Archive for November, 2005
Work Culture @ the UN
Its Friday today. Did I tell you the office closes at 2pm? Yesterday, Thursday, I left work at 5:30pm, and I was one of the last ones out. Isn’t that great - not having to work beyond official working hours? I can’t remember when I last did that.
But I was just reminded why working at [...]
Indians in Nairobi
In Kenya, I am a Muhindi - a person of Indian origin. I suspect it is not a very flattering term.
Nairobi is full of us. I met some today and they were very friendly indeed. After a brief 10 minute conversation they gave me their contact number and invited me to dinner. Talk about making [...]
Steve
Did I tell you about Steve? He owns three cars, one that he bought two months ago from a friend in Uganda. His family is in Nairobi. I can call him at most times of the day and late on weekends, and he’ll help me get around. Steve is my cab driver.
I got Steve’s number [...]
The GSB Broker
Time to say a little about my work. Over the last two days I have managed to understand what I will be doing. And it is exciting.
First the official line - the Growing Sustainable Business initiative of the UNDP encourages private enterprise that has a social impact, often through innovative business models. A core element [...]
The UN - of sports, peace, and saving the world
I’ve made it through two days at work.
How many times did I hear the words “funding” and “contacts” in that time? Way too many! My first group meeting discussed, among other things, how to get money to serve tea to a project appraisal committee. Back at UBS, where I worked in Philanthropy Services, you didn’t [...]
A divided society?
I’m bursting with social observations. The most obvious is how differentiated this society is. Economically, there are two parallel systems here. The informal one, where some expats probably fear to tread. Its the markets of the poor - the shantys and shacks. If you don’t speak Swahili, you will be ripped off. If you do, [...]
First impressions
First day at work. Second in Nairobi.
First impressions of Nairobi? Its a big city, big enough to take a while to know. Certainly no Geneva. People are nice and friendly. Everyone greets you with a smile. They ask how you are. They like to know your name, and you should ask theirs. They smile a [...]
An Ode to Air India
I know. I said Air India sucked. But after 5 hours on board I’m beginning to appreciate some of the subtle benefits too. Yes. the air hostesses still say, “chairs upright, fasten seatbelts!” like Generals. They aren’t all pretty, especially the ones that should have retired years ago.
Yet, there’s surprises galore. They started yesterday, when [...]
