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Alari

Computer/programming tuition etc, annually 2010-2017.

Alari

  1. Age
    29 years (when 1st time in Shianda)
  2. Profession
    ICT
  3. How long time you volunteered in Shianda?
    First time it was two months, have been in Shianda several times after.
  4. Why did you decide to go to Kenya?
    I didn’t choose Kenya specially, but it had been my long time dream to be in Africa in general one day.
  5. Why did you decide to volunteer with WEFOCO?
    My friend Janika was building the organisation, so the next year I got an invite to join and we flew to Kenya.
  6. What do you think about the work that is being done by WEFOCO?
    It’s kind of amazing how much can be achieved with so little resources.
  7. What were your tasks?
    Visiting the families, schools, evaluating the data, administrative work, maintaining the web, ICT tasks and tuition.
  8. What did you like most about volunteering?
    Being able to see the situations with my own eyes and ears, rather than reading an article or a book, trying to draw my own conclusions and/or discuss with others.
  9. What was suprising?
    The level of corruption and tribalism, in some cases the recklessness, insanity of it. (In the country in general, not especially in Shianda.)
  10. What would you have liked to know before coming?
    Know Swahili language, or even Luhya, to communicate better.
  11. What are the difficulties that the volunteers should prepare themselves for?
    You’re not going to be a best friend for everyone and don’t try to be one. And listen to the experiences of others, good and bad, there is probably a good reason to tell something.
  12. Tell about your favourite experience from Kenya.

    • A night-time ceremony in Pokot semi-desert area, out of another world, completely surreal.
    • Getting lost in rainforest with Elen, ending up kilometres and kilometres away just before dark in a heavy tropical rain.
    • The feeling when you actually achieved something in Shianda.
  13. Do you miss something?
    My incredibly smart, good-to-be-with, funny and professional co-volunteers; Shianda; the house; the sun; pikipikis.
  14. Any other comments:)
    Keep your phone charged:)