Kenya and the United States are very different countries, the differences are much deeper than skin color, language and geography. Opportunity looks very different for a middle class American like Jessica, compared with a poor Kenyan like Kennedy. Throughout the book we learn about the cultural customs in Kenya, local traditions, cultural norms, and the economic, political, and social inequalities that divide the population, often leading to marginalization, violence, poverty, and death.

Kennedy and Jessica both experience their own form of culture shock at different times. Kennedy, for example, remembers clearly the first time he saw white people: “One day I saw something very strange, people walking around who looked like they had come directly from the grave, their skin was so pale. Mzungus” (31). Kennedy will continue to have different experiences with Westerners, from the priests that he encounters (some good and some abusive), to foreign aid workers, and tourists. Kennedy remains skeptical of the Western world, due in large part to ineffective foreign aid projects that fail to bring any positive change to his community.

When Jessica arrives in Kenya, she breaks protocol by staying in Kibera, the slum where white people typically aren’t allowed to live. She does this because she wants to see the ‘real’ Kibera.