I was moved again today. I went to the Museum of Illusion with a Kenyan friend. I was surprised to see many advanced exhibits similar to those in Japan. It resembled the museums often found in tourist spots in Japan. I thought it would be …

I went for my last haircut in Kenya. Korean hairdresser Ms. Seoyeon cut my hair in just 10 minutes. Today was my last day, but I couldn't say goodbye to her.

This is my 126th exhibit.

PolyVinyl Chloride tends to be negative. Paper has positive and negative. Positive and negative attract each other.

I had coffee at the Karen Blixen Museum again today. I had an hour-long conversation with an AI while drinking an American coffee (250 KES).

There are no School Visits this week. On days like this, I head to the Karen Blixen Museum next door for an afternoon cappuccino(250KES). The museum is in the foreground of this photo. Mrs. Karen Blixen ran a coffee farm here 100 years ago.

I had a welcome lunch for a new volunteer who was assigned to our neighborhood. He is a Chemistry teacher in Kenya. I ate Karaage(↓).

I bought two textbooks(↓). They cost 1,955 KES (about 2,358 yen). In Kenya, only one textbook is provided for every three students. They cannot take them home. It's better to give each student one textbook, even if it is not printed in col…

The teacher who came the day before yesterday brought many teachers. I hope that the presence of science museum will spread like this throughout Kenya.

An unfamiliar hyrax was hiding in the leaves. Who are you? Where are you from?

A science teacher from Kongoni Junior School visited. He was very pleased with my exhibits. He said he wanted to replicate them at his school. Is his school off today?

We had our first school visit of the year. It was an Indian Muslim school in Nairobi. Since the students were from different grades, I wasn't able to teach a class. However, following yesterday's positive reaction from the JICA Deputy Dire…

For the first time, mango was served for lunch. I guess they're in season now.

I attended a farewell and welcome party for JICA volunteers. All the new volunteers are in their twenties. Many are graduate students.

I attended the New Year's reception at the ambassador's residence. I was moved again today. There was all-you-can-drink daiginjo sake. I'd never drunk so much daiginjo before. This is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The final report session for the 2023 2nd team was held at the JICA Kenya office, and we enjoyed Lebanese cuisine together. The next final report is our turn.

I wrote a handover memo(↓).

I learned that in Kenya, second-year high school students learn about DNA for the first time. Since junior high school students will also visit CEMASTEA, I quickly changed the schedule from DNA extraction to observing Canadian waterweed ce…

There are only two months left until the end of my activities. I have finished writing my final report.

The baobab I planted last week has sprouted！ It became a wonderful exhibit.

I bought furikake(↓) for the first time in Kenya. I also bought daikon radish(↓) for the first time in Kenya. Then I made pork soup using the daikon radish and served them to my Kenyan friend. In return, I received Kenyan plums(↓). It was …

I was moved again today. I had a conversation with famous Japanese Diet members at a luxury hotel in Nairobi. Diet members are very interesting to talk to. Mr. Aoshima called me "Denjiro Sensei," and Mrs. Ikuina gave me miso soup(↓) as a g…

I had dinner at a popular Italian restaurant with two Japanese volunteers whom I hadn't seen in a while. It was fun talking to them.

I was surprised when I saw the JICA Kenya 2026 calendar. My photo was on it! And it was January!

At the CEMASTEA cafeteria, we can enjoy traditional Kenyan cuisine. The most delicious dish was the beef stew (↓). It was beef simmered with tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers. It doesn't seem to have any special seasoning, but it's packed w…

At 10:30, the usual staff gathered. Kenyans are punctual for chai. It's as punctual as Japanese railways. And all the staff come here because the chai is free. This is my favorite time.

I planted baobab seeds that my friend gave me. Baobabs are drought-resistant and can live for thousands of years.

Teaching biology classes at CEMASTEA. This is my last job. The lesson plan is complete (↓).

Today's chai time. The staff and cats got together for the first time in two weeks. I like this time the most.

I spoke on the phone today with friends from Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Kenya, China, and Congo. My Indonesian friend told me that instant noodles called "Indomie" (↓) are popular in Kenya, but they are actually an Indonesian product, wi…