week one coming to a close...

hello all :)

yesterday i had orientation into the IVHQ program, we got to meet all of the other volunteers, as well as the administrative staff in Kenya. i continue to be impressed with how friendly everyone here is! they are all so happy, and grateful for our time/help. it is so wonderful to be amongst such friendly people!

after orientation we went just hung out and all spent some time getting to know one another. the house that i am staying in holds 10 volunteers, and right now we are at full capacity. it has been just as much fun getting to know the volunteers from all over the world as it has been to get to know the kenyans! last night we had a big discussion about the differences between "american" english and "british" english - which was quite entertaining! as much as i have loved getting to know all the other volunteers though, it is hard because i have had to say goodbye to a few i have grown close to already! (they have placements in other parts of kenya) it is amazing how fast you bond with others while traveling, especially since we are all in an unfamiliar surrounding.

today i went into Kibera again. for the rest of the time that i am here i will be going into Kibera to pass out food on Mon, Tues & Thurs, and spending time at the WEEP center on Wed and Fri. the WEEP center is a center for women who are living with HIV to come and learn trades such as sewing and bead work, so that they may make money to support themselves and their children. here, the women living with HIV/AIDS are severely shunned and are not allowed to make an honest living. they are often disowned by their families and their husbands leave them, making it nearly impossible for them to survive. this center provides work for the women, as well as education for their children, allowing them to support their families. it was another humbling day of meeting friendly, wonderful people making the best out of the very little that they have.

i am also very excited because on monday i will be participating in a medical camp that is being put on by a fellow volunteer! many of the people in this area have not seen a doctor or had medical care in over a year, so this camp is bringing together doctors, nurses, etc so that these people can receive basic care. i will be helping with patient education, which is right up my alley! it costs us volunteers about 2500Ksh for the day - which is roughly $30, which helps to pay the doctors and buy supplies. i think it will be a great time!

other than that, heather and i (a volunteer from colorado who i have gotten close with) have been spending our free time planning trips for the wknds. i have already decided i will end up spending more than i wanted in these three months, but there are just SOOO many things i want to do and who knows when i will end up on this end of the world again! this wknd we are thinking of going to the market in masi - which i have heard is huge! and then perhaps to the giraffe center, where you can kiss a giraffe (you all know how excited i am to swap spit with my favorite animal)! we dont do much in the evenings during the week, one because we are exhausted from walking around in Kibera all day in the sun & two because it isnt safe to walk around Nairobi after dark.

speaking of which, it is getting late here, and we have some errands to run on the way home. until next time!

xoxo