Multiply by 572

24th February, 2010 - Posted by Nancy Winn -

I find it hard to grasp the impact of economic conditions in Kenya and other east African countries. I started thinking about this yesterday when I looked up the currency exchange rates for Rwanda and Kenya.

Today the currency exchange rate for the Kenyan Shillings is 78. So, in Kenya, 7800 KES equals $100.00 USD. While not as extreme as many countries you still come out of the bank in Nairobi with a wad of interesting looking currency when you exchange your crisp new $100 bill. My daughter, Jessica, has left for her Peace Corps service in Rwanda. For comparison the exchange rate in Rwanda is 572. Yep. 57,200 RWF (Rwandan francs) equals $100.00 USD. Now that really will be a wad of cash.

I found a great website for looking up economic as well as other data about countries. It is called NationMaster.com. Here are a few economic tidbits for your mulling pleasure:
-Gasoline is just about twice as much in Rwanda compared to the US. In Kenya you would pay about 50% more for gas.
-In Kenya 62% of the population makes less than $2/day. In Rwanda 84% of the population makes less than $2/day. The closest statistic I could get for the US is that 13.6% of Americans make less than $11/day.

Why should anyone care? I care because I have been blessed to live in a country where we enjoy relative (yes, even now) economic prosperity. None of it is mine. God has made me a steward and He has given me a great responsibility. I am challenged to be more generous in my giving and wiser in my use of resources.

So then next time you pick up a gallon of milk think about shelling out 156 KES or 1,144 RWF at the check out counter. Be thankful that, at least for today, we don’t have to multiply by 572.