Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Day 12
When traveling I think the concept I consider the most is context.
There is so much of what I would describe as irony here in Kenyan
culture. Strange versions of Americana skewed by African views. the
truth is it's only ironic in a western context with the baggage I
bring. With that said I pose the question: with lingual and cultural
boundries can a foreign mind ever fully understand another?
There is so much of what I would describe as irony here in Kenyan
culture. Strange versions of Americana skewed by African views. the
truth is it's only ironic in a western context with the baggage I
bring. With that said I pose the question: with lingual and cultural
boundries can a foreign mind ever fully understand another?
This summer I have the oppourtunity to look at my customs/methods/
beliefs/self in a new light. I made the decision to bring only one
album with me on this trip. I wanted an album that I was familiar with
but also deserved deeper investigation.
I decided on Bon iver's for emma forever ago. I saw a connection in
justin vernon's transformative state as he changed his setting to one
that was 'foreign'.
To me, the album has such a cold setting. Sitting in eldoret,
kilometers from the equator, listening to an album recorded in
wisconsin winter puts a new spin on every line. I think the reason it
works is the parrallel of beauty to tragedy which is constant here.
It's also taken my last piece 'I still pray sometimes when I need
something' somewhere new for me. In this area, last year, over a
hundred homes were burned in the post election violence. You would be
hard pressed to find a kenyan that doesn't still thank god for what
they do have.
My iPhone in this context is a riot. Business owners and politicians
approach me like I can walk on water when I'm holding this thing.
Watching them play around with is like watching a child discovering
gravity. It's incredible.
But what's the biggest culture clash I've encountered? Me. I get
stared at and followed like a celebrity footing through the city. A
couple of days ago I walked through a slum village and amassed a
sizeable crowd in about five minutes. Benjamin, who escourted me
through, explained 'they've never seen a muzungu (white person) before.'
-Cheers
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Day 9-10
Today I got to meet with the two leaders of an up and coming group called tumaini. Sam and Simon are organizing a project to get street kids away from glue and other drugs and get them back on their feet. When I come back to eldoret in June they will be the main group I work with. Kelly helped to organize them a couple of months ago. They reinforced what I had suspected in telling me how difficult working with street kids is going to be. They are volitile and tricky to work with. I will be attempting to teach these kids vocational skills and proposing some edgy projects with them.
As of now, Sam and Simon are still looking for a space and they have no tools. But they have found a group of about 12 kids that are willing and excited by the opportunity. Sam and Simon are also really happy to have me and they think that if anyone can connect with these kids, it's me. Let's hope their right.
Cheers.
As of now, Sam and Simon are still looking for a space and they have no tools. But they have found a group of about 12 kids that are willing and excited by the opportunity. Sam and Simon are also really happy to have me and they think that if anyone can connect with these kids, it's me. Let's hope their right.
Cheers.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
day 5-8
Yesterday I got into eldoret in the late afternoon. The wifi was a sight for sore eyes. Much has happened since i was last able to post. En route to Nakuru from Nairobi our driver decided to disregaurd a police officer for a traffic stop. We were stopped just a couple kilometers down the road meeting our other van which was stopped as well. The officer tried to get a bribe from
all of us and the drivers. I took some pictures of the stop and some important people in Nakuru wanted to see the pictures. Turns out the man that I got pictures of is the assitant to the minister of civil protection. He's recognizeable in the photo. They have been printed off and given to the right people. Goes to show, big brother has a new name and it's 'iphone'. That's justice.
In Nakuru we quickly started on some great projects. I returned to CDC, a center I visited last year, and was met with a warm reception. Those kids remember everything. Last time we were there we learned that though the kids can see the fence to lake Nakuru national park, none of them had ever been inside. We packed up over 90 kids in a bus and took them on safari. They were so excited to finally see how beautiful their home really is.
After the elections last year many kenyans were left homeless. The owner the lake Nakuru lodge has started and IDP ( internally displaced persons ) camp. The plot of three akers holds a massive tent that houses over 220 people. They invited us in with much enthusiasm, sharing their food, stories and shelter with us. It was incredible to see how resourceful they were. Certain members have started building their own homes out of tarps, banana leaves, twine and bags. They were so interesting to look at. I took pictures of the members next to their homes. They were all very proud. Kelly has already started a project to generate funds for more permanent housing.
The next day I met with heart to heart womens group. This is one of the groups that I will be working with for a few weeks in July. They were founded only 6 months ago with the help of Kelly and joseph. Already they are turning some awesome product and they have over 50 members. They were excited to show us their progress and some other self-sustainable agricultural ventures they are starting.
all of us and the drivers. I took some pictures of the stop and some important people in Nakuru wanted to see the pictures. Turns out the man that I got pictures of is the assitant to the minister of civil protection. He's recognizeable in the photo. They have been printed off and given to the right people. Goes to show, big brother has a new name and it's 'iphone'. That's justice.
In Nakuru we quickly started on some great projects. I returned to CDC, a center I visited last year, and was met with a warm reception. Those kids remember everything. Last time we were there we learned that though the kids can see the fence to lake Nakuru national park, none of them had ever been inside. We packed up over 90 kids in a bus and took them on safari. They were so excited to finally see how beautiful their home really is.
After the elections last year many kenyans were left homeless. The owner the lake Nakuru lodge has started and IDP ( internally displaced persons ) camp. The plot of three akers holds a massive tent that houses over 220 people. They invited us in with much enthusiasm, sharing their food, stories and shelter with us. It was incredible to see how resourceful they were. Certain members have started building their own homes out of tarps, banana leaves, twine and bags. They were so interesting to look at. I took pictures of the members next to their homes. They were all very proud. Kelly has already started a project to generate funds for more permanent housing.
The next day I met with heart to heart womens group. This is one of the groups that I will be working with for a few weeks in July. They were founded only 6 months ago with the help of Kelly and joseph. Already they are turning some awesome product and they have over 50 members. They were excited to show us their progress and some other self-sustainable agricultural ventures they are starting.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Day 4
I just returned from my day out in Nairobi. Today was the most inspiring day. We got to visit the workshop of Alive & Kicking and they've got a good thing going. The company is only 4 years old and they are sending their product all over. Their idea is to make soccer balls from scratch with slogans for aids and malaria awareness. They have gone to great legnths to create proper soccer balls that not only meet all regulation ball standards, but since the balls are leather, they are totally repairable. This way if kids are using them in a village and it is somehow popped or ripped, a cobbler can fix it good as new. This is a big deal since not everyone can afford a ball. They are fairly priced ( about $15US ) and 1/2 of that comes back to the employees. They have about 50 people making balls, hand stiching every panel. The employees are paid per ball and all of them have a quality control number, making them accountable for their craftsmanship and quantity created daily. They are only allowed to make 3 a day so quality will not suffer. They have one screen printer who puts the slogans on every ball, one by one and color by color. He does about 150 a day. We were very impressed with their professionalism.
Order one - www.aliveandkicking.org.uk
After that I attended a rotary meeting in Nairobi town with the rotarians on our trip. Yes, the meetings are boreing in Kenya too. It was intersting.
When the meeting was over I checked out the national museum of kenya. It was pretty funny. The attention to detail is almost non exhistent. That stands right out in a museum. It had its moments though.
Now it's time for a nap to Chelsea vs barcelona.
-cheers.
Order one - www.aliveandkicking.org.uk
After that I attended a rotary meeting in Nairobi town with the rotarians on our trip. Yes, the meetings are boreing in Kenya too. It was intersting.
When the meeting was over I checked out the national museum of kenya. It was pretty funny. The attention to detail is almost non exhistent. That stands right out in a museum. It had its moments though.
Now it's time for a nap to Chelsea vs barcelona.
-cheers.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Day 1-2
this is my first post from Africa and the first from my phone, so this could be a learning expirience. Right now I'm at the the high point hotel in Nairobi. This place is owned by the chencelore of Nairobi university, among other things, and rumored to be the richest man in Kenya. Luckily I have a meeting with him tomorrow. The hotel is incredible as is my room. I have a large open bathroom with a huge cast iron tub. The ammount of light switches is commical. It seems like they never turn on or off the same thing twice.
Monday and tuesday turned into this big homogenous mash of bmovies, armrest fights, pain killers and half awake haloucinations. After we landed Kelly, melissa and I had some quite warrented tuskers. I wokeup this morning at 7, ate a phenomenal breakfast and packed up for the day. We're heading to an orphanage in about an hour. Should be an easy day. I've heard rumors of elephants...
Cheers.
Monday and tuesday turned into this big homogenous mash of bmovies, armrest fights, pain killers and half awake haloucinations. After we landed Kelly, melissa and I had some quite warrented tuskers. I wokeup this morning at 7, ate a phenomenal breakfast and packed up for the day. We're heading to an orphanage in about an hour. Should be an easy day. I've heard rumors of elephants...
Cheers.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Day 0
My pack is lying on top of two big bags full of donations. it's pretty full. inside I've got everything that I think I need for three months in a third world country. I've done this sort of thing before, but it's always hard to know. The truth is, not much in a pack is going to aid me in the endeavor I'm about to begin, training over 200 people in ten weeks. Luckily, my mind is packed. I've got lots of ideas jumbled around in there. Hopefully there are a hand full of decent ones that can do some good. Because tomorrow I leave for Kenya to begin my position as an International Product Development Trainer. I'm going to be away from all of my friends and family for much longer than I ever have before. But that is when you learn and that is when you grow. I can't say that I'm not scared, but knowing all the people that are behind me makes this much easier.
-cheers
-cheers
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