Now that I have found a good recipe for my favorite breakfast food from my trip to East Africa, I am going to become the lady on the street selling mandazi in Greenwood.
Mandazi Recipe
Mandazi Recipe
Showing posts with label Nairobi News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nairobi News. Show all posts
Monday, May 11, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
Everybody has their own NGO
Absolutely every single person in Africa has their own NGO. And absolutely every single one of those people wants you to hear about their "program".
There is a neighborhood drunk where I work named "Sam". A couple of weeks ago while I was buying a bottle of water, he accosted me with his "program". Everyone with an NGO feels they MUST tell ME about their "program" every time they see me.
The basic tenets of Sam's particular "program" are as follows:
1) To remain drunk at all times;
2) To "do something" for the youth of Kenya/Africa while remaining drunk 24/7;
3) To "do something" for the youth of Kenya/Africa who suffer directly or indirectly from the scourge that is HIV/AIDS while remaining drunk 24/7;
4) To "do something" for the orphans and other vulnerable populations in Kenya/Africa while remaining drunk 24/7;
and
5) For me to finance all of the above, most particularly the portions of these programs that will allow Sam to remain drunk 24/7.
Nope, I'm not the least bit cynical today. This post is dedicated to Perfesser Kevin Hill, Florida International University
There is a neighborhood drunk where I work named "Sam". A couple of weeks ago while I was buying a bottle of water, he accosted me with his "program". Everyone with an NGO feels they MUST tell ME about their "program" every time they see me.
The basic tenets of Sam's particular "program" are as follows:
1) To remain drunk at all times;
2) To "do something" for the youth of Kenya/Africa while remaining drunk 24/7;
3) To "do something" for the youth of Kenya/Africa who suffer directly or indirectly from the scourge that is HIV/AIDS while remaining drunk 24/7;
4) To "do something" for the orphans and other vulnerable populations in Kenya/Africa while remaining drunk 24/7;
and
5) For me to finance all of the above, most particularly the portions of these programs that will allow Sam to remain drunk 24/7.
Nope, I'm not the least bit cynical today. This post is dedicated to Perfesser Kevin Hill, Florida International University
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Culture Wars
I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work in Kenya. I try to live by the aphorism "When in Rome, do as the Romans" and I want the people of this country to know that not all Americans are jerks. But I'm left with the nagging question of cultural practices.
Most of the men that I work with are of the Luo tribe of Kenya. Kenya has 42 distinct tribes, each with its own native language. The Luo also have the reputation of being the most restrictive when it comes to women's rights, but fortunately they do not participate in FGM.
I come from a culture that values women as equals, even though the pay gap and the glass ceiling are alive and well. At least we say we value women.
In Africa, there is much talk from men about how women need to be empowered, but little is actually done on the personal or national level to achieve this goal.
And so, as a guest in Kenya and as an American woman, how do I manage the situations when the two cultures clash? If it is inconsequential to me, I let it pass. Why bother rocking the boat? But in doing that, am I implicitly accepting the cultural practices of these Luo men that I do find offensive. And how about when I am faced with the choice of how to respond when a cultural practice I find repugnant is unavoidable? Or what about when the practice is just plain stupid?
In my fantasy world, I'd like to think we could meet in the middle and take the best of both cultures and forge a compromise that leaves both sides feeling good about their culture. But in the real world, I find that I am most often on the short end of the stick.
And what of others respecting my culture and its practices? Am I to abandon my culture completely because I am a guest and want to be a polite guest?
Comments welcome.
Most of the men that I work with are of the Luo tribe of Kenya. Kenya has 42 distinct tribes, each with its own native language. The Luo also have the reputation of being the most restrictive when it comes to women's rights, but fortunately they do not participate in FGM.
I come from a culture that values women as equals, even though the pay gap and the glass ceiling are alive and well. At least we say we value women.
In Africa, there is much talk from men about how women need to be empowered, but little is actually done on the personal or national level to achieve this goal.
And so, as a guest in Kenya and as an American woman, how do I manage the situations when the two cultures clash? If it is inconsequential to me, I let it pass. Why bother rocking the boat? But in doing that, am I implicitly accepting the cultural practices of these Luo men that I do find offensive. And how about when I am faced with the choice of how to respond when a cultural practice I find repugnant is unavoidable? Or what about when the practice is just plain stupid?
In my fantasy world, I'd like to think we could meet in the middle and take the best of both cultures and forge a compromise that leaves both sides feeling good about their culture. But in the real world, I find that I am most often on the short end of the stick.
And what of others respecting my culture and its practices? Am I to abandon my culture completely because I am a guest and want to be a polite guest?
Comments welcome.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Top ten things your tour guide won't tell you about Nairobi
10. There are approximately 4 million residents of Nairobi. There is a speed bump for every single one of them.
9. Nairobi is the host for the annual 124 mile Rhino Run. This makes child's play of getting gored by a bull in Pamplona.
8. The Solar Ice Rink boasts 15,000 square meters (area of the total sports complex that houses it). It is the largest ice rink in Africa and the first ice rink in East Africa.
7. Malaria is very rare in Nairobi according to medical experts in Nairobi and there are surprisingly few mosquitos here. But I wouldn't chuck the malaria prophylaxis yet.
6. Odd dining options: The Iguana Bar and Grill serves Mexican and Indian food and Tanager Bar and Restaurant serves Chinese and African food.
5. Narcissism in Nairobi: A local bride had her wedding cake made to look like herself.
4. Nairobi is home to the Male Girls Secondary School. No commentary necessary.
3. Nairobi hosts the Slum Film Festival, an annual festival celebrating films about slums. I hope it has a category for films by slum residents. I wonder if Slumdog Millionaire made the cut?
2. According to Transparency International's 2013 study of corruption in Kenya, 58% of individuals that had legal issues reported paying bribes to the Judiciary. 77% of individuals having business with the police paid bribes. I guess the police assumed these two riders on the back of a truck couldn't afford to pay the bribe for the ticket.
1. A local pastor has banned women from wearing underwear during services underwear during services so that "God can enter their bodies more easily". He did not ban men from wearing their knickers. I suppose this pastor of the Lord's Propeller Redemption Church did not want male congregants to have God enter their bodies through their orifice.
9. Nairobi is the host for the annual 124 mile Rhino Run. This makes child's play of getting gored by a bull in Pamplona.
8. The Solar Ice Rink boasts 15,000 square meters (area of the total sports complex that houses it). It is the largest ice rink in Africa and the first ice rink in East Africa.
7. Malaria is very rare in Nairobi according to medical experts in Nairobi and there are surprisingly few mosquitos here. But I wouldn't chuck the malaria prophylaxis yet.
6. Odd dining options: The Iguana Bar and Grill serves Mexican and Indian food and Tanager Bar and Restaurant serves Chinese and African food.
5. Narcissism in Nairobi: A local bride had her wedding cake made to look like herself.
4. Nairobi is home to the Male Girls Secondary School. No commentary necessary.
3. Nairobi hosts the Slum Film Festival, an annual festival celebrating films about slums. I hope it has a category for films by slum residents. I wonder if Slumdog Millionaire made the cut?
2. According to Transparency International's 2013 study of corruption in Kenya, 58% of individuals that had legal issues reported paying bribes to the Judiciary. 77% of individuals having business with the police paid bribes. I guess the police assumed these two riders on the back of a truck couldn't afford to pay the bribe for the ticket.
1. A local pastor has banned women from wearing underwear during services underwear during services so that "God can enter their bodies more easily". He did not ban men from wearing their knickers. I suppose this pastor of the Lord's Propeller Redemption Church did not want male congregants to have God enter their bodies through their orifice.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Photo Friday 23.01.15
View from the Executive Suite at Arrow Web Hospital Kayole slum, Nairobi
 |
| View to the left |
 |
| View to the right |
 |
| Man with overloaded bike directly beneath |
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Weekly News from Nairobi (Week of 12/01/15)
Last week in the Nairobi (Week of 12/01/15)
My Ass is Faster Than Yours
And this week's top story goes to the two (or three) donkeys who may or may not have won the annual donkey race in Nairobi leading to a riot at the finish line. TV reports indicated that there were only six donkeys in the race. If all three are declared winners, the donkeys will be just like US children where everyone is a winner no matter where they finish.
All the news that fits, I print.
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