Sunday, September 22, 2019

Asante Sana Kenya!

It’s been a few weeks since a landed in this African land, and in such a short time so many learning experiences.

To be honest I am surprised in a positive way every single day. Starting from the Kenyan policy to bane plastic bags, until the crowded streets of Nairobi that, for my surprise, were not that noisy as I thought!

It was still in the flight that I discovered that for two years, Kenya introduced a ban on plastic carrier bags. The government made the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of plastic carrier bags illegal. The millions of plastic bags used in the country before the ban were affecting the environment, clogging up drainage systems contributing to floods in rainy seasons and having an important negative impact on the cuttle living near urban areas that eat them. In Nairobi as we walk on the streets and across the markets this change is totally visible, everyone uses reusable bags, not made out of the most environmentally friendly material, but still better than the disposable plastic bags that the majority of the people in Portugal use to buy fruits and vegetables in the supermarkets.

The first days of this journey were spent in Nairobi, after a fast meeting with emigration office in Nairobi we were ready for the next adventure: 8-hour ride in a bus to Kisumu. We could’ve taken a flight, but flights are also not very environment-friendly and so we decided to lower our environmental footstep and enjoy the amazing views, landscape and wild nature in the side of the Kenyan Roads. I was so happy when suddenly I spot a Zebra on the side of the road! Welcome to Kenya!

When I say we I’m referring to the other two volunteers and beautiful souls that joined me in this Journey: Inma from Spain and Marion from France, booth will be working on gender issues with WEFOCO (the local NGO). Me – Andreia – being an occupational therapist will share and learn new knowledge with the community regarding disabilities and inclusion.

WEFOCO team, the other volunteers in the field (Jullie, Esther and Hanna) and the local community received us with amazing hospitality. These weeks we have been introducing ourselves in the local schools, official entities, community groups and offering our support in ongoing WEFOCO project (Photo: Me in the tailor shop, taking measurements from the children in the school support program from Mondo).

So far, I’m fascinated by the local culture, especially how people take time to consciously appreciate and be grateful for what they have, receive and how they set good intentions and wishes for what comes. Definitely, something I want to incorporate and take with me from now on.

Gratitude!