Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Problems of Africa

I wrote about how I found the paradises in Kenya, but for the sake of balance I should also write about what scares white people from staying in this paradise, the things that make it backwards third world country. I'm pretty sure that at least most of it applies to entire Africa. Oh yeah, and I want to say, that I understand why some people doesn't understand my wish to go to live there, but I also want to explain how little this bad side disturbs me. When you go to Africa, you find lots of things that are different, annoying, dangerous and weird. Same time you are also most exited of everything beautiful and exotic. But then, after a little you get used to things.. kind of. This is the moment of truth, you either fall in love with this world and life there or you understand that your home is much better. I just fell into the first category. I can even pretty much say that I'm disappointed of how things are in my home country and I'm disappointed of the great western civilization. It is too cold, too calculated, organized.. and in my oppinion also unstable. Ok, you can ask me after reading this chapter about how I find more stability in Africa, but what I can already say, is that I will be more happy there.
But yes, I admit that Africa has its own set of problems. And actually we went there to do some voluntary work and change something. We were invited by them, that alone shows that even locals understand that everything isn't exactly the best. We also asked, why to call white people, why not to do it by themselves, because if they understand the problem, then it shouldn't be too hard to fix it. We got answer that if local would call people up to do something, they usually don't come, but whites are always great role models to follow. Probably also funds that they get together with our arrival, play important role. Certainly everyone understands that we can't change much.. we could plant some ideas, change maybe some individuals, but what happens when we leave. It is possible that instead of spreading like a chainreaction, these ideas are more like a campfire. They burn for a little more time, but then lose gradually the power until nothing much is left. So basically first problem is the attitude of the locals. They don't believe into themselves enough. Yet, even if they have the will and belief, then for them it is often much harder to start. Often they don't have corresponding infrastructure to make the change work. No one listens them, no one takes them seriously and no one gives them needed money. Municipalities don't have enough money to give to anyone who goes and tells that he wants to start a great program. Yeah, they often don't trust locals either. If there is white people with locals, then municipality seems to be more certain that the funding goes where it is supposed to. Why money can vanish in the hands of the locals - quick answer is corruption and all kinds of shady movements of that money. They don't have so much bureucracy like we. They don't have to hold the proper accounting, etc. So it is easy just to lose the money. Also, locals often don't have clear plans in their heads. They have some idea, but when they start implementing it, then it is quite probable that they use more resources than needed.
Yes, locals have good ideas and intentions, but so often it gets damn messy in just a little time. Good, critically thought out, detailed and practical plans from what maximum gain would rise, are so hard to find. And even if you think that ok, now we got some kind of plan that may work, then for some reason everyone seem to simply forget about it. Everything goes into zero again and then they start protecting themselves, why they didn't implement that plan. "Plans can be made by man and plans can be unmade by man" (Wesley Chirchir). So it is.. plans are made and made again.. and again.. and again, and real action starts to seem like a unreachable dream.
Our project didn’t get its start for a long time, only “environmental leaders” Josiah and Justinas were so much activists that they simply took everything into their hands. They made plans, went to municipal council to get their approval and some things like garbage trucks for cleanups, they discussed with Green Eldoret Initiative and got them interested too, and real action took place. Still, how useful was that - this is arguable. Truth is, what we together with some local kids cleaned up, as much or even more garbage had soon replaced that. And I saw from the start the need to raise the awareness of the people not just make some cleanup days. Problem is, population is greatly forced into this situation. Even if we could tell people how much pollution, how great hazard for the health of people and animals garbage creates, both when burned or when just thrown into the piles at some street side, then what, they actually don't have any other good options. They have nowhere to put all this garbage. We were told that in the past municipality organized garbage trucks to pick up the garbage from outer districts, but people there is so poor that they simply couldn’t pay for that service. So they cancelled it. Only town centre has bins and garbage trucks making circles. We could tell people how not to create so much pollution. They shouldn’t take plastic bags from shops and markets, they should re-use whatever they could. But yeah, we had really little opportunity to reach to these people. We had chances to teach some children, but how much will they use that knowledge in actual life. Also I think it would be in vain to talk with chiefs of the localities or with people in town hall. They surely say: “Yes, that is very big problem, I think we come up with some plan,” but actually this is where it ends. Surely they know about the problems, but they don't care enough. They have low budget, other problems, and of course.. corruption.
Similar situations are with education, human rights, gender equality, public health, poverty, tolerance, traffic and accidents and I don’t know what else. In this country there are the lucky ones who can have a really happy life, but in slums surrounding the cities and towns where is most of the population living, people are left alone with all these prroblems. Ok, some problems are not the business of authorities, but some problems critically need someone’s attention and assistance. Maybe this large mass of population should put some more pressure on officials, but surely in some cases they should also think if Jesus really sets their life as it is and has to be, or perhaps they could do something also by themselves and create a change. Ok, there are great problems in this country and surely you wouldn’t want to fall under the great hand of corruption, but still, I would say that when compared with all the good you can get there, it is worth everything. And you can always protect yourself from these problems. For example I plan to build my home and guesthouse as independent as possible – just a little bit away from town I hope, with wind generator or solar panels, maybe also have my own water pump, so far the problem with such location would be the lack of sewer system what I certainly need. I plan to find myself European or American doctor who can give good professional help. I already know many things about crime and how to avoid it and surely will learn more about it. I have many friends and some people who can assist me with different problems I can have in the beginning. Maybe in future I can even help some unlucky locals myself by teaching them art and some other things, or by offering employment. One thing I say, when you go to Kenya, don’t give money to street kids. They probably only use it to buy glue to breath. If you really want to help these kids, then buy them some food or something else useful, or donate to some official aid organization.
Some photos of reality in Kenyan town in the next post. Town centre, slums, schools, street kids, everything that can be shown on photos. Ok, you simply will see visually how it is, but still, reality is more.. it is how people socialize, their thoughts, culture, it is the smell, sound, feelings. Therefore I think that maybe I will write few comments between the photos in the next post too.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

DJ is a Lion.. Lion of Zion

Ok.. I promised to write about party. Actually there were two, as next day after Maailmamustrid, was the 30th birthday of my old friend. I must say that first time I have felt completely fine in Tartu. That even though it is fucking cold here. But like I wrote in facebook when advertising the party, we will heat up the place.
So yes, now I have finally performed as an professional DJ. It was really good and I should have had that courage already earlier. I got lots of experience. Certainly, first set was not very good, but every next one was better. People seemed to like. Although I with two other DJ's were playing in downstairs smaller room, when main party hall was in second floor, then Martin, my friend who is resident DJ there, said that sometimes down there seemed to be even better party feeling. Well, our room was smaller, so it felt sometimes full. Yes, I wouldn't complain, it was really great.
As vanity is my favourite sin, I have to say that hopefully I got little bit more fame now. Well, as an attention freak I certainly got a needed dose again. BTW, it is interesting how DJ profession has an effect on social life. Like Kudrun said, DJ is for everyone, everyone feels some connection with the performer. Like with famous actors, everyone wants to get to know the DJ. When some random guy goes to talk with a hot girl having good time in the party or with some group of people who already know eachother, then it is quite likely that they think: "what this guy wants", but as a DJ I can go to talk with anyone and get accepted. Some girls really seemed interested of getting to know me personally, it was seen from their eyes, smiles and actions, and in these two parties I think two, certainly one showed her interest of me. I too liked that last girl, she is so pretty and seems cool. I didn't do anything stupid.. at least not yet. But it was first time when I needed to put all my strength together to resist. I shouldn't do that to my gyal.. even though she is so far. Or.. I don't know, three years is a long time to wait and she doesn't have to know everything. I really love her, but still, I would like some closeness with girls until I get back to Kenya. Ah, better not to think about that right now. If I don't think, then I don't have to think twice. Well, now is this point where all my readers can comment and advise what should I do, what would be healthier. Then again, I think everything goes just as it goes.. either I have righteousness in my mind or desire.. and my mind fights between these two.
Ok, back to parties. I think I and Ma'Irie, one another DJ with whom I played together, made a good team. I really would like to play with her again in the future. We were about same good at the profession and our music selection fit really well together. Other DJ was little bit different and well, not so experienced, as he really put together music from side to side with really different speeds. But even he got people to dancefloor, so why not, it also gives more experience to him. I'm not perfect yet either. For example I still can't mix really into the rhythm like Dave does. Or well sometimes, when I really know the music and with little bit of luck, I can do it, and actually I have few times done it. Anyway, when so far just practicing or in these private parties, I have felt a little bit insecure and felt that things are bit over my head as I might forget things and track ends too quickly and hundred other things worrying me, then at this party I really felt good. I didn't worry at all. I went with the flow and that was what made that party good (exactly like Simmo said).
Also other party rocked. Yeah, it was rock party.. but this also means that it was very different from the Maailmamustrid. And true, at first it was harder for me to get myself going and connect with others. I'm not so much of a rock guy as I was. Of course this virus is still somewhere in me and I know how to enjoy harder music, but somehow especially after Africa, I have found that reggae and other exotic music makes people more natural, and I like it. I like myself more in that kind of mood and also all the people, they are just like a one living organism to whom DJ pumps music as blood. So I felt in Maailmamustrid, it was almost like going back to Africa for these few hours. I wonder if people from parties like Maailmamustrid; do their personality choose their musical interest, or does the music they listen create their personality. They really are more free than most Estonians. Ok, still I see some reservations in all Estonians, for some reason people are holding guard over how freely they move/dance/interact, and they tend to hold some personal space or mingle among the group, but hold some distance with others. Even when people get drunk and they start talking with you and basically let you into their group, it rarely happens that next morning you can call to them, or they call you. This is what happens so easily in Africa. Ok, even Kenyans are not absolutely open to socialize with anyone, but it still happens much easier there. In parties you really can find friends over night. Hell, you can find friends everywhere, just visiting post office or shop.. or even on the street. Africa really is hot and ice melts quickly there. This is why people who stay in Africa are changed. They find what humanity really should be, what meaning the brother and friend may have. At least for me it was so.
Also I wanted to say that I tagged this post also as work, because performing as a DJ was in one side work. I got paid, not much, but still. From the other hand, this is best profession. When playing music and seeing people to have fun, it just gives me such a power. Money at this point doesn't even matter.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Patterns of the World



These are posters/commercials for Maailmamustrid (Patterns of the World) party where I perform as DJ this time. As you can see I felt a little need to edit the original. About the party itself I will write after it has been. Well ok, to people who are in Estonia, but don't understand Estonian, party is at Genialistide club @ Tartu city on 17.december. It costs only 50 EEK/about 3,30 EUR and starts at 22.00. It will be a helluva irie time.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Little secret paradises

My mum wrote to my aunt in USA and also mentioned that I have determined to go back to Kenya. Aunt responded to that quite unexpectedly. She has visited Kenya once some time ago, I don’t know when. Well, it seems our experiences are very different. I don’t know exactly about her travel, but one is sure she doesn’t think that Kenya is a good place to live. First of all, I go because Kenya right now offers me life I can’t have in Estonia, but I also believe that my half year stay showed me more than she saw and understood in her travels. Thing is, Kenya isn’t only big cities where people see white people mostly as money source. Kenya isn’t only dirty streets with crime and it isn't half-desert-like nature, it is much more. Actually there are countless little hidden paradises where tourists never go. Even most of the locals don’t wander to these places even if these are only few km-s away from towns or major roads. Even better held secrets are away from these populated places. Kenya is a true wonder if you only know where to look and when you have time to find real friends among locals.
Yes, first thing is to live among ordinary people and to get used with the urban environment. Or you go to live in some rural area and there it is even easier to find the true Kenya. You got to learn local commons and reality. But I prefer getting to know some trustworthy people from towns/cities first. Then you can let yourself free. Your local friends give you good insight into everything – best places to visit, real prices, places to avoid, they help and protect you every way, and of course they show you these marvellous hidden secrets of Kenya. Such good friends like I found, never expected anything from white people. They want your friendship.
You already know that I had many girls in Kenya. Justas at the same time said that he would never trust the Kenyan girl. He said that only thing Kenyan girl wants from white guy is either his money or way to EU or USA. Now imagine that there are millions of girls in Kenya – can they really be all the same. Of course there are such oportunistic girls and maybe, just maybe Kate was such. But there are surely also girls who really can unconditionally fall in love with white guy. Same way there are lots of locals who just like you and with whom you can really be friends (again unconditionally).
Already such a friendship is a treasure, as if you have got through to the peoples real being, then hearts of Kenyans are even better than they looked at first when you saw the general hospitality. Until I met my Kisii girl, I can actually say that I felt like a tourist, but she really integrated me into the real Kenya. Being only white guy among her friends circle, I felt like I would have always been their friend. And also other locals, I really felt first time that colour of the skin doesn’t matter. Everyone were acting towards me as to other locals. Local girl in your hands, dreadhead and a little knowledge of local languages, that was basically everything that diferentiated me from the white guy who was yelled wazungu, come buy this shit, really good price. Or maybe this four months, all the experience with previous girl and other closer people that had already passed, had changed me. I can’t say it, and Sarah said that I’m still European, but still people acted differently towards me. For this time there was no street children asking me money. At this time I could even walk around alone in dark time and in such places I never could have gone in first month. Perhaps not absolutely safely, but mostly people even didn’t turn their heads to look much anymore. Mzungu Africani (white in Africa) had more or less turned into Mzungu wa Africa (local white).
But this chapter actually was intended to be about the well hidden treasures of the Kenyan culture and nature. With true local friends come also privileges to see these. In right time they not only invite you to their home for lunch and meet their family, you get the full package. Their friends are your friends and their family is your family. Their country is your country. And for example when Betty (one of these very special friends of all of us) first time took our entire group to her home and also to one secret waterfall, then later I alone could go to meet her other relatives, grandma and feel really like a part of the family. She also took me to one another waterfall (tripple waterfall actually) that is for me now absolutely one of the most special places I have ever been. Such a wonder. And also with Caroline (our house aid) we also went to her rural home. You know, in rural areas you see the real worth of this country. When also towns and cities and more traveled places have their worth, then rural areas with amazing nature and best people ever, are priceless.
But even without local help, you may find similar places. Don’t think that National Parks are only places you can see something. Yes, maybe you don’t see all the animals, but most of the best views, most of the amazing nature is outside of the parks and away from tourist routes and major populations. Hills in Pokotland, Northern Great Rift Valley, Deserts in Turkana, Eastern and North-Eastern, even Lodwar town in the middle of nowhere, some little pieces of rainforest here and there. One of these although really small area of almost untouched nature was in many ways better than Kakamega Rainforest National Reserve. Well, in Kakamega, we got some glimpse of real depth of rainforest, how you could get lost, The amazing look how the light comes through the thick cover of trees to the even thicker undergrowth. Everything filled with sounds of monkies and birds and colourful butterflies. But then again, at this other place, we climbed the amazing cliffs in look for yet another waterfalls and got the bonus of really similar forest to Kakamega only even more untouched. No one tells you that when you go offroad, when you go to hike to places that are away from everyday life and often in hard to reach locations, you can get to the fantasyland. The amazing play of colours and forms, the moss like plantlife on the ground where no one ever had stepped, if not by monkies or other animals. Already in Kakamega I could forget sometimes that only about ten km-s away there are roads leading to crappy towns, then this place was like another planet. It was real past - many centuries ago.Another place about what I always write (and about what I write more when I get to the Turkana story), place that I remember forever and where I surely want to go again was in Pokot. Why should I ever read Tolkien, why should I ever watch fantasy movies when there are such places in the world. In such places you really start to believe into all kinds of mystical stuff. And when you get back from there to civilization, you have no words, you only want to get back. Such are the little secret paradises of the world.
Ah yeah.. I almost forgot, I probably do some illustration for this chapter, but it takes time.