DONATE HERE
Those of you watching the news will probably know that a degree of political stability has now returned to Kenya.
However, there are still thousands of internally displaced peoples (IDP's), many of whom do not have a home to go back to. The camps where these people live are extremely under-funded and under-resourced.
Therefore, with your help, we (a few of the GVN volunteers) are planning on providing a short term but necessary solution that will benefit some of these people in such terrible circumstances.
The plan is as follows:
- Up until the 5th of April, we harass you a lot into donating money to the GVN foundation.
- GVN passes 100% of your donations on to us.
- We get a truck and drive to an IDP camp where we will find out what items are needed the most.
- We purchase the necessary items and pass them on to the IDPs.
-GVN has made one trip to the Ndundori refugee camp before (see pictures attached). There are 1100 people at this camp outside Nakuru and the only aid they've received (other than from GVN) were medical supplies from Merlin. $11 (6 quid) buys 50Kg (110Lbs) of food!
-These people are at a critical moment right now. IDPs are returning to normal society, but at a very slow rate (which is unavoidable). The next few months are critical. If they can survive, they have a hope of eventually leading a normal life again. Unsustainable donations are often frowned upon, but in this situation it is what is necessary and most efficient.
-This is the most efficient donation you will ever make. As all the labor is by volunteers who will pay for their own transport, room and board, our only cost is that of a rental truck!
The GVN Foundation is an entirely non-profit organisation so 100% of your donations will go to helping these people out!
TO DONATE CLICK:
DONATE HERE
Thank you all so much!
Friday, March 21, 2008
March 21st (mini goodbye)
Hey everybody. I apologize for neglecting the comments and the blog in general. Thank you again for reading and commenting.
I've been very busy arranging the aid-trips to the IDP camp (see today's newer post). We are doing one trip this coming monday (I have $1500 on me now) and another at the end of April (which I'll leave in the hands of capable people that will still be here). Consider donating, because it would be the most effective donation you could possibly make.
Its possible the next time I'll post will be when I'm home ... got the IDP trip monday and tuesday and considering going to Uganda and Rwanda wednesday until the 31st, then fly back the first. I will post again when I'm home, but goodbye for now!
I've been very busy arranging the aid-trips to the IDP camp (see today's newer post). We are doing one trip this coming monday (I have $1500 on me now) and another at the end of April (which I'll leave in the hands of capable people that will still be here). Consider donating, because it would be the most effective donation you could possibly make.
Its possible the next time I'll post will be when I'm home ... got the IDP trip monday and tuesday and considering going to Uganda and Rwanda wednesday until the 31st, then fly back the first. I will post again when I'm home, but goodbye for now!
Monday, March 10, 2008
March 10th
I brought another volunteer, Jack, to switch to the Rehab school. The two of us now completely run the school. I moved around classes today in the schedule, assigned Jack to classes, and starting up a private tutoring time, so I could get the illits alone. The other adults are there, but never do anything. Like I noticed my last class with standard 8 was friday morning at 8:20. I next had them today at 11:40 today and my lesson was still on the board. rediculous. I had no class at 2 (kid's all had either CRE, science or social studies ... none of which I'm qualified to do) ... so I went to each classroom ... not a teacher to be found. ridiculous.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
March 8th
Experienced two typical Nairobian firsts in the past two days: theft and traveler’s diarrhea. Actually it was the third time I was a victim of theft. The first was when the monkey stole the toast. The second was when a hawk took a chicken wing right off a plate I was holding in one hand [I’m so used to the surreal now I didn’t even think it was blog-worthy at the time; I was just pissed about my diminished dinner]. Yesterday I was pickpocketed. I’m not exactly sure when or how, but at least only my cheap phone was taken [my new number is +254 721 638 046].
Today I woke up feeling fine and went with some volunteers to see some acrobats [one of whom is our house manager’s cousin … more on him next time].
Around mid-performance I felt the rumblings. Plans for the rest of the day were aborted, but I was still a long way from home. It took about 2 hours to get back. Had it taken 2 hours and thirty seconds I would have owned my first pair of brown underwear … EWWWW. It took two months, but I eventually had to break out the bottles of Imodium and cipro. Spent the rest of the day watching Brad Pitt films [“I am not gay … I am not gay”].
So back to the cousin of the house manager, David. He’s been courting one of the volunteers here like crazy. Whenever I meet any African guy they ask the same two questions: “How do I go to America” and “How can I get a Muzungu [white] girlfriend.” It’s like shiksappeal but way stronger and way more upfront. It’s across the board and with no shame whatsoever.
Their method of courting, however, is well, odd. The volunteer, Carla, has had over 10 guys profess their love for her although only three were more than just random guys in the street [“I love you” is the pickup line of choice here]. One is David, the other works at her orphanage and I don’t know how she knows the third, but he has already proposed despite not having been on a date. The one at the orphanage has invited her to meet his parents. And then there’s David, who has sent the most hilarious text messages I have ever read. One read, “My love. You visited me in a dream last night and showed me around your hidden treasures. I woke up but still dreaming of you. Where did you take me?” The other texts are even more ridiculous. When I get access to them I’ll post them.
The appeal for the other gender [African girls to white guys] is noticeable, but not nearly as strong. I’ve only had one girl proclaim her love for me, to which I replied (solely for the irony of it), “What was your name again.” She actually got the joke and laughed, before reminding me of her name. My host brother asked me if I wanted him to get rid of her. I said “yes,” so she’s probably floating in the Nairobi River right now. Actually I did feel a little bad for having her escorted off, but I know she was either a grifter or a “hustler” so I don’t feel that bad.
We do get harassed by African men a lot, but in a non-sexual way. It’s really annoying because a dude or two will just walk with you for long stretches of time. It’s hard to get rid of them, because how do you stop someone from walking next to you?
The other day these two guys walked with me for 30 minutes. I couldn’t tell them to piss off, because I preferred them annoying to belligerent. And they just said they wanted to be friends and exchange numbers blah blah, but I know their idea of being friends is me buying them stuff. I have a lot of African friends now who I do buy meals and drinks for, but I know if I told them to pay for themselves they would. These two guys were just wankers, but they had no shame about bluntly declaring they were walking me into the house (and thus, by default, staying awhile). So when we got to the gate I had no choice but to say, “I’m not giving you my number, we’re not friends, you have to leave now.” If you’re anything less than direct, they’ll push their way into your life. Of course when I said this they played the race card as I walked off. Whatever.
It is annoying, but it doesn’t bother me after-the-fact, but a couple other volunteers have said it’s the one reason they wouldn’t want to come back. For me it’s way not enough of a reason [although I understand why its much more threatening for girls].
A couple of weeks ago this random guy started walking with me and the GVN rep, Sara, like 40 minutes from our destination. I livened things up a bit by telling him I was a helicopter pilot and manufacturer from Montana in Kenya looking to build propellers here. I kept it up for the 40 minutes while Sara fought off cover-blowing laughter. I was proud of myself until a few hours later when the guy found us at lunch and sat down with us uninvited with a list of emails and numbers of skilled workmen who he was sure could build helicopter propellers. Wasn’t so proud of myself anymore … DAMMIT.
Another volunteer and I have discussed the Muzungu Pass and Muzungu Tax system. Basically we can go wherever we want and do whatever we want on the pass, but get charged a little bit extra on the tax. The average white southerner is not 5% as racist against black people as African black people are against black people. It’s kind of sad.
Back to the African girls opinion of white guys. It’s kind of fun being the popular, sexy guy in the room when we go out here. Actually the muzungu’s whole existence here is sort of like celebrity status (with kids pointing and staring and everyone wanting to meet you). I haven’t had any relationships here whatsoever, although for once it wouldn’t be hard at all [the disease thing really scares me along with the disingenuous nature it would have to take … not that this is a philosophy post haha]. But when we went clubbing the other night I had no trouble finding dance partners, and mind you, I’m sporting a pair of legit mutton chops ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Beardindex.jpg ) at the moment; I look like a half-retarded West Virginian (is that redundant?) farmer. But a white half-retarded West Virginian farmer still rocks the muzungu pass haha.
Today I woke up feeling fine and went with some volunteers to see some acrobats [one of whom is our house manager’s cousin … more on him next time].
Around mid-performance I felt the rumblings. Plans for the rest of the day were aborted, but I was still a long way from home. It took about 2 hours to get back. Had it taken 2 hours and thirty seconds I would have owned my first pair of brown underwear … EWWWW. It took two months, but I eventually had to break out the bottles of Imodium and cipro. Spent the rest of the day watching Brad Pitt films [“I am not gay … I am not gay”].
So back to the cousin of the house manager, David. He’s been courting one of the volunteers here like crazy. Whenever I meet any African guy they ask the same two questions: “How do I go to America” and “How can I get a Muzungu [white] girlfriend.” It’s like shiksappeal but way stronger and way more upfront. It’s across the board and with no shame whatsoever.
Their method of courting, however, is well, odd. The volunteer, Carla, has had over 10 guys profess their love for her although only three were more than just random guys in the street [“I love you” is the pickup line of choice here]. One is David, the other works at her orphanage and I don’t know how she knows the third, but he has already proposed despite not having been on a date. The one at the orphanage has invited her to meet his parents. And then there’s David, who has sent the most hilarious text messages I have ever read. One read, “My love. You visited me in a dream last night and showed me around your hidden treasures. I woke up but still dreaming of you. Where did you take me?” The other texts are even more ridiculous. When I get access to them I’ll post them.
The appeal for the other gender [African girls to white guys] is noticeable, but not nearly as strong. I’ve only had one girl proclaim her love for me, to which I replied (solely for the irony of it), “What was your name again.” She actually got the joke and laughed, before reminding me of her name. My host brother asked me if I wanted him to get rid of her. I said “yes,” so she’s probably floating in the Nairobi River right now. Actually I did feel a little bad for having her escorted off, but I know she was either a grifter or a “hustler” so I don’t feel that bad.
We do get harassed by African men a lot, but in a non-sexual way. It’s really annoying because a dude or two will just walk with you for long stretches of time. It’s hard to get rid of them, because how do you stop someone from walking next to you?
The other day these two guys walked with me for 30 minutes. I couldn’t tell them to piss off, because I preferred them annoying to belligerent. And they just said they wanted to be friends and exchange numbers blah blah, but I know their idea of being friends is me buying them stuff. I have a lot of African friends now who I do buy meals and drinks for, but I know if I told them to pay for themselves they would. These two guys were just wankers, but they had no shame about bluntly declaring they were walking me into the house (and thus, by default, staying awhile). So when we got to the gate I had no choice but to say, “I’m not giving you my number, we’re not friends, you have to leave now.” If you’re anything less than direct, they’ll push their way into your life. Of course when I said this they played the race card as I walked off. Whatever.
It is annoying, but it doesn’t bother me after-the-fact, but a couple other volunteers have said it’s the one reason they wouldn’t want to come back. For me it’s way not enough of a reason [although I understand why its much more threatening for girls].
A couple of weeks ago this random guy started walking with me and the GVN rep, Sara, like 40 minutes from our destination. I livened things up a bit by telling him I was a helicopter pilot and manufacturer from Montana in Kenya looking to build propellers here. I kept it up for the 40 minutes while Sara fought off cover-blowing laughter. I was proud of myself until a few hours later when the guy found us at lunch and sat down with us uninvited with a list of emails and numbers of skilled workmen who he was sure could build helicopter propellers. Wasn’t so proud of myself anymore … DAMMIT.
Another volunteer and I have discussed the Muzungu Pass and Muzungu Tax system. Basically we can go wherever we want and do whatever we want on the pass, but get charged a little bit extra on the tax. The average white southerner is not 5% as racist against black people as African black people are against black people. It’s kind of sad.
Back to the African girls opinion of white guys. It’s kind of fun being the popular, sexy guy in the room when we go out here. Actually the muzungu’s whole existence here is sort of like celebrity status (with kids pointing and staring and everyone wanting to meet you). I haven’t had any relationships here whatsoever, although for once it wouldn’t be hard at all [the disease thing really scares me along with the disingenuous nature it would have to take … not that this is a philosophy post haha]. But when we went clubbing the other night I had no trouble finding dance partners, and mind you, I’m sporting a pair of legit mutton chops ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Beardindex.jpg ) at the moment; I look like a half-retarded West Virginian (is that redundant?) farmer. But a white half-retarded West Virginian farmer still rocks the muzungu pass haha.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
March 6th
The kids at the orphanage wach got a teaspoon of sugar today as a mid-day treat. They just ate teh sugar straight. ok.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
March 5th
Thanks for the replies. No new post today, although I did leave a lot of rambling thoughts in a reply comment on February 25th.
I'll see what I can do with the blog in future posts. I'll try to write something. Maybe even fabricate a story or two haha.
I'll see what I can do with the blog in future posts. I'll try to write something. Maybe even fabricate a story or two haha.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
March 2nd
I'm back in Nairobi which is good news and bad news for the blog. Good news is I'll have internet much more frequently. Bad news is there will probably not be many more exciting stories as my placement in Nairobi is sort of cushy (back in the Volunteer house and working at the boys rehab school).
I know from experience with reading blogs, that if they aren't updated regularly I'd just stop checking them at all. So it's time for a poll. First of all, I'd be interested to know who's still reading at this point and what you'd like to read about (if anything).
So I could just shut down the blog and if anything interesting happens I'll just send out an email. Or I could just keep on posting with mundane things, such as what Im' teaching, how the soccer training is going. Or I could talk about the soccer as if it's a formulaic feel-good sports movie script. Or I could continue with philosophy. Or a mix of those things.
So who's still reading? And what do you want to read (if anything)? responses by post or email are fine.
Thanks,
Rafe
P.S. this guy just sat down next to me at the internet cafe ... he smells so bad.
I know from experience with reading blogs, that if they aren't updated regularly I'd just stop checking them at all. So it's time for a poll. First of all, I'd be interested to know who's still reading at this point and what you'd like to read about (if anything).
So I could just shut down the blog and if anything interesting happens I'll just send out an email. Or I could just keep on posting with mundane things, such as what Im' teaching, how the soccer training is going. Or I could talk about the soccer as if it's a formulaic feel-good sports movie script. Or I could continue with philosophy. Or a mix of those things.
So who's still reading? And what do you want to read (if anything)? responses by post or email are fine.
Thanks,
Rafe
P.S. this guy just sat down next to me at the internet cafe ... he smells so bad.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
March 1st
Had my first real shower in three weeks. It was powerful but very cold. I've never been more ecstatic about a cold shower in my life.
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