Megan and Joey arrived safely well over a week ago now. They have been doing a great job adjusting to Kenya and getting involved in the village by volunteering at the Special Unit at the primary school and meeting various self help groups and community members. One of the most memorable moments with them thus far involved Joey using the toilet at a bar in Karandi (a town about 5 kilometers from Isaac and Joyce's place). After the meal and a couple Tusker beers Joey had to use the toilet. In rural areas of Kenya, and many other places in the world I would imagine, the toilet consists of a small hole in the floor of a latrine. When Joey returned he asked if that was indeed where he was to leave his waste. Fortunately, he was correct. He has become to comfortable using the Palace after I took mercy on him and allowed him direct access to the luxury that has become our toilet.
As previously mentioned, we've spent quite a bit of time at the Special Unit and primary school this past week. One of the more substantive projects we're engaging in is instructing teacher's at the primary school on the use of a computer that was donated by a former student. The computer is in good working condition and even has speakers so teachers can show their students dvds. There is also great potential for the school to begin to keep records and back up information digitally. Unfortunately, few of the teachers have any training or computer skills. To help train them we spent a few hours putting together basic instructions on things like turning the computer on and off properly, creating folders and files, saving work, and using dvds. This process was actually much more difficult than one might imagine. Having been computer literate since elementary school I found that trying to explain how to use basic computer functions in a way that can be understood by individuals new to computers quite difficult. This week we'll be doing two on two instruction with the teachers so we'll know how we did and will report back.
We just got back from a 4 day Safari with Isaac in which we saw all of the big 5 (elephants, black rhinos, leopard, lions, and the cape buffalo) and many other interesting animals. This was the first time I've ever seen a leopard in the wild and it was quite amazing. We also got to see the beginning of the wildebeast migration which will bring 1.2 million of the animals to Kenya from Tanzania to feast of the sweet grass of the Masaai Mara. It was amazing to see thousands of these animals grazing as far as the eye could see. Isaac is truly a spectacular wild life guide and I can't say enough about what he has taught us and been able to show us through his skill and trade. If you ever visit Kenya I insist you take a safari with Isaac and the guys at Wild Connection Safaris!
We spent the last night of the Safari at Lake Nakuru to see the flamingos. If you've ever seen the pictures of thousands of them in a lake that's probably the same one we're were at earlier today! AMAZING!
This was also the first time on the trip we've been around lots of mesquitos and faced the malaria threat! I've been taking my pills and have had no ill effects such as the vivid dreams I got from Larium and Malerone the last times I was abroad. I have had some strange dreams, though. I'll share with you the oddest: I was at the Watering Hole in downtown Lincoln and they had remodeled their bathrooms. They were just as dirty and nasty as they are now!
That's all for now. Be sure to check Joey and Megan's blog at www.kenohyeah.blogspot.com. If I don't write again, Happy Independence Day. We'll be giving the finger to the UK from another former colony!
Peace and Love to all,
Jake
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Holy Shit, Elephants in the store!
So when I was preparing for this trip Isaac had sent me an email mentioning elephants walking through the fence on his farm and I didn't really think much of it. Well, Monday morning I woke up to a terrifying noise which sounded like howler monkeys followed by human voices and dogs barking. Then Joyce called my name from the house. Being 3:30 am and having no idea what was going on I was terrified. She told me some elephants had broken into the store (place where they keep food, not connected to the house) of a neighbor down the road. I quickly got dressed and we jumped in a neighbors truck and raced down the road to the house. To my astonishment there were about 50-75 people who had gathered and were inspecting the store which had a broken roof and was missing some planks in the wall. It had provided little protection against the elephants.
I was quite surprised to see that many people. In the morning Joyce simply told me that when you call for help, people come running. The more time I spend in this community the more I appreciate how Kikuyu culture values community. In every home and with every group I visit I'm greeted with food or tea. At church or other functions I am always welcomed by the group and by individuals after the service. The more time I spend here the more comfortable I become and the more I feel like part of this community. In fact, when I left for Nairobi this morning I almost cried!
Last week I walked 10k through the Gituamba location with Isaac's uncle to get a feel for the area. It's very dry right now as this region in Kenya is currently lacking much needed water. When the British settler's came they burned and cut down many of the indigenous forests whose tree roots burrow deep in the ground and bring water to the surface. Without these trees it gets drier each year. There are many great tree planting projects including the Green Belt Movement spearheaded by Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai. I'm currently reading her memoir "Unbowed" and am learning quite a bit about Kenya's history and environmental movement. I highly recommend it.
One of the themes of Maathai's book that I've seen first hand is the role that strong women play in Kenya. Joyce is no exception. I have greatly enjoyed the time I've spent with her in the last week since Isaac has left to take clients on Safari. Joyce has told me many great stories about her life, Isaac, and has taught me much about the Kikuyu tribe and their customs and history. When telling a story, if she's interrupted and has to see to another task she always comes back, no matter the duration of time, and continues right where she left off. I really admire Joyce and respect the strength, passion, and love with which she lives her life.
As mentioned before, I'm back in Nairobi. Megan and Joey will arrive tomorrow night and Friday morning we will be heading back to N'gaura. The choir Isaac started as a self help project will be performing for us and the community when we return. The choir is top notch and has big dreams of growing and touring the world. I've been to all of their rehearsals since I've arrived and am now an unofficial member. All though I held no ambitions of performing with them, I was told at the last minute that I would be joining them in front of the congregation at church last week. I don't know all the songs but Joyce has been teaching a few to me in the evenings.
Last week came the completion of "The Palace" which is a latrine with seats. Until it was finished I had been squating whenever I needed to drop a deuce. In preparation of Joey's arrival we've instituted the three day rule by which all men must use the squat latrine for 3 days before graduating to The Palace. Joey will be pleasantly surprised when he arrives!
Thanks for reading all of this for those of you who made it this far! My love to all! More to come soon!
Peace and /\,
Jake
I was quite surprised to see that many people. In the morning Joyce simply told me that when you call for help, people come running. The more time I spend in this community the more I appreciate how Kikuyu culture values community. In every home and with every group I visit I'm greeted with food or tea. At church or other functions I am always welcomed by the group and by individuals after the service. The more time I spend here the more comfortable I become and the more I feel like part of this community. In fact, when I left for Nairobi this morning I almost cried!
Last week I walked 10k through the Gituamba location with Isaac's uncle to get a feel for the area. It's very dry right now as this region in Kenya is currently lacking much needed water. When the British settler's came they burned and cut down many of the indigenous forests whose tree roots burrow deep in the ground and bring water to the surface. Without these trees it gets drier each year. There are many great tree planting projects including the Green Belt Movement spearheaded by Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai. I'm currently reading her memoir "Unbowed" and am learning quite a bit about Kenya's history and environmental movement. I highly recommend it.
One of the themes of Maathai's book that I've seen first hand is the role that strong women play in Kenya. Joyce is no exception. I have greatly enjoyed the time I've spent with her in the last week since Isaac has left to take clients on Safari. Joyce has told me many great stories about her life, Isaac, and has taught me much about the Kikuyu tribe and their customs and history. When telling a story, if she's interrupted and has to see to another task she always comes back, no matter the duration of time, and continues right where she left off. I really admire Joyce and respect the strength, passion, and love with which she lives her life.
As mentioned before, I'm back in Nairobi. Megan and Joey will arrive tomorrow night and Friday morning we will be heading back to N'gaura. The choir Isaac started as a self help project will be performing for us and the community when we return. The choir is top notch and has big dreams of growing and touring the world. I've been to all of their rehearsals since I've arrived and am now an unofficial member. All though I held no ambitions of performing with them, I was told at the last minute that I would be joining them in front of the congregation at church last week. I don't know all the songs but Joyce has been teaching a few to me in the evenings.
Last week came the completion of "The Palace" which is a latrine with seats. Until it was finished I had been squating whenever I needed to drop a deuce. In preparation of Joey's arrival we've instituted the three day rule by which all men must use the squat latrine for 3 days before graduating to The Palace. Joey will be pleasantly surprised when he arrives!
Thanks for reading all of this for those of you who made it this far! My love to all! More to come soon!
Peace and /\,
Jake
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
First Post! Yeah!
Jambo!
I'd like to begin my first post by acknowledging my first follower, Chad Kruse! Chad just graduated with a Masters in Architecture from UNL and is one of the most forward thinkers in the field of space hotel design! Thanks for your support Chad!
I've now been in Kenya for almost two weeks and have greatly enjoyed my time thus far! Isaac and Joyce Kinyanjui have been wonderful hosts introducing me to their community and making me feel part of the family while here.
Over the past week or so I've visited with many self help groups and community organizations. There's a plastics group which was started by Brad Elder, a professor from Doane, that has found a way to convert old plastic bags to tiles which can be used for roofing, flooring, and other purposes. With a little empowerment this group has gone a long way in working to improve their community! Much can be learned from their work. I look forward to sharing more on these groups when I return.
I've been drinking lots of tea with local residents and have felt very welcome and at home with all I've met. Since arriving I've attended chuch more than in the last year. I was asked by one gropu to say a prayer and since I kept it exceptionally short everyone was very impressed as prayers can be quite the lengthy affair. I may soon abandon the safety prayer and join the Anglican Church of Kenya!
Well I must be off since I'm holding up some shopping here in Nyahururu and we must return to N'gaura in time for a choir this afternoon!
Peace to all,
Jake
p.s. /\
I'd like to begin my first post by acknowledging my first follower, Chad Kruse! Chad just graduated with a Masters in Architecture from UNL and is one of the most forward thinkers in the field of space hotel design! Thanks for your support Chad!
I've now been in Kenya for almost two weeks and have greatly enjoyed my time thus far! Isaac and Joyce Kinyanjui have been wonderful hosts introducing me to their community and making me feel part of the family while here.
Over the past week or so I've visited with many self help groups and community organizations. There's a plastics group which was started by Brad Elder, a professor from Doane, that has found a way to convert old plastic bags to tiles which can be used for roofing, flooring, and other purposes. With a little empowerment this group has gone a long way in working to improve their community! Much can be learned from their work. I look forward to sharing more on these groups when I return.
I've been drinking lots of tea with local residents and have felt very welcome and at home with all I've met. Since arriving I've attended chuch more than in the last year. I was asked by one gropu to say a prayer and since I kept it exceptionally short everyone was very impressed as prayers can be quite the lengthy affair. I may soon abandon the safety prayer and join the Anglican Church of Kenya!
Well I must be off since I'm holding up some shopping here in Nyahururu and we must return to N'gaura in time for a choir this afternoon!
Peace to all,
Jake
p.s. /\
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