Enrollment is now open for 2025! Apply today to reserve your space.

Reflection from the first 4 days

Author


Ellen Edgerton & Bess

26th of June, 2017

Category


Kenya '17

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text letter_spacing=””]After a smooth 2 days of travel, we landed in Nairobi with a warm welcoming from Dr. Karambu, the leader and founder of the NGO International Peace Initiatives. We began our course visiting an elephant orphanage and giraffe sanctuary in a prosperous neighborhood. We later drove through Kibera, the largest slum in Kenya. Bess wrote the following reflection about the juxtaposition she observed.

“It was hot, sweat boiled on the curves of my cheeks and stacks of my spine. Heat clouded the crowded corners of the van and sun radiated, piercing my eyes through the rusty, rigid glass. Swollen. Claustrophobic. My eyes blinked closed in rejection and mind floated away into oblivion. We are at a zoo.

Driving through the slum was invasive, inhuman, nearly animalistic. The foggy glass created a social barrier that caused for a lack of understanding, a lack of relation, a lack of communication.

Through this human safari in Kibera I realized the importance of acceptance: acceptance of cultures, backgrounds, and diversities. It is important to respect strangers and their lives. It is important to accept your role and privilege. Without acceptance, I wouldn’t have understood this social distance.”

We have now arrived at KACH in Kithoka, Kenya and toured the entire property and projects of IPI. Dr. Karambu shared her vision for IPI and spoke eloquently about the projects that will be needed to reach her goals. Today, we are fortunate enough to be here on a holiday when the children have all day at home, so we have been able to share ample time and experiences with the children. It is an enthusiastic, positive, and energetic group who all look forward to the time ahead.

Internet is slow spotty here, so we will post when we can. We appreciate your patience.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Questions?

WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

Footer Questions Box