Mum's visit to Kenya!! :)

Wed 23^rd April

Picked mum up from the airport at 7.30am which was SO nice! We went back to Starehe and mum unpacked while I went to Nyao House and finally got my permit through. Wahoo officially a legal Kenyan resident! We spent the day sorting out safari and planning the trip and seeing the many goodies she had brought me from home, including the Easter bunny (Dad) chocolate surprises. My lovely neighbours made matoke (cooked bananas and potatoes in a tomatoes and onions), one of my favourite dishes, for mum to experience real Kenyan food.

Thursday 24^th April

We took a matatu to Ngara and walked 10 mins down to the museum and had a lovely time learning about Kenyan culture and history. Followed by a walk into town where we sorted mums phone out, went shopping, bought a toaster as mum thought it was necessary (am now so glad I have it!) before heading to Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant for mum to try Ethiopian, trying lots of small dishes with a njeera, all with your hands. True African food.

Friday 25^th April

We left mid morning for Ngong town and took a bike up to the Ngong hills gate. Only when we got there did we realise how expensive it was, especially considering we had to walk through construction works. However we still enjoyed our walk up the breezy hill and taking in the gorgeous views. Mum was astonished at how the Matatu conductors fought over our custom! We stopped off in Karen to go to the Karen Blixen Museum where we learnt all about Kenya before independence and Karen Blixen’s history, a recommended tourist attraction. It was so nice cooking dinner with someone else, makes eating more exciting!

Saturday 26^th April

Mum met me in town after I finished teaching but she was delayed getting in because she got on a matatu that got stuck in traffic! We went to Yaya Centre and wandered around where we met Steph for a late lunch and caught up with her. We then headed to Conservatoire orchestra where mum met lots of my friends, slightly overwhelming for her. After conserve we went for dinner with Carey, lovely string playing and teaching friend from the US, at Bridges Organic restaurant, I think one of my favourite places and as always delicious food.

Sunday 27^th April

Karura forest with Corrine, James and Ellen. This was one of the best days during my holidays for many reasons. Karura forest is beautiful and loved just wandering around, fresh air and exercise, for mum and me it felt like we were at home at the valley waterfalls! Also because I get on so well with Corrine, I love spending time with her too, one of my big sisters and good friends here. Spent a few hours walking to the waterfalls, caves and looking at all the pretty butterflies. After the forest we went for a well earned icecream in Village market, wandered around and saw how upper class it was and could only dream of shopping there before heading back to town. Stopping off at a busy City Park for mum to see the monkeys, unfortunately so busy that barely any were around! Called in to see Margaret so mum met the Korinko family including Seth the baby.

Monday 28^th April

Woke up to a happy text from Kizito saying Jenny had given birth to their son Joseph during the night! Started our long journey to Masai Mara when we left the house at 7.30am. After the bumpy ride after leaving the main road at Narok we arrived at our camp at 4pm ready for our evening game drive. In a 2 hour game drive we saw elephants, lions and giraffes, the main reasons I come on safari!! We also saw the beautiful sunset  while leaving the park. We met some lovely Europeans and Kenyans on our bus and in our camp who had a lot of questions for me, a westerner living in Kenya, I didn’t mind though.

Tuesday 29^th April

All day game drive and saw almost every animal, a lot of driving around empty land with lots of us falling asleep! Lots of photos, a picnic lunch and lots of animals, lots and lots! We were back at the camp at 5pm chilling before supper and an early night. Some funny moments such as mum being caught in her mosquito net and the generator being cut off before it’s meant to be, leaving us fumbling around our tent!

Wednesday 30^th April

Early morning game drive to see the sunrise, didn’t see many other animals, still no wild Rhino but got beautiful photos before heading back for breakfast and to leave the camp by 10am. We headed back to Nairobi for the long painful journey after stopping off in the awful services at Narok, which I believe is what later gave me food poisoning. I quickly left for Kenton for the NMS rehearsal but it took me 90 mins to get there so was an hour late for the rehearsal! Got a pizza on the way home to share with mam, a necessary end to a tiring day.

Thursday 1^st May

Mam’s last day which we spent around Starehe. Mum met all the staff she hadn’t already, we had late lunch at Shivembe’s , her famous chapatti’s and supper at Margaret’s ugali and tilapia (fish from Lake Victoria) Yes for those of you that know me I tried fish, still can’t eat it though. We bought sandals with the help of Onyango and the girls at Karikor for Jade at a much cheaper price than what they wanted me to buy them for and what I have already paid for mine months ago, stupid white skin!

Friday 2^nd May

Left at 5am to take mam to the airport, very sad to see her go but we had a great time and life must go on! Roll on my visit to the UK with the Starehe Boys in September when I’ll get to see her again.

I love you mum :) 

A short holiday in Kisumu

Thursday 17^th April

Left misty and wet Nairobi on the 9am Coach enjoying the beautiful scenery through Western Kenya. I was met by the lovely Ben Eder, fellow KOP volunteer, at 5pm and went back to the Duke of Breeze. We went to Buddies, a popular restaurant in Kisumu, for delicious pizza and wine, a real treat, after all this was my holiday! It was so nice to be back at the Duke and in Kisumu.

Friday 18^th April

We went to Laughing Buddah for the famous brownie and oreo milkshake, here the oreo love began! It was so nice to just chill and be away from Nairobi in the Kisumu heat as man it is much hotter there! Also spending evenings in the rooftop bar of the Duke is always fun.

Saturday 19^th April

We walked to the stage, took a matatu to Thomas’ village and a Piki to his house. Thomas is one of the amazing KOP minders during the Student Programme who has a heart of gold and knows anything you need to know about Kisumu. It was so nice to see Thomas again at his home with his family. So much had improved at his compound since we were there last year; he’s started foundations for his new bigger house and has some of the bricks ready. He says it’s a four year plan as he can’t build during rains and he’s doing it himself as well as working. We shared stories over a soda, saw his sheep and all his vegetation. His boys are growing up so quickly, so polite and funny. We returned to town to pick Ellen up from the coach and we went to Alnoor, Indian restaurant in town for dinner. Discovered a love for paneer as well as oreos in this trip! We had a drink on the rooftop which was much busier than Friday night.

Sunday 20^th April

A chilled day at Kiboko bay for midday and went on a choppy boat ride on Lake Victoria, largest Salt Water lake in Africa, but we unfortunately didn’t see hippos but  enjoyed the beautiful views. Our guide offered us a free ride if we came back the next day early as we would definitely see them then. Ate my favourite tortilla chips and guacamole and an amazing paneer samosa, yes it’s too good! We returned to the Duke for the Kisumu Jazz festival premiere, poorly attended but enjoyable! Ellen and myself had a nap, too much time in the sun, before heading back to the roof for more music while we had dinner, sharing more travelling and world stories.

Monday 21^st April - Kochogo ICD Centre

Returned to Kiboko bay in the morning to see the hippos and my gosh did we see them! The lake was calm and so beautiful. The guide Maurice is really good so took his card as when I’m next in Kisumu I’d like to do a sunrise ride and organise something with him for KOPpers. We took a matatu to Ahero and then a piki to Kochogo, taking just over an hour. We arrived before midday and was greeted by Gordon the Gardener with the other workers. I saw the cookers and got rather emotional and happy. Talked with the gardeners about their future plans to be more sustainable when they get the good water supply and then when Elizabeth and Alice arrived we talked lots with them. We received a full Kochogo update, some good news, particularly with the health of the children and their school grades, but a lot of unfortunate things have been happening too; the water pump had broken, the big tank had blown away and broke, there is still no electricity and KOP had to cut back funding due to less income from the Student Programme. After midday the children started to arrive in stages. As soon as I saw how well these beautiful children and the elders were it made me so happy to be there. Ben interviewed George a young man who was supported through his teenage years at the centre and had an emotional story to tell. We walked through the community and visited Kalinda Health Centre, which I had visited before but was more interesting when just 2 people were there. Kochogo truly is an incredible and inspirational place and cannot wait to go back there in August and see how everyone is doing.

The video and some of the photos show the cookers that were bought by many of your generous donations during No Shoes November. 

I really do love being in Kisumu, it's quieter, beautiful and almost feels safer. Every holiday that I'm living in Kenya my friends in Kisumu will get a visit :) 

2 months in Kenya

Sorry it's been a while since I blogged .. however a lot has happened in the last 4 weeks .. 

I'm now settled in my house which now has a fully functional shower (water permitting!) and cook most meals unless I'm too lazy or lovely colleagues invite me over for dinner. All of my photos are up spread across my house on different photo boards and I have a Welsh mixed with Kenyan colour theme .. :)

Two weeks ago I was leading the viola section in the Symphony Orchestra of the Kenya Conservatoire of Music, celebrating 70 years of quality music education, conducted by Vijay Upadhyaya of Vienna University and founder of India NYO! We had two incredible concerts with a mix of classical and traditional African music, orchestral and vocal works such as a Mozart mass, Beethoven's Egmont Overture and Nella Fantasia with young soloists. I then found out that after less than 2 months in Kenya I had made the Saturday Nation paper in a photo with the orchestra, which is distributed across Eastern Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania!). Quite proud I must say. I learnt a lot from the maestro Vijay, particularly in the string sectionals, ensemble playing I didn't learn at University. The whole experience was incredible but my favourite part was dancing to a Kikuyu (one of the 42 tribes in Kenya) song, Githurai to Galway, surrounded by a predominantly Kikuyu audience and orchestra. Playing with the musicians here in Kenya is amazing, they have been so welcoming to all the ensembles and are a great bunch of people I hope to stay friends with. 

Within the school I went on a trip to the first rounds of the National Drama competitions. The school did quite well getting 2 events through to the next round and 1 through to regionals. They were really interesting, as they involved plays, dances, narratives, solo's, comedy's in a mixture of languages, a real cultural experience. However one that really stuck in my mind was the performance by a large troop from an all girls Secondary school about FGM (female genital mutilation). At the same time of the performance I was reading in the news about the effects and the new laws in both the UK and in Africa. It was so topical, excellently done and great to hear how much the young African girls of today want it stop too.

I threw a little house warming party on St. David's day and I am so glad to say that Welsh Cakes were a hit!! So I shall be making more for everyone to taste the greatness of Wales! :P 

So many funny things have happened because I'm white such as .. 

"Can I touch your hair?" coming from a grown man working in a supermarket .. 
"Can I shake your hair?"!!! Just made me go hu!?
"You have nice legs!!" .. Could have been worse! They weren't even out, I must add!
Driver comes to pick me up and supermarket worker says .. "Shame you're not single as I'd like you to be my girlfriend!" .. okay like that's going to happen! 
"Are you married?" .. Me, "YES!" .. I run away! 
"Can I have your number?" .. Me, "No, it's okay.." .. Guy in Supermarket, "You don't like me ..?" Silence.

There are more but that's all I can remember right now .. 

Kenya is great. I'm missing family and friends but I'll get used to it. Everyone keep me updated!! 

Love! 

Birthday Celebrations, first month in Kenya and new house.

After 3 weeks teaching in Kenya I have met most of the boys I’m teaching and numerous staff members. I’ve learnt a few useful Swahili phrases and words, it will take a while but I think I’ll pick up the important ones really quickly!

I moved into my home for the year on the first Sunday of the month. It’s taken a few days to get everything sorted but I think I’m almost there. I’m beginning to really like it and it’s starting to feel like home. The only issue is the bathroom outside but I have actually got used to it. Apart from the fact that there often isn’t any water .. I was freaked out one day when I saw a small rodent running around my house that I asked colleagues what to do about it and soon everyone knew! Word spreads fast in a Kenyan boarding school! 2 days later however I saw a Gecko which makes me much happier J I have only seen cockroaches in my bathroom rather than in the house this time, so a slight improvement! I’ve started to decorate with photos but hope to buy some accessories for the house so it becomes a home, this weekend.

So Wednesday was my 22^nd birthday in Kenya! I took Wednesday and Thursday off from teaching knowing that my friend Nash would be staying with me. I met Nash in Kampala, Uganda on the IVHQ program when we were at an orphanage. What was so cool about Nash coming for my birthday was that he shares the same birthday as me! Although he’s a baby and only just turned 19 :P. We kind of arranged this while in Uganda back in August 2013 but finalised plans when I got to Nairobi. Nash had spent the last 6 months in Uganda and had so many interesting things to share about his trip.

Before the celebrations with friends in the evening the Director and senior staff at Starehe found out it was my birthday and they ordered a cake for me! This wasn’t just a cake, it was a big Passion fruit and white chocolate sponge cake which I absolutely loved and could eat so much of! It was such a nice surprise and so kind of them.

Nash arrived after the Nairobi Orchestra rehearsal had finished and met us around 9.30pm at a nearby Ethiopian restaurant. I had never had Ethiopian food but I soon learnt I was in for a treat! The Ethiopian restaurant served amazing food at a ridiculously low price, accompanied by 2 glasses of wine and lovely company from fellow musos from the UK, Australia, US and of course Kenya as well as Nash, made it such a great day! J Both Ellen and Nash stayed at mine and we talked for hours and I swear it took those hours for the cheap Kenyan wine to wear off!

The following day to further celebrate our birthday we decided to go to City Park and chill with the monkeys! Ellen and I had already done this back in 2012 but we went to a nicer side of the park and Nash absolutely loved it, as did we. I have got some incredible photos of baby monkeys. I’m definitely taking a trip there when I want to chill. Can you imagine a park in the heart of the city with monkeys everywhere!? Love it! We bumped into a crazy guy from South Sudan who wanted to show us his bullet wounds on his legs and tell us about the problems with the Muslims and the Christians there.. It got too weird for us but we managed to escape, only in Nairobi do you get hassled all the time! Nash only stayed 2 nights but it was great to share our birthday and have a big catch up before he has a 2 week vacation at the beaches and heads back to the US.

Most days here I’m completely happy and everyone’s so nice and friendly, but the missing home, family, friends, my cute dog Roxy .. never goes away.  Kenya has been SO hot until today when the rain started and the freak thunder storm, considering it doesn’t rain in February in Kenya, it’s been raining non-stop for hours!

Only now have I seen the inconvenience of an outside bathroom .. I have a 2 inch pool of water between the door to the house and the bathroom that I have to step in before I get there. If it doesn't stop raining the morning will be so much worse!! However, I am so grateful that I am in a good house with walls and a roof as the majority of housing across Eastern Africa are "mud huts" and during this awful rain would just soak everything on the inside, hence the diseases become rife. 

Thank you for all the birthday messages. I had a great time. 22 is such an odd age .. That’s all for now .. Have a great weekend! Oh and Wales are going to have a great game against Ireland, I hope I can watch this one! 

J

End of January ..

I have taught piano at Starehe for 2 weeks now and I'm starting to feel settled in the School environment.
The Form 1's, babies of the school, 14/15 year olds (Year 10's to us) arrived from Monday-Wednesday. We as the music department held auditions from Tuesday-Thursday to almost 100 boys and chose 20 of those to take music. Among them were some incredible singers that made us turn our heads. It's going to be an exciting year!! One comment which I found hilarious was from one of the boys after a question posed by the HoD... "Do you still wish to take music, Yes or No?" The Boy replies, "Yes or No"!! We were all wetting ourselves laughing!! I guess it was one of those had to be there moments but it was SO funny!! 

Last weekend I ventured around town with my viola, bought complete Homeland Season (wahoo!!), and joined Conservatoire Orchestra which was great for many reasons. First rehearsal and I'm leading the viola sectional as the apparent viola extrodinare. I know a few people who would find this hilarious .. Playing Beethoven's Egmont and leading the section was great. Conserve is good because the age range is like 18-30 so musicians your own age are always easy to get along with. Sunday I went to the Church in the School, which started off being led by the boys singing, clapping and dancing which was a nice start to a 9am Sunday service. Not sure I'll go regularly though as after this week I need the weekends to recover!! I went to Karen to meet Steph at the beautiful Karen Country Lodge for lunch and the afternoon. Karen is further along Ngong road and is such a picturesque area. Anyone coming to visit me I'm taking you there! Steph's Boyfriend Al plays in the band there every Sunday, great music accompanied by exquisite food and wine (treated by Steph). Perfect way to spend a Sunday :)

I'm annoyed at myself for not bringing certain pieces of music and books that I need here that I know will be sitting idle at home. I'm in constant emails with friends and friends of friends sending pdfs as finding music in Nairobi is like finding water in a desert unless you know someone!! 

This week I wrote my first letter to my ActionAid sponsored child and her community living about 100km south of Nairobi. She's 7 years old and one of 5 children in her family. I'm so excited to receive my first letter from her in the next few months and hoping I can visit her too! I also had confirmation today that the money all you lovely people donated to my No Shoes November campaign and my Mt. Kenya page, all for KOP (The Kenyan Orphan Project) is being donated to Kochogo Integrated Child Development (Feeding) Centre. I visited Kochogo, a rural area an hour outside Kisumu (the third largest city in Kenya), in August 2013 with KOP and I left my heart there. I can't wait to return there in August and see the wonderful children and staff. So around £2,500 will be given to Kochogo.

This coming week I am being visited by a fellow IVHQ volunteer Nash as we share the same birthday on Wednesday so I'm really looking forward to his arrival and finding out how 6 months, including Christmas, went for him in Uganda. I have also spent lots of time with Ellen, the volunteer at Starehe Girls and good friend from IVHQ Kenya 2012. We're slowly getting used to public transport, shopping and general awareness here in Nairobi. 

Here's to another great week!!

Hope you're all well, oh and that Wales win the rugby tomorrow! 

Peace.

Past the holiday period ..

So I've completed my first week of teaching teenage boys piano at one of the best high school's in Kenya. Let's just say this is certainly an experience of a life time ...


I've been in Nairobi for over 2 weeks now. The longest I've ever been on my own in a different country. I'm slowly adjusting to the fact that this is now home and I don't get to have the luxury of jumping in my lovely car (which is hopefully being looked after at home!) and drive to see friends and family or even to go to the beach, shops or cinema. I now have to deal with dirty public transport, a very overcrowded city and Skype to keep in contact with my many friends and family I miss SO much at home.


Midweek I found it quite difficult and was just feeling lonely but my neighbours are SO nice, friendly and generous! I've been given meals, books and lots of interesting conversations. I was lifted back up by speaking to friends and family, so I'm so glad that you're always there when I need you guys :)


I believe that I have gotten rid of my cockroach infestation!!! :D waaahhoooo! AND my geckos are definitely multiplying, but that also means I've discovered lots of poo on my walls haha. This weekend my house needs a good clean anyway. Before I leave it and move into my actual home for the year. I'll keep you guys updated about the move. I'm looking forward to actually settling in now.


I love Nairobi Symphony Orchestra. There are some great people performing lovely music. However, last week I was the only viola player. At least it kept me on my toes.


Today I entered 8 boys from form 3 and 4 (aged 16-18) into Grade 5 ABRSM exams for piano, trumpet, clarinet and sax. This is going to be such a challenge as the exam is in May and they haven't started the pieces yet!! But I am really looking forward to it. They work hard when they need to.


I have assembly now so I must dash, compulsory to attend, but there's more to share ...


Much love.

I feel like I have lived here forever!!

After  10 days in Nairobi I feel like I have lived here forever!!! I love it here, it is becoming my home. (Wales is still home home for those of you worried! .. )

SO much has happened but tomorrow I start teaching .. I created my timetable last week, teaching piano to 18 students from form 2 and 3 this week. That’s 15-17 year olds roughly, so we’ll see how that goes!

I’ve met dozens of lovely people. I’m one of 5 in the music department. There is 1 paid member of staff and 4 volunteers. I am the only white teacher in the school but I’ve now got used to that. There are two members of staff, Margaret and Anne who have been great neighbours and friends since my arrival. Both have children and live on the compound but every day I’m able to have laughs with them, sharing food and stories.

Wednesday I went along with my viola to the first Nairobi Symphony Orchestra and I LOVED it! There are so many wonderful Kenyan and international musicians there together playing fab music. Looking forward to next week!

I found Friday tough as it was Natalia’s last day in the KOP office but I really wanted to be in Bristol to celebrate her greatness and see the wonderful KOP team. It’s sad to know that the KOP team is one member down L. However, my Nan cheered me up when I skyped her, seeing her smiling face.

This weekend has been incredible, mainly because of the arrival of Ellen, the music volunteer from Starehe Girls School. I met Ellen in September 2012, when we volunteered teaching music at a primary school with IVHQ and we’re now reunited to work together for the next year! :D Unfortunately, the Girls’ school is far away which is a pain and will be expensive to visit each other, but we’ll figure it all out in time. I treated myself to new sandals (yes dad more shoes!!), new works clothes, the cinema and tasty food out. Ellen stayed at the spare room in my cottage as I’m so close to town and we caught up for hours!#

So far I have achieved .. to gain Geckos  as friends, kill cockroaches, go to Nairobi and back and not get lost!! (BIG deal!), spend too much money , try new foods, meet some INCREDIBLE people, learn a few new Swahili words, bask in the sunshine reading new books and not burn, practicing piano for a few hours a day and LOVING it!

There’s so much that I don’t want to bore you .. but I’m having an amazing time and it really is just the beginning ..

Love to all 

Arriving in Starehe

Jambo! Hello from Nairobi :)

After a mere 24 hours in Kenya I already feel at home.
I'm being looked after so well and treated like royalty, hard to get used to but I love it. Everyone is so kind, helpful and really easy to talk to. I'm having a great time!
I met so many staff today, I think I remember 4 names (3 of them have photos on the wall so they probably don't count!), this is going to take a while!
I was greeted to the school by some of the boys playing their instruments. I can already tell it's going to be great.
My challenge now is to not step on my pet gecko who seems to follow me throughout my lovely home!!

Hopefully I can keep blogging at least weekly but I'm well and LIVING IN KENYA!!

:D