If you care to send me anything, please send to the following address:
P.O. Box 13488 – 00800
Nairobi, Kenya
Take care when sending packages. Things of value will most likely be taken at customs. I have heard that DHL is a good service to use.
Walking Everywhere
One thing that has astounded me time and again is the number of people in Nairobi that make their commute by foot. Everywhere, all day, you can see hundreds of people on any given street moving to and from work or running errands. Sidewalks are nearly non-existant and most are just dirt/mud with some grass in the area. Rains don’t help. One thing you never see…people running for exercise…unless they’re training for the Olympics. I got some weird looks as I went out for a quick run yesterday to do some shopping.
New Video Added
A new video has been added to my site: https://www.jbwoodruff.com/videos.php
Black Beans and Rice
Anyone know how to effectively cook black beans? I soaked them for 10 minutes but it still took 40 minutes to cook me some black beans yesterday…and when I say cooked, I mean barely done and just edible.
Political Impressions
I was riding around yesterday in a Matatu and in front of us was a crowd of young men going down the street ripping off political posters. At first I thought it was just some school boys cleaning up the walls outside their school. I was mistaken. They were tearing down any poster that was not for their party, ODM. Now…a little rivalry is good and all, but I can see how things like this could get out of hand. There were no police around…there are really never any police around…so this sort of activity goes unchecked and people often wonder why riots occur here.
On a related note, as a result of the national elections this year the number of street hawkers (2nd hand goods sellers) in the city center has ballooned and congestion is at a high. No police enforcement, no restrictions. It’s pretty amazing to witness actually and I hope to get a video or pics of it to share.
In the meantime, I’m going to go buy a mirror for my apartment. Try going without a mirror for a week…it’s interesting.
JB Gets a Home
I got a place to live! I moved into my place this past weekend. I spent the entire weekend buying furniture, buying household items and cleaning. I forgot how much stuff is required when you start living in a new place…simple things like cleaning supplies, window shades (which I forgot), bathroom mirrors (also forgot) and other related items. Now I get to have the fun task of figuring out how to buy anything I forgot…could be doing some serious walking.
The day guard, Peter, has already asked if I would like his wife to clean my place and do my laundry…1600/- (roughly $23 a month)…probably more than I should pay, but sounds like a deal to me. Going to do some negotiating with him this afternoon…everything is negotiable here.
The ‘A’ Team Lives On
Dudos mingi sana = So many bugs
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.
Lunchtime Experience…possible quality toilet time
We decided to try something different for lunch today…no gas station food. We went down the road to a place that serves roasted meat. They have a list of 4 different cuts of beef to choose from and you get it by the kilo. The actual cow is sitting behind some glass. They grab a huge hunk of meat, butcher it, weigh it and carry by hand to a grill outside. Mark (another volunteer) and I let my colleague Carol order for us. We wait for about 45 minutes and we get a large cutting board of meat that a guy cuts up for us right there…dirty hands and all. We get a plate full of cooked cabbage and some ugali. Tons of fat and tendons with very little meat. The cabbage is suspect due to how long and hot they cooked it. The ugali is ugali so it’s plain and hopefully harmless. So as far as the meal was…about a 3 or so. Regardless, it was certainly an experience that I hope to not be reliving over the next couple of days.
First Day of Work
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.
JB Buys a Watch
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.
Potatoes and Rice
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.
I get some Information…still no home
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.
JB Learns some Swahili
Habari za jioni? Good evening. The Swahili studies are going well and I’ve found it’s been fairly easy to learn the basics in just two days of study. The remainder of our orientation will be dedicated to learning some practical skills for working in the country as well as some safety and health practices. I just want to know how I can join a football club and start getting some exercise…I don’t think it’s possible to just go running down the streets here.
We’ve been able to leave the training compound to go to the pub down the street at night to grab some national Tusker beers…pretty good…no alcohol in the Methodist guest house. Speaking of which, I woke up this morning to some singing outside where a group of people were being baptised in the pool…yes, Kenya has swimming pools.
Everyone around us have been helpful in practicing the language and learning about the culture and politics…so far, most people say things are fairly corrupt. I think I’ll stay out of those conversations for now.
JB Arrives in Nairobi
It’s been 24hrs since I arrived in Nairobi, Kenya. First impressions…this should be interesting. We are a group of 12 volunteers from all over the world and we start out with some language training at the Methodist Guest House in Nairobi. Many will leave after the week to head off to their respective positions around the country. Swahili seems like it’s going to be fun to learn with some difficulties.
Food is ok…edible is good. Water hasn’t upset my stomach…yet…good. Beds are comfortable…i could sleep anywhere though. Water in the shower…warm…good. Weather…awesome…and this is their rainy season.
I’m new to the blog things so I’ll try and pick a topic to discuss and avoid jumping around, but look forward to sharing my experience with you.