No Complaints

We were talking the other day about one of our favorite aspects of Kenyan culture.

No complaining.  Kenyans rarely, rarely complain.  Standing in line all afternoon for an ultrasound. . .no complaints.  Jamming into a full matatu, no complaints.  A report is done late, no complaints.

“How are you?”  Possible answers, n’zuri (good), salama (peaceful), poa (cool).  Negative responses are not an option.  Is their difficulty? Yes.  Going deep enough in a conversation, you will uncover difficulty.  But the default response is that of contentment, no matter what the circumstance.

My former jobs were complaining-heavy.  Work in the restaurant business was highlighted by complaining. . .about too many tables, too few customers, bad tips, late nights.  It came with the territory.  Wedding photographers are notorious about complaining, even though we have one of the greatest most flexible jobs in the world.  Too little pay, too much work, feet hurt, hands hurt, photoshop takes too long, on and on.  One of my friends commented the other day about what was the next thing Facebook was going to be indignant about – from Cecil the Lion to election issues,  a trend toward talk without action continues.

Currently, public school-teachers are on strike nationwide because of low pay (~$100/month).  Private schools are continuing, but public school students continue to be home half way through the term.  If it continues for much longer, they will miss exams and not advance to the next grade.  Parents are fighting, the politicians and teachers are talking, and while there is clearly frustration, there is also understanding of the need for dialogue – and the kids are home, working on their books, trying to keep up, and making the most of a horrible situation. They care deeply, and everyone seems to be worried about the school situation. But somehow, they can talk about a bad situation without complaining – kind of amazing.

It continues with Arianna’s residents as they work 100 hours a week and still ask to stay for one more lecture. It continues parents in the hospital for weeks smile and say thank you every morning as the chai comes around. It continues as the nurses care for 12 patients at a time each shift with compassion when reason says it is impossible. It continues as Virginia runs to the line to take down our laundry in a sudden rain storm. It continues with the moms who feed their tiny newborns every 2 hours for weeks because we do not have a fridge to store expressed breast milk.

We see it in solutions when we think things are impossible – instead of whining, load the metal tub on the back of the motorcycle. Instead of wishing for the right kind of plug, manufacture one out of 2 wires and some tape. Instead of worrying about a lab coming back on time, move forward with the plan that makes the most sense.

Nothing is universal – just as indignation is not universal in the States, contentment is not universal here. But it is prevalent enough that each day it sinks deeper into our hearts, a way this place we live is changing the way we approach the world. Good things, that make hard things seem more manageable and less daunting.

Change still happens and things move forward, but Kenya tends not to rage against the inevitable. They walk forward, finding silver linings and possibility at every corner – with hope that hard work will pay off and contentment that  sacrifice holds hope for a better tomorrow.

Yet another reason we love this beautiful place where we live.