My Home Stay

I arrived in Kenya on Saturday. After passing through immigration and customs, I found the driver for International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)/ Network of Voluntary Services (NVS). There were two other volunteers arriving at the same time, Ina from Norway and Stephanie from the States. Our driver took us to the NVS volunteer house where we stayed for 1 night. 

In the morning we chatted with the other volunteers and had breakfast - tea and toast with butter, jam, and avocado . Because we were such a small orientation group (11), we had orientation in the living room at the house. 

After orientation, we had super yummy lunch and left for our home stays. I am living with Ann and her family - 2 little girls who are three and six and very lively, and Ann's sister. There are 2 other volunteers here with me. Amanda from Canada and Kaite from the States. Kaite has been here since May 15 and Amanda since June 1st. They are also at my placement. I'm glad to have some other volunteers around to show me the ropes.

Our home stay is quite comfortable, with one exception, there is no running water. There is pluming, but nothing comes out. So, we flush the toilet with a bucket of water and we also have to shower with a bucket. There are big containers of water shared with the other apartments. To shower, you have to go outside and fetch water, then boil some of the water in the electric kettle. Then shower by pouring pitchers of water on you... I'll let you know how it goes. The other volunteers suggested that I try to go as long as possible between showers because it it such a process!

Our water.