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Outside the office
there was a monkey looking in Over the last week I have had the privilege to run two workshops, meet some amazing people, and see things that have opened my eyes to a world much different than my world.
On Tuesday I a ran a workshop for the Red Cross with a young woman who works at Africa Youth Trust . (I was asked to run an hour workshop for a group of 45 women and 3 men on self awareness and self care.) We were running behind on time because we had to wait for a Matatu (a mini van transport like a bus) that was street worthy. See here in Nairobi who ever had owns the nicest Matatu gets the most customers. They drive like bats outta hell with no regard for other traffic just the objective of getting the most customers in the least amount of time. They all have cracked plastic music video screens playing all the latest hip hop music and sit 14 passengers (but usually have more). So after taking a Matatu that was street worthy (only having one bolt in my seat which swung from one hinge to the other on every bump) we ended up downtown where on
Red Cross
A few women during my workshop the way to the Red Cross I experienced my first attempted mugging. In the downtown area being Caucasian makes you an easy target for thief or so I found out the hard way. Brenda and I were walking in a crowd of people when I felt a hand reach from behind me and yank on my necklace (the one I’ve worn every day for as long as I can remember and didn’t even think of taking it off before hand). Luckily I moved quickly, let out a yell and grabbed the necklace as fast as I could. He broke the clasp but the necklace remained in my hand. This all happened in 3 seconds, I turned to see who it was and he had disappeared in the crowd. People stopped to see what had happened but I was okay with just a little mark on my neck. So in my first week I quickly learn my first real lesson… NEVER EVER wear any type of “real” jewelry in Nairobbery (as they call it) unless you are prepared to lose it.
Needless to say I was pretty shocked and frightened but it quickly turned into us joking about my initiation
Kibera
A street in Kibera into Kenya. Although not funny, people are mugged here every minute and I was very fortunate not to be hurt. Upon reaching the Red Cross head compound, meeting my translator, and translating my workshop into Swahili I was introduced to 48 unprivileged people ranging from 18-65 years of age. At first they weren’t too keen on the idea that I was so young and teaching them about life but the one hour workshop turned into a 2 hour event with amazing results. Participants shared their stories, their insights, and their gratitude. One woman stood up and in Swahili told me about how all her life she believed she was without until now. She told me she learned in my session that her truth was distorted, that she never really believed in her self and was disconnected with life. She said from this day on she should take time every day to be more connected to her family, her children, her work, and her health. As she spoke my world changed. She had tears in her eyes and asked God, as she knew him, to continue to guide me on my journey to teach more people the things she had learnt
Kibera
Signage left around the election violence that day. After she spoke many stood up after and shared their learnings including a spiritual pastor who said a prayer for me and told me never to lose my light and connection to my own truth of sharing life knowledge with others. Needless to say everything I experienced on my way to the workshop diminished and I was filled with hope.
As the week went on I did more work with AYT and with the help of Lunapads I have been helping three young women start a business in Nairobi. Because I brought Lunapads to Kenya with me and explaining to the girls how much they could change the lives of African girls they asked me if I could help them start a business making and selling sustainable pads. I will be helping the girls on their business plan, giving them workshops to help them set goals and coaching them into success. They are so excited as they have decided to make this a new fashion trend in Africa. They see the great benefit and are excited to create something to help others and make a living. I will be working with them to get the startup funds
Kibera boy
This little guy saw us coming in next door and wanted to see what was going on... as well.
On Saturday Natalia (my roommate who has been working on HIV education here on behalf of an organization in Canada) and I ran a workshop in Kibera, one of Africa’s largest slums. This slum houses 80,000 families and is one of the hardest things to see from the outskirts. We drove on the dirt road leading to the only women’s centre in the area that was secured with a rusted gate and a padlock because of robbery. This area was hit very hard in the recent election violence. At the centre we set up the four tables and chairs in the room, and welcomed 20 young women from the slum, 2 local Kenyan youth workers, and this amazing woman named Milcah. Milcah has no youth centre because she has no money but runs programs and services from her home in Kibera. She is 11 months pregnant with twins works 5 days a week in the hardest place to live in Kenya. Thanks to Micah we were able to get their girls there and Natalia and I ran a day workshop where they learned about HIV awareness information and did a self awareness workshop with me. We offered
Workshop
Natalian working with group during our workshop in Kibera them lunch and each girl received a Goods for Girls package. At first I was a little concerned that they weren’t into the sustainable pads .. Most of the girls have experienced so many traumas from rape, poverty, abuse, and have seen so much violence that they are hardened and don’t get outwardly excited, some it was hard to get a little smile. With some probing in Swahili by a worker they shared their excited in quiet voices and began to smile freely. Although I have seen many places in life, and worked with thousands of youth over the years I have never seen the things I have seen and heard the stories Ive heard here. It is heart breaking. There is no other way to say it. I am so fortunate to be here to offer my skills and although I do believe it is making a difference one month here is not long enough to do much. Things work a lot slower here and sustainability is the key. My key here I have learnt is not to build relationships with people because its unfair as I am leaving but to share information and resources to workers and leaders
within the communities I am learning about. I have a strong want to do something more here, something that is far more sustainable. Although I have some great ideas I have no idea of how I am going to make it happen just yet. Though as Jan Hill always tells me, “Loretta don’t worry, I know you will make it happen, you always do.” And so the brainstorming beginnings.
Over the rest of the weekend I planned one of my roommates birthday party. Her boyfriend’s family has this truly REMARKABLE house with a canopied garden, bar, and cooking area. With the cooking area alone I was in heaven. We feasted on great Indian food, had good conversation and before I knew it 2am rolled around and it was time for bed for me while the rest went to party.
Yesterday four of us went to Hell’s Gate, an hour out of Nairobi for a picnic in the National Park. For anyone coming to Nairobi you MUST see Hell’s Gate. The scenery, animals, and camping grounds are the best I’ve ever seen. (See pictures)
This week I will be training some youth workers, attending a launch party for
Natalia’s HIV project initiative, doing some more site visits in the Kibera, and helping the young women set up their new business. I am waiting to hear back about my safari and weekend trip to the beach for some reprieve.
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Angelina
non-member comment
SO glad you are safe!
First of all, I am relieved that you are safe and did not get hurt during the mugging attempt, secondary, that your necklace is with you, as I know how dear it is to your heart. It's really touching to read about the difference you are making in these peoples lives, even if you are there for such a short period of time. You are giving them hope, and that is likely something most people start to lack in the slums... but the only thing that will keep them alive. It's really interesting learning about the people there and how they live. You are strong to be able to witness it, I don't know if I could handle it. Beautiful pictures by the way. Keep em coming. Best of karma throughout the remainder of your stay, Angelina