A Lion on the Loose--Why I love Kihuyo Village

Every Christmas, we all travel to our village—Kihuyo. It has been our family tradition for years. I love this village, not just because it is beautiful and peaceful, but mostly because its close proximity to the Aberdares national park provides numerous encounters with wildlife. Cool huh? Wait until you hear the stories.

When I got home on 23rd, mom was waiting with a beaming smile. “There is a lion on the loose!” Seriously?! I dropped my bags and we sat on the steps. My brother fetched me a cup of chai. “Tell me more! When was it spotted? Is it a he or a she? Has it eaten any goats? Or people for that matter?” Calm down!” Mum said laughing at my excitement. When you have lived in the United States where only squirrels and deer are regulars, a lion is definitely bound to make you go crazy with exhilaration.

“Are you sure it is a lion? It is probably a kanyutu.” My brother asked. Now, a kanyutu is a cross-breed between a lion and a hyena. Apparently it was bred in South Africa as part of a scientific study. The Kenyan government bought a few kanyutus. Don’t ask me why, maybe to attract tourists. They were transported to the Aberdares National Park, but one of them escaped and has been walking around our village (and surrounding ones) eating sheep and goats. Being a hybrid between a hyena and a lion, the kanyutu is extremely strong. It is rumored that its jaws and claws can demolish a wooden structure within a minute. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has been trying to capture it for three years to no avail. Villagers have been told not to kill it because it cost the government a lot of money. But goats=money for the villagers! The good thing about the kanyutu though, is that it is afraid of people. Explanation? People bred it, nurtured it and then put it in a cage. It figures people are intelligent and powerful.

Ok. Back to the lion story. Mom confirms that this time round, it is a lion and not a kanyutu that was sighted. It is a male, has eaten nobody’s goats. It hasn’t bothered the villagers. And true enough, everyone’s going about their business as if a lion is just a big kitty. Women are still going to look for firewood in the very woods that the lion is rumored to sleep. Ah, what a vacation. I was hoping that in my walk, I would meet this fellow. It is long since I saw a live one up close. But I hear that the KWS are planning to sedate him and transport him back to the national park. Poor lion, he is probably lost and is missing his wife and kids.

I wish other people would have such an experience. Of walking with the animals. I love that if I want to see an elephant, buffalo, a warthog, I simply walk alongside the park fence. I don’t even have to pay any park fees. Once in a while the baboons become too much of a nuisance, but it I still fun watching them steal stuff. This is my village.

Kihuyo village is located in Nyeri, Central Province. Not much is known about it. When I googled it, I didn’t find much written about this little heaven. From my mom’s home, I see the snow-capped Mt. Kenya to the South East, the Aberdare ranges to the North, and the Muhoya/Nyeri Hill to the West. Around me are rolling coffee and tea plantations, smaller farms and vineyards. The main food crops are maize, legumes (especially beans and peas), tubers (mainly potatoes), and vegetables (especially tomatoes, cabbage, spinach and kale).I see indigenous trees such as the Silver oak (Brachylaena huillensis), the Red stinkwood (Prunus africana), the East African yellow-wood (Podocarpus spp.), Mukui (Newtonia buchananii), Meru oak (Vitex keniensis) and the Mugumo. There are also imported trees such as eucalyptus, cypress and pine.

There are two streams around the village: Muraria and Nyamiru. These provide water to villagers, although there is running water in most homesteads courtesy of the Nyeri Water & Sewerage Company Limited. Most of the homes have electricity. Here are a few more facts about the village:

• It is about 62 miles (100 km) North of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital

• Mean temperature: 16°C / 61°F

• Latitude. -0.3833°, Longitude. 36.9000°

• Attitude: 1946 meters above sea level

• Nearby airports: Marrian Airstrip (Mweiga) 2nm N Code: FR31381, Nyeri Airstrip (NYR) 4nm E Code: HKNI

• Touristy places near Kihuyo: The Aberdare Country Club, Treetops Hotel, Baden-Powell grave, Wajee Nature Park, Mau-Mau Cave, Solio Ranch, Tafaria Lodge among others.



If you are interested in an eco-tourism project for my village, kindly shoot me an email.

Breast Cancer Awareness: If only women paid attention to their breast as men do

Last week on Saturday I went to Mater Hospital for the free breast cancer clinic. Knowing how Kenyans love free stuff, I left my apartment at 6am, hoping to avoid a long queue. On the way there, I chatted with my taxi driver (I call him Dere). Here’s is our conversation.

            Dere: Why are you going to the hospital? Are you sick? You don’t look sick.

Me: I know I don’t look sick. I don’t feel sick. I am just going for a check-up.

Dere: (looking puzzled) Why?

Me: Why what?

Dere: Why go to see a doctor if you are not sick?

Me: Dere, you don’t go to see a doctor just because you feel sick. You need to go for regular check-ups, you know. Regular health exams and tests can help find problems way before they start. They also can help find problems early on, when your chances for treatment and cure are better.

Dere: Now, what kind of tests could someone like me go for?

Me: HIV/AIDS, cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, diabetes, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer.

Dere: I didn’t understand the last two.

Me: (Hesitatingly )uhmmm…colorectal cancer is the cancer of the colon, rectum or the appendix. Prostate cancer affects uhmmm… (really embarrassed now) the male, uuuhmm…

Dere: The male reproductive system?

Me: (Phew!) yeah…

(An awkward silence)

Dere: Here we are! Very few people on the queue.

Me: Great.  So Dere, I think you should encourage your wife to come today. They have free breast cancer tests. Pap smears to check for cervical cancer are also subsidized.

Dere: Ok. I will bring her in an hour.

Later that afternoon Dere calls me to inform me that he and his wife are grateful that I encouraged them to go for check-up. Unfortunately, just like me, she was diagnosed with multiple uterine fibroids. They have been trying to have a second baby but without success. Since they already had a child they didn’t really think it was a health issue. Now they know where the problem is and can get help.  The great news is that both of us do not have breast cancer :)

But not everyone is that lucky. Each year, nearly 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer; 1 in 8 women will get the disease. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and it is the second-leading cause of cancer death among women, after lung cancer. It is projected that most of new cancer cases in the next decade will occur in under-resourced countries like Kenya.

Dear readers, it's time to take charge of your health! Kenyans, away with the attitude that you should only see a doctor when you are sick. Schedule an appointment with your health care provider to discuss what screenings and exams you need and when you need them. Women, October is the breast cancer awareness month. In this regard, there are various free breast cancer clinics at Mater and Aga Khan Hospitals. Please call them and ask for the dates.

The Africa They Dont Show You

When I lived in the United States, I was constantly infuriated by many Americans’ view of Africa. I really don’t blame them though. First, their education system does not teach them other countries’ geography or other people’s histories. While I was taught about and could name most of the American presidents by 6^th grade, most Americans cannot name a single president of any African country. Someone once asked me if Nelson Mandela is a famous athlete!  A kid in 6^th grade in Kenya can tell you about the long Mississippi river but a 12^th grade in the US cannot tell where Mt. Kilimanjaro is.

Second, most of what Americans know about Africa is from movies, CNN and other narrow-minded media sources. Here is the info they have:

• Africa is one country, South Africa is the capital and we all speak Afrikaans but have other native tongues. Rumour has it that a former US president said on national television that he was visiting the ‘country of Africa.’ How sad!

• All of Africa is a jungle. We all live in the forest, King Mufasa is my neighbour. A guy once asked me if we have cities, roads or malls in Kenya. I was so tempted to respond: No, just animal trails.

• All of Africa is poor. We live in mud and thatch huts. We have no or very little food. African kids suffer from extreme hunger and starvation. But despite the poverty, Africans are content and happy.

•  All of Africa is plagued by war. We all love to kill each other with crude weapons.

• Africa=AIDS

• Africans are not bright. They have lower IQs than Americans.

•  Etc…other negative things about Africa.

Now, here is the info misinformed Americans should have about Africa:

• Africa has 54 fully recognized sovereign states, 9 territories and two de facto independent states. It is the world's second-largest and second-most-populous continent. UNESCO estimates that there are over 2,000 languages in Africa. It is the most multilingual continent in the world. Most people speak multiple African and European languages. Americans, please note that when you tell an African: “Wow! Your English is so good! When did you learn?” It is not always taken as a compliment. Most Africans learn English in Kindergarten. The English may be tainted by a heavy accent, but their written English is most likely better than a native speaker's.

My city: Nairobi, Kenya

• Yes, some communities live adjacent to the national parks and game reserves.  My village is next to the Aberdares national park and I grew up with monkeys, gazelles, buffaloes, lions and walked with leopards at night but not every African has that experience. There are huge cities in African countries. Some may be as advanced as American cities.

• Not all Africans are poor. I am not implying that we live like Prince Akeem in “Coming to America.” Yes, Africa is the poorest continent in the world. Yes, we still need lots of development aid to help fight poverty. But that does not mean that everybody is wallowing in poverty. And we are not all happy and content with the state of affairs! When Americans visit Africa, they report back: “Oh! Those Africans are so poor but they are so happy.” Please do not interpret that as lack of ambition. Those who are poor try everything to get out of it. Come to my city and drive around at 4am. Poor people are walking to work, opening their businesses, selling farm produce…at that hour! I used to take the train at 6am in Philadelphia. Very few Americans are awake at 6. And they say Africans are lazy!

• Most Africans are a peaceful people. Not all countries are at war. Yes, once in a while we fight each other but so do Americans, and Asians and Europeans! I witnessed more violence in American cities than I ever did in Kenya. But killing using crude weapons is apparently worse than using guns and bombs. CNN is usually very keen reporting violence in Africa; yet they ignore violence in Detroit, New York, Camden and other American cities.

• Not all Africans have AIDS. I don’t even want to write more on this!

• I recently wrote on the issue of Africans and brains. In short, Most Africans are as intelligent or even more, than Americans. Here is the link: http://thetrainblogger.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2013-04-15T06:19:00-07:00&max-results=7

Now, not all Americans are ignorant of or misinformed about Africa. I am proud that most of my friends know that Kenya is in East Africa and not next to Trinidad and Tobago. My American friend Brian even knows more about my country than I do. I bet you he knows that Kenyan Edna Kiplangat won the women’s Marathon in Moscow last week.

Please visit this website. It shows how beautiful Kenya is: It is part of  the Africa they don’t show you on CNN.

http://www.magicalkenya.com/

Guilt Trip: A Critical View on Obama’s Africa Visit (borrowed from The African Economist)

 On June 26, President Barack Obama embarked on his second trip to sub-Saharan Africa since taking office in 2009. Significant though it was, this long-awaited visit may have fallen short of the expectations of many Africans. Over the last four and a half years, Africans have grown increasingly critical of Obama’s limited interest in the continent — an interest that seems confined to security — and many feel that the U.S. president has taken their goodwill for granted. The excitement that accompanied his historic 2008 election has given way to widespread cynicism on the continent. It remains to be seen if Obama’s trip has changed the prevailing view among Africans that Obama is out of touch with the new realities of an emerging Africa.
On Obama’s return to Washington from a week long trip to the continent, he will have increased the amount of time he’s spent as president in Africa nearly tenfold — from 21 to about 200 hours. He will also have gone from having visited only one country — Ghana — to having visited four (Senegal, Tanzania, and South Africa). For the Obama administration, these are important milestones and a sign of his renewed commitment.
But for a president who has failed to seize Africa’s many economic opportunities, the additional time spent there is still pathetic and embarrassing — especially when compared with China’s deep engagement in the region. Over the last five years, China’s top leaders — including the president, vice president, premier, vice premier, cabinet ministers, and top Communist Party officials — have visited around 30 African countries. Former Chinese President Hu Jintao visited 17 African nations in a single 10-month stretch between July 2006 and February 2007. And China’s current president, Xi Jinping, has already visited three African countries since taking office on March 14, 2013. President Xi Jinping visited Tanzania soon after visiting Russia.

Even by recent U.S. presidential standards, Obama’s travel to the region has been minimal. At this point in George W. Bush’s presidency, he had taken a five-country tour of sub-Saharan Africa and spent more than 100 hours on the continent. He then made another six-day trip to Africa near the end of his second term – that was George Bush.
Another major criticism of Obama’s Africa trip concerns the makeup of his itinerary. The president will be passing over three of the continent’s regional anchors: Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia. In fact, some had thought Obama would attend the African Union heads-of-state summit in Addis Ababa last month to celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary. This would have been more significant than visiting any group of countries and especially poignant given Obama’s African heritage. Instead, he sent his secretary of state, which African leaders could have perceived as a sign of disrespect.
Obama has indicated that he will use his trip to highlight U.S. development programs in Africa. But since the president has established no significant NEW Africa-related programs, he will inevitably be highlighting the work of his predecessors, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Obama has also indicated he will highlight U.S. engagement on food security, terrorism, youth leadership, and energy.
When Chinese leaders visit Africa, they come with very specific development initiatives and return home with hundreds of bilateral agreements, many of which involve investment by Chinese companies.
So, what will he accomplish beyond symbolism? Probably not much. The president’s advisors will spin the trip as proof that Obama hasn’t ignored Africa and that the region is an important U.S. partner. And while the latter bit might be true, most Africans don’t see it that way. In fact, what Africa may need to consider is its involvement in the globalized world and how it can ensure its interests on its own.
If Obama was right about one thing, then it is in what he said in his speech in Tanzania.
“Ultimately the goal here is for Africa to build Africa, for Africans,” Obama said after talks with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete on Monday.

“Your English is very good.” No offense? Re-blogged from African in American

Written by Fi.

 As a rising college junior in the US from Zimbabwe, my experiences make me feel like I have an idea of life as an International student but not quite enough to know how to react.

Mine would be the typical story, left home at young age of 19, first time away from home and first time in America.  So everything was literally fresh throughout freshman year. From the time I was asked whether Zimbabwe is an island or more in the Middle East, to the first time I tried to explain the concepts of braids to my Chinese roommate. I have also been learning that Asian seems more appropriate to say, but who knows with Politically Correctness.

Last week I had one of those days at work. I am a tour guide in the admissions office, but also student representative and office assistant. Pretty much any legal job that’s available in the building I can do it! This particular day I was leading a tour, halfway through, a young mother (at least 45) felt she could not conceal her curiosity any longer so she asked. I always know when it comes; on average I get 2 of those in a work week.

“How come your English is so good? Did you come to the US so fluent? And your accent sounds so English like from Scotland.” The last one was more of a statement than a question. Then it was my turn to react.

I paused, took a deep breath and I smiled.

“Well actually I did, I grew up speaking English and Shona and I learnt both pretty much at the same time. English is our official language in Zimbabwe where I am from. We are a former British colony, so that may explain the “accent”.   All 6 years in High school and 7 in elementary school I learnt in English. So the answer is yes.”

“Oh I didn’t know.”

“Yes it is. Moving on with the tour….”

This has become my automated response now. People who know me very well will also know that deep down I am enraged by this and I try not to be offended when it happens.

So my question is should I take offense at these remarks? Must I let it slide, or how do some seasoned Africans in America react to situations like this?

Freshman year, I used to cry foul about how Americans were not being sensitive about others and how they chose to be ignorant and horrible at basic Geography down to continents, the bla bla bla list is endless. Now that is slowly changing. From classes in American History, Anthropology, and day to day to experience, I have learned that a lot goes into the 2 minute encounter I have with parents and prospective students. I have also realized that for those who ask some simply do not know, some honestly want to know and some choose not to know. Freshman year  I had a hall mate who even after a year was still adamant I was from Jamaica, and asked me questions about it.

The spectrum is broad, and we all like to talk about it at our African students’ gatherings, dinners and get together events. It makes great cab conversation too. Seriously though, how does one react? Is there something we can do about it to make the experiences better for other African International students as well as other international students? Is it even our duty?

Africa's Got Brains: Curbing Brain Drain

To get a better picture of how best to curb brain drain, I solicited the help of my friends: those still in the diaspora, those who have returned to their countries and some who have not left their countries yet. I asked the following questions: 
i)What would make you want to go back to your country? 
ii)If you plan to stay abroad, what hasn't your government done to attract you back?
iii)What would make you stay in your country instead of going to study or work abroad? Here are some of the responses I got:

I think if I can get an assurance that the education and experience that I have acquired here in the US would be used back at home then I'd go back.Since am not sure of this yet,I think I'd like to first invest so that I can have something to fall back to since the job industry is still not able to absorb everyone.Another issue for me is security.I really enjoy the fact that I can be driving at 1am all by myself with no worries.
                                                                 Mary Githui, Kenyan living in the US 

What would keep me from leaving South Korea? Nothing really. Being an Indian, I am a minority and always treated as one. I have an Engineering degree, yet I cant find a decent job--with a pay that I deserve. I plan to leave for the US soon. My uncle will help me look for decent job there. I might have to wait in a restaurant or drive a taxi first, but in two years, I will have an engineering job.
                                                                  Malkiat, Indian born in S. Korea

I came back from the US not because I was tired of being treated like I was less brilliant. I saved money over the 10 years I was here, bought a house in Karen and started a car import business. I am doing financially well and living better than I was in the US. The cost of living is lower in Kenya so I get to save more. Kenya has improved economically than I left it more than a decade ago. The roads are better (though the traffic jam is still bad) and  internet faster. I am glad I came back to my country. 
                              Njenga, a Kenyan who returned from the US this year

The level of corruption in Uganda right now is appalling. Going back to look for job in the government sector would mean multiple bribes here or there. If you do not have the "technical know who", then you are very likely not to get a job that suites your training hence unfair renumeration. I'm not ready to deal with all this. Right now I'm still building my resume and my hope is to return to Uganda and start organizations that will serve the local people. Though the government is trying to offer services, there are government officials who lack patriotism and all they think about is how they can amass wealth when the "chance" still lasts. When I think about all this, it gets me thinking of how I can become self employed and not depend on the government to employ me.

This is why I would like to go back some day:There is great potential in Uganda and Africa and large, there are brilliant young men and women springing up today. These are the only people who will save the continent. The passion and love for some of the young people I have spoken to is very contagious that you would like to join them and do something. As some people from the West see Africa as a lost continent, I see hope and growth. I hope one day I will be able to be part of team that will transform my country. To be honest, right now I think my government lacks people who can foster true democracy. An example would be there is freedom of expression but I'm not quite sure if it exists. 
                                                               Charity Alinda, Ugandan living in the US


I think this question is going to be slightly easier for me to answer in that my passion/calling is international development. This field to me means that I am dedicated to seeing and being a part of progress in less-developed countries.When I chose this field, the only country on my mind was my dearest Nigeria. I could have opted to work in another country and make more money, but I don’t believe God made me a Nigerian by chance and made my passion development. I believe Nigeria has immense potential and I would like to be an integral part of her growth. 

My desire to go home was initially curtailed by the absence of life’s conveniences—lack of constant water, electricity, safety, etc. America has made it possible for me to enjoy these things to the fullest and relocating home would make these things, to an extent, luxuries.Working at home for a year also made me realize how inefficient we (Nigerians) can be with time. In the western world productivity is directly linked to time, which makes time a valuable asset. In Nigeria, our culture certainly taints productivity because time is usually not of the essence. Tasks take longer to complete and in some settings being overly assertive can be seen as disrespectful, especially for a “small girl” like myself. This was incredibly frustrating!! That being said, the government could, GET THEIR ISH TOGETHER AND ADULTS CAN LIKE TO CALM DOWN WITH THEIR YEARN FOR “RESPECT” TO DRAW MORE PEOPLE HOME!!! lol
                                                                    Abi Bulus, Nigerian living in the US

The course  I want to pursue is offered in Kenya so I dont see the reason to go study abroad. I am not sure about finding a job though...When I finish college, I hope to find a job wherever. If I find one in Kenya, great. If not, I will leave my country without thinking twice!
                                                                     Milka, Kenyan who has never left the country

As much as I love and adore my country, I am not quite sure I want to go back. You see, it is not my country's fault, at this point. It is rather how much I have changed as a person. I find it would be really hard for me to adjust back to my country's culture. My time out here has changed me and I have grown. I am now more politically correct than when you first met me.

On the other hand, I thought of the question of Why did I leave in the first place? I had already visited other countries, and had my own share of international experiences and friends, but I never thought of becoming an "Immigrant" the thought of leaving my country and making a new life somewhere else was not something I plotted back in Venezuela. But I left. Why? You might remember my stories: I was working 4 jobs. 2 of which were for public schools, none of which ever paid me (our everyday case of corruption, they say the money is coming, but it gets lost in someone elses' account) and the other two jobs were as follows: one in a private language institute that paid me 2 dollars an hour, and the other one was my own private tutoring that I was able to find, which paid me 10 dollars an hour. In a country where there's high inflation, that payment is nothing. 

Parallel to this, I was begging to have a full time teaching position in a public school and finally be part of the "system" so I could guarantee my future and career, my retirement funds and insurance, all the benefits that any worker deserves. I had to stand in lines under the Caribbean sun for hours (5 or more) during days, in the hope to talk to someone in the ministry of education's office, that would take my applications. You have to belong to the political party of the government, they said, so I did. You have to wear a red shirt, they said, so I did. You have to say Viva Chavez, they said, so I did. You have to know someone inside the ministry, you know, have a connection, so I looked for one. I begged and begged that someone would look at my talent, my experience, my 3 languages, my passion for teaching...no one ever gave me a chance...And in the midst of this all, here came my friend Rafael and sent my resume to Bates.

Why does someone who is 30 and with 12 years of experience leaves her country to be a TA at some college in the middle of the icing freaking cold Maine that pays 400$ a month? the reason is, I saw a door being open, someone finally was willing to give me a chance, and in my country, as much as I tried, doors were closing on my face, day after day.

Believe me, if I had been employed, with my benefits and I had known that I had been hired not because of my political beliefs but because of my passion for teaching and what I had to give, I WOULDNT HAVE LEFT.

My experience here you know it! after my two years in Bates, I took my exams to have my teaching certifications in Texas. I went to a job fair (about 3000 ppl) I handed out my resume, a school looked at it, liked it, interviewed me, hired me, sponsored my working visa and voila! No one asked me to stand in line under the sun, no one asked me what were my political views, nobody cared what connections I had. And that's what makes me want to stay here. You can be somebody, build your life with no connections and just your own experience to speak for yourself.

My country is in the midst of a political and economical crisis. It is unsafe and you cant even find butter, toilet paper or toothpaste at the stores. You have to line up and fight to buy a pound of chicken, and the Harina Pan, so needed to make our precious arepas has been long gone from the stores as well. What would it take for me to go back? A government that would truly care for us, cease the political turmoil, stop the economic crisis, bring the food back to the stores, restore the safety in our streets, and most of all, honor the role of teachers, doctors, students, workers and everyone, those who think different too! A justice system that is truly blind and fair. Impunity to leave Venezuela, citizens that are caring to the environment and respectful to each other. As I first said, it is not my country, it is me, I have changed, maybe I think Im too much now, or maybe I have been spoiled, I just dont jump in excitement knowing what waits for me if I go back, I miss my country and Im grateful for what it taught me. But I am also grateful it let me go, so I could spread my wings and fly to different places....

                                                                                Saybel Nunez, Venezuelan living in the US

I came back to Mozambique because my country needs me. I plan to start an NGO to help women start small businesses. I don't judge people who opt to stay abroad. Look at my country--it is one of the poorest. Why would anyone who has experienced the life in the Britain want to come back to live in a hut? I do not view myself as a martyr, rather just a regular person who loves their country. Dont get me wrong--I hate the government. They are doing nothing much to make people want to come back. Their main agenda is to enrich themselves. I wish they did more for the people. 

                                                                               Wezzi, from Mozambique. Returned from the UK

What would it take to make you go back to my country? A job where my skills are appropriately utilized and in which I am well paid. 

                                                                                 Rodaly Muthoni, Kenyan living in Rwanda 

I am leaving the US in a month - for good. I have not really enjoyed the social life here, maybe because I work in a rural town in CT and do not have easy access to my friends in Boston.

So before coming to Bates, I told everyone that I would return home as soon as I graduate. I still felt the same way up till junior year. In senior year, the reality dawned on me that I am not very well connected back home and might not be able to get a job that I desire, so I sought one here in the States. The school I work at, Choate Rosemary Hall School, is one of the best boarding schools in the country, but I never anticipated that life outside of country will be radically different from life in college. In college, I could ignore the tense racial relationships with fellow students and faculty, but here I am required to work things out. This added to making life difficult for me. I wanted to do another year at Choate before I apply to Ph.D programs in mathematics, but thankfully, my visa situation did not work out well, so I have to leave Choate next month. 

But I refuse to find another job here in the States, like in Boston, because I badly want to go home and be around people that behave like me and like similar things as me.Long story short, I will be coming home in June, and then moving to South Africa for a job at the African Leadership Academy. I believe working at ALA will offer me a much better professional development opportunity because I will be around people who have similar career visions as me, who want to improve the living situations across Africa, etc.
                                                                                    Joseph Ekpenyong' Nigerian living in the US