I had an awesome weekend! I went to Kakamega to visit my friend Lindsay, and we had a much need girls wine night. On Saturday we met up with a couple other volunteers for a perfect pool day. Then Linds came back to my place. On Sunday morning (and I mean bright and early) we headed to Mt. Elgon. I am currently working on a proposal with my Kenyan friend Remmy, to get funding to build a childrens home out in Mt. Elgon. There are no childrens homes in that area, and there are a lot of orphans. So on Sunday we went out to visit the children and get to know their stories. It is always hard to see children that are sturggeling and not be able to do anything about it. Most of the kids live with their grandmothers and other relatives. However these guardians have little to no work, so even though the children have a roof over their head, it doesn't mean they are getting fed. The public primary schools here in Kenya have free admission. But you much buy your own uniform and they do not provide lunch for the children. So even though these orphans have family and house, they are only getting one meal or less a day. And that one meal is usually chai, or ugali. So we are really hoping that we get some funding and are able to start constructing soon.
Now I am at the office. I am teaching on Saturday to all of the JOYWO mobilizers. These are the women who are in charge of all of the groups in their areas. Since I am not getting another counterpart, I thought it would be easiest to teach the mobilizers, then they can teach the womens groups.
Tomorrow and Wednesday I am starting my new volunteering job with the Living Room. It is a rehabilitation nursing home and hospice. I am going to being working with the community outreach part of the program. Im excited to finally have something to do!
So my week is pretty full. I'm hoping to have time on Thursday to work in my garden, it needs it pretty bad. I'm pretty sure the farm workers on my compound probably are talking some smack about what a bad farmer I am. This would be because my garden looks more like a jungle, with a few green peppers popping out! hahahaha
Until next time......
Monday, September 24, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
If I never get on another matatu again, it would be to soon! Well unfortunately this is my only mode of transportation, so I guess I will have to. I have just been having some bad luck with them lately. twice last week my matatu's engine overheated and we all had to get out and wait for it to cool, as they poor water over it. "Why not use engine coolant?" you ask. I ask myself the same thing every day! Im thinking about starting to carry some with me and sell it to the drivers whenever this happens. ( which is more often than not in this country).
On another happier note. I just got back on Thursday from my language training. A few of my friends and I (Andrea, Jojo and Cassidy) Decided we all wanted to learn more of our local language, which is Kalenjin. We went to Andrea's site, which is very rural, and did our classes at the local dispensary. I am really impressed how much we learned in just a short 3 days of class! My community is soooooo impressed with me now, (as if they weren't before :). We got to celebrate Cassidy's birthday while we were all together. She had just came back from America, so she brought a box cake mix and a can of icing. I had forgotten how yummy cake in America is. It was so delicious, we made ourselves sick from eating the whole thing! We only shared 1 piece!
Now I am back at my site for the duration. Well at least until Halloween ;) On Wednesday I am going to Kipkaren (a near by town) and starting to volunteer with the social workers at the rehab center that a women from America started. I am so excited to have something more to do!
Well, that's all I have to say for now. But I want to leave you with a few picutres:
On another happier note. I just got back on Thursday from my language training. A few of my friends and I (Andrea, Jojo and Cassidy) Decided we all wanted to learn more of our local language, which is Kalenjin. We went to Andrea's site, which is very rural, and did our classes at the local dispensary. I am really impressed how much we learned in just a short 3 days of class! My community is soooooo impressed with me now, (as if they weren't before :). We got to celebrate Cassidy's birthday while we were all together. She had just came back from America, so she brought a box cake mix and a can of icing. I had forgotten how yummy cake in America is. It was so delicious, we made ourselves sick from eating the whole thing! We only shared 1 piece!
Now I am back at my site for the duration. Well at least until Halloween ;) On Wednesday I am going to Kipkaren (a near by town) and starting to volunteer with the social workers at the rehab center that a women from America started. I am so excited to have something more to do!
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| Me, Andrea, Breezie, and yep that's a hippo right behind us! We lucked out at Kiboko Bay pool and saw a hippo and her baby come up to shore to eat |
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| And you all know this guy. Kibaibai and I realxing, he loves his stuffed animals |
Sunday, September 2, 2012
WOW ! Im finally back to site, without visitors, so I will finally update you on the past few weeks. Starting with 3 weeks ago, I had a student from Seattle stay with me for a few days. Natalie, she had been volunteering with another volunteer in Rongo, and decided she wanted to see Eldoret. We had a great time. We also visited a clinic that is big on fistula repairs. Google it if you don't know what a fistula is, it's a little too graphic for me to write about here.
After her visit, I headed to Bomet, to visit 2 volunteers, Cassidy and Johanna. I stayed with them for 2 days, then we all headed to Nairobi. Cassidy was flying home, and Johanna and I had our mid service medical exam. Well wouldn't you know, but peace corps messed up the dates and told us to be in Nairobi on Sunday, when Monday was a holiday. Go figure, so our medical exam couldn't start until Tuesday, which means we had to stay until Friday! So I spent a (very expensive) week in Nairobi. No wonder peace corps calls in Nai-robbery. It's such a culture shock, compared to being in the village. I spend on one meal in Nairobi what I would spend in an entire week at my site. But I will not lie to you and tell you that I hated it. It was really nice to get out of the village, and get to see my friends. And best of all TB free! hahah that's pretty much all they were worried about at the medical exam.
After Nairobi, we headed to Kisumu. I got to spend my birthday laying by the pool, and going out dancing. It was, to say the least, an AWESOME birthday! Made possible by my great group of friends!
We all enjoyed our night out in Kisumu before going up to a Pastorial Center (aka, convent) to spend the week in a PEPFAR HIV/AIDS training.
We have had PEPFAR trainings before, and am usually unimpressed by the content of the training. Each volunteer brings 2 counter parts (or co workers) with them from their community. I really feel this is a great learning experience for the counter parts. But for us as volunteers, its mostly a refresher course. But again, it's a great excuse to get away from site, and spend time with some volunteers we never get to see.
The first 2 days of training, I got to learn more of my local language: Kalenjin. We learned so much in 2 days, that we decided to apply for a language immersion. Which will happen next week. I will travel to Andrea's site, along with Cassidy and Johanna (we are all Kalenjin) and we will spend 3 days learning more of the language. Look out resume! here comes language number 3!
The rest of the training, like I said was a lot of what I already know. But it was good to see the counterparts getting involved in the discussions. We also got to get to know the counterparts a lot better. One night andrea and I had dinner in Kisumu, when we cam back, there was music playing. We ran into the hall, and found all the counterparts sitting and watching a couple people dance. Well with that, we ran and started dancing right along with them! After a couple songs, we got some more volunteers in to help, and eventually got everyone out of their seats and dancing! Im sure there are some pretty funny pictures floating around there some where.
I got home on Saturday, completely exhausted, with my voice almost gone. I had a great "vacation" but am really happy to get back home. I think I might have been more happy to see kibaibai then he was to see me. Now I'm ready to buckle down and get some real work done in my community.
After her visit, I headed to Bomet, to visit 2 volunteers, Cassidy and Johanna. I stayed with them for 2 days, then we all headed to Nairobi. Cassidy was flying home, and Johanna and I had our mid service medical exam. Well wouldn't you know, but peace corps messed up the dates and told us to be in Nairobi on Sunday, when Monday was a holiday. Go figure, so our medical exam couldn't start until Tuesday, which means we had to stay until Friday! So I spent a (very expensive) week in Nairobi. No wonder peace corps calls in Nai-robbery. It's such a culture shock, compared to being in the village. I spend on one meal in Nairobi what I would spend in an entire week at my site. But I will not lie to you and tell you that I hated it. It was really nice to get out of the village, and get to see my friends. And best of all TB free! hahah that's pretty much all they were worried about at the medical exam.
After Nairobi, we headed to Kisumu. I got to spend my birthday laying by the pool, and going out dancing. It was, to say the least, an AWESOME birthday! Made possible by my great group of friends!
We all enjoyed our night out in Kisumu before going up to a Pastorial Center (aka, convent) to spend the week in a PEPFAR HIV/AIDS training.
We have had PEPFAR trainings before, and am usually unimpressed by the content of the training. Each volunteer brings 2 counter parts (or co workers) with them from their community. I really feel this is a great learning experience for the counter parts. But for us as volunteers, its mostly a refresher course. But again, it's a great excuse to get away from site, and spend time with some volunteers we never get to see.
The first 2 days of training, I got to learn more of my local language: Kalenjin. We learned so much in 2 days, that we decided to apply for a language immersion. Which will happen next week. I will travel to Andrea's site, along with Cassidy and Johanna (we are all Kalenjin) and we will spend 3 days learning more of the language. Look out resume! here comes language number 3!
The rest of the training, like I said was a lot of what I already know. But it was good to see the counterparts getting involved in the discussions. We also got to get to know the counterparts a lot better. One night andrea and I had dinner in Kisumu, when we cam back, there was music playing. We ran into the hall, and found all the counterparts sitting and watching a couple people dance. Well with that, we ran and started dancing right along with them! After a couple songs, we got some more volunteers in to help, and eventually got everyone out of their seats and dancing! Im sure there are some pretty funny pictures floating around there some where.
I got home on Saturday, completely exhausted, with my voice almost gone. I had a great "vacation" but am really happy to get back home. I think I might have been more happy to see kibaibai then he was to see me. Now I'm ready to buckle down and get some real work done in my community.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Nutrition kwelli?
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| yep, that's me and the 5lbs burger and fry challenge at a bar in BG. For those of you who didn't know I was a part of this, I did not finish in the given amount of time (45 minutes) but i did finish 3.5 lbs! woot! |
So what Kenyans eat is really important to me.
After searching online, I found that main foods include beans, rice, ugali (solidified grits) greens, and potatoes. I pretty much thought, Great! those are pretty healthy foods!
Oh how wrong the internet was.
Upon arrival to Kenya and moving in with my host family I learned the truth about nutrition in Kenya. Ugali is they're focus. Ugali is just flour made from corn, added to boiled water. Its basically grits, just solid not soupy. And usually eaten with sukuma wiki, which is kale, that has been shredded and fried. And I know I've mentioned chapati and potato dishes in other posts. Also pretty much all the "tasty" foods are deep fried.
So needless to say, the foods eaten here are definitely NOT healthy. However the healthy options are available.
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| fresh fruits, veggies and even home made honey available at the local markets |
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| grains and beans available at the local markets |
So now I am going to try to spread the new of nutrition through my village. I want to have a cooking class so I can teach them how to steam not fry, and also how to bake with a jiko oven (similar to a dutch oven) I am also planning to teach all of the JOYWO group leaders, so they will be able to teach their womens' groups.
Now the issue comes to change. My mother is right (again) change is slow, no matter who you are or where you live. I know they will listen to what I am telling them, about the importance of eating healthy balanced meals, but will they change?
Monday, July 9, 2012
Just a little update from Kenya.
After my parents left, I went to Webuye (a nearby town) to celebrate the 4th of July with all my friends!!!!!!! They didn't even see it coming, we partied the heck out of that place to celebrate AMERICA!
I came home on Sunday and had to go to Eldoret to pick up 5 of the new volunteers who were coming to visit me for a few days. Just to get the feel for being a volunteer. However they got the "posh corps" experience. :)
I showed them around Eldoret, took them to a women's group, where they got to teach. I took them to Turbo's market and around my village. They had a good time, but Im glad to finally have my house back to myself! I've basically had visitor for 3 weeks in a row!
Now I'm just back to the usual grind.
I've been eating alot of veggies from my garden! Well the only things ready to eat, is the lettuce, baby spinach, and green beans. But I found a recipe on the internet for a spinach burger!
Spinach Burger
Saute onions, garlic and fresh baby spinach in a skillet, just so the onions are browned and the spinach is wilted. Mix into a bowl with an egg and bread crumbs until it makes a patty. Throw on the skillet and brown on both sides. and Viola! TAMU SANA . Add burger toppings and you've got yourself a spinach burger!
I'm super happy with the way my garden has turned out, not bad for my first try! Now I know for future reference how things grow, and how to plant them better. Nothing taste better than knowing you grew it with your own hands!
After my parents left, I went to Webuye (a nearby town) to celebrate the 4th of July with all my friends!!!!!!! They didn't even see it coming, we partied the heck out of that place to celebrate AMERICA!
I came home on Sunday and had to go to Eldoret to pick up 5 of the new volunteers who were coming to visit me for a few days. Just to get the feel for being a volunteer. However they got the "posh corps" experience. :)
I showed them around Eldoret, took them to a women's group, where they got to teach. I took them to Turbo's market and around my village. They had a good time, but Im glad to finally have my house back to myself! I've basically had visitor for 3 weeks in a row!
Now I'm just back to the usual grind.
I've been eating alot of veggies from my garden! Well the only things ready to eat, is the lettuce, baby spinach, and green beans. But I found a recipe on the internet for a spinach burger!
Spinach Burger
Saute onions, garlic and fresh baby spinach in a skillet, just so the onions are browned and the spinach is wilted. Mix into a bowl with an egg and bread crumbs until it makes a patty. Throw on the skillet and brown on both sides. and Viola! TAMU SANA . Add burger toppings and you've got yourself a spinach burger!
I'm super happy with the way my garden has turned out, not bad for my first try! Now I know for future reference how things grow, and how to plant them better. Nothing taste better than knowing you grew it with your own hands!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
More pictures from my Families visit
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| Me, Helen, Andrea, and Dad on a safari (it looks like we were having a pretty good time) |
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| Ok, here it is, this is my house in Kenya (so Posh corps) |
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| Kibaibai-ers |
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| The whole JOYWO family and mine! |
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| Fresh beans from my garden! |
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| my favorite baby Cosi. She is the one that came to my house to bake a while back |
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| Me with my babies! These are my "neighbor" kids. They're eating their ring pops from Susan |
Family visit to Kenya
My family arrived in Kenya safely!
I'd like to take this time to make a few shout outs: Here's a shout out to Susan! Thank you soo much for all the gifts you sent for me to give out to the kids! I gave some ring pops to my neighbor babies, the LOVED them! And I opened my b day gift early! Im wearing the scarf now! LOVE YOU!
Here's a shout out to Steph! GIRLFRIEND! I thought you feel off the face of the earth I hadn't heard from you in so long! I was in tears looking through all my new VSX stuff, and I think my friends were in tears too, of jealousy!! Thank you soo much for thinking of me. It was just the boost I needed to kick my butt back in gear, and get into shape! LOVE YOU!
Here's a shout out to Grandma! I love the outfit you made for me! I've already worn the skirt several time! LOVE YOU!
Here's a shout out to Robin! How did you know that I've truly missed real coffee! I've been making it everyday! Kibaibai is also thrilled with his presents! and wanted me to thank you for thinking of him too!
If I missed anyone I'm truly sorry. I was sooooooo overwhelmed with everything, but you should know that I am truly appreciative of you for thinking of me!
The next day we were supposed to have a relaxing day in Nairobi, but thanks to my great memory skills, we were awoken very early, by a phone call from our safari driver. I had made a mistake with with dates. But all turned out well. We quickly packed our things and headed to the Maasai Mara. We stayed at a very luxurious camp, and Andrea and I were spoiled by the never ending buffet of gourmet foods. We went on a total of 4 safaris. During our safaris we got dangerously close to the elephants, not close enough to the giraffes, saw all of the Big 5 except for the Rhino. And on our last day, we thought we were just going to see what we had already seen, our driver sped off and we were one of the first couple cars to get to the Lion Pride feasting on a Buffalo!!! It was awesome!!! We were only feet away!
After the safari we started on our long journey home, dropping Andrea and her dad off on our way. We arrived at my house late Friday night. Kibaibai was sure glad to see us! Saturday morning, after mom and Ben attempted and succeeded to hand wash their laundry. We headed (by foot) to Turbo for the Saturday Market!
On Sunday morning (yep bright and early again) we headed to visit Susi (my kenyan friend in Turbo) and her family in Mt. Elgon. We took a private car so it didn't take as long. They were very happy to meet us! The prepared chai and yams for us for breakfast. Her father took us on a tour of their farm, they grow lots of coffee beans. Then we helped (as much as the would let us) prepare lunch. As we were leaving, I was given a gift, my very own goat!
I named her Lucy (it was Ben's idea) And I had to ride in the boot (the trunk) of the car with her. FUN! until she got so scared she started peeing! TIA
On Monday I took my family, on matatus, to Eldoret. We visited my office, did a little souvenir shopping, and picked out fabrics for them to get traditional Kenya clothes made. And dad treated us to lunch and my favorite new restaurant that has burgers and milk shakes!
On Tuesday we rested a bit. Mom, dad, and I walked to Turbo again. They bought me a new mattress for guests. KARIBU! Then the rains came, and with the rains came hail. My brother, sister, and dad braved the storm and collected the hail in all of my buckets, we had chilled drinks and food up through the next day! It's the little things.
Wednesday was my family health day. We arrived early, in Sugoi. It was supposed to start at 10, but go figure it's Kenya and we didn't start until after 1! But all's well that ends well. The day was a success, with over 240 guests! A reproductive health officer, was there to talk about family planning, there was a nutritionist, and Lindsay teaching about proper dental health. We also had a HIV testing going on throughout. It also gave me new ideas for more events. At the end there were dancers and singers to welcome my family. We finished just as the it started to poor, and we took cover in the unfinished rooms of the health center.
Thursday I took the Family to visit my neighbors. I think they got there Kenya baby fix. My babies behaved so well and didn't even show that they feared all the wazungu.
Friday we went to Eldoret again. JOYWO presented my family with gifts as well as Lesso's for Helen and mom. They're JOYWO mamas now. We packed up everything that night and headed to Nairobi the next morning.
We spent Saturday and Sunday in Nairobi, then they left......... late Sunday afternoon they headed to the airport. I met up with the girls, they were in Nairobi for a meeting.
Their visit was really great!!! It was sooooooooooooo great to see the family after a year of service!!! THANKS MOM, DAD, HELEN, and BEN for coming to visit and letting me introduce you all to my community. I know it was a bit awkward and overwhelming at times, but it meant so much to my community, friends and most of all, me! Love you!
Andrea came with me to pick them up, we were all a little teary.
Afterwards we went back to the hotel for some "Karibu Kenya" drinks and
non stop catching up. Also Helen took this time to show me ALL of the
stuff they brought for me.
I'd like to take this time to make a few shout outs: Here's a shout out to Susan! Thank you soo much for all the gifts you sent for me to give out to the kids! I gave some ring pops to my neighbor babies, the LOVED them! And I opened my b day gift early! Im wearing the scarf now! LOVE YOU!
Here's a shout out to Steph! GIRLFRIEND! I thought you feel off the face of the earth I hadn't heard from you in so long! I was in tears looking through all my new VSX stuff, and I think my friends were in tears too, of jealousy!! Thank you soo much for thinking of me. It was just the boost I needed to kick my butt back in gear, and get into shape! LOVE YOU!
Here's a shout out to Grandma! I love the outfit you made for me! I've already worn the skirt several time! LOVE YOU!
Here's a shout out to Robin! How did you know that I've truly missed real coffee! I've been making it everyday! Kibaibai is also thrilled with his presents! and wanted me to thank you for thinking of him too!
If I missed anyone I'm truly sorry. I was sooooooo overwhelmed with everything, but you should know that I am truly appreciative of you for thinking of me!
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| the lions feasting on there fresh kill |
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| At the beginning of our trip at the View point. Looking out over the rift valley |
The next day we were supposed to have a relaxing day in Nairobi, but thanks to my great memory skills, we were awoken very early, by a phone call from our safari driver. I had made a mistake with with dates. But all turned out well. We quickly packed our things and headed to the Maasai Mara. We stayed at a very luxurious camp, and Andrea and I were spoiled by the never ending buffet of gourmet foods. We went on a total of 4 safaris. During our safaris we got dangerously close to the elephants, not close enough to the giraffes, saw all of the Big 5 except for the Rhino. And on our last day, we thought we were just going to see what we had already seen, our driver sped off and we were one of the first couple cars to get to the Lion Pride feasting on a Buffalo!!! It was awesome!!! We were only feet away!
After the safari we started on our long journey home, dropping Andrea and her dad off on our way. We arrived at my house late Friday night. Kibaibai was sure glad to see us! Saturday morning, after mom and Ben attempted and succeeded to hand wash their laundry. We headed (by foot) to Turbo for the Saturday Market!
On Sunday morning (yep bright and early again) we headed to visit Susi (my kenyan friend in Turbo) and her family in Mt. Elgon. We took a private car so it didn't take as long. They were very happy to meet us! The prepared chai and yams for us for breakfast. Her father took us on a tour of their farm, they grow lots of coffee beans. Then we helped (as much as the would let us) prepare lunch. As we were leaving, I was given a gift, my very own goat!
I named her Lucy (it was Ben's idea) And I had to ride in the boot (the trunk) of the car with her. FUN! until she got so scared she started peeing! TIA
On Monday I took my family, on matatus, to Eldoret. We visited my office, did a little souvenir shopping, and picked out fabrics for them to get traditional Kenya clothes made. And dad treated us to lunch and my favorite new restaurant that has burgers and milk shakes!
On Tuesday we rested a bit. Mom, dad, and I walked to Turbo again. They bought me a new mattress for guests. KARIBU! Then the rains came, and with the rains came hail. My brother, sister, and dad braved the storm and collected the hail in all of my buckets, we had chilled drinks and food up through the next day! It's the little things.
Wednesday was my family health day. We arrived early, in Sugoi. It was supposed to start at 10, but go figure it's Kenya and we didn't start until after 1! But all's well that ends well. The day was a success, with over 240 guests! A reproductive health officer, was there to talk about family planning, there was a nutritionist, and Lindsay teaching about proper dental health. We also had a HIV testing going on throughout. It also gave me new ideas for more events. At the end there were dancers and singers to welcome my family. We finished just as the it started to poor, and we took cover in the unfinished rooms of the health center.
Thursday I took the Family to visit my neighbors. I think they got there Kenya baby fix. My babies behaved so well and didn't even show that they feared all the wazungu.
Friday we went to Eldoret again. JOYWO presented my family with gifts as well as Lesso's for Helen and mom. They're JOYWO mamas now. We packed up everything that night and headed to Nairobi the next morning.
We spent Saturday and Sunday in Nairobi, then they left......... late Sunday afternoon they headed to the airport. I met up with the girls, they were in Nairobi for a meeting.
Their visit was really great!!! It was sooooooooooooo great to see the family after a year of service!!! THANKS MOM, DAD, HELEN, and BEN for coming to visit and letting me introduce you all to my community. I know it was a bit awkward and overwhelming at times, but it meant so much to my community, friends and most of all, me! Love you!
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