Sander Vissia
Study: MSc Forest and Nature Conservation
Destination: Kenya
Thesis
Hi!
My name is Sander and the coming months I will go to Kenya for my thesis. At this page you can read my stories about my study and my adventures! You can also follow me and other WURldexplorers on Instagram, search for #WURldexplorers!
Arriving in Nairobi
After arriving at Nairobi airport, the African sun welcomes me: a pleasant 22 degrees and this only at 8am. After meeting Stephen, who will be my supervisor during my time in Kenya, we are on our way to run some errands in Nairobi and to meet other people of the organization where I do research.
My first week in Kenya
After my first week in Kenya I already got used to the African way of living (except for using a hole in the grounds as a toilet). Everything in a relaxed pace, resting during the day since it is simply too hot, everywhere you go African music and beaming white smiles from the local people.
A masai prayer
Below you find a prayer of the Masai. Beautiful isn't it?!
Church
Today I went to church. While I am not religious at all, Charles, someone helping me with my research, who is responsible for Sunday school for the little children, insisted I would visit his African gospel church. So I did. I put on my nicest shirt and set off on foot to see how Christianity is practiced here in Kenya.
TIA
This morning we left Naikara very early (5am) to go to Narok. Stephen had some meetings in this small city, while Charles and I were joining to do some shopping there, since there are no supermarkets in Naikara.
Masaai generosity
For my research, I have to conduct questionnaires with many different people in many different villages. This means that I have to walk large distances to reach every village, I cannot use another way of transport since all the villages are located in very remote places with no real access roads.
School excursion to masai mara
I visited probably one of the most famous parks in the world, the masai mara. The organisation for which I do the research, organised excursions to the park for school kids, which I joined.