PCV in Kenya: Week 4
Monday
Today was the first day of school đI didnât have to be to work until 10, so I had a relaxing time eating breakfast and getting ready before heading out. It takes me about 30 minutes to walk to school. I listen to a podcast or music on the walk. When I arrived, I helped label envelopes for incoming students then spent the rest of the day organizing paper copies, my teacher notes, and lab materials for the first few lessons. Everyone was very welcoming at school. We all work in the teacher work room because in Kenya, teachers rotate classes while students stay in one room. So far, I like this because I get more collaboration time with other teachers and I donât have as much decision fatigue with being in a room with students from the start to the end of school. The school provides lunch for us every day. Today, we had ugali, vegetables, and beef stew. We also got ice cream courtesy of one of my coworkers đAt the end of school, I went to the market to get some bottles of water to keep at school since I canât drink from the tap and my filter stays at my house. I dropped these off at school on my way home. Once I got home, I started making egg rolls. They actually turned out really good (if I do say so myself), but they took me way too long to make. I cleaned dishes and watched the season finale of âThe Crownâ to end the night.
Tuesday
I got up early so I could have my hour and a half of waking up before I talk to anyone lol đ Today, school started at 8. At work, most of the day was spent cleaning and organizing the classrooms and teacher workroom. In the teacher workroom, I am sharing a desk with Anitah and so far we are having a great time đ We had a staff meeting during the second half of the day. After this meeting, the principal introduced me to the Form 2, 3, and 4 students. I then walked home with Laura, a co-worker, because she lives really close to me. I got to see her home and meet her mom and son before continuing on to my house. I took out the trash to our burn pile in the back yard, ate dinner, and studied a bit of language before calling it a day.
Wednesday
On my walk to work, I stopped to introduce myself to the primary school teachers and talk to them about Darien Book Aid. Darien Book Aid distributes books for free to Peace Corps volunteers and US organizations in need of books to improve literacy and education. After this discussion with the primary school, I went to my school and worked on lesson plans all day. At the end of school, I walked to my tutorâs office and we had a quick meeting before going our separate ways at 6PM. It gets dark here at 7PM, so I was trying to hurry home so I could get back before the sun went down. The only problem was that it had rained a lot the night before and the back way to my house was flooded. I still thought I could manage since I was wearing gumboots. I was wrong đ Halfway through this shortcut, I fell. I was so muddy and at this point not a happy camper lol. I hurriedly turned around to go to the main road and hustled home on this longer but dryer route. I got home just as the sun was setting.
Thursday
I got to school on time and lesson planned and worked on the Darien Book Aid request all day. I walked to the market twice (Thursday is a market day), once for groceries and once to meet with the carpenter. I walked home with Anitah and Laura. I got a blister from my gumboots which is unfortunate because I need to wear them for probably another month until we hit dry season. Back at home, I finally found a spot to hang up my eno and I relaxed in it until the sun set. I ate dinner and started watching âLyle Lyle Crocodileâ.
Friday
Today was a normal morning and workday. I got to see Charles and all his friends because they came to school for a meeting. I walked home with Laura and Anitah and made potato slices with slices of air fried bread with egg on top (delicious). I watched âLittle Womenâ for the first time and it was amazing. For some reason, there were so many tiny spiders roaming the floors tonight, so I had to do a bit of bug spraying and stomping before I felt confident enough to go to bed without the possibility of new roomies.
Saturday
It rained all day today. I still needed to do my laundry, so I found a window where the rain was light and got to work quickly. At 11, I walked to Nickâs home to meet up with Caroline to go swimming. We swam and chatted in the rain then went inside to warm up and watch movies. Richard and Violet helped us get settled and we even got bread, French fries, and chai (it was amazing). We watched âLeave the World Behindâ and it was a strange movie. Not sure I liked it at all. We walked back to my house at 6PM and it was funny getting through the mud because of all the rain. On this walk, I finally met my neighbor, Margaret, and she is so sweet. Back at my house, we made mashed potatoes and spiced lentils for dinner and then watched the movie âSicarioâ.
Sunday
Caroline and I started our day off with coffee and then she headed out around 9AM. I started my day by downloading shows to my phone and working on some paperwork. I then made pancakes and did my nails while watching âDownton Abbeyâ (the TV show) for the first time. I took my trash out then the carpenter came with my kitchen cabinet / worktop. I spent the rest of the day organizing my food and appliances in the cabinet. Now, all of my living room seats are free of kitchen things! I called my dad, who was on his way to the Lions playoff game with my grandpa and then I called my mom to show her my updated living room setup. For dinner, I had leftovers from last night and watched âMonkâ before ending the week.
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