seems like they need most is funding for their group so they can expand their farm and make more money for their families. Well money is something I don’t have, and even if I did, I don’t want to just give it out because it’s not sustainable. So I said maybe I could show them some income generating activities or something. It feels like a heavy burden on my shoulders because they expect so much from me. I just hope I can help at least a little.
I've also began work with my primary organization, Pembe Tatu. We go way out into the villages and do talks about malaria and show people the amount of money they will lose getting malaria instead of just spending a little money on a net to sleep under. Then we demonstrate how to tie and hang the net. It's all in Kiswahili and I try, but I can't really help too much due to lack of language skills on my part. People are so shocked to see a white person. Unfortunately when they see me they automatically think I'm rich, have money and will give it to them. It's sad and racist. I wasn't even rich in America! But I mean when I go out to these villages it makes me think how lucky I really am. I complain about the cockroaches and whatnot, but in retrospect, these houses have far worse conditions and the people have little to nothing. They live that way their entire lives, whereas I only have to deal for 2 years. It gives me strength actually.
Anyway, I’m missing home and missing Americans in general now that I’ve been at site for awhile. While it’s nice to have down time, I think I might begin to go a little stir crazy soon haha! I made my neighbor come over and play cards with me today because I was so bored and had no electricity. I guess I’m just feeling like I don’t quite know what to do with myself. It will come though and soon enough I’m sure I’ll get busy once I find my place here. Tomorrow I’m buying a bicycle so hopefully I can start exploring even further!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Getting Settled pole pole (slowly)
This is my new mailing address:
Andrea Flynn-Schneider/PCV
c/o Pembe Tatu CBO
Kisumu Busia Highway
P.O. Box 15-50422
Matayos, Kenya
My phone number is:
+254704569552
you can skype it for I think 15 cents a minute.
I'm loving life so far in Matayos! Today I met the Chief and the Ministers and got their contact information so I can conduct one on one interviews. I have to do a report for the Peace Corps called the Community Needs Assessment that is due in 3 months and it's intense work! I have to do everything from getting to know the local government to home to home interviews. The document will be really beneficial in the end though because it will assess the strengths and weaknesses of Matayos and provide ideas for upcoming projects. So I'm on my way to integration! Just wanted to give a short update! Sangala (my puppy) says Habari zenu? (how are you all?). Miss you! Send packages/letters and call/email often! I updated my wish list to the left as well! Thank you all for your support!
Andrea Flynn-Schneider/PCV
c/o Pembe Tatu CBO
Kisumu Busia Highway
P.O. Box 15-50422
Matayos, Kenya
My phone number is:
+254704569552
you can skype it for I think 15 cents a minute.
I'm loving life so far in Matayos! Today I met the Chief and the Ministers and got their contact information so I can conduct one on one interviews. I have to do a report for the Peace Corps called the Community Needs Assessment that is due in 3 months and it's intense work! I have to do everything from getting to know the local government to home to home interviews. The document will be really beneficial in the end though because it will assess the strengths and weaknesses of Matayos and provide ideas for upcoming projects. So I'm on my way to integration! Just wanted to give a short update! Sangala (my puppy) says Habari zenu? (how are you all?). Miss you! Send packages/letters and call/email often! I updated my wish list to the left as well! Thank you all for your support!
Friday, August 26, 2011
First Week at Site
My first week at site has been interesting to say the least. Leaving my Peace Corps friends behind in Nairobi was really hard. We bonded over our 10 weeks together in training. No one else will understand what it is like to go through hours of language classes, cultural lessons, technical training and little to no alone time like my Peace Corps friends. I feel lucky to have met such strong, smart and inspiring people. It is wonderful to be surrounded by people who share my same interest in humanitarianism and want to make a difference in this world. Anyway, our last few days in Nairobi were some of the most fun I’ve had here. Swearing in as an official volunteer was so special. We went to the American Ambassador’s residence which was amazing! It was huge and I was defiantly in reverse culture shock. He gave us a tour of the grounds and offered us some great advice for going to site. My fellow Peace Corps colleagues gave speeches along with some of the staff. We had incredible food! I’ve never ate so much! I had 2 hamburgers and a hotdog, potato salad, cupcakes, fruit and cake! I missed American food soooo much! There was even a coffee bar and I had an actual latte! Afterwards we went back to the hotel and popped some champagne to celebrate. We had dinner at the best Italian place and once again I stuffed my face. I guess my mindset was that I wouldn’t be having food like that for a long time haha. After gorging myself, we went out and danced off the pounds at a club. I had my first tequila shot in Kenya…to say the least, it settled just as bad as tequila in the States does for me…yuck! Ha!
The next morning, bright and early, we were off to our sites. Luckily I had a group of 4 other volunteers going my direction so we were able to take the same ride together. However, it was quite the adventure. First, our bus was almost 3 hours late, which sucked considering we had to wake up at 6am. Then, our bus almost tipped over and rolled down a hill. The bus driver parked on the side of a hill so everyone could use the “bathroom”/just a bush on the side of the road haha. When we got back on and were ready to go, the bus started tipping down the hill. It was so scary. All the Africans were just acting as if this was another normal day, but us 4 wazungu tailgated out of that bus as fast as we could! Soon everyone evacuated and then began our 3 hour wait on the side of the road well they tried to pull the bus up. This whole time we were taking bets on 1. when the bus would roll down the hill and 2. how it would flip. It took 3 different trucks to pull the bus out, but surprisingly they actually did (a little disappointing, we all kinda wanted to see it flip). So it was on with the journey. In total it took me almost 13 hours to get to site from Nairobi because of the little mishap of the bus tipping over. I arrived right when the sun was going down, had dinner at my supervisor’s house and then went to my house…
This is where God’s real test started. My house was/is infected with cockroaches. And I don’t mean like one or two, I mean like an unimaginable number of them everywhere! All over the walls, floor, they even some how got into my bed. It was terrifying because if you know me, the one thing I’m most afraid of besides blood, bats, snakes, and the dark, is bugs! I really think I was put here for a reason by God: to face my fears and grow the F up! I’ve been facing these bugs head on (not really by choice), but I’m quite proud of myself on being able to even function with them. I never would have even killed a cockroach in America (that was my dad’s job), but now I’m going Laura Croft on them!
Other than the cockroaches though, my house is huge! It has a kitchen with a sink and a fireplace, a huge living room, a western toilet (although it doesn’t flush), a western shower (although it doesn’t work as well), a pantry, and two bedrooms with built in closets! They provided a queen bed for me and I bought a mattress. This is my safe haven with my mosquito net up and me curled up inside keeping safe from the roaches, it’s actually quite peaceful. It’s hard to get any alone time though. Kenyans don’t understand the concept of space I’ve realized. Every two seconds there are kids knocking on my door wanting to play or just loiter. It’s kinda bothersome, but I’m trying to be polite about it. I’ve been playing soccer with the neighbor kids a lot too so that’s fun.
I went to church last Sunday which was a fun experience. Afterwards I went around and introduced myself to people. Later, in town, I saw someone who works with my organization (Mbu nje! Sisi Ndani!...translates into Mosquito Out, We in) and I told her I went to church and she was like “oh I already know”. “You know?” I asked. “Yes, it is going around that a mazungu was in church”. Great. So I think it will be hard to stay low profile here at all ha! But at the same time, my job isn’t about being low profile at all. I want to set a good example and show people that as an American I want to be apart of everything they do too. I make sure to actually have myself BE seen doing things the Kenyan way. I wash my clothes in the yard where everyone can see me, light and fan my jiko outside (what I use to cook on) and eat the same food they do. I also am trying to use my Kiswahili as much as I can, which always surprises them so much. Most people don’t know that I had 10 weeks of training before coming to site so they are shocked when I speak the language. Even when I tell them I’ve only been here for almost 3 months, they are surprised at how much I know. They think I’m fluent, but I know the truth, because as soon as they start speaking to me in Kiswahili, I freeze up and just give a blank “what the hell are you saying” stare! Haha! But I’m trying and I think they appreciate that. Most people here actually speak KiLuhya so I’m going to try to learn some of that language too if I can. My counterpart is a teacher so hopefully she’ll be able to do some tutoring for me.
Anyway, my life is slowly coming together. Now that I’m at site, I’ve had a lot more time to think about home and all the things I left behind. I’m starting to realize how much I sacrificed to be here and actually I still have no regrets whatsoever. I think I can really make a difference here and have already had some great cross-cultural conversations with the locals. I’m looking forward to getting closer with my community and actually getting some work done. But one thing at a time. Life is much slower here and I think if I just take the time to get to know people and the culture first, I will get a lot more done in the end.
I miss and love you all. You are in my prayers.
The next morning, bright and early, we were off to our sites. Luckily I had a group of 4 other volunteers going my direction so we were able to take the same ride together. However, it was quite the adventure. First, our bus was almost 3 hours late, which sucked considering we had to wake up at 6am. Then, our bus almost tipped over and rolled down a hill. The bus driver parked on the side of a hill so everyone could use the “bathroom”/just a bush on the side of the road haha. When we got back on and were ready to go, the bus started tipping down the hill. It was so scary. All the Africans were just acting as if this was another normal day, but us 4 wazungu tailgated out of that bus as fast as we could! Soon everyone evacuated and then began our 3 hour wait on the side of the road well they tried to pull the bus up. This whole time we were taking bets on 1. when the bus would roll down the hill and 2. how it would flip. It took 3 different trucks to pull the bus out, but surprisingly they actually did (a little disappointing, we all kinda wanted to see it flip). So it was on with the journey. In total it took me almost 13 hours to get to site from Nairobi because of the little mishap of the bus tipping over. I arrived right when the sun was going down, had dinner at my supervisor’s house and then went to my house…
This is where God’s real test started. My house was/is infected with cockroaches. And I don’t mean like one or two, I mean like an unimaginable number of them everywhere! All over the walls, floor, they even some how got into my bed. It was terrifying because if you know me, the one thing I’m most afraid of besides blood, bats, snakes, and the dark, is bugs! I really think I was put here for a reason by God: to face my fears and grow the F up! I’ve been facing these bugs head on (not really by choice), but I’m quite proud of myself on being able to even function with them. I never would have even killed a cockroach in America (that was my dad’s job), but now I’m going Laura Croft on them!
Other than the cockroaches though, my house is huge! It has a kitchen with a sink and a fireplace, a huge living room, a western toilet (although it doesn’t flush), a western shower (although it doesn’t work as well), a pantry, and two bedrooms with built in closets! They provided a queen bed for me and I bought a mattress. This is my safe haven with my mosquito net up and me curled up inside keeping safe from the roaches, it’s actually quite peaceful. It’s hard to get any alone time though. Kenyans don’t understand the concept of space I’ve realized. Every two seconds there are kids knocking on my door wanting to play or just loiter. It’s kinda bothersome, but I’m trying to be polite about it. I’ve been playing soccer with the neighbor kids a lot too so that’s fun.
I went to church last Sunday which was a fun experience. Afterwards I went around and introduced myself to people. Later, in town, I saw someone who works with my organization (Mbu nje! Sisi Ndani!...translates into Mosquito Out, We in) and I told her I went to church and she was like “oh I already know”. “You know?” I asked. “Yes, it is going around that a mazungu was in church”. Great. So I think it will be hard to stay low profile here at all ha! But at the same time, my job isn’t about being low profile at all. I want to set a good example and show people that as an American I want to be apart of everything they do too. I make sure to actually have myself BE seen doing things the Kenyan way. I wash my clothes in the yard where everyone can see me, light and fan my jiko outside (what I use to cook on) and eat the same food they do. I also am trying to use my Kiswahili as much as I can, which always surprises them so much. Most people don’t know that I had 10 weeks of training before coming to site so they are shocked when I speak the language. Even when I tell them I’ve only been here for almost 3 months, they are surprised at how much I know. They think I’m fluent, but I know the truth, because as soon as they start speaking to me in Kiswahili, I freeze up and just give a blank “what the hell are you saying” stare! Haha! But I’m trying and I think they appreciate that. Most people here actually speak KiLuhya so I’m going to try to learn some of that language too if I can. My counterpart is a teacher so hopefully she’ll be able to do some tutoring for me.
Anyway, my life is slowly coming together. Now that I’m at site, I’ve had a lot more time to think about home and all the things I left behind. I’m starting to realize how much I sacrificed to be here and actually I still have no regrets whatsoever. I think I can really make a difference here and have already had some great cross-cultural conversations with the locals. I’m looking forward to getting closer with my community and actually getting some work done. But one thing at a time. Life is much slower here and I think if I just take the time to get to know people and the culture first, I will get a lot more done in the end.
I miss and love you all. You are in my prayers.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
End of training, Start of maisha (life)
So I tried blog updating a few Sundays ago, but there was no electricity in Loitokitok. Then the next day I went and wrote and entire blog update just to have it deleted! So I felt at that point it wasn’t meant to be and I’d just wait to have free internet here in Nairobi so that’s why it’s taken so long to update. A lot sure has happened though!
I had to say goodbye to my sister Abby, brothers Elle and Taqueen and cousin Naomi sooner than I expected because their father took them on a holiday to go see their grandmother. So these last few weeks it’s just been mama yangu (my mother) and me! It was so sad to say goodbye to them. We had a big celebration and I cooked a traditional American meal of spaghetti and home made tomato sauce. I also made garlic bread which was a huge hit! Then I gave them their presents, mostly toys my Aunt Kathe sent. They loved the animal masks and sunglasses. They were also very impressed by these water flutes she sent. I couldn’t get over how grateful they all were and it really touched my heart. They said I was a blessing from God. My mama told me how she had prayed for a good volunteer and how God blessed her with me and now I am like her own daughter. Well, if you know me then you know that I become an emotional ball of mess pretty easily and quickly. Yup, this was one of those moments. I balled my eyes out that night saying goodbye to the children. It felt like an end of a chapter. They were really the first people who truly cared about me here in Kenya. I walk down the street everyday and children run up to me and straight out ask for money or sweets, they call me “mazungu” (white person), and chant “how are you how are you how are you” in a horrible American accent. But at home…my children saw me as just one of them. They didn’t look at me as different and clearly cared about me, which was especially evident at our going away. They told their own father they didn’t want to go see their grandmother because they wanted to spend time with me. Selfishly I wish they would have stayed too, but all chapters must end and as I kissed them goodbye I knew that good things lay ahead for the both of us.
The few weeks after this were very quite at home. Instead of the hectic noise of 4 kids and a hustle and bustle family, it was just mama and me. Which actually came as quite a blessing considering I needed to study for my LPI (Kiswahili language exam). It was a good chance to start speaking more Kiswahili at home with my mama and get some one on one bonding time with her. She is truly an amazing woman and I can’t emphasize enough how much I admire her. We got the chance to have a lot of cultural exchange moments, me telling her what it is like in America and her explaining Kenyan culture. She told me she really admires me for making my own money. Her idea was that all Americans are rich, but I explained to her my situation with my own mother and how sometimes we even ate our food over a fire in the park when I was younger. I told her how I try to appreciate everything because I really think we are lucky and she agrees, especially when we watch the news and see all the Somali refugees starving here in Kenya. My mama is a Maasi, a culture that fully retains it’s traditions, and she also taught me a lot about what it was like growing up in that tribe. How the women do pretty much everything from building the houses to taking care of the family. She said that when they slaughter animals, depending on your gender and age you will get a different part of the animal to eat. She also told me that I shouldn’t shake hands with everyone because some people are witches and can put a spell on me…Also, I shouldn’t trust all cats because some are humans in disguise…I’m like how the hell will I be able to tell which cat is actually just a cat and which one is a human?! I’ll just have to risk it I suppose ha!
Well I think my alone time with my mama really paid off because I passed my LPI! Which means I will be getting sworn in as an official Peace Corps Volunteer! Yay! After the test, all the volunteers went and had a party in the middle of the forest! We played football and just reflected on our time here. Everyone seems sad to leave their home stays, but excited about moving to site. My mama wanted to be a part of the celebration too so she bought a chicken and we slaughtered it for lunch. I showed my mama the American way to make fried chicken and I also made her guacamole, which she loved. She kept saying “tamu sana!” (very sweet!) and probably had at least 4 helpings of the gauc!
My last two weeks went really fast though. We had a family appreciation party just yesterday with cultural dancing and skits. I wore the dress my mama made for me. She also made me jewelry which is beautiful! I defiantly cried saying goodbye to her. But now I’m off to site. I have a few days here in Nairobi and then I’m off to Matayos! Note: I will have a new mailing address I will post on the blog as soon as I know it. I also have a new wish list! Keep the packages coming! Anyway, in a few days I have my official swearing in ceremony at the Ambassador’s home. After that I will be off on my own to do work as a health volunteer. I’m not going to lie, I’m def nervous about moving away from my family and friends and living all on my own. It’s not going to be easy being the only mazungu, but I’m also looking forward to fully emerging myself into Kenyan culture and using my kiSwahili full time!
I will write next when I’m at site and settled in! Miss you all back home! Thank you for your support and love during training!
I had to say goodbye to my sister Abby, brothers Elle and Taqueen and cousin Naomi sooner than I expected because their father took them on a holiday to go see their grandmother. So these last few weeks it’s just been mama yangu (my mother) and me! It was so sad to say goodbye to them. We had a big celebration and I cooked a traditional American meal of spaghetti and home made tomato sauce. I also made garlic bread which was a huge hit! Then I gave them their presents, mostly toys my Aunt Kathe sent. They loved the animal masks and sunglasses. They were also very impressed by these water flutes she sent. I couldn’t get over how grateful they all were and it really touched my heart. They said I was a blessing from God. My mama told me how she had prayed for a good volunteer and how God blessed her with me and now I am like her own daughter. Well, if you know me then you know that I become an emotional ball of mess pretty easily and quickly. Yup, this was one of those moments. I balled my eyes out that night saying goodbye to the children. It felt like an end of a chapter. They were really the first people who truly cared about me here in Kenya. I walk down the street everyday and children run up to me and straight out ask for money or sweets, they call me “mazungu” (white person), and chant “how are you how are you how are you” in a horrible American accent. But at home…my children saw me as just one of them. They didn’t look at me as different and clearly cared about me, which was especially evident at our going away. They told their own father they didn’t want to go see their grandmother because they wanted to spend time with me. Selfishly I wish they would have stayed too, but all chapters must end and as I kissed them goodbye I knew that good things lay ahead for the both of us.
The few weeks after this were very quite at home. Instead of the hectic noise of 4 kids and a hustle and bustle family, it was just mama and me. Which actually came as quite a blessing considering I needed to study for my LPI (Kiswahili language exam). It was a good chance to start speaking more Kiswahili at home with my mama and get some one on one bonding time with her. She is truly an amazing woman and I can’t emphasize enough how much I admire her. We got the chance to have a lot of cultural exchange moments, me telling her what it is like in America and her explaining Kenyan culture. She told me she really admires me for making my own money. Her idea was that all Americans are rich, but I explained to her my situation with my own mother and how sometimes we even ate our food over a fire in the park when I was younger. I told her how I try to appreciate everything because I really think we are lucky and she agrees, especially when we watch the news and see all the Somali refugees starving here in Kenya. My mama is a Maasi, a culture that fully retains it’s traditions, and she also taught me a lot about what it was like growing up in that tribe. How the women do pretty much everything from building the houses to taking care of the family. She said that when they slaughter animals, depending on your gender and age you will get a different part of the animal to eat. She also told me that I shouldn’t shake hands with everyone because some people are witches and can put a spell on me…Also, I shouldn’t trust all cats because some are humans in disguise…I’m like how the hell will I be able to tell which cat is actually just a cat and which one is a human?! I’ll just have to risk it I suppose ha!
Well I think my alone time with my mama really paid off because I passed my LPI! Which means I will be getting sworn in as an official Peace Corps Volunteer! Yay! After the test, all the volunteers went and had a party in the middle of the forest! We played football and just reflected on our time here. Everyone seems sad to leave their home stays, but excited about moving to site. My mama wanted to be a part of the celebration too so she bought a chicken and we slaughtered it for lunch. I showed my mama the American way to make fried chicken and I also made her guacamole, which she loved. She kept saying “tamu sana!” (very sweet!) and probably had at least 4 helpings of the gauc!
My last two weeks went really fast though. We had a family appreciation party just yesterday with cultural dancing and skits. I wore the dress my mama made for me. She also made me jewelry which is beautiful! I defiantly cried saying goodbye to her. But now I’m off to site. I have a few days here in Nairobi and then I’m off to Matayos! Note: I will have a new mailing address I will post on the blog as soon as I know it. I also have a new wish list! Keep the packages coming! Anyway, in a few days I have my official swearing in ceremony at the Ambassador’s home. After that I will be off on my own to do work as a health volunteer. I’m not going to lie, I’m def nervous about moving away from my family and friends and living all on my own. It’s not going to be easy being the only mazungu, but I’m also looking forward to fully emerging myself into Kenyan culture and using my kiSwahili full time!
I will write next when I’m at site and settled in! Miss you all back home! Thank you for your support and love during training!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Teveta to Mombasa and back!
I'm back in Loitokitok after 2 weeks away and although I had a great time, I really missed my family and waking up to Mt. Kilimanjaro. It was an awesome trip though and I learned a lot!
First we went to Teveta, about 2 hours towards the coast from Loitokitok. We stayed in a super nice hotel and everyone got fat all over again off of the amazing food they fed us. There was even a bar/dance club attached to the hotel, so every night I danced my booty off! It was the first time Peace Corps actually somewhat spoiled us and it felt great! The workshop was suppose to be about HIV/AIDs although we didn't really learn much at all about that. We did learn other important lessons however.
A guy came and talked to us about his life struggle with drugs. He said that sometimes up to 12 people will share a drug needle in the slums and many addicts die of HIV because of this. It was such an intense and emotional story. He went from stealing from his own mother, to being clean and sober for 10 years now and having 4 beautiful healthy children. One story he told us that I found particularly touching was about an addict he knew named Susie. Susie was addicted to heroine and she smoked while she was pregnant. So when Susie has her child, the baby was born addicted as well. Susie would hold the baby in her arms and smoke heroine at the same time and then fall asleep and burn the baby's face. The baby only lived a year. When they raised the money for the funeral, Susie took off with it. A few years later she also died of HIV. Shows you what drugs can do, all motherly instincts out the door. So sad.
We also went to a domestic violence clinic. It was started by some women who found that there were no resources for women suffering from violence in the home. In Kenyan culture, it is still somewhat acceptable to beat your wife. A wife/woman is a commodity here and is the property of their husbands/fathers so gender roles are still very much in tact. This clinic offered post violence treatment as well as counseling for these women.
Next, we went to an HIV/AIDS garden run by people living with the virus. A healthy diet is very important for people living with HIV because their immune systems are so weak. They showed us how to plant various herbs in sacks and also how to plant banana trees. We also saw a fish farm where they raise fish to sell in the local markets. They showed us how they were fed and fished and even gave us some! Fish is a luxury food here.
My favorite thing we did was watch cultural dancing, singing and acting. I sat in the front row so they pulled me up to dance at least 5 times which was really fun! I don't think any of them were wearing deodorant, but none the less I had a great time. The singing was so beautiful too and they sang about issues such as HIV and Malaria. The acting group did a play about early marriages and although it was entirely in Kiswahili, I understood most of it I think.
Well Teveta finally came to an end and we split up into groups of 5 to go visit a current PCV at their site and see what life will be like after training. I went to visit "super volunteer" Louis Vayo in Maungu, a small truck stop town about 3 hours west of Mombasa. I say "super volunteer" because he has done so much in his community and is so integrated! He's like fluent in Kiswahili! He taught a woman's group a beading class entirely in the local language! He's started a ping pong club at the local high school and we went to visit and played the kids. Well...they kicked out butts big time! ha! We visited the NGO in his town that is one of the first organizations to sell carbon credits internationally. They are called Wildlife Works if you want to look them up and are doing some amazing things. They showed us how they are producing more sustainable coal for cooking and have a tree farm too! They also have a garment factory that employs a large percentage of the area. Michelle Obama was recently seen in one of their shirts. I believe they are called lalaso if you want to look them up too. Our last day there, Louis showed us how to make reusable sanitary pads. This is very important because most girls don't have the money to buy sanitary products so they will miss school when they are on their periods. But these reuseable pads make it possible for them to make the napkins themselves and still remain in school. It's defiantly something I'd like to take up in my site.
Finally, we went to Mombasa for one night. I got to swim in the Indian Ocean for the first time since South Africa and it was amazing! We shopped around and I ate pizza!!! But here comes the bad part...I got sick. Like bad sick. I couldn't fully enjoy Mombasa because I was throwing up all night in my hotel. The next day we made the 7 hour bus ride back to Loitokitok and I was still sick. I missed school the next day to recover, but it was nice to be home at least. My mama was so worried about me she made another volunteer come check on me. It's nice to know I'm cared about so much when I'm so far from home. Today I'm all better though and finally got to the internet cafe to update you all. My mama is taking me to the tailor today to get a dress made because I bought some really beautiful fabric in Taveta.
That's all for now! Keep emailing me! I will get back to you as soon as I can, but I love reading them. Thank you for all the support and I miss you all more than you can imagine!
First we went to Teveta, about 2 hours towards the coast from Loitokitok. We stayed in a super nice hotel and everyone got fat all over again off of the amazing food they fed us. There was even a bar/dance club attached to the hotel, so every night I danced my booty off! It was the first time Peace Corps actually somewhat spoiled us and it felt great! The workshop was suppose to be about HIV/AIDs although we didn't really learn much at all about that. We did learn other important lessons however.
A guy came and talked to us about his life struggle with drugs. He said that sometimes up to 12 people will share a drug needle in the slums and many addicts die of HIV because of this. It was such an intense and emotional story. He went from stealing from his own mother, to being clean and sober for 10 years now and having 4 beautiful healthy children. One story he told us that I found particularly touching was about an addict he knew named Susie. Susie was addicted to heroine and she smoked while she was pregnant. So when Susie has her child, the baby was born addicted as well. Susie would hold the baby in her arms and smoke heroine at the same time and then fall asleep and burn the baby's face. The baby only lived a year. When they raised the money for the funeral, Susie took off with it. A few years later she also died of HIV. Shows you what drugs can do, all motherly instincts out the door. So sad.
We also went to a domestic violence clinic. It was started by some women who found that there were no resources for women suffering from violence in the home. In Kenyan culture, it is still somewhat acceptable to beat your wife. A wife/woman is a commodity here and is the property of their husbands/fathers so gender roles are still very much in tact. This clinic offered post violence treatment as well as counseling for these women.
Next, we went to an HIV/AIDS garden run by people living with the virus. A healthy diet is very important for people living with HIV because their immune systems are so weak. They showed us how to plant various herbs in sacks and also how to plant banana trees. We also saw a fish farm where they raise fish to sell in the local markets. They showed us how they were fed and fished and even gave us some! Fish is a luxury food here.
My favorite thing we did was watch cultural dancing, singing and acting. I sat in the front row so they pulled me up to dance at least 5 times which was really fun! I don't think any of them were wearing deodorant, but none the less I had a great time. The singing was so beautiful too and they sang about issues such as HIV and Malaria. The acting group did a play about early marriages and although it was entirely in Kiswahili, I understood most of it I think.
Well Teveta finally came to an end and we split up into groups of 5 to go visit a current PCV at their site and see what life will be like after training. I went to visit "super volunteer" Louis Vayo in Maungu, a small truck stop town about 3 hours west of Mombasa. I say "super volunteer" because he has done so much in his community and is so integrated! He's like fluent in Kiswahili! He taught a woman's group a beading class entirely in the local language! He's started a ping pong club at the local high school and we went to visit and played the kids. Well...they kicked out butts big time! ha! We visited the NGO in his town that is one of the first organizations to sell carbon credits internationally. They are called Wildlife Works if you want to look them up and are doing some amazing things. They showed us how they are producing more sustainable coal for cooking and have a tree farm too! They also have a garment factory that employs a large percentage of the area. Michelle Obama was recently seen in one of their shirts. I believe they are called lalaso if you want to look them up too. Our last day there, Louis showed us how to make reusable sanitary pads. This is very important because most girls don't have the money to buy sanitary products so they will miss school when they are on their periods. But these reuseable pads make it possible for them to make the napkins themselves and still remain in school. It's defiantly something I'd like to take up in my site.
Finally, we went to Mombasa for one night. I got to swim in the Indian Ocean for the first time since South Africa and it was amazing! We shopped around and I ate pizza!!! But here comes the bad part...I got sick. Like bad sick. I couldn't fully enjoy Mombasa because I was throwing up all night in my hotel. The next day we made the 7 hour bus ride back to Loitokitok and I was still sick. I missed school the next day to recover, but it was nice to be home at least. My mama was so worried about me she made another volunteer come check on me. It's nice to know I'm cared about so much when I'm so far from home. Today I'm all better though and finally got to the internet cafe to update you all. My mama is taking me to the tailor today to get a dress made because I bought some really beautiful fabric in Taveta.
That's all for now! Keep emailing me! I will get back to you as soon as I can, but I love reading them. Thank you for all the support and I miss you all more than you can imagine!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Eat your vitamins kids!
I’m sitting here after taking my practice LPI. That is the test I have to pass in order to be sworn in as a PCV. I’m actually feeling pretty confident about it. So confident in fact that I went to lunch today and ordered in Kiswahili! I can even go to the post office and mail a letter in the local language too! I can’t believe I’ve only been learning for 4 weeks. It feels really good to feel like I can at least somewhat communicate with the people here. I mean, they wall want to speak English with me anyway, but I think I gain a little more respect when I show I can speak their language. Plus, they don’t rip me off as much haha!
Friday we went to a “mobile clinic”. It is an event in a town where community health volunteers come together to do massive nutrition clinics. There were the cutest kids there. We weighed the babies, took their arm circumference and provided them with deworming pills and vitamin A supplements. It was really great to do something so hands on.
Another awesome thing that has happened is that we found a really fun hike in Loitokitok. Well it’s nothing too strenuous, but at the end there is a waterfall! There are all these vines that climb up the wall so we’ve been doing a little climbing ourselves. There is a cave half way up that you can climb up to and sit in. Makes me think of my Uncle Steve and our Schneider Family Climb Nights back in Berkeley.
Other than that, not much is new. I’ll be leaving Loitokitok tomorrow for 9 days. For three days we are on a retreat with all of the volunteers to learn about HIV/AIDs and then the rest of the time we all split off into groups and go visit current PCVs in the field. I am not traveling too far from Loitokitok, but it will feel good to get out and do something different either way.
That’s all for now! Thanks for the emails! Keep em coming! Oh and special thanks to Sean for the package! It made my day! Now I can play with a real soccer ball and not a crumbled up piece of paper! Haha!
Friday we went to a “mobile clinic”. It is an event in a town where community health volunteers come together to do massive nutrition clinics. There were the cutest kids there. We weighed the babies, took their arm circumference and provided them with deworming pills and vitamin A supplements. It was really great to do something so hands on.
Another awesome thing that has happened is that we found a really fun hike in Loitokitok. Well it’s nothing too strenuous, but at the end there is a waterfall! There are all these vines that climb up the wall so we’ve been doing a little climbing ourselves. There is a cave half way up that you can climb up to and sit in. Makes me think of my Uncle Steve and our Schneider Family Climb Nights back in Berkeley.
Other than that, not much is new. I’ll be leaving Loitokitok tomorrow for 9 days. For three days we are on a retreat with all of the volunteers to learn about HIV/AIDs and then the rest of the time we all split off into groups and go visit current PCVs in the field. I am not traveling too far from Loitokitok, but it will feel good to get out and do something different either way.
That’s all for now! Thanks for the emails! Keep em coming! Oh and special thanks to Sean for the package! It made my day! Now I can play with a real soccer ball and not a crumbled up piece of paper! Haha!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Site Announcement
It’s been awhile since I’ve had the time to sit down and write a blog. I have to go to the cyber café and pay to get on the internet so after a long week of classes, it’s the last thing I really feel like doing. I have a lot to update on though so I finally kicked myself in the ass and got to updating this blog thingy of mine. But I don't think I'll be able to load pictures for quite sometime just due to lack of technology.
I’m really into the flow of things here. Everything is basically a routine. I get up, take my bucket bath, go to language for 4 hours, then classes for the rest of the day on health, or I meet with my project partner. I have partnered with a theater and drama youth group that does plays in secondary schools about the importance of abstinence (they call it to “chill”), and HIV/AIDs awareness. It’s defiantly different to say the least to work with people here. Dance and theater is conducted very different than I am use to and at times it can be frustrating to try to explain things to one another. But all in all, it’s really nice to work with people around my age on an issue that I am so passionate about.
Our last few weeks we have been doing a lot of nutrition training as well. I was able to go to a nearby village called Rombos where we hiked through the farmland and picked food straight from the crop. It was so beautiful and really awesome to be eating something that was completely organic. Everything I eat here is so fresh, I don’t think I’ll ever use a freezer again when I get back to America. Even the milk I drink is delivered by a milkman every night! I mean it’s no Fat Free, but at least I’m getting my calcium intake haha!
My biggest announcement is that I have been assigned my site. In about 6 weeks I’ll leave Loitokitok for a village called Matayos near the town of Busia. It is in the Western providence right on the boarder with Uganda. From what I know so far I will be living on a hospital compound working mainly in the malaria sector. I don’t have much experience about Malaria except that I take medication everyday that makes me have crazy dreams haha! But I will learn and I’m excited to do a lot of secondary projects. I’m hoping that I can get involved in girls sports, especially soccer. Anyway, I encourage you to all look it up on a map and think of me ha!
This last weekend was 4th of July and all of the volunteers got together and had a retreat just a walk out of the main village here. It was good to go somewhere and be able to wear tank tops and not be thought of as a prostitute haha! We drank beer and had a bond fire too! I brought pop-its from America and we all threw them around which was fun. It was a pretty crazy party since most of us don’t drink whatsoever here and finally had some of our first African beers. Plus the elevation really got us drunk fast too! I’ll be recovering all week.
Anyway, that’s about it! I miss you all so much and think of you often! Thank you to all of those who have emailed me, it really means a lot. To those of you who haven’t responded to my email…what the f**k?! Don’t you know I’m in Africa, yo?! Haha! Hope all is well back home and looking forward to more updates from the states!
I’m really into the flow of things here. Everything is basically a routine. I get up, take my bucket bath, go to language for 4 hours, then classes for the rest of the day on health, or I meet with my project partner. I have partnered with a theater and drama youth group that does plays in secondary schools about the importance of abstinence (they call it to “chill”), and HIV/AIDs awareness. It’s defiantly different to say the least to work with people here. Dance and theater is conducted very different than I am use to and at times it can be frustrating to try to explain things to one another. But all in all, it’s really nice to work with people around my age on an issue that I am so passionate about.
Our last few weeks we have been doing a lot of nutrition training as well. I was able to go to a nearby village called Rombos where we hiked through the farmland and picked food straight from the crop. It was so beautiful and really awesome to be eating something that was completely organic. Everything I eat here is so fresh, I don’t think I’ll ever use a freezer again when I get back to America. Even the milk I drink is delivered by a milkman every night! I mean it’s no Fat Free, but at least I’m getting my calcium intake haha!
My biggest announcement is that I have been assigned my site. In about 6 weeks I’ll leave Loitokitok for a village called Matayos near the town of Busia. It is in the Western providence right on the boarder with Uganda. From what I know so far I will be living on a hospital compound working mainly in the malaria sector. I don’t have much experience about Malaria except that I take medication everyday that makes me have crazy dreams haha! But I will learn and I’m excited to do a lot of secondary projects. I’m hoping that I can get involved in girls sports, especially soccer. Anyway, I encourage you to all look it up on a map and think of me ha!
This last weekend was 4th of July and all of the volunteers got together and had a retreat just a walk out of the main village here. It was good to go somewhere and be able to wear tank tops and not be thought of as a prostitute haha! We drank beer and had a bond fire too! I brought pop-its from America and we all threw them around which was fun. It was a pretty crazy party since most of us don’t drink whatsoever here and finally had some of our first African beers. Plus the elevation really got us drunk fast too! I’ll be recovering all week.
Anyway, that’s about it! I miss you all so much and think of you often! Thank you to all of those who have emailed me, it really means a lot. To those of you who haven’t responded to my email…what the f**k?! Don’t you know I’m in Africa, yo?! Haha! Hope all is well back home and looking forward to more updates from the states!
Friday, June 17, 2011
I sh*t in a hole....
Hey everyone! It's good to get on the internet and update this blog because so much has already happened. I'm now officially living in LOitokitok with my host family and I can't begin to tell you how humbling it is to have someone take you into your home and basically show you everything you need to know to survive here. My mama is the strongest woman I've ever met. For one, she can touch hot coals with her bare hands. She teaches me to cook Kenyan food, clean the Kenyan way and ya...I sh*t in a hole (this is something I will never get use to). Us PC Volunteers have become very comfortable about talking about pee/poo considering we had a 2 hour session on diarrhea haha! My room at home is very small, but so cute! It is filled with lace all along the walls and the ceiling. My mama heats me up bath water over the fire and I shower out of a bucket. I'm actually quite proud of myself at how good at it I am. I've also become very brave at getting shots. They don't give you any prewarning about getting shots. You show up at a session and all the sudden they are like "oh hey you are getting a Rabies shot today"...great.
I have 2 kakas (brothers) and 1 dada (sister) that live with me too. I showed them how to play "Ring around the rosie", "london bridges falling down" and "patty cake" and now it's all they want to do. It is crazy how different childhood is here. I let them use my pen the other day and a huge fight broke out about who got to use it. I felt so bad because it was just a pen. So the next day I brought them another one and another fight just ended up happening. It makes me think about how at my law office Andrew will always ask me to email Henry for the super-duper crafty pen and all I have to do is shoot him an email and a week later the nicest pen you've ever seen shows up. Ya...they practically cut eachothers throat here for a paper mate haha!
Something I know Sean will be happy to hear, I've seen every single Bay Area sports team represented here so far. They get second hand clothes from the Salvation Army and Goodwill so I've seen the 49ers, Sharks, Raiders and THE OAKLAND A'S (ya baby!) all represented! The funny thing is that they have no idea that they are even American teams, let alone sports at all.
The other day I traveled with a couple of other volunteers to a neighboring village to speak to the Minister of Heath and the Chief Elder about what they do. I learned that right now they are focusing on getting all the families in the area an adequate place to defecate. The problem is many people do not want to use a choo (their form of a toilet which is basically a hole in the ground a mile deep) because they think the people who know vodoo will scoop out their poop and curse them so if they go in the bush they won't be able to tell whose poop is whose...crazy, I know. But these are issues that I will have to deal with as a volunteer in the field and so learning about them early will be good practice. Besides this, we have language practice every day and I'm learning a lot of Swahili, probably one year of high school Spanish and I've only been here a week. We also have cultural training and heath training. I had to administer myself a malaria test the other day and actually draw my own blood. I seriously almost fainted, but once again I surprised myself at how capable I really am and got through it.
I haven't felt that I made the wrong decision in doing this what so ever, in fact I feel like I'm exactly where I am suppose to be. The food is decent, the people kind and I feel so lucky to be able to have an experience like this. Of course, I do miss home a lot and often dream about what I might be missing out on (due to my malaria medication having the side effect of vivid dreams), but at the same time, I am so busy during the week I have little time to think of the sadness that is associated with these feelings. When I get home at night I am beyond tired, and before I know it, it is 6am and my day is getting started again.
Anyway, I am available through email on my phone. It is not easy for me to respond to email on the phone, but even just getting a hello feels good. If you comment on these blog posts it goes to my email too so you can always say hi that way, otherwise my email is aflynnschneider@gmail.com and I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you. I have no pictures to show just yet because we were advised not to take out anything expensive for our first few weeks and although my camera is crappy for American standards, here is is an unimaginable luxury.
Love and miss you all!
Andrea
I have 2 kakas (brothers) and 1 dada (sister) that live with me too. I showed them how to play "Ring around the rosie", "london bridges falling down" and "patty cake" and now it's all they want to do. It is crazy how different childhood is here. I let them use my pen the other day and a huge fight broke out about who got to use it. I felt so bad because it was just a pen. So the next day I brought them another one and another fight just ended up happening. It makes me think about how at my law office Andrew will always ask me to email Henry for the super-duper crafty pen and all I have to do is shoot him an email and a week later the nicest pen you've ever seen shows up. Ya...they practically cut eachothers throat here for a paper mate haha!
Something I know Sean will be happy to hear, I've seen every single Bay Area sports team represented here so far. They get second hand clothes from the Salvation Army and Goodwill so I've seen the 49ers, Sharks, Raiders and THE OAKLAND A'S (ya baby!) all represented! The funny thing is that they have no idea that they are even American teams, let alone sports at all.
The other day I traveled with a couple of other volunteers to a neighboring village to speak to the Minister of Heath and the Chief Elder about what they do. I learned that right now they are focusing on getting all the families in the area an adequate place to defecate. The problem is many people do not want to use a choo (their form of a toilet which is basically a hole in the ground a mile deep) because they think the people who know vodoo will scoop out their poop and curse them so if they go in the bush they won't be able to tell whose poop is whose...crazy, I know. But these are issues that I will have to deal with as a volunteer in the field and so learning about them early will be good practice. Besides this, we have language practice every day and I'm learning a lot of Swahili, probably one year of high school Spanish and I've only been here a week. We also have cultural training and heath training. I had to administer myself a malaria test the other day and actually draw my own blood. I seriously almost fainted, but once again I surprised myself at how capable I really am and got through it.
I haven't felt that I made the wrong decision in doing this what so ever, in fact I feel like I'm exactly where I am suppose to be. The food is decent, the people kind and I feel so lucky to be able to have an experience like this. Of course, I do miss home a lot and often dream about what I might be missing out on (due to my malaria medication having the side effect of vivid dreams), but at the same time, I am so busy during the week I have little time to think of the sadness that is associated with these feelings. When I get home at night I am beyond tired, and before I know it, it is 6am and my day is getting started again.
Anyway, I am available through email on my phone. It is not easy for me to respond to email on the phone, but even just getting a hello feels good. If you comment on these blog posts it goes to my email too so you can always say hi that way, otherwise my email is aflynnschneider@gmail.com and I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you. I have no pictures to show just yet because we were advised not to take out anything expensive for our first few weeks and although my camera is crappy for American standards, here is is an unimaginable luxury.
Love and miss you all!
Andrea
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Yo guys! I'm in Kenya!!!!
6/8/11
I have arrived in Kenya! It was a long long long trip, but I’m finally here...pretty much in tact (although I did cut my foot at the airport). My computer is not agreeing with me already and the converter I hoped would work that I used in South Africa does not work here in Kenya so I’m pretty much out of commission after the 84% of battery on my computer runs out. I’ll be out of an alarm clock too since I can’t charge my iphone, but oh well it’s all in the challenge of being a PC volunteer.
Back in Philly we learned PC core values and other stuff like that. I think there’s gonna be a lot of skit work so after all the theater experience I’ve had, I’m very excited for that. I was able to have a famous Philly cheese steak at Genos and we went out to the bars both nights. My body is hating me currently.
So far I really like everyone! It’s nice to be around people who have the same ambitions as me and are humanitarians. We all share a love of helping people and I think it will go far in this country. There were 56 of us to start, but one has already unfortunately dropped out due to health issues. I was really sad because he was sitting with me on the flight to Brussels, but when we got there he had a seizure and couldn’t go on. I’m pretty sure they won’t let him make it to Kenya now. But 55 of us made it and are waking up bright and early to start training.
6/9/11
I have the internet! And I was able to barrow a converter from someone so my computer is up and running! Today we had our first day of training in the compound in Nairobi. I got four shots in the arm so it’s super sore, but I was proud of myself because I took ‘em like a man...well you know what I mean, I was brave. We learned about safety and security and did skits on the PC 10 commandments. My skit was about a girl getting pregnant because she didn’t use protection and she got sent home. Guess who was the pregnant girl?! Haha! Told you my acting skills would come into handy!
Then we had our first language class which actually went better than I was expecting. We learned simple kiSwahili greetings and I wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. The language sounds like it reads too that helps. After, a few of us played soccer out in the yard and it felt great to get some exercise.
I just got off skype with Sean and gchatted a little with Morgan and my cousin Rose so it was nice to hear from home. 30 years ago people in PC had to stand in a line at a post office for hours if they wanted to reach home, but now we are all sitting on a PC facebook chat room chatting each other from our rooms haha! It won’t be like this the whole time though, just while I’m in the city, which is only a few more days. I should be getting a cell phone though in the next few days and will post the number on my blog when I can.
On Saturday we pack up from Nairobi and leave for Loitokitok for our training and then on Sunday we move in with our host families. They are not allowed to speak English to us even if they know it, so this should be interesting. They will be teaching me everything from language to cooking to washing my clothes and fetching water. I cannot wait!
By the way if you send me a package within my first 3 months, it is duty free! So get on sending haha! Remember, it takes over a monthish to get to me though. The address is on the left. We have a special guy who will bring it down to us from Nairobi to our site in Loitokitok. Don’t send anything of value, but I’m asking for soccer balls at this time, peanut butter, gushers, ketchup and other goodies! yay!
Anyway, miss you all and will blog again when I can!
All my love!
I have arrived in Kenya! It was a long long long trip, but I’m finally here...pretty much in tact (although I did cut my foot at the airport). My computer is not agreeing with me already and the converter I hoped would work that I used in South Africa does not work here in Kenya so I’m pretty much out of commission after the 84% of battery on my computer runs out. I’ll be out of an alarm clock too since I can’t charge my iphone, but oh well it’s all in the challenge of being a PC volunteer.
Back in Philly we learned PC core values and other stuff like that. I think there’s gonna be a lot of skit work so after all the theater experience I’ve had, I’m very excited for that. I was able to have a famous Philly cheese steak at Genos and we went out to the bars both nights. My body is hating me currently.
So far I really like everyone! It’s nice to be around people who have the same ambitions as me and are humanitarians. We all share a love of helping people and I think it will go far in this country. There were 56 of us to start, but one has already unfortunately dropped out due to health issues. I was really sad because he was sitting with me on the flight to Brussels, but when we got there he had a seizure and couldn’t go on. I’m pretty sure they won’t let him make it to Kenya now. But 55 of us made it and are waking up bright and early to start training.
6/9/11
I have the internet! And I was able to barrow a converter from someone so my computer is up and running! Today we had our first day of training in the compound in Nairobi. I got four shots in the arm so it’s super sore, but I was proud of myself because I took ‘em like a man...well you know what I mean, I was brave. We learned about safety and security and did skits on the PC 10 commandments. My skit was about a girl getting pregnant because she didn’t use protection and she got sent home. Guess who was the pregnant girl?! Haha! Told you my acting skills would come into handy!
Then we had our first language class which actually went better than I was expecting. We learned simple kiSwahili greetings and I wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. The language sounds like it reads too that helps. After, a few of us played soccer out in the yard and it felt great to get some exercise.
I just got off skype with Sean and gchatted a little with Morgan and my cousin Rose so it was nice to hear from home. 30 years ago people in PC had to stand in a line at a post office for hours if they wanted to reach home, but now we are all sitting on a PC facebook chat room chatting each other from our rooms haha! It won’t be like this the whole time though, just while I’m in the city, which is only a few more days. I should be getting a cell phone though in the next few days and will post the number on my blog when I can.
On Saturday we pack up from Nairobi and leave for Loitokitok for our training and then on Sunday we move in with our host families. They are not allowed to speak English to us even if they know it, so this should be interesting. They will be teaching me everything from language to cooking to washing my clothes and fetching water. I cannot wait!
By the way if you send me a package within my first 3 months, it is duty free! So get on sending haha! Remember, it takes over a monthish to get to me though. The address is on the left. We have a special guy who will bring it down to us from Nairobi to our site in Loitokitok. Don’t send anything of value, but I’m asking for soccer balls at this time, peanut butter, gushers, ketchup and other goodies! yay!
Anyway, miss you all and will blog again when I can!
All my love!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Had to do one more post before I go
I know I said the last post was going to be my last post in America, but after today I had to write one more thing. This weekend was my final goodbyes. Friday night I spent one last night out in my favorite city in the world, San Francisco and then Saturday my wonderful friends and family came together to throw me a going away BBQ. I can't begin to tell you how humbling it is to know that people care about me so much. I love when experiences like this bring people together. I'm beyond blessed in my life. So I just wanted to write one last time and just say thank you and I love you to all the amazing people who are supporting me. It truly means the world.
OH! AND I'M FINALLY PACKED!
OH! AND I'M FINALLY PACKED!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Last blog post in America
Only a few days ago I was off camping and trying out all my new gear with Sean. It was so peaceful and serene. Our camp was literally right on the ocean at the bottom of Mt. Tamalpais. In a way I wish I was still back there sitting next to the campfire, but at the same time I know I have a great journey ahead of me.
I've done most of my packing at this point and I've said some goodbyes. My final goodbye party is on Saturday. We are going to BBQ at the Lafayette Reservoir if it doesn't get rained out. It's been extremely hard saying goodbye to people. I mean I've always been a pretty emotional person, but this is way harder than I thought it would be. I've become so close with my friends here and as I've grown older I've realized how important family can be, so leaving all this behind literally feels like I'm leaving some of myself behind.
But I am looking forward to the future and all the good that it will hold. I can't wait to meet my fellow volunteers and start this journey together. Most of all, I look forward to meeting the people of Kenya and being welcomed into their country so I can someday call it home as well.
I just wanted to say one final thank you to everyone for your support along the way and I'm going to miss everyone so much. Please make an effort to stay in touch with me and I will promise I will do my best to respond to all emails etc when I am able to. And follow this blog to keep up with what I'm doing during my service.
Lots of Love! ya Fatah!
I will see you all in 27 months!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
T minus 2 weeks until departure!
I leave in two weeks. It's surreal for me. It feels like a dream come true, but at the same time it's scary, sad and overwhelming. I think I've been in denial about having to say my goodbyes, see ya laters, hasta luego...in short, it just sucks about having to say farewell to the ones I love most. But at the same time I'm stoked to meet and make some new friends that will share this bonding experience with me.
With that said, I want to write a list of the things I'm concerned/nervous/anxious about so that when I get back in 27 months I can look at them and laugh.
1. Can I handle leaving my friends/family for so long?
2. Will I be able to learn Swahili?
3. Will I get along with and have stuff in common with my fellow volunteers?
4. What will it be like without forms of communication I'm so use to?
5. Can I get over being afraid of the dark? Bugs? haha
6. What will I be missing out on at home? (I'm trying not to live my life like this, but it's somehow always in the back of my head).
7. Will people back home think of me and support me?
8. Will I be able to stay in touch with my friends from back home? Who will I stay in touch with? (Note: I'm usually the kind of person who is great at staying in touch, but I wonder how this experience and the fact that I might not have stable communication outlets affect that).
9. Will I eventually feel like Kenya is my home and stop feeling like an outsider?
10. Will I make it the 27 months?!
I'm excited to find out the answers to these questions throughout my 27 months in Kenya. It is going to be such a life changing experience for me. I'm totally the type of person that likes to have introspective moments and I look forward to getting to know myself all over again.
With that said, I want to write a list of the things I'm concerned/nervous/anxious about so that when I get back in 27 months I can look at them and laugh.
1. Can I handle leaving my friends/family for so long?
2. Will I be able to learn Swahili?
3. Will I get along with and have stuff in common with my fellow volunteers?
4. What will it be like without forms of communication I'm so use to?
5. Can I get over being afraid of the dark? Bugs? haha
6. What will I be missing out on at home? (I'm trying not to live my life like this, but it's somehow always in the back of my head).
7. Will people back home think of me and support me?
8. Will I be able to stay in touch with my friends from back home? Who will I stay in touch with? (Note: I'm usually the kind of person who is great at staying in touch, but I wonder how this experience and the fact that I might not have stable communication outlets affect that).
9. Will I eventually feel like Kenya is my home and stop feeling like an outsider?
10. Will I make it the 27 months?!
I'm excited to find out the answers to these questions throughout my 27 months in Kenya. It is going to be such a life changing experience for me. I'm totally the type of person that likes to have introspective moments and I look forward to getting to know myself all over again.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Staging Information
So I received my Staging/Pre-service training information last week, and sufficient to say, I'm more than overwhelmed. There's so much information to absorb and I can tell from departure onward, it will be a steep learning curve....but I say BRING IT ON! So I thought I'd share with you all some of the information I learned:
The town of Loitokitok is located in the Rift Valley Province at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. This is where I will spend the larger part of the 8 weeks of my Pre-Service Training (PST). During PST I will be spending most of my time in the communities around Loitokitok, which is about a 4 ½ hour drive from Nairobi. I will live with a Kenyan family from the third day of your arrival in-country to the day I swear-in as a Volunteer, three months later.
Logistics – First Three Days
Arrival: Wednesday, June 8th, 2011
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) look for one of our staff who will be holding a Peace Corps sign. You will then travel by bus to AFRALTI, which is approximately a 30- to 60-minute drive from JKIA depending on traffic. There, you will have a light meal and a good night’s sleep. You will have two days in Nairobi.
Day One and Day Two: Thursday June 9th, 2011 and Friday, June 10th, 2011
Given the late night arrival into Nairobi, on Thursday, breakfast will be served 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. with the first session of the day beginning at 9:30 a.m (DO THEY THINK THIS IS LATE OR SOMETHING?!?!) On Friday morning, breakfast will be served from 6:00 – 8:00 a.m. with the first session starting promptly at 8:30 a.m. You will receive a Safety and Security briefing by Nuru Zuhudi, Safety and Security Coordinator. You will meet with Amy Byerwalter, Director of Management and Operations and Isabella Maisiba, Volunteer Records Clerk. They will assist with completing various administrative forms. At this time, they will also collect your Peace Corps passports and 12 passport photos. During the morning, you will also meet the following Peace Corps Kenya senior staff as part of your orientation: Steven Wisecarver, Country Director; John Vreyens, Director of Programming and Training; Louis Othieno, Associate Peace Corps Director for Small Business Development; Timothy Kibet, Associate Peace Corps Director for Public Health; Joseph Maruti, Training Manager and other staff and a few Volunteers. The Medical Team (referred to as the PCMOs) will share with you a detailed immunization program. You can expect to get your first shots. PCMOs will also hand out malaria prophylaxis, give vaccinations and give the first medical training session. Also, you will learn more about your host families and meet the Host Family Coordinator. Expect to begin your crash-course in Kiswahili in the course of these two days.
Day Three: Saturday, June 11th, 2011
Breakfast will be served 6:00 – 8:00 a.m. Please have all your luggage packed and ready for loading after breakfast. We will give you instructions where to bring your luggage for loading. You will depart for Loitokitok by bus at 8:30 a.m. The trip to Loitokitok will take approximately 4½ hours (270 kilometers). We will provide a box snack and a drink for the trip. Petrol stations/ rest stops are not frequently found on this route. The bus will stop as needed; however, please be prepared that a pit latrine/toilet may not be available where you stop so you may need to walk off-road to relieve yourself. Once in Loitokitok, you will be taken to the Outward Bound Trust of Kenya—our training hub—where you will spend the night. You will have a lunch and take some time to settle in before dinner. You will share a dorm style room with 9 other trainees.
Day Four: Sunday, June 12th, 2011
Breakfast will be served 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. and the first session starts at 8:30 a.m. The day will focus on preparing you for entry into your host family communities. You will get to know the training staff in several one-on-one meetings and be introduced to your Language and Cross-Cultural Facilitators. Lunch will be served from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. During the afternoon, you will be introduced to your host families then depart with your host family to begin your home stay.
Local Conditions
The weather in Loitokitok, a small town with a population of approximately 35,000 people, ranges from cool to hot and dry to wet. The temperature during the day ranges from 75 – 85 degrees and is cool to cold at night (40 – 65 degrees). During the rainy season (which is early October through December), the town can be very muddy. In the dry season, Loitokitok has a lot of dust in the air, as the roads are not paved. Loitokitok, like most villages and towns in Kenya gets very dark at night. There are no streetlights, so we recommend that you bring with you a good, durable flashlight that can last for 2 years.
Overview of Training
Training is composed of five basic areas:
• Language Training This component involves learning basic KiSwahili until you attain the required minimum proficiency in Kiswahili.
• Cross-cultural and Inter-cultural Learning This component includes adapting to life in Kenya, learning who the people of Kenya are, our history, our values, and our traditions. Living with a host family hastens this process. Cultural training also integrates safety and security focusing on personal safety and strategies you can use to remain safe while living with your host family and at your site as a Volunteer.
•Participatory Analysis for Community Action (PACA) Training This component teaches a process to learn skills for community entry such as community mapping, resource identification, seasonal calendars, gender and development and organizational structures.
•Technical Training This component gives you knowledge and skills for your future job and how to adapt your skills to the needs of the job as well as develop skills required for your job.
•Health Training This component involves training you to take care of yourself using a Preventive approach, with a belief that a healthy Volunteer is a happy, effective Volunteer.
•Safety and Security Training This final component focuses on how Volunteers can develop strategies during Training that they can use to stay safe during their two year service.
I also found out that they will be assessing me during these three months for a variety of factors to see if I'm actually fit to be a volunteer. They will be looking for: motivation, emotional maturity, social sensitivity, cultural awareness, ability to adjust, communicative ability in language, productive technical competence and safety compliance. Should I not pass in these areas, they have the right to suggest early termination for my service!!!!
Swearing-In Date
Having met all the requirements for service, I will be sworn-in on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011. I will proceed to my site on Thursday, August 4, 2011.
19 DAYS UNTIL I LEAVE!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
My side of the story: Sexual assult in the PC
As I've said in previous posts, when I tell people that I'm joining the ranks of the Peace Corps, there are a number of responses that I usually get. Most are elated for me and think it's awesome, but some are genuinely concerned. So I would like to attempt to address this the best way I know how without seeming too insensitive.
In the last years, there have been quite a number of Peace Corps volunteers speaking out about the sexual assault that they experienced while serving in the Peace Corps and the agency's response to such unfortunate events. Just yesterday, the New York Times published this: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/us/11corps.html?_r=1&hp
While incidents like this are a real tragedy, I have to say that in no way does it deter me from following my dream into the Peace Corps. My intension of bringing awareness to this issue on my blog is not to scare my family and friends, but instead to make them aware that these things do happen. And they happen anywhere, not just within third world countries.
Sexual assault and violence is happening on a daily level worldwide! Let's take my home city for example, San Francisco. Many statistics show that San Francisco is far beyond the national average in crime. A 2003 FBI Report of Offenses Known to Law Enforcement shows 215 cases of forcible rape, 2,376 cases of aggravated assault and over 25,388 cases of theft and larceny.
But do these statistics deter me from living in what I consider the coolest city on the west coast? Heck NO! The key is to be as smart as you can be and be educated about your surroundings. I carry pepper spray everywhere I go!
And while it pains me to read these stories of the women who have had to deal with sexual assault within the Peace Corps, it also does not deter me in following through with my service in Kenya. Fear cannot be the guide in your life because that is how they win. Rape is just a tool to instill fear. Instead, I want to be an example of a woman that is strong enough and brave enough to look discrimination in the face and say "hey how bout a hug"! haha! But seriously, I'm going to work in Kenya to hopefully be an example to women there and show them that I'm not limited by my sex.
Now, these women who are speaking out also talk about the Peace Corps response in handling the attacks and violence that they experienced. It's unfortunate that these cases might have been supposedly overlooked, but I choose to believe that the Peace Corps is working on this. I think the best thing that they can do is to support the new legislation requiring, among other things, that the Peace Corps develop “sexual assault response teams” to collect forensic evidence and provide emergency health care and advocacy for victims after attacks. And I have a strong feeling they will for the safety of their female volunteers.
But also, I choose to look at this experience somewhat separate and apart from the Peace Corps. Yes, I will be a representative of PC, yes they will be paying for my living, and yes I will wear their emblem proudly, but in the end, as I've said before, this journey is solely mine and it will be MY own actions, no one else’s, that will determine my success.
I hope that these women receive justice for the atrocious acts that have happened to them and continue to speak out. And I will do my part in showing that future Peace Corps women refuse to be victims and deterred in doing good in their communities.
If you would like to read more about First Response Action and the women speaking out, you can follow their blog at firstresponseaction.blogspot.com
In the last years, there have been quite a number of Peace Corps volunteers speaking out about the sexual assault that they experienced while serving in the Peace Corps and the agency's response to such unfortunate events. Just yesterday, the New York Times published this: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/us/11corps.html?_r=1&hp
While incidents like this are a real tragedy, I have to say that in no way does it deter me from following my dream into the Peace Corps. My intension of bringing awareness to this issue on my blog is not to scare my family and friends, but instead to make them aware that these things do happen. And they happen anywhere, not just within third world countries.
Sexual assault and violence is happening on a daily level worldwide! Let's take my home city for example, San Francisco. Many statistics show that San Francisco is far beyond the national average in crime. A 2003 FBI Report of Offenses Known to Law Enforcement shows 215 cases of forcible rape, 2,376 cases of aggravated assault and over 25,388 cases of theft and larceny.
But do these statistics deter me from living in what I consider the coolest city on the west coast? Heck NO! The key is to be as smart as you can be and be educated about your surroundings. I carry pepper spray everywhere I go!
And while it pains me to read these stories of the women who have had to deal with sexual assault within the Peace Corps, it also does not deter me in following through with my service in Kenya. Fear cannot be the guide in your life because that is how they win. Rape is just a tool to instill fear. Instead, I want to be an example of a woman that is strong enough and brave enough to look discrimination in the face and say "hey how bout a hug"! haha! But seriously, I'm going to work in Kenya to hopefully be an example to women there and show them that I'm not limited by my sex.
Now, these women who are speaking out also talk about the Peace Corps response in handling the attacks and violence that they experienced. It's unfortunate that these cases might have been supposedly overlooked, but I choose to believe that the Peace Corps is working on this. I think the best thing that they can do is to support the new legislation requiring, among other things, that the Peace Corps develop “sexual assault response teams” to collect forensic evidence and provide emergency health care and advocacy for victims after attacks. And I have a strong feeling they will for the safety of their female volunteers.
But also, I choose to look at this experience somewhat separate and apart from the Peace Corps. Yes, I will be a representative of PC, yes they will be paying for my living, and yes I will wear their emblem proudly, but in the end, as I've said before, this journey is solely mine and it will be MY own actions, no one else’s, that will determine my success.
I hope that these women receive justice for the atrocious acts that have happened to them and continue to speak out. And I will do my part in showing that future Peace Corps women refuse to be victims and deterred in doing good in their communities.
If you would like to read more about First Response Action and the women speaking out, you can follow their blog at firstresponseaction.blogspot.com
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
25 Days and Counting
Other then that, things are going great. I spent this last weekend in Mt. Shasta saying goodbye to my cousins. We went hiking in Castle Craggs State Park and had a great time! I have some other fun activities set for the rest of the month such as camping with my boyfriend, Sean. We are going to test out my equipment so I'll know how to use everything once I'm in Kenya. I have a going away BBQ planned for June 4th and a few friends are flying out for it.
But my biggest news is that my flight is scheduled! I'll be flying to Philadelphia June 5th at 9:05a.m.! I'll be doing some initial training and getting my shots there. Then we all fly out June 7th around 6p.m. for Nirobi, Kenya. I've been talking to a lot of the people in my training group on facebook and getting to know them. Everyone seems super cool and I'm so excited to meet them in person.
I can't believe how time is flying. To think it took me two years to finally be saying I'm actually departing...
Monday, May 2, 2011
My Packing List
It's been hard considering what to pack when I only get two 40lb bags to check, but I've finally compiled a list! Now it's just up to actually packing!
Here's what I'll be keeping most of my gear in!
I'm also bringing this day pack, which I will be checking as well. Then I'll take two carry-ons that will be considerably smaller.
At night I'll be sleeping in this sleeping bag and on this amazing sleeping pad (which are both very light for traveling)
And I got this little guy to make things extra comfy! I couldn't help myself, I deserve a little comfort...haha 100% silk sleeping bag liner:
I'm so excited! And while I'm there I plan to do some hiking and camping, especially when I do Mt. Kenya. Therefore I bought this to stay warm and cozy in. Plus in some hostels, it's cheaper to stay in a tent next to the hostel instead of a bed. Who wants to stay in those gross beds anyway when you can get the privacy of your own tent?!
Got these little babies to walk in!
and finally I got this cute headlamp! I seriously almost went for the pink one, but had to hold myself back as to not be too flashy haha get it, "flashy"!
Other than that, this is what I plan to pack:
Bug repellent
socks
journal + a spare
ipod
iphone
computer
external
digital camera with charger
larger camera with rechargeable batteries and charger
solar charger plus cradles
kindle
flashlight
headlamp
sharp knife for cooking
swiss army knife
solar water bottle (courtesy of Sean White!)
sun glasses with case
cotton sheets (required by Peace Corps)
light blanket (required by Peace Corps)
12 passport photos (required by Peace Corps)
nail clippers
small gift for host family
warm jacket
rain jacket
sandals
deodorant
face wash (my kind that warms up because they won't have it there)
tooth paste and tooth brush
sun screen
playing cards
bath towels (required by peace corps)
duct tape
watch
pictures from home
extra AAA and AA batteries
razor and extra blades
whistle
hand sanitizer/face wipes
2 colors nail polish for fun
underwear
hot hands
gloves
bathing suit
shampoo/conditioner
aspirin, band-aids, NyQuil
sweatshirt
jeans
light shirts
long sleeve shirts
long skirt
carabiners
leggings
work out pants
hat
a few essential make-up items
a cute dress to go out in
a pair of comfortable wedges/heels
I'm still working on the list and still have to ACTUALLY pack, but I'm getting super excited and looking forward to when that part of my journey is behind me. It's amazing how little you really can live on which is something I have to continue to remind myself when thinking about how bad I'd like to bring my tempurpedic! haha! But I think I'm off to a good start and I'm so thankful that I can always call up my family to send me essentials if need be :)
33 DAYS!
Here's what I'll be keeping most of my gear in!
I'm also bringing this day pack, which I will be checking as well. Then I'll take two carry-ons that will be considerably smaller.
At night I'll be sleeping in this sleeping bag and on this amazing sleeping pad (which are both very light for traveling)
And I got this little guy to make things extra comfy! I couldn't help myself, I deserve a little comfort...haha 100% silk sleeping bag liner:
I'm so excited! And while I'm there I plan to do some hiking and camping, especially when I do Mt. Kenya. Therefore I bought this to stay warm and cozy in. Plus in some hostels, it's cheaper to stay in a tent next to the hostel instead of a bed. Who wants to stay in those gross beds anyway when you can get the privacy of your own tent?!
Got these little babies to walk in!
and finally I got this cute headlamp! I seriously almost went for the pink one, but had to hold myself back as to not be too flashy haha get it, "flashy"!
Other than that, this is what I plan to pack:
Bug repellent
socks
journal + a spare
ipod
iphone
computer
external
digital camera with charger
larger camera with rechargeable batteries and charger
solar charger plus cradles
kindle
flashlight
headlamp
sharp knife for cooking
swiss army knife
solar water bottle (courtesy of Sean White!)
sun glasses with case
cotton sheets (required by Peace Corps)
light blanket (required by Peace Corps)
12 passport photos (required by Peace Corps)
nail clippers
small gift for host family
warm jacket
rain jacket
sandals
deodorant
face wash (my kind that warms up because they won't have it there)
tooth paste and tooth brush
sun screen
playing cards
bath towels (required by peace corps)
duct tape
watch
pictures from home
extra AAA and AA batteries
razor and extra blades
whistle
hand sanitizer/face wipes
2 colors nail polish for fun
underwear
hot hands
gloves
bathing suit
shampoo/conditioner
aspirin, band-aids, NyQuil
sweatshirt
jeans
light shirts
long sleeve shirts
long skirt
carabiners
leggings
work out pants
hat
a few essential make-up items
a cute dress to go out in
a pair of comfortable wedges/heels
I'm still working on the list and still have to ACTUALLY pack, but I'm getting super excited and looking forward to when that part of my journey is behind me. It's amazing how little you really can live on which is something I have to continue to remind myself when thinking about how bad I'd like to bring my tempurpedic! haha! But I think I'm off to a good start and I'm so thankful that I can always call up my family to send me essentials if need be :)
33 DAYS!
Friday, April 22, 2011
My "why"
Departing for an adventure such as this, is a journey within itself. Everywhere I go, my topic of conversation somehow ends up being about my choice to go into the Peace Corps. I find mixed emotion about this. Some are shocked, most excited, but for me....it's overwhelming. It seems as if Peace Corps has taken over my life months before I have even left for service. People ask me questions about what I will be doing while I am in Kenya, they ask me what my living situation will be like, but most of all I always find myself facing the inevitable question of "why?" So here is my attempt at answering that once and for all.
And in the end, my answer is one of cliché....put simply, I want to help people.
My whole life I have found myself dedicating my time to things I believed in...sometimes a little too passionately. I went through a stage where I was very political, working on the John Kerry campaign and interning for Senator Barbara Boxer. I went through a stage where I was a "feminist". I read all the pro-fem novels, joined Emily's List, and even went as far to buy a shirt that said "This is what a feminist looks like" (sufficient to say I only wore it once after being made fun of haha). I went through a stage where I was a "wanna-be-Jew", delving into Hillel because it provided an outlet for activism, even going as far to travel to D.C. with them to lobby on Capital Hill about current Jewish issues (I'm a raised Catholic by the way). I went through a stage where I was fired up about reproductive freedom and comprehensive sexual education, starting a group called SYRF (Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom), lobbying for Planned Parenthood and advocating the Pro-Choice movement. And my most recent stage has been Human Rights, particularly within the HIV/AIDS arena working with San Francisco Aids Foundation, Kiva, and Amnesty International.
Some might say I'm a liberal, a hippy, a flower child, but honestly, none of my motives lay beneath these labels.
For those who do not know where I come from, I like to call myself of "mixed-class" (sorta like mixed blood, but instead of being about race, mixed class is about your economic level). I simultaneously grew up in what most would call the American dream among the beautiful and peaceful suburbs, but at the same time seeing poverty first hand. My father working hard to give me the chance for a good education in a top notch neighborhood, while my mother struggling to put food on the table. One day I would be riding in my friend's BMW, the next visiting my mom in a homeless shelter. Sometimes it made it difficult to connect with my wealthier friends because I didn't want them to know about my situation. Finding my mom living next to a freeway under a tarp was a difficult circumstance to explain to my friends whose biggest problems were that they had to share a bathroom with their brother. While I was trying to comprehend living with a mother with schizophrenia, they were worried about getting asked to the dance.
These days, however, I am more then ever open about where I come from and it has healed me to talk openly about it. I know that it made me stronger, it made me who I am, and most importantly, it has led me to the decision to make the biggest commitment of my life, the Peace Corps. By seeing and experiencing poverty first hand, I've come to know that I want to help people who are not as fortunate as I am. My mother and I are closer then ever now and she gets government assistance to live a comfortable life. In short, I totally think of myself of having the "happy ending". So now, I want to help others get to that chapter.
I'm excited for my journey. I'm excited to see the world, learn a language, live fully, breath clearly. But most of all I'm excited to use my life experience to have a journey through eyes no one else will ever be able to. This journey is solely my own. I can't wait to meet the people in Kenya and hopefully touch their hearts while they in turn touch mine.
So my "why" really is simple. I want to live my life for the good of human kind. I want to remember what makes us all the same in the end, that we are each people with needs, emotions, strengths, weaknesses...and because laughter is the same in every language.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The anticipation is killing me!
As things slowly come to a wrap for me here in the United States, I've been spending my time doing research here and there to prepare myself for my new life. I thought I'd share a few of the links to my sources in case friends and family want to know more about where I am going and what I will be doing for the next 27 months.
This is the Peace Corps official handbook guide to Kenya! A really useful tool!
http://www.peacecorps.gov/welcomebooks/kewb615.pdf
"You Better Remember This" is a beautiful narrative about everyday life in Kenya from the eyes of a former volunteer.
http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/pc-writers/category/stories-from-the-peace-corps/kenya/
I also found a couple of blogs:
http://superkeen.com/peacecorpsweblog/
http://www.nicdominguezpctrip.blogspot.com/
Anyway, I'm getting very excited for my new life. I've found someone to take over my apartment in the Marina which is good, but I'm going to miss my cozy little cave so much! I loved that apartment and it was short lived. I'm moving back into my father's house in Martinez on April 15th and I've given my work notice that my last day is April 28th. Then I get all of May to just party and relax before my journey. It's been hard to focus at work when I know what lays ahead of me.
Will blog again soon!
Andrea
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)