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2008/03/10
Answers(?):
[What is Sean doing in Kenya?]
I am working for AIESEC Nairobi (a local chapter of an international student organization – which I am part of) as the Project Director of the Young EntrepreneurS (YES) program. The program is funded by a local bank, which is also paying my salary, and is partnered with several microfinance institutions and local businesses to continue a program that teaches recent graduates how to start and run a business. The program works through a series of classroom sessions, networking events, external trips, and the submission of business plans by the participants to be reviewed by our board of advisors for funding. We are also working on a way to track alumni and aid them with networking or any resources they might need. Local business owners, loan officers, accountants, business schoolteachers, and other relevant people teach the sessions.
There are also five international interns (with business and marketing backgrounds) that will be taught about the local realities and then mentor the students in creating a business plan. As of right now we are looking to finish in July, and I will be working on the final report and follow through alumni program afterwards.
[How often are you going to post?]
When I feel like it and/or 3 times a week (M/W/F) to keep me in track- and so my parents phone bill doesn’t sky rocket
[Where are you]
I am in a Nairobi suburb called Kilimani; there aren’t really neighborhoods, but gated complexes with four or five story apartments. I live in one of these called Elite Park, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen it on Google, so don’t bother. If you want a relevant location look for the YaYa center or Hurlingham, I pass it on my way home.
[Why are you never on skype or AIM, and why are there so never picture uploads?]
The Internet is slow here – just about everywhere I go, so picture uploads are possible but they will be low res and you’re just going to have to deal with that. There’s also an 8 hour time difference so when I wake up it’s 11 PM in Atlanta. So I leave work around six that makes it 10 am in Atlanta. Oh, I also don’t have the Internet at home. I doubt a videoconference is possible, but we can try at some odd hour and I can sleep at the LC.
[Is your hearing coming back?]
From what I understand it’s nerve damage, so maybe. It has gotten slightly better, but not enough to make a huge difference. If it does, it will be slow and gradual, probably over the next month or two.
If you have any more questions ask, but that’s what most people have been asking
Now for my other thoughts:
I just got back from a conference, which are always motivational, and I realized I need to be more engaging. I taught a few people a difference version of a few dances (and realized I didn’t have the music to black betty or Bebot 0_o) but I could have done so much more – like LC cheers (which some colleges kinda had) and just relating fun thing that our MC and LC do. I also found some really fun stuff that Kenya does that we don’t in the US.
I realized that I represent the US more than I thought. Every time someone wanted to point out a bad leader there were pictures of George Bush and I eventually had to stand up and defend my country from all the slander that I felt was being directed towards it. I won’t spout my political views on here, but it still feels very awkward to have your country at the butt of so many comments.
I need to schedule my week more. I guess I thought about Mixmaster’s comment in his blog about having more habits- that I think could be beneficial to me. Little things like Sunday night planning session with myself, lists of weekly non-work related goals, and stretching in the mornings. I have a whole pile of papers I need to go through. I also need to proofread and sensor myself a little more, and try photojournalism with my slow upload.
I am working for AIESEC Nairobi (a local chapter of an international student organization – which I am part of) as the Project Director of the Young EntrepreneurS (YES) program. The program is funded by a local bank, which is also paying my salary, and is partnered with several microfinance institutions and local businesses to continue a program that teaches recent graduates how to start and run a business. The program works through a series of classroom sessions, networking events, external trips, and the submission of business plans by the participants to be reviewed by our board of advisors for funding. We are also working on a way to track alumni and aid them with networking or any resources they might need. Local business owners, loan officers, accountants, business schoolteachers, and other relevant people teach the sessions.
There are also five international interns (with business and marketing backgrounds) that will be taught about the local realities and then mentor the students in creating a business plan. As of right now we are looking to finish in July, and I will be working on the final report and follow through alumni program afterwards.
[How often are you going to post?]
When I feel like it and/or 3 times a week (M/W/F) to keep me in track- and so my parents phone bill doesn’t sky rocket
[Where are you]
I am in a Nairobi suburb called Kilimani; there aren’t really neighborhoods, but gated complexes with four or five story apartments. I live in one of these called Elite Park, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen it on Google, so don’t bother. If you want a relevant location look for the YaYa center or Hurlingham, I pass it on my way home.
[Why are you never on skype or AIM, and why are there so never picture uploads?]
The Internet is slow here – just about everywhere I go, so picture uploads are possible but they will be low res and you’re just going to have to deal with that. There’s also an 8 hour time difference so when I wake up it’s 11 PM in Atlanta. So I leave work around six that makes it 10 am in Atlanta. Oh, I also don’t have the Internet at home. I doubt a videoconference is possible, but we can try at some odd hour and I can sleep at the LC.
[Is your hearing coming back?]
From what I understand it’s nerve damage, so maybe. It has gotten slightly better, but not enough to make a huge difference. If it does, it will be slow and gradual, probably over the next month or two.
If you have any more questions ask, but that’s what most people have been asking
Now for my other thoughts:
I just got back from a conference, which are always motivational, and I realized I need to be more engaging. I taught a few people a difference version of a few dances (and realized I didn’t have the music to black betty or Bebot 0_o) but I could have done so much more – like LC cheers (which some colleges kinda had) and just relating fun thing that our MC and LC do. I also found some really fun stuff that Kenya does that we don’t in the US.
I realized that I represent the US more than I thought. Every time someone wanted to point out a bad leader there were pictures of George Bush and I eventually had to stand up and defend my country from all the slander that I felt was being directed towards it. I won’t spout my political views on here, but it still feels very awkward to have your country at the butt of so many comments.
I need to schedule my week more. I guess I thought about Mixmaster’s comment in his blog about having more habits- that I think could be beneficial to me. Little things like Sunday night planning session with myself, lists of weekly non-work related goals, and stretching in the mornings. I have a whole pile of papers I need to go through. I also need to proofread and sensor myself a little more, and try photojournalism with my slow upload.
Labels: AIESEC, Answers, Kenya
2008/02/28
Change of Pace
My past two entries have been long and somewhat loaded… so I think I’m going to cut this one down a little.
I really miss eating dinner with people, without a TV. It could be at home (any of them) making a dish with Miss Jane, out at Falinies with the caving crew, or at home with my parents who probably didn’t let me cook ☺. I just had pizza (poor excuse) with a group of friends after I left work and it was a start. I enjoy recounting the day, the trips and activates to come, and how much excitement is in life over good food. I find that television is a horrible distraction and has gotten in the way of a many good relationships that could have been formed.
Last night I joined the Mountain Club of Kenya, which has it’s dinner every last Tuesday of the month- there were about 50 people there- and many dishes which reminded me of home, Europe, mixed with a little of Africa. After dinner Alex (the first person I met in the club, and the chair member who signed my membership app.) presented his slid show of his Yosemite El Capitan Nose assent – big wall climbing looks insane (if Mr. McDowell actually did this he is more driven than I could have ever imagined, way to go Andrew.) It took him a total of four days to climb 3000 feet, and though I know it’s extremely rigorous, I think that might be one of my life goals. I also took notes on how to present a good slide show (they want me to present on my Cascade adventures with NOLS). There are so many Aid workers and Embassy peopleat the club, I met a lady who works with Great apes in Rwanda and a Japanese environmentalist who just got back from a conference in Monaco, it’s all very fascinating at MCK which doubles as a Bar and a club house.
I’m really excited about this upcoming weekend, which won’t involve hospitals, and I plan to be “touristy,” and see main attractions with my camera.
A Friend of a friend contacted me tonight too (Andre’s British pals Squeaks and Paul) so I might have some coffee with people I’ll be meeting for the first time
Condition: [I see the doctor tomorrow btw] Balance if for the most part back, and I don’t get vertigo. I still can’t hear very well out of my right ear, but I do hear ringing (which means my brain is receiving signals), and I can hear when I scratch my ear and “pop” my ears. There is no pain or swelling that I can feel, nor is there any discharge. I’ll tell you more tomorrow after Dr. Din inspects.
Reading:
>FINISHED
Robin Hobb: The Fools Errand - I’d say –B, nothing extremely novel, yet entertaining and could have a nice follow through with the sequels.
>STARTING
Stephen Hawking: A Brief History of Time - My 3rd book in a month that’s begun with the history of human understanding of the world, the only difference is I don’t think Mr. Hawking ever leaves the subject
African Food:
Chapatti: flat bread that does not work well as a taco, eaten plain (It’s Indian, but there’s no spice…)
Words I have learned:
(In order of usefulness)
Kiswahili
• Sasa: Hey or Hello
• Sawa: Fine, ok, ummhumm
• Assante’: Thank you
• Careeboo: welcome
• Hapana: no
• Neo: Yes
• Meemee: I
• See: (the negative, am not)
• Sana: a lot, much
Non-Kiswahili words
• High: drunk
• Chips: French fries
• Crisps: potato chips
• Flash: to call someone and hang up so that they call you back, and you don’t have to pay
Something different: Cell phones all run on prepaid cards, you can credit just about anywhere (literally, on every corner, in telephone booth sized cells the sales people sit in). I pay 100 Ksh for 100 credit, and it is spend however I use it on my phone (other Safaricom calls are 20 ksh a min, text are 5-10 ksh, calls other carriers are more). So people don’t talk on the phone very long which there’s no “bill me later.”
(Edit later)
I really miss eating dinner with people, without a TV. It could be at home (any of them) making a dish with Miss Jane, out at Falinies with the caving crew, or at home with my parents who probably didn’t let me cook ☺. I just had pizza (poor excuse) with a group of friends after I left work and it was a start. I enjoy recounting the day, the trips and activates to come, and how much excitement is in life over good food. I find that television is a horrible distraction and has gotten in the way of a many good relationships that could have been formed.
Last night I joined the Mountain Club of Kenya, which has it’s dinner every last Tuesday of the month- there were about 50 people there- and many dishes which reminded me of home, Europe, mixed with a little of Africa. After dinner Alex (the first person I met in the club, and the chair member who signed my membership app.) presented his slid show of his Yosemite El Capitan Nose assent – big wall climbing looks insane (if Mr. McDowell actually did this he is more driven than I could have ever imagined, way to go Andrew.) It took him a total of four days to climb 3000 feet, and though I know it’s extremely rigorous, I think that might be one of my life goals. I also took notes on how to present a good slide show (they want me to present on my Cascade adventures with NOLS). There are so many Aid workers and Embassy peopleat the club, I met a lady who works with Great apes in Rwanda and a Japanese environmentalist who just got back from a conference in Monaco, it’s all very fascinating at MCK which doubles as a Bar and a club house.
I’m really excited about this upcoming weekend, which won’t involve hospitals, and I plan to be “touristy,” and see main attractions with my camera.
A Friend of a friend contacted me tonight too (Andre’s British pals Squeaks and Paul) so I might have some coffee with people I’ll be meeting for the first time
Condition: [I see the doctor tomorrow btw] Balance if for the most part back, and I don’t get vertigo. I still can’t hear very well out of my right ear, but I do hear ringing (which means my brain is receiving signals), and I can hear when I scratch my ear and “pop” my ears. There is no pain or swelling that I can feel, nor is there any discharge. I’ll tell you more tomorrow after Dr. Din inspects.
Reading:
>FINISHED
Robin Hobb: The Fools Errand - I’d say –B, nothing extremely novel, yet entertaining and could have a nice follow through with the sequels.
>STARTING
Stephen Hawking: A Brief History of Time - My 3rd book in a month that’s begun with the history of human understanding of the world, the only difference is I don’t think Mr. Hawking ever leaves the subject
African Food:
Chapatti: flat bread that does not work well as a taco, eaten plain (It’s Indian, but there’s no spice…)
Words I have learned:
(In order of usefulness)
Kiswahili
• Sasa: Hey or Hello
• Sawa: Fine, ok, ummhumm
• Assante’: Thank you
• Careeboo: welcome
• Hapana: no
• Neo: Yes
• Meemee: I
• See: (the negative, am not)
• Sana: a lot, much
Non-Kiswahili words
• High: drunk
• Chips: French fries
• Crisps: potato chips
• Flash: to call someone and hang up so that they call you back, and you don’t have to pay
Something different: Cell phones all run on prepaid cards, you can credit just about anywhere (literally, on every corner, in telephone booth sized cells the sales people sit in). I pay 100 Ksh for 100 credit, and it is spend however I use it on my phone (other Safaricom calls are 20 ksh a min, text are 5-10 ksh, calls other carriers are more). So people don’t talk on the phone very long which there’s no “bill me later.”
(Edit later)
Labels: everything else, Kenya, life, Nairboi, the universe
