Written by CFK Africa Peacock Fellow, Erin Lim.
With its own unique pace of life, both in terms of lifestyle and workstyle, maneuvering around Nairobi is an original experience; even for someone who has lived and worked in various global settings.
Since landing in NBO, I have been adjusting to the pole pole (take it easy) rhythm of life here in Kenya. Although I am a stranger to this town, Kenyans with their warm hearts and actions have expedited my transition to calling this city my home for the following months.
The most surprising aspect of my time here is experiencing CFK Africa in person and deep diving into all the efficient and effective programs the team runs on the ground.
CFK is unlike any other NGO I have worked with in the past. On the surface, there is a pole pole rhythm in the interactions, but beneath the surface, the staff members here are passionate and move chap chap (hurry, hurry) when it comes to serving the different youth groups within the informal settlements in Kenya.
On my first day at work, I received a warm wave of karibu sanas (you are welcome) and bottomless chai while Nathan introduced me to all my new colleagues in the Kibera HQ. I instantly felt the powerful energy from my colleagues who pour out their passion into empowering youths in slums.
My second day onsite, I was lucky to receive a personal tour from Dr. Kinoti on all the CFK clinics and facilities located within Kibera and was treated to lunch by Maureen at the beloved CFK chapati spot within Kibera (the best chapati and pilau I’ve had so far).
At this point, I also began running around Kibera with my CFK field jacket to film content to share the Youth Peer Providers (YPP) program work with Ashuma and Cynthia. YPP links youth in Kibera to a range of essential health services at CFK Africa’s Youth Friendly Services Center, including mental health counseling, sexual and reproductive health care, and infectious disease screening.
In the afternoon, I participated in my first community perception group discussions with CBOs with Mediatrix and Vivian under the Best School Initiatives.
I have accompanied many different programs since the beginning. However, my personal favorite memory thus far was with Frank and the Nutrition team. We went to screen children under 5 using MUAC tape to determine their nutrition status. The children at all the schools CFK works with greeted me with cheeky smiles, curious high fives, and hugs. I felt pure bliss, and I will cherish this moment forever.
I am always excited when a CFK colleague extends an invitation to join their team in the field for the day and am striving towards capturing all the many roles CFK plays through its different teams as a communications fellow. Through field visits, I now understand the programs and have begun capturing the narratives to share the impact that CFK makes to the community.
What excites me most about what lies ahead is the Youth Media Corps project! YMC allows me an opportunity to work alongside youth from the community to develop their skills as authentic storytellers and multimedia creators. But more than anything, I am looking forward to learning from them. Their perspectives, creativity, and lived experiences are things I cannot find elsewhere, and I think that is what makes this fellowship so rare. Nairobi has already taught me so much in such a short time, and I have a feeling the best lessons are still to come.
