Things that make life in Kenya easier part#1

There is a TV-show in Germany called "Goodbye Deutschland" (goodbye Germany). In this show, VOX documents life of different German families who decide that they are done with life in Germany as they know it and they put all their eggs in one basket, moving in a foreign country or even continent and try to build a new life there. Its not easy finding your self in a whole foreign land. Foreign language, which you might or might not speak, foreign cuisines, foreign culture not to mention a foreign general mentality.

If you happen to move to Kenya, it will not be different. You will be welcomed by a number of difficulties that you have to cope with. There are a few things though, that will make your life in Kenya easy. These are things that those travelling to Kenya as tourists might never experience.
Today i list 3 things which only a person living in Kenya will understand why they make a big difference.

I will have to start with the general easiness and calmness in the air. No wonder the two most famous phrases used in Kenya "There is no hurry in Africa"  and "Hakuna matata=No worries" emphasis this calmness. This 'coolness'can be experienced everywhere by everyone. May it be at the civil offices or at the grocery markets. This can drive those used to hectic  and punctuality a little crazy. Meetings will be scheduled for around 10 am  which actually means anytime between 10-12 am  You invite guests at 6 pm at your home for a party, then expect them between 8 pm-12 midnight. Church services will take 3 hours or even longer. Everything is almost in slow motion :-).

The second thing which make life in Kenya easier is the friendliness of the people. Whether you know them or not,  people will not hesitate to shout some "hi" or "sasa" or "niaje" or "jambo"  or "habari" to you while passing by on the streets. In Meru, for example,  its considered impolite if you don't greet your elders. The neighborhood is like an extended family. Parents can discipline every child in the area, you can literally knock at the door of your neighbor anytime to ask for some salt or just for a chat. You will know your neighbors by name, the names of their kids, their professions...name it. The people in Kenya smile and laugh a lot which, if we are honest, is all we sometimes need to have a great day.

My last point today will definitely go to the availability of affordable maids. I don't know how it is in other countries but this is not a norm in Germany. In fact the only similar thing to a maid in Germany are the Au-pairs. These are foreign young people who come to Germany for a year or less to watch after children and in the mean while get to learn the language and the German culture. There no families i know with a maid. Instead babies under 3 years will be sent to Kindertagesstätte (Kita) and the children over 3 years Will be taken to a kindergarten.

In Kenya on the other hand, working parents need to get a maid. There are no Kitas. Kids can visit preschools if the parents are fluid enough to afford it.  Parents from urban areas, where there no grandparents, are almost compelled to hire a maid. Maids take care of the kids, they carry out the daily home chores including cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping etc. They live with the family. Maids in Kenya are mostly girls between 15-25 years old. They are often primary school or secondary school dropouts with almost no future perspective whatsoever.
Most Kenyans can not imagine life without their botch.

They are mostly the little things that make the greatest differences in life. Don't ignore them or take them for granted.

Have an awesome weekend while enjoying the littlest of things :-).

Lots of luv
ItsRose_Beth