Kibera...and the kids

                   Kibera

This is me and Charles at the Haki offices in Kibera. Jeff is doing research in Kibera about housing issues. I have been working on a blog for Haki. Charles really needs a website but I do not know how to do it and it is very expensive to have someone do it for me. If any of you out there can help, we would really appreciate it!!!

The Kids

 

The kids are doing well. They are settling into school. Max is still not fully in love with school but he is doing fine. The weather here allows them to be outside most of the time. They will really miss the freedom when we come home!  The pic above is at a playground that is part of a sports club. It the best outdoor playground we found. Of course you have to pay as with everything here. Left pic. Our swimming pool in our patio. It is so small because plastic things like this are very expensive here.  In many cases what is cheap in the States, is expensive here. However, manicures, pedicures, etc. are very affordable!! Hope you are all well! Miss you!!
Keep in touch! XOXO Rebecca

The Kids

Sam napping with a friend at school.

The kids at Margo's house, next door. They have a great yard with a play structure.  The kids love the pool and are often running around naked. Margo's mother and Brigitta, and I have become good friends. 

Sam's birthday. Also in the pic. Antonella and Kingsley, neighbors.  The boys have become great friends with Kingsley and his parents are good friends of ours. 

Sam, Jeff, Brigitta, and Margo

Here we are at a lake about two hours out of Nairobi. We took this boat out to see hippos. 

The kids love the bars on the window!

This is a pic. of The Great Rift Valley on our way to the lake. 

The kids are in their third week of school. It seems to be going ok. I think Max is wishing there was more playtime but he seems to be adjusting.  Last night some of Jeff's colleagues from Boston came for dinner, it was very nice to see them. 

Life here, for us, is pretty good. We keep keep our doors open, during the day, and the neighbors come for tea or a glass of wine while the kids play. We all feel like we are on a sort of extended vacation. 

I have volunteered at an orphanage last week. To my surprise there were more volunteers than kids. So ... there doesn't appear much need there. I think I am going to be helping Jeff with some research he is doing in one of the slums here. 

I have been going food shopping here more than I ever have. I go to the butcher, the green grocer, and Nakumatt (Kenyan Walmart). The food is good but you cannot always find what you want. I have also been cooking a lot as there is no prepared or frozen food here. The kids desperately miss chicken fingers! 

The pace is slow here. Waiting in checkout lines, traffic, waiting for a taxi, general errands take a lot longer here...it can be frustrating. 

On the whole we are doing very well but miss you all terribly!!!! Keep in touch, let me know what you are up to. 

P.S. Everyday here is 75-80 and sunny. One thing I do not miss...... SNOW!