Heather is an American who is living with her family in Kitale, Kenya. Learn what rural life is like for them there through her story, as well as some thoughts on things like the benefits of being able to speak Kiswahili, the warmth and kindness of the locals (and tips for newcomers on interacting with them), and several other things that have contributed to her personal growth since moving to Kenya in 2000.

Heather Jamison

-Where were you born?

Kansas City, Missouri, USA

-In which country and city are you living now?
Kitale, Kenya

-Are you living alone or with your family?
I stay in Kenya with my husband and our four children.

-How long have you been living in Kenya?
We moved here in November, 2000 and have stayed here for the better part of the past 6 years.

-What is your age?
35

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Kenya?
1998. A friend of ours who was working on his Masters Degree at the same place my husband was finishing his was killed in a drunk-driving accident. He was African and learning how to drive in Dallas when he was hit by a drunk driver and killed instantly. This tragedy caused both my husband and I to research and learn more about Africa and the needs there. We were particularly drawn to Kenya through a magazine article I had written in 1998 which ended up in Kenyan circulation and we were then contacted by someone in Kenya.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
The entry visa was easy. The work permit was initially very easy. The renewal is a process that happens every two years and takes some legwork.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
We are insured through Talent Trust. It is a global insurance company out of Malaysia.

-How do you make your living in Kenya? Do you have any type of income generated?
Our income is funneled through an agency in the States and reached through support and donation means.

-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language? 
My husband and I both speak fluent Kiswahili. It is a level one language and can be learned in 3-6 months time through immersion technique very easily. While business and trade can happen in English (another language in Kenya) we believe it’s important to speak the local trade language of Kiswahili as a means of identifying with the local culture and paying respect to Kenyans. They are very gracious and not easily offended as you work through the learning process.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
Very much so. Even more so than my kids do since they have spent an enormous amount of their formative years in Kenya. They rarely miss home/America but I miss it frequently. Especially my family.

Since we live in Kitale – which is out in the rural parts of Kenya and very unlike Nairobi, there isn’t much to do by way of recreation. We will sometimes go to the local club and go swimming or work out at the gym. We also have iPods (since we don’t get a TV reception) and people will send us iTunes shows on DVDs through the mail.

We also like to go horseback riding at a farm not far from here where you can ride through an area with giraffe, zebra and other animals.

-Do you have other plans for the future?
None that are definite.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
We rent our home. It is one of the oldest surviving colonial structures in Kitale and it is rumored that the Queen of England slept here during colonial times. We pay $300/month for a 5 bedroom, 4 bath 2-level home with a large garden of about 1 acre. This is a typical price for a home of this size.

-What is the cost of living in Kenya?
Fuel is higher than in the States.
Bread - $1 loaf. Milk - $3 gallon. Electricity runs us around $115/month.

-What do you think about the Kenyans?
Kenyans are genuinely kind and hospitable people. They treat foreigners with a lot of cheer and warmth. A word of caution for newcomers: they have told us that they particular look to butter-up Americans because we have a reputation for being both gullible and suckers and can get “taken” very easily with stories of hardship. Learn how to help within the culture before jumping in to help. Our means of “helps” can often even create problems of jealousy and retaliation among the Kenyans so it is better to learn first before jumping in.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Kenya?
Health issues are generally a big negative for living in Kenya. As well as a very poor infrastructure. And little contact with home culture through other ex-pats or TV. Most other ex-pats tend to be European – which is great – but as far as tying in to “home” culture somehow, ways are limited.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Kenya?
Learn and take things slowly. Talk to as many people as you can to try and understand the culture. Don’t be afraid. Kenya is a wonderful place. It has dangers but every place does. Understand that you are entering a culture of circular rather than linear logic. That should help some.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Kenya?
I post my blogs on HeatherontheNet.
This is where I write about typical to atypical things about life in Africa as an American Gen Xer living and learning about women’s issues [oppression, strength, beauty, weakness, rape, polygamy, etc.] and AIDS orphans and what God seems to be teaching me through it all.

One way to help AIDS orphans is to go to Adopt a Legacy:
This is a unique support-system assisting through quality education and business development of orphans and the poor in Kenya.