Life in Kibera

It's now been over a week for me in Nairobi, but it feels more like a month! I'm almost even starting to feel more local, although I am still sticking out like a sore thumb.  It is interesting to see the way that locals treat us once they find out we are volunteers here rather than just tourists.  It's almost like they realize we don't actually have money to hand out to them and tend to give us more "Kenya" prices rather than "mazungu" prices.

This last weekend I visited the Maasai market in downtown Nairobi to see what they had to offer.  I have experienced bargaining and haggling over prices before, but this was something I had NEVER expected.  Michael and Grandpa would have been in heaven.  The workers instantly separate us from one another to make sure they are only bargaining with one person.  They often put items in your hands and haggle over the price for 10 or 15 minutes when really I had no want or need for the item in the first place.  Needless to say I spent almost all my money for that day but walked away with a lime-stone carving, long dress and a large knife painting of Maasai people.  A group of us volunteers also experienced a taste of the Nairobi night life, going to a near-by bar.  It was pretty much exactly like home, with overpriced drinks and dancing on the d-floor.  I convinced two Kenyan ladies to show me how to shake by booty African style because I didn't want to look like such a white girl anymore.  We had fun.  After being drained from the Saturday festivities we mustered enough energy Sunday night to cook our host mama some traditional "Canadian" food, beef tacos with fresh salsa and guacamole.  I won't have any problem adjusting to the prices of avocado here, 30 cents for the most massive avocado I've ever seen!

My week days have been spent in Kibera, which is an interesting place with everything that goes on.  Kibera is a slum made up of narrow dirt (mud) pathways that have little ration to the directional system.  It is covered in garbage and other rather unpleasant surprises.  Wild dogs roam the streets tearing through garbage trying to find something to eat, which is rare in a place where people struggle with the same dilemma.  Chickens and roosters are also wandering the streets although they are apparently similar to cats in the way that they always find their way back to their homes.  As the day gets hotter the smell in Kibera gets stronger, but I think I am adjusting to it and noticing it less.

The children in Kibera are likely my favourite part of the experience.  Everywhere we walk we often hear groups of children singing in a common tune "howareyou, howareyou, howareyou."  We're not convinced that they even know exactly what they are saying.  They shake our hands, give us high-fives and pound it.  They often will do a little dance for us, sing a song and then hold out their hands demanding sweets.  But if we don't have any they will settle for us taking their picture so they can look at it. Today after passing a local orphanage/ school, half a dozen small children came pouring out the door running towards us wanting to be picked up and hugged, which we did with great joy, I think I'll frequent that route more often.

I have been placed in an orphanage in Kibera, however I will be switching this week as it is not quite what I was looking for.  Instead I will be visiting families two times a week to deliver beans and flour as apart of a feeding program that was started.  I will also be working with another volunteer to start up a program designed for children and young adults with disabilities in Kibera.  This will give them a place to feel comfortable, socialize and get out of the house as it is very difficult for some given the set up of Kibera.  Even the able-bodied people have a hard time getting around.