Time Flies...

A year ago today I went home to Kenya, a day later than I was due to arrive. I can’t believe it has been a year, I can’t believe I’m not going back this summer. Instead of dwelling on how incredibly sad I am today, I wanted to post some videos and pictures that I haven’t posted before. Cheesy people say home is where the heart is, but I know quite a few people who have half their hearts at Daraja and half in the US (plus one Canadian – Hi Pamela!) Daraja is the only place that could take me away from New York, and New York the only place that could make me leave Daraja. I’m sure I will be begging for fundraising help some time soon, but for now I’m looking for anyone who has support my past trips to consider helping me with a project!! Since I feel incredibly guilty that I can’t be there this summer, I’m making a video about my life in New York to send to the girls at Daraja. The girls have been posting youtube videos about life at Daraja, and I think it would be great to have Daraja supports send them some videos! I know they would LOVE to hear from all of you, so consider making a short video clip about yourself and your love for Daraja and send it to me! I could also use some video editing advice! All men should strive to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why. ~James Thurber

Cultural Humility

It has been an unfortunately long time since I have last visited this blog. Lately I see the link on my bookmark bar and cringe, not wanting to acknowledge it or address how uncomfortable it is not knowing when I will make it back to Kenya. When I left last fall I thought for sure I would return this summer, continue my educational curriculum, work on setting up a more organized way to get new students tested for HIV/AIDS. But here we are in April, and I have no plans. Lots of dreams but no plans.

The unfortunate reality of this kind of work is there is just not enough money in the world. And it sucks that something financial could keep me from doing what I believe in, but you can only beg people for money so many times before it starts to be embarrassing... I'm finishing up classes and preparing to graduate, my thesis is done, my manuscript working it's way towards being published. In a perfect world the Gates Foundation would call me up and tell me that they like my project and want to give me a grant to continue, but so far that hasn't happened. Fields like Public Health bring very little fame, glory, or money to people who select them. But I promise to let you know if I get a call from Mr. Gates...

Anyway, I didn't mean to turn this into a Debbie Downer post. I was reading for one of my classes (Community Organizing andCommunity Building for Health, Minkler) and was really inspired but the authors discussion of "Cultural Humility". In my experiences over the past few years I have had a hard time explaining myself and why I want to do this. The reading described the process of working with communities that you are not a part of, and how often our effectiveness depends on the ability to toe the line between being a member and a visitor. Many companies have tried to institute a policy of "cultural competence", some ideal endpoint where we understand everything about each other. For me it has been this experience of "cultural humility", I just didn't know what to call it. Cultural humility is the commitment to self evaluation, understanding that we can never truly become competent in another's culture. We can "demonstrate humility in our outsider status" and be open to learning and trying our best in cross-race or cross-ethnic interactions.

For those of you who have followed this blog, you might remember a particularly cruel comment I got this summer about how my trip was promoting "white privilege". I think part of what made that so hurtful was that my entire experience in this work has been a lesson in humility, and I have never pretended that I belong to these cultures I have visited. But I have emphasized that my purpose in all of this is to ignore race when possible and respect it when necessary.

Social justice is the foundation of public health, and this often contrasts with the dominant American world view. There is an increasing need for professionals in all fields who believe in the benefit that society will gain from its increasing heterogeneity. I've said it before and I will say it again - find a cause that inspires you and work your ass off for it. It WILL change your life.

"The very least you can do with your life is to figure out what to hope for. And the most you can do is to live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof." - Barbara Kingsolver (American Dreams)

World AIDS Day 2011

If you have read this blog you know that HIV/AIDS awareness is something I feel very strongly about. I spent ten weeks this past summer working to educate and reduce the stigma around getting tested and being HIV positive. Today is World AIDS day, a day meant to raise awareness and demonstrate international solidarity. The World Health Organization (WHO) has given us the theme of "Getting to Zero". Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS related deaths by 2015. THE ONLY WAY to make this happen is through education, understanding, and getting tested.

Of the people infected with HIV in the US, the CDC estimates nearly 21% are unaware that they are infected. This statistic is even more startling in adolescents - more than 50% of HIV infected adolescents in the US do not know their status.

I am BEGGING you to get tested. If you can't do it for yourself, do it for your partner. Or your family. Or me.

The National HIV and STD testing resources website : www.hivtest.org

Text your zip code to the number KNOWIT (566984) and receive local testing centers.

If you don't know, now you know.

I know it has been a while!

Hi All!!!

I am BEGGING for your help. If you can spare $10 (or more!) please consider vonating to Daraja and give these girls a chance to win the Nike Girl Effect Challenge! This could be a life changer for Daraja, and you all know these girls deserve it! Click the link below to donate or text GIVE 8946 to 80088 to vonate $10!

http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/provide-an-education-for-exceptional-kenyan-girls/

CHANGE LIVES.

A Metaphor For Life

Yesterday I went into town early with a sick student and then taught a class at the hospital about Malaria with Nurse Jacinta. The class went well, the students are nursing students from Action Aid Denmark. I had a break for a few hours before a CME (continuing medical education) class back at the hospital. I walked into town and bummed around for a while, eating and buying some presents to bring home. I hung around with the boys for a little while, they are coming to Daraja tomorrow to have some good meals before they go off to school. These boys are amazing, street boys that are number one in their class!

I had to head back to Cottage around 4 pm so I hopped on a Boda Boda (a motorcycle taxi) since I had so many bags. And then it rained... HARD. The driver started screaming "I'm getting wet!!", DUH IT'S RAINING! I had to pay him triple the price and I was SOAKED. Thankfully Jacinta lives at the hospital so I ran to her house and she was nice enough to give me some dry clothes.

On a motorcycle, without a helmet, in the rain, in Kenya. That is a metaphor for my life!

Today I woke up early and went for a run, appreciating the view and trying to remember where my feet are. They are hear in Kenya, so I hope to enjoy it for the next few days!

It is also my 25th birthday! I can't believe the life I have, I am so grateful for this life!

Another Great Day!

Yesterday was a top ten day in my book. The day started out with the three Muslim girls heading into Nanyuki to go to the mosque and break Ramadan. Turns out there was some confusion and about half the town thought it wasn't breaking until today. The girls called home to Isiolo and their families were celebrating, so Daraja did too!

Around 10:30 I headed into town with six girls to go get HIV tests. The girls were very nervous and were anxious to be the first to be tested and get it over with. I can't even express how great it feels to see a girl come out of the testing room with a giant smile (or jumping up and down in one girls case). HIV is a real fear here. Unprotected sex, rape, and drug use are common. Many girls have watched family members die as a result of AIDS. But they are starting to accept that HIV is not a death sentence, and that they can live full and happy lives if they ever tested positive. That being said, I am SO grateful to report that all 23 girls that have been tested are negative! And one teacher!!!

"I will remember this day for the rest of my life, the first day I knew for sure that I did not have HIV" Faith Form 3

After the testing we walked into town and got some supplies for the end of Ramadan feast! We got sweets and soda for being brave and getting tested, and then I had to wait in the butchery for 25 Kg of meat to be chopped up. I am the worst kind of meat eater and really don't like looking at raw meat, but while I waited I made plans for the woman at the desk to come visit me in New York (she made the plans and I agreed).

We're Having A Baby!

Not me you silly goose! I took my good friends Andy and Betty to the hospital bright and early this morning. Yesterday they called me up to their house because they couldn't get ahold of their doctor and Betty's water broke. I had them wait out the night and we went this morning to Cottage. I am so excited! She hasn't started contractions but I might go in for the night shift tonight so that I can be there for the delivery. Good luck Betty and Andy!

It is officially one week until I board a plane back for the states. I can't believe it is here already. The feelings are so complicated- I am excited to see Phil and Josie and my family/friends, but the thought of leaving Kenya for an unknown period of time sends me into panic! It is just so expensive to get out here and even with help from all of you I can't keep quitting my job and flying off to Kenya. Or maybe I can, who knows.

This week I'm taking 6 more girls to get tested for HIV, I will be working a few days at the hospital and then spending Saturday-Monday with the girls who are coming back from break.