"An alternative world is possible."

I'd like to include a quote which I included as the last passage of my final paper for the Kenya program. What Shivji says is true, "An alternative world IS possible."


Let's make it happen!

“We have to choose sides: the side of those who are struggling for a better world and against those who want to maintain the existing one. We simply cannot be neutral . . . It is struggling for an alternative world, a better world, which has changed the past and will continue to change the present for a better future. We, the activists . . . must continue to fight for a better world.
An alternative world is possible.”

- Issa G. Shivji, Reflections on NGOs in Tanzania: What We Are, What We Are Not, and What We Ought to Be

Home

Back home now and the contrast between Nairobi and home in the US is stark. Definite culture shock flying into Amsterdam, Minneapolis and finally Seattle. Things aren't better here, but it is striking how much more organized, green, clean, perhaps modern is the right word, things seem here - and in a way I never paid much attention to before.

Feeling thankful for the experiences I have had in Kenya and looking forward to incorporating them into daily life from now forward.

I'm including below one of my favorite Prof. Ngugi quotes. He sent this to our class in an email before the program departed for Kenya this summer:

I can only join you on the mat you are lying on and stare up at the stars in the sky with you and wonder if the stellar constellation above is cryptic spelling for “hope.”

- Prof. Joel Ngugi

With confidence, I can say I do believe the stars spell "hope" for us all. Without that, we are lost. As long as humanity persists, we will always have hope, faith and courage to move forward, to work for human rights, to pursue our passions and convictions, to care for our friends and family, and perhaps most importantly: to envision a more just, peaceful, humanitarian world ~~

Welcome home, classmates and program staff. To friends and family in the US: can't wait to see you!

Wrapping Up ~

This will be one of my final posts as our program in Nairobi is wrapping up! We submitted our final papers yesterday and had a final program meeting and farewell dinner last night. It was nice to spend time thanking our site supervisors and coworkers at our various internships.
I think we all feel good about the program and everything that we have learned and experienced.
I feel very grateful for this experience and again want to THANK Professor Ngugi, our program staff, my fellow classmates, friends and family at home and the community of Jennifer Caldwell who helped make this opportunity possible for me.

It will take me months, maybe years to process all that I have learned, witnessed and experienced here in Kenya. I can't even express how much I appreciate this experience and how much it has changed me as a person. Now the obligation of what I will do with and apply this experience and learning rests with me. I hope for strength and guidance in these endeavors ~~~

I close with a quote:

if you're going to be passionate about something, be passionate about learning.
if you're going to fight something, fight for those in need.
if you're going to question something, question authority.
if you're going to lose something, lose your inhibitions.
if you're going to gain something, gain respect and confidence.
and if you're going to hate something, hate the false idea that you are not capable of your dreams.

- daniel golston

Human Rights Project - Presentation

Yesterday we presented our final human rights project to Professor Ngugi and three representatives from Loitokitok Village, where we conducted our research.
The presentation was about our suggested "Learning Resource Center." (Again, these are humble recommendations and observations only, with the focus being on leadership and impetus from the local village.) The center would include a "home environment," draw on community resources, and collaborate with local "community-based organizations." It would in theory include a library, health center, and counseling and mentorship program. We emphasized that it is the community's project, but that we are standing by to assist with grants, fundraising, and connections as desired and appropriate.
The presentation was a big success - both our professor and the community members were very pleased. We feel this is the beginning of a long partnership, and it is very exciting!
Above, I have attached photos from the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC grounds, where I have been interning). The 2nd photo is from a poster in the KHRC lobby (if you are interested in expansion on this topic, I am happy to share my finally paper with you).
With kindest regards and warm wishes from Kenya!

Final Days in Nairobi ~ ~

This is our last week in Nairobi. My classmates and I are spending our time drafting our final human rights project report, writing final papers and preparing for presentations on both the human rights project in Loitokitok and about our respective internship sites. The human rights project itself is a great learning experience as we are seeing hands-on the challenges and complexities of approaching human rights work ethically, and also the challenge of working together in a large group of 15 passionate individuals, each with their own perspectives and ideas. It is, however, overall a positive experience and we are looking forward to presenting our findings to representatives from Loitokitok Village and DEB Primary School, where we engaged in the research and human rights work.

We will have a final farewell dinner this coming Friday with the entire program staff, their families, and our site supervisors.

Things are going quite well, and this has been a tremendous learning experience. My classmates are amazing, our professor is exceptional and the program design continues to amaze.

Quote ~

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are younot to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

- Our Deepest Fear by Marianne Williamson from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

Future ~

"The future is no place to place your better days."
– Dave Matthews, Cry Freedom

Have a great weekend ~~