"He taught me that Unlearning what we know is as important as knowing how little we do and know the limits of what we know. "
This is a quote from one of the books by Michael Elmore-Meegan, Director of the International ICROSS.
This quote says exactly what's right is of real importance to learn and be open to something new can. Because often, the own body of knowledge called into question in order to open up new knowledge to cross boundaries to discover how little we really know yet. To
the diversity and individuality of Kenya with their very different people, cultures, lifestyles and everyday life processes to know and understand, it is extremely important to take the meaning of this quotation to heart.
Many new and strange things and facts, events and happenings and incidents and sentiments might surprise us at first, scare, scare, intimidate, or even anger. However, it is of vital significance to ease the new impressions, free from any prejudice and so absolutely objective to approach within our thinking to experience and explore a "new" world in all its variety and sophistication and to be able to.
This requires the intent of this impartiality, however, often a lot of strength as well as discipline and often a change of one's character and his own personality. It is not always easy to remove both from their own thinking and action patterns, as well as fixed and established structures to open his vision of the common border and to expand his horizons.
exactly is this difficulty and complexity of the learning process, in my opinion, by a further quote from Elmore-Meegan M. book "All Will Be Well" exactly clear:
"Opening our minds can be painful as we start to recognizes the limitations in the way we think."
The acceptance of different observations and general impressions of everyday things, and especially during the visits of the projects and living together with different people and cultures, these quotes, facts and new ideas always keep in mind ...
A few general impressions on the different things over time:
Land and People:
Kenya takes approximately 36.7 million inhabitants (2006) 36th Rank among all countries the earth is a.
The enormous variety of Kenya is in itself clear from the fact that the country is populated by approximately 40 different cultures, which usually have their own languages and different traditions, with English and Swahili, but are the official languages.
Each of the individual cultures is very individual and people are so unique and special that you can only feel admiration and respect for insights into their worlds and their lifestyles, and often deep respect for their traditions, customs, and their comprehensive and extensive knowledge within the various areas.
The flora and fauna of Kenya is as varied. Just as of trips to the various projects of ICROSS I noticed the manifold animal and plant species, as well as the different climate in different parts of the country. It is near Nairobi in the "Base" is still cold and rainy, so it is a couple of hours later, in Maasai country, hot and the soil is powder dry. Water and especially clean drinking water in large parts of the country is an absolute shortage. The use of contaminated drinking water represents the foundation for a number of diseases that can spread quickly and flechendeckend why this area is one of the main areas of ICROSS describes to what is already significant and fundamental progress has been achieved and future to be achieved even more. http://www.icross.ie/downloads/solar_disinfection_of_drinking_water.pdf
http://www.icross.ie/downloads/:
more information about "Solar disinfection of drinking water" and "Water Protection" . water_protection_in_kajiado% 20 (2) pdf
economy:
Kenya has in recent decades, compared to other African countries, showing above-average Wirtschaftswachtstum for themselves. This could be due to many factors, however, sadly not translated into a substantial improvement of living conditions of most Kenyans. For example, the average increase in population growth also has contributed, among other things, that the living standards of most of the population did not improve.
Kenya lives mainly from coffee and tea exports, and by industry (machinery and transport equipment, textiles and clothing, food and flowers) and tourism (national parks and game reserves).
from the livestock industry continues to move, especially butter, meat, hides and skins are exported.
The huge disparity between the rich class and the poor will become apparent in many places:
Thus, for example, meets in Nairobi in myriad modern, new warehouses, factories and companies with enormous billboards, while a large proportion of the population of Kenya in contrast, lives without electricity or running water and do not know what the next meal the children will be financed ...
live in Kenya also produce exceptionally talented and gifted artisans and carpenters, the wonderful, fantastic furniture and other things. Most of this furniture on roadsides, in markets or small shops are selling. If you visit the other hand, one of the leading department stores in Kenya, such as the Nakumatt is, none of these stunning pieces of furniture referred to, which was made of really talented Kenyans and made arduous. Nothing here is to discover from their own craftsmanship of Kenya. The large department stores instead try foreign, "modern" styles to import and produce lush masses, which is neither particularly beautiful or evidence of exceptional quality, nor is the population of Kenya is too good - and whether this really appeals to the tastes of the masses is also questionable and can not be doubted.
the department stores should rather support their own people and appreciate their work and use, as both sides would ultimately benefit if these wonderful preparations and products being sold in their own trade.
waste:
The problems associated with the waste, is a topic that is not struck me just right at the beginning of my internship, but you'll be asked out again and again in mind and therefore at this point should be mentioned briefly.
exist in Kenya, no state-regulated waste incinerators, recycling facilities, waste disposal systems or equivalent. In Nairobi, for example, it is the duty of Government to collect the garbage as far as possible and on a single official landfill (Dandora) to unload. There, the waste then stored otherwise done anything further with this, except that some people are still looking out for himself useful things from the garbage. In addition to this huge landfill, but there are also countless places and places where the waste is simply collected on the roadside or in a corner. Many Me
Payment: burn all their garbage, including plastic bags or other things that can generate toxic gases when burned, because they do not know where to put the garbage or what to do with the garbage instead. This behavior can not blame them on the one hand, as long as no state regulations for waste supply exist, because no one would like to suffocate in his garbage! caused the other hand, this kind to deal with the waste, however, drastic environmental problems, because the ground water and air are contaminated by extreme and the shares of dioxins in milk and eggs are
dangerously high. This is therefore an enormous and immediate action! It is the responsibility of political and government leaders to create an environmental awareness among the population through education and open alternatives that provide for a legal, environmentally friendly and sustainable waste disposal, so that implementation of these aspects will eventually allow it. But each individual can also even begin to do something ... I go here, for example, for shopping, I take my own bags, so as not to get every time a new plastic bag, which is usually immediately gets here in the supermarket. This is really a contradiction in itself: the public does not know how to deal with the waste and no disposal facilities are in place but will be distributed free of plastic bags for every little thing ...?!
here in a context of finding solutions, in addition to providing information and creating opportunities for waste disposal, are recognized in the packaging production, to alternative environmentally-friendly packaging options escape, thereby reducing the amount of waste.
Markets:
The most impressive markets of all kinds and in various sizes to be found anywhere. You meet markets in every small town and every community. There primarily fresh foods of all varieties are offered, but also cattle trading is conducted. Often, extra clothing, or common objects for everyday life, such as bags, fabrics and household goods provided. In the markets you meet different people with diverse personalities and characters immeasurably. It often offer opportunities to people to engage in conversation and learn more about the country and its people "and to learn. It is much more pleasant and friendly his food on one of the markets rather than buy into one of the big department stores. Not least, many people earn in this way because their livelihood and are also dependent on the sale of their goods, what with the ongoing construction of large department stores increasingly difficult.
follow Here are some pictures of a larger market in Kisii:
Once I also visited a Maasai Market near Nairobi. This market, however, differs significantly from the "ordinary" markets. Here are sold primarily handmade and home-made items such as figures and musical instruments and jewelry, scarves and blankets. The art and skill with which all these different and wonderful things are being made to earn extraordinary admiration and great respect.
Maasai market in Junction:
Transport and Infrarstruktur:
The dense traffic on the road to me is how in another post ("The Beginning and the start of the internship ") explains struck directly at the beginning of the internship. It was partly due to the extremely poor infrastructure pronounced Kenya. This is an actual deficit is the country and requires concrete action. The network of public transport is extensive sperrlich and the streets are a major part of the country, especially in rural areas in poor condition. They are often littered with potholes, or only partially and not sufficiently completed. Also there is a lack of road markings usual. Driving a vehicle requires some roads so real driving skills and practical skills and why you should charge each driver recognition!
on the busy streets, however, seem at present innumerable works to improve or expand the roads to take place, it is important to recognize that even a departure within the country significantly.
The supply of public transport such as buses and trains will also be increasing. Instead of major public transport, you will find anywhere but in addition the so-called Matatus, as an alternative transport and means to move.
In Kenya, a matatu is is a kind of very inexpensive taxi.
The name derived from the term "ma tatu" - "for three" off. This was originally meant three shillings, a lump sum, what we in the colonial period in Nairobi was able to drive anywhere. Meanwhile, the taxes not only drive in the city, but to reach the farthest corners of the country. Today, the car usually 15-seater mini buses (five seats to three persons). You drive certain routes, signs with the respective destinations and / or the associated price lists are hanging in the window.
happy are the Matatus "God saves you" in the back or with religious slogans such as bold or "Disco King" is provided. Frequently they are "souped up" with technical equipment and booms from the speakers loud music.
The staff of a car consists of a driver and a "conductor" who is responsible for the Clerk and the organization of the stops of the Matatu .
are the notorious Matatus due to lack of maintenance and the fact that they are often crowded and because of the numerous breakdowns, but since 2004 have become much more stringent controls to reduce hazards. These tests are however not yet known to us with the provisions of the "TÜV" to compare. However, a matatu must become a his yellow stripe on the side of the car marked as such and there is a seat belt without exception all passengers.
The Matatu is during the time of my internship here in Kenya has become my main means of transportation, with the exception of times when I was driven by any ICROSS staff. I have the Matatu really learned to like and appreciate. Also here you meet the different people and often you get when driving directly into the conversation. Furthermore, one should always keep in mind that most of the people of Kenya can maintain a private car and thus the really good and practical solution der Matatus als günstiges Fortbewegungsmittel angewiesen ist.
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