Hi all,
After many many goodbyes, I came back to Japan yesterday.
When I try to talk about the life in Kenya to my family or friends, countless scenes and memories come to my brain and I find it impossible to tell them what I really experienced, however hard I may try.
As I empty my suitcase and go back to my normal life, I continue my work to be done. I made my workplace's web page again. This time it should work, with pictures. Feel free to visit it, and I'm glad if you get intereste in our activities.
http://www.geocities.com/muyog2007
I still do not know how I will make most of the experience in Kenya.-friends, work, trips, food, so many things to remember. I'll be there again sometime in my life.
See you all,
Kei
Friday, September 28, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
THE COAST TRIP
Hi all,
Long time no see! I just came back from my one week trip to the Kenyan coast yesterday.
The trip was great! But my sunburn is terrible. As I told you, we were 7(3 Japanese, 2 Scottish, 1 Chinese, 1 Dutch). We left Nairobi for Mombasa on Friday on a train, then went to the North along the coast visiting Malindi, Watamu, Lamu. I can write a lot about each of the days, but let me just tell you about highlights of the trip.
Vasco da Gama Pillar in Malindi; the famous sailor is said to have built the monument on the sea shore of Malindi. The sea, the beach, the sky were not white but grey when I visited there and it was windy, but it made the white cross even whiter and look serene.
Lamu; it's really a small island town, having only one car, the main road being less than 300 meteres long, most streets being as narrow as for one way. But it is registered as the World Heritage. For what? For its distinct atmosphere, I think.
The culture of the coast is quite different from the other parts of Kenya, with Muslim residents. I felt the difference the most in Lamu. Men are dressed with a hut, long white dress, while women with a black Buibui(in which you only show your eyes to others). Restaurants are closed during daytime, because now it's the season of Ramadhan(actually we had some troubles finding food!). Many people are not as black as those in Nairobi, under the influence of Arab countries. Historically, Lamu(and many coastal cities) experienced the rules of Bantu people, Arab emirates, Britain in this order, so its culture can be expressed as a kind of mixture.
Anyway, it was a cozy town.
By the way, my departure is just around the corner, in fact two days later. I need to say many goodbyes from now. I really hope I will see my Kenyan or other foreign friends.
See you and take care,
Kei
Long time no see! I just came back from my one week trip to the Kenyan coast yesterday.
The trip was great! But my sunburn is terrible. As I told you, we were 7(3 Japanese, 2 Scottish, 1 Chinese, 1 Dutch). We left Nairobi for Mombasa on Friday on a train, then went to the North along the coast visiting Malindi, Watamu, Lamu. I can write a lot about each of the days, but let me just tell you about highlights of the trip.
Vasco da Gama Pillar in Malindi; the famous sailor is said to have built the monument on the sea shore of Malindi. The sea, the beach, the sky were not white but grey when I visited there and it was windy, but it made the white cross even whiter and look serene.
Lamu; it's really a small island town, having only one car, the main road being less than 300 meteres long, most streets being as narrow as for one way. But it is registered as the World Heritage. For what? For its distinct atmosphere, I think.
The culture of the coast is quite different from the other parts of Kenya, with Muslim residents. I felt the difference the most in Lamu. Men are dressed with a hut, long white dress, while women with a black Buibui(in which you only show your eyes to others). Restaurants are closed during daytime, because now it's the season of Ramadhan(actually we had some troubles finding food!). Many people are not as black as those in Nairobi, under the influence of Arab countries. Historically, Lamu(and many coastal cities) experienced the rules of Bantu people, Arab emirates, Britain in this order, so its culture can be expressed as a kind of mixture.
Anyway, it was a cozy town.
By the way, my departure is just around the corner, in fact two days later. I need to say many goodbyes from now. I really hope I will see my Kenyan or other foreign friends.
See you and take care,
Kei
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Report
Hi all,
How are you? I'm doing fine.
My work is coming to the end. From this Friday, I'm going to the coast of Kenya for about one week, visiting cities such as Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, etc. 2 other Japanese, 1 Chinese, 1 Dutch, 2 Scottish are coming together. It should be fun!
I'm busy organizing the trip these days, but it doesn't make me tired.
Projects in my workplace(MUYOG) are conducted as usual. As for internet access from our computers, we decided to contract with a Internet Service Provider called Africa Online. Its price is by far the cheapest, and its quite likely that our Cyber will be sustainable in our community. Now we are waiting for the funds to be given by the Ministry of Youth. We cannot make it by the time I leave here, but I'm satisfied that we've brought this idea to just one step before realization.
One more thing about computers. I've set up a Web page of MUYOG! However, you can get almost no information on it at present. Documents for updating are ready in my USB flash, but due to low performance of
computers I cannot manage to put it on the page. I'll do it when I go back to Japan.
The URL is http://www.geocities.com/muyog2006
I'll enjoy my holiday. See you,
Kei
How are you? I'm doing fine.
My work is coming to the end. From this Friday, I'm going to the coast of Kenya for about one week, visiting cities such as Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, etc. 2 other Japanese, 1 Chinese, 1 Dutch, 2 Scottish are coming together. It should be fun!
I'm busy organizing the trip these days, but it doesn't make me tired.
Projects in my workplace(MUYOG) are conducted as usual. As for internet access from our computers, we decided to contract with a Internet Service Provider called Africa Online. Its price is by far the cheapest, and its quite likely that our Cyber will be sustainable in our community. Now we are waiting for the funds to be given by the Ministry of Youth. We cannot make it by the time I leave here, but I'm satisfied that we've brought this idea to just one step before realization.
One more thing about computers. I've set up a Web page of MUYOG! However, you can get almost no information on it at present. Documents for updating are ready in my USB flash, but due to low performance of
computers I cannot manage to put it on the page. I'll do it when I go back to Japan.
The URL is http://www.geocities.com/muyog2006
I'll enjoy my holiday. See you,
Kei
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
SO FAR
Hi all,
How are you? I'm fine, working as usual.
I haven't talked about my work for a long time, so let me do it today.
Garbage collection, which is our main activity and the source of revenue, is conducted as usual on Mondays. That is also when I have so many clothes to wash at home.
As from this Monday, we have begun putting on gloves on collection. It is my idea! Before it was adopted one member had cut his finger deeply with a piece of glass inside a garbage bag, so we decided to buy.
School club, where we teach children about their rights and HIV/AIDS, is beginning tomorrow.
Bakery was forced to be closed temporalily, because the price of wheat is soaring and we are in deficit.
The community resource center is doing well. We mainly offer photocopying and computer classes, and making about 200Ksh(3 dollars) per day. We don't have enough members in our library, which I think is due to our membership fee, but once we advertise earnestly( we cannot, until we get the license of running business from the city council), we will do much better.
Now for the plan of opening a cyber, or Internet space. I visited more than 5 companies, sometimes alone, including telekom, internet service provider, cell phone company in Nairobi. Two of them are promising at present, but it has turned out we do not have enough fund to install the equipment. The budget accepted by the Ministry of Agriculture this June does not include this project, and our daily activities are done in a tight budget. We are soliciting money from several organizations at present, but no hope of getting fund before I leave.
However, it seems I can connect at least one computer to the internet if I use some of my money. Having one connected computer will save a lot of time and trouble to go to the town, and moreover, make it easier for us to solicit money from companies by sending documents on e-mail, or exchange information with others.
Now I'm trying to set up a simple homepage of our organization. Wish me a good luck!
See you,
Kei
How are you? I'm fine, working as usual.
I haven't talked about my work for a long time, so let me do it today.
Garbage collection, which is our main activity and the source of revenue, is conducted as usual on Mondays. That is also when I have so many clothes to wash at home.
As from this Monday, we have begun putting on gloves on collection. It is my idea! Before it was adopted one member had cut his finger deeply with a piece of glass inside a garbage bag, so we decided to buy.
School club, where we teach children about their rights and HIV/AIDS, is beginning tomorrow.
Bakery was forced to be closed temporalily, because the price of wheat is soaring and we are in deficit.
The community resource center is doing well. We mainly offer photocopying and computer classes, and making about 200Ksh(3 dollars) per day. We don't have enough members in our library, which I think is due to our membership fee, but once we advertise earnestly( we cannot, until we get the license of running business from the city council), we will do much better.
Now for the plan of opening a cyber, or Internet space. I visited more than 5 companies, sometimes alone, including telekom, internet service provider, cell phone company in Nairobi. Two of them are promising at present, but it has turned out we do not have enough fund to install the equipment. The budget accepted by the Ministry of Agriculture this June does not include this project, and our daily activities are done in a tight budget. We are soliciting money from several organizations at present, but no hope of getting fund before I leave.
However, it seems I can connect at least one computer to the internet if I use some of my money. Having one connected computer will save a lot of time and trouble to go to the town, and moreover, make it easier for us to solicit money from companies by sending documents on e-mail, or exchange information with others.
Now I'm trying to set up a simple homepage of our organization. Wish me a good luck!
See you,
Kei
Thursday, August 30, 2007
MATATU
Hi all,
How are you? I'm doing fine.
Today, I'd introduce you to one of social aspects of Nairobi. It's about traffic.
In one word, traffic in Nairobi is bad.
First, traffic regulations are practically non-existent. We hardly have traffic lights. Even when we have one, it is ignored all the time. However police here are very strict(at the same time the most corrupted) and you get arrested only because your seatbelt is not buckled, so drivers always pay attention to the figures of police officers.
Second, exhaust gas of cars smells terrible and is black. I feel guilty as well as disgust when cars pass me by, since many cars are second-hand Japanese cars. I think nearly 90% of cars are either TOYOTA, NISSAN or ISUZU's.
Lastly, roads are bad, too. My host's cousin studies civil engineering, and told me that construction companies make roads of worse quality than have agreed upon with the government, to make profit. That's why roads begin to have countless holes in several months' time.
The biggest characteristic of Nairobi, is small buses called Matatu. We don't have any train service and taxis are expensive, so without Matatu, no one can go anywhere. A Matatu has a driver and a conductor, accommodating 15 people maximum.
When it approaches, you need to recognize its number, and if you want to get it in, you give a signal to the conductor. It stops anywhere. You get in, and after a while the conductor taps your shoulder. That's when you pay. Most Kenyans are trustworthy, needles to say, and they rarely try to overcharge you. When you want to get off, you tell him, either by gesture or words. He drops you off if you tell him your destination in advance.
The fare is around 0.2-0.3 dollars, and drivers are said to earn much money. Some play loud music inside, and even DVD. Others are run by companies, clean, calm. People decide which one to take according to their mood, if they have options. Matatu reflects people's life, and very interesting.
See you then,
Kei
How are you? I'm doing fine.
Today, I'd introduce you to one of social aspects of Nairobi. It's about traffic.
In one word, traffic in Nairobi is bad.
First, traffic regulations are practically non-existent. We hardly have traffic lights. Even when we have one, it is ignored all the time. However police here are very strict(at the same time the most corrupted) and you get arrested only because your seatbelt is not buckled, so drivers always pay attention to the figures of police officers.
Second, exhaust gas of cars smells terrible and is black. I feel guilty as well as disgust when cars pass me by, since many cars are second-hand Japanese cars. I think nearly 90% of cars are either TOYOTA, NISSAN or ISUZU's.
Lastly, roads are bad, too. My host's cousin studies civil engineering, and told me that construction companies make roads of worse quality than have agreed upon with the government, to make profit. That's why roads begin to have countless holes in several months' time.
The biggest characteristic of Nairobi, is small buses called Matatu. We don't have any train service and taxis are expensive, so without Matatu, no one can go anywhere. A Matatu has a driver and a conductor, accommodating 15 people maximum.
When it approaches, you need to recognize its number, and if you want to get it in, you give a signal to the conductor. It stops anywhere. You get in, and after a while the conductor taps your shoulder. That's when you pay. Most Kenyans are trustworthy, needles to say, and they rarely try to overcharge you. When you want to get off, you tell him, either by gesture or words. He drops you off if you tell him your destination in advance.
The fare is around 0.2-0.3 dollars, and drivers are said to earn much money. Some play loud music inside, and even DVD. Others are run by companies, clean, calm. People decide which one to take according to their mood, if they have options. Matatu reflects people's life, and very interesting.
See you then,
Kei
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Masai Mara
Hi all,
I'm just back from my 3day trip to Masai Mara National Reserve. Do you know of this name? It's the most famous park in Kenya, where you can see wild animals.
I don't know where to start. I went there with other 5 AIESEC trainees( 1 Japanese, 1 Chinese, 2 Germans, 1 Dutch). We stayed in a camp site, where at night we talked with many other tourists around a fire, having coffee. Many of them were from Europe. I had trouble joining their conversation, but it was a good experience, too.
Now for animals! Our group was able to see many kinds of animals, including three of BIG5( elephants, lions, rhinors, leopards, buffalos) in the park. However, I couldn't help feeling funny about ourselves, since many animals were so used to be surrounded by cars and taken pictures. Looking at a chitah lying midst ten cars and a lion walking past the nose of a car, I felt I were in a zoo. The most excting moments are gnoeus(wild cows) crossing a river in hundreds, a lion catching a gnoeu. We were lucky, I think.
The scenery was truly authentic. The sunrise, morning, afternoon, sunset, every moment was breathtaking. Endless plain, low trees, bushes, everything was shone by the sun, rising or setting. It was so nice.
In the endless grassland, a life, including ours, doesn't effect the movement of nature at all. However, we are definitely inside the grandeur circles of life. So we don't need to be sad or afraid because of that. Seeing many phases of life- baby animals, hunting of a lion, several wild cows drowning while crossing a river, scavenger birds eating bodies, and white bones-, I felt that way. Maybe I'm influenced by "The Lion King" and Elton John's song "Circles of life" and Buddism.
We also visited a village of Masai tribe. We saw their dance, ceremony, houses, way of making fire, etc. For them, cows are the most important property. The number of wives a man can have is based on the number of cows he possesses. They eat cows' milk and meat. Their houses are made of cowdump and branches. I cannnot introduce other parts of their culture today, but the visit was very interesting.
Anyway, it was a good trip, except for the terrible condition of the roads to the park...
See you,
Kei
I'm just back from my 3day trip to Masai Mara National Reserve. Do you know of this name? It's the most famous park in Kenya, where you can see wild animals.
I don't know where to start. I went there with other 5 AIESEC trainees( 1 Japanese, 1 Chinese, 2 Germans, 1 Dutch). We stayed in a camp site, where at night we talked with many other tourists around a fire, having coffee. Many of them were from Europe. I had trouble joining their conversation, but it was a good experience, too.
Now for animals! Our group was able to see many kinds of animals, including three of BIG5( elephants, lions, rhinors, leopards, buffalos) in the park. However, I couldn't help feeling funny about ourselves, since many animals were so used to be surrounded by cars and taken pictures. Looking at a chitah lying midst ten cars and a lion walking past the nose of a car, I felt I were in a zoo. The most excting moments are gnoeus(wild cows) crossing a river in hundreds, a lion catching a gnoeu. We were lucky, I think.
The scenery was truly authentic. The sunrise, morning, afternoon, sunset, every moment was breathtaking. Endless plain, low trees, bushes, everything was shone by the sun, rising or setting. It was so nice.
In the endless grassland, a life, including ours, doesn't effect the movement of nature at all. However, we are definitely inside the grandeur circles of life. So we don't need to be sad or afraid because of that. Seeing many phases of life- baby animals, hunting of a lion, several wild cows drowning while crossing a river, scavenger birds eating bodies, and white bones-, I felt that way. Maybe I'm influenced by "The Lion King" and Elton John's song "Circles of life" and Buddism.
We also visited a village of Masai tribe. We saw their dance, ceremony, houses, way of making fire, etc. For them, cows are the most important property. The number of wives a man can have is based on the number of cows he possesses. They eat cows' milk and meat. Their houses are made of cowdump and branches. I cannnot introduce other parts of their culture today, but the visit was very interesting.
Anyway, it was a good trip, except for the terrible condition of the roads to the park...
See you,
Kei
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
To AIESEC memebers in Tokyo
Hi all,
Some of you AIESEC members are coming here soon, right#
The rainy season is still lingering, so hot sunny days and cold rainy days are coming in turn.
But Kenyans say dry season is supposed to arrive soon.
So, as for clothes, you'd better bring at least one warm sweater.
They are dressed like Japanese in Nairobi, but since we naturally stand out, you should wear dark, loose clothes, hopefully without glasses when walking in the town.
I'm usually dressed up in T-shirt, sweater(I mean 'tore-na- ka atumeno uwagi') and jeans.
Try to look as strong as possible!
As for food, fried potatoes and roast chicken are available anywhere in the town.
I often eat local stew and fruits, and my stomach is so so, so you should bring some medicine against diarrhea.
You should carry some water, I think.
When going out, I usually carry my rucksack, but not my wallet. I carry money separately in my pockets, just in case. However, many Kenyans actually use their wallets. And, I think at least one member should carry his\her cell phone.
See you then!
Some of you AIESEC members are coming here soon, right#
The rainy season is still lingering, so hot sunny days and cold rainy days are coming in turn.
But Kenyans say dry season is supposed to arrive soon.
So, as for clothes, you'd better bring at least one warm sweater.
They are dressed like Japanese in Nairobi, but since we naturally stand out, you should wear dark, loose clothes, hopefully without glasses when walking in the town.
I'm usually dressed up in T-shirt, sweater(I mean 'tore-na- ka atumeno uwagi') and jeans.
Try to look as strong as possible!
As for food, fried potatoes and roast chicken are available anywhere in the town.
I often eat local stew and fruits, and my stomach is so so, so you should bring some medicine against diarrhea.
You should carry some water, I think.
When going out, I usually carry my rucksack, but not my wallet. I carry money separately in my pockets, just in case. However, many Kenyans actually use their wallets. And, I think at least one member should carry his\her cell phone.
See you then!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
A SMALL TRIP
Hi all,
Today, I went to Naivasha town with my friends, which is famous for its lake and birds, animals.
The bus left Nairobi late as usual, so we arrived at the lakeside near two. That's OK.
The lake was just nearby...., it must have been nearby. Every farmer we came across said the lake was ten minute walk from there. We faithfully followed the direction, but somehow, we couldn't reach the lake! After a while, we found ourselves deep inside the field. Imagine a field in the film 'LION KING'. Nobody was to been seen, except for deers, monkeys that appeared behind bushes suddenly. The departure time for the bus back to Nairobi is coming. But where should we go?
That was when we came across a farmer, maybe for the first time in one hour. We asked him desperately how to get to a road where cars run, then he kindly showed us the way, walking more than 20 minutes! After that, we went back to Naivasha, then Nairobi, and I'm writing this blog near my house, feeling this safe arrival a kind of luck or miracle... if we hadn't met the farmer...
After all, we didn't see the lake. Oh we did, on our way back, from the rear window of the bus...
Today, I went to Naivasha town with my friends, which is famous for its lake and birds, animals.
The bus left Nairobi late as usual, so we arrived at the lakeside near two. That's OK.
The lake was just nearby...., it must have been nearby. Every farmer we came across said the lake was ten minute walk from there. We faithfully followed the direction, but somehow, we couldn't reach the lake! After a while, we found ourselves deep inside the field. Imagine a field in the film 'LION KING'. Nobody was to been seen, except for deers, monkeys that appeared behind bushes suddenly. The departure time for the bus back to Nairobi is coming. But where should we go?
That was when we came across a farmer, maybe for the first time in one hour. We asked him desperately how to get to a road where cars run, then he kindly showed us the way, walking more than 20 minutes! After that, we went back to Naivasha, then Nairobi, and I'm writing this blog near my house, feeling this safe arrival a kind of luck or miracle... if we hadn't met the farmer...
After all, we didn't see the lake. Oh we did, on our way back, from the rear window of the bus...
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Under sunshine
Hi all,
How are you? I'm OK.
Little by little, I come to understand the present situation and the outlook of my workplace, MUYOG.
As I wrote before, we currenntly run projects such as garbage collection, community center, bakery. And, the money to buy computers and a photocopier, for example, seems to have come from our sponsor. This June, our proposal was accepted by the ministry of Agriculture, and 1.2million Ksh(17 thousand dollars) were granted.
The other accepted projects include rearing chickens, expanding bakery, buying books for our library,etc. So from nowon, we will carry out them. However, expenses for opening cyber cafe-which I'm keen on- are not included. But I and the chief-Sospeter- agree that it's significant in our area, so we will manage somehow. In fact, we are visiting an Internet service provider this aftertnoon.
By the way, it's very cool here in Nairobi. When I sleep, I wear long-sleeve shirt and long pants, and with a blanket.
The food is good. Staple food may be beans and Ugari, which is made from maize. So, the common meal forKenyans is stew of potato and beans, with staple food( chapati, rice, Ugari, etc.). I'm attracted by mangoes, by the way. It's soft, sweet, smelling good, .....
See you,
Kei
How are you? I'm OK.
Little by little, I come to understand the present situation and the outlook of my workplace, MUYOG.
As I wrote before, we currenntly run projects such as garbage collection, community center, bakery. And, the money to buy computers and a photocopier, for example, seems to have come from our sponsor. This June, our proposal was accepted by the ministry of Agriculture, and 1.2million Ksh(17 thousand dollars) were granted.
The other accepted projects include rearing chickens, expanding bakery, buying books for our library,etc. So from nowon, we will carry out them. However, expenses for opening cyber cafe-which I'm keen on- are not included. But I and the chief-Sospeter- agree that it's significant in our area, so we will manage somehow. In fact, we are visiting an Internet service provider this aftertnoon.
By the way, it's very cool here in Nairobi. When I sleep, I wear long-sleeve shirt and long pants, and with a blanket.
The food is good. Staple food may be beans and Ugari, which is made from maize. So, the common meal forKenyans is stew of potato and beans, with staple food( chapati, rice, Ugari, etc.). I'm attracted by mangoes, by the way. It's soft, sweet, smelling good, .....
See you,
Kei
Thursday, August 9, 2007
My work
Hi all,
Let me explain the present situation of my workplace, Marurui United Youth Group(MUYOG).
It is a community based organization(CBO), where youth in the community gather and carry out various projects. MUYOG's basic aims are; eradicate poverty through job creation/ become a role model in its community/reduce HIV/AIDS infection, etc.
On mondays, we collect garbage in the community and charge each household a small fee. We also recycle part of the garbage and make plastic posts, sheets, etc. This project has long been supported by World Vision, an international NGO. I' ll experience this garbage collection next Monday!
On Thursdays, we hold "school clubs" in nearby schools. We teach knowledge on HIV/AIDS, childrens' rights to students there. But this school won't start until September, when schools begin.
As every day work, we run a bakery. It's not a big business yet, but we sell bread from early morning. The fried bread, called Maandazi, tastes so good!
The last one is great. I didn't expect it at all, but MUYOG has 6 up-to-date computers, a photocopier, scanner, binder, etc.! This is an attempt to make MUYOG's office a kind of information center in Marurui area. These purchases were done after Ministry of Agriculture accepted our solicitation. We offer services such as printing, photocopying, PC lessons. Our, and my ambition is to connect those PCs to the Internet and run a cyber cafe! I love the idea of connecting Marurui directly to the world.
We don't have much fund, so we always ask companies or NGOs to help us. Today, we visited several publishers in Nairobi to ask them to donate some books. We run a library, but we lack of books.
Huu, it's become such a long blog. I'm happy if you understood a little what I'm doing here.
See you,
Kei
Let me explain the present situation of my workplace, Marurui United Youth Group(MUYOG).
It is a community based organization(CBO), where youth in the community gather and carry out various projects. MUYOG's basic aims are; eradicate poverty through job creation/ become a role model in its community/reduce HIV/AIDS infection, etc.
On mondays, we collect garbage in the community and charge each household a small fee. We also recycle part of the garbage and make plastic posts, sheets, etc. This project has long been supported by World Vision, an international NGO. I' ll experience this garbage collection next Monday!
On Thursdays, we hold "school clubs" in nearby schools. We teach knowledge on HIV/AIDS, childrens' rights to students there. But this school won't start until September, when schools begin.
As every day work, we run a bakery. It's not a big business yet, but we sell bread from early morning. The fried bread, called Maandazi, tastes so good!
The last one is great. I didn't expect it at all, but MUYOG has 6 up-to-date computers, a photocopier, scanner, binder, etc.! This is an attempt to make MUYOG's office a kind of information center in Marurui area. These purchases were done after Ministry of Agriculture accepted our solicitation. We offer services such as printing, photocopying, PC lessons. Our, and my ambition is to connect those PCs to the Internet and run a cyber cafe! I love the idea of connecting Marurui directly to the world.
We don't have much fund, so we always ask companies or NGOs to help us. Today, we visited several publishers in Nairobi to ask them to donate some books. We run a library, but we lack of books.
Huu, it's become such a long blog. I'm happy if you understood a little what I'm doing here.
See you,
Kei
Saturday, August 4, 2007
From Nairobi
How are you?
At last I managed to access the Internet, but I do not have much time.
I am writing in an Internet cafe in the center of Nairobi with my host Ken and his cousins.
So far, I checked several ways of commuting to the slum I will work for, visited the slum, met members of AIESEC in Kenya, etc. The biggest impression I have now is that Kenyans are inconceivably friendly. I have been introduced to many relatives and friends of Ken, and although I stand out very much, no one have treated me as a stranger.
In Marurui, the slum, the situation is the same. All small children who notice me speak to me, saying, " How are you?". I will start to work from Monday, and I still do not know what I will and can do there, I will do my best, enjoying life here.
I have a bit more time. Today, I went to see a basketball match in a stadium. Ken's cousin is a professional player and captain of his team. We won the match, and drank some beer afterwards. I found "Guiness" too bitter and strong to me.
See you,
Kei
At last I managed to access the Internet, but I do not have much time.
I am writing in an Internet cafe in the center of Nairobi with my host Ken and his cousins.
So far, I checked several ways of commuting to the slum I will work for, visited the slum, met members of AIESEC in Kenya, etc. The biggest impression I have now is that Kenyans are inconceivably friendly. I have been introduced to many relatives and friends of Ken, and although I stand out very much, no one have treated me as a stranger.
In Marurui, the slum, the situation is the same. All small children who notice me speak to me, saying, " How are you?". I will start to work from Monday, and I still do not know what I will and can do there, I will do my best, enjoying life here.
I have a bit more time. Today, I went to see a basketball match in a stadium. Ken's cousin is a professional player and captain of his team. We won the match, and drank some beer afterwards. I found "Guiness" too bitter and strong to me.
See you,
Kei
Monday, July 30, 2007
I am...
Hi all,
My name is Keisuke Kurihara. I'm a stundent in Tokyo, Japan. I'm leaving for Nairobi, Kenya tomorrow, and in this blog, I will write the experience or thoughts I'll have there.
Let me explain my trip a bit more. During my summer vacation( around 2 months), I will work as an intern in a small slum called Marurui. The residents run an oraganization aimed at improving their life and providing young people in the slum with ways to earn a living.
At present, that's nearly all I know about my internship! But I sort of enjoy this situation filled with unknowns.
See you,
Kei
My name is Keisuke Kurihara. I'm a stundent in Tokyo, Japan. I'm leaving for Nairobi, Kenya tomorrow, and in this blog, I will write the experience or thoughts I'll have there.
Let me explain my trip a bit more. During my summer vacation( around 2 months), I will work as an intern in a small slum called Marurui. The residents run an oraganization aimed at improving their life and providing young people in the slum with ways to earn a living.
At present, that's nearly all I know about my internship! But I sort of enjoy this situation filled with unknowns.
See you,
Kei
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