Last days in Kenya

Dear friends,

this is my last post from Kenya! But before returning to Germany we will spend two weeks on Zanzibar! I can´t wait to reach this paradise for a little vacation in the sun! We will spend most of the time in Nungwi, at a friends place.

Our last days in Kakamega were nice and successful. We had several meetings with the core team and discussed the future of our project. Besides, we visited Kipsangui Village, which is close to Eldoret. There, we spent one night at the place of assembly member Florence Masika. She showed us her village and introduced us to her family. One last nice trip in Kakamega County.

Me with Florence`family

Children of the village

The River of Kipsangui

Sebastian discussing with Florence`father and her brother

Borehole of Kipsangui

The home of Florence´family

Now, we are back in Nairobi and will cath the flight to Zanzibar tomorrow morning. But the time I had in Kakamega was incredible and indescribeable. I will miss a lot of people, I got to know very well over the time. Right now, I´m leaving friends, my host family and a place behind, where I have learned so much. Not just about Kakamega, Kenya and its people - but moreover about myself and my personal aims in life. This internship is a time, I will never forget and I deeply thank everyone, who made it possible and that special! I hope, once I get the chance of coming back to my temporary hometown!

Our dearest friend Mophat

Our costermonger of trust

Me with my friend Eddah

Sebastian with our host family

Sebastian and our friend Brian

A canopy of leaves in Nairobi

Also thanks to everyone, who followed me, so far!

Cheers,
Frauke

Kakamega-Kampala-Najembe-Jinja-Kisumu-Kakamega

Dear friends,

first of all: Happy New Year! Long time, no see. But the last week we have been touring around Uganda. Our journey started with a Matatu drive to Kisumu. There, we picked a bus bringing us directly to Kampala. Unfortunately, we had some issues passing the border and had to pay extra money. But after 13 1/2 hours of driving, we finally reached Kampala. In the middle of the night a taxi brought us safely to our hotel.

Busy Kampala

But already the next morning there was the next suprise: In front of our hotel was a demonstration taking place and we were woken by shoutings. The religious motivated demonstration was even in the news coverage of national television, that day. However that be, we took a walk around the city, seeing the Parliament, the National Theatre, the High Court, the Delegation of the EU and also an African Craft Village where we bought nice handcraft. Kampala is a real nice, but very crowded place. During these days I got a cold, with the result that I had to stay in bed during New Year´s Eve. But after some rest, I got better, so we could leave Kampala.

Demonstration in front of our hotel

African Crafts Village

Sebastian in the building of the Delegation of the EU

Out next stop was Najembe. There, we took a walk around Mabira Forest Reserve, seeing the Griffin Falls. The Forest was amazing and the stay at Griffin Falls Camp delightful, because we met a very nice couple. After this short visit, we took another Matatu to Jinja. In Jinja, we stayed at the Nile. The backpackers was lovely and we used the time to enjoy the beautiful landscape and hang out at the source of the Nile!

Griffin Falls

Oldest tree of Mabira Forest Reserve

Village Najembe

 

 

 

 

The Nile

Jinja Bridge over the Nile

Our backpackers at the Nile

From Jinja we took the nightbus to Kisumu. Fortunately, passing the border was much more easy this time. Arriving in the middle of the night, we had some hours of sleep in a nearby hotel. After this short night we walked around the city to find the Immigration Office, to extend my visa. With the help of some officers we found the Office. And after about an hour in the office, I finally got the extension! On our way to the Matatu station we ran into another demonstration, this time of people demonstrating for higher salary. After the last Matatu ride we returned home, safely.

All in all, it was a nice and eventful week and we met a lot of friendly and helpful people. Once, I will go back to Uganda, that is for sure!

Cheers,









Frauke