It is amazing how time flies. I arrived back to the United States about nine and a half months ago and since then so much has happened. I arrived in Minnesota a different person than the one I was before I left for Poland and it has taken me the past months to slowly understand better and accept the person I have become. Luckily, I have been blessed with an incredible family, spectacular friends and a wonderful college experience. This year I have met amazing people, who have challenged me to think deeper, work harder and enjoy life to the fullest. I have supported others and been supported in return, and the community that I am now part of is helping shape who I am becoming. I am extremely grateful.
One of the first people I met at Kalamazoo College was Callie. We share much in common, including Saint Paul (Callie was born in Saint Anthony Park, though she now lives in Indianapolis), a passion for community organizing and a love of international experiences. Callie spent half of her high school senior year living in western Kenya working with the Umoja Project, and together we reminisced about the hard times, the amazing times and the growth we experienced in our time abroad.
When Callie asked me if I would like to go to Kenya with her this summer I was excited, but also a little hesitant. I questioned whether it was wise to go abroad less than a year after I had returned home. I thought I perhaps needed to spend the summer in Minnesota, work and earn money for school for the upcoming year, and reconnect and spend more time with my family. However, eventually I decided I couldn't pass-up such an incredible opportunity. Since making my decision I have worked hard to prepare for this trip and I can't wait to leave in less than 4 weeks!
On June 14 I will leave for Kenya with Callie. We will spend 7 weeks in Chulaimbo, Kenya, working with the Umoja Project. The Umoja Project, founded and administered by the Global Interfaith Partnership, is a coalition of congregations in Indianapolis, Indiana and Chulaimbo, Kenya. Together, these congregations work to serve the needs of orphans and vulnerable children through a system of local schools and organized support structures. (If you would like to learn more about the Umoja Project this is the link to their website: Umoja Project ) During our seven weeks in Kenya Callie and I will be working with post-secondary girl students to provide workshops for lower primary girl students (ages 6-10). These workshops will include collaborative games, Big Sister/Little Sister mentoring, and hygiene education. Most Kenyan girls are put in charge of home responsibilities and are, unfortunately, vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation, face many challenges and often experience great loss. In our programming, we will be providing mentorship and space for play, give young girls a break from responsibilities and provide counseling which will improve their educational performance. Hygiene education has been recognized by the Umoja Project staff and primary school teachers as a needed program and as something beneficial to the girls, so, at their request, we will also be leading lessons on brushing teeth, washing hands, etc.
I am so excited for this opportunity and I want to invite you all to join with me! Internet connection in Chulaimbo may be spotty at times, so I can't promise daily updates, but I will update as often as I can.
Until Kenya,
Mariah
