Another term ends, leaving me 2 to go before my service is finished. This term has flown by. I feel like a chicken without it’s head, running around all crazy like. Besides teaching, I have been working on a VCT video that will be deaf friendly. The DVD will be a tool for VCT’s who don’t know KSL. When a person who is deaf walks into a VCT, the counselors there( if they don’t know sign language) will play this DVD that will help explain what will happen during an HIV test. Our hope is that this will bring in more people who are deaf to get tested. My other project I have been working on is a girl empowerment camp. PEPFAR has partnered with Peace Corps to host 4 camps for girls in Kenya. These camps will provide training on HIV, sexual relationship, sexual health, careers, goal setting, and self defense among other useful tools for the girls. I am a camp coordinator this year and it has been a lot of work, traveling from site, planning the camp. Im exhausted. Im also outreaching in my community about KSL. So far I have gotten a lot of interested people who would like a class on KSL from a dispensary, the police station, 2 VCT’s, a hospital and an orphanage. It makes me really happy knowing people are interested in learning this beautiful language.
And I guess now is as good a time as any. So it may not come as a shock to you but I am strongly thinking of extending a 3rd yr here. It’s an application process so I don’t even know if I’ll be accepted but Im hoping I do. Even with all the ups and downs, I feel like I could continue making a difference here. I have been surprised by all the community members who have sought me out, asking me if I would teach them sign language. I feel like the community is finally coming together to accept these children. So who knows what will happen, but heres hoping. J
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Oh Kenya how you've changed me
This is what I have notice so far…..Im sure more to follow
1. I don’t know how to say the word yes. Instead I raise my eyebrows in response.
2. Before I was strictly a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl…now Im a ankle length skirt and blouse....If I go out in anything else I feel like a prostitute.
3. I will end up signing in a conversation, even if you have no idea how to sign.
4. When someone asks me a question, I say ‘eehh” or a grunt.
5. I have lost my spelling, math and writing skills.
6. I am not ashamed to pick my nose in public....although I might do it with a little more grace. I dont just stand there digging.
7. I have lost my desire to bath everyday and have instead bathed every four days or sometimes once a week.
8. Upon meeting someone for the firsttime, I am immediatly asking myself what is their agenda( not sure if its a good change).
9. Although washing my clothes is still a bi**h to do, especially when I have run out of clean underware, then I start to curse at it, mopping my house( Kenyan style) actually relaxes me.
10. Although I have refrained so far, I feel like it is only a matter of time when a drunk goes to far and I will not hesitate to knee him in his special place.
11. I feel awkward around other white people and don't know how to interact with them.
1. I don’t know how to say the word yes. Instead I raise my eyebrows in response.
2. Before I was strictly a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl…now Im a ankle length skirt and blouse....If I go out in anything else I feel like a prostitute.
3. I will end up signing in a conversation, even if you have no idea how to sign.
4. When someone asks me a question, I say ‘eehh” or a grunt.
5. I have lost my spelling, math and writing skills.
6. I am not ashamed to pick my nose in public....although I might do it with a little more grace. I dont just stand there digging.
7. I have lost my desire to bath everyday and have instead bathed every four days or sometimes once a week.
8. Upon meeting someone for the firsttime, I am immediatly asking myself what is their agenda( not sure if its a good change).
9. Although washing my clothes is still a bi**h to do, especially when I have run out of clean underware, then I start to curse at it, mopping my house( Kenyan style) actually relaxes me.
10. Although I have refrained so far, I feel like it is only a matter of time when a drunk goes to far and I will not hesitate to knee him in his special place.
11. I feel awkward around other white people and don't know how to interact with them.
Moments of Clarity
Living in a different culture can wear a person down over time. The lack of support at school, the aggressive attitude men have towards women, but then a moment can happen that reminds you why you are here and all of the crap just disappears. I had two in one week. My first moment was when I was heading home from Nairobi. We always stop at this gas station in a town called Narok. Narok is swarming with tourists since it is the gate to Masai Mara. So I always assumed they grouped me together with them, not knowing that I am a volunteer working here. I went in, got a snack and went to the counter to pay for my stuff. As I gave him the money, he asked me where I worked. I was a little surprised by this since he never started a conversation with me before. I told him I worked in a school for the deaf in Litein. He was surprised and very interested in how I communicate with my students who are deaf. As the line got longer and longer, we continued standing there talking about deaf awareness. He finally asked me if I could teach him some sings. I told him I would every time I was headed to Nairobi. I said goodbye and continued my travel to litein. I was shocked with the conversation I just had but very happy to hear someone elses interest in learning sign language.
My 2nd moment happened a few days later. I teach KSL at a local hospital. I had about 15 students, ranging from VCT councilors, and doctors to Accountants and receptionists. Over time it has slowly dwindled to 5 that come every day. Most of the men have dropped the class and few have actually improved. For some time now, I was feeling a little burnt out. I had taught them all I knew and now it was just up to them to practice. I called one of my top students to ask her if she got the posters. She said she had and then she told me she met with one of my students over the weekend. She said she was able to have a conversation with her. I was so excited. She then told me 2 men who were deaf came in and she was able to communicate with them as well. I was so proud of her and congratulated her. When I got off the phone with her, I couldn’t stop smiling. She reminded me how important it is to teach KSL in service providing organizations and I am actually making my community a more understanding and accepting place for my students.
I swear, without these moments of clarity every now and then, I would have been home in the US a long time ago.
My 2nd moment happened a few days later. I teach KSL at a local hospital. I had about 15 students, ranging from VCT councilors, and doctors to Accountants and receptionists. Over time it has slowly dwindled to 5 that come every day. Most of the men have dropped the class and few have actually improved. For some time now, I was feeling a little burnt out. I had taught them all I knew and now it was just up to them to practice. I called one of my top students to ask her if she got the posters. She said she had and then she told me she met with one of my students over the weekend. She said she was able to have a conversation with her. I was so excited. She then told me 2 men who were deaf came in and she was able to communicate with them as well. I was so proud of her and congratulated her. When I got off the phone with her, I couldn’t stop smiling. She reminded me how important it is to teach KSL in service providing organizations and I am actually making my community a more understanding and accepting place for my students.
I swear, without these moments of clarity every now and then, I would have been home in the US a long time ago.
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