Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Home sweet home!
Hello everyone,
As of Sunday night I am back home in snowy MN. It is surreal to be home again and I feel like it hasn't quite hit me. I don't even know what to do! I feel a little disconnected from all my friends and find I am missing my friends in Kenya already.
....
more to come
As of Sunday night I am back home in snowy MN. It is surreal to be home again and I feel like it hasn't quite hit me. I don't even know what to do! I feel a little disconnected from all my friends and find I am missing my friends in Kenya already.
....
more to come
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Leaving is the hardest thing...
Thursday December 4th, 2008 will go down in history as one of the hardest days of my life. Who knew that in a short month and a half I would make such strong relationships and completely fall in love with a village and a community.
I didn't even pack my things until an hour or so before I left. I gave almost all my clothes away to my neighbor girls. I couldn't make myself say goodbye to Nelson because I was crying to hard.
I spent the whole day at the orphanage and at my nieghbors house. I started tearing up everytime Lindsay ran to jump in my arms. I couldn't even think about leaving Dorthy. As I write this now in the internet cafe I am holding back tears. Dorthy kept saying things she would miss about me the whole week leading up to my departure. I know she will miss me and I will miss her so much.
To top things off, Dorthy spent the whole day cooking a huge meal in honor of me. I initially thought she was inviting the Pastor I worked with and some of her close friends, she ended up suprising me by inviting about 20 guests...my neighbors, friends, people I worked with, etc. Each person went around and said something about me then they prayed for me. They told me when they give away a daughter in the community they come together like this, and since I was their daughter, they wanted to hold a celebration for me.
If I already wasn't emotional enough, I stepped outside after dinner to find that Dorthy had gathered all of the nieghbor kids together. About 15 kids were standing outside in the yard with their families...a lot of them wearing my clothes. They were singing a goodbye song for me. I totally lost it...
I am excited to be back in the US but I already miss my village, my home, my family and my friends there. I long to go back and I haven't even left Kenya yet.
I didn't even pack my things until an hour or so before I left. I gave almost all my clothes away to my neighbor girls. I couldn't make myself say goodbye to Nelson because I was crying to hard.
I spent the whole day at the orphanage and at my nieghbors house. I started tearing up everytime Lindsay ran to jump in my arms. I couldn't even think about leaving Dorthy. As I write this now in the internet cafe I am holding back tears. Dorthy kept saying things she would miss about me the whole week leading up to my departure. I know she will miss me and I will miss her so much.
To top things off, Dorthy spent the whole day cooking a huge meal in honor of me. I initially thought she was inviting the Pastor I worked with and some of her close friends, she ended up suprising me by inviting about 20 guests...my neighbors, friends, people I worked with, etc. Each person went around and said something about me then they prayed for me. They told me when they give away a daughter in the community they come together like this, and since I was their daughter, they wanted to hold a celebration for me.
If I already wasn't emotional enough, I stepped outside after dinner to find that Dorthy had gathered all of the nieghbor kids together. About 15 kids were standing outside in the yard with their families...a lot of them wearing my clothes. They were singing a goodbye song for me. I totally lost it...
I am excited to be back in the US but I already miss my village, my home, my family and my friends there. I long to go back and I haven't even left Kenya yet.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
A day with Dorthy
**there are two new posts below this one**
Today I took Dorthy out.
I bought her toys for her kids. Some sand toys (bukcets, shovels, toy rakes), toy trucks and cars, balloons, balls, and a bowling set.
Then I took her out to eat at one of the nicest restraunts in town.
She is planning on having a Christmas party for the kids and said she will hire a photographer so she can send me back pictures of the kids playing with their toys.
The kids are not coming to her house for lunch now because it is school holiday and Christmas break and she follows the same schedule as the schools. She also said she needs a break from feeding the kids. She also said it's good so the families don't become dependent on her for food. In my opinion the families already take slight advantage of her feeding center, so it is good for them to feel the responsibilities of feeding a child. Even if it is one meal a day, we have to think it is better than zero.
God the kids are cute. And so is my host mom, she is such a crazy lady. Even though I have to be so so so overly patient with her and half the time we don't understand each other, she has the biggest heart ever. The community is lucky to have her.
Today I took Dorthy out.
I bought her toys for her kids. Some sand toys (bukcets, shovels, toy rakes), toy trucks and cars, balloons, balls, and a bowling set.
Then I took her out to eat at one of the nicest restraunts in town.
She is planning on having a Christmas party for the kids and said she will hire a photographer so she can send me back pictures of the kids playing with their toys.
The kids are not coming to her house for lunch now because it is school holiday and Christmas break and she follows the same schedule as the schools. She also said she needs a break from feeding the kids. She also said it's good so the families don't become dependent on her for food. In my opinion the families already take slight advantage of her feeding center, so it is good for them to feel the responsibilities of feeding a child. Even if it is one meal a day, we have to think it is better than zero.
God the kids are cute. And so is my host mom, she is such a crazy lady. Even though I have to be so so so overly patient with her and half the time we don't understand each other, she has the biggest heart ever. The community is lucky to have her.
Experience
*There is a new post below this one*
I have come a continent away. I have stood at the border of Kenya and Uganda. I have walked, cried, and laughed in the slums of Nairobi. I have ran through the rains in the mountains of Kisumu, over red soils. I have gotten lost more times that I can count, been frustrated more than I could have imagined, been the most uncomfortable I have ever been. I've swam in the Nile, snorkeled in the Indian Ocean, climbed into a speeding matatu, jumped off of a crashing bodaboda. I have been yelled at, hasseled, misunderstood, mistaken, judged, stereotyped. I have been invited over for dinner by a woman who couldn't afford to put shoes on her feet and school uniforms on her children. I've been welcomed with open arms and hugs from strangers. I've been listened to and talked to with kind words. I've stood in front of classes with over 60something students and have learned more than I ever thought possible. I was taught. Each child with a story I will never have to experience and I'm not sure I could endure. I will never have to suffer alongside them. I've walked past naked, sick, dying. I've been reminded of how lucky my passport makes me, the secret advantages of my ethnicity, the comforts of a third world country. My skin color. I forget the color of my skin, I am constantly reminded. I've gone one month without a shower, hot water, flushing toilets. I splash water on my body from a dirty bucket and I thank God everyday I am alive. I rub my feet with a napkin. I have grown, learned, become an independent girl. My Nairobi mom is proud of me, she texts me "you go girl"... my Kisumu mom has taught me so much. I have a new home. I have new family. New friends. I have lived in this beautiful place called Kenya. My home.
My fellow students sit in desks and walk to class through the cold MN weather, they read in textbooks and party in bars. They listen to old white men go through lecture notes. This semester, my education has been experience. Thank God.
I have come a continent away. I have stood at the border of Kenya and Uganda. I have walked, cried, and laughed in the slums of Nairobi. I have ran through the rains in the mountains of Kisumu, over red soils. I have gotten lost more times that I can count, been frustrated more than I could have imagined, been the most uncomfortable I have ever been. I've swam in the Nile, snorkeled in the Indian Ocean, climbed into a speeding matatu, jumped off of a crashing bodaboda. I have been yelled at, hasseled, misunderstood, mistaken, judged, stereotyped. I have been invited over for dinner by a woman who couldn't afford to put shoes on her feet and school uniforms on her children. I've been welcomed with open arms and hugs from strangers. I've been listened to and talked to with kind words. I've stood in front of classes with over 60something students and have learned more than I ever thought possible. I was taught. Each child with a story I will never have to experience and I'm not sure I could endure. I will never have to suffer alongside them. I've walked past naked, sick, dying. I've been reminded of how lucky my passport makes me, the secret advantages of my ethnicity, the comforts of a third world country. My skin color. I forget the color of my skin, I am constantly reminded. I've gone one month without a shower, hot water, flushing toilets. I splash water on my body from a dirty bucket and I thank God everyday I am alive. I rub my feet with a napkin. I have grown, learned, become an independent girl. My Nairobi mom is proud of me, she texts me "you go girl"... my Kisumu mom has taught me so much. I have a new home. I have new family. New friends. I have lived in this beautiful place called Kenya. My home.
My fellow students sit in desks and walk to class through the cold MN weather, they read in textbooks and party in bars. They listen to old white men go through lecture notes. This semester, my education has been experience. Thank God.
"I have never gotten sick or gotten anything stolen in Kenya - UNITL last week...blah"
It's been awhile since I've been online, I should start by explaining why...
As I was lying on the cold concrete floor of the bathroom - last week, for the third night in a row, I tried staring at the cockroaches in the corner and counting as far as I could in Swahili. That still didn't take my mind off of the toilet, and rather this time around I'd be sitting on it or puking in it. I'll spare the rest of the details, but let's just say I have never been that sick in my life. I never want to be that sick again. It was horrible and I'm so glad I'm better. Experiencing the Kenyan hospital was also not that fun. Trying to communicate to people that it was not a weather change or a spicy meal that was making me sick was not fun. I was sick for about a week with severe food poisoning - and how I got it is another story in itself.
It all started when I had the brilliant idea of testing my newfound independence by traveling from one side of the country to the opposite on my own in what turned out to be a over 23 hour bus ride total. A bus ride to remember. I started in Kisumu and traveled to meet friends in Mombassa, then we traveled up to an island off the northeast coast called Lamu. Once I met my friends and we had all got to Lamu, I admit that I did a little bragging about never being sick or getting anything stolen. Well, that was a bad idea. While in Lamu, which is a small island made up of a Muslim community, with no transportation except for donkeys - we had a blast. We ate great food and booked with a crew to sail us out to surrounding islands. We spent the day on the beach, in the sun, playing in the Indian Ocean, jumping over huge waves, it was beautiful. After a gourmet lunch of fresh caught fish and fruit, we went out for a walk. We came back and all of my money was gone - taken from the wallet in my purse. I'm over it now, but it was upsetting at first. It also sparked something out of the movie Pirates of the Carribean. Our trusted and beloved crew yelled at us to get on the ship as we tried to chase down the other boat that had been at the island. Allegedly, the other boat consisted of Somailian Pirates who were in Kenya illegally, banking in on tourists and local tourist businesses. We chased them, yelled at them, and our crew waited for them to come in at night. The Somalians who took my money were hiding out in a house nearby and our crew wanted us to get involved in this elaborate plan which we def. said NO to! In the end, the men were arrested and confessed to taking my money, they said I would get it back but I'm still waiting. I was embarrassed to say how much was stolen because it was about $80 American dollars which is a lot of money here.
So, I had money stolen, it could have been much worse, I'm thankful they didn't take my camera or phone. Next - the source of the food poisoning. We were excited when a random guy approached us on the street and invited us to his home for dinner and music. We trusted him because we read in our guide books that he has been inviting tourists to his home for dinner for over 30 years - he was somewhat famous around the island. We went, things were a little dirty and we sat on his floor to eat with our hands. The next day, we were all sick. So, I experienced being sick for the first time in Kenya. At least we enjoyed the food before getting sick - it was a fish and lobster dinner.
I am better now and back in Kisumu but my program is ending soon and I'll be leaving Kisumu for Nairobi on Thursday night. I don't even want to think about leaving the people in Kisumu, it's hard just to imagine it.
As I was lying on the cold concrete floor of the bathroom - last week, for the third night in a row, I tried staring at the cockroaches in the corner and counting as far as I could in Swahili. That still didn't take my mind off of the toilet, and rather this time around I'd be sitting on it or puking in it. I'll spare the rest of the details, but let's just say I have never been that sick in my life. I never want to be that sick again. It was horrible and I'm so glad I'm better. Experiencing the Kenyan hospital was also not that fun. Trying to communicate to people that it was not a weather change or a spicy meal that was making me sick was not fun. I was sick for about a week with severe food poisoning - and how I got it is another story in itself.
It all started when I had the brilliant idea of testing my newfound independence by traveling from one side of the country to the opposite on my own in what turned out to be a over 23 hour bus ride total. A bus ride to remember. I started in Kisumu and traveled to meet friends in Mombassa, then we traveled up to an island off the northeast coast called Lamu. Once I met my friends and we had all got to Lamu, I admit that I did a little bragging about never being sick or getting anything stolen. Well, that was a bad idea. While in Lamu, which is a small island made up of a Muslim community, with no transportation except for donkeys - we had a blast. We ate great food and booked with a crew to sail us out to surrounding islands. We spent the day on the beach, in the sun, playing in the Indian Ocean, jumping over huge waves, it was beautiful. After a gourmet lunch of fresh caught fish and fruit, we went out for a walk. We came back and all of my money was gone - taken from the wallet in my purse. I'm over it now, but it was upsetting at first. It also sparked something out of the movie Pirates of the Carribean. Our trusted and beloved crew yelled at us to get on the ship as we tried to chase down the other boat that had been at the island. Allegedly, the other boat consisted of Somailian Pirates who were in Kenya illegally, banking in on tourists and local tourist businesses. We chased them, yelled at them, and our crew waited for them to come in at night. The Somalians who took my money were hiding out in a house nearby and our crew wanted us to get involved in this elaborate plan which we def. said NO to! In the end, the men were arrested and confessed to taking my money, they said I would get it back but I'm still waiting. I was embarrassed to say how much was stolen because it was about $80 American dollars which is a lot of money here.
So, I had money stolen, it could have been much worse, I'm thankful they didn't take my camera or phone. Next - the source of the food poisoning. We were excited when a random guy approached us on the street and invited us to his home for dinner and music. We trusted him because we read in our guide books that he has been inviting tourists to his home for dinner for over 30 years - he was somewhat famous around the island. We went, things were a little dirty and we sat on his floor to eat with our hands. The next day, we were all sick. So, I experienced being sick for the first time in Kenya. At least we enjoyed the food before getting sick - it was a fish and lobster dinner.
I am better now and back in Kisumu but my program is ending soon and I'll be leaving Kisumu for Nairobi on Thursday night. I don't even want to think about leaving the people in Kisumu, it's hard just to imagine it.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Virtues
My host mom doesn't understand me when I speak. It takes an hour to get to town and sometimes another for a matatu to come. We don't eat dinner until 7, 8, or 9. I have to repeat everything, slower, wait, slower wait.
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE.
The teachers think America is perfect, the students are taught in America anything is possible. I am not conscious of my skin color, I forget but am constantly reminded. I'm late - stop the preaching, teaching, conversations, stare, whisper, point, laugh. Muzungu. The USA is perfect. I am rich. Little boys and girls hold out their hands - asking for money. My skin color tells my story, speaks my history, tells of apparent wealth. There is no escaping it, no hiding it.
TOLERANCE IS A VIRTUE.
Nelson and I spend most of our time together laughing at each other. Lindsay has the best laugh, it follows her giant smile. The kids were suprised when I danced, sang, played with them. They laughed so hard. I always get caught running in the rain, through the mud. I tell my mom I don't like coke, she buys me coke. I can't understand Pastor Silas's jokes but I laugh anyway.
LAUGHTER IS A VIRTUE.
My students stand to greet me in class, erase the board for me, hold my things. The boys at the orphanage turn into my allies in school. They watch my things like a hawk, hold the students back when they run at me to see my camera, greet me excitedly everytime they see me. I drink a million cups of tea a day, eat things I would never imagine - I am a guest, welcomed and invited to everyone's home.
RESPECT IS A VIRTUE.
I care for those kids, bring them candy. Stick up for them in class. See the wrappers everywhere on my way home and pick them up. Shake everyone's hand and smile, "Hello, Jambo, Amosie" they are bound to understand one or the other. I bought paper and crayons. When I leave, who will help my host mom figure out or phone or remind her to take her medicine. I am welcomed, complimented, greeted, hugged by strangers who become friends and family. Invited for tea. Chelsey, you look beautiful this morning. My friends call to say hi and ask how I am.
KINDNESS IS A VIRTUE.
I love the mountains, the lake, the village. I love the hot sun and cool rain. The sounds and excitment. The smiles and kindness. The people.
LOVE IS A VIRTUE.
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE.
The teachers think America is perfect, the students are taught in America anything is possible. I am not conscious of my skin color, I forget but am constantly reminded. I'm late - stop the preaching, teaching, conversations, stare, whisper, point, laugh. Muzungu. The USA is perfect. I am rich. Little boys and girls hold out their hands - asking for money. My skin color tells my story, speaks my history, tells of apparent wealth. There is no escaping it, no hiding it.
TOLERANCE IS A VIRTUE.
Nelson and I spend most of our time together laughing at each other. Lindsay has the best laugh, it follows her giant smile. The kids were suprised when I danced, sang, played with them. They laughed so hard. I always get caught running in the rain, through the mud. I tell my mom I don't like coke, she buys me coke. I can't understand Pastor Silas's jokes but I laugh anyway.
LAUGHTER IS A VIRTUE.
My students stand to greet me in class, erase the board for me, hold my things. The boys at the orphanage turn into my allies in school. They watch my things like a hawk, hold the students back when they run at me to see my camera, greet me excitedly everytime they see me. I drink a million cups of tea a day, eat things I would never imagine - I am a guest, welcomed and invited to everyone's home.
RESPECT IS A VIRTUE.
I care for those kids, bring them candy. Stick up for them in class. See the wrappers everywhere on my way home and pick them up. Shake everyone's hand and smile, "Hello, Jambo, Amosie" they are bound to understand one or the other. I bought paper and crayons. When I leave, who will help my host mom figure out or phone or remind her to take her medicine. I am welcomed, complimented, greeted, hugged by strangers who become friends and family. Invited for tea. Chelsey, you look beautiful this morning. My friends call to say hi and ask how I am.
KINDNESS IS A VIRTUE.
I love the mountains, the lake, the village. I love the hot sun and cool rain. The sounds and excitment. The smiles and kindness. The people.
LOVE IS A VIRTUE.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
What I love. What I love I will miss.
I love falling asleep to the sound of rain on my little tin roof, the sound of my mom praying at her bedside, and the sound of livestock in the background
I love waking up to Nelson, milking the cows, to my breakfast of fresh fruit, I love waking up excited for the day, excited to be in the midst of hundreds of amazing children
I love walking to school. I love weaving up the mountain over the red clay. I love the view of the lake and the city below. I love the women who greet me while balancing buckets of water on their heads, the men who murmer a mixture of english swahili and lou greetings at me, the kids who run to hold my hand, give me a hug
I love the feeling of walking into a classroom, being called to come into the class, learning, growing, laughing, crying, playing, singing, and dancing with hundreds of kids each day - I love
I love lunch time at the school, the orphanage, and my home. I love that I have gained three pounds and everyday my mom tells me how beautiful I am becoming.
to be continued...(I love that my friend just called me and wants to buy lunch for me right now!...lol)
I love waking up to Nelson, milking the cows, to my breakfast of fresh fruit, I love waking up excited for the day, excited to be in the midst of hundreds of amazing children
I love walking to school. I love weaving up the mountain over the red clay. I love the view of the lake and the city below. I love the women who greet me while balancing buckets of water on their heads, the men who murmer a mixture of english swahili and lou greetings at me, the kids who run to hold my hand, give me a hug
I love the feeling of walking into a classroom, being called to come into the class, learning, growing, laughing, crying, playing, singing, and dancing with hundreds of kids each day - I love
I love lunch time at the school, the orphanage, and my home. I love that I have gained three pounds and everyday my mom tells me how beautiful I am becoming.
to be continued...(I love that my friend just called me and wants to buy lunch for me right now!...lol)
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Life thus far in Kisumu
Hello all.
Yesterday was a perfect day. I taught probably over 100 of the primary school students the song/game "little sally walker" - those of you in STLF know what i'm talking about. I played, sang, danced, taught, then they taught me. I learned some words in mother tongue, some songs, games...it was a lot of fun.
Then I walked over to the orphanage for lunch and saw all of the standard 8 (eigth grade) boys were lined up waiting for me. They told me they wanted to take me on a trip! So we walked up and down, through the mountains, through farm fields and dirt paths for over 3 hours. They showed me the most beautiful things I think I will ever see. Views of the city, the lake, the mountains, giant rock formations, the river. They introduced me to friends. It was so nice.
People everywhere stared at me and 7 boys walking through the woods ...we just laughed. They are my new friends.
Next week, we are walking from the orphanage to the lake, it takes a full day. I hope I can keep up with them. I have no idea how they don't get lost.
Things are good. I can't imagine how I will leave this place. I leave in less than a month. I am excited to come home, but leaving my friends here will be the hardest thing I have ever done.
ps - my host mom met with her bank and got some information. I will forward it onto my mom, it's kind of confusing. I'll keep you updated.
love, chelsey
Yesterday was a perfect day. I taught probably over 100 of the primary school students the song/game "little sally walker" - those of you in STLF know what i'm talking about. I played, sang, danced, taught, then they taught me. I learned some words in mother tongue, some songs, games...it was a lot of fun.
Then I walked over to the orphanage for lunch and saw all of the standard 8 (eigth grade) boys were lined up waiting for me. They told me they wanted to take me on a trip! So we walked up and down, through the mountains, through farm fields and dirt paths for over 3 hours. They showed me the most beautiful things I think I will ever see. Views of the city, the lake, the mountains, giant rock formations, the river. They introduced me to friends. It was so nice.
People everywhere stared at me and 7 boys walking through the woods ...we just laughed. They are my new friends.
Next week, we are walking from the orphanage to the lake, it takes a full day. I hope I can keep up with them. I have no idea how they don't get lost.
Things are good. I can't imagine how I will leave this place. I leave in less than a month. I am excited to come home, but leaving my friends here will be the hardest thing I have ever done.
ps - my host mom met with her bank and got some information. I will forward it onto my mom, it's kind of confusing. I'll keep you updated.
love, chelsey
Saturday, November 8, 2008
What it is and is not about (whatever "it" is)
(***There are two new blogs below this one***)
It's not all about HIV/AIDS, it's about worms and parasites, a decent meal - malnutrition, diarrhea - a common killer, malaria - a common killer, the common cold...
It's not about flushing toilets and running tap water, i laugh at the thought of hot water, it's about finding something clean and safe to drink, a place to dispose your waste
It's not about the slums and urbanization, it's about the fact that there are no opportunities in the rural areas, it's a flee and a migration for a job and an education
It's not about the corruption, it's about the disparity, the underpaid, the overworked, the cause of the corruption
It's not loitering, it's waiting for a job, a handout, an opportunity, a scrap
It's not despair, it's all they know
It's not equality, it's oppression
It's not "we do this because it's the best way", it's "we do this because it's the only way"
It's not government, it's an iron fist, don't breath too much, if they have water and electricity and an allowance for their dog, you can starve
It's not about politics, it's about which ethnic group has the power, which tribe has the money, the superiority over the other, it's about the 42 different ethnic groups in Kenya, each with their own culture, land, and language
It's not about owning land, it's about what land you were forced out of and forced into by the ones that colonized you not that long ago
It's not about developing the country for the country and it's people, it's about developing the country for the benefit of the few, the superpowers, and the superior
It's not about the truth, it's about ulterior motives
It's not about the long term, it's about the short term
It's not about accepting things the way they are, it's about learning why things are the way they are
It's not about what you need or want, it's about making the most of what you have, being resourceful
It's not free education, it's school and exam fees and uniform costs, the system of education is failing it's own students
It's not free healthcare, it's medication costs
----------------------
It's not what you see on the surface, read in the blogs, or hear in the news. It's what you live, eat and breath. The people who become your friends and family. The homes you live in. The stories you hear face to face. The ones you hug, think about at night, and worry about everyday. It's about the ones you can't wait to see and know you'll miss.
When I think about what it (whatever it is) about I think about the little girl that doesn't go to school but waits by my house for me everyday. She stands there and waits for me to come home so she can run to me as soon as she see's me in the distance and jump into my arms. We can't understand each other speaking but we understand each other different ways. I think about her - Lindsay. So tiny, her smile takes up her whole face. I can't even imagine the day when I'll have to leave her. Not only her, but the other kids that join her and run through the village after me when they hear or see me coming.
I think about my host mom. I think about all she has seen in her 60 years. She has outlived each of her children and her husband. She is so strong. I think about her kids. I think about how excited they were to see a camera. How curious they were. How we played with it for a whole hour. My heart dropped to learn that many of them were HIV+, many have no parents. Many are malnourished. Many only eat the meal my mom gives them and nothing else, because there is nothing else.
I think about my friend, our milkman and farmhelp Nelson. He laughs and smiles everytime he sees me. He is so handsome - I wonder if he even knows this. He doesn't know how old he is. How can you have no birthday to celebrate. He speaks the little english he knows while I speak the little swahili I know. I wonder where he will be in ten years.
I laugh when I think about the kids at primary school. I think about the girls that I tried to help carry water with, I wasn't even strong enough to lift the bucket to my head. I think about the day I was walking home from school, I had taught class 3 and class 4 the Old McDonald Had a Farm song that day...I was walking home and all of a sudden, I hear all of the kids banging on their empty water buckets and singing behind me, "Old McDonald had a farm..." I think about my class 5. There are over 65 kids in my class. All 65 of them squish onto wooden benches, and pass around pencils - they share because they don't all have pencils. 65 kids in one class. I think about all the other classes, how over half kids in the school are orphans. I think about how excited they are to greet me every morning. I think about how much they value their education, how well mannered they are, how hard they work.
I think about Walter and James. Walter is the caretaker at Ogada Children's Home and James is the cook. I think about all of our conversations, my failed attempts to help make lunch, how they rush to make tea whenever they see me coming. I wonder about their past and what brought them to Ogada.
I think about the teachers at my school. They work 7 days a week. I wonder if I am fit for this kind of job. They know every single student in their class - even with class sizes often over 65. They spend their own money to make sure students have pencils, medicine, paper, lunch, etc.
I guess it's about the people?
------------
It's not all about HIV/AIDS, it's about worms and parasites, a decent meal - malnutrition, diarrhea - a common killer, malaria - a common killer, the common cold...
It's not about flushing toilets and running tap water, i laugh at the thought of hot water, it's about finding something clean and safe to drink, a place to dispose your waste
It's not about the slums and urbanization, it's about the fact that there are no opportunities in the rural areas, it's a flee and a migration for a job and an education
It's not about the corruption, it's about the disparity, the underpaid, the overworked, the cause of the corruption
It's not loitering, it's waiting for a job, a handout, an opportunity, a scrap
It's not despair, it's all they know
It's not equality, it's oppression
It's not "we do this because it's the best way", it's "we do this because it's the only way"
It's not government, it's an iron fist, don't breath too much, if they have water and electricity and an allowance for their dog, you can starve
It's not about politics, it's about which ethnic group has the power, which tribe has the money, the superiority over the other, it's about the 42 different ethnic groups in Kenya, each with their own culture, land, and language
It's not about owning land, it's about what land you were forced out of and forced into by the ones that colonized you not that long ago
It's not about developing the country for the country and it's people, it's about developing the country for the benefit of the few, the superpowers, and the superior
It's not about the truth, it's about ulterior motives
It's not about the long term, it's about the short term
It's not about accepting things the way they are, it's about learning why things are the way they are
It's not about what you need or want, it's about making the most of what you have, being resourceful
It's not free education, it's school and exam fees and uniform costs, the system of education is failing it's own students
It's not free healthcare, it's medication costs
----------------------
It's not what you see on the surface, read in the blogs, or hear in the news. It's what you live, eat and breath. The people who become your friends and family. The homes you live in. The stories you hear face to face. The ones you hug, think about at night, and worry about everyday. It's about the ones you can't wait to see and know you'll miss.
When I think about what it (whatever it is) about I think about the little girl that doesn't go to school but waits by my house for me everyday. She stands there and waits for me to come home so she can run to me as soon as she see's me in the distance and jump into my arms. We can't understand each other speaking but we understand each other different ways. I think about her - Lindsay. So tiny, her smile takes up her whole face. I can't even imagine the day when I'll have to leave her. Not only her, but the other kids that join her and run through the village after me when they hear or see me coming.
I think about my host mom. I think about all she has seen in her 60 years. She has outlived each of her children and her husband. She is so strong. I think about her kids. I think about how excited they were to see a camera. How curious they were. How we played with it for a whole hour. My heart dropped to learn that many of them were HIV+, many have no parents. Many are malnourished. Many only eat the meal my mom gives them and nothing else, because there is nothing else.
I think about my friend, our milkman and farmhelp Nelson. He laughs and smiles everytime he sees me. He is so handsome - I wonder if he even knows this. He doesn't know how old he is. How can you have no birthday to celebrate. He speaks the little english he knows while I speak the little swahili I know. I wonder where he will be in ten years.
I laugh when I think about the kids at primary school. I think about the girls that I tried to help carry water with, I wasn't even strong enough to lift the bucket to my head. I think about the day I was walking home from school, I had taught class 3 and class 4 the Old McDonald Had a Farm song that day...I was walking home and all of a sudden, I hear all of the kids banging on their empty water buckets and singing behind me, "Old McDonald had a farm..." I think about my class 5. There are over 65 kids in my class. All 65 of them squish onto wooden benches, and pass around pencils - they share because they don't all have pencils. 65 kids in one class. I think about all the other classes, how over half kids in the school are orphans. I think about how excited they are to greet me every morning. I think about how much they value their education, how well mannered they are, how hard they work.
I think about Walter and James. Walter is the caretaker at Ogada Children's Home and James is the cook. I think about all of our conversations, my failed attempts to help make lunch, how they rush to make tea whenever they see me coming. I wonder about their past and what brought them to Ogada.
I think about the teachers at my school. They work 7 days a week. I wonder if I am fit for this kind of job. They know every single student in their class - even with class sizes often over 65. They spend their own money to make sure students have pencils, medicine, paper, lunch, etc.
I guess it's about the people?
------------
Friday, November 7, 2008
Kenyan thoughts about America/white people/me
**there is a new blog below this one**
Living here, especially in the rural area - has opened my eyes to many of the sterotypes and judgements Kenyans have about America and Americans in general. Of course, not every single Kenyan believes in these things. However, most I have talked to, including well educated teachers, parents, and students as young as 3rd grade all have expressed belief in these judgements.
Here are just some of the common ones:
1.) All white people are rich and most white people are Americans, therefore America is the richest place in the world
2.) Poverty, crime, homelessness, street people, drug or alcohol problems, etc do NOT exist in America
3.) Everyone has a job in America, jobs are plentiful and if a Kenyan came to America, they would secure a job immediatley and become wealthy. When a student graduates from a university, they are given a job by the government
4.) Everyone has a car in America
5.) White people and black people do not associate with each other or get along well in America
6.) One American represents all Americans, one white person represents all white people. So, when people here talk to me about Americans or white people they say, "you whites" or "you people" or "you Americans" as if I represent all.
7.) You can do anything if you are an American
8.) Canada is part of America, Europeans and Americans are similiar in all ways, most Americans have been to every state and know people in each state
9.) The American government restricts how many kids each family can have, which is why families are smaller in America than in Kenya
10.) The whole country of America is very cold and the sun only shines for a little part of the day, the rest of the time is darkness
Sterotypes about me
1.) I am a missionary, I am here to volunteer and donate lots and lots of money
2.) I am not capable of knowing when others are talking about me in Swahili (which I do know) or knowing when people are trying to rip me off (which I do know)
3.) I am rich, rich, rich
4.) My parents and the government paid for my education and paid for me to be here
5.) I have never had a job
6.) I can't eat the food here
7.) I can't handle the temperature here
Other things that drive me crazy
1.) when my mom thinks that I should be treated differently or tries to treat me differently in public because I'm white.
2.) when my kids I teach and love and am so proud of disapoint me by asking for money and food after school
3.) when people stare and stare, whisper and point, but refuse to say hi or shake my hand
4.) when people yell "Barrack Obama" in my face where ever I go
5.) when the whole congregation in church turns around to look at me when I walk in
6.) When people ask me how I can help them get to America
7.) when people laugh at my accent, can't believe that I am not cold in 70degree weather, and continually tell me everything about my country, its people, and what it is like when they have never been there and probably will never get the chance to go there
8.) Lastly, they think that my common meal consists of snake meat, they told me they were taught in school that Americans eat snakes.
Kenayans in general are educated about news about current events in America are often on the front pages of their newspapers. They know how big America is and that the population is huge. They hear about the economy and the cost of living, as well as unemployment. How can so many Kenyans beleive these things. Most of the sterotypes are so unrealistic. It drives me crazy.
Living here, especially in the rural area - has opened my eyes to many of the sterotypes and judgements Kenyans have about America and Americans in general. Of course, not every single Kenyan believes in these things. However, most I have talked to, including well educated teachers, parents, and students as young as 3rd grade all have expressed belief in these judgements.
Here are just some of the common ones:
1.) All white people are rich and most white people are Americans, therefore America is the richest place in the world
2.) Poverty, crime, homelessness, street people, drug or alcohol problems, etc do NOT exist in America
3.) Everyone has a job in America, jobs are plentiful and if a Kenyan came to America, they would secure a job immediatley and become wealthy. When a student graduates from a university, they are given a job by the government
4.) Everyone has a car in America
5.) White people and black people do not associate with each other or get along well in America
6.) One American represents all Americans, one white person represents all white people. So, when people here talk to me about Americans or white people they say, "you whites" or "you people" or "you Americans" as if I represent all.
7.) You can do anything if you are an American
8.) Canada is part of America, Europeans and Americans are similiar in all ways, most Americans have been to every state and know people in each state
9.) The American government restricts how many kids each family can have, which is why families are smaller in America than in Kenya
10.) The whole country of America is very cold and the sun only shines for a little part of the day, the rest of the time is darkness
Sterotypes about me
1.) I am a missionary, I am here to volunteer and donate lots and lots of money
2.) I am not capable of knowing when others are talking about me in Swahili (which I do know) or knowing when people are trying to rip me off (which I do know)
3.) I am rich, rich, rich
4.) My parents and the government paid for my education and paid for me to be here
5.) I have never had a job
6.) I can't eat the food here
7.) I can't handle the temperature here
Other things that drive me crazy
1.) when my mom thinks that I should be treated differently or tries to treat me differently in public because I'm white.
2.) when my kids I teach and love and am so proud of disapoint me by asking for money and food after school
3.) when people stare and stare, whisper and point, but refuse to say hi or shake my hand
4.) when people yell "Barrack Obama" in my face where ever I go
5.) when the whole congregation in church turns around to look at me when I walk in
6.) When people ask me how I can help them get to America
7.) when people laugh at my accent, can't believe that I am not cold in 70degree weather, and continually tell me everything about my country, its people, and what it is like when they have never been there and probably will never get the chance to go there
8.) Lastly, they think that my common meal consists of snake meat, they told me they were taught in school that Americans eat snakes.
Kenayans in general are educated about news about current events in America are often on the front pages of their newspapers. They know how big America is and that the population is huge. They hear about the economy and the cost of living, as well as unemployment. How can so many Kenyans beleive these things. Most of the sterotypes are so unrealistic. It drives me crazy.
Feeding Center update
So much has happened since I last wrote, I don't know where to begin. I think today I'll write a few different blogs!
Due to the overwhelming response about my mom's feeding center here, I think I'll begin with that. It is so so so nice to hear that so many people care and want to help. When I briefly mentioned to Dorthy (my host mom) that some of my friends and family were interested in helping a little, she got down on her knees and started praying and thanking God, looked as if she was crying slightly, then started dancing around the house! So, she was very moved. She kept grabbing my shoulders, saying, "God has sent you to me for a reason!" I told her we can only help a little bit - but she told me even a dollar here or there for her kids is plenty.
So, I am currently working with her to organize things and work out a plan. Her feeding center is registered and recognized by the government and is the only of it's kind in our village. I am getting together information about the history of the center, how it runs, each child that attends, their age, wieght, hight, health and family situation, etc. I have learned that many of the kids are HIV+ and no longer have parents. I am also figuring out the best way to help and where exactly any donations would go. It may not be best to send dollars through the mail because of the risk of money getting lost and stolen. She has a bank in town and we are going to meet with them to see about wiring money directly to her bank account. We have agreed that if any of my friends or family decide to help, she will make monthly progress reports and will send them back to me. The reports will show progress with the kids, if there are new kids, if some have dropped out or died, if food prices are the same, etc, etc. So, things are getting worked out and within the next couple weeks or so, I'll update you all on the details.
Meanwhile, I think I am going to take a little of the money in my saving account (thanks to both sets of grandparents!) and surprise her by getting some toys and looking into playground equipment. Currently, the kids play with old tires.
So, that's about it with the feeding center. I have been taking a million pictures of the kids though and they are so adorable. Except the little little ones are terrified of me! They run away screaming, I must seem quite the alien to them. But anyway, things are good.
Due to the overwhelming response about my mom's feeding center here, I think I'll begin with that. It is so so so nice to hear that so many people care and want to help. When I briefly mentioned to Dorthy (my host mom) that some of my friends and family were interested in helping a little, she got down on her knees and started praying and thanking God, looked as if she was crying slightly, then started dancing around the house! So, she was very moved. She kept grabbing my shoulders, saying, "God has sent you to me for a reason!" I told her we can only help a little bit - but she told me even a dollar here or there for her kids is plenty.
So, I am currently working with her to organize things and work out a plan. Her feeding center is registered and recognized by the government and is the only of it's kind in our village. I am getting together information about the history of the center, how it runs, each child that attends, their age, wieght, hight, health and family situation, etc. I have learned that many of the kids are HIV+ and no longer have parents. I am also figuring out the best way to help and where exactly any donations would go. It may not be best to send dollars through the mail because of the risk of money getting lost and stolen. She has a bank in town and we are going to meet with them to see about wiring money directly to her bank account. We have agreed that if any of my friends or family decide to help, she will make monthly progress reports and will send them back to me. The reports will show progress with the kids, if there are new kids, if some have dropped out or died, if food prices are the same, etc, etc. So, things are getting worked out and within the next couple weeks or so, I'll update you all on the details.
Meanwhile, I think I am going to take a little of the money in my saving account (thanks to both sets of grandparents!) and surprise her by getting some toys and looking into playground equipment. Currently, the kids play with old tires.
So, that's about it with the feeding center. I have been taking a million pictures of the kids though and they are so adorable. Except the little little ones are terrified of me! They run away screaming, I must seem quite the alien to them. But anyway, things are good.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Kisumu, Kenya: A new journey
I am sorry I have not been online for awhile, once you read this blog, you will know why.
Last week, I travelled about 7 hours to the West part of Kenya, near the border of Uganda. The closest town is Kisumu, Kenya's third largest city. The town thrives on and around one of the largest lakes in all of Africa: Lake Victoria.
Where I live:
I live in a rural village in the mountains of Kisumu, my surrounding are a mix of tropical rainforest and red soil. The village I live in is ironically called PARADISE. The area has electricity on good days and running water on even better days. The community as a whole are some of the hardest hit as far as HIV/AIDS and pure poverty.
My family:
Dorthy is a spit fire, 60 year old widow. The only things that gives away her old age is her face. You may not consider 60 that old, but this is Kenya, the life expectancy is maybe 50. Dorthy has a milkman named Nelson and a farm help named Joesphat. Communication with these people is a mixture of Lou (mother tongue)which I know none, basic Swahili, and broken English. Dorthy is the president of a widow's support group, runs a feeding center for 30 kids, and knows every single person in the village, church, orphanage I work at, and nearby schools. She has lived in the village her whole life and has never travelled outside of Kisumu city.
My second home and family:
OGADA is the name for a plant in Lou - it is also the name of the Orphanage, primary school, and secondary school I spend most of my time at. The orphanage has about 30 kids. The primary school has about 650 kids. I am not sure about the secondary school. My family there:
Walter - groundskeeper
Pastor Silas - head of the orphange
James - cook and keeper of the boys dorm
Micheal - grew up in the orphange and now works there
Tom - vice principal of primary school
And there are many others, the ladies who sit with me at church, invite me for tea, etc. When I am bored, I just go to the orphanage to talk, listen to music with the kids, help cook meals, and eat!
I can't believe how beautiful this new home is. It is really hard, and sometimes lonely and boring, but I just go sit outside and look at where I am - on the other side of the world - I think about what I am doing, the people I am meeting, I recite Joshua 1:8 (or maybe it's 9) over and over in my head, then I am ok.
The people are so poor, so hungry, but so hopeful. They value religion and education so much because what other choice do they have?
What I do:
I teach class 5 Plant, Animal, and Soil science
I teach class 8 English
I will be teaching in the secondary school - agriculture
I help correct papers
I spend time at the Orphanage
But most importantly, I listen to people and meet people and talk to people. Kenya has some serious problems, but one thing it has going for itself is it's PEOPLE. The people are the kindest people you will ever meet.
The thing that makes me smile most:
Apart from the view around me, one of my the best feelings is that everyone knows my name! I introduced myself to the 650 kids at the primary school, the kids at the home, and most of the secondary school. My host mom knows everyone, and I have meet all of her neighbors. On my walk to school, everyone I pass stops and greets me and introduces themselves. Because of these things, I am always greeted my the children in the area "Teacher Chelsey, Muzungo (white person) - Chelsey, Teacher!!!" A gathering of children runs to shake my hand or hug me. The old ladies yell out to me in Lou greetings, everyone greets me - usually by name. It has spread like wildfire there is a Muzongo living in Paradise. It always makes me smile.
Overall, things are good. However, everyday is a reminder of how harsh life is. Everyday kids come to school with no shoes, everyday I pass kids with severely tattered clothes or no clothes, children's bellies are expanded due to severe malnutrion, people are dying daily. People are so poor. The feeding center my host mom runs can feed one kid lunch everyday for one month for about a dollar. However, most of the parents cannot afford the one dollar a month, so she must turn them away because she herself can barely afford to get by. I know I will break down and give her enough money for the next month - especially after seeing the kids she feeds lunch to. It makes me sick to think about things back home in America.
The program staff warned us we would become frustrated with things back home and I can feel it already.
Anyway, this is also the home of Obama's father (the general area) so people are in love with him and constantly talking about him.
What else? I am homesick! Mainly for a hot shower and grilled cheese with cold milk - none of these things I have. My shower is a bucket of cold water next to a toilet that gets flushed maybe once a day...ahhh it is so gross but I have found little ways to get over it. My home is one of the fanciest in the village - most of the homes are made from mud and cow dung - mine is similair to a metal polebarn. There is no cieling, just a roof. So all of the rooms are seperated by a concrete like slab. The food is ok. Luckily meat is too expensive so is rare. Fish is plenty but it is prepared differently. I went to the market with my mom to get some and ...the fish is just lying in the grass or dirt with flies everywhere and the organs and insides intact. She just grabs a chunk, wraps it in newspaper and throws it in her purse. It is cooked with the head and eyes and all, and served that way. It takes some getting used to.
We have two cows and two calves, so I told the milkman I would help him milk, he is my age but he just smiles at me and nods. I think he actually does know English but is too shy or nervous to speak it. Last night I had a late meeting at the school and it was dark. My mom (being exactly like a super nervous grandmother) sent the Nelson, the milkman, along with her farmhand to come walk me home. Also, she called the principal I was meeting with to have the school guards walk me home as well. The school guards are Maasia men - the Maasia are warriors and dress in robes and carry sticks and are often barefoot. So, I had a whole army of men (none of whom would speak in English) walking me home and probably talking/laughing at me, especially when it started raining and they made me run! They were so funny.
You just have to laugh at things here. For example, I am laughing right now because my mom took me to town here (civilization is about an hour away)and now it is up to me to get back to the village and I just know that is going to be a challenge to find the right Matatu (van). But luckily people are nice and helpful - for the most part.
Teaching here is so nice, the students stand when you enter the room, greet you together, then sit quietly and respond to you by raising their hand and standing. They are so well behaved it is crazy. The education system is very different here.
This is a long one, and I could probably write for hours more because I have so much I could say. I am not sure when I will be in town next and when I will see a computer with internet next, but maybe this weekend or the next.
It is so nice to hear from everyone, it makes me feel so great to know people care enough to read about how I am doing. Everyday is an experience.
I love you all and hope things are well in America! Can't wait to see everyone!
Chelsey
Last week, I travelled about 7 hours to the West part of Kenya, near the border of Uganda. The closest town is Kisumu, Kenya's third largest city. The town thrives on and around one of the largest lakes in all of Africa: Lake Victoria.
Where I live:
I live in a rural village in the mountains of Kisumu, my surrounding are a mix of tropical rainforest and red soil. The village I live in is ironically called PARADISE. The area has electricity on good days and running water on even better days. The community as a whole are some of the hardest hit as far as HIV/AIDS and pure poverty.
My family:
Dorthy is a spit fire, 60 year old widow. The only things that gives away her old age is her face. You may not consider 60 that old, but this is Kenya, the life expectancy is maybe 50. Dorthy has a milkman named Nelson and a farm help named Joesphat. Communication with these people is a mixture of Lou (mother tongue)which I know none, basic Swahili, and broken English. Dorthy is the president of a widow's support group, runs a feeding center for 30 kids, and knows every single person in the village, church, orphanage I work at, and nearby schools. She has lived in the village her whole life and has never travelled outside of Kisumu city.
My second home and family:
OGADA is the name for a plant in Lou - it is also the name of the Orphanage, primary school, and secondary school I spend most of my time at. The orphanage has about 30 kids. The primary school has about 650 kids. I am not sure about the secondary school. My family there:
Walter - groundskeeper
Pastor Silas - head of the orphange
James - cook and keeper of the boys dorm
Micheal - grew up in the orphange and now works there
Tom - vice principal of primary school
And there are many others, the ladies who sit with me at church, invite me for tea, etc. When I am bored, I just go to the orphanage to talk, listen to music with the kids, help cook meals, and eat!
I can't believe how beautiful this new home is. It is really hard, and sometimes lonely and boring, but I just go sit outside and look at where I am - on the other side of the world - I think about what I am doing, the people I am meeting, I recite Joshua 1:8 (or maybe it's 9) over and over in my head, then I am ok.
The people are so poor, so hungry, but so hopeful. They value religion and education so much because what other choice do they have?
What I do:
I teach class 5 Plant, Animal, and Soil science
I teach class 8 English
I will be teaching in the secondary school - agriculture
I help correct papers
I spend time at the Orphanage
But most importantly, I listen to people and meet people and talk to people. Kenya has some serious problems, but one thing it has going for itself is it's PEOPLE. The people are the kindest people you will ever meet.
The thing that makes me smile most:
Apart from the view around me, one of my the best feelings is that everyone knows my name! I introduced myself to the 650 kids at the primary school, the kids at the home, and most of the secondary school. My host mom knows everyone, and I have meet all of her neighbors. On my walk to school, everyone I pass stops and greets me and introduces themselves. Because of these things, I am always greeted my the children in the area "Teacher Chelsey, Muzungo (white person) - Chelsey, Teacher!!!" A gathering of children runs to shake my hand or hug me. The old ladies yell out to me in Lou greetings, everyone greets me - usually by name. It has spread like wildfire there is a Muzongo living in Paradise. It always makes me smile.
Overall, things are good. However, everyday is a reminder of how harsh life is. Everyday kids come to school with no shoes, everyday I pass kids with severely tattered clothes or no clothes, children's bellies are expanded due to severe malnutrion, people are dying daily. People are so poor. The feeding center my host mom runs can feed one kid lunch everyday for one month for about a dollar. However, most of the parents cannot afford the one dollar a month, so she must turn them away because she herself can barely afford to get by. I know I will break down and give her enough money for the next month - especially after seeing the kids she feeds lunch to. It makes me sick to think about things back home in America.
The program staff warned us we would become frustrated with things back home and I can feel it already.
Anyway, this is also the home of Obama's father (the general area) so people are in love with him and constantly talking about him.
What else? I am homesick! Mainly for a hot shower and grilled cheese with cold milk - none of these things I have. My shower is a bucket of cold water next to a toilet that gets flushed maybe once a day...ahhh it is so gross but I have found little ways to get over it. My home is one of the fanciest in the village - most of the homes are made from mud and cow dung - mine is similair to a metal polebarn. There is no cieling, just a roof. So all of the rooms are seperated by a concrete like slab. The food is ok. Luckily meat is too expensive so is rare. Fish is plenty but it is prepared differently. I went to the market with my mom to get some and ...the fish is just lying in the grass or dirt with flies everywhere and the organs and insides intact. She just grabs a chunk, wraps it in newspaper and throws it in her purse. It is cooked with the head and eyes and all, and served that way. It takes some getting used to.
We have two cows and two calves, so I told the milkman I would help him milk, he is my age but he just smiles at me and nods. I think he actually does know English but is too shy or nervous to speak it. Last night I had a late meeting at the school and it was dark. My mom (being exactly like a super nervous grandmother) sent the Nelson, the milkman, along with her farmhand to come walk me home. Also, she called the principal I was meeting with to have the school guards walk me home as well. The school guards are Maasia men - the Maasia are warriors and dress in robes and carry sticks and are often barefoot. So, I had a whole army of men (none of whom would speak in English) walking me home and probably talking/laughing at me, especially when it started raining and they made me run! They were so funny.
You just have to laugh at things here. For example, I am laughing right now because my mom took me to town here (civilization is about an hour away)and now it is up to me to get back to the village and I just know that is going to be a challenge to find the right Matatu (van). But luckily people are nice and helpful - for the most part.
Teaching here is so nice, the students stand when you enter the room, greet you together, then sit quietly and respond to you by raising their hand and standing. They are so well behaved it is crazy. The education system is very different here.
This is a long one, and I could probably write for hours more because I have so much I could say. I am not sure when I will be in town next and when I will see a computer with internet next, but maybe this weekend or the next.
It is so nice to hear from everyone, it makes me feel so great to know people care enough to read about how I am doing. Everyday is an experience.
I love you all and hope things are well in America! Can't wait to see everyone!
Chelsey
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Uganda
I just got back this morning from Jinja, Uganda, after spending 13 hours on a bus and all day in class and downtown, I'm exhausted - but it was so so soooooooo worth it! The trip to Uganda was def. one of the best experiences of my life - something I will never forget.
We left on Friday night, arrived on Saturday morning and were picked up by a pick up truck. All 11 of us jumped in the back and we were on our way to backpackers - the hostel that operates the white water rafting.
The country side was beautiful, so lush, green, kids everywhere, very rural, mud huts, goats and cows alongside the road. It was really nice to get out of the dirty city that is Nairobi.
We were taken right from our bus stop to the hostel where a huge breakfast was waiting for us...this was so nice after the crazy bus ride. You should know that when I say bus ride, it is nothing like the U.S. because the road system here is almost non existent in parts. So imagine going a million miles an hour down a washed out dirt path...whew.
After our big breakfast we got suited up in helmets and life jackets and hopped on a bus. Then we were off to the Nile River which runs all the way up to Egypt. Down at the riverside were the most beautiful children running around - some naked. They were helping put in the rafts and seemed to be close with the raft guides. They were too shy to swarm us and instead just stared and smiled.
Okay, the actual rafting part: CRAZZZZZZZZZZZY! Looking back, I cannot believe I put my body in a rubber raft and bounced down rapids and waterfalls and holes and gorges and rocks...it was so amazing. The river is rated level 5 which is the highest level anyone can go down commercially. The only higher level is 6. Luckily we had the sweetest guides and natives with us who knew the water like the back of their hands. The guides went beside us in kayaks and made sure to assist if any of us fell out or dropped a paddle or needed anything at all. All of these things happened. We had extensive training which consisted of our guide pushing us off the raft and showing us how to climb back in, as well as making us swim through a little rapid to feel comfortable.
When we were done rafting for the day, after snacking on fresh pineapple, getting some sun, being in the most beautiful place in the world with the most interesting people, and barreling down crazy rapids, we stopped on shore at a campsite with gazebos and a bar.
The guides set up a massive bbq with the best food ever. We set up tents and were given sleeping bags and mats. We also ending up being in a group with a bunch of British students who were also really nice. We drank and laughed and went to bed super early, ready for day 2.
We woke up to another great meal, and we got on the river. We stopped and went body surfing near a fun little rapid, it was really hard but I jumped right in and tried a few times. The waves were huge.
After rafting all day, we got back to another camp with a beautiful lookout, there we met tons of other rafters and had another big bbq. We went downtown and bought some cool souveniers.
FUNNY STORY: We needed to get back to our camp from downtown so decided to take some bodaboda's ..bodaboda's are motorcycles that can fit 2-3 passengers. Transportation in Africa is a whole other thing. Well, it was muddy out and starting to drizzle so my friend Kristen and I hopped on a bodaboda and headed out. He was going pretty fast, and before we knew it he had jumped a curb and we were on the ground. Luckily we were not hurt so all we could do was lay in the mud and laugh with this old man who didn't speak a word of English. He was laughing to. We got back on he sure sped away. We told him we shouldn't have to pay since he tipped us over, but we were so muddy, laughing so hard, we gave him some money for the story anyway.
We were tired that night and found a bed next to some more British people and talked together as we fell asleep. I woke up laughing, thinking about how scared we were going over the rapids that day, how big they were, our bodaboda ride.
It was fun to accomplish such big things as a team and it was really a great experience. The guides arranged for a bus to bring us to the bus station and we were off.
We got back today and went downtown and bought some stuff in Nairobi. It was really fun to bargain and as a white person you really get some funny comments. Overall people could not be nicer.
I'm off already on Thursday morning to Kisumu and will miss my family here. BUt i'm so excited!
TIll later,
love, Chelsey
We left on Friday night, arrived on Saturday morning and were picked up by a pick up truck. All 11 of us jumped in the back and we were on our way to backpackers - the hostel that operates the white water rafting.
The country side was beautiful, so lush, green, kids everywhere, very rural, mud huts, goats and cows alongside the road. It was really nice to get out of the dirty city that is Nairobi.
We were taken right from our bus stop to the hostel where a huge breakfast was waiting for us...this was so nice after the crazy bus ride. You should know that when I say bus ride, it is nothing like the U.S. because the road system here is almost non existent in parts. So imagine going a million miles an hour down a washed out dirt path...whew.
After our big breakfast we got suited up in helmets and life jackets and hopped on a bus. Then we were off to the Nile River which runs all the way up to Egypt. Down at the riverside were the most beautiful children running around - some naked. They were helping put in the rafts and seemed to be close with the raft guides. They were too shy to swarm us and instead just stared and smiled.
Okay, the actual rafting part: CRAZZZZZZZZZZZY! Looking back, I cannot believe I put my body in a rubber raft and bounced down rapids and waterfalls and holes and gorges and rocks...it was so amazing. The river is rated level 5 which is the highest level anyone can go down commercially. The only higher level is 6. Luckily we had the sweetest guides and natives with us who knew the water like the back of their hands. The guides went beside us in kayaks and made sure to assist if any of us fell out or dropped a paddle or needed anything at all. All of these things happened. We had extensive training which consisted of our guide pushing us off the raft and showing us how to climb back in, as well as making us swim through a little rapid to feel comfortable.
When we were done rafting for the day, after snacking on fresh pineapple, getting some sun, being in the most beautiful place in the world with the most interesting people, and barreling down crazy rapids, we stopped on shore at a campsite with gazebos and a bar.
The guides set up a massive bbq with the best food ever. We set up tents and were given sleeping bags and mats. We also ending up being in a group with a bunch of British students who were also really nice. We drank and laughed and went to bed super early, ready for day 2.
We woke up to another great meal, and we got on the river. We stopped and went body surfing near a fun little rapid, it was really hard but I jumped right in and tried a few times. The waves were huge.
After rafting all day, we got back to another camp with a beautiful lookout, there we met tons of other rafters and had another big bbq. We went downtown and bought some cool souveniers.
FUNNY STORY: We needed to get back to our camp from downtown so decided to take some bodaboda's ..bodaboda's are motorcycles that can fit 2-3 passengers. Transportation in Africa is a whole other thing. Well, it was muddy out and starting to drizzle so my friend Kristen and I hopped on a bodaboda and headed out. He was going pretty fast, and before we knew it he had jumped a curb and we were on the ground. Luckily we were not hurt so all we could do was lay in the mud and laugh with this old man who didn't speak a word of English. He was laughing to. We got back on he sure sped away. We told him we shouldn't have to pay since he tipped us over, but we were so muddy, laughing so hard, we gave him some money for the story anyway.
We were tired that night and found a bed next to some more British people and talked together as we fell asleep. I woke up laughing, thinking about how scared we were going over the rapids that day, how big they were, our bodaboda ride.
It was fun to accomplish such big things as a team and it was really a great experience. The guides arranged for a bus to bring us to the bus station and we were off.
We got back today and went downtown and bought some stuff in Nairobi. It was really fun to bargain and as a white person you really get some funny comments. Overall people could not be nicer.
I'm off already on Thursday morning to Kisumu and will miss my family here. BUt i'm so excited!
TIll later,
love, Chelsey
Monday, October 13, 2008
Walking a mile in Lucy's shoes...and other news
Hey everyone, sorry I haven't been online for awhile...the internet cafe near my house hasn't been open and I've been really busy with school and family.
It's been about two weeks since I last posted and I can't believe how fast time is flying by.
Last week, a group of my friends and I decided to go to the Nairobi Show - basically it is like a state fair. Once we got there, we ran into my friend Megan at the gate. Megan works with an orphanage in the slum and decided to take 50 kids - ages 2-18 to the fair. 50 kids! We decided these were too many kids for her to keep track of so we spent the day with them. I carried a little boy who must have weighed ten pounds, he didn't speak a word of english but was the most precious human being I have ever seen. He clung onto me with all of his might, I didn't ever want to let him go. I spent time holding this 13year old girl's hand, her name was Lucy. She asked me where my parents were, when I said America, she said, "My parents are dead." I looked down at her shoes and noticed they were women's high heels. A few sizes to big and heels so high I didn't know how she could walk in them. As we were leaving, I traded shoes with here. I could barely walk in those shoes! I asked her why she was wearing them, I guess that was a stupid question because they were her only shoes. I told her before I leave Nairobi I will come back and give her my old sandals. They fit her perfectly.
Last week I also went to a cousin's graduation party. She graduated from College and will be going to law school. The family was huge and so so so nice.
That is one thing I love: the people and their extreme kindness, even in times of what I see as extreme poverty, challenge, unfairness, oppression, hopelessness, etc. The people just get you everytime...their so amazing.
I also spent this past weekend with my cousin's Freddy and Linda. I had a blast. I stayed at their house and it was the hugest relief to spend time with Kenyans who are my age. They were so fun...we laughed so much I though I was going to die. They taught me some African card games and some dance moves...they made me three huge meals a day, took me around town, and paid for everything. They gave me their guest bedroom, the little hot water they had, and brought me home. They promised to visit me in my internship and made sure to give me their phone numbers in case I ever needed someone my age to talk to. When anyone at the bars looked at my weird or said something rude or annoying (believe me, when there are 100 black people and one white person, it is bound to happen) I thought Linda was going to beat them up...she would yell at them, "This is my cousin, leave her alone, she is white, but she is Kenyan!" After attempting to show my how to dance, her biggest compliment was that I was learning how to feel the beat like an African and that I was a lovely girl. I wish I could fly Freddy and Linda back to the USA just for a week or two.
I came home on Sunday to 5 little girls. After explaining to them that I was a part of the family, and that my freckles are not goosebumps and that yes - my hair is real, we had some girl time. We took a million pictures with my camera, and then they picked out some clothes for me and took turns braiding and brushing my hair until it was time for church.
I love church - the singing and dancing always puts me in a good mood. This time at church, the worship team was made up of 50 kids from the rift valley. Many of them lost their homes and families during the post election violence. A little boy came up to the microphone and thanked the church for helping them during the violence. Then they sang and danced. Church here goes at least 3 hours.
After church - we went to a place called Ngong Hills where my mom's parents live. We visited with them and the Grandma showed me around their farm. It was beautiful.
Now, I'm just concentrating on my last two weeks of school before I head over to Kisumu, near Lake Victoria and Uganda for my internship.
This coming weekend - a group of 15 of us are going rafting down the Nile and camping in Uganda...I'm so excited.
Not much else to report, I know this is a long one.
Ps - Thanks to everyone who emails me, sends me things, calls, comments, etc...I really do miss everyone at home and the luxuries of living in a developed country, whenever I get homesick I read over emails/comments/letters and it always makes me feel better - so thanks so much for being so thoughtful.
Love you all!
Chelsey
It's been about two weeks since I last posted and I can't believe how fast time is flying by.
Last week, a group of my friends and I decided to go to the Nairobi Show - basically it is like a state fair. Once we got there, we ran into my friend Megan at the gate. Megan works with an orphanage in the slum and decided to take 50 kids - ages 2-18 to the fair. 50 kids! We decided these were too many kids for her to keep track of so we spent the day with them. I carried a little boy who must have weighed ten pounds, he didn't speak a word of english but was the most precious human being I have ever seen. He clung onto me with all of his might, I didn't ever want to let him go. I spent time holding this 13year old girl's hand, her name was Lucy. She asked me where my parents were, when I said America, she said, "My parents are dead." I looked down at her shoes and noticed they were women's high heels. A few sizes to big and heels so high I didn't know how she could walk in them. As we were leaving, I traded shoes with here. I could barely walk in those shoes! I asked her why she was wearing them, I guess that was a stupid question because they were her only shoes. I told her before I leave Nairobi I will come back and give her my old sandals. They fit her perfectly.
Last week I also went to a cousin's graduation party. She graduated from College and will be going to law school. The family was huge and so so so nice.
That is one thing I love: the people and their extreme kindness, even in times of what I see as extreme poverty, challenge, unfairness, oppression, hopelessness, etc. The people just get you everytime...their so amazing.
I also spent this past weekend with my cousin's Freddy and Linda. I had a blast. I stayed at their house and it was the hugest relief to spend time with Kenyans who are my age. They were so fun...we laughed so much I though I was going to die. They taught me some African card games and some dance moves...they made me three huge meals a day, took me around town, and paid for everything. They gave me their guest bedroom, the little hot water they had, and brought me home. They promised to visit me in my internship and made sure to give me their phone numbers in case I ever needed someone my age to talk to. When anyone at the bars looked at my weird or said something rude or annoying (believe me, when there are 100 black people and one white person, it is bound to happen) I thought Linda was going to beat them up...she would yell at them, "This is my cousin, leave her alone, she is white, but she is Kenyan!" After attempting to show my how to dance, her biggest compliment was that I was learning how to feel the beat like an African and that I was a lovely girl. I wish I could fly Freddy and Linda back to the USA just for a week or two.
I came home on Sunday to 5 little girls. After explaining to them that I was a part of the family, and that my freckles are not goosebumps and that yes - my hair is real, we had some girl time. We took a million pictures with my camera, and then they picked out some clothes for me and took turns braiding and brushing my hair until it was time for church.
I love church - the singing and dancing always puts me in a good mood. This time at church, the worship team was made up of 50 kids from the rift valley. Many of them lost their homes and families during the post election violence. A little boy came up to the microphone and thanked the church for helping them during the violence. Then they sang and danced. Church here goes at least 3 hours.
After church - we went to a place called Ngong Hills where my mom's parents live. We visited with them and the Grandma showed me around their farm. It was beautiful.
Now, I'm just concentrating on my last two weeks of school before I head over to Kisumu, near Lake Victoria and Uganda for my internship.
This coming weekend - a group of 15 of us are going rafting down the Nile and camping in Uganda...I'm so excited.
Not much else to report, I know this is a long one.
Ps - Thanks to everyone who emails me, sends me things, calls, comments, etc...I really do miss everyone at home and the luxuries of living in a developed country, whenever I get homesick I read over emails/comments/letters and it always makes me feel better - so thanks so much for being so thoughtful.
Love you all!
Chelsey
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
A weekend at Malindi...hello ocean
This weekend, seven of my friends and I took a night bus to the coast of Kenya. We left Thursday night and got back Monday morning. We stayed in a five star resort for only 15 American dollars. We went snorkeling near a reef, laid on the beach, ate great food, cooked a great meal, toured the city, played in the waves, and had a blast.
One day, we buried one of our friends in the sand. He was standing up and the sand came to his chin, the hole was probably over 5 feet. As he was trying to get out, a group of probably near 15 Kenyans surrounded him on the beach - laughing, trying to help pull him out, looking confused, wondering what was going on. I have never laughed so hard in my life.
It was such a fun weekend. Relaxing too. It was so good to get away from this dirty dusty city of Nairobi. The people were so nice.
Now I'm back to reality...I'm battling a sore throat and cold, and a Swahili test around the corner. But tomorrow is the end of Muslim's Ramadan so it is a national holiday - I'm excited to sleep in and have a day to study. I'm off to wash my clothes now (ugh it's such a long process)...take care everyone.
Love, Chelsey
One day, we buried one of our friends in the sand. He was standing up and the sand came to his chin, the hole was probably over 5 feet. As he was trying to get out, a group of probably near 15 Kenyans surrounded him on the beach - laughing, trying to help pull him out, looking confused, wondering what was going on. I have never laughed so hard in my life.
It was such a fun weekend. Relaxing too. It was so good to get away from this dirty dusty city of Nairobi. The people were so nice.
Now I'm back to reality...I'm battling a sore throat and cold, and a Swahili test around the corner. But tomorrow is the end of Muslim's Ramadan so it is a national holiday - I'm excited to sleep in and have a day to study. I'm off to wash my clothes now (ugh it's such a long process)...take care everyone.
Love, Chelsey
Monday, September 29, 2008
Kibera: A tour through the largest slum in the world
Some argue that Kibera is the second largest slum in the world and that the largest is in South Africa. Ask anyone here and they will disagree. Wikipedia says that just over 1 million live in Kibera, the real numbers are closer to 2 million. The government doesn't show Kibera on a map, the politicians won't acknowledge its existence. At 630 acres of pure garbage, sewage, corruption, crime, and homes compromised of scrap metal and whatever else (mud/straw) - it's hard to miss. Kibera IS the largest slum in the world and it is in my backyard. Just a short bus ride or quick walk past the school. The slum holds more than 25% of Nairobi's population.
Cartoon is 20 something years old with the biggest smile you have ever seen. He has lived in Kibera his whole life and knows nothing different. He took myself and three other students through the slum one afternoon. The tour was organized through a non profit organization one of the students here started a few years ago when she was 19 or so. It would have been impossible to meander through the narrow rocky slum that expands hundreds of acres without an experienced guide - the slum is a dangerous maze and you need to watch every step. Our teachers tell us if you go in at night, you will never find your way out.
The first hour of the tour I climbed into a woman's home and sat on her couch. She is Muslim so told us a little bit about Ramadan. She said after they fast during the day for the next month, they will give to the needy. I have never met anyone more needy than her in my life. While holding back my tears my friends handed her some beans we bought to give her and she said we will have to come back so she can make us dinner. She has lived in Kibera her whole life. Her brothers live in Kibera, her kids have gone to school in Kibera. As we climbed out of her dark mud/metal structure, she thanked us for caring enough to stop by and visit. She said "Don't ever forget me" - I don't think I could no matter how hard I tried.
Next, we met a group of men who created their own business in the slum. They collect bones from the slaughter house, than boil them, clean them, soak them, shape them, cut them, paint them, bead them, etc. They wired some wires to a mini shop and work all day everyday making bones into jewelery to sell. After he showed us (so proudly) all the steps of the process he ran to get us some finished bracelets. Then he had us all try one on. He preceded to tell us that he has done this for nine years and he would like us to each keep a bracelet as a gift from him - he wanted to thank us for stopping by and wanted to give us something to remember him by. I ended up buying a necklace from him as well for about two American dollars. He was a really nice guy.
The next hour, we climbed from the bottom of the slum to the top. If there were ever an opposite of a picture perfect view, this was it. On our way up, we had to literally climb and avoid human sewage. Kids were playing in piles of garbage. The houses, I don't get how people/families can fit inside.
We met Pamela. The first thing she said to us after inviting us into her little shop was, "Hi, I'm Pamela, I'm HIV positive, and I am not ashamed." She started her own support group and awareness campaign in Kibera. The women make things and sell them to raise money. She had her face on a poster in her shop - the poster was part of an advertisement campaign to get kids tested for HIV/AIDS, even though this women was missing all her teeth and had tattered clothes, she was really pretty.
After walking past a river that used to be full of fish years and years ago, we noticed it was green and polluted beyond recovery. We made our way to the orphanage that a friend here works with. The kids go to school and live in the orphanage and there were over 80 of them. We talked with the teachers and walked through the school, I will never complain about what a classroom looks like again! I wish I could put up pictures. The kids were cute but few spoke English so it was hard to communicate.
*********************************
One thing that surprised me most about my time in Kibera was how happy everyone was. No one ever asked for money, no one ever yelled out at us, no one ever made us feel unsafe. One of the poorest places on this earth and the people were smiling, welcoming, and happy we cared enough to walk through and talk to them about their lives. I asked Cartoon, why are people, why are you so happy? As an American, we have poverty - but it is nothing like this, do the people who live here know things could be better? Is it better to live happily - not knowing what you don't have than to live knowing how much better things could be?
Cartoon just smiled. He said this is what people know. People have their friends and their families and they try to better themselves for those people. The people are resourceful and they do what they can with what they have. They know that if they work hard, they can get somewhere - this is what drives a lot of them. A good group of them would not move if they had the chance...this is their home. They are generally happy.
Of course this doesn't mean things are looking up. Kibera grows each day. The government ignores each day. There are barely spaces to walk through, a garbage truck or emergency vehicle could never get in. People are hunger - not just for food but for acknowledgment - for a fair government - for access to basic human needs and resources, safe water to drink, toilets, showers, electricity. It is overwhelming.
Maybe look up Kibera on google pictures or online. Check out http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/oct/04/population.johnvidal
It is interesting to know how millions of our brothers and sisters in our world - our global neighbors in Africa, South America, Mexico, India, Asia, etc are living day to day.
I will never forget the people I met there or there stories.
-Chelsey
Cartoon is 20 something years old with the biggest smile you have ever seen. He has lived in Kibera his whole life and knows nothing different. He took myself and three other students through the slum one afternoon. The tour was organized through a non profit organization one of the students here started a few years ago when she was 19 or so. It would have been impossible to meander through the narrow rocky slum that expands hundreds of acres without an experienced guide - the slum is a dangerous maze and you need to watch every step. Our teachers tell us if you go in at night, you will never find your way out.
The first hour of the tour I climbed into a woman's home and sat on her couch. She is Muslim so told us a little bit about Ramadan. She said after they fast during the day for the next month, they will give to the needy. I have never met anyone more needy than her in my life. While holding back my tears my friends handed her some beans we bought to give her and she said we will have to come back so she can make us dinner. She has lived in Kibera her whole life. Her brothers live in Kibera, her kids have gone to school in Kibera. As we climbed out of her dark mud/metal structure, she thanked us for caring enough to stop by and visit. She said "Don't ever forget me" - I don't think I could no matter how hard I tried.
Next, we met a group of men who created their own business in the slum. They collect bones from the slaughter house, than boil them, clean them, soak them, shape them, cut them, paint them, bead them, etc. They wired some wires to a mini shop and work all day everyday making bones into jewelery to sell. After he showed us (so proudly) all the steps of the process he ran to get us some finished bracelets. Then he had us all try one on. He preceded to tell us that he has done this for nine years and he would like us to each keep a bracelet as a gift from him - he wanted to thank us for stopping by and wanted to give us something to remember him by. I ended up buying a necklace from him as well for about two American dollars. He was a really nice guy.
The next hour, we climbed from the bottom of the slum to the top. If there were ever an opposite of a picture perfect view, this was it. On our way up, we had to literally climb and avoid human sewage. Kids were playing in piles of garbage. The houses, I don't get how people/families can fit inside.
We met Pamela. The first thing she said to us after inviting us into her little shop was, "Hi, I'm Pamela, I'm HIV positive, and I am not ashamed." She started her own support group and awareness campaign in Kibera. The women make things and sell them to raise money. She had her face on a poster in her shop - the poster was part of an advertisement campaign to get kids tested for HIV/AIDS, even though this women was missing all her teeth and had tattered clothes, she was really pretty.
After walking past a river that used to be full of fish years and years ago, we noticed it was green and polluted beyond recovery. We made our way to the orphanage that a friend here works with. The kids go to school and live in the orphanage and there were over 80 of them. We talked with the teachers and walked through the school, I will never complain about what a classroom looks like again! I wish I could put up pictures. The kids were cute but few spoke English so it was hard to communicate.
*********************************
One thing that surprised me most about my time in Kibera was how happy everyone was. No one ever asked for money, no one ever yelled out at us, no one ever made us feel unsafe. One of the poorest places on this earth and the people were smiling, welcoming, and happy we cared enough to walk through and talk to them about their lives. I asked Cartoon, why are people, why are you so happy? As an American, we have poverty - but it is nothing like this, do the people who live here know things could be better? Is it better to live happily - not knowing what you don't have than to live knowing how much better things could be?
Cartoon just smiled. He said this is what people know. People have their friends and their families and they try to better themselves for those people. The people are resourceful and they do what they can with what they have. They know that if they work hard, they can get somewhere - this is what drives a lot of them. A good group of them would not move if they had the chance...this is their home. They are generally happy.
Of course this doesn't mean things are looking up. Kibera grows each day. The government ignores each day. There are barely spaces to walk through, a garbage truck or emergency vehicle could never get in. People are hunger - not just for food but for acknowledgment - for a fair government - for access to basic human needs and resources, safe water to drink, toilets, showers, electricity. It is overwhelming.
Maybe look up Kibera on google pictures or online. Check out http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/oct/04/population.johnvidal
It is interesting to know how millions of our brothers and sisters in our world - our global neighbors in Africa, South America, Mexico, India, Asia, etc are living day to day.
I will never forget the people I met there or there stories.
-Chelsey
Monday, September 22, 2008
Address/#...new news!
Co/o MSID-Kenya
P.O. Box 66731-00800 Westlands
Nairobi, Kenya
Cell
0714924079
You would probably first dial 011254 than my phone number without the 0 in the beginning
(011254714924079)
This weekend some friends and I went to a Giraffe Sanctuary. I got a big sloppy kiss from the tallest mammal in the world! Don't be jealous Nick! It was cool - we got lot's of pictures. I will try to figure out if I can put pictures online, but I think it would be really hard and time consuming. The internet is not very reliable or fast.
On Saturday, after taking a trip to the giraffe place, we walked for about 10 miles around each of our neighborhoods. From my one of my friend's houses to mine it is a one hour and 15min walk! I'm def. getting my exercise - which is good because with the food we eat, we are all gaining weight. We eat so much starch and foods designed to fill you up...I know you wouldn't think I would gain weight here, but most of us are a little bit. The food contains a lot of flour, bread, starch, potatoes, beans, etc. I sure miss macaroni and cheese. And cold milk that isn't chunky! Nick - you'll have to make me one some grilled cheese when I get back - I miss that too. And fish... the first day in the city I ordered fish, I got the whole fish! Scales, bones, eyes, head, tail, etc!!!
After walking around, we went to a friend's families place. It's a fancy apartment building with a swimming pool in the back. We went swimming, I of course got sunburned even with my SPF 45! (just a little)...then we went in, watched Cars and Rent, and I slept over. We were so tired, we went to bed at 9.
One interesting thing...Some of the houses students are staying in are nicer than any American house I have ever seen. There are rich people in Kenya that work hard and have a lot to show for it. (My friend whose family has the fancy apartment - her host parents work for the UN) My family works hard, but their house is very modest. The differences are huge just within the city. My friend's family has a pool while my family doesn't have water two days a week. My family has three meals a day while behind us lies a slum.
Other news...
I went to the market with my mom and she is one cool lady. I wouldn't want to mess with her. Some guy came up to me asking for money and I thought she was gonna smack him! She is so independent. She is a feminist and really speaks her mind. She has two little kids, and is going back to school for a masters degree in hopes that if she takes one class a year, she can finish and get a better job before her youngest starts primary school. She told me that whoever says a woman can't have a career and a family at the same time needs a talking to. She sings and dances really loud and crazy in church. She def. is the one that holds the house together. I really like her! My dad is cool too but plays more of a backseat role. The little kids are so cute but can really be trouble makers...the girl sure knows how to make her little brother mad.
All in all things are good. Soon we are going to start planning some weekend trips and I look forward to that. I can't believe I have been here for 22 days already.
Thanks to everyone for commenting and reading my blogs - I really appreciate it and hope they are not boring for you.
Antie Andi - Hope your foot heals fast...that would not be fun, at least it will be during the colder months that you will have to have the cast/brace thing
Uncle Mike - I'm going to read your caring bridge site next - I've been keeping up with it and I'm so proud of your progress
Nick (K) - YOU'RE ENGAGED!!!!!!! I'm gonna try to call to wish you and Amanda congrats! Don't get married till I get home!!!
Mom - Seriously, wish you could call me.
Everyone else!!! - love you all and miss you all and hope things are good. :)
Love, Chelsey
P.O. Box 66731-00800 Westlands
Nairobi, Kenya
Cell
0714924079
You would probably first dial 011254 than my phone number without the 0 in the beginning
(011254714924079)
This weekend some friends and I went to a Giraffe Sanctuary. I got a big sloppy kiss from the tallest mammal in the world! Don't be jealous Nick! It was cool - we got lot's of pictures. I will try to figure out if I can put pictures online, but I think it would be really hard and time consuming. The internet is not very reliable or fast.
On Saturday, after taking a trip to the giraffe place, we walked for about 10 miles around each of our neighborhoods. From my one of my friend's houses to mine it is a one hour and 15min walk! I'm def. getting my exercise - which is good because with the food we eat, we are all gaining weight. We eat so much starch and foods designed to fill you up...I know you wouldn't think I would gain weight here, but most of us are a little bit. The food contains a lot of flour, bread, starch, potatoes, beans, etc. I sure miss macaroni and cheese. And cold milk that isn't chunky! Nick - you'll have to make me one some grilled cheese when I get back - I miss that too. And fish... the first day in the city I ordered fish, I got the whole fish! Scales, bones, eyes, head, tail, etc!!!
After walking around, we went to a friend's families place. It's a fancy apartment building with a swimming pool in the back. We went swimming, I of course got sunburned even with my SPF 45! (just a little)...then we went in, watched Cars and Rent, and I slept over. We were so tired, we went to bed at 9.
One interesting thing...Some of the houses students are staying in are nicer than any American house I have ever seen. There are rich people in Kenya that work hard and have a lot to show for it. (My friend whose family has the fancy apartment - her host parents work for the UN) My family works hard, but their house is very modest. The differences are huge just within the city. My friend's family has a pool while my family doesn't have water two days a week. My family has three meals a day while behind us lies a slum.
Other news...
I went to the market with my mom and she is one cool lady. I wouldn't want to mess with her. Some guy came up to me asking for money and I thought she was gonna smack him! She is so independent. She is a feminist and really speaks her mind. She has two little kids, and is going back to school for a masters degree in hopes that if she takes one class a year, she can finish and get a better job before her youngest starts primary school. She told me that whoever says a woman can't have a career and a family at the same time needs a talking to. She sings and dances really loud and crazy in church. She def. is the one that holds the house together. I really like her! My dad is cool too but plays more of a backseat role. The little kids are so cute but can really be trouble makers...the girl sure knows how to make her little brother mad.
All in all things are good. Soon we are going to start planning some weekend trips and I look forward to that. I can't believe I have been here for 22 days already.
Thanks to everyone for commenting and reading my blogs - I really appreciate it and hope they are not boring for you.
Antie Andi - Hope your foot heals fast...that would not be fun, at least it will be during the colder months that you will have to have the cast/brace thing
Uncle Mike - I'm going to read your caring bridge site next - I've been keeping up with it and I'm so proud of your progress
Nick (K) - YOU'RE ENGAGED!!!!!!! I'm gonna try to call to wish you and Amanda congrats! Don't get married till I get home!!!
Mom - Seriously, wish you could call me.
Everyone else!!! - love you all and miss you all and hope things are good. :)
Love, Chelsey
Five Senses of Nairobi on my Walk to School
Sights
On my walk to school I see friendly faces and big smiles welcoming me to Kenya. Or do I see those faces really hoping for some money and some business? That is one dilemma. I see beautiful black faces but no white faces - at least not in my neighborhood. Maybe that is the reason why I see the stares, the whispers, the surprise, and the pointing. I see poverty. Children playing amongst the garbage, illegal stands everywhere, knocked down - some burning, some still standing, some being built up again. I see the city council came by last night and flattened all the stands. "That will show them" - but they are up and running again. I see the most random products. I see despair but I see hope.
Smells
On my walk to school I smell garbage. Rotting garbage, fresh garbage, and the worst, smoking and burning garbage. I smell year's worth of garbage up to my knee's worth of garbage. I smell exhaust. I smell the man in front of me. I smell the woman behind me. These are all bad smells. My relief is a small scent of fresh fruit but that is only for a moment. My nostrils burn.
Sounds
On my walk to school, I hear my family laughing, yelling, and singing before I shut the door. I hear the TV before I leave the gate. There is never silence. I hear wild cats fighting, people working, talking, doing business. I hear American rap music. I hear buses and cars, honking and beeping. Early traffic jams. I hear "Muzungo" (white person) "How are you" "Hallo" "Come look, come buy"....then I hear myself sigh, laugh or repeat: no, no, no. I hear "Give me money" I hear people wanting to make a living. People who want money. People who need money.
Tastes
On my walk to school, I taste dust and exhaust. My mouth waters for the fruit on the sides of the roads. Can I eat that, or will I get sick?
Feelings
On my walk to school, I feel nervous, but at the same time, strong and independent. I have come so far from the first day in this city. I feel rude for not replying to the group at the corner of Kenyatta Market who scream out to me everyday "Hi - how are you?" But I was told to keep walking. I never feel I am unsafe or in danger. I feel happy when I look around and see a world so new and different. I feel guilty and sad that some of these differences are kids with no shoes, garbage up to my waist, sewage on the streets, illegal vendors, etc, etc, etc. I feel overwhelmed. I feel thankful to be an American but embarrassed. I feel like I need to reach out and help...what can I do? I don't know what to feel.
On my walk to school I see friendly faces and big smiles welcoming me to Kenya. Or do I see those faces really hoping for some money and some business? That is one dilemma. I see beautiful black faces but no white faces - at least not in my neighborhood. Maybe that is the reason why I see the stares, the whispers, the surprise, and the pointing. I see poverty. Children playing amongst the garbage, illegal stands everywhere, knocked down - some burning, some still standing, some being built up again. I see the city council came by last night and flattened all the stands. "That will show them" - but they are up and running again. I see the most random products. I see despair but I see hope.
Smells
On my walk to school I smell garbage. Rotting garbage, fresh garbage, and the worst, smoking and burning garbage. I smell year's worth of garbage up to my knee's worth of garbage. I smell exhaust. I smell the man in front of me. I smell the woman behind me. These are all bad smells. My relief is a small scent of fresh fruit but that is only for a moment. My nostrils burn.
Sounds
On my walk to school, I hear my family laughing, yelling, and singing before I shut the door. I hear the TV before I leave the gate. There is never silence. I hear wild cats fighting, people working, talking, doing business. I hear American rap music. I hear buses and cars, honking and beeping. Early traffic jams. I hear "Muzungo" (white person) "How are you" "Hallo" "Come look, come buy"....then I hear myself sigh, laugh or repeat: no, no, no. I hear "Give me money" I hear people wanting to make a living. People who want money. People who need money.
Tastes
On my walk to school, I taste dust and exhaust. My mouth waters for the fruit on the sides of the roads. Can I eat that, or will I get sick?
Feelings
On my walk to school, I feel nervous, but at the same time, strong and independent. I have come so far from the first day in this city. I feel rude for not replying to the group at the corner of Kenyatta Market who scream out to me everyday "Hi - how are you?" But I was told to keep walking. I never feel I am unsafe or in danger. I feel happy when I look around and see a world so new and different. I feel guilty and sad that some of these differences are kids with no shoes, garbage up to my waist, sewage on the streets, illegal vendors, etc, etc, etc. I feel overwhelmed. I feel thankful to be an American but embarrassed. I feel like I need to reach out and help...what can I do? I don't know what to feel.
Freckle Disease
Conversation with neighbor boy, Levee, age 7:
"What are all of those dots on you?"
Conversation with friend's host brother, Vance, age 10:
**He rubs my arm with a scared/interested look**
"What is on your skin?"
His Dad:
"Is there a cure for freckles? A medicine or cream? As long as you are confident with them - I know women want to look as beautiful as possible. What? You like having them? What if you could get rid of them - you would, wouldn't you? What? You would keep them? What are they? Are they normal? What - they come out more with sun - oh no."
The son:
"Dad, are they contagious? **Points to arm** I think I am getting one!"
Host family:
"We don't understand freckles."
Friend's mom:
"I wish you would put cream on your face."
........I guess I'm a freak of nature ??? No matter how hard I try to explain, it is useless.
"What are all of those dots on you?"
Conversation with friend's host brother, Vance, age 10:
**He rubs my arm with a scared/interested look**
"What is on your skin?"
His Dad:
"Is there a cure for freckles? A medicine or cream? As long as you are confident with them - I know women want to look as beautiful as possible. What? You like having them? What if you could get rid of them - you would, wouldn't you? What? You would keep them? What are they? Are they normal? What - they come out more with sun - oh no."
The son:
"Dad, are they contagious? **Points to arm** I think I am getting one!"
Host family:
"We don't understand freckles."
Friend's mom:
"I wish you would put cream on your face."
........I guess I'm a freak of nature ??? No matter how hard I try to explain, it is useless.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Jambo! News about my internship and life in Kenya...
Hey everyone! It is day 15 for me in Kenya and there is a lot of good news:
- I haven't gotten sick
- I know how to get home without getting lost
- I learned how to say - in Swahili, "No, I have no money, I am a student!"
- Hiding money in my bra and socks come second nature
- I have my shower down to about 7 minutes
- I know what NOT to order at a restraunt!!!
- I know where I should walk really fast and avoid all eye contact!
- I don't miss home, macaroni and cheese, and my bed as much
- I don't even notice I am under a mosquito net at night
- And among many other things - I found out my what my internship will be!
For those unfamiliar with my program, I study for the first half than volunteer in a rural area through an internship for the second half. So, after my time here is finished, I will be moving onto a small village just outside of Kisumu (near Lake Victoria and Uganda)...I will be living with an older widowed woman who runs a daycare and always has little kids running about. The village is self sustaining so they farm and grow all of their own food. Also, in the village is an orphanage and primary school. I will be teaching agricultural education to the orphans that attend the primary school then helping with the growing of food.
These are the details I have gotten so far - they could be a little off but that's the jist of it. I am very excited because it suits me perfectly and I adore little kids and have a big passion for agriculture - which is a vital industry here that over 75% of the population is directly involved in. In the USA, only 2% of the population is directly involved in production agriculture.
What else is new? I am connecting more and more with my host family although I have learned what it is like to have little (very litte) siblings. While they are so cute, they are a handful! They have ripped my homework, eaten my cards, broken my flashlight, hid my candy, and run in my room at all times to jump on my bed, try to brush my hair, etc, etc!!! I told my host mom that I want to wait a loooooooooong time before I have kids. My host mom is a really cool woman. Yesterday I found out she is going to school to get her master's degree in psycology, meanwhile she works selling chickens. My dad is an engineer. Their dream is to one day move into a bigger house. The only person I haven't connected with is the house-help, I hope to connect more with her because she has to teach me how to wash my clothes today! I haven't washed any clothes since I've been here and I guess it is kind of a process. Appliances like washers and dryers, air conditioners, and even refridgerators are not very common at all.
Class is going better but some of what we are learning is frustrating and discouraging, there are so many problems and issues in Africa, other third world countries, and the world in general, it is sometimes overwhelming. Everything is so corrupt over here I can't believe how full of hope everyone is. For example, the police rent out their guns to people in the slums at night, they pretend to shake hands with Matatu (mini buses) drivers but really take money as a bribe not to report illegal driving. The police are underpaid. A common theme is steal or starve. The city doesn't even have enough water for their citizens but you will find coca cola stands everywhere. For three days my family had no water...couldn't flush the toilet, brush teeth, take a shower, cook with water, wash hands, etc. This is normal. The garbage is everywhere, sewage, people setting up stands at every free inch of space to sell any random thing you can imagine. In the slums (some of the largest in the world are here) children can't go to school because they need to take care of their siblings, work, or are too malnourished or sick to even attend, or can't afford the mandatory uniform. There was also a big news story about children getting electrocuted because the slums are trying to illegally take wires and steal electricity and there are loose wires everywhere. Another story was that there was a big raid on an illegal form of alcohol that is home brewed with things like lighter fluid, gasoline, etc. So, instead of trying to help the problem, the brewing industry is trying to create a cheaper and stronger alcohol so that the people in the slums can not only afford it, but get drunker off of it faster. They are doing research in the slum and testing it out. I guess the USA has many problems too, but they seem to be deeper and more widespread here. It is hard to explain without seeing it. While we have homelessness and low income housing, if you were to see a slum here, it is different. It is as far as the eye can see, an ocean of poverty. Along with that poverty are a million other problems. And unlike the USA - there aren't very many or even any (in some cases) shelters, rehab programs, education programs, organizations, and finances to help even begin to move in the right direction.
On a totally different note, speaking of the vendors and people in the markets... when they see me, because I am white, I am surrounded! I am automatically the richest person they have seen - I am automatically American. I can automatically send a message to my president for them, get them a visa, etc. I can work miracles and spend money like it's endless. (In their opinion!) The only other white people I have seen are ex-patriots - as my host mom says, "The colonist's children or the colonists themselves who won't leave our country."
There is a lot of crazy history in Africa and it is all very interesting. Everyone is welcoming and I am glad to be here. Even the first day, walking in the pouring rain, completely lost and crying, trying to get home, as a bus drove by and splashed me with mud, someone yelled, "Welcome to Kenya!" and you just have to stop and laugh. :)
Miss you all and hope things are well. Feel free to write me mail or call me if you're bored! My mom, grandma and grandpa K, and nick all have my info. so you can get it from them (I can't remember it off hand!)...
LOVE, Chelsey
- I haven't gotten sick
- I know how to get home without getting lost
- I learned how to say - in Swahili, "No, I have no money, I am a student!"
- Hiding money in my bra and socks come second nature
- I have my shower down to about 7 minutes
- I know what NOT to order at a restraunt!!!
- I know where I should walk really fast and avoid all eye contact!
- I don't miss home, macaroni and cheese, and my bed as much
- I don't even notice I am under a mosquito net at night
- And among many other things - I found out my what my internship will be!
For those unfamiliar with my program, I study for the first half than volunteer in a rural area through an internship for the second half. So, after my time here is finished, I will be moving onto a small village just outside of Kisumu (near Lake Victoria and Uganda)...I will be living with an older widowed woman who runs a daycare and always has little kids running about. The village is self sustaining so they farm and grow all of their own food. Also, in the village is an orphanage and primary school. I will be teaching agricultural education to the orphans that attend the primary school then helping with the growing of food.
These are the details I have gotten so far - they could be a little off but that's the jist of it. I am very excited because it suits me perfectly and I adore little kids and have a big passion for agriculture - which is a vital industry here that over 75% of the population is directly involved in. In the USA, only 2% of the population is directly involved in production agriculture.
What else is new? I am connecting more and more with my host family although I have learned what it is like to have little (very litte) siblings. While they are so cute, they are a handful! They have ripped my homework, eaten my cards, broken my flashlight, hid my candy, and run in my room at all times to jump on my bed, try to brush my hair, etc, etc!!! I told my host mom that I want to wait a loooooooooong time before I have kids. My host mom is a really cool woman. Yesterday I found out she is going to school to get her master's degree in psycology, meanwhile she works selling chickens. My dad is an engineer. Their dream is to one day move into a bigger house. The only person I haven't connected with is the house-help, I hope to connect more with her because she has to teach me how to wash my clothes today! I haven't washed any clothes since I've been here and I guess it is kind of a process. Appliances like washers and dryers, air conditioners, and even refridgerators are not very common at all.
Class is going better but some of what we are learning is frustrating and discouraging, there are so many problems and issues in Africa, other third world countries, and the world in general, it is sometimes overwhelming. Everything is so corrupt over here I can't believe how full of hope everyone is. For example, the police rent out their guns to people in the slums at night, they pretend to shake hands with Matatu (mini buses) drivers but really take money as a bribe not to report illegal driving. The police are underpaid. A common theme is steal or starve. The city doesn't even have enough water for their citizens but you will find coca cola stands everywhere. For three days my family had no water...couldn't flush the toilet, brush teeth, take a shower, cook with water, wash hands, etc. This is normal. The garbage is everywhere, sewage, people setting up stands at every free inch of space to sell any random thing you can imagine. In the slums (some of the largest in the world are here) children can't go to school because they need to take care of their siblings, work, or are too malnourished or sick to even attend, or can't afford the mandatory uniform. There was also a big news story about children getting electrocuted because the slums are trying to illegally take wires and steal electricity and there are loose wires everywhere. Another story was that there was a big raid on an illegal form of alcohol that is home brewed with things like lighter fluid, gasoline, etc. So, instead of trying to help the problem, the brewing industry is trying to create a cheaper and stronger alcohol so that the people in the slums can not only afford it, but get drunker off of it faster. They are doing research in the slum and testing it out. I guess the USA has many problems too, but they seem to be deeper and more widespread here. It is hard to explain without seeing it. While we have homelessness and low income housing, if you were to see a slum here, it is different. It is as far as the eye can see, an ocean of poverty. Along with that poverty are a million other problems. And unlike the USA - there aren't very many or even any (in some cases) shelters, rehab programs, education programs, organizations, and finances to help even begin to move in the right direction.
On a totally different note, speaking of the vendors and people in the markets... when they see me, because I am white, I am surrounded! I am automatically the richest person they have seen - I am automatically American. I can automatically send a message to my president for them, get them a visa, etc. I can work miracles and spend money like it's endless. (In their opinion!) The only other white people I have seen are ex-patriots - as my host mom says, "The colonist's children or the colonists themselves who won't leave our country."
There is a lot of crazy history in Africa and it is all very interesting. Everyone is welcoming and I am glad to be here. Even the first day, walking in the pouring rain, completely lost and crying, trying to get home, as a bus drove by and splashed me with mud, someone yelled, "Welcome to Kenya!" and you just have to stop and laugh. :)
Miss you all and hope things are well. Feel free to write me mail or call me if you're bored! My mom, grandma and grandpa K, and nick all have my info. so you can get it from them (I can't remember it off hand!)...
LOVE, Chelsey
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
I'm Here !!!
hey everyone. I am safe and sound in Nairobi, Kenya and entering my second week here. Things are good for the most part, it’s exciting to be here and everyday is an adventure. It is def. eye opening but I am also trying to conquer some everyday challenges and the homesickness I am feeling (who woulda thought?!)….
The first week here was orientation in Nakuru National Park right in the rift valley region (look it up – it’s cool)…animals everywhere. It was like a movie. Giraffes, zebras, baboons (like squirrels in the US!), lions, hippos, rhinos, etc.
Everyone is so so so nice and supportive and understanding. The food is ok, sometimes good, sometimes bad, getting used to it everyday. There are a lot of differences and a lot of similarities in everything.
My family is great. Richie is the husband, Kathleen the wife, Wangari the 6 yr old girl, and Mugambi the soon to be 2 yr old boy. The kids adore me and the boy calls out my name constantly. They always make me feel better. There are always extended family, one uncle who is my age – Eric, he is very helpful and I’ve had lot’s of long talks with him about my challenges. He is really re assuring and walks me part way to school and tells me to pray, etc. Very nice.
Some of my challenges were little things at first, those who know me well know I like to be clean all the time and want everything sanitary – that kinda goes out the window here. The first night our bathrooms were a whole in the ground and our showers a bucket of cold water! That is minor – the poverty and garbage everywhere – slums next to mansions, being a minority, etc is more of a challenge.
Also, as everyone knows, I am bad at directions – I have not gotten home yet without lots of help!
Swahili is a fun language but hard for me to learn.
Things overall are lookin up and I hope to update once a week. The internet gets expensive, but I miss you all and I hope things are good.
I’m onto my next adventure (walking home!)
LOVE, CHELSEY
The first week here was orientation in Nakuru National Park right in the rift valley region (look it up – it’s cool)…animals everywhere. It was like a movie. Giraffes, zebras, baboons (like squirrels in the US!), lions, hippos, rhinos, etc.
Everyone is so so so nice and supportive and understanding. The food is ok, sometimes good, sometimes bad, getting used to it everyday. There are a lot of differences and a lot of similarities in everything.
My family is great. Richie is the husband, Kathleen the wife, Wangari the 6 yr old girl, and Mugambi the soon to be 2 yr old boy. The kids adore me and the boy calls out my name constantly. They always make me feel better. There are always extended family, one uncle who is my age – Eric, he is very helpful and I’ve had lot’s of long talks with him about my challenges. He is really re assuring and walks me part way to school and tells me to pray, etc. Very nice.
Some of my challenges were little things at first, those who know me well know I like to be clean all the time and want everything sanitary – that kinda goes out the window here. The first night our bathrooms were a whole in the ground and our showers a bucket of cold water! That is minor – the poverty and garbage everywhere – slums next to mansions, being a minority, etc is more of a challenge.
Also, as everyone knows, I am bad at directions – I have not gotten home yet without lots of help!
Swahili is a fun language but hard for me to learn.
Things overall are lookin up and I hope to update once a week. The internet gets expensive, but I miss you all and I hope things are good.
I’m onto my next adventure (walking home!)
LOVE, CHELSEY
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