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RICOCHET2

4/22/2009 10:51 EST

Dear Expats and knowledgeable people of Kenya

I hope you can help me. My name is Sophie and I work for a TV production company called Ricochet. We are making an exciting new prime time series that follows the trend of 'Reverse Migration' - people leaving the UK for the promise of a better life where their parents or grandparents come from, either to pursue potentially exciting career or business opportunities, or in search of a better lifestyle.

We have a family who are potentially moving to either Nairobi or Mombassa in Kenya for a few months to 'road test' a life out there. We are considering filming their journey which would be broadcast on a major channel here in the UK. However the process of application requires me to research the area in great detail and it is for this reason I am contacting you.

The family will be moving to Kenya for between 3 and 4 months to find whether or not they want to make a permanent move. So they will be looking at jobs, business opportunities, schools for their children and housing. They think they would either like to live in Nairobi or Mombassa . I was hoping you might be able to help me with information on both these areas as it is essential for our research prior to their trip.

Here is a bit of background information on the family:

Mum is Indian. She was born in Nairobi but grew up in the UK and has relatives over in Kenya.
Dad is Black British born in the UK. His family originate from Jamaica.
They have 4 children under the age of 10.
Currently Mum is housewife and Dad is a Youth Worker supporting Foster kids and training to be a chef.
Mum speaks Urdu and Hindi. Dad does not.
Mum has visited twice since her birth with two of the kids when they were very young. Dad has never been.
They currently live in a 3 bed Terrace in Brixton.
Mum, as a qualified Tefal English teacher, hopes to teach in private schools or directly to business men.
Dad would like to set up a fly fishing tour company - hiring a boat, buying equipment and perhaps building a fishing lodge.

I would be extremely grateful if you could answer any of the questions below on the area, work, lifestyle and education. If you would prefer me to call and discuss over the phone then I am happy to do that. Please ignore any that you aren’t sure about.

AREA

Please describe the area? Wealthy? Rural? Up and coming?

How safe is it where they are planning to live? Gated communities? Safe to live in private villa or need security?

How safe is it generally?

WORK

What opportunities are there for work?

How much of an asset would their UK skills be?

What are the drawbacks of being British in the work environment?

Fishing

Dad wants to set up a fly fishing company.

Can you tell me how easy/difficult it is to get a licence and insurance? and the cost?

Can you give me an idea of equipment costs? Will he need to hire a boat?

Which areas should he look into? and which areas should he stay away from?

They hope to live in a 6 bed lodge by a fishing river. How much to buy? How much to build? How much to rent? (not holiday let – for 6 month lease)

Teaching English

Mum is a qualified Tefal English teacher. She hopes to teach in private schools or directly teach businessmen.

Is there much demand for these roles?

Do you think its likely she will get a job in a private school?

What does it pay?

Who else does these jobs?

Have you heard of people teaching businessmen English? is it hard to get into?

What does it pay?

LIFESTYLE

Who lives there? Ex pats? Locals? Born in UK or returning?

How well are British ex pats accepted? How easy to make friends?

How feasible to live where and how they want to live? Too expensive? Will they have to consider other places?

What sort of lifestyle could you have out there on that money? Luxurious? Middle class? Not great?

How many other people are there like them?

How much do groceries cost for a family of 6?

What sort of cultural things could they get into?

What are the drawbacks of being British in general life out there?

Are there any social rules we need to be aware of?

EDUCATION

What are the schools like in their area? Private? international, state? - Well equipped? Poverish?

Who goes to private/international? Many kids like them from UK?

Who goes to state? Only poor kids or also middle class?

What type of discipline do each type of school have?

What is the strictest school out there? why?

What are the kids like under the age of 10 out there? how do they differ from the UK?

What activities are there for kids outside school?

Is there anything important we should know?

Thank you so much! I really appreciate any help with this. Once again, if you would prefer to discuss these questions on the phone please don’t hesitate to call us on 0044-1273 224816 or please email me a contact number.

Yours sincerely

Sophie Chandler

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LizYoung

4/23/2009 00:59 EST

I'm a freelance broadcast line producer living in Nairobi, Kenya...have you settled on a production company in Kenya yet? I'd be thrilled to collaborate on such a great project!
Rebecca Chandler
rebeccaechandler@gmail.com

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vally1968

5/25/2009 08:18 EST

hi there i am the ceo of fully serviced and furnished apartments in nairobi westlands area, one of the safest and best serviced in nairobi. www.wasiniluxuryhomes.com we are at teh moment hosting a crew filming a documentary on teh life of catherine ndereba, the marathon runner and 4 times champion. feel free to contact us for your accommodation requirements.

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JemmaNyagah

7/7/2009 11:36 EST

AREA

Please describe the area? Wealthy? Rural? Up and coming?
Nairobi has areas that are safe to live in and like all cities areas that are not; see;
http://nairobi.wantedinafrica.com/area_list.php

Mombassa is a busy Port City with the same areas that are upmarket, mid level etc;
Upmarket Tudor/ Nyali

for more info see;
http://www.world66.com/africa/kenya/mombasa

How safe is it where they are planning to live? Gated communities? Safe to live in private villa or need security?

Always need security economics demand this; either hire and look after well, Masaai Guards privately, or choose from the many security companies which have back up systems.

How safe is it generally?

Be good to people and people will generally be good to you; don’t walk at night, carry silly valuables, flash money just like home but with more economics to consider. Kenyans are excellent people but treat them with respect.

WORK

What opportunities are there for work?
See / google Brighter Monday Kenya for jobs & the local papers.

How much of an asset would their UK skills be?

Fly fishing would be good as there are many companies doing rather well out of it but more deep sea if he would change; then using his Englishness be able to make his countrymen feel very at home.
Most Kenyan’s speak English well in the two cities mentioned; perhaps if she became a TOEFL TRAINER OF TOEFL TEACHERS she would be better off.

What are the drawbacks of being British in the work environment?

Jobs are sacred in our economic climate; there is no such thing as overtime and a job is valued above all else.
Long hours are definite and no complaining….

Fishing

Dad wants to set up a fly fishing company.

Can you tell me how easy/difficult it is to get a licence and insurance? and the cost?
Nope but Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries could

Can you give me an idea of equipment costs? Will he need to hire a boat?

Better to buy in the UK or he could do a mad thing and buy a dhow the handcrafted boats and sail with the real men of the ocean and offer this as a true safari fascinating boats and balance required!

Which areas should he look into? and which areas should he stay away from?
Importing a dhow from India and having it as a luxury fishing boat something different from the motor boats.
He can have it designed and crafted for him and sailed in.
Fly fishing is not great on the open seas.

They hope to live in a 6 bed lodge by a fishing river. How much to buy? How much to build? How much to rent? (not holiday let – for 6 month lease)

Wow that depends on the location; land in Mombassa is generally cheaper Nairobi prices are through the roof;
Try propertyleo or farelabellavita blogspot.com.

Teaching English

Mum is a qualified Tefal English teacher. She hopes to teach in private schools or directly teach businessmen.

Is there much demand for these roles? See above

Do you think its likely she will get a job in a private school? See above

What does it pay?

Who else does these jobs?

Have you heard of people teaching businessmen English? is it hard to get into?

What does it pay?

LIFESTYLE

Who lives there? Ex pats? Locals? Born in UK or returning?

See www.drum.co.ke; society Kenya.
www.kenyakidz.com
www.kenyabuzz.com

How well are British ex pats accepted? How easy to make friends?
Depends on who you are of course but I think fine. Although you can choose to be very private.

How feasible to live where and how they want to live? Too expensive? Will they have to consider other places?

What sort of lifestyle could you have out there on that money? Luxurious? Middle class? Not great?

How many other people are there like them?

How much do groceries cost for a family of 6?

Work on £ 60 per day

What sort of cultural things could they get into?

What are the drawbacks of being British in general life out there?

Are there any social rules we need to be aware of?

EDUCATION

What are the schools like in their area? Private? international, state? - Well equipped? Poverish?

Who goes to private/international? Many kids like them from UK?

Who goes to state? Only poor kids or also middle class?
They are brilliant but not mixed economically or racially.

What type of discipline do each type of school have?

What is the strictest school out there? why?

Alliance boys it has a high reputation for excellence as doe Satrehe Boys.

What are the kids like under the age of 10 out there? how do they differ from the UK?

With the advent of TV all are the same but here they are very dsiciplined and polite.

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