First week at Amani Ya Juu, in Nairobi, Kenya

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman traveling must want to share her traveling experiences...

That being said I have almost been a week in Nairobi, Kenya and feel that update #1 is in order :). So far I've been pretty tired, which is a normal reaction to a 9 hour time change, and though it is taking some adjusting to get used to the food, the environment and the accents of the people around me I am feeling very welcomed here. There is a warmth and peace at Amani Ya Juu, where I am interning, that is already making it a great place to work. I have been given an incredible amount of freedom here and am still trying to dive into my work with the children's clothes. Thankfully, children's clothes are very fun to work with, and no matter what I do they'll be cute based on their little-ness, which is incredibly helpful :P. The colours and rich patterns of the fabrics are making my designing job easier and harder. It's impossible not to be inspired by the wonderful material, but it's a challenge knowing how to use it in a way that it will be well featured, but I'm learning :). 

When I'm not at work I have been spending most of my time with my host family, Joyce, who is the director of Amani Ya Juu has gracefully opened her home to me, it has been a pleasure getting to know her and her daughter Dorothy, who I'm sharing a room with. Though the grogginess of jet lag it has still been nice getting to know them and I'm excited to share this experience with them. 

Anyway I could try and write all of the things that are happening and what I'm up to but a picture's worth a thousand words and is a better way to share with you all where I am and what I've been up to :) 

These are just some photo's of Amani, not many, just so you can get an impression of what it's like.

These are some of the fabrics I'll be able to use, so many colours and patterns, it should be pretty fun :) 

This is the main reception area. 

Amani has a shop right on the campus, this is the entrance. 

This is what greets you when you go into the shop, I love that old sewing machine. 

This is the garden cafe, which is also part of the Amani campus, such a lovely little area. 

This is the cafe, as leaving the shop. 

Some of the tools I brought from home, all being put to good use. 

This is Dorcas, who is making my samples. 

This is my first sample done, it still needs some tweaking but it's still so cool to see a design come to life! 

A little gift I got for Amani currently waving in reception. 

There are just a few pictures of what life here is like, I'll send more as I am able. 

Thank you for your prayers and support, God bless! 

Katie <><