Category: Uncategorized

So i’m sitting at work and can’t escape the gnats…that’s the last time I leave a banana sitting around.

I finally have a place of which I will be able to call home for the next year. Sure, it doesn’t have any furniture, no stove, no fridge, no shower (only a tub) and no lights, but those are just minor speed bumps. I have a nice front and back yard and some neighbors who I will be able to practice my Swahili with. Best yet, it’s within walking distance to work so I can minimize my involvement with the matatus (ma-ta-toos). After seeing one in a ditch off the road yesterday I’ll be more than happy to avoid that daily commute.

So about work. The office I’m working in is right along a very busy highway and surrounded by some farm land. It’s a very small building that is one floor and one hallway. UDPK is on one side and the National Council for Disabled People (something like that) is on the other. I’ll be working in a small closet piled high with papers and some old computer equipment precariously perched on the top shelf. I get to cross a 4 lane highway to get to the nearest convenience mart…nothing like putting your life on the line for a twinkie…I don’t really eat twinkies. Everyone seems quite nice and look forward to learning more about the braille machine that Sitoti promised to show me. Sitoti is a blind colleague of mine. He was writing letters today on the computer and it spoke to him with every action he made…pretty cool. We have an office assistant, Lois, who brings us hot tea throughout the day. Benedict works in the closet with me as a finance individual.

Sorry about the lack of pictures, but I’m limited on internet right now, should have it remedied within a couple of weeks. For now, you’ll just have to make due with my eloquent descriptions.

I ventured out into Nairobi this weekend…took a leap into the deep end. One thing I did do was purchase a cheaper watch that isn’t so desirable. I settled upon the beauty in the picture…a 1980’s Casio…nice. Talked him down from 3000/- to 500/-…which apparenlty was still a rip off. I can’t wait to show it off to all my friends. Work starts tomorrow so I’m gonna get a good nights sleep and catch up with you soon.

Is that with an ‘e’ or without?

So if you don’t like either then you might want to bring some food with you to Kenya. Had some traditional Ugali last night…a little like grits.

Today we were introduced to our partner organization reps. Sure, mine showed up a little late, but we’re on Kenyan time now. The man I met is named Isaac; I can’t remember his last name. People are often referred to by only their last name in a business setting; I would obviously be called Woodruff. It’s polite for me to refer to others as Bwana (sir) or Bibi (ms.).

So my placement. I’ll be working for the United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK) and here’s what they would like me to help them with: sending out PR announcements, creating and maintaining a newsletter to send out, develop a website that can: receive feedback, capture contact information, etc., set up their in-office network, create a database of contacts, create a financial system, create an hr/payroll system, create reports for as needed information…I’m sure there’s some I’m missing. Oh yeah… and train all their employees to use and maintain these systems. It seems like a mountain of tasks and I hope to achieve them all, but I know there’s only limited time and limited resources so we’ll see what I can do. I’m always up for a challenge.

What is UDPK? UDPK is an umbrella organization that promotes advocacy for persons with disabilities in Kenya. It overseas over 200 organizations that work directly with people with disabilities and HIV/AIDS. What they strive to achieve is equal rights for all disabled individuals and reduce the stigma that comes along with it. The Kenyan government has still not included equal rights for people with disabilities in their constitution. UDPK is working hard to ensure that this happens. I hope I can help speed up this process.