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The Intersection of Culture and Community

By Isabelle Kelly and Abby Rockwood

This morning we started with a cultural experience. We were invited by Mama Irene, the manager of the Homecare Retreat Center, to attend a service at CITAM Kikuyu Town Church, which is one of the most popular churches in the Nairobi area. As we walked in, we were greeted with music and dancing which was a beautiful introduction to Kenyan culture. During the service, the congregation sang traditional Kenyan songs in both English and Swahili, and the preacher encouraged members to attend a business conference in collaboration with the church.

Following the service, we had the opportunity to meet several staff members at CITAM Kikuyu Town Church over masala, a traditional Kenyan tea. Here, the staff discussed the significance of religion in Kenyan culture and the tight-knit, engaged community at Kikuyu Town Church. Based on the way the staff greeted and spoke highly of Mama Irene, it was evident that members made the time to make meaningful connections with each other.

This afternoon, we headed to Provisions, which is a holistic health company and restaurant. Nancy, the Provisions owner, shared her story with us during our visit. Originally from Kenya, she found her way to Central New York, by enrolling at Elmira College. Nancy was inspired to go to the area because her parents are both SU alumni! After spending several years in the United States, she was drawn to return home with the vision of creating her own business that showcases natural remedies.

Nancy invited us to have lunch on-site, where we enjoyed small plates fusing traditional African flavors with a vegetarian twist. We sampled different styles of eggplant, a beet-infused chapati (which is a naan-like bread) with paneer, and tofu with mushrooms.

Then, we were introduced to the medicine wheel of holistic plants, a garden which features indigenous plants that have medicinal properties. The plants showcased in this garden are used in the essential oils produced by Provisions. After our tour, we were given a look into each of her products to create our own blend. Nancy took the time to tell us the history and the benefits of essential oils. The team had the chance to customize their own oil by smelling various scents and selecting their blend based on personal preference. Nancy made this experience memorable by being so passionate about her hobby of getting into holistic healing and turning it into a thriving business.

Today’s theme was all about finding connections within oneself. By attending the service in the morning, we were able to see the power of community and influence of religion in Kenya. Our time at Provisions taught us all about booming small-businesses and niche ideas penetrating the market in Nairobi. After hearing Nancy’s story, it was exciting to compare and contrast the way that society and economy affect the way an entrepreneur pivots their way of operating an organization.

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