All work and some play...

As most of you know (or remember), there are always bad things about "working"... mundane tasks, politics, long days, and tight deadlines. But it really makes a difference where you're working, who you're working for/with, and why you're doing what you're doing.

So, no complaints about being part of the UNICEF Education team here in Nairobi! :) These past few weeks have been extremely busy and I still can't believe that I get to be involved in so many cool (potentially life-changing) projects! 

The Acting Representative (Head of UNICEF Kenya Office) and Deputy Representative know who I am, as do a number of people at the Ministry of Education and Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD). You cannot buy this kind of exposure (or get paid apparently, lol).

Name dropping aside, the projects themselves are fascinating and inspiring. I've been up to my eyeballs in national Curriculum Reform, helping to organize the World Day Against Child Labour, supporting my team at the launch of the National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya (NACONEK), and the previously mentioned Education for All (EFA) Global Action Week (GAW). I also got to attend a meeting with the Kenya Primary School Headteachers Association (KEPSHA) about a very cool SMS technology that's being used to reach every teacher in Kenya and gather data about initiatives like the Child Friendly Schools program.

Now I get to look at all of our data to see how my team is meeting our targets and contributing to Education for All and the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF)....a dream come true for a self-professed data geek!

KICD - my office away from the office this week

Block E - my actual office

Well, is it??

Block C - beautiful UN campus

KEPSHA

NACONEK launch

But it's not been all work (that would make me a dull girl!). I've been out with my flatmates having a few beverages and checking out the Nairobi nightlife, there's been brunches with the girls, shopping trips to the malls, and I even fit in a haircut! I've started driving here so as I get more comfortable I'll have more freedom to venture around the city (however, I'm not sure when I'll be ready to tackle the Nairobi traffic, stay tuned!). 

How I typically unwind - slightly addicted to arrowroot chips

New hangover cure...mango milkshake from Java

Shopping! Two for the price of one (?) probably not, have to get better at haggling

The haircut and blow dry!

And I've just booked my first vacation to the coast, SO excited!! Safari to follow in the not too distant future.

What can I say? I'm having an absolute blast over here and these past 7 weeks have been everything I had hoped for and more.

And now for the acronym quiz...lol.