Politics in Kenya

So, I have been meaning to write a comprehensive blog on the political undertakings within Kenya but I figured this is the best way to let you all know the current events.

In August, Kenya promulgated a brand new constitution - YAYYYYY!!!!!! This is something to be celebrated everywhere - a country with a history of crooked politicians and corrupt officials succeeded in the first step towards justice and equality nationwide.

With the help of new truth commissions and official investigations from the International Criminal Courts (ICC), many of Kenya's corrupt leaders are being taken out. One by one, government officials and honorable MPs (member of parliament) are being publicly accused and institutionally suspended for reasons such as monetary corruption and even involvement with the 2007 post-election violence that killed more than 1,200 Kenyans, thousands more injured, over 300,000 people displaced and around 42,000 houses and many businesses were looted or destroyed. A significant number of cases of sexual violence were also reported.
CLICK HERE - to read a report on the post election violence in 2007

William Ruto is the Higher Education minister and has been suspended due to multiple fraudulent charges currently on the move through the high courts.
CLICK HERE - to read the announcement of Ruto's suspension
CLICK HERE - to watch a video of the announcement of Ruto's suspension

Not only is Ruto fighting these charges, he is also an alleged perpetrator in the post election violence. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights research and produced "On the brink of the precipice: A human rights account of Kenya's post-2007 election violence" in which Ruto is held accountable for planning, inciting and financing the violence. During the research, over 1,000 statements were taken from witnesses to ensure proper documentation of the knowledge behind the planned acts.

Ruto, in his inevitable plunder, pointed fingers at the KNCHR claiming that the Commission coached and paid witnesses in order to single out certain politicians. He specifically alleged one of our Commissioners, Hassan Omar Hassan (whom I work directly with - hes a GREAT guy and a SPECTACULAR lawyer) claiming that Hassan paid these witnesses from his own pocket and has produced this report for his own political clout. The witnesses Ruto speaks of are in a witness protection program therefore he has now raised issues of security for key witnesses the KNCHR has helped find safety. Unlike the US, there is no concrete program or process to relocate witnesses whose safety is of the utmost importance. Therefore, taking care of these people was under the KNCHR's mandate as a way to protect their human rights and make sure they were properly taken care to ensure their truthful testimonies are heard. These witnesses are key to putting the corrupt politicians behind bars.
CLICK HERE - to watch a video of Ruto's allegations of KNCHR paying witnesses


Ruto went to the media, after he returned from an unsuccessful journey to clear his name with the ICC, and made these allegations. The KNCHR calmly fought this battle with water and professionally responded to Ruto's desperate attempts to blame someone besides himself.
CLICK HERE - to watch a video of the public statements shared between Ruto and the KNCHR
CLICK HERE - to watch a video of the KNCHRs response to Ruto

The media in Kenya has really taken this story to another level. Since the allegations, some of the witnesses who gave their statements have come forward to the newspapers and TV stations to claim the legitimacy of Ruto's statements regarding the coaching and bribing of said witnesses.
READ THIS!!! - the latest story regarding all of this drama

UPDATE:
CLICK HERE - to read the latest story and statement from KNCHR regarding bribery claims
CLICK HERE - to watch the latest video with reaction statement from KNCHR regarding witness perjory

**During all of this I was able to sit in on the press conference, view a commission properly handle a political move against them, watch the media take information and spin the messages as well as view all of this with an international eye. I am really going through great experiences over here.**

Settling In...

Sunday October 31^st, 2010

            If you know my story or have read my blog from start to finish then you understand the origin of this trip. I will summarize the story again just to remind you again or inform you for the first time. Though, I do suggest reading from the beginning!

            While at the University of Minnesota, I earned a leadership minor. In my senior year I took the capstone class for the minor and completed a final project which encompassed all of the relevant training and education we received. Each group proposed a systematic project to alleviate a sociopolitical issue within a specific country. The project my group developed for Kenya was widely accepted and admired as a benchmark example of success within the requirements.

            One of my group mates, Eric, was dating Laurel, who was at the time studying in Kenya with my roommate Amanda (try to follow). Eric and I both worked with a special interest in the issues and also were given insights from our friends who were living the life we were studying. With the energy of our academic success and the background stories of our friends, Eric and I both had extra motivation to travel to Kenya.  The energy we possessed to make this research a reality resonated within our group and it was a common topic of conversation then.

            Eric was part of my welcoming crew to Kenya. He moved here, with Laurel, one month before I made the journey myself. As we embraced we both commented on the success of carrying out our ambitions and living within our dreams. Friday night, Eric and Laurel helped introduce me to the Nairobi nightlife (more on that crazy good time later) and as a group of foreigners sitting in the corner of a local tavern, naturally we engaged in conversations about the roots of our presence in Kenya. Eric and I immediately reminisced about the work we did back in Minnesota and were energized in the thought of our simultaneous presence in Kenya. The others listened to our stories and were taken back by our own story. It is truly an amazing feat that both of us began this journey together then went our separate ways and continued to strive for and accomplish the same goal.

            I think the leadership minor faculty would be very proud to hear this story. I believe in the training that I was given as it has been my guide, support and transport to where I am and the person I strive to be. It’s refreshing to know the student loan debt I have waiting for me in the U.S. is worth it J It’s all part of the larger picture and this time will be great to reflect upon as I continue to adventure towards a career.

Monday November 1, 2010

            IT’S NOVEMBER ALREADY!! WHAT? No internet – boring day. I share an office with a man named Samson who I am supposed to be getting most of my work from. My office was visited so many times today with coworkers looking for Samson but he was always out. From his absence and scurrying about today, I can tell he is a busy and important man within the KNCHR. We are meeting on Thursday to discuss work he can delegate to me. I hope he has the ability to delegate – I know how hard that can be.

            Carol Abong returned to the office today, as well. It was so great to see her as she is the reason I am in Kenya. We embraced with warmth as if we are life long cronies. I can tell she has told many of her colleagues about me and is encouraging them to take me on trips and special assignments so I can get a really good view of all of the work that the KNCHR does. I hope to some day, properly thank her for granting me this opportunity.

            As I meet new people within the Commission and others we work with, most are surprised to hear that I am not trained in Law. I would say at least 70% of the commission staff/interns have law degrees which made me feel inadequate at first. The kind of work and the manner in which lawyers process information is so intense and really focused on the nitty-gritty details of words, laws, bills, etc within the work that we do. Maybe I just need to become more acclimated to the context of our industry in order to understand all of the conversations throughout the day but I am honest with myself in knowing where my work ability and work ethic collide. I would love to say I have the same brain capacity as any other person but I know this is not true when it comes to academics.

            With flaws come challenges and with challenges come goals. I am promising myself to work on and become a natural at paying attention to detail within the entirety of my tasks as well as the Commissions mandates. I have been taught to ask questions about information I come across and assess other views. Dedication is all it takes to make sure I follow through and pay attention to working hard. School made working hard so much easier. I was always working for a grade – Now I have to be self determined and motivated in order to live up to my higher expectations. After all, I didn’t put all of my life savings into this trip to come over here and be lazy. I came here to better my understanding of the world, find a graduate education path and gain the experience and knowledge necessary to get to the next step in my career path.

            The more I learn and observe, the more I understand that Law School is the key to opening doors within politics as well as civil society services. The law is the ruling body of this world and without an understanding of its functions; I will be ruled out of future positions. Law school, eh? Can I really do it?

Tuesday November 2, 2010

            Out of 32 people in a hotel conference room downtown Nairobi, I am the only white person - my how the tables have turned. I was not uncomfortable being the minority, though. Instead I was embarrassed due to my choice of attire for that day. I was completely underdressed for the company at this legal forum. While I was wearing a white shirt and casual green pants, I met the chair person of the KNCHR and many other valuable contacts and officials within the Kenyan government systems.

            I don’t have the nicest clothes and definitely underestimated the degree of formal interactions I would have within my internship. I brought two business outfits that depended on my black pants. To my surprise, my black pants no longer fit therefore I had zero business outfits for the first week of work. Last Saturday, I went to market that was recommended for a “fashionable girl on a budget” and which happens to be right down the road from where I stay. Toy Market is a mass of stands selling second hand clothing and other random goods all for a bartered price. The bartering game is fun, beneficial to those who know how to play it and also exhausting! I found a few key pieces to get me through the next few weeks. I can’t pull the poor American intern card among members of parliament, ambassadors of European countries and high religious leaders.

Those are a few titles of the company I have been among in the first two weeks of my internship. I work within a very progressive and prominent force among the government and civil society. Since the enactment of Kenya’s brand new constitution in August, corruption matters and justice issues have been the focus of the KNCHR. Politicians and government officials are being investigated for corruption offences which may turn out to be a part of the pathetic political number games that raise some up and cut others right below the knees but may also be the rule of law necessary to set a crooked ruling history straight. We strive hard to understand and promote the human rights matters that affect the political processes and civil matters that have a heightened importance and urgency since the new constitution. The voices of the KNCHR are not only heard, our commissioner’s opinions and ideals are highly respected and looked to for guidance concerning such difficult justice and human rights matters.

A Typical Day in Nairobi

            Most people are awake and gone by 6:30 or 7:00 in the morning in order to arrive on time for work between 8:00 and 8:30. There is not much sunlight here so as soon as it shines people are on the move and then return home before it sets (7:00).

Breakfast is a quick and simple meal consisting of warm tea (mainly milk) and cold bread with margarine or fruit marmalade. I am a girl who really enjoys eggs and toast, a bagel or cereal for breakfast so having such bland flavors to wake up to is less than stellar. I quickly learned how important that warm cup and 2 pieces of bread are for my morning, though and combine the margarine and marmalade to increase my caloric intake.

            My family uses public transportation or our god-given legs but so many people have their own cars and drive themselves to work which causes so much congestion and increases travel time for everyone on their way to work or school.  Traffic is extreme during rush hours since there are limited road rules. Every driver thinks they have the right to do anything to get where they are going as fast as they can while ignoring the other cars, matatus and busses on the road.

Also there is so much road construction going on in my side of the city that jams are larger and more confusing. The road construction has not been handled in a timely manner, so I have been told. Roads were torn up in March and left in piles of rocks until this past week when the rain softened the land and made it easier to work. (I am starting to learn about “African Time” – more on that later I am sure)

            Once time has passed at the office, work or school house, tea and coffee is served at 10:00am for a break. Some take their break together and stop work completely and others use it as motivation for their current projects as they return to their desks. I must make mention of the coffee here in Kenya. I am sure many of you have sampled an African blend or maybe even the Kenyan beans. Well, here coffee is in the instant form and unless you visit a restaurant with an American menu it is rare to see real coffee. I think the reason for the history of tea time is of British influence. I miss my strong black cups of coffee in the morning but am adjusting to the lack of caffeine. I rely on an ice cold shower and 30 minute walk to work for my morning pick-me-up. J

            Lunch break is from 1:00-2:00. Lunch is the largest meal of the day since breakfast is light and dinner is eaten late and lacks volume. Everyone eats out at the local African cafes which range from large outdoor restaurants seated in between big business buildings to roadside “hole-in-the-wall” stands. Either way, the food is local, hot, fast and fresh.

In the states, I choose not to eat meat. My main reasons for this are to save my body from the antibiotic infested, confined and abused animal product mass production farms sell to fulfill our country’s high demand and full-fledged addiction to meat. (Sorry, I went off) Here meat is bought from local farmers who do not have the means to exploit the food chain, environment or economic market.

My host family knows that I choose not to eat meat in the states but it would be very unkind for me to refuse their home cooked meals and I also do not have the budget to eat out more than I have to.  The beef my family has cooked for me was very grisly and I did not enjoy it. Yesterday, I ate chicken liver with rice and papaya chili sauce and it was SO GOOD! I always cringed watching my dad eat the turkey gizzards at Thanksgiving but now I understand the tender delicacy of those organs. The produce here is fresh so there are many menu options yet to be explored. I will blog about them as I consume each day.

I just got back from lunch with two of my Ethiopian coworkers, Hadija and Zainaab. She ordered me beans and maize for lunch which were cooked together and served with sumawiki. Sumawiki is cooked greens, usually spinach, which is served with almost every meal. It is an acquired taste but today’s helping was especially good. Two plates cost 100 KES which is the equivalent to $1.25 USD. The two cokes (in plastic bottles which cost more than glass bottles) cost the same 100 KES. Craziness.

{ Zainaab has taken me under her wing and befriended me which I am so thankful for. She is a great help as I am trying to orient myself into the office and she loves to teach me Swahili phrases (just so she can giggle at my accent and efforts, I think). She ordered and treated for me as the large restaurant was busy with workers on break and the menu as well as the staff grounded in Swahili. }

After lunch, tea is served again at four. I rarely grab a drink at this point in the day because I am so full from the large serving of lunch. I wish there were more Spaniards so we could adhere to the siesta culture. Locals finish their meals easily but I have troubles stomaching the loads of carbohydrates and awkward eating schedules. I feel very bad throwing food away here because the garbage system is not like the states and the blatant poverty is a daily reminder to be thankful for the food on my plate.

My coworkers promptly leave the building at five o’clock as I observed on Monday. It was my first day in the office and I stayed behind to finish my Skype conversations and unknowingly became locked INSIDE the building and broke the keypad to unlock the doors. Luckily, I had Zainaab’s phone number and she assisted me in making the keypad work. It was definitely a memorable first day at my internship.

The sun sets by 7:00 here and there is not much to do after dark. Also, it is not safe to be out after dark unless you are with other or in a building (ie bar). Most people go home to watch the news in Swahili at 7:00, make dinner by 8:00, watch the news in English at 9:00 and then to bed by 10:00. Evenings are simple and quiet which I have really come to enjoy this past week. My journal is full of thoughts and my blog is full of stories.

Speaking of my blog, I realize these are lengthy posts but everything is so new and I am able to describe it with fresh, foreign eyes. Soon, life here will become normal and my posts will be less frequent so enjoy it while it lasts, ya’ll.

Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Details

Here are some details of my place of work. I am housed in the reforms and accountability department and will start my work under a man named Samson who is said to be funny, enjoyable and really drowning in all of his projects. He returns on Monday and I look forward to relieving him of some duties. I have also learned that my department travels often. It sounds like I will be getting a tour of Kenya by means of the National Commission (and hopefully their budget!!!).

Kenya National Commission on Human Rights

• Independent National Human Rights Institution established by the Government
• Mandated to act as a watchdog over the Government in the area of human rights
• Plays a key role in building a human rights culture in Kenya

Vision: “A nationally and globally respected Public Institution providing leadership

in Human Rights.”

Mission: To enhance the protection and promotion of human rights in Kenya through

strategic programming and partnerships.

Goal: To increase respect for and greater enjoyment of fundamental human rights in

Kenya.

Key Result Areas of the National Commission:

·        Reduced systemic human rights violations

·        Increased application of human rights principles and standards in implementation of Agenda 4 of the National Accord

·        Increased knowledge and practice of human rights principles and standards in public and private spheres

·        Organizational growth and development

Departments of the National Commission:

·        Complaints and Investigations

·        Redress

·        Research and Compliance

·        Reforms and Accountability

·        Public Education and Training

·        Regional Outreach and Partnership Building

·        Economic and Social Cultural Rights

·        Public Affairs and Communication

·        Human Resource and Administration

·        Procurement

·        Finance

·        Efficiency Monitoring

Functions of the National Commission:

·        To investigate the violation of any human rights

·        To visit prisons/places of detention/related facilities to asses and inspect conditions

·        To inform and educate the public on human rights in order to enhance their respect

·        To recommend to Parliament effective measures that promote human rights

·        To formulate, implement and oversee civic responsibility and citizen’s rights and obligations awareness programs

·        To act as the Chief Government agent in ensuring the Government’s compliance with its obligations under international treaties and conventions of human rights

·        To encourage the efforts of and cooperate with other institutions working in the field of human rights for the purposes of promoting and protecting human rights

My first few days...

Friday October 22, 2010.

Today was a day of firsts:

CLICK HERE TO SEE A VIDEO OF ME AFTER MY FIRST MORNING IN NAIROBI

First Matatu Ride:

I have heard of these large taxi busses before but seeing one and experiencing the ride first hand surely was a learning experience. Patrick and Simon picked me up at my house on Ndemi Road and we walked the five minutes to Ardwins Kohdek (a main road that runs parallel with Ngong Road – East to West through the city). There we waited on the left side of the street for a matatu.

When a matatu arrives, there is a certain way of dealing with the conductors who hang out the side of the car while it is moving and motion for waiting civilians to choose their ride. You must not reach for your money right away. Simply, find a seat and wait to be tapped on the shoulder by the conductor. When asked for payment, one must always assume it is 10Ksh (20Ksh=$0.25) unless it is rush hour in which the price goes up to 20Ksh. Then, wait to be tapped or motioned for money a second time and give the correct change or you will most likely not get the proper change back.

The matatus do not yield for other cars, pedestrians or the brave three that choose to ride bikes. It is a crazy ride; bumps, swerves, potholes, manholes, stop and go traffic and other matatus. As we came up to one stop, two men walked in to sit down and immediately exited without sitting. As we pulled away, a brave twenty-something woman called out the conductor for letting pickpockets into his car. She went on to argue with him that he knew the crew and he should not be mistreating his customers in such a way as to knowingly let them trick freely. There was a five person conversation about it in a language that was half English and half Swahili-I only was able to understand some parts. When we departed, Simon and Patrick filled me in on the common pickpocket tricks and ways to avoid them.

It was my first real experience in the Nairobi I have heard so much about (dubbed the nickname Nai-robbery, by some). I hope I am always alert enough to keep my bag on my lap and pulled close to my body. It would be a shame to have something swiped.

First Rain:

            The day of adventure was cut off by very large raindrops that fell for a consecutive six hours (4-10pm). I was downtown with Patrick as the clouds rolled in and we hopped up to a bar for a fresh squeezed juice in attempt to wait out the rain. Taking a matatu or bus from my neighborhood to downtown normally takes 10-15 minutes but traffic was clogged up on the way into town which made Patrick very nervous about the trek home. People say Kenyan’s have a bad habits of closing up their offices and shops when rain falls and rushing to get back to their home or their favorite after work watering hole. We sat on the bus for two and one half hours taking detour after detour.

Luckily, there was a very great radio station playing to keep us all entertained. They played a clip called “busted” in which the radio DJ assists a speculative spouse to uncover the truth about suspected infidelity. Boy oh boy was it painful to hear the DJ pretend to be the HIV+ wife of the boss, whom the wife was cheating with. The cheater admitted to not using protection, indirectly admitting to the affair. The DJ, still in character, put her “doctor” on the phone to discuss her health. Unfortunately, the husband was so upset he could not stay in character and called out his wife in front of millions of listeners. Everyone was stuck in traffic and this radio station is one of the most popular.

Finally, we made it to an intersection that was within walking distance of my home

First Drink in Kenya:

            I returned home to an empty house today but was joined by Musombi twenty minutes past my arrival. He had gone to the store and picked up some things for dinner. We sat on the porch while we waited for Lillian to return from work on the other side of the city and engaged in conversation about dogs, politics, education and more. Soon, he brought out a glass flask of Napoleon Brandy. I poured myself a few shots and we raised our glasses in cheers to mark my first drink and six months of getting to know each other. The brandy warmed me up, for sure.

First Ugali Dinner:

            Ugali is fine corn flour (maize) that is cooked in boiled water to the consistency of a clay or play dough. Ugali is used as a utensil. First, it is rolled into a ball and then shaped like an eatable spoon to scoop the stewed meat and vegetables. I tried my hardest but it seems it takes practice to keep the Ugali spoon in tact. My plate was full of crumbled pieces that didn’t stay with the rolled masses. The taste is somewhat bland and it leaves a film in your mouth for hours after the meal. But it sure does fill you up. I was very grateful to eat my first dinner with Musombi and Lillian.

.

Saturday October 23, 2010

            In the small world that I have found myself in, I have been recommended by two US friends to participate in the same Saturday program for children. One of my acquaintances from the U of M, Paul Walters, did an internship two summers ago and Patrick, my knowledgeable tour guide, now interns with the same program.

            The program finds sponsors for children who have been orphaned because of AIDS or whose mothers are too sick to care for them, due to AIDS. The sponsors, mostly from the US, provide money for the school, uniforms, some food and other necessities of life. On Saturdays, they run an all day program in which children read, check out books, use sports equipment to burn up energy, receive a larger than normal lunch and meet with one of six case workers to discuss problems, concerns or exciting details of their simple lives.

            I quickly accepted Patrick’s invitation to join him for the Saturday program. The group leader, Ketunzi, put Patrick on the spot and “encouraged” him to introduce his guest in Swahili. The 150+ children circled around the two of us and they giggled together at Patrick’s silly accent (impressive, if you ask me). I then said hello (in English, of course) and pointed to my Minnesota (pronounced “Min-a-soda”) shirt to have them say where I am from. They repeated it over and over with their silly accents, “Min-e-sO-Tah,” Minnesota, Minnesota!! The rest of the day, children walked up to me to read my shirt aloud and ran away in laughing fits with their friends.

I had an incredible time at the Saturday program. The staff and volunteers were so accepting of my participation and treated me just as one of their veterans. The children were so delightful, as well. They were happy to have another Mozungu to climb on and watch my skin turn colors as they poked, slapped, pinched and squeezed my arms. (Have you ever noticed how our skin color changes? I was intrigued myself as they called my skin green. I thought red more than anything but they saw green.)

I have always worked with children and find great value in them. They are honest and without reservation when it comes to matters of culture. I have learned many Swahili phrases from them and am beginning to understand their circumstances at home. Throughout my psychology education at the U of M we were reminded of one important thing; life circumstances are always behind a person’s actions, thoughts and beliefs in the world. Someone who works with or interacts with others must try to remember and learn before where a person comes from before they can understand the person. I was invited and really look forward to committing to the Saturday program throughout the duration of my stay.

            Patrick and I walked home because he wanted to show me what the roadside markets had to offer. There were shoe repairmen, custom furniture makers, watering holes, car washes and rim shops, and much more. He showed me Nakumat Junction which is an upscale mall with upscale goods and upscale prices. We walked through the supermarket and purchased fresh passion fruits. He cracked one open as soon as we exited and my taste buds jumped as high as the girl who was on the harnessed trampoline attraction outside. It was so fresh, so sugary and so tasty. If packages did not take three weeks to make it to the US then I would by the entire stock and send them to you. 10 passion fruits (the size of a lime) cost me $1.00. All of the fresh fruits and vegetables are so cheap and so fresh and so GOOD. In fact, most things here are extremely cheap.

Kenya is not the hot, dirty, uncivilized place people (I did, as well) may think it is. It is enjoyable during the day and sometimes hot with the direct sun. Too hot for my pale face yesterday – as the song says: WEAR SUNSCREEN! Mornings and evenings cool down to the 60s. It has rained the last two days, poured in fact which has made the mud run through the drainless streets and walking paths. I have been given the nickname “Nafula” which translates to “of the rain.” Lillian, my host mother, says I brought the rain with me from the US. Patrick says Africans believe each drop of water is a blessing from God so Nafula is a precious nickname. (I am not sure if you have noticed or not but Patrick has given me such valuable navigation, culture and survival tips for living in Nairobi – I do not know how I will ever thank him)

I live in the safest part of town and Patrick who is five minutes walk from my street is in the most privileged part of this side. We have been blessed to live comfortably with running water, working toilets, nice neighbors, security at our apartment’s gates and other luxuries some are not as fortunate to receive. I feel really good here, safe in fact. I receive smiles and salutations from many as I walk through the city – people are so nice and so accepting. I think the US could learn some manners from what I have seen so far from the city of Nairobi.

           

Blastoff...

After a long and busy summer I am finally ready to take my journey to Kenya. It has been such a long planning process. I started this journey in April and am finally going to be able to concentrate on my internship and cultural experiences rather than the stress of travel arrangements.Whew!

I took off from Minneapolis at 3:30 pm and arrived in Amsterdam at 6:30 am local (12:30 am).
Next, I depart Amsterdam at 10:30 local (4:30 am) and arrive in Nairobi at 7:30 pm local on Thursday (11:30 am).

Right now I am sitting in the Amsterdam Airport. I got through packing. I got through goodbyes (barely). I got through security. Now, I have one more 8 hour flight and then I am in Nairobi. I figured now was a good time to get my blog updated as I am not sure what my internet access will be like in the coming weeks. I am told it is extremely easy to find internet or buy cheap wireless modems so I don't expect to be disconnected for too long.

I am being welcomed in Nairobi by a UW-Madison graduate named Patrick. He works in Nairboi and is really good friends with Carolyn Edlebeck, my hometown friend working in Uganda right now. Patrick will be picking me up from the airport with Simon, the man who set up my homestay. Simon will be assisting me in arriving at my host family's home, as well as getting me to my internship the next day. I also have four other US friends waiting for my arrival and to show me around.

I am very fortunate to be encountering that "small world" people often refer to. So if you are reading this and worry about my safety or support - do not fret! I have plenty of familiar people ready to show me the ropes and lots of energy for getting to know my host family and coworkers.

That is all for now as I want to go stretch my legs before I board the 8 hour flight. Fingers crossed for safe travels and accompanying luggage :)

Here goes...

While at the University I completed a leadership minor which consisted of four incremental classes that focused on ideas such as individual leadership, group power, and public work by which we explored through direct application. We started out small and did small group projects within the class, then a public project within the University. Next, we coached St. Bernard's students in public achievement and really tested our personal leadership (some days resilience to humiliation). The last class in the leadership minor progression is simply, Global Leadership. The class brought the minor experience from frustration with the coursework to an understanding of the larger picture of the world that we were exposed to. 

Susan Atwood is the teacher of the Global Leadership course and just happens to have a beautifully tuned British Accent which added to the intriguing class conversations.  I speak so highly of this course because it facilitated the connections which lead to this internship in Kenya. In the class, we were assigned to construct a hypothetical leadership project for a specific issue in a country which corresponded to the home  of an International Humphrey Student. I was in the Kenya group which was paired with Carolyne Abong, a director at the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. My group members and I challenged each other which made our collaborated work extend beyond any of our own individual capacities. Our presentation also surpassed Susan Atwood's expectations based upon previous semester projects.

Our dedication to the research and innovative planning strategies impressed Carolyne beyond her own imaginable visions of our project. She left us all with an open invitation to intern in Kenya at the commission... I immediately began to fantasize. Then, I started to plan.

Summer Goals

5 weeks of nannying - Check
Enjoying my last moments with friends and family - Check
Independent study contract for graduate credits - Almost Check
Financial Support for my internship - _________
GRE - ______
Apply to the Hubert H. Humphrey Center - ________
Read Paul Farmer book - ________

Time to get my butt into gear.

GO GO Gadget *ACCOMPLISH GOALS*

Conversations

As I have mentioned in my plans to connect with people in my "Networking" post, I have been very busy with 1-to-1s. (1-to-1s are relationship building conversations used as a framework for connecting individual interest and passions within public work)

Here is a synopses of some of my conversations:

Dennis Donovan

I met with Dennis on a very special day - "One day without shoes" (www.toms.com). I walked to campus barefoot as a way to experience what life is like without shoes and to understand the challenges people in this world face because they do not have the ability to afford shoes of their own. From this activism and the brief conversations with curious onlookers as I walked, I was already feeling energized. My conversation with Dennis heightened my mood and consciousness, even more. He could see my excitement radiating as I began to share my story and reciprocated with support and advice. Guidance from him as a globally prominent community organizer and a veteran advisor for similar projects gave me a great start to my networking journey. He stresses the listening and looking into other cultures instead of assuming and analyzing which has helped me understand the role I need to take in a culture when I am abroad. So often third world countries and organizations are told what they need from outsiders trying to "fix" problems. My challenge from Dennis is to look beyond these assumption models and facilitate myself in a way that can sustain locally fostered capacity of the people.

Sherry Gray

Sherry is the coordinator of the global policy area at the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs (the hopeful future site of my education). This woman has such a warm heart and supportive attitude. I received her name from a coworker and wrote to her on a whim, in hopes that she could assist me in my efforts throughout the internship experience. Though she has little experience with Kenya, her travel wisdom could be put into a series of encyclopedias. She gave me invaluable advice as well as comprehensive travel information to save myself time and money while ensuring my safety and livelihood. Beyond her advice, she has been supporting my efforts to arrange a directed study contract for this internship. This contract is important because it would give me funding through the university as well as credits and field experience towards my graduate education. She has even gotten me thinking about enrolling in the Master of Development Practice instead of the Master of Public Policy.

Paul Walters

Paul is a second year Public Policy student and the Humphrey Center who did an internship in Nairobi last summer. We met to discuss working in Kenya and ended up connecting on multiple levels. I am not sure I have ever met someone with such a similar path and goals as my own. Our professional drives and personal ambitions were extremely parallel which allowed us to communicate well. There are some real chances for collaboration between our work in the future. The conversation was uplifting as he gave me very honest insights of working in Nairobi. I am planning to be in contact with the agency that he interned for as they have a youth program every Saturday. I am definitely interested in working with children and Paul is going to connect me with the director. I love children and often find them inspiring to my work and amazing resources of information when learning a new culture. Their innocence and love for simple adventure help to eliminate negative feelings about my life and offer a lighter time than some of the daunting work entailed in this "real world" people talk about. I look forward to that community while I am there.

Basil Mahayni

This semester I took a course that turned out to be a chance of destiny. The class title is a mouth full - Environmental and Economic Development of the Third World, but basically it has been a preparatory class for international work. I have learned the history of British Colonization all the way through to current agricultural consumption systems and everything in between. We analyze the economic and environmental interconnections that have been created, manifested in or eliminated by the push for development. Basil is my TA and as he so delicately put, I am a "blank page" for this information and completely fell in love with the holistic systems approach to understanding international livelihoods. He is such an intelligent person and I have learned so much from this course and through our conversations outside of the classroom. Basil has done work in Bolivia but beyond that his extended family lives in Syria and he is focusing his PHD work within their environmental and economic systems. His academic focus and personal experiences with working and traveling back and forth between cultures opened my eyes to the emotional journey that I will be exposed to, soon. On the other side of that coin he made me very aware of the ideal mindset for entering this kind of work - It is not about me. This will be especially challenging as I am very analytical about my world as I see it. I must now put my mind in a place ready to listen and discover what I do not experience. This advice is priceless as I have the time to prepare my outlook and inner-motivations of my work with KNCHR and the people of Kenya. I must, again, find a way to make my skills useful to build the human capacity that can be sustained locally.

Listen to the answers of your questions.

I have been living the past couple of years trying to pay attention to life with an open mind and question the world as I experience it. I also constantly evaluate myself so I know the exact place I make my decisions from and what makes my knees shake.  What I have come to conclude from endless analyzation is that experience is what a person makes of what they have. Not just what they own or what is in front of them but what they have inside of their souls. Experiences are filtered through expectations and assumptions built upon individually unique pasts. Scenes are perceived after they have been filtered, differently, in each person. Our subjective views are never as clear cut as they may seem. From experience, I know the only way to see what picture came out on the other side of someone else's filter is by asking them questions and listening to the answers. Where do they make their decisions from and what makes their heart race? I would really like to know.

My entire wealth of motivation for my future is rooted by exchanging stories that connect people.  My parents could tell you stories about my abilities to talk for, what seems like days, and I think I have figured out a way to channel that "talent" into the most energizing life path. Conversations in my life, recently, have all been meaningful. I have exchanged my goals and passions with those of strangers, confidantes and old friends. Each story renews my sense of reality as I say the word "Africa" more times in a day than I have said in my entire life.  Yet, this reality was built in a dream so I constantly have to remind myself to be present because this is actually reality.

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...