A day in the life of a teacher in Kenya!

Name's Kristen. I'll be in Kenya summer of 2013 teaching. I'll keep you all posted about my adventures here!

[barefootinkenya]

The first five weeks...

have gone by so quickly. It's amazing how time flies when you are teaching. I'm learning the ropes and getting to know my students, slowly but surely. 

Making mistakes and (hopefully) learning from them. I believe that I learn something new just about everyday. 

I am tired, and a bit sick. But I am certainly enjoying teaching. I have a lot to learn though. 

-K

[barefootinkenya]

Sorry about this, but...

My blog(s) will be going on hold for a while as I jump headfirst into my teaching career. All of my energy is being directed towards my students and work at school - which leaves little to no brainpower for blogging. 

I'll post some, but don't expect much for a while. At least until I figure out what I'm doing. 

-Kristen

[barefootinkenya]

Post 3: Poverty

Sorry for the delay: I've been busy getting a teaching job, helping out at camp and babysitting my nephews. 

In the year 1999 the poverty line in the USA for a family of 9+ was $34,417/year of income before tax. In 2012 it was $43,650/year for the same sized family.

The international poverty line/threshold is between $1 and $2 USD/day/person. For a family of ten that is between $10/day = $3650/year and $20/day = $7300/year.

Spending time in rural Kenya opened my eyes to poverty. I grew up far below the poverty line in the United States. My parents did well to put food on the table everyday for the ten of us. But nothing I experienced growing up remotely came close to the poverty that I saw in Bungoma. 

Often in college I would hear students say or myself would say that I was a "poor college student". In some cases this was true - considering that many people take on large amounts of debt to pay for college. But I think more often than not our conception of "broke" or "poor" is limited. 

Poverty has to do with more than simply the amount of income a person has. One of my Kenyan friends explained this to me - that it is very different to live below the poverty line in the US than in Kenya. Even living below the poverty line in the US, there are social systems in place to support people. Welfare, unemployment, homeless shelters, medicare, etc... Few to none of these social systems exist in Kenya (or in other developing nations). 

Even growing up poor (by American standards), I could be relatively sure that I would never die of starvation or treatable disease, simply because I lived in the United States. 

The biggest question I have had in all of my intellectual realizations this summer is: "what now?" 

What do I do with what I now know? What do I do with what I have learned? How can I work to fight against white privilege? How do I put to use this new understanding of poverty? 

Any ideas?

-Kristen

[barefootinkenya]

i must say i did eagerly wait to see what you were going to write on your reflections of having been to kenya and back home. im a kenyan myself and i very much enjoy reading your posts. i can say part of the white privilege has to do with colonialism and how the mzungu thought highly of himself and was "wealthy" and the other part is, as you have pointed out, the dumping on africa of the western media's portrayal of western countries as places where no problems exist and life is nice and dandy

Thank you Anon! I appreciate your insight. 

Also, great point about the western media. Let me use this as a segway to make an addendum to my last post. 

A few more things about America/Americans that I have learned:

American media paints America as the perfect country, sure there is some violence and there are some problems, but it seems from the media that America is the best place in the world to live. I heard this from so many Kenyans who wanted to go to “your place", i.e. America. They thought that life would be perfect there, and they would have no problems. Granted, compared to the struggles of life in rural Kenya, life in America may be easier, but it is far from perfect.

Americans tend to be relationally cold. I know this varies around the country, but from my viewpoint in the midwest, we are a cold people compared to cultures around the world. I walk around my town, and people ignore each other. We walk with our heads down and our earphones in, not stopping to greet the people around us. I think this is a product of our beloved American Individualism. 

Also, a comment made on my last post was that Americans tend to know only one language, maybe two. Unless you have recently immigrated to this country from another, you probably only speak English, and maybe a language of our ancestors, and maybe a language you “learned" in high school. I would estimate that 100% of my students in Kenya were at least tri-lingual. They all spoke English, all spoke Kiswahili, and most if not all spoke their own mother-tongue, be it Kibukusu, Luhya, Luo, Kikuyu, Kalenjin or another (there are hundreds of mother tongues).

Up next, I will be posting on poverty and my observations about poverty in Kenya and in the US.

-Kristen

[barefootinkenya]

Post Kenya thoughts pt. 2: Americans and America

'Merica. 

"The land of the free and the home of the brave". 

I want to start by saying that I have never appreciated the freedoms, rights and luxuries that I enjoy in this country than when I have gone without those freedoms, rights and luxuries in my travels overseas. My time abroad has made me appreciate the values that these United States were founded on. 

At the same time, my travel abroad has made me disgusted by Americans and America. Let me give you a few reasons, and all of these are very broad generalizations, so think big picture:

Americans are in a hurry. All the time. We value events over people, this shows in our priorities. Most of the eastern world values people over time. In Kenya, things start when you arrive. Hakuna haraka (no hurry). 

Americans are arrogant. The rest of the world sees this, and we* have such a hard time understanding this pride in ourselves. Americans think that America is the best country in the world, and that everyone else wants to be like us. We are an egocentric, ethnocentric country.

Americans are ignorant of the world around them. When I tell people I went to Kenya, many respond, "oh, where's that?" or "in Africa, right?" Americans are ignorant geographically, politically and globally. Few Americans have much grasp on anything that happens outside the borders of this country. Granted, few Americans have daily necessity to be aware of the world outside, but that is not much excuse. As one of the most developed countries in the world, Americans ought to be some of the most well educated as well. 

Because of our arrogance and ignorance, Americans often paint the rest of the world in a demeaning light. The western media and most Americans think of Africa as a country rather than a continent, and think that it is simply a place full of homogeneous people who are poor, black and violent. Those things are simply not true. We also paint places like the middle east as unstable, violent, dangerous, uncivilized and unsafe for Americans.

Last but not least, Americans are poor stewards of our physical, social and intellectual wealth. We are a greedy, unsatisfied, unhappy people. As one of the richest countries in the world, we ought to be doing a much better job of stewarding our wealth, instead of hoarding it and spending it all on ourselves. Americans are self-centered people, looking to get ahead in life at the price of another and fulfill the "American dream". I know wealthy and unhappy Americans, and I know just as many dirt-poor and joyful Kenyans. 

Each time I have traveled beyond these borders, my impressions of Americans have become more and more negative. It is hard to notice your normal surroundings until you leave them and then return. My time in Kenya has given me a new perspective on my own country. 

I hope that if you are an American and you are reading this that you are at least a little bit offended. Because if you are offended than maybe you will take to heart the things I have written about. If you are not offended than perhaps you don't think I'm speaking about you. I probably am. 

*Disclaimer: I am in no way removing myself from being an American. I have been just as guilty of these things as my neighbor. But I am working to change my inbred hurry, arrogance, ignorance and poor stewardship. 

-Kristen

Anything to add to this list?

[barefootinkenya]

On being white, being a minority and white privilege

I want to start by saying that I am a white female American, born and raised in the USA. As such I have always been in the majority race in the places I have lived and attended school.

So though I have traveled overseas and been a minority race, the differences and circumstances were brought into sharp contrast during my time in Kenya. Not only because the difference in skin color is so sharp, but also because of how rural the area we lived in was. (In my other overseas experiences I stayed in very large cities).

So for the first time in my life I was a racial minority and it was VERY evident. My understanding of what it feels like to be a racial minority has grown so much. It’s hard to always only be around people who are so different from yourself. It takes a great deal of energy to try and understand another culture and customs, to try and even assimilate a little bit. There is this constant knowledge that you are different. You know by how people look at you, speak to you, and talk about you when you walk by. You are not one of them and never will be by nature of your skin color.

I have learned that to be a white person living in rural Kenya is a very strange thing indeed. It comes with a strange mix of awful stereotypes about white people and this sense of respect and admiration for them.

Some stereotypes I noticed during my time: 1. All white people are rich, no matter their background, job or social status. 2. Because of 1, white people are an opportunity to make money. This leads to the “mzungu price", which is double or triple the Kenyan price for anything. 3. Also because of 1, white people can be expected to give you what you ask for, be it money, stuff or their hand in marriage. 4. All white people are ignorant of Kenyan customs and society, and so they can easily be duped, as in stereotype 2.

White people are a minority in rural Kenya, though a looked-up-to minority. It is easier to be a well thought of minority than a hated one; but it is so frustrating to be judged an assumed about because of one’s skin color. I hated being well-known because I am white. I hated being proposed to on the street because of my skin color. It is hard to live life well when everyone around you assumes who you are and how your life is because of one factor that you have no control over.

I can imagine so much better now what it feels like to be part of a racial minority here in America.

On the flip side of the coin, I understand and notice white privilege that much more in my life. I saw clearly in Kenya how much privilege I had because of my skin color, and I see even here the privilege I have because of my skin color. It's frustrating to be in the majority and see my own privilege. I still don't have a good grasp of what to do about it.

-Kristen

[barefootinkenya]

Post-Kenya

I spent most of my day of travel back to the US thinking about my time in Kenya. So many different aspects of my life have been affected by this trip. I have learned a great deal professionally, personally, emotionally, spiritually, socially, historically, politically and even economically. I am glad to have had this opportunity to travel once again and understand the world a bit better. 

A few things I learned about which I hope to write posts about in the near future as I continue to get over jet-lag and (reverse) culture shock.

White privilege and the Kenyan view of white people

Poverty

Americans/America

Education in Kenya

Other miscellaneous thoughts and revelations from the summer

Get excited for some thought-provoking posts people! 

-Kristen

[barefootinkenya]

I'm home.

[barefootinkenya]

Last days

What a trip. According to the doctor, I have/had a bad bacterial infection. I'm doing better now after some strong antibiotics. Had a sweet safari in Nakuru, Naivasha, and the Maasai Mara. Very much a nice way to end my time here, though it is strange to be a tourist after feeling like such a native. It will be very strange to be back in wazungu land tomorrow. Excited to get home, but sad to be leaving this place that has gotten so close to my heart. Thank you for adventuring with me this summer in Kenya. I'll be posting a bit about the transition home and keeping posted about the strike here as well. -Kristen

[barefootinkenya]

Strike three!

We left Bungoma on Saturday. Currently in Naivasha on our safari. Home in a few days. I would really appreciate your prayers, I've been sick pretty bad since Thursday night. Pray for a quick recovery. Thanks guys. -Kristen

[barefootinkenya]

Strike Two!

So... KNUT(Kenya National Union of Teachers), the union for primary teachers, declared a strike starting at midnight. So we are officially in a "serious strike". This means that parents have been advised by the unions to come pick their children from school ad take them home. Primary schools will close up, and many secondary schools will also. We will see what happens here at school. Our principal said this morning in our staff meeting said "thank you for risking your life to come to work today". This is our last week here of teaching, and we've really already finished teaching, because all the students are taking exams the rest of the week. Bittersweet times indeed. -Kristen

[barefootinkenya]

White privilege

Today, I got to pet a cheetah. I believe the primary reason this happened was because my skin lacks melanin. Today, a merchant offered to sell me some Maasai souvenirs at three times the normal price. I believe the primary reason this happened was because I am what they call "mzungu". Yesterday, I traveled with my colleagues to a school in the Rift Valley and were guests of honor in a meeting/ceremony at the school, wherein we were sung to, poems recited to, and generally asked, and begged for financial assistance. I believe, and actually I know that this happened because we are white. Today, a random child on the street called me a mzungu and asked/told me to give him ten shillings. He said himself that this was because I am white. White privilege manifests itself in so many ways here. As white teachers and Americans we are well-respected in the community here. Because of that respect we women are highly desirable a wives for Kenyan men. (Read many marriage proposals from known and unknown men). There is also a perception here that all white people are rich and blindly generous. Not a day goes by that I am not asked for something, be it money or my watch. So, while my skin pigmentation brings me respect here, it also comes with a frustrating side of stereotypes and false expectations. -Kristen

[barefootinkenya]

Strike one!

New experience of today, my first strike! The KUPPET (Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers) has declared a strike because their demands have not been met by the government. Higher pay, more teachers, etc. Union officials came to school today to tell us to go home and be on strike, or else. Strikes are serious business here, and being a strike breaker can result in some "jungle justice". Fun fun! In other news, I'm feeling mostly better, thank you for your prayers. :) -Kristen

[barefootinkenya]

This is Joseque, one of my supervising teachers. He's a pretty cool cat. By way of other news, the Internet network has been down for a week or so, and just came back today. Hooray! We've been teaching, getting sick, recovering and preparing for the anticipated teacher strike this week. I also got to drive a car here! Stick shift and on the left side of the road. Weee! A short eleven days are left of our time here at school, and then some 5 days of safari and then I'll be home. Time flies.

[barefootinkenya]

Today was a busy day! I did my laundry in the morning, and then we took a trip via matatu to Kisumu for the afternoon. Joy of all joys, for lunch we went to a very touristy spot and had pizza! I also had a mug of cold milk = #swagg. We rode a new form of transportation around Kisumu, called a tuk tuk, a three wheeled vehicle with about as much power as a piki piki bike. All eight of us plus the driver fit in one ( a very tight fit). Two of my fellow wazungu have been sick, but I've been feeling better! Shout out to summer time in the states! -Kristen

[barefootinkenya]

you call it guacamole, we call it something else.... its not new to kenya :D i dont know about western but for sure in nairobi its in plenty esp when eating nyama choma. we refer to it as "kachumbari ya avocado". tortilla chips would be as good as finding ugali in america. enjoy your stay in kenya :D

Mmmm! That is wonderful! It would be so good with nyama choma(roast goat)! I'll have to look for it on my way home through Nairobi. -Kristen

[barefootinkenya]

Guacamole

Today, we made guacamole for our fellow teachers at school, because Mondays are chapatti days. It was such fun to go to the school kitchen and hang out with the workers while we made guac. The workers tried it and loved it, and it was also a hit at lunch with the teachers. They want us to make it every week. Maybe guac will revolutionize western Kenya! Avocados, tomatoes, onions and oranges abound, so guac is so easy to make! They don't know what tortilla chips are though. -Kristen