Walking around town is what I do

I need to explain what I'm doing here in Kisumu. I keep shirking the question because it's complicated and deserves careful writing. And let's face it, it's fun writing silly things and posting pictures. The short explanation is ... I conduct water and sanitation research. I talk to people or write up interview guides for colleagues to talk to people and - one way or another - we learn how community members' lives are affected by water (or a shortage thereof). I also do a lot of writing to inform partners and, with a little luck, to inform future research or programs.

I love my job. I walk around, watch how people interact with water and write about it. I pry into their lives. Look at their latrines, observe handwashing habits, scope out water sources. It's like I'm still a reporter. But in Kenya. And with a very focused beat: water and hygiene. I have trouble describing how happy I am doing this.

Here are a couple of photos from a recent walk through Obunga, a slum in Kisumu. This is a latrine/washroom combo:

This is a protected water source:

This is a "moneymaker" pump:

These are moneymaker pump clients:

That is the quicket glimpse I can offer into my work. :) I'll try to be better about describing my work and my employer- Emory University's Center for Global Safe Water. It's important stuff!

But for now I'm off to Kakamega Rainforest to play with monkeys.

Happy Saturday!

Shannon