Well my holidays now belong to Peace Corps. I have been busy helping with PST( training for the new soon to be volunteers) and my mid service medical( check ups, dentist etc). I have to say even though it took 2 weeks out of my holiday, those 2 weeks really helped me remember why I joined the Peace Corps in the first place. It showed me where I’ve been and where Im going. During PST, I got to hang with the new trainees. It brought back memories of my own PST and how excited I was to soon be teaching in Kenya. They helped me remember that I am a teacher and no matter how sadistic my fellow teachers can be, I will still be a teacher, there to inspire, educate and guide my students. When the week ended, I felt rejuvenated and inspired to tackle my 2nd year here.
After PST, I traveled to Nairobi to complete my medical check ups. While we were there, the group of teachers before us were completing their COS( close of service) It was bittersweet to say the least. As their time here got shorter and shorter, they would talk about their future plans. Some were traveling around the world before heading home, others got jobs in Kenya working with refugees, some were going home to complete school, and a few were extending their service for another year. Listening to their plans, got me excited for my own COS. I love my students and will be sad when I have to say goodbye but I was looking forward to the endless possibilities awaiting me. I was excited to discover what I would do next after my service was complete. Where would I go? What was next for me? I can’t wait to find out!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
New Years Resolutions 2011
Go for a walk to someplace new everyday.
Travel to Rwanda, Ethiopia, Lamu, Hells gate, Lake Turkana, Mount Kenya, and a game reserve before the year is up
Stay out of the teacher drama, this one is going to be a hard one.
Set up at least one IGA so the athletic club can be self sufficient by the time I leave.
Get 2 people trained to work at the VCT
Go up and hang with the students at night at least 2x a week
Try to think better of peoples intentions
Travel to Rwanda, Ethiopia, Lamu, Hells gate, Lake Turkana, Mount Kenya, and a game reserve before the year is up
Stay out of the teacher drama, this one is going to be a hard one.
Set up at least one IGA so the athletic club can be self sufficient by the time I leave.
Get 2 people trained to work at the VCT
Go up and hang with the students at night at least 2x a week
Try to think better of peoples intentions
What have I become?
Anyone who has served in the Peace Corps can tell you, you go through many changes. You dress far more conservative than your friends, you pronounce the p in corps as well as your t‘s, you feel awkward in jeans or trousers, and your view of people changes as well. This one is probably the most difficult to accept. Before joining the peace corps, I felt like I was a trusting person. I would talk to random strangers on the streets of San Francisco, and I never felt nervous or distrustful of someone. This week I came to realize this particular trait has changed and Im not sure it’s for the better. I find myself more conscious of people, less trusting of their motives and always assuming they want something from me. I am finding no matter how nice people are when I first meet them, they always have something they want from me. Whether it’s money, a trip to America or my favorite skirt that they admire. Now are all Kenyans like this? I hope not. But Im finding it very hard to find someone who wants to be my friend just to be my friend. This part of the culture has changed me into something Im not sure I like. I’ve stopped looking for the good in people and just started to assume they are just like the others. Since New Years is coming up, Im starting to think about my resolutions. I think changing my view about Kenyans would be a good one to have. Although this won’t stop people from asking me for things, but maybe it will help me to remember not to jump to conclusions when I meet someone. I don’t want to remember my time in Kenya and the people I’ve met as leeches who just want something from me. I want to remember the market mamas and their desire to teach my Swahili, the kids yelling “Mzungu, How are you,” the hospital staff willing to learn KSL and the joy I have teaching my students. That is what I want to remember.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
You know your a PCV living in Africa when........
You know you're a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa when...
..walking around holding a roll of toilet paper seems like a
completely normal thing to do.
..Sitting under a tree watching goats graze is considered a "productive day"
..you stare when you see a white person you don't know
..the length of time it takes you to walk anywhere is wholy dependent
on how many people happen to be in their yards along the way
..knee length skirts are shocking, but toplessness is not
..two weeks, three countries, and three changes of clothes in a
backpack seems about right
..seeing a movie in a theatre is a good bargain, but buying a book is
an unthinkable expense
..you have come to realize that the monkeys in the park's play pretty
much the same role as squirrels in America but you persist in taking
pictures of them anyway
..there is a rooster you would like to kill, if only he weren't
dangerously close to your size
..you are considered the eminent expert on professional wrestling
dispite being able to count you're WWE viewing sessions on one hand
..you are outraged whenever the fare for a 30 minute taxi ride goes up
30 cents US dollars
..you are not outraged whenever your 30 minute taxi ride takes 2 hours
..you are stuck in an overcrowded bus for 10 hours in 120 degree heat
and no one is willing to open the windows for fear of catching the flu
..you can identify an otherwise unmarked strecth of road by the
pattern of the potholes
..when walking down the street, small children shout "white person"
and point at you but as you walk towards them they run away screaming
in terror
..you find government employees sleeping on the floor of their offices
in the middle of the work day
..when buying clothes you think "how hard would this be to wash in a bucket?"
..the fact that peptobismal turns vomit black is a standard and
essential element of your knowledge base
..showering every day seems like a decotive vacation
..you live in an almost constant state of exestential anxiety about
whether or not you are driving on the wrong side of the road no matter
which side you happen to be on
..you're cognizant of being the worst dressed person in your village
and you don't care
..you double up on words beyond the standard shop shop and now now so
that such phrases as soon soon, past past, long long, and hot hot are
part in parcel with your everyday vocabulary
..if you have to choose between whether you would rather loose your
passport or your adapter you would choose the passport
..30 kilometers is considered a pretty short distance
..you don't think twice about going potty in a plastic bag at night as
a way to avoid leaving your hut
..you have so many random bags that when you travel you look like a gipsy
..you will drink and enjoy anything that is cold
..if you're taking public transport and your lap is empty, there is
always room for more people
..you immediately loose your ability to estimate distances and waving
your hand towards a certain place is considered giving directions
..if a problem arises, your first reaction is a single big long sigh
..you secretly enjoy African pop music including Klito (sp?) and
KwasaKwasa (sp?)
..you enjoy eating maize meal and even order it at restaurants
..you're menstrual cycle coincides with the moon cycle
..basically, you have no shame
..you can never act more crazy than your African counterparts already
think you are
..spiders are no longer the enemy, but your trusted ally in the
constant battle against bugs
..you let complete strangers crash at your place just because they speak English
..you've lost track of how many marriage proposals you've received.
..you know how to make alcohol with local ingredients
..a long work day is six hours
..you distinguish between your Peace Corps family and your American family
..those eggs have been sitting out in the sun all day, sure i'll take two
..you realize that every village must have its token crazy person
..you stare at foriegn tourists as much as the locals
..when you actually realize you miss having a salad
..when you know if someone at your site says "yes" it means
"definitely not", "maybe" means "probably not" and "no" means "no"
..when you have a story for every possible topic in life that starts
with "when i lived in Africa..."
..walking around holding a roll of toilet paper seems like a
completely normal thing to do.
..Sitting under a tree watching goats graze is considered a "productive day"
..you stare when you see a white person you don't know
..the length of time it takes you to walk anywhere is wholy dependent
on how many people happen to be in their yards along the way
..knee length skirts are shocking, but toplessness is not
..two weeks, three countries, and three changes of clothes in a
backpack seems about right
..seeing a movie in a theatre is a good bargain, but buying a book is
an unthinkable expense
..you have come to realize that the monkeys in the park's play pretty
much the same role as squirrels in America but you persist in taking
pictures of them anyway
..there is a rooster you would like to kill, if only he weren't
dangerously close to your size
..you are considered the eminent expert on professional wrestling
dispite being able to count you're WWE viewing sessions on one hand
..you are outraged whenever the fare for a 30 minute taxi ride goes up
30 cents US dollars
..you are not outraged whenever your 30 minute taxi ride takes 2 hours
..you are stuck in an overcrowded bus for 10 hours in 120 degree heat
and no one is willing to open the windows for fear of catching the flu
..you can identify an otherwise unmarked strecth of road by the
pattern of the potholes
..when walking down the street, small children shout "white person"
and point at you but as you walk towards them they run away screaming
in terror
..you find government employees sleeping on the floor of their offices
in the middle of the work day
..when buying clothes you think "how hard would this be to wash in a bucket?"
..the fact that peptobismal turns vomit black is a standard and
essential element of your knowledge base
..showering every day seems like a decotive vacation
..you live in an almost constant state of exestential anxiety about
whether or not you are driving on the wrong side of the road no matter
which side you happen to be on
..you're cognizant of being the worst dressed person in your village
and you don't care
..you double up on words beyond the standard shop shop and now now so
that such phrases as soon soon, past past, long long, and hot hot are
part in parcel with your everyday vocabulary
..if you have to choose between whether you would rather loose your
passport or your adapter you would choose the passport
..30 kilometers is considered a pretty short distance
..you don't think twice about going potty in a plastic bag at night as
a way to avoid leaving your hut
..you have so many random bags that when you travel you look like a gipsy
..you will drink and enjoy anything that is cold
..if you're taking public transport and your lap is empty, there is
always room for more people
..you immediately loose your ability to estimate distances and waving
your hand towards a certain place is considered giving directions
..if a problem arises, your first reaction is a single big long sigh
..you secretly enjoy African pop music including Klito (sp?) and
KwasaKwasa (sp?)
..you enjoy eating maize meal and even order it at restaurants
..you're menstrual cycle coincides with the moon cycle
..basically, you have no shame
..you can never act more crazy than your African counterparts already
think you are
..spiders are no longer the enemy, but your trusted ally in the
constant battle against bugs
..you let complete strangers crash at your place just because they speak English
..you've lost track of how many marriage proposals you've received.
..you know how to make alcohol with local ingredients
..a long work day is six hours
..you distinguish between your Peace Corps family and your American family
..those eggs have been sitting out in the sun all day, sure i'll take two
..you realize that every village must have its token crazy person
..you stare at foriegn tourists as much as the locals
..when you actually realize you miss having a salad
..when you know if someone at your site says "yes" it means
"definitely not", "maybe" means "probably not" and "no" means "no"
..when you have a story for every possible topic in life that starts
with "when i lived in Africa..."
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Lowest point of my service
I don’t know if it’s a good idea to post this on my blog. I did promise not to post any more sad posts but I feel I need to get it out. Today, I had a staff meeting. It started out like any other staff meeting, slow and redundant. Then without any knowledge before hand, I found out that a few days ago one of my class 8 boys raped one of the class 2 girls. This is a boy who I thought was a caring, sweet boy. He was always there to help me and I respected him. He always worked hard and even helped me during my girl empowerment class where I taught the girls how to say no to boys when they ( the boys) ask for sex and how to fight off a boy if they ever grabbed her. I even taught his class about rape and how wrong it was. I thought I had made an impact, I thought I was protecting them for what’s out there. I thought it had sunk in and I was actually doing some good. But I was wrong. I also had been working with a local athletic club and the boy was the first person I thought of. He is an amazing runner and hard working. I even had people come out and see him. One of the coaches really was impressed with him and wanted him to join. This was his ticket out of here. He would have gone to meets around the country and then hopefully around the world. But knowing he raped one of the girls we now can not have him in the club. So his future is ruined. I even had to tell the headmaster, he should not be allowed back at the school. These life skills classes, guidance classes I am teaching, I am starting to think they are not doing any good. So why am I even here? What impact am I really having?
1 yr of teaching done!
Well another milestone happened today. I finished my 1st year of teaching. And as my class 8 students leave one by one, I can’t help feeling a little sad. Sad, because my students won’t be here next year with me, sad because I only have one more year here in Kenya and sad I still have another year with the psycho teacher. Since reaching my year mark in Kenyan everyone from family to friends, to random people in the cyber world have asked me what will I do after Kenya. Well, as I sit here wrapped up in a fleece blanket, wool sweater, drinking coffee listening to the rain thundering outside and reading The Sex Lives of Cannibals by T. Maarten Troost, I have sudden passion to do a stint in the south pacific....
Saturday, November 6, 2010
A Goodbye Letter
Dear Winny, Irene, Kelvin, Ronald, Julius, Tumanka, Joan, Betty, Vincent K, Jackline, Goffrey, Tonkei, Komoni, Vincent L, and Obadiah,
As I sit here in my new rocking chair, trying not to tear up, I can’t help thinking that I have you for only one more week. I failed. Tearing up has now moved to full on crying. It was you guys who helped me survive my first year in Kenya and KSL and I owe you everything. I remember my first time as teacher on duty, I was so scared. I had no idea what to do. But when I came to you asking for help, all of you stepped up and assisted me all week. It was you who had the patience to deal with my crazy and sometimes unconventional ways of teaching. I can’t imagine school without you next term. We formed a special bond that I will never forget. I am so happy and proud of all of you but I can’t help being a little sad to see you all go.
Julius and your caring nature, watching over me and the little ones. Assuring me my signing was not the problem and helping me explain what I was teaching to the kids who were slower. Kelvin and your cheeky, witty humor. I would always have to stop at least 3 times during class to get you to stop day dreaming. I always wondered what you dreamed about. Winny, and your ever present smile and how happy you would get when you answered a question correctly. I hope you realize how smart you are. I got to see your self esteem blossom from when I first met you. Irene, I always looked forward to your hugs on opening day. You were always stealing my phone calling your parents who don’t even speak English. Vincent L, you have a passion for art and playing tricks on me, always trying to get me…you never succeeded. Obadiah always focused on your studies. I was so impressed when the other kids were out playing, you were in the classroom alone studying. Ronald and your endless questions about Obama and America. You always made me laugh. Tumanka, you were always the first person I saw when I walked into class. I loved seeing your face light up when you got something correct. Geoffrey, I’ll miss you always trying to steal my phone to play games until I got it back and it‘s was dead.. Jackline, komoni, betty, Joan, my 4 musketeers. So subdued but I feel privileged to get to be the one to see you guys get silly and animated during our games. Tonkei you always had a smile and a positive attitude. You are one of the sweetest boys I have ever met. Vincent K, you have an amazing talent and passion for art and I hope you never loose it.
We have learned together and faced challenges together. All of you have brought something to my education here in Kenya.. You all have so many dreams and I hope someday you reach them. My wish for all of you is to realize your full potential and go out and do great things. I am going to miss all you so much and I feel honored and proud that you were my first class.
Love,
Danielle
As I sit here in my new rocking chair, trying not to tear up, I can’t help thinking that I have you for only one more week. I failed. Tearing up has now moved to full on crying. It was you guys who helped me survive my first year in Kenya and KSL and I owe you everything. I remember my first time as teacher on duty, I was so scared. I had no idea what to do. But when I came to you asking for help, all of you stepped up and assisted me all week. It was you who had the patience to deal with my crazy and sometimes unconventional ways of teaching. I can’t imagine school without you next term. We formed a special bond that I will never forget. I am so happy and proud of all of you but I can’t help being a little sad to see you all go.
Julius and your caring nature, watching over me and the little ones. Assuring me my signing was not the problem and helping me explain what I was teaching to the kids who were slower. Kelvin and your cheeky, witty humor. I would always have to stop at least 3 times during class to get you to stop day dreaming. I always wondered what you dreamed about. Winny, and your ever present smile and how happy you would get when you answered a question correctly. I hope you realize how smart you are. I got to see your self esteem blossom from when I first met you. Irene, I always looked forward to your hugs on opening day. You were always stealing my phone calling your parents who don’t even speak English. Vincent L, you have a passion for art and playing tricks on me, always trying to get me…you never succeeded. Obadiah always focused on your studies. I was so impressed when the other kids were out playing, you were in the classroom alone studying. Ronald and your endless questions about Obama and America. You always made me laugh. Tumanka, you were always the first person I saw when I walked into class. I loved seeing your face light up when you got something correct. Geoffrey, I’ll miss you always trying to steal my phone to play games until I got it back and it‘s was dead.. Jackline, komoni, betty, Joan, my 4 musketeers. So subdued but I feel privileged to get to be the one to see you guys get silly and animated during our games. Tonkei you always had a smile and a positive attitude. You are one of the sweetest boys I have ever met. Vincent K, you have an amazing talent and passion for art and I hope you never loose it.
We have learned together and faced challenges together. All of you have brought something to my education here in Kenya.. You all have so many dreams and I hope someday you reach them. My wish for all of you is to realize your full potential and go out and do great things. I am going to miss all you so much and I feel honored and proud that you were my first class.
Love,
Danielle
Thursday, November 4, 2010
You're in my class?
So I was looking through my blog and spoted this old post from my first term that I actually never posted. Reading it now brings a smile to my face. I hope it will for you as well. Enjoy.
Although I have 3 weeks of teaching under my belt, I still can’t tell which kids are in which class. Friday’s schedule has me going to class 6 for PE for 35 min and then class 7 for PE. So, I went to class 6 and played some volleyball. My kids love being outdoors and when I said class was finished, one boy( I know, 3 weeks and I STILL don’t know all their names and sign names. You try mastering 60 students names AND their sign names. And that is JUST for your class, you also have to be familiar with the 150 other students names and sign names. It’s not easy!) So this one boy, kept giving me a hard time by pleading for more time. I had to lay my foot down since I was going into another teachers time. So we all went in, I dropped off my class 6 and headed to class 7. Well, I walked in and who should be sitting at HIS desk? The boy from class 6 who was giving me a hard time about coming in! I must have had a really funny look on my face because the entire class started laughing. The little brat was complaining to me about bringing him in early and he was in PE next block! Hopefully this means we have bounded and there will be no more tricks from here on out. I’m nervous how the kids see me sometimes. I know we get along and they have been so patient with me while I am learning their sign names and everything but I KNOW I am not as “ strict” as the other teachers. At home, I know how to be firm and playful at the same time. I know what works and what doesn’t. But here, a teachers idea of firm is using a stick to spank the kids and sometimes it‘s for big AND little things that really don‘t deserve punishment. I haven’t found a happy medium yet. Right now I am just being myself but sometimes I feel like being myself is too lenient, like it’s closer to being their friend then their teacher. I think I just have to remind myself that I will be the worst teacher during these first 3 months. Then after that, I will have figured out.
Saturday, one of the teachers wanted to take me to her home in Kisii. I have the next 2 months planned with visiting different teachers homes. Unlike kericho which is in the rift valley, Kisii is to the west near lake Victoria. It was fun to get out of Litein and travel to a different place. If you stay on the compound for to long, you can get island fever. I got a lot of shopping done for my house and had a blast with the ladies. On the way home, I found out, you can still get a lot of shopping done and you don’t even have to get out of the matatu. The minute the matau stops, men and women rush over and circle the matatu selling their produce. If you are sitting by the window, they will open it and push ripe pineapples and mangos in your face. “6 for 100, 6 for 100” they say as they push 6 pineapples inside the window. All of a sudden whether you were going to buy them or not, You have 6 giant pineapples in your lap and all of a sudden you feel like your drowning in pineapples. And of course there are different people selling the same things, so if you say yes to one pineapple lady, the other pineapple ladies flock to you expecting you to buy 12 pineapples, like 6 is still not enough. It’s a hurricane of pineapples, mangos, bananas, and passion fruit inside one very small matatu. By the time we got home, we were all exhausted. I cut up my pineapples( yes, I gave in and bought one) and went straight to bed. Plans for tomorrow???? Im sleeping in, working on my schemes and lesson plans and finishing my wash, I’m wearing my last clean pair of panties.
* I can now see this is the start of my pineapple obsession. I laugh because I bought one. Now I buy 6 at a time. Also, I still don't know who all is in my class and it's been a yr.
Although I have 3 weeks of teaching under my belt, I still can’t tell which kids are in which class. Friday’s schedule has me going to class 6 for PE for 35 min and then class 7 for PE. So, I went to class 6 and played some volleyball. My kids love being outdoors and when I said class was finished, one boy( I know, 3 weeks and I STILL don’t know all their names and sign names. You try mastering 60 students names AND their sign names. And that is JUST for your class, you also have to be familiar with the 150 other students names and sign names. It’s not easy!) So this one boy, kept giving me a hard time by pleading for more time. I had to lay my foot down since I was going into another teachers time. So we all went in, I dropped off my class 6 and headed to class 7. Well, I walked in and who should be sitting at HIS desk? The boy from class 6 who was giving me a hard time about coming in! I must have had a really funny look on my face because the entire class started laughing. The little brat was complaining to me about bringing him in early and he was in PE next block! Hopefully this means we have bounded and there will be no more tricks from here on out. I’m nervous how the kids see me sometimes. I know we get along and they have been so patient with me while I am learning their sign names and everything but I KNOW I am not as “ strict” as the other teachers. At home, I know how to be firm and playful at the same time. I know what works and what doesn’t. But here, a teachers idea of firm is using a stick to spank the kids and sometimes it‘s for big AND little things that really don‘t deserve punishment. I haven’t found a happy medium yet. Right now I am just being myself but sometimes I feel like being myself is too lenient, like it’s closer to being their friend then their teacher. I think I just have to remind myself that I will be the worst teacher during these first 3 months. Then after that, I will have figured out.
Saturday, one of the teachers wanted to take me to her home in Kisii. I have the next 2 months planned with visiting different teachers homes. Unlike kericho which is in the rift valley, Kisii is to the west near lake Victoria. It was fun to get out of Litein and travel to a different place. If you stay on the compound for to long, you can get island fever. I got a lot of shopping done for my house and had a blast with the ladies. On the way home, I found out, you can still get a lot of shopping done and you don’t even have to get out of the matatu. The minute the matau stops, men and women rush over and circle the matatu selling their produce. If you are sitting by the window, they will open it and push ripe pineapples and mangos in your face. “6 for 100, 6 for 100” they say as they push 6 pineapples inside the window. All of a sudden whether you were going to buy them or not, You have 6 giant pineapples in your lap and all of a sudden you feel like your drowning in pineapples. And of course there are different people selling the same things, so if you say yes to one pineapple lady, the other pineapple ladies flock to you expecting you to buy 12 pineapples, like 6 is still not enough. It’s a hurricane of pineapples, mangos, bananas, and passion fruit inside one very small matatu. By the time we got home, we were all exhausted. I cut up my pineapples( yes, I gave in and bought one) and went straight to bed. Plans for tomorrow???? Im sleeping in, working on my schemes and lesson plans and finishing my wash, I’m wearing my last clean pair of panties.
* I can now see this is the start of my pineapple obsession. I laugh because I bought one. Now I buy 6 at a time. Also, I still don't know who all is in my class and it's been a yr.
One year Anniversary!
Today is November 4th. For most of you this is a day just like any other day, nothing special about it or important, but for me it marks my one year I have been in Kenya. This year has given me ups and downs…. Ok more downs than ups but it was still a year of learning, trying new things( I can now eat ugali and sukuma wiki and actually enjoy it) and making a difference. However, for most of us PCV’s actually witnessing the change we have set in motion does not happen till 10 sometimes 15 yrs later. But something happened today. Something I couldn’t believe ,something that helped make this one year anniversary memorable. I GOT MARRIED!
Just kidding. Haha But something did happen. I don’t remember if I wrote about it but in the beginning of the year, I went to a town called Kapkatet to visit a school my counter part recommended. The head mistress found out some of her students were recently diagnosed with HIV and asked me if I could do a presentation on it for the teachers. The stigma surrounding HIV is so bad, people fear touching someone who is positive. So I agreed and felt totally out of my element. I mean I had dropped out of my HIV class in college because it was to much science and here I was going to teach a class on it. I don’t know if the words coming out of my mouth were total bullshit or just plain luck but we ended up having a great presentation. I was able to correct some of the myths they had regarding people who are HIV +. However, after the presentation, I got busy with school and the teacher drama and never went back…until today. I went to greet the headmistress again and as we sat down for tea she told me what that simple presentation had done for her school. She had a boy who was positive and he’s always been a fighter. I guess the teachers were too scared to deal with him so he got no discipline. Now because of my presentation, the teachers are no longer scared of him and he has stopped fighting with the other kids. I can’t even describe the joy I felt as she was telling me the story. This whole year has been one full of stress, frustration and anger and at times I was actually asking myself why am I here? But on the one year anniversary I learn I am actually making a difference. Now if only I can get my students to pass KSL. Haha. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect ending to a crappy year. I am looking forward now with excitement and impatient longing .
My New Month is FINALLY Here!!!!
My new month has finally arrived and so far so good. This has been the best week in a long time. The crazy teacher is out for awhile so things have been relaxed. Im also getting really busy which helps a lot. Some new projects on the horizon....
Athletic club: Some friends have started this club for the youth here in the Litein area. One of the coaches is a famous runner and has traveled all over the world doing what he loves. I introduced him to some of my kids and if they are serious and passionate about running he will train them. So we had a meeting to talk about budget and where we can look for sponsors and yesterday, he came to met the kids. Im so excited to see where it leads.
KSL lessons: Im still teaching KSL at the local VCT and I am having a blast. The students (counselors and doctors) are amazing and really interested in learning sign language. Im looking into picking up a few more places that are interested as well.
Orphanages - There are a few in my area, 2 that I have talked with the owners. Im hoping over time, I will be able to make a few trips out at least once a week to visit and help where I can.
Garden of Hope - This is a school in the next town over. it’s a early education center that only teaches up to grade 3. The headmistress has asked if I can come over and teach life skills to the older ones. Obviously not so graphic as what I would teach the teens but things like good touch, bad touch and friends who are HIV+. HIV+ support groups- My friend is part of one and Im hoping I can be more involved. They have a lot of good ideas for IGA’s ( Income generating activities) and I hope somewhere I can help.
So overall November is looking to be a pretty good month. The best new ever is the KCPE is next week and after that Im stress free….hopefully. And then holiday soon after and helping with the training. So plenty of distractions. So cross your fingers from here on out there will be no more posts complaing about school. But then again I did say that this is a blog about the ups AND downs of peace corps.
Athletic club: Some friends have started this club for the youth here in the Litein area. One of the coaches is a famous runner and has traveled all over the world doing what he loves. I introduced him to some of my kids and if they are serious and passionate about running he will train them. So we had a meeting to talk about budget and where we can look for sponsors and yesterday, he came to met the kids. Im so excited to see where it leads.
KSL lessons: Im still teaching KSL at the local VCT and I am having a blast. The students (counselors and doctors) are amazing and really interested in learning sign language. Im looking into picking up a few more places that are interested as well.
Orphanages - There are a few in my area, 2 that I have talked with the owners. Im hoping over time, I will be able to make a few trips out at least once a week to visit and help where I can.
Garden of Hope - This is a school in the next town over. it’s a early education center that only teaches up to grade 3. The headmistress has asked if I can come over and teach life skills to the older ones. Obviously not so graphic as what I would teach the teens but things like good touch, bad touch and friends who are HIV+. HIV+ support groups- My friend is part of one and Im hoping I can be more involved. They have a lot of good ideas for IGA’s ( Income generating activities) and I hope somewhere I can help.
So overall November is looking to be a pretty good month. The best new ever is the KCPE is next week and after that Im stress free….hopefully. And then holiday soon after and helping with the training. So plenty of distractions. So cross your fingers from here on out there will be no more posts complaing about school. But then again I did say that this is a blog about the ups AND downs of peace corps.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The month from Hell
If you hadn’t noticed from facebook and the blog, the month of October has been HELL! This has probably been the worst month so far. Im hoping for a new one soon. So here are some of my monthly lows and highs. I want to get them all out so when November rolls around, I can start fresh.
HIGH - This month I went to Mumias for a language immersion. I spent 4 days learning Swahili. Hopefully by the time I COS I’ll be at survival skill level.
LOW - Upon arriving home from said immersion I discover my water pipe has burst, theres no money for the event I am planning, Im getting sick and no teacher came into my class to help teach the students(and yet all the teachers expect me to make miracles happen and make the students pass KSL in the KCPE
HIGH(I finally got to talk back to her) LOW( I still have to work with her) - I had a run in with an infamous teacher. She has been acting like a child and so I called her a child and told her to grow up.
HIGH( It made me laugh) LOW( It creeped me out)The climax of the week was a fellow teacher proposing I start a sexual relationship with him to relieve my frustrations. I laughed and said no
HIGH - I decided after that I would head to a friends site for a short escape. It was fun visiting volunteers I hadn’t really thought of visiting.
HIGH ( I have another friend) LOW( shes so young, shes having accidents in my house) - While visiting said friends site, I got talked into taking a puppy home( it didn‘t take that much talking). Not just any puppy, a girl and the runt of the liter. Fearing her immediate execution, I decided to take her home. Im trying to stick to my decision about fattening her up and then giving her to a friend.
HIGH - I started my KSL class at the local VCT on tuedays. We had a lot of fun and I am looking forward to continuing it.
LOW - My headmaster/teachers are already eyeing the result of the KCPE to find out if I am a good teacher or not. When I tried to defend myself, saying I was doing the best I could and its up to the kids, they laughed and said no the test will tell.
HIGH - Im thinking about cutting back on my teaching next year and increasing my activities in the community.
HIGH(I found it) LOW( I can't use it) - I found a $50 bill in a Kenyan mall and I was surprised becasue I wasn't even excited about it.
HIGH - This month I went to Mumias for a language immersion. I spent 4 days learning Swahili. Hopefully by the time I COS I’ll be at survival skill level.
LOW - Upon arriving home from said immersion I discover my water pipe has burst, theres no money for the event I am planning, Im getting sick and no teacher came into my class to help teach the students(and yet all the teachers expect me to make miracles happen and make the students pass KSL in the KCPE
HIGH(I finally got to talk back to her) LOW( I still have to work with her) - I had a run in with an infamous teacher. She has been acting like a child and so I called her a child and told her to grow up.
HIGH( It made me laugh) LOW( It creeped me out)The climax of the week was a fellow teacher proposing I start a sexual relationship with him to relieve my frustrations. I laughed and said no
HIGH - I decided after that I would head to a friends site for a short escape. It was fun visiting volunteers I hadn’t really thought of visiting.
HIGH ( I have another friend) LOW( shes so young, shes having accidents in my house) - While visiting said friends site, I got talked into taking a puppy home( it didn‘t take that much talking). Not just any puppy, a girl and the runt of the liter. Fearing her immediate execution, I decided to take her home. Im trying to stick to my decision about fattening her up and then giving her to a friend.
HIGH - I started my KSL class at the local VCT on tuedays. We had a lot of fun and I am looking forward to continuing it.
LOW - My headmaster/teachers are already eyeing the result of the KCPE to find out if I am a good teacher or not. When I tried to defend myself, saying I was doing the best I could and its up to the kids, they laughed and said no the test will tell.
HIGH - Im thinking about cutting back on my teaching next year and increasing my activities in the community.
HIGH(I found it) LOW( I can't use it) - I found a $50 bill in a Kenyan mall and I was surprised becasue I wasn't even excited about it.
The Power of the Stamp
“ The immigration official stamped our passports. I was pleased to see that it was a modest little stamp, unlike most developing countries, which seemed to have decided that if they couldn’t be Great Powers, they could at least have Great Stamps, ornate displays of grandeur occupying a full passport page, sometimes two.” passage from The Sex Lives of Cannibals
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Since my time here in Kenya, I have not met a Kenyan who does NOT like stamping….
The other day, a fellow teacher had a baby and we got him and his family a card as a sign of congratulations. I sat in the staff room ready to sign it. The headmaster was given first dibbs and what does he do? He pulls out a stamp, stamps it, initials it and then puts it in the envelope. I asked why no one was signing it and how does the person receiving it know who it was from? The teachers laughed at me and said the stamp shows its from everyone. They asked me did we do the same in the states. I said yeah from your dentist but not from your coworkers.
Going to the post office is always an ordeal. Not because of the lines, not because of the excruciatingly long time they make you wait as they go to the back stop to story with their coworkers and THEN start to look for your parcel, but because after all that, you still have to stand their as they stamp 5 pages of papers, your parcel, your receipt and anything else they feel like stamping.
I had a list from some of the teachers to take to the local supermarket, after purchasing the items, the clerk took the paper and pulled out a stamp. I looked at him like he was joking and said “ you really don’t have to stamp it, Im just going to throw it away anyway” He looked confused and almost sad he wasn’t able to stamp something. Feeling like I just ruined his day, I gave in and told him to go ahead if it would make him happy. He smiled and proceeded to stamp the hell out of the paper.
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Since my time here in Kenya, I have not met a Kenyan who does NOT like stamping….
The other day, a fellow teacher had a baby and we got him and his family a card as a sign of congratulations. I sat in the staff room ready to sign it. The headmaster was given first dibbs and what does he do? He pulls out a stamp, stamps it, initials it and then puts it in the envelope. I asked why no one was signing it and how does the person receiving it know who it was from? The teachers laughed at me and said the stamp shows its from everyone. They asked me did we do the same in the states. I said yeah from your dentist but not from your coworkers.
Going to the post office is always an ordeal. Not because of the lines, not because of the excruciatingly long time they make you wait as they go to the back stop to story with their coworkers and THEN start to look for your parcel, but because after all that, you still have to stand their as they stamp 5 pages of papers, your parcel, your receipt and anything else they feel like stamping.
I had a list from some of the teachers to take to the local supermarket, after purchasing the items, the clerk took the paper and pulled out a stamp. I looked at him like he was joking and said “ you really don’t have to stamp it, Im just going to throw it away anyway” He looked confused and almost sad he wasn’t able to stamp something. Feeling like I just ruined his day, I gave in and told him to go ahead if it would make him happy. He smiled and proceeded to stamp the hell out of the paper.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
temper tantrums
Most people spend their holidays relaxing, getting chores done around the house or catching up on reading. But what do I do with my holiday? Get on my students must hate list. I was teacher on duty this week and since last time the students and I worked out the kinks, I felt like it would be smooth sailing. Last night I noticed the grounds of the school were covered with trash so I asked primary and vocational students to help me clean up the trash the next day at 11am. Everyone agreed. The next morning I go up at 11 and had to interrupt a football(soccer) game with the vocational boys. I apologized and said as soon as we are finished, you can go back to the game. Well things started going south after that. Primary children were already starting to work….but where were the vocational boys? Hiding in their dorms. I went to them and told them I would keep their football if they didn’t come out and help. I had to literally go back and forth trying to get the vocational students to actually work. By the time we were finished, the vocational boys had been able to skip everything. I watched the students mill into the dinning hall ready to watch tv. I was going to let it go and then I noticed the same boys who were hiding come in and kick some of the primary kids out of their seats. Lets just say my top blew. I got the keys, turned off the tv and then locked the tv cupboard. I explained why I was locking the TV and went into the kitchen to help the cook. A little while later, I noticed sound coming from the dinning hall…..it sounded a lot like tv. I went to leave the kitchen only to find us locked inside. I was pissed! I calmly asked a student to let us out and then went to the tv. Those cheeky little shits broke the lock off the tv box. So I locked it again and this time I locked the dinning hall. I stayed with some, talking to them explaining why I did what I did. It seemed like we were on the same page. So I told them I would go bath and finish up my house chores and then come back. I wasn’t in my house for 5 minutes when I looked outside. And guess what? Those little shits had broken the lock on the dinning hall door and then proceeded to break the lock on the tv cupboard AGAIN! I was furious. These vocational boys, who wanted to be considered men, were acting like spoiled children. Throwing temper tantrums and breaking locks off of things. Well, I had had enough. I was not going to site around babysitting them like little 2yr olds. So, I did what my mother would do….I took their tv. It’s now sitting in my guest room.
What I am most confused by all this is why me? I thought they figured me out last time I was teacher on duty. I even thought I would have an easier time then the other teachers because unlike them I actually interact and teach the vocational students. I was even going to let them watch tv in the evening if they had just left it alone. But they just had to keep pushing. This day will remind me why I never want to have children. I spent 5 hours dealing with young adults who act like spoiled children. Im exhausted! Now I have to go back up there and deal with dinner. So while everyone else got to relax and enjoy their holiday, I made my students must hate list. and you know what? I feel pretty damn good about it.
What I am most confused by all this is why me? I thought they figured me out last time I was teacher on duty. I even thought I would have an easier time then the other teachers because unlike them I actually interact and teach the vocational students. I was even going to let them watch tv in the evening if they had just left it alone. But they just had to keep pushing. This day will remind me why I never want to have children. I spent 5 hours dealing with young adults who act like spoiled children. Im exhausted! Now I have to go back up there and deal with dinner. So while everyone else got to relax and enjoy their holiday, I made my students must hate list. and you know what? I feel pretty damn good about it.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Purple Blossoms
I went to Nairobi this week to greet the new group of education trainees. I still cant believe its almost been a whole yr since I was in their shoes. As I watch my favorite purple blossoms fall off the trees, I am taken back to this time last year. Still packing with my mom the night before, saying goodbye to my family and friends at the airport, meeting the group of people I would come to rely upon, getting off the plane in Nairobi, feeling sick to my stomach, and asking myself about 1000 times what I have gotten myself in for. Sometimes, I feel like the year has just gone by so fast and yet I remember days when I felt it would never end. As the new trainees and “seasoned” volunteers( It still feels weird to say it) sit down for their first dinner in country, I am bombarded with questions. Some are the exact same questions I asked the volunteers who were there to greet us and I feel honored to be in this position, being the one who is the expert. I enjoyed seeing their faces as they went through the emotions of arriving in country. One of the "new" trainees isn't new at all but an extending PCV from the Caribbean. It was nice to be able to talk to him about what his second year was like, what the options are after you finish you service. It was entertaining to see the trainees asking us questions and the seasoned volunteers asking the extending volunteer/trainee questions. We spend the next day and night sharing stories and experiences, giving lessons on how to use the choo, what their host families will be like and words of encouragement and wisdom for what is to come next. For them, 2 months of rigorous training and the chance to be something bigger than themselves. For me….we shall see…maybe a extension in the Caribbean. This year has been filled with ups and downs. Personally I wish it would stop and give me a break but then that wouldnt be peace corps. I don’t know what is to come next for me or what this year will hold. All I can do is take it day by day, do my best and enjoy my final year in Kenya 
Oh the joys of adulthood!
So this week has been a shitty week. If you read my blog, you’ll knowI had some issues trying to take my kids to the local VCT and instead got the school to agree to bring the Deaf VCT here to the school. For the last month or so I have been on the internet, phone and talking people’s ear off trying to plan this event. When I first started, my school said money was not an issue. I knew we were still a special school with no extra money to splurge so I worked hard trying to cut every corner I could in terms of money. Last week I was told the school had no money…at all! I was devastated and called a contact at Peace Corps to help me figure out what to do. In the end he recommended to cancel it. I cried when I wrote the email to the contact at VCT canceling the event that my kids needed. Well, the week just kept getting better and better.
The weekend before, I had caught some kids missing church. I told my counterpart but another teacher overheard. Later on she asked for the names and I begged her to not beat them. She said we needed to make examples of the boys and will only beat one and she went so far as to tell me she would make me do it. She would make me stand there and beat the boys until I cried and ran away. I refused to give her the names and told her I would not stand for that. She accused me of "harboring criminals"..... they missed church! Not kill someone! Well the fun of my week did not end there.
I got into my first confrontation with a fellow teacher. Ok maybe not the first but the first one that needed the aide of the headmaster. It has left me emotionally drained and frustrated. Im glad I am going to Nairobi tomorrow. I need a break. Why must adults act like children? Now, I don’t mean the child at heart kind of thing but ignoring a problem and or person? To me it’s childish and I find it so frustrating. I asked many other people how to deal with her, with no help in return. This problem has been hanging around us filling the room with smoke for awhile now. Today was when we saw the fire. It was all smooth going back during my first term and then I guess I opened my eyes to who she really was. I have separated myself from her but I figured since shes still my colleague we could still be civil. For the last week or so, shes been ignoring me. I greet her, I ask her something, and she just looks the other way. I have asked her twice what I have done to deserve this…I get nothing. Now, if this was anyone else I would just say shes a b***h and go on with my business. However, I needed some papers that she kept for my class 8 and with her ignoring me, I was having a hard time acquiring them. I decided to use the American way since the Kenyan way was getting me no where. I was going to be calm, direct and try to keep my frustrations at bay and be polite. I thought the best way would be to do it in the staff room. I stupidly thought if other teachers were around, then it wouldn’t get out of hand. Boy was I wrong. She snapped at me which lead to me snapping at her. But I guess it all worked out in the end because the headmaster finally decided it was time to deal with it. We both sat and told our side of things. She got a high and mighty attitude with me and I could see this going nowhere. I decided if she still wants to act like a child, I could be the bigger person and show her how to act like an adult. So I apologized for any wrong doing I may have done to her, any miscommunication that may have happened with us and shook her hand. Did she follow my lead and apologize to me? She decided it was more fun to act like a child.
Later I heard the teachers talking about me. Everyone was siding with her. I put on a brave front but then went to my house and cried. I felt alone, pissed off, wanting to just call her a b***h and catch the next flight home. I was frustrated with myself with how I let her get to me and breaking one of my term 3 revolutions. Unfortunately, I couldn’t hide in my house all day, I still had a class to make work for before I left and since the teacher wouldn’t give me the papers I needed I had to find something else. I went back to school to use the copy machine. While in there another teacher came in. She was one of the few teachers I didn’t really talk to much. She’s normally quite and we teach different grades. She put her hand on my shoulder and told me she’s heard everything that’s happened and to not worry about the other teachers. She explained when it comes to me, some teachers turn stupid and to ignore them. I arrived alone and will go home alone. She apologized for not talking to me more but that she was there if I needed her. I felt better knowing I still had a few teachers on my side. So I broke a revolution. I let the teachers drama get to me. But I guess everyone is allowed a slip or two. I guess its time just to pick myself up, try to improve and continue on. Plus, if I leave now, who will show her the ropes to this whole adult thing.
The weekend before, I had caught some kids missing church. I told my counterpart but another teacher overheard. Later on she asked for the names and I begged her to not beat them. She said we needed to make examples of the boys and will only beat one and she went so far as to tell me she would make me do it. She would make me stand there and beat the boys until I cried and ran away. I refused to give her the names and told her I would not stand for that. She accused me of "harboring criminals"..... they missed church! Not kill someone! Well the fun of my week did not end there.
I got into my first confrontation with a fellow teacher. Ok maybe not the first but the first one that needed the aide of the headmaster. It has left me emotionally drained and frustrated. Im glad I am going to Nairobi tomorrow. I need a break. Why must adults act like children? Now, I don’t mean the child at heart kind of thing but ignoring a problem and or person? To me it’s childish and I find it so frustrating. I asked many other people how to deal with her, with no help in return. This problem has been hanging around us filling the room with smoke for awhile now. Today was when we saw the fire. It was all smooth going back during my first term and then I guess I opened my eyes to who she really was. I have separated myself from her but I figured since shes still my colleague we could still be civil. For the last week or so, shes been ignoring me. I greet her, I ask her something, and she just looks the other way. I have asked her twice what I have done to deserve this…I get nothing. Now, if this was anyone else I would just say shes a b***h and go on with my business. However, I needed some papers that she kept for my class 8 and with her ignoring me, I was having a hard time acquiring them. I decided to use the American way since the Kenyan way was getting me no where. I was going to be calm, direct and try to keep my frustrations at bay and be polite. I thought the best way would be to do it in the staff room. I stupidly thought if other teachers were around, then it wouldn’t get out of hand. Boy was I wrong. She snapped at me which lead to me snapping at her. But I guess it all worked out in the end because the headmaster finally decided it was time to deal with it. We both sat and told our side of things. She got a high and mighty attitude with me and I could see this going nowhere. I decided if she still wants to act like a child, I could be the bigger person and show her how to act like an adult. So I apologized for any wrong doing I may have done to her, any miscommunication that may have happened with us and shook her hand. Did she follow my lead and apologize to me? She decided it was more fun to act like a child.
Later I heard the teachers talking about me. Everyone was siding with her. I put on a brave front but then went to my house and cried. I felt alone, pissed off, wanting to just call her a b***h and catch the next flight home. I was frustrated with myself with how I let her get to me and breaking one of my term 3 revolutions. Unfortunately, I couldn’t hide in my house all day, I still had a class to make work for before I left and since the teacher wouldn’t give me the papers I needed I had to find something else. I went back to school to use the copy machine. While in there another teacher came in. She was one of the few teachers I didn’t really talk to much. She’s normally quite and we teach different grades. She put her hand on my shoulder and told me she’s heard everything that’s happened and to not worry about the other teachers. She explained when it comes to me, some teachers turn stupid and to ignore them. I arrived alone and will go home alone. She apologized for not talking to me more but that she was there if I needed her. I felt better knowing I still had a few teachers on my side. So I broke a revolution. I let the teachers drama get to me. But I guess everyone is allowed a slip or two. I guess its time just to pick myself up, try to improve and continue on. Plus, if I leave now, who will show her the ropes to this whole adult thing.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Just another reminder....
This is just another reminder that the posts on this blog are my own personal opinion and are meant to be humorous and taken lightly. Nothing on this blog is meant to offend, disrespect or anger anyone. Living in a country that is different from your own can be a challenging experience. I am constantly learning and adjusting to the food, culture and people. I hope I haven’t given anyone the impression that Kenya is a horrible country. Though I may vent about the endless amount of attention, the food and some of the cultural norms that I am having a hard time with, I have never been more in love with a country or its people. The way the mamas take you in and treat you like one of their own no matter how many are already living in their house. The male teachers who act protective and sensitive towards me, making me feel like I am one of them. The community has really opened up this past few months and I am finally feeling like I have gotten a handle on living away from home. Although the food is still difficult sometimes, haha, I have started to love matoke or the cooked bananas, pilau which is seasoned rice, and kachumbari, the Kenyans form of salad. I am starting to enjoy my daily routine of cleaning, classes and running errands and have enjoyed noticing my impact on the community. So again, this is a blog filled with laughter, frustrations and joy and nothing in it is meant to offend or disrespect anyone.
However if people don't like what they read...guess what you can do? STOP READING IT!
However if people don't like what they read...guess what you can do? STOP READING IT!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
32 kids under the age of 6!
Hey guys. Sorry. I know this post is long overdue. So, I finished my first week of classes!!! ( this post is so over due im working on my 2nd week now. Haha) So far things are looking up. My classes are so much fun. Although I will probably be over stressed with my KSL class 8, mainly due to the fact that they are going for exams in about a month,. But on the upside, I get to play with the younger kids in my PE classes. Lots of fun. I took ALL 4 of my PE classes on a walk the other day and I have the sunburn to prove it. Haha. So, a few updates. The field trip to the VCT was a bust but I have been talking with the Deaf VCT in kisumu about coming to the school. So far so good. Im meeting with them next week to talk logistics. Cross ur fingers it works out. The local VCT called me, asking me if I could start a KSL class for them at the hospital. I met with administration and ended the meeting on a good note. Once he announces it to the staff and gives me the go ahead I will be able to start teaching.
I was standing in line at the posta the other day and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed there was a queue….with a white person standing behind me! Now for those of you who thinks this is weird, please remember I am in a village in Kenya where white people are few and far between( at least in my area) So seeing a white person was as exciting as seeing a cheetah. We got to talking and I discovered she lives in a small village about 10 minutes from me. She and her husband, who are from Pennsylvania, own and run an orphanage with 32 children all under the age of 6. That weekend I had to visit. So I went with another teacher to check it out. It was the best saturday I had had in awhile. With white parents( the children consider the man and women mom and dad) seeing a mzungu is not unusual for these kids, so I never heard the annoying song of “ Mzungu! Mzungu” or the nasally “ How are youuuuuu?” If was so nice just to sit down with the kids and play with them. As we sat there, the women would point out the children and tell me their story. There was a set of siblings there who were living on the street drinking water from the puddles, eating dirt and sleeping where they could. The older boy was injured from an incident involving his mother hitting him with a machete and his younger sister would bite or spit at you if you put your hand out. Another boy was living with his mother in the maize fields. It was heartbreaking to hear their stories. But then when you saw the children interact with their parents, it lifted you spirits. They may have had a hard start but they were in good hands now. On the week days, the parents open their home for a school, one even the poorest children can attend. Some days they have at least 100 children at the compound. They have hired 4 teachers to teach class 0-7. We discussed me coming to teach some KSL which of course I agreed to. The teacher and I brought oranges and bananas for the children, so we sat and had a picnic. Soon the weather changed and it was time to go. It was sad to leave. I wanted to stay forever with those kids. But I promised I would be back. I cant wait for my next free day to go visit them.
You remember the girl I told you who would spit and bite people? Now look at her. She wouldnt leave me alone! Haha.
I was standing in line at the posta the other day and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed there was a queue….with a white person standing behind me! Now for those of you who thinks this is weird, please remember I am in a village in Kenya where white people are few and far between( at least in my area) So seeing a white person was as exciting as seeing a cheetah. We got to talking and I discovered she lives in a small village about 10 minutes from me. She and her husband, who are from Pennsylvania, own and run an orphanage with 32 children all under the age of 6. That weekend I had to visit. So I went with another teacher to check it out. It was the best saturday I had had in awhile. With white parents( the children consider the man and women mom and dad) seeing a mzungu is not unusual for these kids, so I never heard the annoying song of “ Mzungu! Mzungu” or the nasally “ How are youuuuuu?” If was so nice just to sit down with the kids and play with them. As we sat there, the women would point out the children and tell me their story. There was a set of siblings there who were living on the street drinking water from the puddles, eating dirt and sleeping where they could. The older boy was injured from an incident involving his mother hitting him with a machete and his younger sister would bite or spit at you if you put your hand out. Another boy was living with his mother in the maize fields. It was heartbreaking to hear their stories. But then when you saw the children interact with their parents, it lifted you spirits. They may have had a hard start but they were in good hands now. On the week days, the parents open their home for a school, one even the poorest children can attend. Some days they have at least 100 children at the compound. They have hired 4 teachers to teach class 0-7. We discussed me coming to teach some KSL which of course I agreed to. The teacher and I brought oranges and bananas for the children, so we sat and had a picnic. Soon the weather changed and it was time to go. It was sad to leave. I wanted to stay forever with those kids. But I promised I would be back. I cant wait for my next free day to go visit them.
Friday, September 10, 2010
I Love my Job....90% of the time
I kept telling myself that when I came home, I would be more patient and less easily frustrated. It’s been 10 months in country…I don’t think its going to happen. Working in the Kenyan system sure tries your patience. My last post, I mentioned some projects I was planning for this term. When I wrote that post, I already had approval from the head teacher, the class teachers and the VCT to take a field trip to the local VCT with my students. I had the teachers lined up who were going, the proposal approved , everything was 1 step away from being finished. And then the bomb dropped. The head office said no…. I know, I was waiting for a reason too but they just said no. No explanation as to why we couldn’t travel to the VCT. I was disappointed. I sat down with the head teacher, asking him why we were refused. He couldn’t tell me. I asked if it was money, because I was so desperate for these kids to go that I would pay for them. He said money was not an issue. I asked what was the issue then. Although he could only speculate, he though it might be because the VCT has nothing to do with HIV and is not in the syllabus. I did my best to explain how the VCT has EVERYTHING to do with HIV and the importance of allowing the kids to actually walk into a VCT. Although he agreed, his hands were tied. He recommended the VCT comes here. I had my reasons for not wanting this but realized this would be the only thing I would be offered. So, I took it with a little bargaining. I said ok to the VCT coming to the school, but I wanted the Deaf VCT to come instead and I wanted a condom demonstration. When I left his office, he was in agreement with my plan but it was up to me to plan it. If I don’t come away with some skills after this Im demanding a refund. Now, off I go again to try to put together another visit. Wish me luck.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
A Kick Ass Term This Will Be!
This is going to be a kick ass term. I can feel it. We had one of the infamous Kenyan staff meetings, where it never starts on time, the teachers are having side conversations in Swahili, and everyone’s yelling over each other. By the time we got to the one thing on the agenda that even pertained to me, I was exhausted. And I hadn’t said anything by this point. Unlike in american schools where the teacher teaches a subject all the way through to the end of the year, my school switches teachers after every 3 months. Usually people will end up teaching the same classes all yr but there are a few times when teachers will be thrown into a class they have never taught. Last term I had 16 lessons due to the fact we had student teachers visiting for the term. Since they are gone now, my lessons would jump up to 25 which is still reasonable. So after bargaining, selling and buying classes, I ended up with the same classes I was teaching last term and added another art class and a class 1 P.E.( class 1 are the babies). I am so happy how things turned out. Now I have the same amount of lessons as the other teachers and I have a open schedule to work on my projects.
Some of the projects I hope to be finished with by this term
Paint a mural about making smart choices about sexual relations. My headmaster wants me to hire an artist. But I am trying to figure out how I can get the kids involved so they have some ownership.
Plan a World Aids day in my local community. WAD is on Dec 1st
Take my Life skills classes( 75 students in total) to a local VCT. The volunteer testing and counseling center. There, my students will get see a condom demonstration, a mock HIV test and a tour of the facilities.
So as you can see, Im super busy but I feel like this will be the best term ever. However, this also might be the most stressful. This is my last term( which is the shortest at only 1 and 1/2 months) with my class 8 before they take their exams. So on top of my projects, I’ll be working with my class 8 KSL class preparing them for their national exams. YIKES!
Some of the projects I hope to be finished with by this term
Paint a mural about making smart choices about sexual relations. My headmaster wants me to hire an artist. But I am trying to figure out how I can get the kids involved so they have some ownership.
Plan a World Aids day in my local community. WAD is on Dec 1st
Take my Life skills classes( 75 students in total) to a local VCT. The volunteer testing and counseling center. There, my students will get see a condom demonstration, a mock HIV test and a tour of the facilities.
So as you can see, Im super busy but I feel like this will be the best term ever. However, this also might be the most stressful. This is my last term( which is the shortest at only 1 and 1/2 months) with my class 8 before they take their exams. So on top of my projects, I’ll be working with my class 8 KSL class preparing them for their national exams. YIKES!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Stupid Bagel dream
Greetings blog readers! So school has officially opened. However this means the kids start arriving and teaching doesn’t happen a till a week later. So we waste a full week of learning. Kenyan school system, what can I say. But seeing the kids is great. Since I had to go to Nairobi for referendum, I was a little scared something would happen and they would evacuate us and I would never see my kids again. So I am so happy things worked out. I have decided this term will be the best term ever. I have gotten approval to take my vocational class and my class 8 to the local VCT( Voluntary testing and counseling) Although its not deaf friendly( no one know sign language) and most of my students don’t live in this area, I thought it was a good idea to get the students comfortable with actually going in to a VCT and knowing exactly what goes on. The other project I got approval for is a mural. It will be about making smart choices about sex. Not sure they will allow me to use the word sex but it will be something along those lines. We will have 3 pictures about how we can make smart choices. Like saying no and meaning no, focus on studies, Not being alone with the opposite sex etc. Im hoping we can have an artist just draw the outlines and my students will fill it in. Im hoping class 8 can finish it before they graduate. It will be something they leave behind for the younger kids. Fingers crossed.
The weather here is still cold. We have been getting more and more rain. I think we are now in the light rain season. Everyday at 3pm, it starts to rain. This also means power has a tendency to go out. Why they don’t have a power system that can stand rain, especially in a rainy area is beyond me. I mean our electrical system is all tied together so when the power goes out, the power goes out for the whole town. This includes the police station and the hospital.
My cat has grown to be a small lion. He constantly tries to bite my arms off and destroy my belongings, like my computer, shoes and books. I thought only dogs had the problem of chewing everything. Its times like these when I wish he had run away for good. But one thing I realized when he was gone was how much I missed him and relied on him to keep me company. Since I live alone, it gets lonely at night. Last night, it stormed and we lost power but puma and I curled up on the couch with a blanket and read a book together by candle light. It was a nice bonding moment that only lasted for 1 hour. Because the minute I went to bed, he was full of energy, running around, attacking my feet.
Last night I had a dream about a truckee bagel. I had toasted it, smeared it with cream cheese and was bringing to my mouth to take a bite and what do you know, I woke up. I was so frustrated because 1, I didn’t even get to taste it but 2. It was so horrible, I woke up at 5am and couldn’t get back to sleep! I think the reason behind all the dreams of food is because I still have a problem with Kenyan food, the ugali that taste like cement and the overcooked kale. To this day, my primary source of food is Peanut butter and jelly. Sad I know. Besides the food problem, I have finally settled into my community. I am learning some Swahili and the mamas at the market know me by name. I feel like maybe they are accepting me more now.
Ok, it is now 7am and I think Im ready to try sleeping again. So, I’ll leave you for now. Stay tuned to more posts. Miss you all.
The weather here is still cold. We have been getting more and more rain. I think we are now in the light rain season. Everyday at 3pm, it starts to rain. This also means power has a tendency to go out. Why they don’t have a power system that can stand rain, especially in a rainy area is beyond me. I mean our electrical system is all tied together so when the power goes out, the power goes out for the whole town. This includes the police station and the hospital.
My cat has grown to be a small lion. He constantly tries to bite my arms off and destroy my belongings, like my computer, shoes and books. I thought only dogs had the problem of chewing everything. Its times like these when I wish he had run away for good. But one thing I realized when he was gone was how much I missed him and relied on him to keep me company. Since I live alone, it gets lonely at night. Last night, it stormed and we lost power but puma and I curled up on the couch with a blanket and read a book together by candle light. It was a nice bonding moment that only lasted for 1 hour. Because the minute I went to bed, he was full of energy, running around, attacking my feet.
Last night I had a dream about a truckee bagel. I had toasted it, smeared it with cream cheese and was bringing to my mouth to take a bite and what do you know, I woke up. I was so frustrated because 1, I didn’t even get to taste it but 2. It was so horrible, I woke up at 5am and couldn’t get back to sleep! I think the reason behind all the dreams of food is because I still have a problem with Kenyan food, the ugali that taste like cement and the overcooked kale. To this day, my primary source of food is Peanut butter and jelly. Sad I know. Besides the food problem, I have finally settled into my community. I am learning some Swahili and the mamas at the market know me by name. I feel like maybe they are accepting me more now.
Ok, it is now 7am and I think Im ready to try sleeping again. So, I’ll leave you for now. Stay tuned to more posts. Miss you all.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Term 3 Resolutions
I know its not New Year’s eve but school starts in 4 days and I think it’s about time I made some. Last term was hell and I have decided this term will be nothing like last term. This will also be my last term of the year which marks the completion of half my service here in Kenya so I have to end the year right. In order to make that happen, I need to make some resolutions. So these will be Term 3 resolutions.
1. STOP giving out my phone number. I have noticed while living in Kenya, giving out your phone number is as normal as greeting someone. But I have found out, a little bit late, it’s OK to refuse to give out your number. Here are some excuses for when the situation arises.
Sorry, this is a Peace Corps phone and Im not allowed to give out it’s number
I don’t have my number memorized
My mom told me never to talk to strangers or give out my number
I don’t have a phone…this one only works if I am hiding my phone and no one calls me at this specific moment.
Or if after all these and they still ask for it, always go with direct
NO! I will not give you my number.
2. Lie and most importantly follow through with the lie about having a boyfriend. Hopefully, this will help resolve my man problems.
3. NOT get wrapped up in the teacher drama. Focus on the kids.
4. Try to cook real food, something edible at least, 2x a week. Im getting tired of PB&J.
1. STOP giving out my phone number. I have noticed while living in Kenya, giving out your phone number is as normal as greeting someone. But I have found out, a little bit late, it’s OK to refuse to give out your number. Here are some excuses for when the situation arises.
Sorry, this is a Peace Corps phone and Im not allowed to give out it’s number
I don’t have my number memorized
My mom told me never to talk to strangers or give out my number
I don’t have a phone…this one only works if I am hiding my phone and no one calls me at this specific moment.
Or if after all these and they still ask for it, always go with direct
NO! I will not give you my number.
2. Lie and most importantly follow through with the lie about having a boyfriend. Hopefully, this will help resolve my man problems.
3. NOT get wrapped up in the teacher drama. Focus on the kids.
4. Try to cook real food, something edible at least, 2x a week. Im getting tired of PB&J.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Urchins in my foot, floating in the indian ocean and seashells
So I finally took a vacation. This month has been pretty busy for me. My first week, I had to stay in Nairobi for the voting of the constitution which thankfully went peacefully. Last election went not so good and Peace Corps had to evacuate everyone. I then went back to my site for a few days only to turn around and head to Kisumu for a training. After training, a few friends came back to my site, stayed for a few days and then we all left my house, they headed back to their sites and me to Mombasa!!!!!!
August 27th
So I am on the train heading to Mombasa, the 2nd largest city in Kenya. Some of the volunteers are turning 30, 40 and 50 so we are going to throw them a huge birthday fiesta. I cant wait. The train has been interesting. From my site to Mombasa its about a days trip so you either travel by night or the entire day. We picked the train. We got on around 7pm and should be arriving around 10am...but its already 9:12 and I think we are following Kenyan time so….probably more like12. We stopped about 6 times out in the middle of no where. I woke up every time we stopped or went faster dreading the train was going to derail…it has a tendency to do that. As we were eating breakfast, we finally got to see 3 large herds of elephants from the train, including babies…sooo cute! The terrain is so different from my site. Where my site looks like the rolling green hills of Scotland, as we get closer to Mombasa, the terrain gets drier and drier, although more and more palm trees and aloe Vera plants can be seen.
August 28th
We get to Mombasa around noon and meet up with friends. Mombasa is usually as hot as hell during the year except August when it’s a little cooler. We get to the hotel and immediately took a cold shower. We then walk around looking for food. Mombasa has a middle eastern look to it and has tons of delicious food. However, its Ramadan right now so things are closed throughout the day. Its not till the call to prayer that we get to eat and things start opening up. We walk to an old protégées fort called fort Jesus which overlooks the Indian ocean. Surprisingly, Mombasa beaches are not the best. Since Mombasa is an island, you have to go off the island to get to the better beaches. Tomorrow we will go to Mtwapa to visit another volunteer and there we will get to see the beaches the coast is known for and maybe even some snorkeling. Later that night we get food called shawarma. Its heavenly! Its chicken they cook on a spit, shred it, and put it in sort of a soft tortilla/pita bread with some dressing and salad. Sooooo good! Most of us can’t just have 1. Since Mombasa is so hot, there are TONS of ice cream parlors. You can end up having ice cream for each meal. After we finished eating, we headed to a dance club and dance the night away till 4am.
August 29th
We are heading to Mtwapa today which is about a 20min matatu ride from the city. One of our fellow volunteers lives there. Shes had some house issues so she has been staying in a tent for 9 months. it’s a beautiful tent but a tent none the less. Her tent is about a 10 min walk from the Indian Ocean. Its BEAUTIFUL! White sand beaches with sea shells galore, an ocean with about 4 different shades of blue and sea urchins. That was the only bad thing about the beach. I now have two thorns stuck in my foot. But it was so worth it. Later that day we found out our friend may might be getting a real apartment instead of her tent. So we go out to a really nice seafood restaurant. The food was phenomenal! We fell in love with the beach, that day that we spent another day there. Collecting seashells and floating in the ocean. It was the best way to spend our last day in Mombasa. But the time to go came upon us fast. No one wanted to leave but we knew it must be done. We caught the train later that night and started our journey home.
August 27th
So I am on the train heading to Mombasa, the 2nd largest city in Kenya. Some of the volunteers are turning 30, 40 and 50 so we are going to throw them a huge birthday fiesta. I cant wait. The train has been interesting. From my site to Mombasa its about a days trip so you either travel by night or the entire day. We picked the train. We got on around 7pm and should be arriving around 10am...but its already 9:12 and I think we are following Kenyan time so….probably more like12. We stopped about 6 times out in the middle of no where. I woke up every time we stopped or went faster dreading the train was going to derail…it has a tendency to do that. As we were eating breakfast, we finally got to see 3 large herds of elephants from the train, including babies…sooo cute! The terrain is so different from my site. Where my site looks like the rolling green hills of Scotland, as we get closer to Mombasa, the terrain gets drier and drier, although more and more palm trees and aloe Vera plants can be seen.
August 28th
We get to Mombasa around noon and meet up with friends. Mombasa is usually as hot as hell during the year except August when it’s a little cooler. We get to the hotel and immediately took a cold shower. We then walk around looking for food. Mombasa has a middle eastern look to it and has tons of delicious food. However, its Ramadan right now so things are closed throughout the day. Its not till the call to prayer that we get to eat and things start opening up. We walk to an old protégées fort called fort Jesus which overlooks the Indian ocean. Surprisingly, Mombasa beaches are not the best. Since Mombasa is an island, you have to go off the island to get to the better beaches. Tomorrow we will go to Mtwapa to visit another volunteer and there we will get to see the beaches the coast is known for and maybe even some snorkeling. Later that night we get food called shawarma. Its heavenly! Its chicken they cook on a spit, shred it, and put it in sort of a soft tortilla/pita bread with some dressing and salad. Sooooo good! Most of us can’t just have 1. Since Mombasa is so hot, there are TONS of ice cream parlors. You can end up having ice cream for each meal. After we finished eating, we headed to a dance club and dance the night away till 4am.
August 29th
We are heading to Mtwapa today which is about a 20min matatu ride from the city. One of our fellow volunteers lives there. Shes had some house issues so she has been staying in a tent for 9 months. it’s a beautiful tent but a tent none the less. Her tent is about a 10 min walk from the Indian Ocean. Its BEAUTIFUL! White sand beaches with sea shells galore, an ocean with about 4 different shades of blue and sea urchins. That was the only bad thing about the beach. I now have two thorns stuck in my foot. But it was so worth it. Later that day we found out our friend may might be getting a real apartment instead of her tent. So we go out to a really nice seafood restaurant. The food was phenomenal! We fell in love with the beach, that day that we spent another day there. Collecting seashells and floating in the ocean. It was the best way to spend our last day in Mombasa. But the time to go came upon us fast. No one wanted to leave but we knew it must be done. We caught the train later that night and started our journey home.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Sunsets,mamas and weekly highlights
Weekly Highlights
There have been days when I get so swamped with school, frustrated with the immature boys, and more focused on the teachers drama that I forget to appreciate the beauty of Kenya. But then I have a day where Kenaya reminds me. As I sit in my hotel room, watching the sunset over Lake Victoria, a must see for anyone who visits Kenya, and listening to the monkeys make wild love making calls, I am reminded that whatever negative happens in my day, there is always a positive that follows.
I got to meet a youth organization that uses participatory theater and puppet shows to teach their community about HIV/Aids, reproductive health, condom use, child abuse, student- teacher relations and other community issues.
Im working on an essay about living with epilepsy and joining the peace corps. If I feel its good enough to submit, Ill send it to the magazine.
I found a friend who will play the part of my boyfriend while he is visiting my site. Goodbye marriage proposals…hopefully.
Bought a new shirt, jewelry, new material for yet another skirt and birthday goodies for my sisters. The highlight was I bargained my ass off for them and got a good price.
Learned a lot of Kiswahili…problem is I don’t remember any of it. However, I feel confident as time goes on, I’ll become fluent by the time I leave.
Whenever volunteers come together, we swap movies, books and any other entertainment. I have 4 new books to read and a ton of new movies that will last me till the next time we all come together.
There have been days when I get so swamped with school, frustrated with the immature boys, and more focused on the teachers drama that I forget to appreciate the beauty of Kenya. But then I have a day where Kenaya reminds me. As I sit in my hotel room, watching the sunset over Lake Victoria, a must see for anyone who visits Kenya, and listening to the monkeys make wild love making calls, I am reminded that whatever negative happens in my day, there is always a positive that follows.
I got to meet a youth organization that uses participatory theater and puppet shows to teach their community about HIV/Aids, reproductive health, condom use, child abuse, student- teacher relations and other community issues.
Im working on an essay about living with epilepsy and joining the peace corps. If I feel its good enough to submit, Ill send it to the magazine.
I found a friend who will play the part of my boyfriend while he is visiting my site. Goodbye marriage proposals…hopefully.
Bought a new shirt, jewelry, new material for yet another skirt and birthday goodies for my sisters. The highlight was I bargained my ass off for them and got a good price.
Learned a lot of Kiswahili…problem is I don’t remember any of it. However, I feel confident as time goes on, I’ll become fluent by the time I leave.
Whenever volunteers come together, we swap movies, books and any other entertainment. I have 4 new books to read and a ton of new movies that will last me till the next time we all come together.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Alone in the Nakumatt
Well as lock downs go, this one aint half bad. Since the referendum is a holiday, a group of people were allowed to head to Nakumatt for some shopping( we are not allowed out of our hotel tomorrow and Thursday). Well, you can imagine the chaos that ensued. What did u expect, take 17 people who have been out in the bush for three months, put them in a city with k-mart size supermarkets and people are going to get a little nuts. Well, heres my shopping list.
4 types chocolate bars
2 bags of candy
2 bags of chips( kenyas make of cheetos and Doritos)
3 liters of white wine…BOX wine( when you are living off of $200/month you have to lower ur standards)
300ml of kingfisher fruit wine…hey hey hey before you judge it has 8% alcohol so take that u girly beer drinkers
3 liters of water
3 sodas
300ml of woodpecker cider
Cream Cheese, Gouda, Chedder( which ended up having a hard boiled egg aftertaste) and classy European cheese spread that has a laughing cow on it. Yeah, we sort of went nuts on the cheese
And with the cheese comes crackers
A packet of chocolate chip cookies
Milk to go along with our European version of cinnamon toast crunch
And mom if ur flipping out about your daughters health, this next bit is for you.
A bag of lettuce
Spanish olives
Bell pepper
Cauliflower
A succulent grapefruit that didn’t last through the night.
Broccoli ( to make sure we were eating some what healthy)
And ranch dressing
…oh yeah and a small bottle of herbal essence shampoo.( I spent 15 min smelling all of them trying to decide which one I wanted.)
4 types chocolate bars
2 bags of candy
2 bags of chips( kenyas make of cheetos and Doritos)
3 liters of white wine…BOX wine( when you are living off of $200/month you have to lower ur standards)
300ml of kingfisher fruit wine…hey hey hey before you judge it has 8% alcohol so take that u girly beer drinkers
3 liters of water
3 sodas
300ml of woodpecker cider
Cream Cheese, Gouda, Chedder( which ended up having a hard boiled egg aftertaste) and classy European cheese spread that has a laughing cow on it. Yeah, we sort of went nuts on the cheese
And with the cheese comes crackers
A packet of chocolate chip cookies
Milk to go along with our European version of cinnamon toast crunch
And mom if ur flipping out about your daughters health, this next bit is for you.
A bag of lettuce
Spanish olives
Bell pepper
Cauliflower
A succulent grapefruit that didn’t last through the night.
Broccoli ( to make sure we were eating some what healthy)
And ranch dressing
…oh yeah and a small bottle of herbal essence shampoo.( I spent 15 min smelling all of them trying to decide which one I wanted.)
Friday, July 30, 2010
Resiliency in the Peace Corps
As school closes and kids go home, I finally have some time to reflect on this term and I have to admit, it was not my favorite. I found myself encountering more challenges and frustrations then when I first started. Most volunteers find their first term the worse and then find it getting better. However, my site had to do things backwards. I had an amazing first term. The teachers were supportive, the students and I were getting along, and I was loving teaching. But the minute 2nd term started things started to change. I witnessed a teacher beating a student( to this day I still don’t know why) while the other teachers were sitting around actually encouraging the teacher to beat the child harder. I had witnessed teachers beating students before but this was the first time when the teachers almost seemed animalistic. They seemed to find enjoyment, a sense of power when they beat the student and that I couldn’t handle. As I sat there, trying not to cry, I felt my support system I had come to rely upon disintegrate. For two weeks after the incident, I cried myself to sleep. I couldn’t interact with the teachers the same way. I even started thinking of a site change. But Peace Corps is all about resiliency and if I had changed, I would be back at square one, so after a few more days of being depressed and feeling alone, I came out of the funk and decided to change my surroundings. I was here for the students not to get pulled into the teacher drama. For those who work in a school, you’ll be happy to here that gossip, back stabbing and petty issues are not just found in America. Yes, the teachers I was close with were no longer the right teachers for me to follow, but there was a whole school of teachers who loved me and were ready to help. So I created a new support group, allowing myself to be more open to the other teachers. I also made a promise to myself that I would be more honest with the teachers. If there was something I didn’t like, I would tell the truth instead of keeping my mouth shut in fear of how it would be interpreted. Over time, my mood got back to normal. Soon it came time for final exams, a time I usually dread. This is where the truth comes out about my teaching capabilities. I gave out an HIV exam as well as a KSL. The HIV exam was more for my benefit, unlike KSL. Which in 3 months time, my students would be taking the national exam which would decide if they would go on to secondary school or not…so no pressure or anything. I was nervous but tried to remember these exams will tell me what to work on for next term. HIV test result: out of 45 students, three students got a score above 60 and one of them got an 84( last term only 2 students got a score about 60). KSL test results. Out of 15 students, 6 students got a score above 80. I was proud beyond belief. It really helped that the students who have low self esteem were among the few who got a good score. One of them even placed 3rd in her class. So in terms of relationships with the teachers, this was not a good term. However, when I ignore that and focus on the students, I guess this wasn’t such a bad term after all. Just writing this makes me excited for next term. I can’t wait to make it better.
SIDE NOTE.If any of you have been following the news in Kenya, you will know next week on the 4th is elections for the constitution. People are a little nervous particularly because of past experiences when it comes to elections in this country. But I just wanted people to know that Peace Corps has learned from the past and although they don’t expect it to be as bad as 2007, they are being proactive. I will be in Nairobi for this week. I have been talking to my village and they say they are seeing people learn from their mistakes and are hoping people keep their cool. So by the 10th, I expect to be back in Litein. But non the less, I don’t want to leave so whatever you do, pray, hope, wish, send good thoughts that Kenya will get through its first peaceful election and I will be able to see my students again. I have attached a link to the local paper here in Kenya if you would like to follow whats happening. I will also hopefully have free internet in Nairobi so if anyone wants a chat date, give me a shout. I might be able to even pull a video chat.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
weekly highlights
Weekly high lights
I went to Kisumu for a meeting and met up with some friends. We went to a bar with awesome food and continued bar hoping Kenyan style, taking over someone else’s tuk tuk( 3 wheeled motorcycle) and pilling 10 people in this 3 passenger vehicle. If you ever go bar hopping in Kenya, always go to the bathroom. The beauty of Kenya is not all the toilets are the same. Some have a hole in the ground, others a flush toilet and some even have their own version. This bar decided to have the western style toilet but cemented down into the ground….all the way to the seat. So it was a western flush hole in the ground. After taking pictures with the toilet, we ended up at a dutch bar to watch the Germany vs. Urugray match. My friend and I were a little tipsy since we had already gone to 2 other bars before this. Although she was way more tipsy than me. It was fun hanging out with fellow mzungus even if they were making fun of Peace Corps volunteers. My friend and I sat through the match not paying much attention to the playing but to the HOT players on the two teams. Thanks to the Octopus oracle, we already knew who would win. After a few drinks, we needed to relieve ourselves, so we went in search of the bathroom. How many PCV’S does it take to find the restroom? A lot more than 2 I guess. We searched and searched and couldn’t find it. We ended up finding a bathroom only to discover some ass locked the womens room. So what do you do in this situation? Yup go in the mens. Don’t worry we didn’t use the troff, we left that for the men folk.
Had a great HIV lesson with my vocational students. We talked about what to do instead of sex, what encourages sex. I was surprised how well it went. They want the same lesson next week.
Got my hair done….well half done. I just couldn’t sit for 4 more hours to get my whole head done and it was PAINFUL!
My best friend who lives next door came visiting for the week. We have been enjoying girl nights all week.
My cat now understands when I yell at him in Swahili, he’s in trouble.
Have been cooking and actually using my veggies in my garden. I made a green gram stew over rice and then vegetable rice the next day. I made the stew backwards and the rice the second day came out a little crunchy but it was still good. Even my cat ate it and he never eats any of the food I cook.
Im getting used to tea. As long as Im freezing, I can now drink a cup and ½ each day.
Got sick on Wednesday but was felt the need to clean so I cleaned my kitchen and living room. This included washing the floor. Now if only I had washed some clothes. Oh well guess Im going to school naked tomorrow.
Term 2 is coming to a close. I have only 4 more days of teaching and then it's exams.
I went to Kisumu for a meeting and met up with some friends. We went to a bar with awesome food and continued bar hoping Kenyan style, taking over someone else’s tuk tuk( 3 wheeled motorcycle) and pilling 10 people in this 3 passenger vehicle. If you ever go bar hopping in Kenya, always go to the bathroom. The beauty of Kenya is not all the toilets are the same. Some have a hole in the ground, others a flush toilet and some even have their own version. This bar decided to have the western style toilet but cemented down into the ground….all the way to the seat. So it was a western flush hole in the ground. After taking pictures with the toilet, we ended up at a dutch bar to watch the Germany vs. Urugray match. My friend and I were a little tipsy since we had already gone to 2 other bars before this. Although she was way more tipsy than me. It was fun hanging out with fellow mzungus even if they were making fun of Peace Corps volunteers. My friend and I sat through the match not paying much attention to the playing but to the HOT players on the two teams. Thanks to the Octopus oracle, we already knew who would win. After a few drinks, we needed to relieve ourselves, so we went in search of the bathroom. How many PCV’S does it take to find the restroom? A lot more than 2 I guess. We searched and searched and couldn’t find it. We ended up finding a bathroom only to discover some ass locked the womens room. So what do you do in this situation? Yup go in the mens. Don’t worry we didn’t use the troff, we left that for the men folk.
Had a great HIV lesson with my vocational students. We talked about what to do instead of sex, what encourages sex. I was surprised how well it went. They want the same lesson next week.
Got my hair done….well half done. I just couldn’t sit for 4 more hours to get my whole head done and it was PAINFUL!
My best friend who lives next door came visiting for the week. We have been enjoying girl nights all week.
My cat now understands when I yell at him in Swahili, he’s in trouble.
Have been cooking and actually using my veggies in my garden. I made a green gram stew over rice and then vegetable rice the next day. I made the stew backwards and the rice the second day came out a little crunchy but it was still good. Even my cat ate it and he never eats any of the food I cook.
Im getting used to tea. As long as Im freezing, I can now drink a cup and ½ each day.
Got sick on Wednesday but was felt the need to clean so I cleaned my kitchen and living room. This included washing the floor. Now if only I had washed some clothes. Oh well guess Im going to school naked tomorrow.
Term 2 is coming to a close. I have only 4 more days of teaching and then it's exams.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Urban Dictionary definition of Peace Corps
Just something to make you laugh. Granteed if you are not in the Peace corps, some fo these may fly over your head but I enjoyed reading them.
1. an ambiguous government agency designed to quash the idealism of recent American college graduates over a two year process.
2. an international American government organization with continual rotating foreign staff and a fleet of white Landcruisers aimed at catching volunteers out of site.
3. two years of one’s life determined in a brief 20 minute interview after 15+ hour international flight.
4. committees, sub-committees and exploratory committees for both.
5. the automatic and immediate forfeiture of four of the first ten Amendments.
6. a mechanism for those who cannot get laid stateside to remedy their situation and for those who could to forget how.
7. groups, flipcharts and markers.
1. an ambiguous government agency designed to quash the idealism of recent American college graduates over a two year process.
2. an international American government organization with continual rotating foreign staff and a fleet of white Landcruisers aimed at catching volunteers out of site.
3. two years of one’s life determined in a brief 20 minute interview after 15+ hour international flight.
4. committees, sub-committees and exploratory committees for both.
5. the automatic and immediate forfeiture of four of the first ten Amendments.
6. a mechanism for those who cannot get laid stateside to remedy their situation and for those who could to forget how.
7. groups, flipcharts and markers.
8. commonly preceded by “Oh shit! I just graduated with a degree in international relations”
9. A whole lot of seriale (often dubbed over)
10. where CD, PTO, AO, PM, LCC, SSC, TM, PCMO, FA, GSM, and GSA speak to PCVs and PCTs about SPA, PCPP, MSs, WWS, ICE, IRC, and RA as well as EAP, ET, MS, and COS in acronyms.
When I joined the Peace Corps, I had no idea.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
3 weeks without internet
Week’s highlights( well more like the last 3 weeks)
Im starting to teach sessions about HIV/Aids out in the community to schools and church groups
Had the best cappuccino…although it came out of a packet and was sent from america. Thanks mom keep them coming.
I have lost 35 pounds since coming to Kenya
I have also lost my desire to shave my legs and armpits. I have to force myself to shave at least once a week. You try shaving during a bucket bath, its not easy
Finally posted a letter to the grandparents, friends and family…cost me 380ksh. Best 380 ksh ever spent
I haven’t killed my garden yet. I have beautiful flowers now. Even my carrots, green peppers and coriander are starting to grow although I cant tell which is which.
Spent an hour watching puma try to climb around on my couch...he had just devoured a whole cup of milk so he wasn’t as agile as normal.
I’m trying to get one of the student teachers certified in being an HIV/AIDS councellor( this is how the Kenyans spell it. I SWEAR to god!)
I havent had internet for the past 3 weeks and Ive honestly been ok. I think my face book addiction has finally died. Hey, it made me write 4 letters. So something good came out of it.
I devoured… yes devoured 7 pineapples in 3 days. I need to go to PA( pineapples anonymous)
I have memorized 3 songs so far
Got a standing ovation from my class 6, 7, 8, for me life skills review.
The carpentry class made me a pointer for my class since Im so short I cant reach the board.
Made a Ideal man list
My gift for cooking rice has been taken away. No matter what I do it always turns out with a little crunch.
Got a new phone that holds the charge for 1 whole week!!!!! My old phone held charge for ½ of a day.
Took class 7,8 to the tea factory in Kapkatet. I interpreted the whole thing. Learned that they don’t waste anything and will send the waste either back to the farm to replant or send it to make shoe polish. While we were in town waiting for the other teachers to finish their sodas in the restaurant, a weird man came up to where the students and I were sitting outside and tried to approach me. Before I could even say or do anything 3 of my students came up to me, blocking the man from me and made him go away. I love my students.
Its winter here in Kenya and even though Im freezing my ass off and theres no snow on the ground, I feel closer to home. I even started to sing Christmas carols.
Was teacher on duty this past weeks which means for one whole week I’m in charge. I have to supervise meal times as well as deal with anything that happens during the day. The primary students thought nothing of it since they were used to my discipline methods but the Vocational students decided to revolt. After I got mad at them for pushing past the primary students, they decided to ignore me for assembly when I asked for someone to do the raising of the flag. It was tough going for the first part, making the kids line up and take turns for meals, not acting like animals fighting over the watering hole, but in the end the students thanked me for doing such a good job, apologized for their mini revolt earlier in the week and begged me to continue with duty. I feel like I now have a stronger relationship with my students.
The boy who kept saying I was his wife to his friends AND family finally go the message. He texted back apologizing and repeatedly stated we were only friends.
Good thing about not having internet, it forced my mom to call. It was short but it was nice surprise
to talk to her before classes.
I think I need to change pumas name. Its gotten into his head that he really is a puma and is now attacking and pouncing on everything that moves. His favorite toy, my arm when Im typing
Im starting to teach sessions about HIV/Aids out in the community to schools and church groups
Had the best cappuccino…although it came out of a packet and was sent from america. Thanks mom keep them coming.
I have lost 35 pounds since coming to Kenya
I have also lost my desire to shave my legs and armpits. I have to force myself to shave at least once a week. You try shaving during a bucket bath, its not easy
Finally posted a letter to the grandparents, friends and family…cost me 380ksh. Best 380 ksh ever spent
I haven’t killed my garden yet. I have beautiful flowers now. Even my carrots, green peppers and coriander are starting to grow although I cant tell which is which.
Spent an hour watching puma try to climb around on my couch...he had just devoured a whole cup of milk so he wasn’t as agile as normal.
I’m trying to get one of the student teachers certified in being an HIV/AIDS councellor( this is how the Kenyans spell it. I SWEAR to god!)
I havent had internet for the past 3 weeks and Ive honestly been ok. I think my face book addiction has finally died. Hey, it made me write 4 letters. So something good came out of it.
I devoured… yes devoured 7 pineapples in 3 days. I need to go to PA( pineapples anonymous)
I have memorized 3 songs so far
Got a standing ovation from my class 6, 7, 8, for me life skills review.
The carpentry class made me a pointer for my class since Im so short I cant reach the board.
Made a Ideal man list
My gift for cooking rice has been taken away. No matter what I do it always turns out with a little crunch.
Got a new phone that holds the charge for 1 whole week!!!!! My old phone held charge for ½ of a day.
Took class 7,8 to the tea factory in Kapkatet. I interpreted the whole thing. Learned that they don’t waste anything and will send the waste either back to the farm to replant or send it to make shoe polish. While we were in town waiting for the other teachers to finish their sodas in the restaurant, a weird man came up to where the students and I were sitting outside and tried to approach me. Before I could even say or do anything 3 of my students came up to me, blocking the man from me and made him go away. I love my students.
Its winter here in Kenya and even though Im freezing my ass off and theres no snow on the ground, I feel closer to home. I even started to sing Christmas carols.
Was teacher on duty this past weeks which means for one whole week I’m in charge. I have to supervise meal times as well as deal with anything that happens during the day. The primary students thought nothing of it since they were used to my discipline methods but the Vocational students decided to revolt. After I got mad at them for pushing past the primary students, they decided to ignore me for assembly when I asked for someone to do the raising of the flag. It was tough going for the first part, making the kids line up and take turns for meals, not acting like animals fighting over the watering hole, but in the end the students thanked me for doing such a good job, apologized for their mini revolt earlier in the week and begged me to continue with duty. I feel like I now have a stronger relationship with my students.
The boy who kept saying I was his wife to his friends AND family finally go the message. He texted back apologizing and repeatedly stated we were only friends.
Good thing about not having internet, it forced my mom to call. It was short but it was nice surprise
to talk to her before classes.
I think I need to change pumas name. Its gotten into his head that he really is a puma and is now attacking and pouncing on everything that moves. His favorite toy, my arm when Im typing
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Highlights from the week
So from my last post, I guess you can tell I have been having a hard few weeks. So after talking with my mom( why does talking with your mom ALWAYS help) I have started a gratitude book. it’s a book where I mark the highlights of my week. So I would like to share some with you.
I went to mumias for the weekend and had a run in with a very stubborn tout( someone who works on the matatus taking money and hustling people in). Well my friend and I were traveling from mumias to Kakamega where the fare should only be 80. So we both gave the tout 100ksh. Then the tire blew out. As we are waiting for another matatu, we are asking for our change. The tout refuses. We try to argue with him for a good 10 min. A second matatu arrives and tries to push us on, however, we still havint gotten our change. So I have had enough. One of the teachers at my school told me of a method to use incase of a problem on a matatu. So I separate from the group and take my phone out ready to take down a certain number where I can then give it to the police who will then deal with it. Well my plan worked, the driver got scared, called the tough and made him give me our change. Funny thing was, I had no idea what number to take down. So my bluff worked! DANIELLE vs. TOUT. Winner? DANIELLE!!!!!
Sitting outside of the local supermarket eating 500ml of ice cream…alone. I mean by myself. I was with a friend. I wasnt depressed and sitting outside eating ice cream. Now before you judge, kindly remember my site has NO ice cream, it’s a hot day and sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.
I brought my new kitty puma home.
While playing, Puma jumped into a large tub of water. So now I have a rat instead of a cat.
Puma f*%@ked up my computer when he decided to play with the reflection cat he saw in my screen. Now I have a pink screen, no internet and no movies.
Had a great night class with my class 6, 7, and 8. They asked for a review before their life skills exam the next morning. So I had all 55 students in one class. Half way through the deputy head teacher asks to join. This is the same teacher who thinks my teaching about condoms is bad. He stayed the entire time and even participated in the game with the students. The next morning, he told me it was a good class and that I was a good teacher! GO ME!!!!!
For 3 hours I was squished between 2 mamas with their little ones. It wasn’t till we reached the matatu stage that one of the little ones decide to throw up all over everything…ECEPT ME!!!!!
On the hippo tour:
Tour Guide: “hippos shit in water.”
Me: Did he just say shit?
Tour Guide: “Hippos shit in water. You know toilet? They use their tails to swish it around.”
Me: Yup. He said shit.
Tour guide: “ male hippos have sex with the female hippos for 45 min. The water makes them light.”
I bought Ritz crackers.
I think I got married. However, I dont remember ever agreeing to it. But supposedly his family agrees. Thats a plus...right?
I went to mumias for the weekend and had a run in with a very stubborn tout( someone who works on the matatus taking money and hustling people in). Well my friend and I were traveling from mumias to Kakamega where the fare should only be 80. So we both gave the tout 100ksh. Then the tire blew out. As we are waiting for another matatu, we are asking for our change. The tout refuses. We try to argue with him for a good 10 min. A second matatu arrives and tries to push us on, however, we still havint gotten our change. So I have had enough. One of the teachers at my school told me of a method to use incase of a problem on a matatu. So I separate from the group and take my phone out ready to take down a certain number where I can then give it to the police who will then deal with it. Well my plan worked, the driver got scared, called the tough and made him give me our change. Funny thing was, I had no idea what number to take down. So my bluff worked! DANIELLE vs. TOUT. Winner? DANIELLE!!!!!
Sitting outside of the local supermarket eating 500ml of ice cream…alone. I mean by myself. I was with a friend. I wasnt depressed and sitting outside eating ice cream. Now before you judge, kindly remember my site has NO ice cream, it’s a hot day and sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.
I brought my new kitty puma home.
While playing, Puma jumped into a large tub of water. So now I have a rat instead of a cat.
Puma f*%@ked up my computer when he decided to play with the reflection cat he saw in my screen. Now I have a pink screen, no internet and no movies.
Had a great night class with my class 6, 7, and 8. They asked for a review before their life skills exam the next morning. So I had all 55 students in one class. Half way through the deputy head teacher asks to join. This is the same teacher who thinks my teaching about condoms is bad. He stayed the entire time and even participated in the game with the students. The next morning, he told me it was a good class and that I was a good teacher! GO ME!!!!!
For 3 hours I was squished between 2 mamas with their little ones. It wasn’t till we reached the matatu stage that one of the little ones decide to throw up all over everything…ECEPT ME!!!!!
On the hippo tour:
Tour Guide: “hippos shit in water.”
Me: Did he just say shit?
Tour Guide: “Hippos shit in water. You know toilet? They use their tails to swish it around.”
Me: Yup. He said shit.
Tour guide: “ male hippos have sex with the female hippos for 45 min. The water makes them light.”
I bought Ritz crackers.
I think I got married. However, I dont remember ever agreeing to it. But supposedly his family agrees. Thats a plus...right?
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Rough Day
Had a rough day today. Pictures were found on the vocational school camera of primary girls in inappropriate positions. Frustrated with the deputy ‘s take no action stance, the heaping club brought the girls in to talk with them. We started with 3 and learned who their boyfriends were, where they have sex, and how many times they have sex. Little did we know how bad it was. 3 girls turned into 6 and 6 turned into 10 and 10 turned into 16. We were shocked by who the girls were and who their boyfriends were. Some had only had sex 1 time while others had sex 9 times. Some had only one guy while others had multiple guys and some even shared guys. Most of the guys who were named were from vocational While the girls ranged from class 8 all the way down to class 2. This has all been happening since I have really focused on my life skills class. I guess the only good thing is all of the boys used condoms except 1. I understand abstinence should be enforced but I feel like the teachers are going about this wrong. They still look at these kids as children in primary school and vocational students as big bad men in their 30’s. They see the girls as the victims and the boys as the predators. But the truth is these girls are really having sex with their peers. All of the girls from the 1 in class 2 - class 8 are around 14-17 yrs of age. While the vocational boys are around 18-21.By the way, there’s no age limit for sexual consent. So, what do we do? These children are no longer children. They are sexual adults. They may be in primary school just like their hearing peers but you can’t compare the two. Take for example a hearing student in class 8 to a student who is deaf in the same class. The student who is hearing is usually around 13/14 yrs of age while the student who is deaf can be anywhere from 14-17 yrs of age. I find it frustrating when the only time the teachers get in an uproar about it is when the kids have gotten caught, otherwise the teachers lips are zipped, its just a problem for another day. Where as I have been trying to teach them life skills, HIV/Aids, how a condom works, how its used properly and I get criticized for it. I go up at night to work with the students and then there’s talk that I am only doing it for my own personal gain. I don’t care anymore if the teachers want to blame me for their students having sex and using condoms, Im going to do what I came here for, to teach my students how to make smart choices regarding sex and HIV.
P.S. Any ideas that might help this situation would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. Any ideas that might help this situation would be greatly appreciated.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Project Library
Since being for 8 months, I have noticed 2 problems at my school. Granted there are more than 2 problems, but at least these 2, I have the chance to fix. The 1st problem is nocturnal activities among the students. Now Im trying to teach HIV and sex education but its not enough. The students are primarily alone at night, after school and on the weekends. They have no organized activities to keep them out of trouble. So a teacher and I had 2 ideas that might be the answer to our problems. We have a library that is never used and we have books that are never read. So we thought to open it back up but as a recreation room where students could come in, read, play games, and do arts and crafts. Our 2nd idea was to have 1 or 2 nights a week when teachers would stay late and play games or lead projects with the students instead of them watching T.V all night till bedtime. We would rotate teachers to supervise it and the students will hopefully be kept busy and maybe even form a better relationship with the teachers. So, even though I came here with the intention of NOT asking fro help from the US, I guess Im asking for help. I know times are tough but to make this work we need games, coloring book, arts and craft ideas and any children’s books you have lying around. I know it’s past spring cleaning but if you happen to see a garage sale sign, maybe head over and see what’s available. Im not asking for you to go out and buy all new games and books although if you want to, I wouldn’t refuse them. Again, I know times are tough with the job cutbacks still happening but any little thing you could donate would be much appreciated. Thank you. Danielle
Wish list
Coloring books
Puzzles ( for older and younger kids)
*Games( checkers, shoots and ladders, candy land, pictionary etc)
Cards
Jacks
Children’s books( again for younger and older kids)
Posters to hang on the wall
Arts and craft ideas
Magazines( doesn’t have to new. Highlight, national geographic, Newsweek etc)
Markers( big and little)
stickers
stencils
* Even if it’s just the boards, we can improvise the pieces
Wish list
Coloring books
Puzzles ( for older and younger kids)
*Games( checkers, shoots and ladders, candy land, pictionary etc)
Cards
Jacks
Children’s books( again for younger and older kids)
Posters to hang on the wall
Arts and craft ideas
Magazines( doesn’t have to new. Highlight, national geographic, Newsweek etc)
Markers( big and little)
stickers
stencils
* Even if it’s just the boards, we can improvise the pieces
Friday, June 11, 2010
BCC Work
I have been in a slump regarding teaching but my other job as a behavior change communicator has picked up. I have reached my 8th month mark and things are starting to look up. 6 really great things have happened regarding my job as a BCC.
1st - Word has spread that a peace corps volunteer is in the area..I know, about time. Well, this means groups are coming out of the woodwork to ask me for favors. So far it’s only been coming to talk to their group about HIV/AIDS which is part of my job here. So yesterday I was called by one of the teachers I am working with to sit in on a meeting with a headmistress from a school in the nearby village. I had gone to look at the school last month. That’s when the visit I thought would be quick ended up being singing and dancing for 3 hours. Well, I guess I said something inspiring, hell if I know what, and she took the big step in telling one of her parents to get their child tested. Turns out he was positive. So, she came to my teacher scared about what her next step should be and seeking advice. Her teachers didn’t know what to do with this student and the students guardian( hes an Orphan whos parents both died of AIDS) was thinking about giving him up. So my counterpart and I head over. It was a small class of 5 teachers. I was so nervous. Talking about HIV in my community is difficult. it’s a disease that is attached the sex and sex here is pretty much taboo so getting people to talk about a disease that’s really personal is a really difficult. But I was surprised in the end. All teachers were very open minded about the information and it sounded like a lot of them were going to go get tested. Now the headmistress wants me to come to the school again and talk to the students. How do I talk to 7yr olds about HIV? Im going to have to get pretty creative. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
2nd - Like I said groups are coming out of the woodwork. I was approached by another teacher asking if I could talk to the Police station. I agreed and again I was surprised how well it went. The captain, or whatever the head police officer is called, asked if I could do a status day where all the officers get tested!
3rd - One of my friends at the school wanted to get tested and asked me to go with him. Little did I know he wanted me to go as an interpreter not for support. So I went and he and I both got tested. It was great experience for him and Im hoping now he can use that experience to pass on to the rest of the students.
4th - A small group of volunteers including myself have started to make a deaf friendly video for the local VCT’s. This video, which can be shown in schools or at the VCT, is supposed to help those facilities that do not have an interpreter for the deaf community. So the group and I went to Kisumu where there is a deaf VCT to research what happens when someone goes to get tested. It was a success and now we are planning on going to Nairobi where we will start filming it. Our hope is to produce it and send it all over the country.
VCT - Like a planned parenthood with counseling and testing for HIV and other STD‘s.
5th - After talking with my counterpart, we have decided to create a mural for our school. This mural will be about making smart choices regarding sex, ie say no and MEAN no, avoid being alone with the opposite sex, focus on school etc. Since a lot of my students are into the nocturnal activities this mural is not supposed to stop them but to be a reminder to them.
6th - Another teacher and I are thinking of reorganizing the library. Right now, its just a place to store crap. But we plan on turning it into a rec room filled with books, games, and other activities to help the students keep busy. One of these activities that is in discussion is bead making and trying to sell them in the states as well as around the community.
So that’s whats been happening in a nutshell. A lot of these things are still in discussion but Im hoping some will come to be actual activities. If you have any ideas or advice please let me know.
1st - Word has spread that a peace corps volunteer is in the area..I know, about time. Well, this means groups are coming out of the woodwork to ask me for favors. So far it’s only been coming to talk to their group about HIV/AIDS which is part of my job here. So yesterday I was called by one of the teachers I am working with to sit in on a meeting with a headmistress from a school in the nearby village. I had gone to look at the school last month. That’s when the visit I thought would be quick ended up being singing and dancing for 3 hours. Well, I guess I said something inspiring, hell if I know what, and she took the big step in telling one of her parents to get their child tested. Turns out he was positive. So, she came to my teacher scared about what her next step should be and seeking advice. Her teachers didn’t know what to do with this student and the students guardian( hes an Orphan whos parents both died of AIDS) was thinking about giving him up. So my counterpart and I head over. It was a small class of 5 teachers. I was so nervous. Talking about HIV in my community is difficult. it’s a disease that is attached the sex and sex here is pretty much taboo so getting people to talk about a disease that’s really personal is a really difficult. But I was surprised in the end. All teachers were very open minded about the information and it sounded like a lot of them were going to go get tested. Now the headmistress wants me to come to the school again and talk to the students. How do I talk to 7yr olds about HIV? Im going to have to get pretty creative. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
2nd - Like I said groups are coming out of the woodwork. I was approached by another teacher asking if I could talk to the Police station. I agreed and again I was surprised how well it went. The captain, or whatever the head police officer is called, asked if I could do a status day where all the officers get tested!
3rd - One of my friends at the school wanted to get tested and asked me to go with him. Little did I know he wanted me to go as an interpreter not for support. So I went and he and I both got tested. It was great experience for him and Im hoping now he can use that experience to pass on to the rest of the students.
4th - A small group of volunteers including myself have started to make a deaf friendly video for the local VCT’s. This video, which can be shown in schools or at the VCT, is supposed to help those facilities that do not have an interpreter for the deaf community. So the group and I went to Kisumu where there is a deaf VCT to research what happens when someone goes to get tested. It was a success and now we are planning on going to Nairobi where we will start filming it. Our hope is to produce it and send it all over the country.
VCT - Like a planned parenthood with counseling and testing for HIV and other STD‘s.
5th - After talking with my counterpart, we have decided to create a mural for our school. This mural will be about making smart choices regarding sex, ie say no and MEAN no, avoid being alone with the opposite sex, focus on school etc. Since a lot of my students are into the nocturnal activities this mural is not supposed to stop them but to be a reminder to them.
6th - Another teacher and I are thinking of reorganizing the library. Right now, its just a place to store crap. But we plan on turning it into a rec room filled with books, games, and other activities to help the students keep busy. One of these activities that is in discussion is bead making and trying to sell them in the states as well as around the community.
So that’s whats been happening in a nutshell. A lot of these things are still in discussion but Im hoping some will come to be actual activities. If you have any ideas or advice please let me know.
Goat Heads
So I was all set to write about my slump that I seem to be in. I haven’t seemed to want to go to any of my classes. Even the thought of the kids hasn’t been able to lure me. I spend more time at home then I do at school. I feel like the “honeymoon” period is finished and I am finally seeing teaching for what it really is. So to try to get out of it, I decide to go for a walk. A fellow teacher blamed my slump on being horney and she recommended getting laid. For a country where sex is so taboo, my teachers think sex will fix all of my problems. As I was walking past the butchery, I notice a head of a goat hanging in the window right next to it‘s carcass. Well, Im still in my slump....but I feel better knowing I could have my head on display and my body diced up for mans consumption instead. Things could always be worse.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
How old am I again?
I had a good day today. The teacher still isn’t talking to me but at least I am making some head way with my KSL class. For the last week I have been trying to teach them SOV sentence structure. For those of you who don’t know it’s “ Subject, Object Verb” So an English sentence would be 'the boy played with the ball.' But in KSL its BOY BALL PLAY//. This has been a difficult concept for the students. So for the past week I have been making them write 10 sentences every day in SOV format. When I get the books back its BANANA MOTHER SISTER// or GIRL RUN JUMP// So its been tedious but today I had a breakthrough! About half of the students are writing perfect SOV sentences. So, I have assigned them to their classmates who aren't getting to help them. I guess I don’t totally fail as a teacher. After the class however, things started to go downhill. I have been fighting a cold and it just got worse as the day went on so I went home an slept, missing my PE and art class. But in the end I would still consider it a good day.
P.S. I think my cold has finally gotten to me. I actually forgot how old I was just now. I had to take out a calculator and do the math. This sucks. Im going to bed.
P.S. I think my cold has finally gotten to me. I actually forgot how old I was just now. I had to take out a calculator and do the math. This sucks. Im going to bed.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Homesick and just plain sick..not a good combination
I started out on this dreary rainy Monday, feeling sick. I had an elephant size migraine and my throat was scratchy and sore. I definitely didn’t want to teach today. But then I got a surprise call from a friend seeing if I was feeling ok and my mood changed to deliriously happy. I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. I met up with some of the other teachers in our close knit heaping club and even their weird mood couldn’t change mine. While hanging out in the art room I made a comment about getting 4 pineapples for 50ksh instead of the normal price of 100ksh for 4. And one of my friends literally jumps down my throat about how I always think Kenyans are conning me, which was not my intent at all. I tried to explain to her, that was not what my comment was about but yes, I have had some situations where the tout in the matatu or the mama in the market sees a mzungu and immediately bumps the price up 3x the regular amount. So, do I always think someone is conning me? No, but I have had to become weary of certain people. She is one of the teacher who when in a mood, is difficult to talk with so I told her polity, I was in a good mood today and I didn’t want to ruin it so I was going to leave. Well, as hard as I tried, I had lost my good mood and couldn’t find it after that. It would tease me and return when I was with the kids but then it would disappear again. I did not talk with my friend for the rest of the day. After school it started to rain, so I went home and decided maybe watching a movie would improve my mood. I should have chosen something with hot guys, or things that transformed, or blood and guts. But no, what did I choose? Love Actually! I was literally in tears by the end missing my friends and family. Now on top of not feeling so hot, I am homesick. This Monday blows. I have given up on movies and now I am listening to my music, eating top roman( or at least Kenya’s version of it) chicken flavor, imagining it is my moms chicken noodle soup. The one that comes in a can, but she mixes like 3 versions of it so you get three types of noodles and different textures of chicken. Ahh home. LOL. So I am going to get back to my music and my wanna be chicken soup and hope that tomorrow is a better day.
In need of a guy
Yesterday I went to Kericho where I had to deal with the dreaded Kenya Power company. They wanted me to pay 1,100ksh for one month of electricity. Except that one month? I was only living in my house for 1 week, So Off I went try to haggle with them. When we got to pineapple Road( this road that is in-between kericho and Litien. Many mamas sell pineapple there. No it’s really not called pineapple road but I don’t know how to say the real name) we picked up another passenger who sat in the front with me. We started talking about what I thought of Kenya, what did I do there, How long I was there for etc. Nice conversation, nice guy. He was another teacher at one of the local schools in the area. When we get to Kericho, we got off at the same spot and he walked me to where my friend was going to pick me up. He then started asking me questions like was I dating, did I have a boyfriend. I answered his questions and said goodbye. When I told my friend, she asked if I had gotten his number since he seemed interested in me. I said no which then led her to call me a stupid mzungu. Maybe I was stupid for not getting his number but the whole incident made me miss the simplicity of my friendships with guys back home more than it made me want a Kenyan boyfriend. Everytime I tell my friends I met someone, they immediately ask was he cute? Did I get a number? When will I see him again? Here in Kenya, it’s difficult to have a friend who is a male. It's even difficult to have a guy in your house since the 1st thought that comes to the communities mind is sex. My good friend was friends with her boyfriend for 3 days before it turned into something more. I have friends aplenty here in Kenya, but they are all female friends. I am in desperate need of a friendship where half of it is testosterone. There are times when I just want a guys perspective on things. But lately I have found it difficult since the minute I find a guy who has the potential to be friends, he switches on me and tells me he has feelings for me. I just want a a plain and simple friendship with a guy. Is that too much to ask for? Apparently it is in Kenya.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mothers Day!
Dear mom,
It’s mothers day today and this mothers day, I am separated by an ocean from you. I can’t make a surprise visit home or help you in your garden( although this is the first time in 8 years that I finally have a legitimate excuse to get out of it). So the least I can do is tell you how much you mean to me…as well as update my blog which you have been bugging me to do for the last month. So mom, this is for you. :-) I may be a whole continent away but every time I work in my garden, I picture you doing the same in yours and I feel closer somehow. How funny is it that I used to hate working in your garden and now living in Kenya, Im in love with mine. Must be some weird mom magic. You are my inspiration, my hero, and my best friend. You have single handedly raised 3 beautiful girls and that alone is an accomplishment because I know we haven’t been the easiest kids to raise( I swear you deserve a medal for some of the stuff we have put you through).But we are who we are today because of you. Stubborn, passionate, smart, creative, independent women who are ready to make a mark on this world and for that I am grateful. I love you and wish you the best mothers day ever.
It’s mothers day today and this mothers day, I am separated by an ocean from you. I can’t make a surprise visit home or help you in your garden( although this is the first time in 8 years that I finally have a legitimate excuse to get out of it). So the least I can do is tell you how much you mean to me…as well as update my blog which you have been bugging me to do for the last month. So mom, this is for you. :-) I may be a whole continent away but every time I work in my garden, I picture you doing the same in yours and I feel closer somehow. How funny is it that I used to hate working in your garden and now living in Kenya, Im in love with mine. Must be some weird mom magic. You are my inspiration, my hero, and my best friend. You have single handedly raised 3 beautiful girls and that alone is an accomplishment because I know we haven’t been the easiest kids to raise( I swear you deserve a medal for some of the stuff we have put you through).But we are who we are today because of you. Stubborn, passionate, smart, creative, independent women who are ready to make a mark on this world and for that I am grateful. I love you and wish you the best mothers day ever.
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