Life in Kenya
We went to Kenya in the winter in 2012 as volunteers. Although we only stayed there for one month, the country and the life there impress us. Even right now we still will miss the days in Kenya-the magic country. We had been told that when you left the volunteer life there, you would realize that the voluntary experience in slams will be most unforgettable period. Now I have to admit that they are right and this blog is to provide what we have experienced, heard and seen in the Africa. We hope to provide you an image about the country or at least give you some ideas about what Kenya is.
Part 1: Life in Kenya
People
Along the road from the airport to the city center, many people sit near the entrance of a building, waiting for the hiring of temporary workers. The driver told me, now the unemployment rate in Kenya is very high, they are a lot of people waiting recruitment, and wages are very low. He said for manual workers, such as janitors, cleaners, the salary is only about $100 a month. The gap between the rich and the poor are quite large. Although the life there are quite tough for somebody, but the enthusiasm of the people of Africa impresses me. It is very common to see the locals say hello to you from a long distance even on the other side of the road.
Traffic
Matatu means bus in the local Swahili. This bus is different from the kind of huge size. The space inside is very crowded. Usually the driver will drive very fast, especially in the evening or night with loud African music inside. The communication between drivers with conductors is completed by flapping doors or other parts in order to tell the driver to stop or re-start. The most crucial point, the price of the bus ticket is not a fixed. They will take the initiative based on market supply and demand, so you?d better ask for the price before you get on the bus. Of course, they also have several minibuses, which are similar to the normal buses and they will provide a regular ticket receipt.
For the other traffic vehicles, small planes are quite popular for the business people or tourists. Unfortunately, I had never taken them. There are only two or three train routes in Kenya. According to my experience, the trains usually are delayed for several hours, even a day. Another way to other cities is to take a bus. The buses are very old and uncomfortable. The most roads are not flat and full of dusts. If you want to take a night bus, I suggest you to prepare a lot.
Food
Compared with Europe, the price here is really cheap. Mango with papaya can be regarded as the most popular local fruits. The flavor of the mango is quite good, but the papaya feels slightly different with what I have tasted. I strongly recommend you to try the fruit juice. They look good, taste perfectly. As for the local poor people, almost every day they eat the same food Called Ugali and the vegetable (sukumaviki). As for the local restaurants, the food is almost like the western restaurant and the price is not very high. Usually 5 dollars can buy a quite good meal.
The traditional food (Ugali) made by me
The food in the restaurant (6 dollars)
Accommodation
I live in the host family instead of intern house. In the host family, the breakfast and dinner are provided, while you have to solve the lunch by yourself. My landlord in Kenya is a lady who is more than forty years old. She is quite nice and enthusiastic. I live near the city center and the living environment is acceptable. Hot water for shower is available. The sanitation may be not as good as our own families. Water repellent is recommended because of lots of mosquitoes.
My room in my host family
My host lady
Religion
Almost all Kenyans believe in Christianity. They will go to church every weekend. Every Sunday, I was wake up by the sound of the church choir. When you walk down the street, you will find the sound of singing of the church, covering almost every corner. She must pray before each meal, before going out and when the visitors come or leave. Even for the children in my school, the children will pray before the rest and the lunch.
Part 2: Travel in Kenya
Nairobi
Kenya is a very famous tourist country of Africa. The capital city, Nairobi, has many places to visit. There is Giraffe center near the city center and you can hold free food to feed the giraffes there, in the way to touch its cute little antenna. If you go to the national conference center, you can overlook the entire Nairobi. The National Museum is also a good choice. Since Kenya has been tormented in the colonial war, there is little really traditional culture compared with the Louvre in Paris or the British Museum. The entire museum isn?t very crowded and seems to be a little monotonous. A lot of stuffed animals and recent oil paintings also belong to the museum's display exhibits. In the museum, quick review of the history of Kenya is also a good choice.
Feeding the giraffe in the giraffe center
Tourist cities
In Kenya, there are another two famous tourist cities, naming Mombasa and Malindi. The small island Lamu is strong recommended. A lot of foreigners settle down there. The African beaches are different from those in Europe. The sunshine is very strong and the soil is white. Lying there for the whole afternoon is a good choice, but sun cream should be used in case of sunburn.
African beach
Masai Mara
Masai Mara grassland of Kenya is the most famous attraction, and is also the world's most famous wildlife sanctuaries. Here people will marvel the original true there are so harmonious coexistence animal paradise. The birds in the sky willfully takeoff and landing, aquatic animals enjoy bathing in the Mara river, a variety of terrestrial animals stroll there. Here, you can see two Bucks gladiatorial combat for territory disputes, you can see two male zebra fight for a girl; you can see harmonious and happy life of the elephant family. Two lions lazily lay in a secluded corner, you can see; you can also see the bones of the body of the buffalo, to prove that there is a law of the jungle world.
Part 3: Work in Kenya
Kibera slum
Before going to the school, I was told that in the rainy season the road of the slum is extremely difficult to walk. I appreciate the sunshine in the recent days, the surface of the roads are slightly dry. In most parts of the surface, you can distinguish most roads are made of rubbish and the smell of the water in the nearby river is disgusting. Walking in the slums, you can also see everywhere people operating their own small shops. As for children, they will be curious to look at you, follow you and say hello.
My school and the kids
My school is located in a small yard along with several other tenants sharing the limited space. The small living room of our house is not big, only a small about 10 square for children to eat or the indoor activities. The rest is a smaller classroom and a small kitchen. 25 children are sitting around two large tables crowdedly. Every day they will learn some simple and obvious knowledge here, perhaps the figures or English letters, but at least they are taking the positive energy. Children will eat a free meal every day in my school at noon. Sometimes this may be only one meal of their day. I have been told some children cry not for pain or wronged, just because they feel hungry. They will also feel curious about your things, such as your skin and your clothes.
Volunteer
For many locals, the volunteers are not a new vocabulary. Every year there will be a variety of organizations, volunteers from around the world coming to Kenya. Volunteers in different schools in different positions according to their different situations will do different work. In short, volunteer job is to vary from person to person.
In my school, a Portuguese girl and I help raise and prepare lunch for 25 children. When kids have a break, I'll go with the boys to play football and she will do some games with the girls. Of course, the most important part is we have to find ways to obtain funds to the school. I have been busy with selling the hand-made accessories online.
End words
The changes made by our volunteers are minimal to the whole situation of Kenya, but we are on the way to transfer the positive energy into this land. Perhaps the power of our volunteers is limited, but our spiritual heritage cannot be measured. We just hope the kids to have a happy childhood, let them know that there are still many people are willing to help them, and let them believe the earth is covered by great love. Kenya trip brought me the thinking of life will never end in the future. It inspires me to chase the dream, it inspired my enthusiasm for life, it also gives me a new view of personal gain or loss values.
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