I thought it was about time to actually write about what I am doing in Kenya. I am currently assigned with SNV (Dutch Development Organisation) within there renewable energy sector. The focus of my research is to look into the current processes of the renewable energy market, as a basis for further development of the private sector. Given the nature of Kenya’s private sector and the distribution of rural households the idea is the delivery of these technologies are better suited to small scale, small profit distributors rather than a government drive or development intervention. It would also encourage private entrepreneurship and help build the local economy.
I will be interviewing rural households, with or without renewable energy technologies, manufacturers, distributors, various NGOs and small enterprises whom have the potential or are currently to supplying renewable energy technologies. I am based in Nairobi, and also in for the households Eldoret area in the north ridge area. I already started to interview a few people, and it was so nerve wrecking. I was thinking that I was such a con being there! But I am getting into it, and feeling a little more confident concerning the topic.
The picture is of my desk, I sometimes use if the strict receptionist is not looking!
This has been a great weekend – I have done no work! I have really being getting to grips with the city, and shock horror I am really enjoying the new experiences, Nairobi is offering!
On Friday, I went out with dinner with a lecturer of mine, who completely ripped my research apart – constructively maybe…. Well she did have a point that if you are doing about rural households, Nairobi may not be the place to be, however there is always a blackout. She also told me to take my time, whereas my supervisors at SNV were telling me to go quickly… am confused. And she kept on saying how interesting the one aspect of my research is interesting – which it is not for me… Well, on Monday morning, at work I will revise some research plans. Anyway, the meal was very nice and the chit-chat nice, alough I felt a little out of my depth talking to all these important people…
On Saturday morning, I went bright and early to a yoga class. It is run as a project, and it was amazing. They have assistants constantly walking about adjusting you, which avoids you getting distracted. They also give you a little massage - It was so good to be in downward facing dog with someone massaging your shoulders or having your back rubbed! Ahhh so nice! Also all the teachers don’t come from good homes, so it is nice to see them doing so well. At the end of the class, we had to introduce myself to which I said ‘ my name is yseult, and I am from Manchester known for its good football team’ to which the entire class cheered. Amazing how many supports not only don’t live in Manchester but also England. At the end, people where coming up to me calling me ‘Manchester’ – new nickname.
On Saturday night, myself and my new friend Louisa, went out for a meal – in a really nice western place, called funnily enough westlands. I had a lovely spinach and ricotta lansnga with a bottle of wine, a white chocolate and passionfruit cake and ending the night with a few rum and cokes! It was so nice chatting and making bad jokes with a ‘northern gurl’ and we made lots of plans of adventure – so wait and see!
On Sunday, I made a new friend – I was in the supermarket and a expat in front of me in the queue starting asking me about what I doing. As I was so impressed with her bravery of talking to a complete stranger, that suggested we go out for coffee so we swapped email addresses.
Blackburn, Lancashire December 2010
I know I am in Africa in March, but these are pictures I made at Christmas when I was walking across the local fields in my hometown of Blackburn, that I wanted to put up!
