Yet again, I must apologise for my significant lack of contact over the last month! Gosh, that is bad. This post is going to be a short(ish one), to fill you in on the adventures between my last post (just after my birthday) and leaving for Tanzania (at the beginning of June).
The week following my last post was packed as always. A mix of doctors, cinema, shopping and even a visit to the gym. The highlight of the week however was finding out on the Tuesday that my research permit had finally been approved and issued, so after another payment - by this time I am not surprised when I find there is always a new payment that needs to be made round every corner - they agreed to send it to me by courier. After a little mix up and confusion I was assured that my permit would be available for me to collect from Mombasa on the Monday, which meant that I could finally apply for my Pupils Pass, and then finally officially start doing my work! So as I headed in a packed car down to Dinai for the week-end I was in a mood for celebrating, and everyone else was hyped up with the excitement for Diani Rules.
Diani Rules was one of the craziest week-ends I have had in a very long time. From the moment we arrived the drinking and games started. With blindfolded targets, volleyball with a football, touch rugby, ultimate frizby and 4-way tug of wars as just a taster of the games run all day for 2 days. Most of the ‘competitors’ being under the influence of more than a couple of beers and judges happily taking bribes, it was a hilarious few days. Although the true aim is to loose (as then you get the best prizes), it appears that everyone’s competitive spirits still take control, with some (Uganda Civicon...Ahem!) taking things a little too seriously, so the games are full on and quite ridiculous as no one listens to the rules and barely anyone is in a fit state to be competing! Needless to say I had a fantastic week-end, and with our team coming second in the group, went home with possibly the ugliest cap I have ever seen, and the new nickname of ‘Emma-gizer’!
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| The 'Vajazzles' (or at least those alive at the time). oh, and two policemen??? |
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| Taking our supporting roles very seriously - except McGuiness had just been tackled into the sand! |
On our way back home we stopped off in town for me to pick up my post, and what a wonderful way to return it was. Not only did I finally have my research permit in hand, but I also got a parcel from home with my birthday presents!
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| The long awaited for - Research Permit! |
The following week and a half was again packed. I went with my friend Sinead to go to one of the clinics where they treat children with physical disabilities – it was incredible to see the bravery and strength of the children. I also attended an activity day run by my friends charity “Why Not” which works on getting children with physical disabilities the treatment they need. Unfortunately the beginning of June saw the departure of Sinead, one of the people I had gotten closest to whilst in Kenya. So with a sad farewell the week ended a little low. However, for me this meant the opportunity to throw myself into work, as due to being one of the most entertaining, and exciting people I know, it was safe to say that I had gotten a little distracted from work by hanging out with Sinead J So with her departure, although it left me rather lonely, I found a lot more time to be getting on with work.
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| Sinead's Farewell |
I spent the next week working hard, going through all my notes and background work, writing everything up, and putting together my poster for the upcoming conference in Arusha. Although rather stressful, by doing the poster I managed to process through a lot of the background work I had done, and was really able to pull everything together, which was great to do, and gave me a real sense of the amount of information I have already on the work that I am doing.
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| Screen-print of my poster -it looked better in real life! |
As well as saying goodbye to Sinead, the first week in June also saw my farewell to Bombolulu. With the decision made that I would be moving to Kilifi for my work, it made sense that my departure for Tanzania also meat my departure from Bombolulu, giving me the push I would need when I got back to sort out moving to Kilifi.
So by the 9th of June, I had gotten my permit, sent in my application for my Pupils Pass, said goodbye to Sinead, and moved out of Bombolulu. So as I made my plans for heading to Tanzania, I knew my life in Kenya and the life of my project would all change on my return.
