Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Day 6
Hi All. Its quite early in my trip but I have already experienced so much its mad. The first 3 days we spent in a hostel, there were 30 of us but we split up into our two groups to go to the different project on Monday. There are 10 gilrs and 5 boys on our kisima project. The hostel was fairly basic and so was the food but we got told it would be luxery compared to our project site :SThere were hot showers there but I was an idiot and didnt realise there was a switch to press for hot water so I had a cold one there. DOH!
On Sunday we visited the second biggest slum in the whole of africa. There are 2 million prople living in it. We got taken to a school where a guy called Wellington showed us around. He had started the school 10 years ago teaching 7 children, now they have over 500. The buildings were made on mainly tin. That was only one of the schools within the slum, but there are many. We went into a classroom to chat to the children. The were really happy to see us and even sang and danced for us proper african gospel style. I loved it!! A few of us had tears in our eyes due to how emotional it was.These kids have nothing and the sad thing is some of the adults dont like westeners because they have been given so many empty promises by people that wanted to make a story out of them and some even lied about being a charity just to make money for them selves. Its also sad to know the Prime Minister is the representative for that slum but he donest seem to help. You hear about corrupt govenments but that just goes to show.
We got told about "african time" prior to our trip and believe you me its definately true. The project we are on, we are the first group to be doing it in the village we have been assigned to. The accommodation was not ready by any means. There were no beds, furniture, running water for showers or toilets. We dropped our luggage and went for a walk around the village to pass time. Some of the adults can be hostile but most "are honoured to see whites". On the way back from the village there were around 40 - 50 schools kids that really wanrted to speak to us. its really overwhelming as they havent seen white people before so we are basically novelties to them. They feel our skin and touch our hair and want to try on our sunglasses etc. They are so canny and want to hold our hands and talk. They laugh at us all the time...must think we are stupid lol. We walked back to our digs and lots more children came into our courtyard. Some went home and got changed from school and came back. We played with about 30 of them ranmging from 2 years to 13 for 2 hours. It was exhausing!! ...but really nice. They are so good at english and speak 3 languages including swahili and their tribal language, this one being kikuyu. Some of the adults came and sp[oke to us to and made us feel very welcome.
Our beds were finally put together for 10pm that night so we have managed to make it a little more comfortable for our stay to make it home for the next 9 weeks.
Its a massive cluture change but I think I'm adapting well. I think I braced myself for what it was going to be like anyway. Everyone stares, we have cold showers and I have a donkey eye orrring for an alarm clock. It might annoy me by the end of the stay lol. The hardest thing I've found so far is the way they treat the animals, especially the donkeys. Wer've been told to watch out for corporal punishment with the kids. kenya is trying to banish it all together but in some rural villages like our we will apparantly see it but are well in our rights to challenge the teachers. Oh well we'll see what happens.
If theres anything you want to ask just leave a question on the comments....
Til next time
Love Jules xxx
- comments
Jen Ah Jules - it's great reading about your adventures and I can't wait to hear more. Sounds like an amazing experience xx
Nat Hey Prings! sounds awesome hun. Wish i had come with you. you seem to be getting stuck in straight away which is good. I'm looking forward to seeing the pics etc when you get back! have you named your donkey yet....?? seeing as it will be waking you up every morning, mite be worth getting aquainted with it! lol. Best get back to work! looking forward to catching up with your adventures! take care! Nats xx
Mam Hi Julie Just a quick "Hello",I'm at Michelles,my computer is still out of action.Will be posting a parcel to you today.Love you and miss you loads.xxxxx
Tom Hey Gorgeous glad ur settling in well. sounds like the accomodation is similar to a kexgill house lol missing u much love xxx
Zack Antony Soones thvgfbnhyjur5i9 gftdferu r gfdgvhj fgyj7ugtf hjghhhhhhhhhhhhr4gfvhbn xxx
Mika Zack was itching to leave a comment, I am glad you are getting on ok, I cant believe you didnt know about the hot water LOL that is typical Jules that is like haha, Take care and enjoy, love ya loads, from me and Tony xxxx