Some Things You might be Curious About:
1. How do women dress over there? What will you be expected to wear?
I actually asked a woman named Hellen these questions. She was born and raised in Kenya until she was 27 years old. She is a native. I met her over Christmas break on a missions trip to TN. (and she is one of the tools God used to lead my heart towards Kenya this summer) She told me that "with regard to the dressing. Girls just dress the same way ladies dress here in the united states, with the exception of a few women who like wearing traditional clothing. Traditional clothing here is just a long dress, made of a colorful fabric. However, when you go into the slum area, where you will be working, it is usually advisable to wear, a nice long skirt, that goes below your knees. You may want to bring some black snickers to use when you are there because it may be muddy from the rainy season. You could bring your nice jeans and any nice tops to wear when you are not working or when you are visiting elsewhere. Bring some warm jacket too."
2. What will the weather be like while you are there?
Hellen: The weather in the months may and some part of june is wet and dry, so bring your small umbrella and your rain jacket with you. The temperature ranges from 55 to about 80 in the day. Usually between 10 am in the morning to 3pm in the after noon, then it begins to drop down to about 60 in the evening, it is nice weather. but because the equator cuts across Kenya and some parts of Nairobi in the middle, the sun is very close to the earth and may cause you some horrible sun burns, bring your sun screen with you to apply in the morning and in the evening. other wise your skin will crack. It is also hot and dry and a very high altitude you will need to drink a lot of water during the day.
3. I asked Hellen if there are any major differences?
Hellen: A major difference for you Grace when you go to Kenya, might be adjusting to the foods. Some people do it really fast some take time. Most foods have not food additive or artificial hormones in the them and may either taste completely bad or may taste really nice, but you will find some foods you like. Imbumi will definaltey take care of you guys, and will probably give you guys are brief introduction to everything. there is a huge mall named YAYA, you will like it there are food courts in there and you can find what you like if you get a chance to go there. There are other nice places, on Ngong road, like the Nakumat Plaza, and Nakumat Junction. You will love these places. There are others as well.
Remember I am sending out the support letters tomorrow =)
Please add me to your prayer list during this time.
I hope everyone is doing well. Don't forget you don't have to make an account or anything to simply post a question. Just click Anonymous and Post and I will answer your question as soon as I can. =)
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
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One thing I'd like to comment on with regard to the advice that Hellen offered you is about sunscreen. Applying it in the morning is excellent advice (about twenty to thirty minutes BEFORE you go outside -- don't wait until you're already out). I don't know why you'd apply it in the evening since the sun actually goes down, but maybe she's really talking about moisturizing lotion and not sunscreen.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure in your training they will emphasize this, but you'll need to reapply sunscreen OFTEN, especially if you sweat or find yourself in a wet situation (if you are perspiring or get wet, even water-resistant sunscreen only protects you for 40 to 80 minutes, no matter what the SPF).
Speaking of SPFs, an SPF of 30 protects you from about 97% of the sun's UVB rays; a higher number than 30 does NOT filter more of those rays, it just allows you more time in the sun without burning. SPF only refers to the burning rays, not UVA rays. To get protection from those, look for the following ingredients, which offer the most protection from UVA rays: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone, Mexoryl SX, or Tinosorb.
You should carry sunscreen with you when you go out during the day so that you can reapply it. The FDA states that most people use HALF the sunscreen necessary to provide protection (so they are only getting half the protection), so be generous and don't forget areas like your ears or the back of your neck.
For every 1000 feet in altitude, UV exposure increases 8-10% so BE AWARE that you'll burn much faster there than anyplace you've ever been (Nairobi's altitude is just under 6000 feet and while the sun isn't actually closer to the earth at the equator its rays do hit more directly there).
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA (which cause skin cancer and wrinkling) and UVB rays (which cause burning). Wear a broad-brimmed hat but be aware that it only protects you from PART of the sun's rays and don't rely on it as a substitute for sunscreen (rays reflect off of light surfaces). Same thing goes for the shade.
Finally, carry a lip balm with you at all times; one that has appropriate sunscreen protection.
I don't know if you've ever been badly burned or suffered from "sun poisoning," but either one can put you out of commission for a while. An ounce of prevention is really worth a pound of cure in this case!!!
=) Trust me with this pale skin of mine I am a BIG fan of the sunscreen! Thanks for the advice! =)
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