Ambivalence: Opposite Feelings at the Same Time.
January 23, 2009 2:17 pm Africa Trip, Coping, Mental Health
Ambivalence is said to be a common experience of the human condition. I have always believed this but have never felt it as clearly as I do about Kenya. Talk about a love –hate relationship!
So much to love: people who always smile and are extremely welcoming and friendly, children that are so engaging and loving, take care of each other, and are resourceful, strong and independent, gorgeous scenery, animals and natural resources. These are the thing I remember most that will draw me back to Kenya.
On the other hand the things that have caused me so much pain, are: the hunger of so many, especially children, the juxtaposition of the very rich and very poor, pervasive corruption, garbage casually thrown on the road, lack of education, lack of jobs and the hopelessness for so many young adults.
Many Kenyans have difficulty being direct and honest; getting a straight answer can be a frustrating experience. Fibbing or out and out lying to get a few extra shillings can make foreigners very angry. When this happened to me, I tried to remember that for so many of these people a few shillings can mean the difference between eating or not, and feeding their children. I have been told (and believe) that it is easier to make one dollar in the USA then one shilling in Kenya. One shilling is about a penny. So when I got so tired of people trying to sell me something or quoting prices with a “white tax” added, I remember how desperate they are for that little bit of money. Of course this is not true for all the people selling “”stuff, some are just dishonest, but the majority is desperate for those few shillings extra.
