It's already March 14th. . . Wow. I have now lived in Kenya for four and a half months.
Kenya is a nice place. It's peaceful and quiet, and the people are friendly-- of course, this applies mostly to the village that surrounds me. I have made many friends and now meet regularly at a local mama's house for some palm wine and conversation with several locals. Palm wine is made from-- take a wild guess-- palm trees. The flowers that blossom and later produce the coconut are tied off. A day later through flower is cut and a bucket is placed under the cut. The coconut is not produced because of there tying of the flower, but continues to produce the coconut milk (but it may have several differing qualities). The milk is set aside for a day. Nothing is added. The next day you have palm wine. The next day you have stronger palm wine. The next, stronger. On the forth day it, becomes lethal. The local drink is good, but each day it sets its taste changes. Palm wine is a very important part of East African culture. When a dowry is being discussed, there must be plenty of manazi, palm wine. A wedding cannot take place without the drink.
This week will, for the most part, be review for the end term exams. Exams begin a week from tomorrow. The form one students have been impressive, but there is one student who is having trouble with the most basic of concepts. Hopefully the students will start helping each other.
With the end of the term comes a month break, at least from teaching. I have a pretty packed month ahead of me. Just a few days after school is closed, a volunteer in Western Province is coming to visit the coast to discuss some ideas regarding our program's future and advancement. While she is here, we are going to try are hand at wind surfing in the Indian Ocean. A few days later, we are taking the train to Nairobi, the capitol of Kenya, to pick up our passports from the Peace Corps office. This is because on the April 11th - 15th we will in Uganda for some white water rafting on the Nile and then bungee jumping. On April 16th, Kristiann and I have a meeting with the country director and our APCD in Nairobi regarding our project. April 19th then starts two weeks of our in-service training in Nairobi.
It's a rough life, this Peace Corps thing. . .
Well, it's bedtime here. Until next time. . .
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Week 7 in Kilifi
That's right week 7 has taken off. Midterms start on Wednesday for my secondary students tomorrow for the primary students. The past few weeks have been challenging. Along with not having a lab, it has been difficult to get through to my students. It seems like every time I have a break through, I hit another brick wall.
Yesterday was a rough day. . . . Not because it was Valentine's day -- Valentine's day always seemed lame to me, even when I was dating someone that day. It was because I didn't want to start another week. It was a good weekend. I went to the beach with Jon and Mary. We swam and just relaxed for a few hours. I think hanging out with other volunteers is making my adjustment to Kilifi harder. I really miss my friends and family. I often think of the things I could be doing with my dad. The past few years, I have wanted to take him deep sea fishing. I really want to do more things like that with him. I think of my friends often as well. Night time is a lonely time in the Peace Corps, at least for me anyways. This is usually the time I think about friends and family.
Also, the challenges I am facing at school seem almost impossible to overcome on my own. Because I'm teaching deaf students, I need more time to find teaching methods that will keep them interested and awake. Time is hard to come by when you are teaching four different subjects. I feel that, in this setting, I am only qualified to teach math, since this is my background. Chemistry, while an exiting and fun subject, is not at all my expertise. I am, however, trying to stay productive and positive. I am looking toward the future of this program. I want to see more volunteers pumped into deaf secondary school. My training was lacking. There has never been volunteers in secondary school for the deaf, so it is understandable that the training would be lacking in areas. I hope to bring up some issues during our in-service training (IST) in Nairobi. I want my work here to be as efficient as possible. I have a lot of ideas for the programs, and I truly believe I can help this program by working on future training sessions and resources for future volunteers.
Well, I need to get off line. Again send those letters!
Until next time. . .
Yesterday was a rough day. . . . Not because it was Valentine's day -- Valentine's day always seemed lame to me, even when I was dating someone that day. It was because I didn't want to start another week. It was a good weekend. I went to the beach with Jon and Mary. We swam and just relaxed for a few hours. I think hanging out with other volunteers is making my adjustment to Kilifi harder. I really miss my friends and family. I often think of the things I could be doing with my dad. The past few years, I have wanted to take him deep sea fishing. I really want to do more things like that with him. I think of my friends often as well. Night time is a lonely time in the Peace Corps, at least for me anyways. This is usually the time I think about friends and family.
Also, the challenges I am facing at school seem almost impossible to overcome on my own. Because I'm teaching deaf students, I need more time to find teaching methods that will keep them interested and awake. Time is hard to come by when you are teaching four different subjects. I feel that, in this setting, I am only qualified to teach math, since this is my background. Chemistry, while an exiting and fun subject, is not at all my expertise. I am, however, trying to stay productive and positive. I am looking toward the future of this program. I want to see more volunteers pumped into deaf secondary school. My training was lacking. There has never been volunteers in secondary school for the deaf, so it is understandable that the training would be lacking in areas. I hope to bring up some issues during our in-service training (IST) in Nairobi. I want my work here to be as efficient as possible. I have a lot of ideas for the programs, and I truly believe I can help this program by working on future training sessions and resources for future volunteers.
Well, I need to get off line. Again send those letters!
Until next time. . .
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Its Always Sunny in Kilifi, starring Beau Jones
Hey guys!
I am finishing up my third week in Kilifi. Only ten weeks more to go. I guess that isn't the attitude I should have, but I look forward to seeing the other volunteers. I am also looking forward to meeting Bob's family. Bob and his family are doing the will of God in Kenya. He has helped stared over 100 churches in Kenya. He is a delight to talk with. I got to know Bob through my aunt and uncle. Shortly after I arrived in Kenya, I received a text from Bob. He said he lived near Nairobi, knew my aunt and uncle and said he would like to meet me sometime. I exchanged texts and phone calls with Bob until the beginning of January.
I meet Bob for dinner Nairobi at a place called Java House, in the Serit Centre. I was impressed with his fluency in Swahili, but after 20 years of serving the Lord our God in Kenya you're bound to pick up a thing or two. I was inspired by his commitment to our Almighty Father. I have experienced a lot of challenges in this country so far, and can only imagine what kind of challenges Kenya was offering Bob and his family 20 years ago.
I have learned a lot in Kenya. I've learned to appreciate a lot all aspects of American culture and life. We all know that, in general, life in the US is better than life in developing countries, but we tend to overlook the simple things. The only way to understand what I'm talking is to experience it for yourself.
I am definitely a different person than when I left. I believe needed this trip to understand how good we have it in the US. I'm not just talking about starbucks on every corner or going baseball games. I'm also talking about attitudes of people. I know it is vague (sorry for that), but I can't elaborate on this, as this blog is being monitored. Shoot an email my direction and can elaborate in a personal email.
This morning was surprisingly cool. Awoke up around 5 am and was not covered in sweat like usual. Instead I was dry as a bone, and my legs where even a little chilly. That instantly putme in a good mood for the day.
I am still not in my house, but they are almost finished with it. The head master of the primary school visited my house a few weeks ago and said that he was concerned about the securityof the place. So I have been staying with another volunteer for the time being. I visited the house today and it is almost ready. The workshop at the school made bars for the two windows, and a big metal door for the front door. I wasn't too concerned about the safety of my House, but I sure feel better seeing the added security measures.
I will start moving into my new place this weekend. I need to buy a mattress, a jiko (like an charcoal grill), a pot, a wooden spoon, some basins and a few other things. I might have a shelf made as well.
My new address is :
PO Box 1320-80108
Kenya, Kilifi
Encouraging letters would be very much appreciated. Tell me about yourself, if we haven't met before.
Until next time. . . .
I am finishing up my third week in Kilifi. Only ten weeks more to go. I guess that isn't the attitude I should have, but I look forward to seeing the other volunteers. I am also looking forward to meeting Bob's family. Bob and his family are doing the will of God in Kenya. He has helped stared over 100 churches in Kenya. He is a delight to talk with. I got to know Bob through my aunt and uncle. Shortly after I arrived in Kenya, I received a text from Bob. He said he lived near Nairobi, knew my aunt and uncle and said he would like to meet me sometime. I exchanged texts and phone calls with Bob until the beginning of January.
I meet Bob for dinner Nairobi at a place called Java House, in the Serit Centre. I was impressed with his fluency in Swahili, but after 20 years of serving the Lord our God in Kenya you're bound to pick up a thing or two. I was inspired by his commitment to our Almighty Father. I have experienced a lot of challenges in this country so far, and can only imagine what kind of challenges Kenya was offering Bob and his family 20 years ago.
I have learned a lot in Kenya. I've learned to appreciate a lot all aspects of American culture and life. We all know that, in general, life in the US is better than life in developing countries, but we tend to overlook the simple things. The only way to understand what I'm talking is to experience it for yourself.
I am definitely a different person than when I left. I believe needed this trip to understand how good we have it in the US. I'm not just talking about starbucks on every corner or going baseball games. I'm also talking about attitudes of people. I know it is vague (sorry for that), but I can't elaborate on this, as this blog is being monitored. Shoot an email my direction and can elaborate in a personal email.
This morning was surprisingly cool. Awoke up around 5 am and was not covered in sweat like usual. Instead I was dry as a bone, and my legs where even a little chilly. That instantly putme in a good mood for the day.
I am still not in my house, but they are almost finished with it. The head master of the primary school visited my house a few weeks ago and said that he was concerned about the securityof the place. So I have been staying with another volunteer for the time being. I visited the house today and it is almost ready. The workshop at the school made bars for the two windows, and a big metal door for the front door. I wasn't too concerned about the safety of my House, but I sure feel better seeing the added security measures.
I will start moving into my new place this weekend. I need to buy a mattress, a jiko (like an charcoal grill), a pot, a wooden spoon, some basins and a few other things. I might have a shelf made as well.
My new address is :
PO Box 1320-80108
Kenya, Kilifi
Encouraging letters would be very much appreciated. Tell me about yourself, if we haven't met before.
Until next time. . . .
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Camping in Mombasa
It's been a while since my last post. I'm currently sitting in another volunteer's house in Kilifi. My house is still not ready. I looked at the house last week. When my principal saw the door and the windows, she demanded that they replace the bars on the windows and add a heavy metal door. The entire house is smaller than my parents' kitchen. . . . But. . . I really don't need anything bigger. I think it is an awesome house, and I couldn't be happier with it.
My school is named Pwani Secondary School for the Deaf. Pwani is a word in swahili meaning "coast" or "coastal" depending on the context. We are only two forms (grades) strong, though the form 1 (9th grade) students have yet to arrive. My students were only
taught a third of last year's material in mathematics, and have yet to begin form 1 chemistry or physics. I have a lot on my plate. At least I don't have to look for service projects, right?
There are some things I am having to get use to here in the Kenyan schools. One of them being every time students see me carrying books, they run up to me and grab the books from me and take them from me.
Also, when the 5 foot tall deputy head master sees me carrying (even one book) his will call a student to carry it for me. School politics is another thing that takes some getting use to. I'll just leave it at that. I'd rather not explain this right now.
There was no electricity (or running water) today at school. Let me rephrase that: there was no electricity in Kilifi today. Roughly, every Tuesday and Thursday the town of Kilifi thinks it's a great idea to save a little by cutting the power. I foresee this messing with
future lab experiments.
I'm going to Mombasa on Saturday with public health volunteer, Pat. We are going to meet up with Jon, an ICT volunteer, to go camping near the beach just south of Mombasa. Another volunteer, in the business
sector, is working with a campsite. I excited about meeting other Peace Corps volunteers and seeing more of Kenya. I'm also looking forward to taking a dip in the ocean. The Indian Ocean feels great
around Kilifi and Mombasa.
One last note:
My older brother, Chris, graduates with his doctorate degree in May. I'm so proud of him. But I think I'm most proud of him because he doesn't care about the title the degree brings. The coming title doesn't seem to be going to his head. Chris is a great friend of mine, and I often wish he could be in Kenya to experience all these new things with me. I can't wait to share a pitcher with him when I return to the States. I also hope we can travel abroad together
sometime in the future.
My school is named Pwani Secondary School for the Deaf. Pwani is a word in swahili meaning "coast" or "coastal" depending on the context. We are only two forms (grades) strong, though the form 1 (9th grade) students have yet to arrive. My students were only
taught a third of last year's material in mathematics, and have yet to begin form 1 chemistry or physics. I have a lot on my plate. At least I don't have to look for service projects, right?
There are some things I am having to get use to here in the Kenyan schools. One of them being every time students see me carrying books, they run up to me and grab the books from me and take them from me.
Also, when the 5 foot tall deputy head master sees me carrying (even one book) his will call a student to carry it for me. School politics is another thing that takes some getting use to. I'll just leave it at that. I'd rather not explain this right now.
There was no electricity (or running water) today at school. Let me rephrase that: there was no electricity in Kilifi today. Roughly, every Tuesday and Thursday the town of Kilifi thinks it's a great idea to save a little by cutting the power. I foresee this messing with
future lab experiments.
I'm going to Mombasa on Saturday with public health volunteer, Pat. We are going to meet up with Jon, an ICT volunteer, to go camping near the beach just south of Mombasa. Another volunteer, in the business
sector, is working with a campsite. I excited about meeting other Peace Corps volunteers and seeing more of Kenya. I'm also looking forward to taking a dip in the ocean. The Indian Ocean feels great
around Kilifi and Mombasa.
One last note:
My older brother, Chris, graduates with his doctorate degree in May. I'm so proud of him. But I think I'm most proud of him because he doesn't care about the title the degree brings. The coming title doesn't seem to be going to his head. Chris is a great friend of mine, and I often wish he could be in Kenya to experience all these new things with me. I can't wait to share a pitcher with him when I return to the States. I also hope we can travel abroad together
sometime in the future.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Outward Bound
Today 25 secondary school children arrived at the Outward Bound facility in Loitokitok. They are going to help in creating a mock secondary school for the Peace Corps Traineers. Since I will be teaching at Pwani Secondary School for the Deaf, 5 of the students are deaf. The children arrived shortly after a huge rain cloud gathered over Loitokitok. Unlike Arkansas, when it starts to rain in Kenya, it doesn't stop for awhile. And in Loitokitok, when it rains it gets extremely slippery. (I fell twice). The matatu's carrying the children ended up getting stuck. Luckily a Peace Corps vehicle came to rescue.
After dinner, we gathered outside of the "volunteer/trainee" house on the Outward Bound grounds. We played "bite the bag". This is a game where we all get in a circle around a paper bag. One person says their name and then hops on one foot to the paper bag and tries to bend down and pick up the bag with their teeth. Then they pick someone from a different school to state their name and try to "bite the bag."
After the game, we broke the children into groups. We thought that since the deaf children were small in number they could help a group of hearing students learn Kenyan Sign Language. The students were taught the manual alphabet, family members, and how to introduce themselves. They were even given sign names. Tonight was a great night! The students will be here until Saturday, so the memorable events have only begun!!!!!
I'm going to get some sleep, now. 5 am will come early, and tomorrow will start another very busy week.
After dinner, we gathered outside of the "volunteer/trainee" house on the Outward Bound grounds. We played "bite the bag". This is a game where we all get in a circle around a paper bag. One person says their name and then hops on one foot to the paper bag and tries to bend down and pick up the bag with their teeth. Then they pick someone from a different school to state their name and try to "bite the bag."
After the game, we broke the children into groups. We thought that since the deaf children were small in number they could help a group of hearing students learn Kenyan Sign Language. The students were taught the manual alphabet, family members, and how to introduce themselves. They were even given sign names. Tonight was a great night! The students will be here until Saturday, so the memorable events have only begun!!!!!
I'm going to get some sleep, now. 5 am will come early, and tomorrow will start another very busy week.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Machakos School for the Deaf
Like I mentioned in the previous post, we are in Machakos. This past week was spent improving our Kenyan Sign Language, meeting children, meeting teachers, and learning about the education system of Kenyan, especially as it relates to the education of the deaf.
I mentioned earlier that we would staying in Machakos for two weeks. Well, the plans have changed --at least for Kristiann and me. We are going back to Loitokitok on Monday to join our fellow math and science volunteers. The Peace Corps will be sending a car for us Monday morning. I am excited to be reunited with the other volunteers. It is amazing how quickly we all bonded. But I guess it is expected, seeing how we have to travel to Kenya by ourselves. There was no Peace Corps staff to accompany us.
My time in Machakos has been wonderful. The children are full of so much joy. They have big hearts and made us feel very welcomed. This is why, when asked, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?", Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. . ." These children have made no assumptions about us, they welcome us with open arms, and are just so happy to be alive. They are not yet corrupted by the world. It really lifts your spirits being with such loving children. Even with sweaters with large holes and worn out shoes, these children wear beautiful bright smiles. They almost seem to know really what matters in the world: taking care of people (not to be confused with "person," namely one's self).
I know there are some people confused about me leaving my phd program to teach children in a developing nation. I'm going to try to explain it here:
I received my bachelors in 2006 and my master's in 2008. I started my phd when I was only 24. Because of this, I received a lot of praise from family and friends. But after a friend of mine was killed in a car wreck, I was slapped into reality. . . The reality being that I, and everyone else for that matter, is not guaranteed a tomorrow. Think about it; if all my goals are for the future, I'm not living in the now. If something happens to me, I wasted my whole life trying to achieve something that now seems pointless and superficial. I looked back on my friend's life and thought that he had an amazing life. He was kind, loving, and caring, and his life was proof of this. I thought about my own funeral. What would people say: "Beau sure was smart. He started his masters by age 21 and his phd by age 23."
You let everyone know what is important to you, not by what you say, but by how you live. My life told everyone that I really cared about mathematics and statistics. I was talking to my friend Sarah about this one day. She has worked with me for the past 6 or 7 years at a camp for children of all abilities, and more recently at a pre-school. So she knows more than anyone else that I love children more than anything. I told her that I didn't want people to say that I was smart at my funeral. She that I was being ridiculous because of all the work I have done with children, and my wanting to do more. I agreed that people know what kind of people I am. But I realized that my entire life needs to be a billboard displaying what is at the core of my heart.
I think ultimately, the decision to leave school to help a developing nation was due to a new understanding. People don't try to get to heaven and end up slipping and going to hell. People choose to be with their Father in heaven or they choose not to be. I will try to make it a little clearer. In the Lord's prayer, we ask for the "Lord's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven." There people who flat out do not want to earth to be like heaven. They want the flashy car. They don't want to take care of their neighbor. They look the other way when someone is in need. Therefore heaven is not a place they would enjoy. I don't think that hell will be a fiery furnace, not exactly at least. It is written that the flames of passion (and desires) will be fanned out of control (metaphor, even though some churches don't see it this way). I see God saying, "you want to live for yourself, and put yourself first? . . . ok, I will give you your own place. There everyone will be at odds trying to acquire superficial things and go after superficial desires. "
I also knew I had to pick one. . . . . Do I continue pursuing a peice of paper, then live a life of my own? Or do I listen to my Father and dedicate my life to something greater than myself?
Also, I knew I couldn't ride the fence on following Christ. I couldn't profess God with my lips and then deny him with my life. I can't pick and choose which teachings of Jesus to follow and which ones to ignore. Please don't think I putting a certain group of people down. This is just how I felt. I knew I had to decide once and for all to follow Christ with all of my heart, soul, and life, or not to follow Him.
This is how I came to choose to dedicate my life to serving people and my Father. I'm not sure what is after Peace Corps, but I'm not going to concern myself with that right now.
I hope this helps. I know that I will be just teaching math and science at a secondary school in Kilifi, but this will provide opportunities to preach the gospel by my actions and life. As St Francis of Assisi put it, "Preach the gospel alway, and if necessary, use words."
I hope this wasn't too scattered. I am not good at organizing my thoughts as they come.
I mentioned earlier that we would staying in Machakos for two weeks. Well, the plans have changed --at least for Kristiann and me. We are going back to Loitokitok on Monday to join our fellow math and science volunteers. The Peace Corps will be sending a car for us Monday morning. I am excited to be reunited with the other volunteers. It is amazing how quickly we all bonded. But I guess it is expected, seeing how we have to travel to Kenya by ourselves. There was no Peace Corps staff to accompany us.
My time in Machakos has been wonderful. The children are full of so much joy. They have big hearts and made us feel very welcomed. This is why, when asked, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?", Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. . ." These children have made no assumptions about us, they welcome us with open arms, and are just so happy to be alive. They are not yet corrupted by the world. It really lifts your spirits being with such loving children. Even with sweaters with large holes and worn out shoes, these children wear beautiful bright smiles. They almost seem to know really what matters in the world: taking care of people (not to be confused with "person," namely one's self).
I know there are some people confused about me leaving my phd program to teach children in a developing nation. I'm going to try to explain it here:
I received my bachelors in 2006 and my master's in 2008. I started my phd when I was only 24. Because of this, I received a lot of praise from family and friends. But after a friend of mine was killed in a car wreck, I was slapped into reality. . . The reality being that I, and everyone else for that matter, is not guaranteed a tomorrow. Think about it; if all my goals are for the future, I'm not living in the now. If something happens to me, I wasted my whole life trying to achieve something that now seems pointless and superficial. I looked back on my friend's life and thought that he had an amazing life. He was kind, loving, and caring, and his life was proof of this. I thought about my own funeral. What would people say: "Beau sure was smart. He started his masters by age 21 and his phd by age 23."
You let everyone know what is important to you, not by what you say, but by how you live. My life told everyone that I really cared about mathematics and statistics. I was talking to my friend Sarah about this one day. She has worked with me for the past 6 or 7 years at a camp for children of all abilities, and more recently at a pre-school. So she knows more than anyone else that I love children more than anything. I told her that I didn't want people to say that I was smart at my funeral. She that I was being ridiculous because of all the work I have done with children, and my wanting to do more. I agreed that people know what kind of people I am. But I realized that my entire life needs to be a billboard displaying what is at the core of my heart.
I think ultimately, the decision to leave school to help a developing nation was due to a new understanding. People don't try to get to heaven and end up slipping and going to hell. People choose to be with their Father in heaven or they choose not to be. I will try to make it a little clearer. In the Lord's prayer, we ask for the "Lord's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven." There people who flat out do not want to earth to be like heaven. They want the flashy car. They don't want to take care of their neighbor. They look the other way when someone is in need. Therefore heaven is not a place they would enjoy. I don't think that hell will be a fiery furnace, not exactly at least. It is written that the flames of passion (and desires) will be fanned out of control (metaphor, even though some churches don't see it this way). I see God saying, "you want to live for yourself, and put yourself first? . . . ok, I will give you your own place. There everyone will be at odds trying to acquire superficial things and go after superficial desires. "
I also knew I had to pick one. . . . . Do I continue pursuing a peice of paper, then live a life of my own? Or do I listen to my Father and dedicate my life to something greater than myself?
Also, I knew I couldn't ride the fence on following Christ. I couldn't profess God with my lips and then deny him with my life. I can't pick and choose which teachings of Jesus to follow and which ones to ignore. Please don't think I putting a certain group of people down. This is just how I felt. I knew I had to decide once and for all to follow Christ with all of my heart, soul, and life, or not to follow Him.
This is how I came to choose to dedicate my life to serving people and my Father. I'm not sure what is after Peace Corps, but I'm not going to concern myself with that right now.
I hope this helps. I know that I will be just teaching math and science at a secondary school in Kilifi, but this will provide opportunities to preach the gospel by my actions and life. As St Francis of Assisi put it, "Preach the gospel alway, and if necessary, use words."
I hope this wasn't too scattered. I am not good at organizing my thoughts as they come.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Update from Loitokitok
Today marks one week that I have been in Loitokitok, Kenya. Loitokitok is on the border of Tanzania and Kenya. It is right on the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Today was the first day that we could actually see the top of the mountain. Every day looked as though it were bringing rain but failed to see it through. But today. . . a clear sky. The mountain seems so close you can reach out your hand and touch the snow on top. It's hard not to be awed here. You look to the south and you see not just Mount Kilimanjaro, but three mountains. You look to the north and, because we are up on the foothills, you see vast amounts of Kenyan landscape.
My training class consists of 27 trainees. What a wonderful group of people of work with. Ever since we arrived in Africa, every trainee has had a positive attitude. I was a little surprised by this. Being from the US, every time you are in a large group, there always seems to be a "Debi Downer." When we arrived at AFRITALI (a hostel in Nairobi), everyone felt so blessed to be there. It wasn't the least bit fancy by American standards. . . but we finally had a bed after 20+ hours of traveling and sitting in airports. We spend three days at the hostel and had interviews with Medical. We had a lot of culture training from current volunteers and Kenyans. We were even introduced to the choo (CH-OH). The choo is the common toilette in Kenya. It is an outhouse with a hole in the ground. The floor of the choo is usually made of cement. The hole of about 5 m deep. There are some choos with dirt floors, but it is not uncommon for them to cave in after several years.
Each day we have language training for about 4 hours, then a variety of other trainings (ie health, safety, job assignment). The language training for me is not Kiswahili, but rather Kenyan Sign Language (KSL). After I demonstrate proficiency in KSL, I will be allowed to move on to Kiswahili. I believe this will benefit me greatly when I go to my site in January. I will be teaching at a deaf secondary school in Kilifi. Kilifi is right on the coast, about 1 hour north Mombasa. Kristiann and myself are the first volunteers in Kenya to be sent to deaf secondary schools. This will bring many new challenges to the Peace Corps, simply because it has never been done before (with PCV's).
Today is my last day in Loitokitok for two weeks. Tomorrow the deaf education volunteers will aboard a bus bound for Machakos. This is a bigger town with a large deaf community. The first week we will stay at a hotel, and the second we will stay at the school's dorms. We will see the school in action, how current volunteers are teaching, and meet the children and locals. We will continue to have language training throughout the week with our trainer Carol.
The people of Loitokitok seem to be confused regarding our presence here. The children shout, "Mzungu, mzungu!" which literally means "British, British!" Then they say "howww aaaaare you, howww aaaaare you," not knowing they are asking a question. This continues until we are out of sight. But I have learned that when this happens, I just ask them "habari za asubuhi" (how is your morning). The answered "mzuri sana" and are confused that we seem to know their language. The adults offer less interaction. What they do offer is stares. . . and a lot of them. In this region, the population is about 20,000. Before we came here, there was only one "mzungu." Because the region is large, we are the first Americans that some of these people have ever seen.
That is all for now. I will update again when I have access to the internet.
My training class consists of 27 trainees. What a wonderful group of people of work with. Ever since we arrived in Africa, every trainee has had a positive attitude. I was a little surprised by this. Being from the US, every time you are in a large group, there always seems to be a "Debi Downer." When we arrived at AFRITALI (a hostel in Nairobi), everyone felt so blessed to be there. It wasn't the least bit fancy by American standards. . . but we finally had a bed after 20+ hours of traveling and sitting in airports. We spend three days at the hostel and had interviews with Medical. We had a lot of culture training from current volunteers and Kenyans. We were even introduced to the choo (CH-OH). The choo is the common toilette in Kenya. It is an outhouse with a hole in the ground. The floor of the choo is usually made of cement. The hole of about 5 m deep. There are some choos with dirt floors, but it is not uncommon for them to cave in after several years.
Each day we have language training for about 4 hours, then a variety of other trainings (ie health, safety, job assignment). The language training for me is not Kiswahili, but rather Kenyan Sign Language (KSL). After I demonstrate proficiency in KSL, I will be allowed to move on to Kiswahili. I believe this will benefit me greatly when I go to my site in January. I will be teaching at a deaf secondary school in Kilifi. Kilifi is right on the coast, about 1 hour north Mombasa. Kristiann and myself are the first volunteers in Kenya to be sent to deaf secondary schools. This will bring many new challenges to the Peace Corps, simply because it has never been done before (with PCV's).
Today is my last day in Loitokitok for two weeks. Tomorrow the deaf education volunteers will aboard a bus bound for Machakos. This is a bigger town with a large deaf community. The first week we will stay at a hotel, and the second we will stay at the school's dorms. We will see the school in action, how current volunteers are teaching, and meet the children and locals. We will continue to have language training throughout the week with our trainer Carol.
The people of Loitokitok seem to be confused regarding our presence here. The children shout, "Mzungu, mzungu!" which literally means "British, British!" Then they say "howww aaaaare you, howww aaaaare you," not knowing they are asking a question. This continues until we are out of sight. But I have learned that when this happens, I just ask them "habari za asubuhi" (how is your morning). The answered "mzuri sana" and are confused that we seem to know their language. The adults offer less interaction. What they do offer is stares. . . and a lot of them. In this region, the population is about 20,000. Before we came here, there was only one "mzungu." Because the region is large, we are the first Americans that some of these people have ever seen.
That is all for now. I will update again when I have access to the internet.
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