Off to Kenya! I leave tomorrow early, flying through Minneapolis and Amsterdam, finally arriving in Nairobi a day later.
I am excited and curious about what the next two months will hold. Trying not to have too many expectations, but one thing I do expect is that I will learn a lot. It would be impossible to surround myself with such an amazing teacher and inspiring classmates, and such leaders in the human rights field, without having my worldview shift and realign in ways that I never expected.
These past 6 months I feel I have already been stretched and challenged in new ways. The program I will be participating in Kenya has 2 course prerequisites, necessary for participation in the program. Winter quarter we studied “Health, Human Rights and Social Transformation in the Greater Horn of Kenya” and spring quarter our class studied Swahili language and Kenyan culture.
As a former study abroad professional, I find this program design absolutely brilliant, as it has prepared us (as much as one can truly prepare for an experience in another country and culture without actually being in the country live) quite well, providing us with an overview of the human rights literature, as well as basic Swahili language and Kenyan culture.
In Honour of Jennifer Caldwell:
This blog is humbly dedicated to Jennifer Caldwell. Jen was a passionate human rights advocate who passed away this past fall in South Africa. While I never had the privilege to know Jen while she was alive, it is so clear in communicating with her family and friends, hearing beautiful and inspirational stories about her life, that she was one of the rare souls who is larger than life. Her work and life live on through the clear impact she has had on so many others.
This award means a great deal to me. I accept it very humbly and realize there is no way I can quite live up to the beautiful legacy that Jen left on this planet. But I do want Jen and her family and friends to know that as I prepare to leave for Kenya, that she is great inspiration and source of strength to me, and I am sure to many others. Thank you sincerely for granting me this award. If I can in some way live up to one ounce of Jen’s legacy, I know I will have done something right.
Please click HERE to visit the Jen Caldwell Human Rights Fund
HERE, you can also read more about Jen here, in a story about the Caldwell Fund published by the University of Washington:
I close with a quote by a personal hero of mine, Eleanor Roosevelt:
In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
I adore Eleanor for her bold statements and her tireless advocacy for international human rights. This summer, and moving forward in general, I plan to look to her wisdom often.
You are very kind to read and follow my blog. Wishing you all a fantastic and peaceful summer. May it be all that you want it to be!
