Re: Swahili Book on Amazon

Yambeka Children Media is happy to Announce that our Wanyama/Animals children book is available for sale on Amazon.com. Follow the link: Wanyama/Animals

Lil' B some History lessons!

Mom: B what's the capital city of USA? B: Washington Mom: What is the capital city of Kenya? B: Nairobi Mom: What's the capital city of Namibia? B: I know I know my aunt told me, its something windy. Mom: It's Windhoek Mom: What's the capital city of Ethiopia? B: Addis Mom: Who is the President of USA? B: Obama Mom: Where's Obama's dad from? B: Kenya Mom: Where's Obama's mom from? B: Namibia Mom: From the USA Mom: Who is the president of Namibia B: I don't know Mom: Hifikepunye Pohamba B: Hifi what? Mom:Hifikepunye Pohamba B: Can we just call him Pohamba?

Kenyan business women!

I'm blessed to live in a neighborhood surrounded by many Kenyan business women. Some are college graduates, and some didn't even finish high school. The most impressive thing about these women is that they find a need in their community/country, and they take action. Most of these organizations are NGOs. One of my neighbor and a friend Betty motivates me in many ways. Here is Betty's story:

"Hidden away inside one of the busy malls in Eastleigh estate is a factory many don’t even know exists.It is a factory that is touching thousands of lives in a unique way.It's the brainchild of Beatrice Muta, who grew up being told that the menstrual cycle was regarded as taboo. As a result, many school going girls dropped out while others skipped school during that period. Most simply lost their self-esteem because of the stigma attached to this natural phenomenon.

The challenges she faced then prepared her for what she calls her ‘mission in life’. She is now committed to helping those who suffer in silence by building a factory that employs 86 women who take care of the needs of thousands of less fortunate young women. It's called Saidia Dada. A venture aimed at manufacturing cheap sanitary towels. Muta is no doubt changing lives by providing a solution to the discomfort of the monthly cycle that was and is still one of the major reasons for the high rate of school drop out amongst girls. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBS) has certified the sanitary pads.At the cost of only 35 shillings for a pack of eight these are the cheapest pads in the market. Muta says 'Saidia Dada' makes up to 90-thousand pads a month. Muta says she feels she's making a difference in the lives of women especially among the poor and less fortunate." To learn more about Betty's organization, visit her website at:

Saidia Dada

We have been in Kenya for almost a year now!

I have to admit I miss some of the little things that I took for granted in the States for examples, if I needed any help from the librarian, I just go to the library website, start typing and within 1 minute, someone will be there to chat with me, and respond to my questions. Customer service in the States is just beyond the word fantastic (Kenyan customer service is better than Namibia though, at least in the Kenyan shops people are trying to be nice. I think this has to do with competition. What Namibia needs is more businesses new ones providing an excellent service;and then all the people will be going to these new shops. The moment old businesses start to see less people coming to their shops, I'm positive they will start with the customer service training. One day I will open up a business chain similar to Walmart in Namibia, and provide the best customer service, I bet I'll drive 80% of the people to my shops). Going for a walk is in the US is fun because I can push the kids in a stroller without worrying about the cars driving on the side walk, or without worrying about bad side walks. I can drink water from the tap, I can use electric stove without worrying about the electricity bill. I miss the fast and cheep internet, don't have to worry about the electricity going off even if I have paid my bill on time, have access to one of the world's best library, have mail delivered in front of my home, washer and dryer. The list goes on... I know not everything in the USA is good for examples I prefer the African meat, baby sitters are cheaper than $3 per day, yummy fruits all the time etc. Yes, life can be comfortable in the USA because of endless opportunities and technology that make people's life easier compared to developing countries. But I can say this, I'm very glad we came to Kenya. It's interesting how people can get comfortable easily. Me of all people spent my childhood in a refugee camp. No electricity, no tv, but when we came to Kenya last year, I found it a bit hard to adjust. This is a great experience for my entire family.

My experience registering a business in Kenya

I have never registered a business in Africa thus I don't have any African country to compare with; however, I'll share a bit of the experience I had while registering in the US. My husband and I took one day only, we registered downtown Columbus, and within three days, we received all the papers we needed via the mail. That's how easy it is to do it in Ohio. I'm not trying to compare Kenya to the US, and just sharing my experience. Here is my experience in Kenya. Once a Kenyan business lady asked me to pay her so that she register my business in her name. She warned me that the process is long and frustrating especially that I'm a foreigner they might give me a hard time. I said no, because I won't have all the rights to my business. Then the day came when I decided to register my business in Kenya. First I asked one of the taxi driver if he knew the place I needed to go to register the business. He told me that his friend registered one; thus he was going to call him for me. Imediatly, he called him, and told him that I needed to provide three names for name search, and pay Ksh100 for each name search, and then he warned me that it was not an easy process. The taxi driver drove me to the place called Sherea house, and I was to call him once I was done. When I entered inside, I was just confused, didn't know were to go; the place was scattered with people in lines, some pushing through, and some just standing like they were trying to decide what to do next. The interesting things was that most of the people in lines were men in suits, and ties, but the majority of the people behind the windows were ladies dressed in casuals. There was no one to direct me. On the windows where the people were heading to there were no signs like registrations etc, but numbers. As I stood there wondering what to do next, a middle age man smiled at me, and asked me if I needed help. Immediately I smiled at him and he directed me to the window for the name search. I was to write with my hand or type the business names, and the business info. Luckily I carried a booklet and a pen; thus I wrote the info with a pen. The line for the name search was the quickest. I payed Ksh300 and in exchange I gave my name search paper with the three potential business names. The lady behind the window told me to return in three days. Even though she didn't smile, I left smiling, thinking that this was not as difficult as the people told me. On my way out, I saw an information desk, which was surrounded by people; no wonder I didn't see it when I entered. After three days, I returned, and my papers were there waiting for me. Unfortunately, they denied my first choice. Even though they approved the second choice, I decided to investigate about who registered my name. I was curious to know who registered my unique name. I called my husband to tell him that someone registered my business name. He told me to find out who registered it. I went to the information desk, and asked if there was a way to find out who registered the name. They told me to go to the same window I registered for the name search, and pay Ksh200, and they should be able to provide me with the copy of the owner's profile. I went back and paid the Kh200, and requested for the profile. After she handed me the receipt, she told me to ask the security to guide me to a gentlen inside the office. The security refused, and sent me back to the same lady at the window. The lady at the window sent me back to the security. I went to the info desk, and they told me to go see someone else, I went inside, and this guy checked in the system and told me that no one has registered that name. Furthermore he told me that they might have refused to register my name for many other reasons, at this point I was fruastrated. I wish they have stated on the document that my name was refused for abc and d, then I wouldn't have spend my Ksh200. I went back to the lady at the window asking for explanation, and she sent me back to the same security guy, the security guy sent me back to the window, this time, I was tired, and frustrated, I went to the window and told the lady that she needed to stop making me running around for nothing. I demanded my Ksh200 back, which she refused to pay back. I was really loud when I asked for my money, but I didn't care. I went back to beg the guy who told me that my name was still available to help me call the person who can help me. He refused, when I came out, there was a new security standing next to the security that I have spoke to. I went to the new security who was a lady, greeted her her with the most pleasing voice, and asked her to call the gentlemen the lady at the window asked me to go to. She was nice, she took my papers, and handed them to the gentlemen inside. Within 10 minutes, the guy went at the widow were the lady who registered the name search was, and she was told to tell me what the issue was. I went there, and she told me that they don't deal with children. I asked her why they didn't state that on the paper, and then asked her to tell me about the place that deals with children. She sent me to another building that was in the same area. When I went there, they told me that they don't register business, only books. Thus, I was to go back to the same building and maybe change my business name, and then register it. This time I decided to go home, and returned the next day. When I returned, I decided to search for three different names. After three days I returned, and the same lady didn't even search for my papers, she just told me to come back the next day. I didn't argue with her, I just decided to return after 5 days. When I returned, they have approved my new name, and I went to the next window were I was told to return after 10 days. After 10 days I returned, and I was told to return after 5 days. I returned after a week and I was told to return again. I decided to wait for two more weeks, and when I returned I was given my business certificate. I'm curious to know how the process work in Namibia. Mem this was an experience. This should not be hard at all. I have heard that some people do it within two days because they pay someone inside. This was really an experience. But it's doable.

Receiving a package at the Kenyan post office!

Did you just move to Nairobi? Are you thinking about receiving a parcel? Be prepared. Read this story below. Around October of 2009, my sister T in the States asked for our postal address to send her nephew and niece x-mas goodies. I explained to her that we have been trying to open up one, but every post office near our neighborhood put us on a long, and hopeless list. When we realized Xmas was getting closer, I emailed her my hubby's work address. My sister decided to send the xmas goodies end of October, and in November she sent lil' B's b-day present. To my surprise, lil' B's present arrived by the end of November, and hubby went to collect the parcel with one of his coworkers. When he came home, he was complaining about the process he went through to get the parcel. I just looked at him, and told him this is Africa honey you should not expect things to be the same as in the States. Finally, one week after Christmas, the goodies arrived. B said he was going to collect it on Monday, then Monday came, and the next Monday and the next Monday before we knew it it was mid January and our passports were sent out for the visa renewal. When the passports returned in February, I just asked my neighbor when she was going to town so that she could show me the main post office. When we arrived at the post office, it was closed for lunch. We found seats inside the post office main building. At around 2pm, the doors were open. We asked the security to direct us to the floor were our parcel was waiting for us. Inside post office there were few people ahead of us requesting for their mails too. Some peope came behind us, and pushed themselves ahead of us. When it was my turn, I handed the lady my slip, and she handed me the package to open, and directed me to go to the next line in the same building. I said to myself, wow, this is easier then my husband explained. I opened the package, I saw my favorite candies "dove," mnm, cookies and many more goodies for the kids. I went as directed, and gave the package to the next guy. He looked inside, read the value on the box, and recorded the value to US$10 that I was supposed to pay. After that, he asked me to close it, and handed it to the next person where I had to join another line, and this lady told me to take it to a window behind me. When I went to the window, the lady looked at me like I was about to take something from her. She was not smiling at all. She was seating down and in her hand was a long stick that she used to pull my slip with. After she stamped it, she pushed it back to me with the same stick. I said "thank you" with a smile, but all she said was, a big nothing. As I tried to find my way to the next step, I went back and asked her were to go next, she pointed with her stick to give it to the next person who was next to her. Now this was really becoming weird, and irritating. Luckily the next person was able to tell me to go up to the next office. At this office, I was given two forms which I was supposed to take to the bank. Where is the bank? f I asked her. I had to leave the building and find the bank myself. At this point I was not the only one irritated, my neighbor was annoyed too. She had an appointment to attend. We went outside, and crossed a busy road where cars don't stop when the green light comes on. When we reached the bank, my neighbor showed me a building were she was going. She told me to meet her there once I was done with my post office agenda. When I went inside the bank, the main line was just crazy; more than 30 people were in that line waiting, I went to the security and showed him my slip and asked him if there was a different line for people with the same slip I had from the post office. He smiled and showed me a different line which had some familiar faces I met earlier from the post office, ok at least this line had less then 6 people. After I paid, I skipped to the post office with joy; this time I was sure I was just going to show the receipt, and collect my parcel. when I returned, I was directed to go to the non smiling lady, she stamped it, gave it back to me with her stick, and then I went to the lady who gave me the parcel earlier, she sent me to someone new, who then told me I was supposed to pay around US$40.00 for storage fees. My goodness. At this point I was really frustrated. After all what I went through. I didn't even take half of that, beside even if I had that much, I was not going to pay that much for candies. I could go to the store and pay about 7 to get similar candies. I asked for my 10 back. Which they refused to give me. I begged her, and told her that they were the kids candies, but she said no. I asked for the manager, she said she could help me if I give her US$ 30. I told them they can eat the candies. I still didn't understand why I was supposed to pay even though the parcel was fully paid already. In the Us I never had to pay for extra storage etc as long as the sender has paid enough. This is the same in Namibia. I never even had to go to the main post office to collect the parcels. I lived in Khomasdal, and I collected everything in one building at no cost as long as the sender paid for all the postage.

Don't trust everyone you meet!

When I first arrived in Nairobi, my Namibian friend who is married to a Kenyan man warned me about conman. When she explained to me about how she has lost money trying to buy a car etc, I was saying to myself that, how can I let someone full me you know? Not long ago I received a note from my son's school telling me to pay for the music lessons that I have paid already. If not of the security for my son, I could have mentioned the school's name because they have pissed me off. Once my son leaves this school, I'll re-post and mention the school's name. At the beginning of the term we all received a letter stating that the owner of the school has fired the secretary because she stolen money. I could not believe that this lady did this, because she was one of the reasons I registered my son to this school. She was very nice, and inviting, always smiling, and making us feels welcome. When I visited other schools, some secretaries didn't smile etc. Since the school has started, my son told me he was taking computer and music lessons; thus I thought they made a mistake that I paid for both the computer, and music. I was just thinking that maybe she has made mistakes that some parents paid for two activities, but I was not sure how to ask them. So when I received the note asking me to pay for the music lessons, I thought in the system it says we have paid for computer, because last term we paid for the computer. I wrote them back and told then that we have paid for music not for the computer. On top of that, I went to the school with the receipt. The new secretary asked me to leave the receipt with her to show to the music teacher. I was not comfortable with her request thus I asked her to give me a note that says I have left her with my receipt. The following day I returned for my receipt, and she called the owner of the school to talk to me. She said, she had seen my receipt and it does not have her school stamp. I was just in shock. So I asked her "what do you want me to do". She had fired the previous secretary one week after the school reopened because she claimed that she has stolen from her. She kept insisting that why did I accept a receipt without a stamp? I told her that she should inform all the new parents to accept only stamped receipts. She said all over Kenya the government has announced never to take receipts without stamps. Hallow I'm not from Kenya, and I don't know everything that is going on here. She kept on saying that everywhere in the world people accept receipts with stamps only. I have lived in the US for the past 8 years, and I don't remember receiving a hand written receipts with a stamp on it especially when I pay for an on going service like school fees etc because everything is computerized. Even if I had lived in Kenya for over 5 years, and was aware of the situation, people do make simple mistakes. It's not impossible to overlook a simple receipt. Ok if the secretary has conned me, is that my fault? My mistake was paying by cash. If I have paid by check then I don't even have to prove my points to her, just show her the bank statement period. Maybe if she computerize her system, she can avoid these issues. I have learned my lesson, never ever pay by cash especially when you move to new places. If you have no check use money order or something like that.

Out of Africa!

Few months ago I had an opportunity to visit Karen Museum. This is the house that Karen Blixen lived when she was in Kenya. There is a book and a movie "Out of Africa" about the life of Karen Blixen in Africa. From 1914 - 1931, Karen, the daughter of a wealthy Danish family, arrives in Africa in 1914 to marry Baron Bror von Blixen, her second cousin with whom she shares a desire to lead a more exciting life. The filming took place in her first house "Mbogani", close to the museum. You can see the outside of the home here. Pictures taken by Helvi!