Culture Trek

Archive for the ‘Empowerment’ Category

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When I first planned to travel to Kenya, I knew what my lodgings looked like, what language was spoken, what weather to expect and what my mission was. I had spent about 8 months doing research on the culture and political climate by reading every blog and book I could find and sitting in on an African Lit class.

Switching gears so quickly after Kenya’s outbreak of post-election violence, I had little lead time to research Ghana well. I didn’t even know the name of the village I would reside in until my invoice came three weeks ago. It’s absolutely my own fault. I had been so distracted by finals, graduation, time sensitive home improvement projects and family responsibilities that I failed to address what this shift in plans meant. It was time to get a serious move on.

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I have just received the following story from Kevin Sudi, the volunteer coordinator at Kenya’s Common Ground Program. Kevin asks that anyone willing to repost this article do so freely.

IN NEED OF HUMANITY

Mr. Elie Nduwayesu, FCYF founder/director and the man behind the child-headed households development project shares a light moment with baby Hirwa while Aisha looks on

At the base of the majestic Parc de Volcanes mountain in the north-western part of Rwanda, in the town of Musanze, is a household headed by 19 year-old Aisha. She always has a smile on her face but a talk with her provides a glimpse to a life that would be near-impossible for some of us to even fathom.

I was introduced to Aisha and her siblings by Mr. Elie Nduwayesu, a modest man with a big dream for the poor children of Musanze.

This is Aisha’s story:

My siblings and I lived with our parents up to 2004, when my father passed away. My mother later confided in me since I was the eldest, that my father had died of the disease called HIV/AIDS. She asked me not to tell my siblings so as not to cause them any discouragement and worry. Later in 2005, my mother too succumbed to the same disease. It is then that I became the provided for my four siblings, who, by then, were aged 13, 11, 9 and 7.

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David Kobia just went live with his new?brainchild,?I Have No Tribe. This?site is dedicated to positive discourse?on the Kenyan conflict from around the world and it has been met with great response in the form of debate, poetry, hope and support.

In early January, Kobia contributed?to tech development of?Ushahidi, a forum for civilian reporting?on?acts of violence through electronic means during?the Kenyan government’s (recently lifted) ban on?media. That project was the brainchild of bloggers Kenyan Pundit, White African, Afromusing, and Mentalacrobatics.

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Twice yesterday I heard?it voiced that I will likely have to?change my volunteer trip from?Kenya?to?Ghana in July. While it might well be true, I continue to reject?lost hope for the success of Kenya to soon arrive on the other side of chaos.

When I last spoke?with Village Volunteers executive director, Shana Greene, we?gracefully wove the rhetoric of possibility into a conversation filled with concern. On 14 Jan 2008, two volunteers decided to stay behind while the rest had been transported safely to the airport with the help of the village coordinators and hired police guards. Understandably, Village Volunteers cannot send people to the Rift Valley if the violence continues, but Shana reassured me that we still have time before making a solid decision and that continuing VV’s sustainable programs was of the utmost importance for the re-stabilization of the village. The decision to send more volunteers would likely hinge on either a re-election or the formation of unity government. Then, two days after we spoke, Kenyan protests began and more violence broke out for another three days.

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The impact of a trip I have yet to take?is growing?in ways I had never imagined. As my dear friend Robbin said in her latest email:

I’m telling all my girls at work about my baby sister’s newest mountain she’s climbing. They had no idea women went to anywhere to help other women do anything!! We are still so ignorant of current events here in Buffalo, but you have lots of emotional support and a bit of envy on behalf of these gals…rooting for you and your courage and determination.

With this note I’ve realized that,?while going to Africa is in some ways?my own selfish adventure, the impact has moved far beyond myself and, in fact,?has very little to do with me. If Robbin already told several people what she has learned from me, and those?women?are moved by?what they have learned, the positive effects are immeasurably far reaching.?This is?profoundly powerful and, well, amazingly wonderful.