CFA kids show how the water catchment project has helped them with water supply
During my visit in Kenya, I have been given firsthand insight as to what the struggles are and the cost of living. Dickson and Kate told me that unemployment is around 30 – 40%. Kate lost her job as a secretary last year and I asked her about getting a job with the government. They told me that government workers are paid poorly and may only make 150 KS/day or 8,000 KS/month. Kate told me she tries to just work for private firms. Her last job was paying about 15,000 KS / month. But her monthly costs – rent, electricity, water, garbage, transport, food – are about 15,000 KS / month.
Catching Kate deep in thought in the car
Talking to her about her struggle is an emotional experience. There is the everyday challenge of trying to come up with the money for her needs. This of course does not add-in potential needs such as dental, clothes or things we really take for granted. $100 USD pays her two month’s rent! It really makes you think when you look at how we waste money in Western society on things like coffee at Starbucks. What some people spend in a month on their morning coffee would pay 2 months rent and then some in Nairobi. Granted our cost of living is much higher, but not relative to what most of us are able to afford. It really makes me think.
Kate and Dickson consulting their phones as we wait for the Elephant Centre to open.
But you don’t want to just hand over money instantly because it is a bottomless pit. It can be a nice gift, but the better gifts are helping in such a way to help them help themselves. That is the challenge. To change the dance from a hand out society to a self empowerment society. That is the ongoing problem to solve. This is not to say that Africans are not resourceful. They do things to help themselves that you wouldn’t see our welfare demographic dare to do. Our struggling demographic in general are extremely lazy in comparison. Kate will wash clothes, buy what little food she can wholesale to sell at a small profit, amongst other similar humbling acts that you wouldn’t see in Canada. It’s the volatility , instability and constant struggle that needs to be addressed.
The busy intersection of Matatus (local buses) near my hostel.
I have great respect for Kate and Dickson. They are wonderfully optimistic individuals and very kind.
Very well articulated Sara! Last year I asked a Kenyan what would happen if daylight was longer; the reply was that “we would only work longer”.
Len
Thanks Len. I can see their perspective on the one level, but unfortunately it is hard for them to see ours.