sandi

Once more and that's it.

No problem with pens or pencils if handed over directly to a school teacher/ or direct into the hands of an organization for them to distribute accordingly and fairly. There is no reason to have children begging for pens/pencils or candy. The latter, especially, since few, if any, will see a dentist.

nevermind

bubblywine -- I have so much respect for what you are doing. I imagine that sometimes the going will be difficult, but you are doing an amazing thing in helping others, and what an amazing opportunity for growth within yourself as well.

There is a recent thread entitled "What are you reading right now?" that I noticed has some interesting books about Africa included. An older thread that is buried several hundred posts back is http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...4&tid=34948045 . Some of the books listed might be of interest to you as you prepare for your adventure.

Godspeed,
Linda

tuckeg

This thread is not about begging, neither Bubblywine nor I mentioned it. Why you would assume the children in the village Bubblywine visits are beggers is beyond me. I am sure Bubblywine is capable of giving her gifts out fairly and won't need to involve an organization in the process. The discussion was about small gifts to give to people in the village she visits. Pens make excellent gifts for children. End of story.

Nyamera

Hello bubblywine,
2 years! What kind of work will you be doing? As you’re supposed to live and work with local people, a luxury safari forum really isn’t the best place to look for information. But then you’ve got some good advice here anyway. You definitely need to read some books about Kenya, but if books about European aristocrats buying farms in Africa (Karen Blixen is well worth reading for other reason, but not if your aim is to know something about Kenya, and there’re worse examples in this genre) or plucky settlers fighting off the blood thirsty natives (I haven’t read Ruark so I don’t know if I’m being unfair, but some, positive, reviews on Amazon make me suspect I am) are what you need, I’d feel very cynical about the Peace Corps. Now, I don’t really have any books I can wholeheartedly recommend. For some geographical orientation you could read travel guides like Lonely Planet or Rough. In I Laugh So I Won't Cry Helena Halperin has interviewed some Kenyan women from different social and ethnic backgrounds, for some historical background you could read Imperial Reckoning: The Untold Story of Britain's Gulag in Kenya (now in paperback) by Caroline Elkins and for a superficial overview, Culture and Customs of Kenya by Neal Sobaina.

Why don’t the Peace Corps send you on some introductory course and why aren’t you told where you’ll be living until you’re in Kenya?

bubblywine

Nyamera – Thanks for the book recommendations. I do plan on picking up a lonely planet, but am most interested in good stories to wet my pallet in the meantime. The Peace Corps seems to prefer keeping their volunteers in the dark for as long as possible. I will be getting introductory courses when I first arrive in the country, including intensive language training.

As for me posing my questions to the fodorites, I will be doing as much traveling in the region as I possibly can. I guess I was hoping to hear some thoughts on things other than safari travels. However, I have been reading up on the safari threads because my family is already planning on visiting me and doing a safari (which I will go on). I will try to see some of the coast, and some of the larger cities while I’m there. Where in Kenya do folks like, what are some favorite places? What are some secret little spots that you love love love?

tuckeg

Bubblywine,

Here's a link to an article written by someone who spent two years in the Peace Corp in Africa (Togo). You might find it interesting:

http://handfulofmemories.wordpress.com/tag/peace-corps/

Here's a quote:

"American pens are treasured. Buy a box of the less expensive ones at Office Depot to give as gifts."

Tuckeg

kimburu

"Imperial Reckoning: The Untold Story of Britain's Gulag in Kenya" is heavy stuff bubblywine. Highly recommended as a counterweight to the stories of the white settlers, but not a Kenya primer (I mention it because I think the paperback edition is fairly recent and you may well come accross it in a bookstore - keep it in the plastic cover and unwrap it in a few months if you do.

Here are some links which I saved before my first trip to Kenya and which have been less than useful because although I do like the people a lot, after two trips while I know more than I ever expected I would about hyraxes and elephants I still have a pathetically poor knowledge of the people. I am absolutely not recommending the content, but if you haven't already come across them they may be helpful. There are various links from them too.

http://kabiza.com/ especially... http://kabiza.com/Kenyan-Directory.htm

http://www.clubafrika.com/forums/
(search for 'kenya')

http://www.mambogani.com/

For what it is worth.... and I'm sure I don;t need to tell you to take the following with a pinch of salt..

From my limited knowledge learning about soccer may be a big boon to working with kids. If you don't want to be thought of as a little simple-minded, knowing at least who Didier Drogba and Samuel E'to are would be useful (plus the English teams Chelsea and Arsenal). If you are teaching taking a couple of TOUGH soccer balls (the ground is very rocky), a pump and lots of repair kit stuff would probably make you very popular. The balls will be light and lie flat when deflated. For a gift for your hosts, I would take a coffee table book with photos of the state you live in, if you can handle the weight and space issue - people would be very interested to see the pictures and they'll probably do a much better job than you ever could of explaining what it is like.

For food, Irio (if you are with Kikuyus) is much nicer than ugali. If you like mildly spicy indian curries, sweetcorn, spinach (well, greens of that nature) and chicken you'll be fine at restaurants and on special occasions, but I am sure the diet will vary greatly depending on where you are.

Here is a recipe for irio if you want to try it - for a more authentic experience you may want to skip the hygeine checklist. ;-)

For dress, Kenyans appear to be very conservative and it is very noticable that even the poorest try to dress up when going into "town", going to church, or "visiting". Dressing up looks very hot to me, but also a matter of respect, so it might or might not be necessary depending on your perspective. I would imagine you would be given leeway and I would also imagine that if you kept yourself smart, well covered and clean you would be given real respect for that. (I may be going too far with imagining here - it is not easy to extrapolate from my experiences in Kenya to what yours will be, but I have "been told" something along these lines a couple of times, so I pass it on).

Lucky you. If you've got any good links yourself come and post them here.

kimburu

Ha! I forgot the link for the irio recipe.

http://www.animalorphanagekenya.org/...rio_potato.php

amesoeur

Hi Just back from over 2 weeks at an orphanage in nairobi.
My thoughts:
1) clothes - yes conservative, women hardly wear pants. Also think that you may be handwashing all your clothes and hanging them out to dry when it may rain. Quick dry! Also mud shoes/boots.
2) Bring gifts. I agree you feel bad when they spend their last dime to get you something. Anything particular to where you live is good. Maybe a plate or mug.
3) Bring photos of your family, friends and where you live - people are curious.
4) Kids like little mementos: stickers, pennies, school supplies, pictures.
5) watch out for typhoid - can be in water supply.
6) most kids speak know some english. learn swahili - hakuna matata. its easy!
7) internet is slow and expensive if an individual lets you use theirs - be sparing.

Lots to do there to help - can be a little overwhelming - would read books from native Africans. good luck!

Ashy

Hi Bubblewine, "Karibu Kenya". Do not be decieved about Kenya. People here speak English and sure enough you will get someone to chat with. Skirts and dressing are too far fetched. Just be decent enough. In the village you can get access to internet in the small towns, but incase you really have to stay comnnected, we do have mobile office with one of our mobile phone companies.
In the meantime, here sre some basic links to travel info on Kenya. Be ready to eat Nyama Choma- Roast meat grilled from charcoal!

Which part are you going to be based?

http://www.africapoint.com/newsletters/kenya/index.htm

http://www.africapoint.com/newslette...basa/index.htm

regards,

Ashy

Ashy

Hi Bubblewine, "Karibu Kenya". Do not be decieved about Kenya. People here speak English and sure enough you will get someone to chat with. Skirts and dressing are too far fetched. Just be decent enough. In the village you can get access to internet in the small towns, but incase you really have to stay comnnected, we do have mobile office with one of our mobile phone companies.
In the meantime, here sre some basic links to travel info on Kenya. Be ready to eat Nyama Choma- Roast meat grilled with charcoal!

Which part are you going to be based?

http://www.africapoint.com/newsletters/kenya/index.htm

http://www.africapoint.com/newslette...basa/index.htm

regards,

Ashy

raykingsay

exactly
Kenyans are more independent nowadays interms of dressing so small skirts n shorts is not a prob in towns but is advisabe if u end up in villages be more presentable..and ready to answeer many questions and having those curious looks and kids wanting to touch your hair.

also one thing u shld know is of the kenyan temp
like now it has been raining around Nairobi so for apr-may temp will range at 23 but comes June-July it will go down to 20 its a bit chilly for us here but for u i bet is ok.
At the Coast is a bit hotter like 29-30 throughout bt the humid breeze could help a bit.

rosetravels

Hi all,
This is bubblywine's mother. She left Sunday morning for 2+ years in the Peace Corps in Kenya. As you can imagine, the champagne flowed the night before she left and tears the next day. Your advice, especially regarding gifts and clothing, was all very helpful and she's excited to learn Swahili and find her spot in Kenya.

For myself, I'm now planning a trip to Kenya in January for me, and a trip for DH, DS and me next summer. I'll be reading through people's trip reports and figuring out how best to see the splendors of Kenya and combine that with volunteering with our daughter in her village. It all sounds wonderful!

nanabee

Hi Bubblywine:
Chimani gives some good advice as do many of the others.

I do have a concerns from a friend who was recently working in the Peace Corps in Africa. She was very disappointed in the Peace Corps administration because she felt she was bascially on her own without much support or guidance from them.
I would ask the Peace Corps to give you names of others who you might be able to contact either who served in Africa or are currently serving who you can contact before you go over.

Gritty

I have a few ex-PCV friends, and it sounds like none of them knew what country they were going to until just before they left.

rosetravels

Hi Nannabee-
Well my daughter has left for Kenya already but she's there with a group of 30. They train in Nairobi for 3 months and then receive their in-country assignment. She'll have the contact information for her group, and after 3 months learning Swahili and culture together they'll know each other fairly well.

Bubblywine is outgoing and resourceful - I have no doubt she'll find the help she needs and I don't think she's expecting much from the administration. They put you through a lengthy application process that left no doubt in her mind that it's a big bureaucracy with all that it implies.

Thanks for your advice and good wishes!

nanabee

Hi Rosetravels:
Thanks for the update. She sounds like a great kid. It is nice that she is with a large group too.
What a wonderful thing to do for others - and what a great experience for her too.
Best Wishes. Nanabee