Wacu adapting well in France, but she misses Kenyan cuisine

National volleyball team setter Jane Wacu with Chamalieres teammate.

Kenya women’s national volleyball team setter Jane Wacu has adapted well to life in France due to the support she has received from her teammates and the technical bench.

The 28-years-old former Prisons player signed a one-year deal with French Division Two side Chamalières Volleyball Club for the 2014/15 season which started in September.

“It is a dream come true and, no doubt, I am enjoying my life here. My good understanding with the coach and the players has really helped me settle. I was given good reception and everybody is friendly. I feel very integrated, both within the team and outside,” said Wacu.

“This is a great step in my career as the league can be compared to the club championships competition in Africa. I hope I am going to enjoy this experience during my stay and help the team win trophies and qualify,” she told FeverPitch via email.

However, the 2013 Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Booster of the Year admitted she’s still struggling with learning French and really misses Kenya.

“French is not an easy language, but with the assistance of a translator, I am trying to learn it. I can at least communicate with most of my teammates. But I am really missing home -- my mum, siblings, friends, food and clubbing,” said Wacu.

“They have rice and yellow ugali, but generally the food here is pathetic.”

Asked about the comparison between the Kenyan and French volleyball and the progress of her teammate and Kenya skipper Brackcides Khadambi, the Tetu High alumnus said: “I think Kenyan standards are higher. Our design of play is similar to the Japanese style unlike French who play an open game.

“At the moment, Khadambi is injured, but she’s on recovery path and we expect her to be back after two weeks or so.”

Apart from Wacu and Khadambi, other Kenyan player who recently joined the paid ranks in Europe is Mercy Moim (Liiga Ploki, Finland).