Wow, today was intense. We began with a trip into the heart of Korogocha, one of Africa’s largest (~400k people, but no one really knows how many) slums. As we bussed in, many had to close their windows as the stench was revolting. We caused quite a spectacle traveling along the narrow, make-shift streets asContinue reading “The Poorest of the Poor”
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Project Day
Today was a lot of fun. We had the day to ourselves, ostensibly to work on our projects. However, many of us also took the opportunity to explore Kenya on our own a little. Some went on safari, some went shopping, and some (as I did) went to the Nairobi National Museum. Because my motherContinue reading “Project Day”
Wildlife Day
Today was awesome. We left the camp early in the morning and trekked back to Nairobi for meetings at the “offices” (which are more like a zoo) of the Kenya Wildlife Service. We met with the KWS director, the head of KWS’s Rangers (which are paramilitary poacher fighters), and the founder of the Save theContinue reading “Wildlife Day”
Full Day in Naivasha
Thursday began with a jog around the premises and along the local roads with Bevan (Kiwi) and Rich (American). “Around the premises” accidentally included “through the latrine runoff area.” This required deft maneuvering to avoid stepping in human waste. I’m not sure I succeeded. Running along the roads was an experience too. All the childrenContinue reading “Full Day in Naivasha”
Back From the Land of Hippos
We have returned from Lake Naivasha, which was an experience, to say the least. We arrived on Wednesday at Crayfish Camp, which would be our home for the next two days. Crayfish Camp was just that: a camp! We showed up with laptop cases and rollerbags only to find, to the shock and dismay ofContinue reading “Back From the Land of Hippos”
I Thought Kenya Would Be Hot!
My Czech classmate and I began today with a 6 AM swim in the hotel pool. It’s winter here (Southern hemisphere) and Nairobi is about 1400 meters above sea level, so it’s actually quite chilly with highs only around 65 degrees F. The air this morning was quite cool and the water even cooler soContinue reading “I Thought Kenya Would Be Hot!”
Case Studies and Beer in Kenya
Today began with something we thought we had left behind in our past: a case study! It was about two local entrepreneurs; the discussion was lead by the Dean of Nairobi’s Strathmore Business School and one of the protagonists came to provide his personal account. In the afternoon we met with the general management ofContinue reading “Case Studies and Beer in Kenya”
Povera Italia
Today’s theme was entrepreneurship, which naturally kept me very interested. We met with all kinds of Kenyan entrepreneurs, from locals pulling themselves up out of poverty to ex-pats riding the wave of growth to battered women establishing financial independence to members of the Diaspora making their prodigal returns. It was interesting to see how differentContinue reading “Povera Italia”
First Full Day in Nairobi
Today was a busy Saturday, packed with meetings with the Swiss ambassador to Kenya, the executive director of Climate Network Africa, and the Deputy Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in charge of Kenya’s Diaspora. We were also due to meet with the Prime Minister, Minister of Trade, and former Minister of Finance, butContinue reading “First Full Day in Nairobi”
I’m in Kenya!
The day began ealier than usual; we all met at IMD at 4:45 AM to take a bus to the airport. Air travel was smooth and, before we knew it, we landed in Nairobi. To avoid evening traffic, which is abysmal, we had two meetings there at the airport. The first, with Swiss International AirContinue reading “I’m in Kenya!”