Dealing with loneliness in Kenya

Dear Priscilla!! Sorry about feeling lonely here. Kenya is a very beautiful country full of amazing things to do. All u need to know is where to look and what to do when. I really hope u can enjoy your stay here and have lots of fun. In case u need a friend, don't hesitate to contact me. Cheers!

a)Factors leading to loneliness in Kenya:
finding new  residence,
leaving nuclear family far back in one's mother country,
finding new jobs to keep one busy,

[b]Dealing with loneliness:
participating in members' clubs , social activities , tour adventures within, finding friends  in the social network sites.
Note that this is a cold  season in Kenya.

Hello Millie,

Priscilla isn't lonely in Kenya!  She is a site moderator opening/promoting a new topic for discussion.

Kenya I found was so easy NOT to be lonely as so many people are curious about foreigners and so friendly and communal.

I have been back and forth Kenya for years now and last time, my partner was away - and I was alone in the house with a baby and couldn't get a birth certificate for my baby and passport in time to travel to my family for Christmas.  So, I invited a bunch of orphan kids I know who live with their relatives, to stay.  Well, one girl about 15 asked me as she was having problems with her aunty.  The aunt and uncle know me well and said yes.  Then the others came for Christmas.  We made merry and I was invited to someone I met at clinic's house for lunch too.

The problem I find is... there are always people to hang out with if you are paying or can find a cost effective way of doing it.  So I love the village and rural area - but I am not paying for everyone to go to a hotel for lunch  I get kids I assist in school and their cousins to come to town for shopping and we buy bread and peanut butter at Tuskys and eat in the park.  My friends who are poor the same.
I also used to hang out at Java in Nairobi as some people who freelance meet there too.    Actually I met most of my middle class friends at Java, and then my sponsor kids had relatives say working as a househelp and they would visit or call me on Sundays or their off. 
Helping others and of course - Church.  Kenyans love their church.  I am not so churchy but you gotta admit a great way to meet oth

Hi there. Made lots of (rather short) visits yo Kenya for work, just have to admit : about 20Y ago. Have worked there with expats myself, end admired their way of living. however, there is still the so called 'components' with guarded Askari's at the gates. ... Are there still no mixed suburbs?

Anyway: looking for an expat life in Kenya forever !! Any advices ? Feel free to contact me on ****

:-P

Martinvan:  I am not really sure what you mean when you say:  "Are there still no mixed suburbs?"  But, I assume that you mean expats/Kenyans.  As far as I am aware and from the evidence of my own eyes, yes there are...........of course there are areas in which there are more expats and Europeans, such as Karen (outside Nairobi), but on the whole Kenya unlike South Africa, tends not to have communities segregated and defined by skin colour.  Rather the divisions are along financial lines.........as in many other countries.

If you don't like living in a gated/secured compound, then a life in Kenya really isn't for you.  It's part of life there, either a secured compound, or gated street, or gated community - take your pick, but there will be some level of protection.  To be quite honest, I do enjoy the greater freedom, in Europe to to where I want, when I want and be 99% certain that I would be OK..............But, prefer to be in Kenya.

Completely off topic!  Regarding the risk of loneliness.  Kenya has a great sense of community.  While this might not immediately extend to newly arrived expats, Kenyans are open and friendly.  There are organisations such as 'Internations' which hold lots of social events, but tend to be Nairobi based.  Joining one of the many sports/golf clubs (which were set up during the colonial days), is a great way to meet and socialise. 

If you don't work, I believe that the greater risk is of boredom, rather than loneliness.

I lived in Eastlands and amongst Kenyans.  I am married to a Kenyan as well.  Some people in high paying jobs may fear being out and about.  we had askari at the gate in one estate we lived but it was not a mzungu estate, maybe someone rented to backpackers but most were Kenyans, Africans etc locals.