Here is the video I produced for the Emmanuel Youth Empowerment Centre. It will be used for promotional and fundraising purposes. I haven't shot video since graduate school and I had only a miniDV camcorder and iMovie to work with, but I think it still conveys the value of the centre. Enjoy!
April 29, 2009
April 23, 2009
The Mungiki Madness
The latest international headlines out of Kenya are grim, as they usually are when they reach the world stage. At least 29 people are dead after an outbreak of violence just north of Nairobi. The last time Kenya made world news was when two human rights activists were murdered in the streets of Nairobi in March. What connects these two stories is one brutal gang, considered Kenya's version of the mafia: the Mungiki.
The Mungiki started in the 1980s as a pseudo-religious sect with political ambitions. But it's transformed into a nightmare group of militants which was banned in 2002. According to the BBC:
"They extort, engage in fraud, robbery, murder and even kidnap their victims.
The activists killed in March were campaigning against extrajudicial killings of the Mungiki by the Kenyan police force. (Interestingly, five hours before the shootings, a government spokesman identified their organization as a front for the Mungiki.) A UN special rapporteur called for the dismissal of the police chief and the resignation of the Attorney-General.
But what do you do with a group of thugs without any regard for human life? Several Kenyans have told me extrajudicial killings are the only way. And "outsiders" like the UN and the U.S. only speak out when Mungiki members are killed. Where is the noise when the gang extorts, mutilates and beheads innocent Kenyans?
Considering how much there is to fear, to be angry about, I have a renewed appreciation for the warm smiles and persevering spirit of nearly every Kenyan I meet.
The Mungiki started in the 1980s as a pseudo-religious sect with political ambitions. But it's transformed into a nightmare group of militants which was banned in 2002. According to the BBC:
"They extort, engage in fraud, robbery, murder and even kidnap their victims.
Media reports say the sect has evolved over the years into an organised and intimidating underworld gang with bases in Nairobi, and parts of Central and Rift Valley Provinces.
They control public transport routes and demand illegal levies from operators.
Mungiki followers reign supreme within city slums, notably Mathare in the east of the capital. Here they provide illegal water and electricity connections to hundreds of makeshift shacks.
Residents of the slums also have to pay a levy to the sect to be able to access communal toilets and for security during the night in the crime infested slums."
The recent violence erupted because local residents were fed up and fought back.
The activists killed in March were campaigning against extrajudicial killings of the Mungiki by the Kenyan police force. (Interestingly, five hours before the shootings, a government spokesman identified their organization as a front for the Mungiki.) A UN special rapporteur called for the dismissal of the police chief and the resignation of the Attorney-General.
But what do you do with a group of thugs without any regard for human life? Several Kenyans have told me extrajudicial killings are the only way. And "outsiders" like the UN and the U.S. only speak out when Mungiki members are killed. Where is the noise when the gang extorts, mutilates and beheads innocent Kenyans?
Considering how much there is to fear, to be angry about, I have a renewed appreciation for the warm smiles and persevering spirit of nearly every Kenyan I meet.
April 19, 2009
The End is Near
Classes are over. Shooting for the video is done. And the rainy season has started. All this means I’ve got a lot of time to reflect on my experience in the past 8 months.
A local Rotarian recently asked me what I’ve enjoyed about Kenya. And I found myself stumped. In a moment, I scanned my scrambled head for a singular favorite: weather, friendly people, food, landscape, culture? After my awkward “Uhh, the whole experience” response stumbled out of my mouth, I thought about why I don’t have a better answer.
Of course, there are plenty of things I like about Kenya. Sure, there are the banalities like food, weather and hospitality. The all-encompassing generalities like culture and attitude. And, to be fair, I’ve enjoyed things that are the less than noble, like the exchange rate. I could say all these things next time I’m asked. But the answer would be hollow, failing to capture the deep change and profound insights I’ve gained from this experience.
Being in Tanzania and Kenya has taught me more than any other travel has. Every day, I’ve had to choose whether to stay safely inside my comfort zone or venture outside it. I've battled with my insulated, privileged American outlook while proudly claiming our goodwill and leadership. I’ve learned that colonialism raped Africa’s past but too many Africans are letting it rob their future. And I’ve seen how those with food have many problems but those who don’t have only one.
Once I’m back in Chicago, I anticipate I’ll understand my African experience even better. I think I’ll see more of Kenya when I’m back in the US, appreciating the absence of things unnoticed now. An American living here told me going back the US is harder than coming to Kenya. Not only is there reverse culture shock but there’s the inevitability that friends and family can’t relate. “Some people treat it like you just came back from the supermarket.” That’s why I’m grateful my boyfriend will be here in less than a month. He’ll better understand where I’ve been and the readjustment I'll need to where I’m going.
A local Rotarian recently asked me what I’ve enjoyed about Kenya. And I found myself stumped. In a moment, I scanned my scrambled head for a singular favorite: weather, friendly people, food, landscape, culture? After my awkward “Uhh, the whole experience” response stumbled out of my mouth, I thought about why I don’t have a better answer.
Of course, there are plenty of things I like about Kenya. Sure, there are the banalities like food, weather and hospitality. The all-encompassing generalities like culture and attitude. And, to be fair, I’ve enjoyed things that are the less than noble, like the exchange rate. I could say all these things next time I’m asked. But the answer would be hollow, failing to capture the deep change and profound insights I’ve gained from this experience.
Being in Tanzania and Kenya has taught me more than any other travel has. Every day, I’ve had to choose whether to stay safely inside my comfort zone or venture outside it. I've battled with my insulated, privileged American outlook while proudly claiming our goodwill and leadership. I’ve learned that colonialism raped Africa’s past but too many Africans are letting it rob their future. And I’ve seen how those with food have many problems but those who don’t have only one.
Once I’m back in Chicago, I anticipate I’ll understand my African experience even better. I think I’ll see more of Kenya when I’m back in the US, appreciating the absence of things unnoticed now. An American living here told me going back the US is harder than coming to Kenya. Not only is there reverse culture shock but there’s the inevitability that friends and family can’t relate. “Some people treat it like you just came back from the supermarket.” That’s why I’m grateful my boyfriend will be here in less than a month. He’ll better understand where I’ve been and the readjustment I'll need to where I’m going.
April 13, 2009
Easter in Nakuru
There are an estimated 250,000 street kids in Kenya: a quarter-million kids without steady food or schooling, often sick or addicted to drugs. About 60,000 of them are in Nairobi. So the rest of the country also needs caring, capable homes for these kids.
This weekend, I went to the Nakuru area, about 200 km northwest of Nairobi. Megan, another Ambassadorial Scholar in Nairobi, has been volunteering with the Joseph Waweru Home School and she invited me to join her for a visit.
It was helpful to see how other boys centers are run and I picked up a few ideas to bring back to the Emmanuel Center. For instance, the boys at JWHS are given many creative outlets and I'd like to introduce more arts and crafts at Emmanuel.
Custom Painted Bedrooms
Easter Egg Decorating
If you'd like to sponsor a boy, I've made it really easy to do so. You can now find a paypal link on my blog which will allow you to send money to me. That way, once received, I can coordinate the sponsorship directly with you. I'll let you know which boy is being sponsored, organize pen pals, and send updates/pictures of the boys!
It was helpful to see how other boys centers are run and I picked up a few ideas to bring back to the Emmanuel Center. For instance, the boys at JWHS are given many creative outlets and I'd like to introduce more arts and crafts at Emmanuel.
Custom Painted Bedrooms
Easter Egg Decorating
What is true of both centers is the feeling of family, between the boys and the staff. It's heartwarming to witness genuine affection and concern amongst boys who, before coming to the home, were strangers with shared experiences of abandonment, hunger and struggle.
What is also true for all homes for orphans and street kids is the need for funds. Rotary Club of Lakeview has generously donated $500 to the Emmanuel Boys Center and the club president has matched it with $500 out of her own pocket. That will cover private school fees for 4 boys for a full year!
Primary school student: $250/yr.
Secondary school student: $320/ yr.
If you'd like to sponsor a boy, I've made it really easy to do so. You can now find a paypal link on my blog which will allow you to send money to me. That way, once received, I can coordinate the sponsorship directly with you. I'll let you know which boy is being sponsored, organize pen pals, and send updates/pictures of the boys!
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