Last minute details

I have gotten nearly everything for my trip that was on the packing list. I only need to find 2 more items. Travel toilet paper and one item of clothing to help deal with the heat. Now it is just packing everything to make sure they fit and what needs to go into my half of one of the checked luggage bags that will be provided by Project Kenya. We will be meeting on February 14th to go over last minute details and weigh our bags. I have also been given my host family information and they live just within the school yard. I will definitely have a short walk to the school. They do have 4 children ranging in ages 14 yrs. to a 6 month old. Everything seems to be on track and I will be practicing packing this week. I was told that we have a snow storm coming in this Monday night into Tuesday. Possibly 6 to 10 inches. This is one thing I will not miss while I am gone. I will be sending warm thoughts to those that I leave here in Wisconsin. Enjoy the weather! I just hope that one does not come in on the day that I need to leave for the Chicago airport. Brrr! Just thinking about this makes me cold.

Kenya Language

At my last few meetings to get ready for the February 26th departure date for Ribe, Kenya we were given some basic language skills. I will share a few that we were given.

Remember, this is just the basics we were given.

Jambo=hello
Habari, bwana = hello sir
Habari, bibi = hello, madam
mzuri = hello, I'm fine
goodbye = kwa heri
please = tafadhali
thank you = asante
thank you very much = asante sana
forgive me = samahani
sleep well = lala salama
yes = Ndio
No = Hapana
Cold = Baridi
Hot = Moto or Joto
water = maji
food = Chakula
no thanks = hapana tafadalhi
yes, please = ndio tafadalhi
help = Nisaidie
I can't speak Swahili = Siwezi kusema Kiswahili

January 16th update

So far everything is under control. I will have a meeting tomorrow (1/17) at 1:30 p.m. with the group members. We will get some do's and do not's for when we are in Kenya, some basic language skills, background, how we should pack, information about our visas, what to expect in the airport, information on our host families that we will be staying with, how to pack (I know I listed this already, but it is a concern since I never really pack light even though I mean to), what to expect, etc....

Packing could be fun. The list is not overly long but I will probably need some pointers on how to fit everything in.... what not to take, what I wish I could take but won't be able to fit or just due to restrictions. Have to follow the rules. Hmmm. This will be fun fun fun. I hope to get a list so that I don't accidently break one. Sometimes my memory is not what it should be.

Step 1 for trip

The first step in my trip was to get my immunizations for the trip. Not my favorite thing to do. I dislike shots quite a bit. I have recieved my vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, and Polio. Four shots in one day is fun, fun, fun. When they gave me the shots they cautioned me that I may experience flu like symptoms as a side effect. They were right. I did. Though seriously it is a small price to pay considering the alternatives. I also have to take Malaria pills before, during and after my trip.

Project Kenya Mission Trip Introduction

Ok. This is a blog about my trip that I will be taking in February. I have the good fortune to be able to go along with a group from Project Kenya to help finish a school in Ribe, Kenya. The two story school will have classrooms, a computer lab and a library. The library portion of this project is what I will be helping with since that is what I have my degree in. This will be a very informative trip that I hope will create lasting relationships with the people that I meet along the way. For anyone who is interested in learning more abouy Project Kenya can go to their website at http://www.project-kenya.org/. I encourage anyone to take a look at this website.