Orientation Day

Monday 1st October

Today was pretty relaxed - as is the Kenyan way I think - with regard to what I did and the pace of it all. Woke up and tasked myself with figuring out how things like the shower works, having breakfast and meeting the rest of the volunteers before my orientation session. There are 3 other Americans here, all doing medicine-related projects I think, possibly midwifery from Bailey’s departing line of “let’s go deliver some babies”! Was quite cool seeing them in their scrubs and havin a chat before they headed off.

This morning I met Che, another one of the leaders and the person leading the orientation. He’s 30 I think, super laid back but cannot make a proper cup of tea! We had a bit of banter about his warm sugary milk with a teabag in it, he was saying things about how it’s the colonisers who brought tea to Kenya so by default it’s my fault - he was laughing saying everything is gonna be blamed on me. It was a weird feeling, being English and a Msungu (Swahili word for traveler that’s used to describe white people ~ both tourists and in reference to white colonisers in the past who traveled around, claiming land) I really stand out here, something which I usually don’t like doing in everyday life! Even though it was just a bit of fun it really got me thinking.
I’ve always been slightly...not embarrassed that’s the wrong word but I guess aware of our colonial history and everything else since, even though it was only used in jest I still felt a bit disarmed and I feel hyperaware of how much my skin colour marks me as both a foreigner and a privileged person here - feels pathetic to say but I always try to make sure to be grateful for what I have and what I can do, my time on NYT reminded me of that in different ways and this experience reminds me in a whole new way too...I don’t think I was prepared for it to affect me so much, especially from just walking down the street.
I really want to make a positive impression here - that’s why I chose Marafiki, because their focus isn’t just on giving donations and fulfilling the immediate needs of the people who need supporting; I agree with what Che was saying about donations and how that kind of material donation is hard to maintain and whilst it fixes the short term problem for a while, it gradual fades away as people begin to focus back on their own lives or the media moves on to the next thing, it’s not a criticism it’s just what happens, people forget. It can also mean that these channels are really relied on, and if they have to stop or run out, it’s back to square one. Of course, charitable donations are still incredibly important and make a world of difference, it’s just about how they are then managed and distributed, I think. Marafiki chooses to invest in projects that create sustainable change and support networks to empower Kenyan people, help them grow and learn and build the platforms they need to better their lives.  It’s such a massive thing and I can’t put it all down in words and I’m a bit overwhelmed with it all - but I’m determined to do my little bit to empower the children I interact with so I can be part of helping give them the best start in life that they can.

Anyway, Che (I think that’s how you spell it...pronounced Shay) told me and my roommates Tora and Stephanie about Kenya as a whole, all about the 42 tribes and regions n stuff - the Kikuyu are the largest tribe and I’m staying in their region - Marafiki as a charity and then what sorts of things we’ll be doing on project. He’ll be accompanying me to Dadas Orphange tomorrow and showing me the route back too, then it’s down to me!

Today though, he took me to The Hub in Karen, a western-style shopping outlet about 30 minutes away maybe on a matatu, to get a Kenyan phone sorted and some food bits n bobs. Now, matatus are rickety little minivans that act as communal taxis/buses and are one of the main ways people get about, and they are absolutely crazy. There are about 7-10 seats packed in and always about 10-15 people on there, we were sat at the 3 seats on the back row, which was actually quite nice coz it meant I got to sit next to the window and get a bit of a breeze in, but then another lady came on and came to sit at the back with the 3 of us already sat there and 3 more people wedged themselves in on various seats in front of us just as we were leaving! I feel like I got the full matatu experience with a fully grown woman virtually sat on my knee! Craaaaazy. It cost us 60 Kenyan Shillings to get to Karen, that’s about 50p I think, so all good!

Here’s a little picture of the gardens by The Hub too - it was gorgeous, very peaceful and stark contrast the dust and corrugated iron! Not the best shot but I was on the move!

Had a bit of a nightmare before we left - went to get my passport and money etc out of my suitcase aaaand the lock was jammed, I couldn’t get into my bloody suitcase! Must’ve spent about half an hour sat trying to prize it open...now my suitcase is broken. Not happy! I’ll have to buy a padlock from somewhere.

Aaaaand that’s about it really! Ate way too much food - Che told me that in Kenya you’re supposed to eat everything that is served, no wastage and show the chef it was good, and the portion sizes were way bigger than expected at lunch and then I overfaced myself at tea!! Note to self - go back for more, don’t start with a mountain!

Oh! Also met Cordelia today, she’s Welsh and is here for 9 months (?!) teaching in a little school in one of the slums, she’s lovely too, we had a good chat over our meatballs and spaghetti about her travels and what she’s doing here, bit about drama and what I want to do, then had a fierce game of Spit after - I do love a good game of cards! And met a little girl called Megan who I think is Sophie’s daughter, Sophie is our house Mum and I reckon Megan is about 6,both her front teeth are in the process of growing back :)

But yeh, I’m off to bed for an early night tonight - running on way too little sleep for 3 days and travelling and emotions, I am TIRED. Looking forward to finding out what I’ll be doing tomorrow though, where I’ll be going and meeting the people...aaah! Still can’t believe I’m actually in Africa - What. The. Heck.

Lots of love family xxxx

PS - Here’s the view from the window in our room - I’m fairly sure it’s the Nairobi skyline!