the art of opening a bank account...or thanks you for your patience

some numbers about opening a Barclays bank account in Nairobi:

# of passport pictures: 1
# of passport copies: 2
# of barclays branches to visit: 2
# of barclays staff involved: 11 (at least)
# of times at branch: 12
# of queues to line up: 15
# days (1st contact - ATM card issued): 17
# of signatures given: 23
# minutes waited in lines: ca. 360
# total time (min) at Barclays: ca. 540

Naivasha

Thursday morning on a nairobi Bus/Matatu stop is quite busy. First of all I had to find my way thru Nairobi downtown to find the correct stop for the Matatu to Naivasha, a 350.000 habitant city about 1,5 h drive from Nairobi. I realised how beauityful Afrika can be outside the poluted city with all its traffic and dusty roads. Just a few minutes drive when the earth turned red and the grass & trees deep green :). Well, after passing the Grand Rift Valley scarp we came to real drylands; hot - sunny - dusty

In Naivashsa, me and Johnson visited an NGO called NACOHAG (NAivasha COmmunity HIV&Aids Group). Naivasha is next to its lake and location next to the Rift Valley known for the flower business; indeed most of europs roses are from in Naivasha. The NGO is strongly linked to the local flower farms and offers VCT to the employees (about 60.000 workers are employed in Naivashas flower industry). The concept of VCT (Voluntary/Councelling/Testing) to engage people to voluntartily get informed about HIV&Aids, being tested (quick test) and attending a 1:1 councelling session about either prevention or living with HIV&Aids). VCT is about awareness, education and behaviour change.



Honestly, I was very surprised that most of the VCT are done openly in the flower farm. A counsellor is sitting in an opend meeting hall and ppl come for the test. Everybody can see who is attending. It's far not that much a tabu topic than in europe...And it"s indeed a good way of preventing/overcomnig stigmatizing ppl with HIV&Aids.

I had the chance of talking to some workers, counsellors and nurses and observing their daily business. It's like touching ground and seeing he impact of ppl, programs and the NGO. For our last stop on this visit we had to drive thru a slum-like neighbourhood. My attentions was certainly on the large amount of uniformed school kids walking thru the streets. My local guide told me that in this neighbourhood one of the largest schools of Africa is located: about 6.000 kids with upto 100 students in one class; unbelievable for the fact that quite some schools are closing in germany due to a lack of kids...
I learned as well that the amount of (very) young mothers is extremly high in that region...still lots of areas for NGOs to work on...

Next week I'll going to Naivasha again with a potential donor to discuss further programs regarding the youth. same brainstorming ideas were about special VCT programmes for kids, child-like resources for education and special counselling for kids of parents infected with HIV&Aids.



Click for some impressions of Naivasha

NAVNET

The organization I am working with in Kenya has been founded some years ago by returned VSO volunteers from Kenya. The idea behind NAVNET is to enable Kenyans to volunteer in Kenya. Sounds simple – but it’s not :)
In fact, we are acting somehow like an agency (selecting and training volunteers as well as volunteer taking organisations, matching both sides, monitoring & evaluating the entire process). Well, neither volunteers nor organmisations are able to pay for this process – therefor donors and potential funding partners have to be found.
My job for the next six months is mainly to support NAVNET sharpening its profile, elaborate the USP of NAVNET and package everything into a communication strategy to attract potential donors. Furthermore I’ll be working on the credibility of NAVNET, especially in the area of financial processes (introducing financial management, CoA, etc.) in order to have a transparent balance sheet and a sound basis for a financial controlling.

So basically I will work in all fields of the organization – with all three staff members. About the working style and methods I will probably write later on – for now it’s only a snapshot and don’t want to generalize too much; just that it is different :)



tbc

New Apartment

Unlike the housing of most Muzungi (Whites/ Expatriates) in Kenya, the apartment of Wing and me will be in a low - mid income quarter of Nairobi. Located in south of the city the logical name shall be South B (next to South C…please do not ask for South A – there is none :D).

For now the apartment has not furnished yet and I will only move in beginning of this week (most likely on Friday…). However, I want to share some pics of the housing and surrounding.

Up till now I did not took too many pictures in Nairobi as it is either strictly forbidden (most of buildings) or not advised running around with a digital SLR camera. One of the next weekend I am planning a trip to Nairobi surroundings where it is easier taking nice country side pictures…and I am willing to share them with you :).

Fast Food

Honestly speaking, it’s fantastic not to see a single McDonald sign in Nairobi :). All across the city are various places to have a great lunch like “Ugali na Fishi”, “Nyama Choma” or “Kuku”, etc. However, it usually takes some time to sit and order and get served in a restaurant. That’s why I decided for today’s lunch (2 pm) to just rush into “Steers” one of a few fast food chains in Kenya, grab some burger and chips and having a quick eat during formulating some policies…Well, I always thought they call it fast food as it is served quickly…I was told wrong today. True, there was no line at the order desk and it only took me 30 sec. to decide on a product to harm my body. Nevertheless, I had to wait about 25 min. the burger was prepared. It might make it into the Guinness book of records…?
Maybe the origin of the word “fast Food” is a mixture of German and English and in fact it only means “almost food” :)

Funerals

In my quite short stay in Kenya I have the impression that funerals are part of daily live of organizations. If you ask why your colleague is absent, one answer seems to be quite common: “She/he is on a funeral of a relative”

For me death was for a long time not at all present in my life; in the last four weeks it became suddenly very present again:

A few weeks ago a fellow Aiesecer died after a brave fight on lung cancer. He was in his 30s.

Yesterday my grandma didn’t woke up anymore. She was fallen asleep from night 14th to 15th of July and died peacefully in the age of 99.

May both rest in peace – I am grateful that I got to know each and walked for some way along on the same paths.

Habari ya kazi?

- How is your work? I’ve been asked this question by most of the fellow volunteers I met during the orientation days (most of them have been in Kenya for 1-3 months already). Surprisingly for all, I had to admit that it was great. The Director of NAVNET (Johnson) started with an introduction of all (the other two ;) permanent staff followed by a general big picture and history of NAVNET completed with a short city tour through central Nairobi and the governmental district. In the following days I’ll have individual sessions with all staff to understand the programs, Kenyan reality and challenges in the different business areas. These sessions will be aligned by meeting a few key partners and trustees of NAVNET.

HOTTOGO

A week is long – especially when I actually want to start working on my objectives and get to know the organization I’m working with for the next six months.

Still a weekend between orientation week and 1st working day: time to explore the city. Good to have a local guide – Tonee, who is eager to show some nice places, hanging out for a beer or two and introducing to some cultural highlights as the Kenya National Museum.

Orientation week

The first week of my placement is actually an orientation workshop with a bunch of fellow volunteers from India, Canada, Netherlands, Uganda and England. Main goals are catching up basic Kiswahili, strengthening the network amongst volunteers and discussing some hot issues, cultural differences, logistics and financials.

Some impressions of the week

Side note: The guesthouse we are staying in (and me as long as a proper housing has been found…) is called IBS which stands for International Bible Society. Which might surprise German readers, but reality is that Kenyans are quite religious fellows – “at least on Sundays” (Quote by Luca our Kenyan Facilitator during the introduction week).

It is quite common that workshops are opened up with a prayer and sometimes even closed with one. Even the groups consist of various religious backgrounds (like ours – as we had Muslim, Hindu, Christians and Non-believers).

Conclusion: be open and respectful

Karibu Kenya

How to fit all that stuff into my suitcase....well taking a second one!

Taking my flight Friday morning from Cologne Airport via Amsterdam to Nairobi means getting up around 5 am  Got a window seat in Amsterdam on a very clear and sunny day giving me a beautiful view all along the trip up to the equator (incl. 3,5 hours Sahara sand…); By reaching Mt Kenya it was already dark and cloudy. My arrival at Kenyatta Airport was followed by a 2 h car drive to the guesthouse where i am located till to date. From the second of a rain drop, traffic collapse in Nairobi – even in the non-rush hour times, a 5 min. ride in a Matatu might take an hour or longer.

Preparation for Kenya

online preparation for Kenya - balcony in Bonn

Hello World!

Hello World!

two words which i will never learn to conduct in a program - even though I am working since almost 3 years in a consultancy...

Nevertheless, I learned quite some things within the last three years - and obviously did not have the time filling some lines in my blog...
This will change form, now on - as i will have some change in my live:

In less than 7 days I am heading from tiny little Bonn to Nairobi in Kenya. For the next six months I will be working on a volunteer basis as an Management Advisor in an organization called NAVNET. This life experience is made possible by Accenture and VSO.

Last weekend Wing and me had our Farewell party with some friends in our house and now focusing on last preparations.

Stay tuned...

Sino-Japanese Relations

Most of you have read the news about riots in China triggered off by a new history book in Japan used in Schools.
Some have seen the pictures in TV, chinese students destroying shops & institutional buildings which are related to Japan.

During my time in China i noticed a bad negative attitude towards japan and japanese people...especially amongst students!
Even both govenments tried in the past to overcome hate by some "friendship" projects like Hospitals and even some youth exchange.
I am living right now in a part of Germany which has been for a long long time again and again reason for wars between France and Germany: the Saar-region.
Not only governments fought for land - also people did! France was THE enemy and kids learnt that in the kindergarden.
How was it possible to live now - 60 years after WW II in peace next to each other, having no border controll anymore, using the same currency,...
Huge Friendship programs started in the 1950s between france and germany, economy was bounded together (coal& steel) and esp. the youth exchange started. But I guess that was not enough: germany's 'mea culpa' was in my perspective the foundation of peace
realizing mistakes and taking the total responsibiliy for all actions AND apologize for crime against humanity.

But why i am writing that?

First, maybe the historical change in relations between france and germany could be a role model for many regions and nations.

Second, I see a special responsibility in the organisation Aiesec helping to solve the problematic situation between China and Japan!
Both countries have aiesec members, both countries can take actions (even the situation is still challenging for aiesec in China - but that MUST NOT be an excuse!)
I hope both MCs are in contact with eachother, discussing and taking actions asap. Why not agreeing on an open letter to the japanese govenrment...? AIESEC show your profile!
with all respect to cultural issues, tradition and emotions: my rights&freedom ends where the rights&freedom of others starts.

Gung Ho!

You might be curious bout my last weekend in Bielefeld...
First it started saturday morning 6 am: getting up, taking a shower, one espresso..and GO! Luckily I missed the appointment to switch winter to summer tires as some parts of germany had still snow this morning...
Anyway, somehow i made it till Hamm (city about 70 km before Bielefeld) by 9.30 am - WoW! Already thinking about what to have for breakfast in 30 min i suddenly had to stop in a traffic jam: Highway is blocked in both direction cause of construction. please use the redirection. hmmm...It only took me 4,5 hours to be on the highway again... Thanks God there is no speed limit anymore till Bielefeld (or at least i did not recognize...) and i only arrived 10 minutes late in my workshop room...hmm...OK, without any pre-prepared flipcharts, etc...
After some really interesting and powerful training all Alumni trainers were asked to come on stage of plenary for last thanks and cheering. Now i am a very proud owner of a book called "Gung Ho!" ...and i guess - after reading - I'll understand AIESEc Germany a little bit better...

One last thing:
award for the most innovative drink goes to 'wildeast-region'
--> the creation of the Ossi-Tequilla
what you need:
- mustard instead of salt
- pickel instead of lemon
- the worst alcohol you can find
- some random aiesecers who drink everything anyway

Back to School

Final preperation for a 5h communication training which I agreed to run for the Natco of AiESEC Germany....How comes? Isn't it that I started my lazy Alumni time already two years ago...?
Well, it all started with a simple call I received a few days after my first steps on german ground after 9 months. I was positivly surprised and happy that old friends like Patty give me a call and ask me about my cultural experience and so on...BUT (there is always a but ;)
quickly the conversation was going like that:
P: ...so, what are your plans now, Achim?
A: finding a job
P: well, i have a surprise for you
A (thinking she wanna offer me a job): Nice, what is it :)
P: that means u might have some time in the next weeks?
A (thinking she wanna meet me): yes, sure!
P: OK, that's fine! What's about coming to NKK in April? Having some party ... you would be part of the Alumni trainers!
A (arh, surprised, confused,...): sure

Hmm, I did not asked about WHEN and WHERE the personal skills track is going to happen...
And the worst case scenario became true:
1) The conference is in Bielefeld!! A city in the middle of nowhere. A city that doesn't exist!!

2) I have to be there at 11 am! Most of you will think that should not be a problem, as Germany is so small...but actually it's some 500 km car-trip for me... hmm...so have to get up at 6 (on a Saturday!!) and violate any kinds of road traffic regulations in Germany (in fact most Highways do have speed limits of 120 km/h and 20% of the road is usually under construction with 80 km/h).

Wonders do happen! i am writing again :)

The weeks of silence are over. Back in Germany, I am reintegrating myself (into what?) while applying for a glorious career ('Future Global Leader' goes 'Current Global Leader') in an extraordinary organisation.

China is past…Germany is present…but what will be future…? Maybe again China…who knows?

Strange thoughts:
While being in Beijing I had the strong strong desire to stay in China….I felt home and it felt good! After leaving this Country, what will make me wanna go back? Back to Germany I feel “at home” as well. Sure missing some good fellows in China...but seeing old friends in Germany again.

What does make me feel at home? Where is my home base?

!! Home is where I am !!

I that Nomad-like? Or is that only strange and one more sign of not being unmatureness?

This week in Copenhagen

Luckily Wing had the great idea to take an earlier train towards Kastrup (CPH Airport) and drinking a café after my check-in! While waiting for the delayed train on the (underground) platfrom of the train station we realized an odd, strange smell and some minutes later we could not see the opposite exit of the staion anymore.

Copenhagen metro line" />

First we thought the smoke came from an old tarin passing by but couldn’t stand the biting smell in our noses anymore we headed to the stairway grasping some fresh air. Some figher fighters came down sending passengers up while the train company personell still was announcing the arrival of the delayed train….

We ended up standing in an airport bus as no trains could pass anymore, some little headache and a story to tell.

Final conclusion: What’s about smoke detector in underground stations…?