heres a few updates

September 9, 2011

So Yesterday was international literacy day in my village. The chief invited me to come and introduce myself to the community as well as speak a little on health. It's kind of funny, everyone always ask me to say a little something about health. How can you say a LITTLE about health!? Maybe one topic, but they never give me a topic! hahaha so I chose water sanitation. Having safe water is important to help protect from water borne disease. There are 3 methods that we suggest; boiling water, using water guard, or using PUR. I went up to speak in front of, oh around 200 people plus the District Officer! I had prepared everything in Kiswahili, I started my speech. My counterpart/ friend Anastasia ran up giggling. "They can't understand you, so I will translate" Well at least I tried, they said it was too slow, well now I have a goal! First attempt, almost painless. 

The mama that works on the farm, said my puppy won't be ready to leave it's mother unitl October! I'm going through serious dog withdraws. My friend Andrea, another volunteer, has a puppy and I'm soooo jealous! I will have to wait until October. Atleast I have rats to keep me company. Hahaha just kidding, well kind of. I do have rats, but they're in my ceiling, so I've never seen them, just heard them. I'm considering putting one of the farm cats up in the ceiling and letting it get them. I just don't want to poison them and have them die in my ceiling then smell up my house. Dilemma 

September 5 2011

 I just want to write a quick note on traveling in Kenya. Its NOT easy, to say the least. One of the first things we were taught is that in Kenya, you hurry up to wait.  This can be said for many things. You hurry up to a meeting that starts at 11:00, to wait for everyone to show up by 12:30. You hurry up to get on a matatu or bus to get somewhere, then wait as that matatu "takes its time".  For those who know me, I am a very punctual on time or early person, so this has been a challenge for me.  Well I am proud to say now, I am Kenyan, not in a hurry, and not mad when I have to wait. Surprising I know, It is actually something I am becoming to get used to and not mind, I just have to laugh about it. And for those of you planning to visit, you will get to experience first hand because we will be traveling as the Kenyans do! That's all for now!

August 31 2011

Hey everyone! So I'm on week 3! I had a great weekend at Kakamega forest this past weekend. Had a blast! I stayed with my friend Lindsay (another volunteer). We went to Kakamega forest and hiked for a bit. We saw 2 different kinds of monkeys! Unfortunately that was the only wild animal we got to see, but still had a good time.  I did however have horrible luck with the matatu situation. A matatu is public means of transportation here. They are basically an old school mini van that has 14 passenger seats, however they fill the matatus up! I was on one with 18 people, and our bags (if not other passengers) our in our laps, so I have learned to pack light.

I have been meeting with small and large women's groups that are part of my organization JOYWO (Joyful Women Organization: www.joywo.org). Soon I will start teaching them about health; malaria prevention, hygiene, sanitation, HIV/AIDS, and basically anything I can think of. Also I will hopefully be aloud to teach an hour or so a week at the local schools. I will teach the girls about personal hygiene.  So far I like my job, but it has only been a week.  I am meeting with smaller women's groups this week, near my community. I met with one group the other day. I want to teach them about things they have interests in. I opened the floor for questions, and didn't expect the questions I got. They're concerns consist of dental hygiene, breast and cervical cancer, and other bodily functions. uh HELLO, peace corps training prepared us for home and water sanitation, malaria, and HIV/AIDS! These questions through me for a spin! I was able to answer some, but I am meeting with them next month and am planning on finding the answers to all of their questions.

I absolutely LOVE my house! The only downside is the bee problem. I already got stung once! But hopefully this next gas job does the trick. My house is on a beautiful farm. With many cows, chickens, corn, kale, pumpkin, and milk.  The people that work on the farm are so friendly and welcoming, they feel like family already. I'm about a 45 min matatu ride from Eldoret, which is the closest city to me. I am excited to have visitors! (hint hint) Let me know if you want to come visit It has everything that I might need and can't get in my town.  Right now it's the rainy season, so I have to wear my rain boots almost everyday. Mom, THANK YOU for the raincoat! hahahah definitely a necessity here.

I forgot to mention this in the earlier post, but for those of you planning to send me anything, please put a bible quote on the package. I know this sounds odd, but most Kenyans are religious and superstitious, so my chances are higher of getting my package, and I probably won't have to pay a high duty.

That is all for now! xoxoxoxo

Also for my future visitors, please keep this in mind: you will need to get your yellow fever shot and be able to prove it with the yellow card they give you. You will also need to get on Malaria prophylaxis and take them when you get here. You can apply for a visa before, or get one at the airport in Nairobi.  It is also advised to be up to date on you Hep B series and tetanus.  Sound like alot? Well it's NOT! Get it done and get out here already! xoxoxoxo