A Day of Culture, Coffee and Craft in Nairobi

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A Day of Culture, Coffee and Craft in Nairobi

May 16, 2026

Today, the team started their morning off at a local church. We were able to examine what a typical Sunday church experience looks like in Nairobi, Kenya, compared to the United States. There was more singing than we were used to at home, but it was a vibrant way to start the morning. I also found it interesting how the prayers differed. The prayers today were more focused on the future and matters that affect everyone. For example, the pastor was praying for the economy and political structure to benefit everyone in the country.

After church, we headed to Provisions where we were greeted by sisters Nancy and Susie. Nancy and Susie have been long time partners, and many of us were lucky to meet with her for the first time. Our visit started with coffee tasting, hosted by Coffee Lab. It was an intricate process that covered testing the dry aroma, wet aroma and tasting different coffees to discern differing notes in blends. This demonstrated the complexity of coffee and the delicate growing process of harvesting the coffee beans. We also went over Kenya’s niche in the coffee industry, especially when considering the differing temperatures, altitudes and soil nutrient makeups. After we were thoroughly caffeinated we went for a soothing neighborhood walk to take in the different environments within Kenya. Once we returned, we were met with a series of activities related to wellness; this included a stress relieving drawing activity, followed by an essential oil customization experience, which ended with a personalized mist to take home. Then, Nancy provided us with a beautiful lunch and a series of caffeinated beverages from Coffee Lab.

We ended the day with basket weaving with Okapu where we learned about the importance of preserving ritualized culture that is passed down from generation to generation. This activity was incredibly difficult for the team, because we are not used to the physicality of that handcraft. Overall, it was a wonderful day at Provisions filled with relaxation, mindfulness and handcrafted activities.

This trip has provided us with a wide variety of experiences and today we were able to focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and wellness. Nancy’s business started from ground up, took hours of research, and personal practice to learn about different oils, plants and adding value to the Kenyan community. We are excited to continue learning from inspiring entrepreneurs that are shaping their surroundings.

By Ella Brick

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