19th Hole
Hello everyone,
just a quick business matter first - I'm writing my last few columns over the next few weeks, and while I've resisted it before, I'm conceding defeat and giving in. What am I talking about? Product placement - that's right for only $25 I will put your name in my column in the Post. $100 for commercial ventures/advertisements though. Don't worry - 50% of all revenue generated from this idea will stay behind in Kenya and go towards microfinance organizations in Kenya so you'll be helping to alleviate poverty while getting your name in print. Plus, I'll personally autograph that column for you with a "best wishes, Jacob". Think about it.
So next week I'm going to help negotiate the trial farms on one guy's property. It's going to be an interesting experience b/c the professor who is overseeing the technical aspect of this project thinks that it is entirely the project's responsibility to tend to this trial farm including the labour, while I'm not sure if my boss, the one who works for Practical Action (the NGO), actually feels about this.
I made it to basketball and the gym this past week for the first time in weeks. I'm still as slow as molasses but in a game I did have a nice block. Sure the kid is only 17 and probably a good foot shorter than me but still. I really need to get back in shape for my return home. I've been turning into a bit of a chubalub. The Golden Grahams addiction certainly didn't help. I've kicked the habit cold turkey. I had too - I was at the office on Sunday and eating some of the delicious golden goodness when I noticed there were two empty boxes in the garbage. In a little under a week I had eaten almost 3 whole boxes. I may have a partially opened box in my hotel, so like the smoker on their last pack that'll be it for me.
On my way to get my mid-morning snack at the restaurant, a kid approached me for a shilling so I offered him a meal. He readily accepted. I thought he was a little too well dressed to be a street kid, but the people who work at the restaurant confirmed it for me. All of 8 years old and he's out on the streets begging for change. This is what I encounter on a daily basis. And the funny thing is that Kenya is one of the better countries in Africa - there's been no wars here (not that I know of), and the economy is supposed to be growing.
The worst part is the lack of social services programs for those who are in dire need - I'm talking about the disabled (or physicall challenged) and those kids and adults who are hooked on the glue. The closest I've come to seeing social programs is a letter that I think the government provides that people can show to solicit donations/support from members of the public. I saw one gentleman who had such letter, sitting on the major street in Kenya with his kid and letter stating that he's disabled and can't work. The other one was a gentleman who was deaf, but I'm not sure what his deal was but he had a letter looking for support in the form of cash donations or effects - so I bought him some shoe polish b/c that was one of the examples given. The quick shine kind, b/c I assumed that he probably didn't like to shine shoes b/c really, who does?
Since I've come to Kenya it's been like Christmas, just without the snow. I got another gift this past week - a book. Woo hoo. Yay me. I feel like Jesus, except instead of getting gold, myr and frankenscence, I've gotten a book, magazines, fake Crocs (or as I call them Frocs) and contact lens solution. Ok, so the last thing I asked for, but still, it was a surprise when it finally arrived from Canada, only 5 weeks after it was mailed. Don't worry, I got a surprise for you when I get back - me! I just hope you don't expect me to giftwrap myself when I see you b/c I think I'd look really odd on the subway sitting there in giftwrap with a pretty bow on my head.
Interesting little tidbit I found out this past week - the waiters at the restaurant where I do most of my eating - they get paid only 240 kenyan shillings/day. To put this into perspective, my lunch and coffee today cost me 355 ksh. I don't tip b/c I don't think it's custom here in Kenya (I did leave a couple of tips closer to the holidays, um x-mas, not valetine's) and before I leave I will leave the wait staff some cash tip, but it's just frightening how difficult it seems to be to make a decent living in Kenya. I'd be willing to bet that even the waitstaff at Canoe could probably afford a meal there a day just based on the tips that they get there... and the guy who used to sell me DVDs (I say used to b/c there's no point in buying anymore since my player doesn't work) - he sometimes only sells one or two a day at most. That means at best he's taking in 1000 ksh a day. Did I mention that the town where I live, the city council pilfered 85 million ksh?
Less than 49 days until I leave Kenya - 57 until I can roll up the rim to win. And win I will...
Have a great weekend everyone. Till next time...
j.
just a quick business matter first - I'm writing my last few columns over the next few weeks, and while I've resisted it before, I'm conceding defeat and giving in. What am I talking about? Product placement - that's right for only $25 I will put your name in my column in the Post. $100 for commercial ventures/advertisements though. Don't worry - 50% of all revenue generated from this idea will stay behind in Kenya and go towards microfinance organizations in Kenya so you'll be helping to alleviate poverty while getting your name in print. Plus, I'll personally autograph that column for you with a "best wishes, Jacob". Think about it.
So next week I'm going to help negotiate the trial farms on one guy's property. It's going to be an interesting experience b/c the professor who is overseeing the technical aspect of this project thinks that it is entirely the project's responsibility to tend to this trial farm including the labour, while I'm not sure if my boss, the one who works for Practical Action (the NGO), actually feels about this.
I made it to basketball and the gym this past week for the first time in weeks. I'm still as slow as molasses but in a game I did have a nice block. Sure the kid is only 17 and probably a good foot shorter than me but still. I really need to get back in shape for my return home. I've been turning into a bit of a chubalub. The Golden Grahams addiction certainly didn't help. I've kicked the habit cold turkey. I had too - I was at the office on Sunday and eating some of the delicious golden goodness when I noticed there were two empty boxes in the garbage. In a little under a week I had eaten almost 3 whole boxes. I may have a partially opened box in my hotel, so like the smoker on their last pack that'll be it for me.
On my way to get my mid-morning snack at the restaurant, a kid approached me for a shilling so I offered him a meal. He readily accepted. I thought he was a little too well dressed to be a street kid, but the people who work at the restaurant confirmed it for me. All of 8 years old and he's out on the streets begging for change. This is what I encounter on a daily basis. And the funny thing is that Kenya is one of the better countries in Africa - there's been no wars here (not that I know of), and the economy is supposed to be growing.
The worst part is the lack of social services programs for those who are in dire need - I'm talking about the disabled (or physicall challenged) and those kids and adults who are hooked on the glue. The closest I've come to seeing social programs is a letter that I think the government provides that people can show to solicit donations/support from members of the public. I saw one gentleman who had such letter, sitting on the major street in Kenya with his kid and letter stating that he's disabled and can't work. The other one was a gentleman who was deaf, but I'm not sure what his deal was but he had a letter looking for support in the form of cash donations or effects - so I bought him some shoe polish b/c that was one of the examples given. The quick shine kind, b/c I assumed that he probably didn't like to shine shoes b/c really, who does?
Since I've come to Kenya it's been like Christmas, just without the snow. I got another gift this past week - a book. Woo hoo. Yay me. I feel like Jesus, except instead of getting gold, myr and frankenscence, I've gotten a book, magazines, fake Crocs (or as I call them Frocs) and contact lens solution. Ok, so the last thing I asked for, but still, it was a surprise when it finally arrived from Canada, only 5 weeks after it was mailed. Don't worry, I got a surprise for you when I get back - me! I just hope you don't expect me to giftwrap myself when I see you b/c I think I'd look really odd on the subway sitting there in giftwrap with a pretty bow on my head.
Interesting little tidbit I found out this past week - the waiters at the restaurant where I do most of my eating - they get paid only 240 kenyan shillings/day. To put this into perspective, my lunch and coffee today cost me 355 ksh. I don't tip b/c I don't think it's custom here in Kenya (I did leave a couple of tips closer to the holidays, um x-mas, not valetine's) and before I leave I will leave the wait staff some cash tip, but it's just frightening how difficult it seems to be to make a decent living in Kenya. I'd be willing to bet that even the waitstaff at Canoe could probably afford a meal there a day just based on the tips that they get there... and the guy who used to sell me DVDs (I say used to b/c there's no point in buying anymore since my player doesn't work) - he sometimes only sells one or two a day at most. That means at best he's taking in 1000 ksh a day. Did I mention that the town where I live, the city council pilfered 85 million ksh?
Less than 49 days until I leave Kenya - 57 until I can roll up the rim to win. And win I will...
Have a great weekend everyone. Till next time...
j.
posted by kacob at 10:41 PM
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