New Beginning!!

And today, I have graduated with an Honours degree :)
That marks the end of being a student, for some time now!! Lets see what I will make of the new stage of life..

Leia Mais…

My journey to Jane!!

The decision: A week into the internship I had decided that I was going to sponsor a child. I asked for profiles of kids with only one condition – should be a girl in primary school. A girl because they are more vulnerable and primary school because younger kids have an ability to overcome trauma of the past more effectively than the older ones when they are given better conditions. The original decision was to co-sponsor the child with a friend. I was presented with 5 names and somehow, Jane clicked with me at once. I asked some basic questions about her and the decision to be her co-sponsor was made. Then on Tuesday, I went to visit her house in the slum. The condition was miserable and I said to myself, “Never again is my child coming here, not even for vacations”.

Unfortunately, the same day I was left with the choice to either sponsor the child on my own or find another co-sponsor. The latter would delay the process and I didn’t want that. Finally, I decided to sponsor the child on my own. Being jobless at the moment, I cancelled all my travelling, rugby and shopping plans in Kenya which left me with money just enough to sponsor her if I spend with a tight hand. I would have enjoyed the travelling for 2-3 days but the money can now be put into better use to sponsor a child’s education and annual expenses – my child’s education. That very same day, I met the AIESECers organizing the travel and rugby event to cancel them. Somehow, cancelling these plans seemed so right. I could wait to send the money when I am in Singapore, but I am human enough to get worried about not having a source of income and might just back out.

Jane: Jane is 8 years old and one of 4 siblings. Her older brother Kennedy is in secondary school and stays at the slums with his grandmother and a lot of other children in a cloth house of 1 room. She has younger twin sisters. Their mother abandoned them when she discovered that she is HIV positive. Fortunately, Jane is negative (and it wouldn’t have mattered to me even if she was). Jane was molested by one of the guys staying in their house and had started sleeping in the garbage dump so that she is safe. It was urgent to send her to a primary boarding school which was far from her slums and that was done the day I showed interest in sponsoring her.

The journey: I decided to take a look at the school and meet her once before I sponsor her. So, I started my journey 6 am yesterday with Lucy Mwihaki (One of the women working at Living Positive whose 2 daughters study in the same school). After 5 hours of bus, matatu and motor bike travel, I finally reached the Maragua Summit School. Maragua is a small village and it was a big pain to be there being a Msungu. None of my vehicles were allowed to move for a long time because people were trying to touch or talk to me or just stare at me (Something which I can imagine happening to foreigners in a village in India). But I liked the location of the school – in the country side and one can see Mt. Kenya from the place. It was beautiful beyond words

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The meet-up: I met the Principal to tell her that I will be sponsoring Jane’s education. Jane was called along with other children from the slums in Ngong. The moment the Principal told Jane that I am her mummy (to make her understand that I will be her guardian), Jane went crazy. She wouldn’t leave my leg, or let go of my hand or get off my lap. She took me to her class, introduced me to her friends and posed with me in millions of pictures. As the exams were going on, I was allowed to be with her for only 10-15 mins. But those were some of the most precious minutes of my life. I left the school with a happiness which knew no bound and (I will be a bit vain) I was proud of myself. I have found a beautiful connection to this country – It is the country of my daughter.

Leia Mais…

See you soon!!

Today Flora is leaving for Sweden.. She had been a friend, a confidante, a partner-in-crime and an excellent care-taker.. The times when I had felt home-sick, she had been there for me to just sit and talk and laugh and take out all the frustration.. She made my stay here bearable for the first few days and fun for the rest.. All the times we had sneaked from work to go to Karen town on lame excuses and enjoying ourselves in a slightly developed society made me look forward to work everyday..

Somehow, the friendships which I have formed at the times of need have been the strongest.. May be because they have already passed the test of the age-old saying "A friend in need is a friend indeed".. And the other group of close friends I have are the ones with whom I have traveled around.. Flora is a combination of both and therefore, even more special..

We already have made plans of coming back to East Africa on a vacation and traveling around in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.. Thats why when she was leaving, I didn't say Good Bye.. I said, "See you soon"

Leia Mais…

Acceptance!!

"mostly I wish you to learn the lesson of Acceptance.. as only through Acceptance you will find the secret of existence and you will be happy in a crowd or sitting alone, and you will use all that happens in your life, your joys and your sorrows, to become a better person, so that even death at the end will be good, because it is part of the game"

- Kuki Gallmann

It is funny that the day I accepted the solitude in which I had found refuge and serenity turned out to be the turning point of my stay in Kenya. May be that is how our mind works - the moment we accept what life throws at us, we gain the power of choosing our attitude towards it. When there was nothing much to do in my world, becoming a part of the world of the people here was the most logical solution, something which I should have done from the very first day in Kenya.. But it is never too late.

I was told by most foreigners here that one week is what it takes to like the country and it took me 1 week to fall in love with Kenya. I am sure to return here sometime with friends and family for a vacation.. And to meet all the people who have now become a part of my world and who have so graciously accepted me into theirs.

Leia Mais…

The serenity of solitude!!

It is inevitable that you will find yourself alone at some point in life. It is therefore, very important to love to be in your own company because once you learn to do that, you might be alone but you will never be lonely - a thought which crossed my mind while reading yesterday.

It is very rarely that life is kind (read as cruel) enough to give you the space, time and loneliness needed to understand what you want from it, to get things into perspective, to be able to step back from the speed and intensity in which you had indulged yourself and to get to know yourself better. Enjoy the serenity which this experience brings - you might never get this opportunity for a very long time (this is first time that you have got it)

I have started enjoying my own company finally, something which used to make me very uncomfortable before. Solitude is known to be the most effective way to let someone lose his/her mind but if one can enjoy the quiet company of one's own self, is one really lonely? I am slowly mastering the art of going for days without having a conversation which lasts for more than the use of minimal words.

Known as the "Quiet Wasungu" here, I enjoy listening to other people without speaking a word - a part of me which I had not discovered before - A part which is only for Africa and I think which I will happily leave behind in Africa. Till then, for a month of serenity - Cheers!

Leia Mais…

Life's Lessons from Kenya!!

#1. Small things often make big things bearable.
Whether it is the stupid rooster with no sense of timing who starts waking you up at 2 am, the warm greetings from the Aunty at the Cyber cafe, the fire lit every evening or the pregnant cat who takes refuge at the house - small things can give you pleasure in an inexplicable way.

#2. There is nothing you cannot do.
Till last week I thought that I was incapable of sitting quietly. I needed to talk and talk and talk. In the past week, I have hardly spoken - just speaking the minimal required words to survive and I am managing quite well :) And for those who thought I can never sit calm and quiet - come and see me here.

#3. It is more important to be friends with the house keepers than the house owner for a comfortable stay.
Because they stay in the house all the time and know everything you need to know. Specially after the Canadians left today, I discovered that I am surviving well because I made friends with Grace and Elizabeth.

#4. Doing nothing is more painful than working from dawn to midnight.
One week of a laid back life and I am finding it almost impossible to contain my energy. The workaholic that I am known to be is dying to find some work. The fact that we have to be inside by 5 pm as it is dangerous after that and there is no internet at home is making it difficult to be productive.

#5. Books are true friends in a strange land.
After suffering a bit through #4, I have taken up on reading African Literature. Currently reading I dreamed of Africa y Kuki Gallmann gifted to me by Siddharth Bhaiya, I welcome all suggestions for rich African Literature.

#6. Home Sickness is a great way for self discovery.
Something which Wan Xin said to me really touched me and I found it so true - "Be in deep experience with your homesickness Shub. It itself is a wonderful self-discovery. =) And Shub, you are strong enough to take this experience, and at times you feel you don't, let yourself break. We are here to catch you! Love, Wan Xin "
But remember that #5 doesn't help in home sickness. You might end up reading the same line for over 5 hrs and still not understand it. Then resort to #7.

#7. Find a child to laugh with.
Whether it is a 2 months old or someone who has just entered his/her teen, children have a beautiful gift of taking you into their world, totally immerse you in their life till you forget about your own. Make stupid faces with a baby, talk about issues with a 10 year old or watch a dumb teenage movie with them, you will soon find a sense of happiness which adults unfortunately can't give.

#8. Be open to break your own rules.
Do you remember me saying that I don't even drink tea, coffee and soft drinks.,I am a healthy girl and drink Milk and juices only? Well, I stayed stubborn on that for 2 days till the damp and cold weather slapped me hard. Now I drink hot tea (called Chai here) atleast 2 times a day. I still don't enjoy it and will go back to my old self when I leave Kenya.

#9. No matter how hard you try, you will always be different from them - Just accept it.
I am known as the "Wasungu" here - "the different one usually used to refer a white person". When I walk on the streets, children point at me and shout Wasungu. Everybody shouts "How are you" at me without even understanding its meaning. Weeping children stop crying if I smile at them. Matatu drivers want me in their Matatus so that they can attract more passengers. At first I used to find it very annoying but now I have realized that it is better to accept it. After all, being the different one does give a power of its own.

#10. Be in touch with your Mum.
Mothers have a gift to making you feel comfortable with all the discomforts even when she is miles away. I look forward to her next call as soon as she hangs up. Her voice is a constant source of strength in everything I am undertaking.

Leia Mais…

Of Shock, Despair and Satisfaction!!

“I learned what every dreaming child needs to know – that no horizon is so far you cannot get above it or beyong it”-  Beryl Markham

After I updated the blog last time, I went to AIESEC Kenya Office where I was told that they are still not sure about my transport to Ngong – the village where I am supposed to be working. Finally, we took a cab and left for the place. The place is located at the Ngong foothills in a very remote village. I was happy to see some students from Canada at the guest house who had also volunteered themselves. Since, they were a group of 9 friends they usually keep to themselves only.

Food – Food here is pretty bland and my diet consists of boiled vegetables with some rice or a local vegetable dish called Ugali. It took me some meals and starvation to start eating proper meals. But with the kind of labour we do throughout the day, I tend to relish anything and everything served to me.

Transport to the office – The office is about 2.5 km away and we have to walk to the place. Also, for lunch we come back to the house which means that I walk at least 10 km every day. The path is full of mud and dirt and is very very slippery though I am getting a hang of the walk. The first day was hilarious when I was finding it almost impossible to walk and was a good entertainment to the locals who were jeering and cheering at me. But with time and sacrifice of one pair of running shoes, I am now able to walk tall almost like a pro.

People – The Living Positive Program (LPP) is run by Mary and Mary, the older one being referred to as Mum by everyone. At present, we are working at the Masaai slums. I met some very enterprising and intelligent students from the slum who have been sponsored by LPP. All the women and some of the children under the program are HIV positive.

Apart from the Canadians, there is one more volunteer – Flora. She takes very good care of me and it is probably because of her that I am able to sustain the home sickness which strikes me every now and then.

My work – Although I am mainly responsible for fundraising for the organization, I have been involved in digging a trench and repairing the swings at the day care along with the Canadians and Flora. I had never imagined in my whole life that I will be working in a slum in a small village in Africa. But I know for sure that I am able to do this, I can handle almost anything in life.

City Hopper Adventure – On Tuesday, I decided to go to Nairobi city with Flora to meet up with some AIESECers. We went to the city on Matatu but on the way back took a city hopper – a mini bus kind of vehicle – because it has more passengers. The city hopper hopped so high once that I hit the corner iron rest at the ceiling. After getting over the shock of what had happened and realizing it to be a very common experience in city hopper, I burst into a fit of laughter. That is Africa for you – it makes you laugh on the tragedies of life. If you don’t, life can become a big burden.

Day to Day Struggles - From taking shower with cold water (it is winter in Kenya) to washing clothes by hand, everything is a struggle. I have been told by Flora a lot of times that it is only the first week which is difficult, after that I will fall in love with the country. Though I must say, that I like the laid back evenings where I sit by the fireplace and just read. It is not the fast, intense and efficient lifestyle which I am used to, but is a unique experience. 

Encouragement – Every now and then, I engage into a conversation with myself as to why I am doing this. I could have pampered myself with a nice European holiday or just gone home and rested. But then I see Mary and Mum Mary working so hard at that age to make lives of people around them better. Sometimes it also helps to think that this experience was my choice – the circumstances don’t change but thinking like this makes everything a lot more bearable.

This is an opportunity for me to put into practice all the things I have learnt about life – ‘Happiness is a state of mind’, ‘Anything that doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger’, challenge yourself cobstantly because only then can one grow as a person.

And lastly, I am reading a book called I dreamed of Africa by Kuki Galmann – a gift from Siddharth Bhaiya. Apart from being an interesting read, it is also inspiring and very encouraging. Whatever I am going through is only for 7 weeks but if I can make a difference to even 1 life, I will be changing a lifetime for that person and his/her family.

Leia Mais…

My first impressions of Kenya!!

So, I am sitting in a cyber cafe near University of Nairobi.. The university is quite good and the AIESEC offices are in the Mahatma Gandhi Wing.

The experiences so far have been quite unique. And the uniqueness started from the flight itself. I boarded Kenyan airways from Bangkok. The lady(from Zambia) sitting next to me was the fattest person I have seen so far.. For the first time I witnessed someone asking for additional belt in the airplane. The result being - She took her seat and more than half of mine :P The hand rest won't come down and the flight was jam packed. I could not sleep at all.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is more like an international airport in a small city in India. Eric Kariuki came to pick me up. The mode of transport here is 'Matuta' - a very run down van in which I experienced the bumpiest ride ever. Surprisingly, I loved every bit of it.. My very very first impression was Kenya was that it is very much like the rural India. Living here would be like living there, not just visiting that part.

I went to Eric's place to freshen up and experienced the Indian side again - carried (yes, carried not dragged) my luggage from where the Matuta dropped us to his place. This was the longest and most tiring 30 minutes of walk. Water for shower was boiled on stove and there was water stored in a big tumbler. They use the bucket and mug system like in India coz usually the taps have no water.

I loved all my interactions with Eric - AIESEC, politics, Kenya, India, economy, languages and religions. One thing which really touched me about the people here is their warmth. From the very first time I met them, they made me feel very comfortable. When I was at Eric's place, he served me with all the bread slices he had, saving nothing for himself - something I got to read only the folk tales of India but never experience in life. Kenya in a lot of ways gives me the image of how India would have been in the 'Golden Era' - not very advanced, but with a lot of love, trust and hospitality.

The Central Business District is more like a market in a city like Agra. But the weather here is amazing. I have to wear jacket even in the afternoon. Now I am just waiting to go to my place of work which is in Ngong district - about 30 kms North of Nairobi. Its been just about 6 hours since I have landed and I have started feeling at 'home'.

Leia Mais…

This time for Africa!!

I am totally in love with the official song for World Cup 2010. I think it applies to Africa and life in general.. It is also going to be my theme song for my stay in Kenya ;)

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka Waka eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka Waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Enjoy!

Leia Mais…

End of the Beginning!!

“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

-Winston Churchill

Finally, this is the last week of my university life (hopefully) and a life of a student in general.. The secure and most care-free time of life is about to end.. Now, I will have to face the world and worry about small little things.. Parents won't be an ATM anymore - if I get a job soon.. But it is exciting.. 

May be how Monica puts it in F.R.I.E.N.D.S. "Welcome to the real world. It sucks!! You will love it"

Leia Mais…