First Impressions of Kenya and RVA

Our first impressions contain bad news and good news. The bad is that Kenya is experiencing severe drought and poverty. They go hand in hand. Kenya is nearing the end of the rainy season but there has been practically none! Along the drive from Nairobi to Kijabe we could see where people had attempted to plant gardens wherever possible (even in what we would call ditches along the road). But to no avail. It was too dry for most crops (mainly corn and potatoes) to grow at all.

Then we left the main highway and drove down a bumpy road (actually that's the only kind of road we've felt), through a security fence and onto the campus of Rift Valley Academy. Two things seem to make RVA stand out - the setting and the people. The campus is on a terraced hillside overlooking the valley below. It is beautifully landscaped although we've been told that because of the drought, it's not as pretty as usual this time of the year. (Only the water saved from the washing machines can be used for watering outdoors.) We have huge hills to the east behind our house. We don't get a good view of them because the elementary school is just up the hill behind us.
To the west, our front view, we will see great sunsets over the Rift Valley when the present haze lifts. The sun did come out for a while today and presented a nice contrast to the 60 degrees inside this morning. The house has no heat except a fireplace so we will be happy when winter is over.

All 12 of us newcomers who arrived yesterday have been welcomed with open arms. Each has had a host to help get our homes set up. We have invitations to dinner the first 5 nights. Everyone seems to wear several hats and is happy to do so. Vic knows that his one hat will be teaching two advanced French and one Spanish 2 classes. Maybe another will be helping with the tennis team. The elementary principal told me today that we have to sit down and talk so at least I know where I'll be - right up behind our house.

And one more blessing - Vic's boss likes to bird watch. She helped us identify a sunbird right outside the French classroom today.

We are doing fairly well with the elevation (7,500 ft.)adjustment but I must tell you that my legs are sore from climbing hills and stairs. It's so good for us!

We feel privileged and blessed to be here where it is so beautiful and the people are very kind.