KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS-Have a Block Party.

“Better a near neighbor than a distant cousin.” Italian Proverb

More often than not we rarely take time out of our schedules to get to know our neighbors.That is unless you have small children and a ball has occasionally strayed into the neighbors compound and you have had to apologize as you went to pick it up for your little tot.But children are great teachers sometimes,watching my daughter i am amazed at how anti social adults are,she makes friends so easily with children her gae and before you know it she will be chatting away with her new friend like they have known each other for eons.As for me the mum that i am and living by the adage of not talking to strangers i take a while to talk to strangers.

Nowadays more and more people are living in gated compounds or apartments yet they may not even know the name of their next door neighbor.Yet you may be surprised that if these two families have children ,the kids play together when the parents are out.While it may be said people are too busy with careers or businesses to socialize, we all know that Kenyans are serious party goers and you just have to look at the booming bar businesses to know Kenyans know how to unwind at the end of a busy week or even in the middle of one.


Having a block party in your court or apartment building is a fantastic way to get to know your neighbors,voice concerns that may be troubling you as a neighborhood and generally have a good time with people in your block.You never know , a good neighbor may even save your life at one point.

The key to having a successful party is to get your neighbors involved and to plan it.Make sure there are activities for everyone from kids to adults to get involved in.Plan on how to provide for the meals and drinks it is said there no better way to know someone by sharing a meal together).You could decide to have a pot luck or even have houses bring finger foods for the event.Remember to get a license from NEMA if you plan to play music.

Relax,walk around,talk to as many of your neighbors as you can and have a blast!