Orientation in Kenya

Things were put into perspective quickly after arriving in Kenya on Wednesday evening. I was bombarded with culture shocks from all directions. There were a few aspects of the Kenyan ways of life and physical prowess that occurred to me right from the beginning. For starters, if anyone wants to make millions then move to Kenya and start a screen business. None of the windows in Kenya (at least the ones I have seen) have screens in them. Pat seems to think the Kenyans enjoy the company of the mosquitos, flys and “mini teradactyles” that are constantly zooming around the inside of my room. Secondly, the congestion throughout the sidewalks and streets of Nairobi leave me in awe every time I am strolling through Nairobi. Marion, the business manager of Soteni Kenya, says she has only seen one accident her whole twenty three years of life in Nairobi. Well, I was almost part of her second viewing today after six men carrying a billboard through the streets nearly bombarded into me. If it wasn’t for George, one of the ABD’s (AIDS Barefoot Doctor), I would have had an advertisement imprinted on my head. I feel like Buddy (Will Farrell) from the movie, “Elf,” being in Kenya. I guess growing up in the most rural town in the world, Colebrook, has molded me into an extreme novice to the daily happenings of intense volume in the city.
I must say I am fondly impressed with the way Kenyans dress in the city. Nearly all the men are wearing dress pants with a button up shirt and blazers. They walk very business like throughout and typically stare intently at my ensemble. Well actually maybe I am stared at because I am white and one of seven muzugu’s (Swahili term for white person, I hear that a lot) in the city.
For three nights we stayed at the Ufungamano house, located on the campus of the University of Nairobi. The first evening I was unaware there was a switch to activate the hot water, so I proceeded to do the hoky poky in the shower, quivering as I cleaned one body part at time. Nonetheless I didn’t miss out on too much warmth because the switch just triggered luke warm water. I also found an interest in the toilets location which was actually in the shower. Makes clean up more efficient I suppose. I am still adapting to the whole brushing your teeth without using sink water. There is an art to this and I would say improvement has occurred, however, I am still searching for the most effective method. I am striving to not use the entire bottle of dasani for my next brush.

Orientation in Cincy

When I arrived to Cincinnati there was nothing like getting me acclimated with the city other than going to a watch Americas pastime, courtesy of Randie, the director of Soteni, who was accompanied by her family. The Reds were playing the Indians for an interleague series, which is apparently a heated rivalry. Evidently Reds and Indians fans have this pent up anger toward each other, however, nothing to the magnitude of the Red Sox and Yankees rivalry. Although the Reds put up a good fight the Indians prevailed in a marathon of a game.
Orientation began at 9 on Sunday morning. Pat, a fellow intern, Cincinnati resident, and recent graduate of Purdue University will be accompanying me on my excursion to Kenya. Pat and I were each given one blank notebook for writing notes and the other was filled with a plethora of information regarding the logistics of our trip; everything from expectations, goals, Soteni history, Kenyan history, and descriptions of the Soteni villages of Hope. The OVC sponsorship program (Orphans and Vulerable Children), was also thoroughly discussed. The way the program works is either families, groups, or individuals provide $600 for one full year of support. Individual children are secured with uniforms, school fees, health care, food, and psychosocial support throughout the year (anyone interested, ask me about becoming a sponsor, you won’t). There are four villages that Soteni supports and they are Mbakalo, Ugenya, Mituntu, and Kuria. I will be visiting two of the villages, mituntu and mbakalo, where I will be spending roughly a fortnight (very popular Kenyan word) at each. I will certainly go into greater detail later on after I have experienced these areas.
Proceeding orientation I stayed with my host family, the Wulsin’s, whose connection to Soteni begins with Vic, the founder of the organization. However, Vic’s current presence in Kenya left me with Lawson, a very friendly man with flawless hospitality. Later that night Lawson, Stu (Lawson’s son), and I were kindly invited for dinner to a long time family friend’s house, the Dewitt’s. Evidently the Dewitt’s lived in New Haven for a few years many moons ago. I had decided to spark a conversation by saying I lived in New Haven as well and went to school there. Dr. Dewitt said to me, “ohhh you went to Yale.”(keep in mind I was with three doctors and a recent Harvard graduate) I replied while lowering my head in a soft spoken voice, “No. I went to Southern.” Well, this certainly added some comedy to the evening.
The next day Lawson let me use his vehicle to drive into Cincinnati for orientation. I guess I should have paid more attention to the speed limit because a police officer didn’t like the fact that I was driving 70 in a 55. Of course, I was oblivious and assumed the limit was 65 just like most highways. Anyways I was given a ticket for $114, a sweet early birthday present.

Beginning of my journey

I believe the saying goes, "A picture speaks a thousand words." I have been getting the question a lot in the past three or so months; why in the world do you want to go to Africa??."  My usual response was "it's something I have wanted to do for a long time."  I stumbled across this photo last summer when I was deciphering which pictures I wanted on the wall in my apartment.  There was no question this was one to be added to the collection.  Sometimes it's funny how things work out because this appears to be the perfect prelude to my Kenyan experience.

I recall in sixth grade arguing relentlessly with one of my peers who was extremely adamant about Kenya being his country of choice to compile a research project on.  I believe my teacher settled the dispute over the typical drawing a name out of a hat.  The rest of the details are somewhat fuzzy, but I think it's obvious who drew Kenya.

For those of you who don't know, I was motivated by my Aunt Lynn's tales, who lived in Kenya for two years during her college days. She taught pre-calculus in a village called Bushangala.  Lynn currently has a strong connection with Kenya, being a board member on Soteni.  I thoroughly enjoyed listening to her Kenyan stories, and I knew that someday I would be able to emulate her experience. 

Back to the picture: This was taken during the presentation stage of the countries project in Colebrook Elementary Schools cafeteria.  Members of the community were invited to attend this event and I am pretty sure the turn out was weak, but the experience was definitely a memorable one.