Networking

As this semester of limited free-time comes to an end, I am beginning a journey of sharing my story and accumulating connections for my internship in Kenya. The skills I learned from community organizing at the University of Minnesota have really taught me the value of sharing stories and connecting stakeholders of shared visions to insure efforts are supported from multiple resources. I have to find people, organizations, ministries and government officials who would be interested in the experience I am about to embark upon. I am looking to find interests and values that align with my own and the goals of this human rights internship.

The first place I am going to seek such connections is the office of Dennis Donovan. He is the innovative founder of the youth organizing movement called Public Achievement of which my leadership minor education has been derived. He is also the co-director at the Center for Citizenship and Democracy, formally housed the the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. His networking expertise and unlimited local and international connections are available to those who are interested in working to organize and create effective change. Dennis' openness to meet with active citizens and advise or connect their journeys to branches of his extensive network creates a stable foundation for the proposed ventures. He is an inspiring activists and talented engagement professional whom I hope to have with me throughout this journey and especially as I return and reflect upon my own organizing efforts.

I have been researching other possible stakeholders and am currently contacting non-profits, cultural associations, businesses, academic researchers and others who would possibly be invested in my work abroad. All I can do is share my story and hope that others connect with it.

This blog is a direct way to share my story and I ask that the readers keep checking back with it and stay connected with me, personally. I am going to need an ample amount of support for this experience and appreciate it all forms. Please share my story with those you know by sending them my blog address ( caitmcd4.blogspot.com ) or contact information ( cmcdaniel4@gmail.com ) and feel free to send me contacts and suggestions!!

Introspection

My investment in this city makes moving on such a heartbreak. I am so jazzed that I have the opportunity to travel to Kenya for this internship but the reality of it all is internally devastating. How can I voluntarily give up the life that has facilitated such accomplishment and heightened life value? I anticipate daydreaming just to spend time with the people I am going to miss. I fret over the future missed life experiences with those that have made the past few years an absolute wonderland.  My life is you all - You give me infinite reasons to smile. Saying good-bye is scary and the "what-ifs" and "maybes" run my thoughts some days. I wonder what my life would be like if I didn't go. Then I remember how I got here, how I was able to obtain this position and realize the chance I would be giving up - There is no way I do not go (sorry Mom and Dad).

The best counter to these preoccupying thoughts are the images I have of the life I will be living abroad. Carolyn Edlebeck, my friend from Waupaca, WI who is in Uganda for a year, wrote to me last week detailing her days outside of work.

"I read when I want, do word-finds, study for the GRE, take naps, talk on the front porch, walk down the dirt road to one of the few refrigerators in town to buy a cold bottled soda (when the electricity is on), and I just enjoy BEING." 

I look forward to this change the most. I look forward to leaving behind the hustle of American culture; the crazy flip-flop of priorities, favoring productive work over taking time for relationships and self. My Minneapolis expiration date has been set and I will leave behind so much of my heart. You can guarantee I will be back to collect those pieces and re-place them among new additions.

Now, I face a long road leading up to this journey. Financial support is not available from the Human Rights Commission. I am funding my own trip and have struggled to find scholarships for my specific situation; graduated student in an independent internship. I am hoping to gain support and emotional investment from local stakeholders. I know if I share my story thus far with others they will feel the passion from my words and understand this is the next step and a really great leap forward for myself and whatever work I am invested in.

Working hard to gain support and get there will make stepping off of the airplane a monumental moment in this journey. Knowing that I made it. I look forward to that moment, especially knowing the flight is lengthy =).

'Hours will never come back to you, but by mind.' A quote from one of my professors.

Dear Time, slow down. Love, Me.

It is officially March. I have repeatedly verbalized my disbelief for the hurried onset of this month and this morning my sentiment has not changed. I am not okay with time passing so quickly. I have gotten minimal sleep this semester which means I have had longer days. Yet, with each alarm I am astonished by the numbers on my calender. I suppose the busier the days, the faster they pass. I really look forward to slowing down sometime in the future.

Due to my packed schedule, I have not had much time to dedicate to investigating the details of my trip to Kenya. Two weeks ago I met with Carolyne Abong (Humphrey Fellow from KNCHR who gave me the internship) and she filled me in on a few things. The four previous interns were from Harvard and Columbia Universities - woah. I will be going there for six months but have the option of extending my stay for any reason. I have weekends off as well as a mandatory two week holiday in December (COME VISIT ME!!!) for relaxation, family and travel. There are three other KNCHR locations throughout Kenya that I will have the opportunity to move to for a couple of weeks each. This will give me the opportunity to see other parts of the country with their unique people, culture and human rights programs. I will be living in a rented out room or apartment that the internship coordinator will help me find. There are numerous UN bases and programs throughout Kenya which house plenty of international interns. Carolyne thinks I will meet some of them and eventually choose to move into a home with them - I hope so as well. My daily work will vary. I will be doing tasks around the main office, sitting in on conferences and writing reports, creative program planning, human rights investigations, field travels, and anything else I really want to do.

Carolyne has given me the opportunity to guide my own internship; I can do as much or as little as I would like. This is very exciting for two reasons. First, I am able to do whatever I want - which will be a lot!! Second, I am very excited to live in a culture that really wants each person to be themselves and enjoy the road. Carolyne assured me I will have an amazing experience.

It scares me how real this is...