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.