In need of a hobby or two..but don't know where to go.

Hi,

I'm new to this forum but not to Nairobi. I've been living in Nairobi for the past 2 1/2 years, with my husband, and I still don't have any girlfriends or hobbies. Besides working Monday - Friday, I don't have anything to fill up my time. My husband golfs and I'm a terrible golfer so I need to find other areas of interest. Where do I begin to find a scrapbooking or jewelry making class or something (anything) to do. I live in the Karen area but I can travel, if need be. I'll be here for another 18 months and I can't sit around any longer. We find it so hard to meet new people and make friends so any advice or tips would be so greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Tanya

Hi, I'm having the same problem, I've been living in Nairobi for just over a year and so far havent made any friends and im desprately trying to find something to do with my time as Im here for at least another 2yrs. I know of a jewllery/bead store at the Junction that was offering classes on jewellry making, I read this in their window awhile ago so sorry if its no longer available, the store is next to Kitengela glass at the main entrance.
As for scrapbooking I have not heard of it here at all. For myself I am trying to find a sewing class as im in love with kanga fabric at the moment and need to improve my very rudimentary skills before I attempt to cut them up, so if anyone knows of anywhere or anyone let me know.
Hope this helps, good luck.Jay

Hi Jay,

I know what bead shop you are referring to. I've thought about stopping in to ask about their classes and have not. I did find a place in Muthaiga (Muthaiga shopping center) that does scrapbooking so I'm going to check it out this weekend. I would also like to find a place that offers sewing classes because I'd like to take a quilting class. If you hear anything, please let me know. If I find anything, I'll let you know.
I thought it was just us (my husband & I) that were having a hard time making friends here. We've been here for 2.5 years and have another 1.5 to go and still do not have any friends. We have acquaintances but no one we do things with on a regular basis.

Good luck!

http://www.kenyaquiltguild.org/

A friend of mine invited me to this http://kenyabuzz.com/whats-on/details/401-course-embroidery-classes but I had to return to the UK.
The course is over but the contact number might still work.

Good luck

Just wondered if you guys knew about the 'Facebook' Nairobi expat group?
I moved here only 2 months ago with my husband and have already met some really nice people in this group. They have over 400 members- all expats here in Nairobi. There are lots of interesting discussions going on and they organise regular get togethers. There are people of all ages and from lots of different home countries/ jobs/ areas....... We found it really comforting to meet people who were in similar positions to us.
I understand some people hate the idea of Facebook but even just to join so you can join this group and learn about things going on in Nairobi- I would highly recommend it.

Thanks guys.

I did try the NES on Facebook (several times) and for some reason I haven't been accepted to join the group. I've given up on it. I've heard lots of great things about it but I guess I have to be a member to find out. LOL.

Hi, while trying my luck hunting for sewing classes online I came across the Kenya Quilt Guild. Looks good.

Also I was wondering if anyone who is a member of this forum is or knows anyone who is a member of the East African Womens League?
If anyone knows anything about how to become a member or the criteria for membership, it would be appreciated. Just to have alittle info before contacting them!!

NES has the most idiotic sign up process ever. You can't see the members list so you have to trawl through thousands of Vanessa Foxs from all over the world until you find an elephant. Her security settings prevent non-friends from messaging her so you have to add her as a friend - but there's no opportunity to write a message here either - so basically you have to hope that she will accept the friend request of some random so that you can message her with your nationality (whatever for?) before she will let you join the group.

Maybe if anyone here is a member you could point this out to her.

I'm relieved, albiet frustrated, that I'm not the only one having difficulties joining the NES group on facebook. I've been trying, for the past couple of weeks, to have my 'request to join' and/or my 'friend request' accepted. Other expat sites, like this one, are much easier to join but I'm not having much luck finding people who actually want to do things.

Hi guys!

Just thought I'd weigh in here - a little bit late I know! Sorry!

Don't forget to check out Kenya Buzz website and or mag (available at cinemas and Dormans coffee) for events and courses.

Do try the East African Women's league, South Africa Womans Association (SAWA) - some friends of mine do this, v social and say it can be interesting and great fun. Am sure the Kenya quilters guild is fab too - they do lots of philanthropic work too.

Don't forget Art courses at the Nairobi Art Centre, Lavington Green.

Dance classes - Academy of Dance & Art, Karen. They run adult ballet/tap/yoga classes.

A local gym? obviously private clubs have these but also Sarit Centre, and an indian one in Lavington, Karen Surgery Studio - can find out name.. Check out the Zumba website - that's really fun and if you type in Nairobi, all the locations and times of classes come up.

Book clubs? These tend to be less formally organised though so not sure how to tap into them.

There is a big theatre opposite the Norfolk Hotel in town. May be possible to volunteer here? Also Braeburn school, Lavington - has a large theatre and they put on regular amateur dramatic performances/concerts outside school time.

Singing? There are some groups (try asking at your local embassy for any contacts/tips?). Orchestras - there are often musical events at the main city cathedral (Nr Serena Hotel). Look at notice boards? Or try schools as first point of contact?

Church? Good for a sense of community and always needing volunteers to help with this and that. Lots of expats go to Loreto Convent church (off James Gichuru) and Vineyard Church, (at hillcrest school) Karen, the main cathedral (can't remember name!) near Serena Hotel in town.

Naivasha Sailing Club? Deserted during the week but often a hive of activity during weekends for both adult and cadet sailing. It's possible to visit there from Nairobi in a day and a fun day out on the water for lasers, optimists and catamarans.

National Museum - Museums of Kenya often run very interesting courses or hold lectures.

Kwani? run poetry reading evenings and occasionally writing courses and competitions.

Look at online distance learning courses, even university ones. With excellent internet it is all possible!

Wow - if I think of anything else will let you know!

www.sailingkenya.org

Hi Im Kimberley

moved to Nairobi 8 months age with my husband, a bit sad i no to say im lonely and dont have any friends would love to meet up and go shopping or join some activity, I really dont no how long I can do this sitting in doors bit as im so use of going out in my car any where in London. Where do you go to make friends here ? Even if we organise a coffee morning and plan activity's to do, I thought London being a big city was a place where Isolation was common but here its worse.

Kimberley

Hi Kimberley,

Please see my response to your other message!

Africa expat

Hi ladies,
I have just arrived in Nairobi (Kilimanu) to join my husband who is working here. I am 37, British, with no kids and I am not working here, so I am currently trawling the internet trying to find expat clubs etc to join so I don't die of boredom!! I have lived in several countries since I left the UK so I know it requires a lot of effort to meet people. If you would like to meet up for coffee or shopping etc so we can compare notes, please send me a message via this forum.

Kimberley - I tried to send you a direct message but I've only just joined the forum and it won't allow me to message for 7 days - so please contact me.
All the best,
Helen

Hi Helen

welcome to Nairobi. Ive been here 10 months with my husband who was born in Kenya, Im from London. Im missing my friends Badly, finding it very Isolating here not knowing many people. I live near Junction on Ngong road not sure where Kilimanu, just asked my house maid where it is and shes said its not far.

One thing I dont have is a car so I cant get about like I would like to. Do you drive ?
I use cabs but still tying to find a good cab service that doesn't over change.
Would love to meet up let me no when your free, Im free most days except Saturday afternoons and Sundays, rest of the week Im going mad with boredom.

Look forward to hearing from you
Kimberley

Kimberleyjanefernandes@gmail.com

Hi Kimberley, I have sent a message to your gmail account. The message was sent from my yahoo mail, so check your junk folder if you can't see it.
Regards,
Helen

Hi Helen I looked but didn't see any mail try again dont no why I didn't get your message

kimberleyjanefernandes@gmail.com

Hi Kimberley - I have sent the message again from yahoo and also from hotmail. Hope you receive one of them!
Helen

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TanyaJ wrote:Hi,

I'm new to this forum but not to Nairobi. I've been living in Nairobi for the past 2 1/2 years, with my husband, and I still don't have any girlfriends or hobbies. Besides working Monday - Friday, I don't have anything to fill up my time. My husband golfs and I'm a terrible golfer so I need to find other areas of interest. Where do I begin to find a scrapbooking or jewelry making class or something (anything) to do. I live in the Karen area but I can travel, if need be. I'll be here for another 18 months and I can't sit around any longer. We find it so hard to meet new people and make friends so any advice or tips would be so greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Tanya

First you have to open up. Try to find out your passion, the things, which you enjoy while doing them, it may be reading, cooking, gardening, travelling anything. If you are not able to find out them just follow them and try to do something new in cooking. When you cook something different and delicious everybody will appreciate you. Try to do something different. All The Best.

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housekeeper London