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| If they're so poor, then why do they dress so well? |
A quick answer to that question would be, "pictures can be so deceiving!" But a complete answer is found in understanding the
Kenyan culture. What we write here comes from our understanding after spending a relatively short amount of time there, but
asking lots of questions!
Kenya was 'tamed' when Great Britain took over about 100 years ago. So their current society evolved with heavy influence the
British followed by an influx of American missionaries. One pastor told us that they were very grateful to the British and Americans
for helping them to become a civilized nation. So you will find them enjoying tea, and dressing appropriately and acting with proper
manners, irregardless of income level.
Kenyan culture. What we write here comes from our understanding after spending a relatively short amount of time there, but
asking lots of questions!
Kenya was 'tamed' when Great Britain took over about 100 years ago. So their current society evolved with heavy influence the
British followed by an influx of American missionaries. One pastor told us that they were very grateful to the British and Americans
for helping them to become a civilized nation. So you will find them enjoying tea, and dressing appropriately and acting with proper
manners, irregardless of income level.
Nairobi received their independence from the UK in 1963. What has transpired is a government that is obviously ill-equipped to
care for their citizens. A decent education is available only in private schools (only half of the citizens complete 7th grade); health
care is at one's own expense; roads are beyond terrible; trash pick-up seems non-existent; water is iffy, as is electricity - all the
ingredients for a people living in poverty. Even those who are fortunate enough to have decent jobs lack such modern
conveniences such as washers and dryers and toilet seats!
care for their citizens. A decent education is available only in private schools (only half of the citizens complete 7th grade); health
care is at one's own expense; roads are beyond terrible; trash pick-up seems non-existent; water is iffy, as is electricity - all the
ingredients for a people living in poverty. Even those who are fortunate enough to have decent jobs lack such modern
conveniences such as washers and dryers and toilet seats!
If you were to look into traveling
to Nairobi through a travel
agency, you would see pictures
of Nairobi as a modern, clean
city, full of high rise office
buildings and upscale hotels.
But the truth is that is only a
snapshot of a very small area of
the city. Step outside that small
area and you see the real
Nairobi.
to Nairobi through a travel
agency, you would see pictures
of Nairobi as a modern, clean
city, full of high rise office
buildings and upscale hotels.
But the truth is that is only a
snapshot of a very small area of
the city. Step outside that small
area and you see the real
Nairobi.
So here you have a poor people living in a society under the strong British influence of what is proper. And what is proper to the
Nairobi people is to dress appropriately. This includes wearing suits and dresses to church and other social situations
irregardless of what else you have. This dilemma created in itself a whole industry of roadside markets that sell used clothing.
This includes both used clothing and shoes, which are mostly imported into Kenya from China. In addition, you can buy
everything else you might need from used pots and pans to fruit and chickens to cell phone minutes and even have your hair
done at a beauty shop! These market booths are rented to the vendors from the government and line almost every road you drive
down. These vendors are considered respectable business men and women. It's a great way to make a respectable living.
Nairobi people is to dress appropriately. This includes wearing suits and dresses to church and other social situations
irregardless of what else you have. This dilemma created in itself a whole industry of roadside markets that sell used clothing.
This includes both used clothing and shoes, which are mostly imported into Kenya from China. In addition, you can buy
everything else you might need from used pots and pans to fruit and chickens to cell phone minutes and even have your hair
done at a beauty shop! These market booths are rented to the vendors from the government and line almost every road you drive
down. These vendors are considered respectable business men and women. It's a great way to make a respectable living.
So there you have why and how they dress so well!
