Rosemary

I have been back from Kenya for almost two months and I am still reflecting on my experience there.  I truly miss my home stay family Amos & Ruth as well as my good friend Maureen.  I have to say I think of them every day!  I miss the early mornings with tea and somtimes biscuts with Amos as well as the trips in the Matatus back and forth from town to school.  My daily walk to Morokoshi seeing the donkeys, sheep, goats, flowers and the women working in the fields waving as I pass by.  I miss the different people I would meet everyday.

I can say this experience has changed my life for more reasons than I may realize at this time.  The long talks with Amos as we would reflect on our days journeys were truly insightful.  Kenya has given me so much that we will forever be connected. 

As I have more time to write a reflection I will be adding another post and setting up my pictures. 

Thank you again to everyone who supported me on my journey. 

Siku moja tutakutana tena. (still working on my Swahili)

Rosemary

As I begin my third week here in Kenya I am reflecting on a great journey so far!  I have begun to know the city of Nakuru well enough to navigate through town on my own, even venturing on the Matatu’s on my own.  It feels refreshing to gain my footing and become familiar with the city as well as the people.  Nakuru is a vibrant town with all the excitement of a city minus the overcrowding you have in Nairobi (the capital).  Although I have found that Nairobi is a more convenient location when you wish to travel to other areas of Kenya.  Through Nairobi I set out on my first journey to Masai Mara in the western part of Kenya.  The weekend of April 22^nd Kenya offered two days off to observe Easter, so I toke that time to book a three-day safari in Masai Mara.  This area of Kenya is widely known for the wildebeest migration in July & August when millions of wildebeest move north from the Serengeti.  Even though I didn’t get to view the migration I recommend anyone coming to Kenya to go to Masai Mara for a safari! The experience is priceless as you get to explore all of the animals in their natural environment extremely close up.   Since I went alone I was accompanied by five other tourist three from Columbia and two from the U.S.  We decided after the safari we would like to go to the Maasai village a tribe representing 2% of he population.  The Maasai are considered (for many) the definitive symbol of Kenya with a reputation as warriors.  As unique as their lifestyle may seem the Maasai have managed to stay outside of the mainstream development in Kenya and maintain the traditional age-grade social structures.  They live in huts that are traditional made by the women (in two months time) housing up to six people.  Each family has cattle that they also keep in their hut to maintain.  They live without the desire of technology or electricity, which add to the intrigue of their lifestyle. It has been one of the highlights of my trip thus far and a worthy vacation.

During the week I have been working closely with Amos at Baobab helping with morning session classes.  On Friday we wrapped up our sessions with the current students as they go back to boarding school or university for the second semester of classes.  We are also working on developing individual training DVD’s and a documentary on Baobab Educational Programs, so you can imagine that my hands are full!  Many of you who donating will be happy to know that we are using some of the donations towards a working science lab as well as putting up an official sign for the building. This will be a worthwhile project and much benefit to the students, so thank you again for your support!

This Thursday I will be making my first visit at Morokoshi Preschool, as the kids finish their spring break and head back to school.  I am very anxious to meet them.  I will continue to blog more diligently!

Karibu Kenya!

Touched down in Nairobi, Kenya around 10pm I was greeted by my most gracious host regional director Amos and his wife Ruth.  After doing almost nothing but sleeping on the plane I was excited to be introduced to the night life of Nairobi.  Although brief, walking through the city the energy was thick.  The first night we stayed in a hotel on top of a night club, which seemed to be standard.  After drowning out the noise I was happy to find sleep again.

In the morning we traveled to Nakuru, the third largest city in Kenya and the final destination of my stay.  The standard mode of public transportation is Mabutu’s which are like mini buses.  They hold about 10 passengers, this was how we traveled from Nairobi to Nakuru which was about 2hrs.  The landscape captured my attention the whole way, beautiful mountains, people as well as many animals traveling along the road.  Amos and Ruth gave me a general introduction to the city and their home. I then got some more much needed rest as the 9hr time difference has taken some adjustment.

Sunday I joined my new host family at church, meeting many family members, friends and taking advantage of every photo opportunity.  We then got to explore the cit of Nakuru a little more as well as do some shopping with the enthusiastic street vendors.  Still adjusting to my jet lag this day was also full of much needed rest.

Today I was able to teach my first lesson with Baobab Branch Educational Programs, which assist mostly high school and university students.  The lessons I am conducting are in regards to achieving optimal academic performance.  Most of the students are in boarding schools and are on break for the month of April but still attend study sessions during their break.  I am truly amazed by the focus these students give to their studies.  After my session some of the students were interested in learning some dance moves, so of course I was more than happy to teach them some moves.

As part of my project here I will be working on a documentary with the students.  I hope to capture all of these important moments.

Preparing for exciting opprotunity to stay in Nakuru, Kenya!  I leave Minneapolis, MN Thursday April 14th and arrive in Kenya April 15th.  Follow me on this journey.