You Say Goodbye, I say Hello!

This last weekend we said good bye to a group of researchers from UNC who had been helping with an effort to assess the acceptability of starting a project within CFK to facilitate asset building among youth (basically how to encourage young people to start saving). It was an interesting endeavor to watch and I was sad to see them go. To end their stay, Mary, Julie and I put on our tourist hats and headed to a few of the must-see tourist traps of Nairobi - the elephant orphanage and the Karen Giraffe Center, rounded out with a trip to the swanky mall called Junction for some sushi (yes, that's right, sushi). It was fun to play that role for a day and spend it with other travelers who are only in Nairobi for a very short time.

Let's compare tongues....

okay, you win!

Yesterday, Amy said Hello again to Nairobi and came to stay at Mama's house with me for a few days. She is having struggles clearing her research through the massive amounts of red tape to get a protocol cleared internationally and needed to come to Nairobi to have a few necessary face-to-face conversations. I am happy to play host (or to provide a willing host, thanks Mama!) and have her here for a few days.

In research news, I had a very productive focus group with the peer-youth-educators on Saturday and have had productive follow-up interviews with the staff this week as well. Things seem to be lining up a bit better as I am able to sort out what I am actually going to be able to accomplish during my stay here in Kenya. As in most research projects, and I think especially those taking place abroad, the best-laid plans rarely go through without alteration. I am now feeling like I have a good grasp of what I can - and can not- accomplish during my time here. Onward!