Author: elixirkenya

I was not unprepared and knew the education system in Kenya was going through changes.  Offering my knowledge and sharing my experience with the key players in the Kenyan education system has not provoked any response.

I really want to make a difference here and the country needs all the help it can get if it is to meet its goal of education for all by 2030.  According to the VSO survey of 2014 there are more children with disabilities out of school than those without disabilities.  Disability in Kenya is viewed with mixed perceptions, there is persistence of stereotyping, misconceptions, stigma and discrimination both in school and communities.  Parents keep children away from school to protect them from social stigma in the ‘outside world’, high levels of poverty, lack of assistive devices even the most basic such as wheelchairs, lack of aides for children as well as lack of proper transportation, inadequate number of special schools and trained SNE teachers and aides.  The report also sights lack of an inclusive education policy, funding policy and medical policy and examination policy…..

Thankfully I have been able to support a few children as parents have heard about my background.  I have been able to act as advocate for families and advise schools as well as provide mentoring to support staff but I want to make a bigger impact and need to earn a living.  I know it will come but need it to materialise soon….

This country is so beautiful, the diversity of its environments are vast, the beautiful coast and the Indian ocean, the dry and harsh bush in the summer months when water is scarce, and the busy human populated areas with the colours and vibrancy of daily activity… I thought I had seen it all but I was lost for words when driving to one of the gates of Mount Kenya National Park.

We intended to look at a parcel of land in Naro Muro which was up for sale but when we realised it’s exact location we decided it would not offer what we were looking for in terms of seclusion and wildlife/nature.

As we were on the road to the Naro Muro gate we decided to continue, Jay navigating using google maps and me driving.  The road which was tarmac and in excellent condition was wide and almost straight.  We passed shambas and some very grand residential properties and a surprising number of schools, at least seven.  We also passed several herders with their cattle and goats on the verges.  After several miles we turned right onto a more familiar road surface, a dirt track.  It had been raining  in the morning and for some of our journey which must be normal for the area being so close to Mount Kenya, the crops in the fields were strong and green, this theme continued as we drove through small villages which were pristine and orderly without any sign of littering .  When we approached a brook, the track which was severely rucked and at least a 1:2 both down and up, I had the opportunity to test my off road driving abilities (Jay finds it difficult to not drive when when I am behind the wheel but he must have been impressed as he said nothing).  The scenery kept on improving as we approached the gate….. for several miles we were flanked on both sides by huge Mexican Cypress and as we peered through we could see this was a sustained forested area as smaller trees approx 10ft tall could be seen.  The seclusion and silence only interupted by the sound of the wind in the trees and the bird life which was abundant.

When we reached the gate there was a sign informing us that park fees were due beyond that point and the risk of forest fires was high which was not a surprise as it was summer….. we decided we would come back another day, before rainy season and make a whole day of it.

I’ve been doing alot of thinking and reading lately about life, religion, and the relationship with our own ego.

Yoga philosophy teaches that what we perceive as real is infact illusion.  We are not conscious to the real world. Our senses are overloaded masking true consciousness.

The ego starts to develop around the age of 2, I have observed this in my granchildren which has been amusing to witness.  These pure and untainted souls gradually finding a voice insist on attention and demand to be heard.  This is the start of the ego developing and the vail of distortion starts asending masking the purpose we are here.

I have read how religion adds to the belief associating us to part of an important group, better, more worthy and more deserving than other groups or religions…we all know this belief has led to wars and violence of mankind against mankind.

Some may be lucky and glimpse their true self and carry out their duty through selfless service but many will not.  Their ego and never ending demand for satisfaction and material gain will leave them empty and unfulfilled.

I woke this morning, much like any other, to the weaver bird tapping the window and singing loadly.  It had been a mystery to me why the bird behaves in this way.  I went outside and realised is was infact looking at its own reflection.  I then started to wonder if birds and animals had egos.  Jay suggested alpha males and alpha females must… which makes sense

We returned to Kenya on 4th January, dads birthday, which was a shame as I would have loved to spend some time with him…. maybe next year when he will be celebrating his 80th birthday.

Jay had picked up a cold/flu which was quite bad and kept him in bed since news years day, but it had not stopped our determiation to return to beautiful Kenya.  Unfortunately Jays illness turned out to be more serious.  He had slept most of the flight and seemed to perk up as soon as we touched down but 4 hours after arriving at my daughter’s I was waking my son-in-law asking him to take us to Nairobi Hospital.  Jay was delirous and had such a high temperature I was sure his organs must have been slowly cooking!

The hospital were very through performing all types of tests and monitoring vital statistics for several hours.  When we eventually were discharged Jay had a diagnosis of pneumonia and sepsis with a persciption for antibiotics and strong pain killers.  We hoped this would be the end but the illness took its toll and recovery is only just in sight 6 weeks later!

I drove us back North and we have returned to the cottage we love with its wonderful staff and after meeting two of the four canadian co-owners feel really settled and happy to be back in Nanyuki where the  beautiful view of Mount Kenya greets us every day.

We met some great people at One Stop.  Once a week a group of Kenyan and expats get together to play hockey on a small field and socialise.  As we were staying in one of the huts we were invited.  We were introduced to several people who were encouraging and positive about our future plans.  Some had common interests or had contacts who might be able to help us in various ways…surely it can’t be this easy?  Or is life truely pre-destined?  I certainly feel the later is true, as I keep saying to Jay the stars are aligning 😊.

Hockey was the only field sport I had an interest in when at school, as I suspected there is a need and interest for my knowledge and skills regarding special educational needs, as well as children’s yoga.  The adults yoga is becoming established but is not a saturated market.

One expat in particular mentioned a friend  who sounds intriguing, a therapist firmly established in Nanyuki working with adults and in schools.  I have arranged a meeting before we leave for Nairobi.  I am as excited and nervous as I would be for any job interview, but am aware this could make it break my plans to build a future in Kenya.