Alari
Computer/programming tuition etc, annually 2010-2017.
- Age
29 years (when 1st time in Shianda) - Profession
ICT - How long time you volunteered in Shianda?
First time it was two months, have been in Shianda several times after. - 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. - 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. - 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. - What were your tasks?
Visiting the families, schools, evaluating the data, administrative work, maintaining the web, ICT tasks and tuition. - 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. - 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.) - What would you have liked to know before coming?
Know Swahili language, or even Luhya, to communicate better. - 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. - 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.
- Do you miss something?
My incredibly smart, good-to-be-with, funny and professional co-volunteers; Shianda; the house; the sun; pikipikis. - Any other comments:)
Keep your phone charged:)