Last weeks in Kenya

Almost 7 years I'm involved with Macheo. I came in the past for a short time and went back to my Dutch life and job. I lived and worked since 2013 here in Kenya at the compound of Macheo, Time was flying and I really could stay longer but its time to move on. A paid job is very necessary after 3 years. WIth very mixed feelings I move back to the Netherlands. I'm sure I will go back to Kenya but when is only the question. Life is one big journey full of adventure and experiences for me. And it's me to move on even when it's not easy. Kenya is really my new home. I'm used, very used to the culture, local life. Even when I'm in Nairobi or in a mall there it feels I'm not in Kenya because I hardly did such a things. I love the country because of the great nature, many lovely journeys full of adventure. Kenya is a big country so even going to friends its normal you drive 1-3 hours just for a short visit. I had already a bike. But I bought last year a Beetle to create flexiblity because in the dark it's not easy to move myself anywhere. In the day there is for me nothing what stops me to take public transport or go anywhere. In the dark that's not that easy without a car. Still I never, ever felt or found myself in a situation where I thought this is not okay. And never ever something is stolen from me. I can say I'm lucky because everywhere they are trying to get something of a mzungu (white person). I knew the tricks and also how to act in Kenya and I felt at home. Driving with a Beetle through Kenya was a great expierence. Anywhere in the world it's great to drive a Beetle but in Kenya on the very bumpy rough roads its even better. Driving through streams of mud yap I managed also no mountain too high with the Beetle. Through Nairobi between all the 4x4 BIG cars from expats I felt good with my Beelte. I was always happy when people appoached me as a local, the Beetle made that also possible. As a lady driver in Kenya it's already fun to drive, also as a mzungu lady it's fun but driving a Beetle is briljant everywhere cheers and many nice thumps up! Unfortunately because I leave August 5th I had to sell the car. First big step of a process of leaving Kenya. It's not easy leaving Macheo. Still so much to do. And still I could add so much extra as a bridge between my 140 Kenyan colleagues and mostly the western donors. I know Macheo will continue doing very good things. Many great plans and things are happening. I will follow Macheo from a distance and try to do whatever I can. Also when I have other jobs like I did in the past. I will miss so so so many people. I will always come back home in Kenya.  Moving back to the Netherlands is not easy for me. It's weird because the last 3 years I had sometimes hard times in Kenya because I missed my family and friends . Now it will be the opposite I will miss my Kenyan 'family' and friends a lot.

I learned so much by living in a totaly other culture. Also I saw daily with my own eyes that things in life are not for everybody the same. Where you are born is seriously not in your own hands. You can only make the best of it with the things you have  Taking things as they are is the only way sometimes. But helping children or people who really don't know or have the possibilities to change  things is still the only way how we all can change the world in to a better world for everybody.
Yap, I'm still passionate to do thing for very vulnerable children. I'm very, very lucky that I found a chance to work with the same target group in Kenya and Uganda from Amsterdam.  Also a NGO called Join for Joy. They organize summercamps and games for very needy children. Macheo helps them to select and organize things in Kenya. So somehow I stay in tough with Macheo. At least because I have found such a new job - the landing in the Netherlands will be easier. I know that i will be very happy to see everybody again and I can cope with any situation also back in the Western world.

Next blog more details about my moving back and next steps. For now I try to do as much as possible in Kenya and try to enjoy the time I'm here.

Cheers Maaike