Kenyans rarely pronounce the letter R, when speaking, and every vowel is pronounced separately. The letter u is pronounced as “ah, while U is pronounced oo. This can make it difficult to understand certain words when they are said quickly in conversation. Eg “Look at the chat over there,” is Read more…
Religion is very important in Kenya. The majority of people I have met would describe themselves as both Christian and religious. Most of the preferred denominations are evangelistic in their approach and there is a strong focus on fear, punishment, hellfire and damnation. It is part of everyday life, everyday Read more…
I was very excited. Bonface was taking me for an outing to Nairobi. Paul and Eunice were coming too. I had only been in Nairobi the day I arrived in Kenya and as it was 11pm and raining, it would be fair to say that I hadn’t seen much. Read more…
This was the speech I gave to a packed hall of pupils, staff and parents. Teacher Catherine translated into Maa and Kiswahili as I spoke. Enda Sopa Pooki (Maa for “Hello to everyone”) As many of you know, my name is Teacher Margaret and I come from Scotland. I Read more…
It is the last day before the month long Easter holidays. The plan is clear. Parents should arrive for teacher meetings at 8am, this will be followed by a whole school Assembly at 9am (which will last about 2 hours) then there will be more parent meetings before lunch Read more…
There hasn’t been a lot of wildlife in the school compound but we do have some regular visitors. Hens, goats and chickens are the most common visitors. They are very comfortable here and have to be chased from classrooms on occasion. We also get a lot of stray dogs and Read more…
The Prayer Group On Sunday morning, I went to church with Wasike, in Kisamis. As a Catholic, I always enjoy experiencing mass in other countries. As a general rule, services are much longer but the singing is better! After a 2 hour service – which was in Kiswahili and wasn’t Read more…
During, my day with Noisim, I was invited to join her for a Maasai celebration. A neighbour’s daughter, Sylvia is getting married in a few weeks and this was the blessing from the pastors and the giving of the gifts ceremony. There would be between 150 and 200 guests Read more…
We arrive in a cloud of smoke as we climb off the motorbike. Noisim and I walk the last 500 metres to the family compound. It is all up hill. She explains that this is the land of her father –in–law, who is dead. He had three wives and each Read more…
I was very excited. It was going to be a great Saturday. Teacher Noisim was coming to collect me from school. We would visit her home and family before going to a pre-wedding party at a neighbour’s house. It was going to be my first opportunity to be really immersed Read more…
