Blogging Challenges

One of our Zain USB modems

Some of you may have noticed the I didn't blog during the past week. It wasn't just a lack of time due to the dental training. A few evenings I did have some time and tried to post, but the internet connection was so slow I couldn't get on to the Blogger site--or any other site--not to mention upload any photos or video. The internet is generally faster during the morning hours.

We access the internet through the cell phone network. Our provider is a company called Zain and we're very grateful that they operate in our area. Up until 18 months ago, my team didn't even have cell phone access, let alone internet! We use modems provided by Zain that plug into a USB port.

My team has a total of three of these modems, which is not enough for each "unit" (i.e. family or single) on the team to have one. We have to share them because Zain doesn't have any more available. One of the families on my team were in Nairobi recently and bought a cell phone that can access the internet plus serve as a wi-fi modem for their computer. I may get one of these phones when I'm in Nairobi for R&R in March.