Black Holes and Expectaaaaaations

It's been ages.  I am annoyed with myself about that.  I have wanted to write at least 10 times since my last entry, but couldn't convince myself that I had anything worth sharing.

These days, my Swahili is getting a bit better including my Swahili listening skills.  Cannot explain how happy I am about this.  Every now and then, I will find myself thinking in Swahili.  I am really embracing Swahili dishes too, and feel determined to perfect the coconut bread.  It is pretty frustrating that I don't have any great kitchen utensils or nice pans/pots.  Maybe it is a blessing though, since I know that if my kitchen were decked out, I'd spend too much time trying new recipes instead of job hunting.

I was rejected for the first job I applied for.  It was with One Acre Fund in Western Kenya.  They openly promote the use of inorganic fertilizers to lots and lots of farmers.  So, it really wasn't a great fit for either side.  Probably a blessing.  Applied to two other positions, one in Uganda and one in the U.S..  Been close to two weeks and I am still awaiting responses.  Applying for jobs feels like revealing your soul to strangers and then sending documents with loads of information about yourself straight into a giant black hole.  Hopefully that feels less bizarre with time.

Last week, I traveled to Nairobi and Thika to meet with the Outreach and Networking manager for Sustainable Agriculture Community Development Programmes (SACDEP) http://sacdepkenya.org/ (the website is less phenomenal than the work they are doing).  I had briefly talked to the Executive Director on the phone and he directed me to this colleague of his.  I was mainly looking for information about their program with the coastal youth and how I might involve myself- but it turns out that it's a "fruit, nut, and livestock" program that is pretty streamlined and confined and it's unlikely I would find a way to get on board.  A group of kids on the coast buys these items from farmers in Kilifi and Malindi and then goes to the higher end hotels and sells them at a profit.  Pretty solid idea, really.

The meeting went really well overall.  Started off a little shaky, I was nervous and she seemed a bit skeptical of me, which is totally fair.  Almost as I was about to leave, she casually mentioned that I could submit ideas for new programs and they would be considered.  I've also been instructed to send my CV, what my expectations are for my involvement with SACDEP, what I'd like to be exposed to and what I'd like to achieve.  Quite a lot to think about and I wish I could just send it all in today!!!  The good thing is that doing this exercise will likely help point me in a clearer direction regardless of which organization I end up working for.  True, they are broad, overwhelming questions, but it's probably good for me to uncomfortably squirm and sit with them for a few days.

I confirmed the fact that I do not miss living in the Central Province.  Nairobi was cold and too city-ish for this country mouse and Thika was still dull and almost unbearably dusty.  It was heartwarming to see a couple of good friends and the staff from G-BIACK.  Jack's mom, Simba, has another litter of puppies and they look so malnourished that it breaks my heart.  There was a little black one with brown eyebrows, a white chest and brown legs.  It was like a little skeletal version of Jack back in the day.

The center has changed massively.  I am really happy for the directors (even though my relationship with them has really changed since I've left).  There are new buildings, a new greenhouse, the crops are thriving, a new and bigger seed bank (!), foot bridges across the trench, new rabbit house and some new staff.  A few of the students remembered me and were thrilled.  It really tickled me that they got so excited to see me.  Wish I could have seen the kids at the house where I used to live, so I could hand deliver their coconuts that I trekked across the country by bus.  The seed bulking garden is also more utilized these days which made me happy to see!!

I was beyond ecstatic to learn that not everything that I planted at G-BIACK died in the floods.  The chamomile, peppermint, fennel and one gorgeous pink hibiscus were still going strong, in addition to the basil.  My two strawberry plants were twice as big as when I left them and I was informed that some truly delicious strawberries had been enjoyed the day before.  Happy someone could enjoy them!

Pictures of the center to come soon.

In other news, I stupidly adopted a kitten from the main part of Mombasa town.  It has me wrapped around it's little paw and I literally have to justification for keeping it other than it helps me de-stress to play with it and care for it.  

Here's hoping it won't be another blue moon until I write again.  If anyone is, still in fact reading this thing. Ha!