Hello friends,My first week in Kenya has been amazing and quite a journey in itself.
When I arrived I was immediately overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and admittedly the first few days I felt confused, unsure and slightly anxious - pretty much about everything! I can’t even talk about the roads and crazy driving here (shudder!).
I consider myself a reasonably well traveled person and I have been to Africa before but I was still quick to make comparisons and judgments about the people, the culture and the way things are done here. These evaluations seemed to arise involuntarily which I think is fairly normal and part of a process that most people go through when confronted with a new place but it made me realize how easy it is to get wrapped up in observing the cultural differences of countries without actually participating in them. I think that anyone can make an observation but understanding, growth and good times comes from experience.
So as the week progressed I slowly began to let go of my conditioned “right” way to do things and accept the way life is here. Things are the way they are. In doing so I jumped onboard the Kenya train – toot toot! Once I did this everything changed and out of the chaos came clarity.
Now, instead of wasting my time making comparisons about what is "right or wrong" I am trying to open up to accepting the way things are and viewing new situations as opportunities to learn a different way to see or do things. This does not happen all the time, but I am getting better at it! My judgments are being shot down every day through talking to people and listening to their stories. I am discovering that the more information I receive, the less I actually know…. I am sure some wise person once said this somewhere! So true…
But enough about me…
I have spent the last week shadowing Irene and the VICDA girls, Sarah and Gladys. They are so gorgeous and welcoming and they have certainly made my transition from NZ to Kenya extremely smooth. I have also been very fortunate to have GVN Foundation Board Member Barbera Courtney and her friend Molly here for a few days which has been so wonderful. They have spent the last 5 weeks traveling through Kenya and Ethiopa visiting projects and meeting with volunteers. They too had so many amazing stories to share and are such inspiring women to be around. I hope to see them again soon.
Yesterday Gladys and I visited the volunteers at Happy Life baby orphanage. I was very, very excited about this visit because I have heard so much about how adorable the babies are there and I was looking forward to giving them some huge cuddles. Much to my disappointment though I did not get to see them because they were all asleep. Thirty seven babies were asleep at the one time! I could not belive it. Those care givers and volunteers surely deserve some sort of medal. Wow! I thought one baby was hard enough : ) We are going to go back again next week so I will be sure to go at the correct time and post some photos too!
Tomorrow I am heading to the IDP Camp which I am also looking forward to. This is one of the newer GVN project and from what I have heard so far is a pretty tough placement as the needs are so great there. But I am looking forward to meeting the volunteers, meeting the people and seeing the conditions for myself. Perhaps this is another project ESTC can help support? I will let you know how it goes. Then on Sunday I am attending the VICDA orientation which should be very helpful. My Swahili is still rather appalling so I hope to learn a few more words and meeting some of the new volunteers will be fantastic.
Better scoot, bye for now, thanks for reading!
Lauren xo
Quote of the week – driving through Ngong with Irene when she suddenly turns to me and says “There is the police. I better stop talking on the phone while driving, otherwise they will arrest us”
Us? What do you mean “us”, Irene!!!
Image - Getting to know the local wildlife at the Giraffe Centre.
