Alex Haynie, nicknamed “Aliki” by some of his new Strathmore friends, is an associate at Strathmore University Foundation now in Kenya until December on a three-month exchange assignment to further the collaboration of SUF with Strathmore University.  A 2008 graduate of Princeton University from North Wales, PA, Alex is interning with three of Strathmore’s departments: athletics, community outreach, and alumni development. He is keeping a journal of his experiences and impressions.

On Saturday October 18, I went on a mini-safari to Nairobi National Park, and the park’s edge is less than five miles from the city center. 

Over three million people live in Nairobi, and Kenya’s capital is now the fourth largest city in Africa.  Despite all of the big buildings, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, lions, and other wildlife live just a short distance from the hectic atmosphere of Nairobi, and they are separated by only a fence. 

I safaried with two friends of mine from Princeton who are also in Africa right now.  Tom McKay works for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Nairobi, and Andy Kittler is teaching in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for six weeks this fall.  The three of us had lunch in Nairobi and took a quick walk around the city to show Andy some sites, and then we hopped in a mini-safari bus in town and within forty minutes we were watching baboons and other wild animals living and eating in their natural habitat. 

Nairobi National Park was established in 1946 and became East Africa’s first national park.  The park extends 117 square kilometers, which is small in comparison to Kenya’s other national parks, and the park’s environment consists mainly of open grassy plains.  While the close proximity of the animals and people has caused some conflicts in the past (in the 1900s, when Nairobi was still a small town, many residents carried guns to protect themselves from roaming lions), the park still features thousands of animals of many different species that live their lives free from disturbances.

Kenya’s wildlife and national parks draw visitors from all over the world, and tourism plays a vital role in the country’s economy.  Preserving and managing the country’s precious resources are among Kenya’s greatest challenges.  Strathmore’s new School of Hospitality and Tourism trains young Kenyans to meet these challenges with its core curriculum and specific elective courses such as Sustainable Tourism and Eco-Tourism, Destination Management, and Wildlife Tourism.

During our safari we drove on dirt roads through the national park, and we checked out exotic animals against the backdrop of Nairobi’s big buildings.  We saw baboons, giraffes, zebras, water buffalo, ostriches, gazelles, and several other species.  Though the park rules prohibited us from getting out of our van and touching any of the animals, we drove our vehicle very close to the wildlife and many of the animals didn’t mind—they just kept munching away at the shrubbery. 

Four of the animals in the African “Big Five” are said to be present in the park: meaning lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo all reside very near Nairobi—elephants, the fifth of the Big Five, must be seen elsewhere.  We didn’t spot any simbas (Swahili word for lion) rhinos, or leopards, but I hope to when I make it out to some of Kenya’s larger national parks and see more of the country’s beauty.  Some of my Strathmore friends are planning a trip to Amboseli National Park, so I may have the opportunity to really get out into the bush soon.  Either way, hanging out with giraffes on a Saturday afternoon was pretty cool. 

Alex Haynie, nicknamed “Aliki” by some of his new Strathmore friends, is an associate at Strathmore University Foundation now in Kenya until December on a three-month exchange assignment to further the collaboration of SUF with Strathmore University.  A 2008 graduate of Princeton University from North Wales, PA, Alex is interning with three of Strathmore’s departments: athletics, community outreach, and alumni development. He is keeping a journal of his experiences and impressions.

The American influence on Kenyan culture is astounding.  Though many African tribes retain much of their cultural heritage in towns that are miles from Nairobi, I am struck by how Westernized Nairobi is. The far-reaching effects of globalization have undoubtedly impacted Nairobi, and it’s clear from here that most of the world is connected technologically.

I sat at a cyber café yesterday and the girl next to me was using Gmail and Facebook.

As my plane touched down in Nairobi, John Mayer’s pop hit “Waiting on the World to Change” came through the speakers and welcomed me to Kenya (granted, we were on a Dutch airline, but I was expecting to hear different music).

On my second day here I was purchasing “shower slippers” in the local supermarket called Nakumatt Mega (Kenya’s version of Wal-Mart), and the famous song called “Africa” by the American rock band Toto played over the loudspeakers.

Matatus (Nairobi’s buses) pump American rap and hip hop music all the time, and are decorated by stickers of American artists and products.

The TV room on the first floor of my residence hall has American shows on 75% of the time, and MTV’s music videos are very popular.

On walks through Nairobi, I often see locals wearing NY Yankees hats, Philadelphia Eagles shirts, Lake

Tahoe sweatshirts, and lots of other clothing with American sponsored names.  I’ve also seen a lot of clothes that look like they’ve been donated (St. Francis Bowling League, for example).

While many Kenyans tell me that they want to visit America, almost all say that they want to live in Kenya when they get older.

Alex Haynie, nicknamed “Aliki” by some of his new Strathmore friends, is an associate at Strathmore University Foundation now in Kenya until December on a three-month exchange assignment to further the collaboration of SUF with Strathmore University.  A 2008 graduate of Princeton University from North Wales, PA, Alex is interning with three of Strathmore’s departments: athletics, community outreach, and alumni development. He is keeping a journal of his experiences and impressions.

I am sleeping and eating at a nearby residence hall called “Studyville,” a short distance from Strathmore University (which is 5km outside of Nairobi’s city center). Strathmore has no dormitories of its own. Instead, it works with local providers to create suitable (and safe) residential environments for those Strathmore students from upcountry not residing with nearby relatives and needing places to stay while studying in Nairobi. Studyville is a project of the Kenyan Armed Forces Pension Fund, designed and managed privately to standards set by Strathmore.

Each morning I walk ten minutes to Strathmore to my desk in the Alumni Outreach office.  I’m helping to expand the network of Strathmore Alumni by getting in touch with old students through alumni publications, reunion events, and general outreach, and I’m assisting with fundraising for Strathmore as the University continues its annual campaign. I am also working to strengthen the communication between the alumni office in Kenya and the SUF office in New Jersey.

In the late afternoons I train with the soccer team. Based on my experience with a varsity level collegiate athletic team, I will also be helping to conduct strength-training tests for some of Strathmore’s athletic teams, as well as organizing an intramural basketball tournament in November.  On the weekends I travel with the soccer team to games and I will help with the Strathmore Community Outreach Program (COP), a distinctive feature of the Strathmore curriculum. Every Strathmore undergraduate engages through COP in 200 hours of community service as a requirement for graduation.

The students are in the middle of mid-term exams right now. After they are over, the COP will start up again, and I will help COP organize a soccer clinic for youth in Kibera, which is a slum in Nairobi (and the second largest slum in Africa).

I am also tasked to report on the progress of several projects to which SUF and other American donors have given funds, such as the Ikumbo School, the Strathmore Governance Center, and several projects involving the donation of books to organizations in Kenya. I will be filing my reports for these in November.

Strathmore University Foundation has received a generous in-kind donation that will greatly enhance its alumni outreach and communications effectiveness. The donation is a pro-bono makeover of the SUF website by GiantSky, Inc., a Philadelphia-based marketing and technology firm led by Strathmore School graduate Mr. Bhullar, also known by his creative name, Bula.

Mr. Bhullar

A 1992 gradaute of Strathmore School in Lavington, Bula received his BA degree in business at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School in 1997. He began his career in investment banking with Smith Barney in New York. After two years he partnered to form i-Ping Telecom, a telephony applications company which was acquired in 2000. He returned to Philadelphia to start Management Mechanics, a consuliting company. His work evolved into branding and marketing when he and a partner formed GiantSky.

In describing the SUF website project on its own website, GiantSky declares that it is privileged to have the opportunity to design and develop a fully functional” website for SUF, with a robust content management system that will allow the foundation to self manage its entire communication with ease.  GiantSky urges all alumni of Strathmore, and all those that are looking to better Kenya, to view Strathmore University Foundation as a vehicle for donating and giving directly.” 

GiantSky’s website goes on to say, “We believe that supporting such an institution is the most effective way in supporting education in Kenya, employment in Kenya, and the overall Kenyan economy. Strathmore is founded and operated with a strong regard to equality and ethics, and has defined what it means to be fiscally prudent and responsible.  The institutions’ achievements have been remarkable.  If ever there were a question one would need answered about doing business in Kenya, receiving a top notch education, or about one’s moral responsibilites for the welfare of Kenya, Strathmore is the place to begin.” (For the full article, click here.)

Bhular adds his personal thoughts: “As a graduate of the Strathmore School, I feel that there is no better learning institition to develop one’s completeness (intellect, health, and understanding responsibility and selflessness).  Graduates of Strathmore  have achieved successes in Kenya, as well as in International Organizations, Companies and Governments around the world.”

GiantSky is a small firm of visual thinkers, and strategists, that work on a select number of projects.  GiantSky provides branding, design, strategy and technology services to companies and nonprofits worldwide.  GiantSky also supports numerous advertising agencies in Philadelphia and New York with technology, art direction and interim project management, and works with them on the execution of large projects.  For more information, see www.giantsky.com.

Alex Haynie, nicknamed “Aliki” by some of his new Strathmore friends, is an associate at Strathmore University Foundation now in Kenya until December on a three-month exchange assignment to further the collaboration of SUF with Strathmore University.  A 2008 graduate of Princeton University from North Wales, PA, Alex is interning with three of Strathmore’s departments: athletics, community outreach, and alumni development. He is keeping a journal of his experiences and impressions.

Habari!  Greetings from Kenya!  I’ve been in Nairobi for eleven days now, and I’m enjoying getting to know

Two young Strathmore soccer fans who travel with us to all our games

the people and the culture here.  Kenyans are very welcoming, and I’ve been fortunate to have met so many wonderful Strathmoreans who are making my time here a real blessing. It’s been incredible taking everything in that I’ve seen these last few days, and I certainly cannot do justice to what I’m experiencing in words here.  I’m learning a ton.

Walking to school every morning reveals to me the striking disparities in wealth here in Kenya, and of course between many people here and those in America.  Each morning I see a Range Rover (and a Mercedes) drive by a man in dirty clothes who heats up ears of corn on some rocks next to a pile of dirt and trash, and I’m confused and troubled.  How can this be?  People living so comfortably next to people scraping by.  Yet of course I cannot blame anyone, as I walk right by the same man who heats up the corn while carrying my laptop in my bag.

Strathmore is a beautiful place and runs a lot like a University in America.  Its classrooms, courtyards,

Strathmore's main entrance

dining halls, offices, chapel and so many other things are first rate, a place where things work well and trust is assured. Strathmore’s campus stands a big cut above the rest of the buildings in the neighborhood, and the people associated with Strathmore here in Kenya are thankful for the great opportunity to be a part of such an excellent institution in Kenya. The great work that Strathmore does, in training entrepreneurs and leaders to help Kenya achieve a better future, and more immediately in what Strathmore does in its committed community outreach program, certainly seem effective investments of the generous donations from the institutions, foundations, and private donors supporting Strathmore’s work here.  So thank you!

Alex Haynie, nicknamed “Aliki” by some of his new Strathmore friends, is an associate at Strathmore University Foundation now in Kenya until December on a three-month exchange assignment to further the collaboration of SUF with Strathmore University.  A 2008 graduate of Princeton University from North Wales, PA, Alex is interning with three of Strathmore’s departments: athletics, community outreach, and alumni development. He is keeping a journal of his experiences and impressions.

Traveling to a new place like Nairobi gives me perspective and offers me so many different views and experiences. There are tons of little things about life here that I’m just getting used to, and I’m beginning to realize how many things I take for granted when I’m at home. I’m enjoying learning about how other people live, even when the experience for a neophyte can be a little challenging…

On Climate:

Kenya sits on the equator. As a result the temperatures in Nairobi are quite warm most of the year.  Though

Nairobi

Nairobi’s elevation is greater than a mile high, the temperatures have been in the mid-70°s during the day, and it gets a little bit cooler at night.  It’s rained a few times here, but only for a few hours at a time.

On Air:

The air is thick here, and pollution certainly hangs in the city.  People seem to burn things all the time, including trash.  One morning I woke up early, at 6:15am. As I took my first waking breath, I could feel myself inhaling some smoke.  When I threw the window open, more smoke came in.  Even so early, someone must’ve been burning something.

On a Cab Ride in Nairobi:

I took a cab last week when I was in Nairobi (the only cab ride I’ve taken so far), and I sat in the back.  A

Downtown Nairobi

minute into the ride, while I was practicing my Swahili with the driver who spoke no English, I started to breathe exhaust fumes that were somehow gathering inside the cab. More smoke! I quickly rolled down the window. As I did, I looked behind me and could barely see the back of the car. It was enveloped in the cloud the car was emitting from its tail pipe.  So like a dog I stuck my head out the window (which only partially opened) for the rest of the ride and sucked in as much of the (slightly cleaner) air from outside as I could. 

On Electricity:

The electricity in Nairobi goes out about once a day, even at Strathmore University (which is a big step up from all the surrounding buildings).  It usually comes back on almost immediately (and fortunately, when I’m at work, the computer returns to the same page so I don’t lose work). But one time at my residence the power stayed out the whole night.

On Water in the Pipes at My Residence:

On the morning before my first day at Strathmore, I got up early and planned to shower and shave. I had

Road Scene in Nairobi

been traveling for almost forty-eight straight hours. When I finally arrived in Nairobi after the long journey, I just passed out on my bed.  So I was dirty.  The next morning, I got undressed, towel in hand, and walked into the bathroom.  I turned the shower nozzle excitedly as I couldn’t wait to get clean, and… no water!  Maybe five drips.  The water was out in the entire building, and I went to work dirty the first day, realizing how much I take certain things for granted back home. 

On Roads and Potholes:

Kenya used to be a British colony, and drivers here are required to stay on the left side of the road.  And the people drive on unlined roads, roads with frequent speed bumps, roads with lots of exposed dirt, and roads with potholes (on some smaller roads, potholes can be as big as 8inches x 5feet x 5feet!).  

On Mosquitoes:

I have killed around 10 mosquitoes in my bedroom, but I’ve gotten bitten twice as many times.  At least mosquitoes in Nairobi aren’t supposed to have malaria (and I’m taking a preventative antibiotic anyway).  But the fact that two of my friends (Kenyans) in my residence hall have just told me that they have malaria doesn’t ease me… 

On Cattle That Roam on Nairobi’s City Roads During the Day:

There are cattle that walk down one of the roads in town during the day. Nobody seems to mind. Pretty cool. 

Alex Haynie, nicknamed “Aliki” by some of his new Strathmore friends, is an associate at Strathmore University Foundation now in Kenya until December on a three-month exchange assignment to further the collaboration of SUF with Strathmore University.  A 2008 graduate of Princeton University from North Wales, PA, Alex is interning with three of Strathmore’s departments: athletics, community outreach, and alumni development. He is keeping a journal of his experiences and impressions.

The cheapest way to get around Nairobi is to ride the matatus, which are fourteen passenger mini-buses

A matatu Aliki has ridden

that crank hip hop music and drive fast on different routes throughout the city.  Matatus have one driver, and one “recruiter”—a guy who hangs out of the open sliding door and calls to people to get into his van.  Matatus are really cheap—around twenty shillings a ride (seventy Kenyan shillings = one US Dollar), and understandably so.  They are aged and well worn vans that spew black exhaust and kick up clouds of dust

as they rush by walkers on the streets.   

I’ve ridden in several matatus already, and they’ve gotten me where I needed to go.  In the center of Nairobi, there are a few streets where tons of matatus congregate to pick up passengers before they head out of the city on their routes.  When searching for the correct matatu that will take me to Madaraka estate (Matatu #14 goes right near Strathmore), I feel as though I’m on offer at a huge meat market as “recruiters” repeatedly shout out their destination and cram passengers into the back of the buses.  The recruiters don’t give their drivers the go-ahead sign (which involves slamming the side of the van—often a number of times, because the music is so loud) until every seat is occupied by a passenger.

In any event, matatu rides have been interesting experiences and reliable transportation.

Alex Haynie is an associate at Strathmore University Foundation now in Kenya until December on a three-month exchange assignment to further the collaboration of SUF with Strathmore University.  A 2008 graduate of Princeton University from North Wales, PA, Alex is interning with three of Strathmore’s departments: athletics, community outreach, and alumni development. He is keeping a journal of his experiences and impressions. At Princeton Alex was a starting member of the Princeton University Varsity Lacrosse Team all four years. He is also a soccer player.

I had the great privilege of joining Strathmore University’s Football (soccer) team last week, and the entire experience so far has been awesome.  The guys on the team have been extremely welcoming (as have just about all the Kenyans I’ve met), and they even nick-named me “Aliki” for fun. 

Greetings are a huge part of Kenyan culture, and it’s no different with the soccer guys.  Every time I see one of them, I get a big smile and a handshake or a “pound” (this means both people make their hands into fists, and touch knuckles). 

Our training sessions are scheduled for 4:30 pm every afternoon, but we don’t get fully underway until around 5:15pm or so.  Coach Micki is a former Kenyan national team player and a great spirit.  He gives good, pointed advice, gives directions in Swahili, and is admired by all of the guys.  Coach Micki is a big guy and a commanding presence, and though the attitude about training sessions is one of “come when you can,” Coach does a good job and gets a lot out of the guys. 

I’ve really enjoyed the actual training—competing in drills with the other guys and playing a great game I haven’t played for a few years.  But something I didn’t expect and that I think is really cool happens before and after every practice. 

Coach calls everyone over to a huddle, and spreads his arms out wide.  All the players form a circle with their arms on each other’s shoulders, and we get close together.  Coach says a few words—some logistics and some advice. And then he asks someone to pray.  He calls on a different guy every time, and at my first session, he called on my teammate Issa before practice.  Issa, a Muslim, prayed that God would bless our session. And then, after the practice, Coach called on me! Suprised, I mustered a short prayer as well. 

The guys are great friends and really enjoy being out on the pitch, and the huddle exemplifies to me how the guys are all in it together.  While the guys are competitors and there are some very good players, the huddle at the end brings the team together and reminds everyone that the team is a family, and that there is something even bigger than which team scores more goals (though it is important to score more goals!).  Even at a Kenyan Premier League Soccer game that I went to on Sunday October 5th, guys from both teams huddled in the center of the field with arms on shoulders and said a quick prayer after the game.  It’s impressive that fierce competitors for 90 minutes can come together at the end of the game and exchange good will, and the Kenyans seem to do this very well. 

Alex Haynie, an associate at Strathmore University Foundation, is now in Kenya until December on a three-month exchange assignment to further the collaboration of SUF with Strathmore University.  A 2008 graduate of Princeton University from North Wales, PA, Alex is interning with three of Strathmore’s departments: athletics, community outreach, and alumni development. He is keeping a journal of his experiences and impressions.

Kenyans speak four languages!  Americans speak one! 

Being fortunate enough to travel to a few different countries recently, I’m finding that the short joke that my friend Evan O’Reilly tells is very true.

What do you call a person who knows three languages?  Trilingual.

What do you call a person who knows two languages?  Bilingual.

What do you call a person who knows one language?  American!

Kenya used to be a British colony (until the 1960s), and English is one of Kenya’s national languages (Swahili is the other).  In preparation for my trip here, I began to teach myself some Swahili back in Princeton.  I thought my learning Swahili would enhance my experience in Kenya and ingratiate myself with the people—but I knew that it was unnecessary “since everyone in Kenya speaks English.” 

Well, after a week here, I’m cramming in my dorm room and I take a pad and pen everywhere I go so that I can ask friends how to say things in Swahili. Kenyans do know English (most people speak it, certainly at Strathmore where it is the language of instruction, but many on the street are not fluent, and I often need to speak slowly and enunciate and repeat myself). But most Kenyans that I am around speak Swahili almost all the time, unless they are in class or speaking around me.  Correction—most Kenyans speak either Swahili OR Sheng (a slang version of Swahili, which is different than Swahili—and is even different depending on what part of Nairobi you are in) OR their mother tongue.  Mother tongues are the tribal tongues, and there are ~42 tribes in Kenya.  The biggest tribes are Kikuyu and Luo, and each tribe has its own tongue, which is so different from the others that someone speaking Kikuyu could not understand someone speaking Luo. 

So while my learning Swahili is not absolutely necessary, I’m realizing that I really should learn as much as I can so that I can participate in as much of the culture as possible.  My friends seem to enjoy teaching me Swahili, and I get lots of big smiles and “ohhh, you know Swahili?” when I speak to Kenyans in their national tongue.  And so I reply to them, “Ninasema kiasi, lakini ninataka kujifunza mengi.”  (I speak a little bit, but I want to learn more.”)