blogger sucks

blogger sucks, at least in kenya...

So, I think I'm officially settled. I started working, though there was quite a bit of miscommunication about my job description, and I finally have a place to stay permanently, although that was hectic as well. But, hakuna matata! (no worries).

About my job:

I sat down with my boss today and finally got a few words in about how I see myself contributing to their MF program, which as we've come to know, hasn't been implemented yet and also suffers from some capacity issues.

I came up with some ideas last night about how to spend my time learning and contributing and now what I will be doing is creating materials for the credit officer, whenever they may get one, to help streamline the process for applying, since their current structure is very jumbled. Also, I will be creating material for the groups to help them better understand the program since the organization doesn't have the capacity for training. These materials may need to be translated by them into swahili later on for groups that my not speak English but for now it's the best that can be done for them. (For example, the apply they need a business plan but after reviewing a few, it's obvious that the org. provides no training or even format for the business plan.)

Also, I said I'd like to visit other MFI's in Nairobi to learn from them, perhaps obtain other material. So I will have afternoons to do my visits (which is awesome since I LOVE doing visits.)

About my housing:

So now I will be living with a host family right behind where I work. I live with 3 sisters, one of whom is the friend of the AIESEC LCP. Their mom works and stay in a city aout 3 hours outside the city and comes home on the weekends but it works out since I will be traveling over the weekends. I think this is the best since it's next to work, I'm with other girls my age and I don't have to live in the prision they call a girls hostel. They also have a female helper who lives in the house who cooks the meals usually. Good deal huh?

About other stuff:

This past weekend we went to Masai Mara, which is the typical safari place but there weren't many animals due to the season which was disappointing. This weekend we're going to the same place as the first weekend but a different part. We're climbing Mt Longonoot which takes about 3 hrs up and 3 down. It's in preparation for Mt Kenya which takes 3 days! AND! It happens to be on my birthday weekend AND I believe they way it's been arranged is that we'll reach to top of the mountain on the sunrise of my birthday!!! So last year, birthday at the Taj Mahal, this year, birthday at the top of Mt. Kenya! Exciting!

People here say I talk to much, but I think they're crazy. =P This weekend it was 9 people from all different countries in a car ride for 7 hours and no one said a word. It drove me crazy! Anyways, my cell number here if anyone wants to call is 0729670241 but remember the 7 hour time change. (I'm 7 ahead of Atlanta.)

I'll attach pics in my next email but I left the converter for my laptop at home so I couldn't transfer the pics before coming to the cafe (internet at work is down but I don't believe it will ever be reliable).

It's quite an experience here and I'm actually finding out a lot about what Kenyans think of Americans. Nothing bad or anything, just that we're overweight and believe in aliens and the supernatural. (The American shows they play here are terrible! But they do play all my favorite music.) Last night one of the sisters said confused because she always thought Americans were fat but I'm skinny. "Oh it must be your asian side." haha.

Ok, time to get back to doing something I guess. Sorry to make it long. Haven't tasted internet in a while.

Kwaheri! (bye)