15 Days

So I changed my flight - just in time before the 24 hour deadline on Monday morning. I felt relaxed on the way back from the airport I think probably because I finally knew for sure when I was going home. The uncertainty of the previous few days had worn me out.

I've been very unsure about the whole informal nature of the arrangement of volunteering for Peter. I'm aware that's how they do things here - you turn up, you talk to someone and make plans. I know it would be hard for him to understand my 'English' reservations.

Peter is involved in 3 charities - mainly - two of which he set up himself, Maiden Africa and Africa Interactive Media both of which are about empowering young people through communications. This is something I've always had questions about, can making films really create a difference, is it worth teaching young people these skills when they have other pressing issues like finding enough money to finish high school? I thought being here for a short time would help me investigate this a little.
Peter's also on the board of Orphelins Sans Frontiers (East Africa) a sister charity to Medicine Sans Frontiers and their work is a little more accessible. They run a library, a computer room and a small textiles factory in a place called Kangeme, not traditionally a slum area but becoming one due to the huge influx of people who don't want to live in places like Kibera (ironic). They're in the process of building new premises and next week, if they're ready I may get to help some children with their reading which I'm excited about.

I didn't have to do any vounteer work on Monday so spent a couple of hours catching up with Rachel which helped me to relax about everything a bit more. She's not quite sure about when she's going to go home either so we were able to swap stories and laugh about it. The schedule for today involves youth film club in Eastleigh this afternoon, tomorrow is the girl guides group in Kibera and helping with a computer lesson hopefully and then back to film club on Saturday. From next week I should have more to do in Kangeme. If you want to know more about the project there you can go to www.osfea.com

I'm not busy full time though and I'm finding myself with a lot of hours to fill in Nairobi which can be frustrating. I'm trying to fill in the time in different ways. I bought a Swahili phrasebook and I think my language is getting afadhali kidogo. The cinema being so affordable is a big temptation in the middle of the day so it's probably a good thing they don't change their films very often. Rachel and I watched 'Seven Pounds' on Tuesday night. I'm constantly impressed by how much I like Will Smith regardless of the role or genre of the film. I would advise not watching this film alone though or if you have to go home by yourself afterwards. It takes 'intense' to new levels to the point where anyone with a beating heart either has to cry or laugh - depending on who you are - there's no other options. Thankfully I was staying with Rachel while her housemate was away.

I'm feeling a little more lighthearted about Nairobi now, it's not getting to me as much. When I was enjoying my free tour around the museum I came across a striking photo exhibition of pictures of Nairobi throughout a 24 hour period. It was an honest display and not all of the photos were pretty but it represented all levels of society and it made very good viewing. I'm not sure if what they've got online is quite the same but if you want to check it out go to www.24nairobi.com.

Having free time has given me a chance to think about coming home and what I'm going to do, make some plans :) It also means I have more time to miss home. I was in a cafe just now which was playing a very 'westernised' radio station called 'Capital' (probably owned by the same people who own Capital in London). They were talking about the Brit Awards and who's won what. Then I had to leave the cafe and walk past the gospel music shops playing the latest version of 'Abide With Me', sit in Jevanshee Gardens with the sun burning the back of my neck while the preacher shouted in the corner and the men sitting opposite stared at me like I was unusual wildlife. (Lispa was surprised when I told her it's rude to stare at people in the UK). I feel a very long way from home right now. I have occasional moments of panic when I think I'm never going to make it back. I have to remind myself that in 15 days that's exactly what I will be doing, going home, just 15 days...