East Africa:
Kenya and uganda
African vocab
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•Kisumu - 3rd largest town in western Kenya, located on Lake Victoria
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•Opportunity International - the micro-loan agency that we're working with
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•shillings - $1 = 65 shillings
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•matatu - rickety old shared van
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•boda boda - bicycle with attached seat
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•tuk tuk - a three wheeled vehicle that holds 2-3 passengers
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•Mazungu - white person (our very common nickname)
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•VCT - a Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV/AIDS resource center
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•ARV - anti-retroviral medication for HIV
Friday, July 13, 2007
First Impressions
I have successfully survived a week in Kisumu, Kenya, and am having a great time so far! Chelsea and I were met with such organized and enthusiastic people at Opportunity International in Kenya, it seems like we might be spending more time in 
Kenya than we originally anticipated. We are currently living a Kenyan host family, Joseph and Joyce Thuku, who have a 2-year-old daughter (who is continuously teaching us Kiswahili) and their adopted 13-year-old son. Compared to my experience in Ghana
Kenya than we originally anticipated. We are currently living a Kenyan host family, Joseph and Joyce Thuku, who have a 2-year-old daughter (who is continuously teaching us Kiswahili) and their adopted 13-year-old son. Compared to my experience in Ghana 
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Out In The Field!
Now talk about an amazing day! Today was our first day going out in the field and talking with clients. Chelsea and I had met with Francis, the branch manager for Opportunity International’s Kisumu area, and arranged with him to go out into the field with a different loan officer everyday, visiting all of the sub-branches in Kisumu area and being introduced to the clients by the loan officer during their weekly trust bank meeting. They came to receive training and support, as well as to make 
Monday, July 9, 2007
Facing Poverty in Kenya
Today we are moving out of Nyanza Club and moving in with Joyce and Joseph. We knew that the temporary ‘luxury’ (e.g. warm water and no frequent power shortages leading to days with no electricity) wouldn’t last forever...so we were busy packing in the morning and rushing to get to the office by 9am. It must have been both a bizarre and humorous sight for the many Kenyans we passed by as we rolled our suitcases down dirt roads and over grassy mounds, taking our luggage to the office where we
Friday, July 6, 2007
Life in Kisumu, Kenya
I woke up this morning in a sleepy haze. I thought I had beaten the grasp that jetlag held over me, but when I looked at my watch and realized that it read 12:30 in the afternoon, I had to second guess that assumption. I rolled out of bed to find Chelsea reading on the porch with her half eaten pizza from last night next to her and her running shoes she tossed sprawled out under the chair. Well at least one of us had been productive this morning! I joined her on the porch, looking out over
About this Blog
Chelsea and I are in East Africa for 8 weeks, spending time in Kenya (where we currently are) and in Uganda, compiling field-based research for a Opportunity International, a micro-loan organization. We will be primarily interviewing current and prospective clients to see what programs OI can adopt or develop to provide their clients with the education and the methods required for them to combat HIV/AIDS or to live HIV/AIDS free.
