Asante Kenya

Today marks 17 days until my stay in Shianda, Mumias, Kakamega County, Kenya comes to an end. It means I’ve been here for just over 5 months. And as I press each key to write my blog, all the memories crowd my mind, eager to rush out like birds at sunset.

A month ago, Mohammad and Mattia left; a week ago, it was Emma who departed. Today, I’m the only one left in the big house that was once home for the five of us. Now, it’s just me. The house I came to, which was part of a small, already established family, now only holds ghosts of those days.

“How can you stay there alone?” is the question I hear every day from local acquaintances, friends, and colleagues. “Aren’t you afraid?” Not really. I’ve never struggled with solitude. It’s harder to manage the absence of those who were once here. But like everything, there’s always a positive side—their absence reminds me that all of this happened, that we learned from each other, supported each other, and lived through this experience together.

I even feel privileged to be the last one to leave. I get the chance to see the film until the very end, following each character's arc and even getting a glimpse of the sequel’s trailer. It’s a gift to be in this position.

At the same time, I have more space to finish my projects in the way I want it. I was very happy to present the photography workshop to the young mothers at one of the schools. Being able to focus on this and the project to help them generate income from it fills me with satisfaction.

I also have the chance to spend a month with the new volunteers, supporting and guiding them because I understand how tough those first weeks can be. And I can see a light in the sustainability of the initiatives we hardly work on with my fellow volunteers over the year.

In summary, the countdown has begun. And though nostalgia is present, satisfaction finds its way in. It’s a balance that brings calm, much like the starry night I witness at this moment.

It took almost the same time to create a baby, it’s time to go!

 I’ve been here nearly nine months, which is significant because the last time I stayed so long in one place was over four years ago when I was still attending my classes at uni. I am grateful for the time I spent here. Thankful for the stubborn and fantastic team of GBV Ambassadors, our successes, and the learned lessons from setbacks. Indebted to my team, who were here to celebrate the victories, support me during obstacles, and gossip about all that is unfolding here. Grateful for the green garden filled with countless bird species, the cows that come to graze the overgrown grass that every visitor keeps commenting on, and the privacy it has provided us. And happy with the gym, which has served as a cornerstone for my social interactions here. 

                                                      

Just a while back, I felt more than ready to leave and seek a new adventure with a new deployment. But now the time of leaving Shianda behind has finally come to my doorstep, I realise how much I have been able to build up here. I am definetely not a village person, having been born and raised in the city and enjoying disappearing in the crowd. Although, I learned to appreciate meeting my friends at the market, stopping here and there on my way home for small talks with acquaintances, getting called when I skip a gym session, having people randomly come over, and hearing the classic umepotea (you’ve been lost) when I haven’t seen someone in a while.

                                                       

Shianda has many opportunities; it is located along a relatively important road. It has services available, a market that provides all you need, a tiny cinema that plays movies daily for a few shillings, and it now has two gyms. The area is quite safe, and public transportation is readily available. At the same time, the region is too poor for a water refill station to exist, I haven’t spotted any place with a washing machine (yes, I can see my white-way of comparing wealth here), and people are struggling way below the poverty line to make ends meet. The capacity to tackle these issues is present as there are enough educated people to uplift the area. But enabling is an issue. I genuinely feel this is the most essential thing an ECSD volunteer can do. Enable activities to happen, support organising training and events, and ensure everyone has the capacity to attend. To be the neutral ground in negotiations and simply exert your foreigness to bypass corruption that others are facing on a daily basis when meeting people that actually should have been the neutral ground themselves.

There is still so much that can be done, and there are countless things that I really appreciate while living here. But I am also delighted to close this chapter and further my career elsewhere. Shianda has engraved her special place in my heart, including all the good and all the bad.

                                                       

I am glad that not all work will go in vain, as a new set of volunteers is preparing to arrive as I am preparing to leave right now. WEFOCO will work together with a new consortium, which will send four new volunteers - all for gender.

                    

Justice is a Universal Call Answered by Youth

At the end of November 2019, in my country, Colombia, an unprecedented social uprising was taking place, primarily driven by young people who raised their voices against the government of Iván Duque. The protests began to express discontent with the tax reform and were fueled by police repression and multiple violations of the protesters' rights.

These were days of chaos. Internet outages became the government's tools to destabilize the protests that were being organized on social media. Major cities were left without transportation, businesses were on fire, there were injuries, dozens of young people lost their eyesight due to rubber bullets, military tanks were deployed in neighborhoods, tear gas was used against children, urban areas were militarized, and dead, dozens of dead. This and more my country endured for about 3 months.

This situation shook the entire nation. It also caused a complete turnaround. Thanks to international pressure and human rights organizations, we managed to withdraw the reform. But we realized that this had only been a distraction from what was brewing beneath the country's social fabric. Thus, the youth took on the burden of initiating change, and driven by the protests, we reached significant agreements that culminated three years later with a historic vote in the country's presidential elections.

But you might wonder why I am talking about Colombia in a blog dedicated to experiences in Kenya. And it is that, although we are separated by over 11 thousand kilometers across the Atlantic, our social and political struggles have mirrored each other in recent months (likely due to similarly deep-rooted causes).

Since June, Kenya has been experiencing a social movement led by Generation Z. Just like in Colombia, the youth have decided to raise their voices against the oppressive systems they grew up with, but now have the opportunity to change. In this case, against their president, William Ruto.

Similar to my country, Kenyans also rose up against a financial bill that generated outrage. Ruto's proposal meant high taxes for those who have the least, while a few continued to siphon off the country's resources. Both nations have long been subjected to a form of oligarchies, monopolies, and social inequities that have perpetuated the colonial system even now that they are free nations.

The outrage over the rampant social injustices defended by both, Duque and Ruto, with their financial proposals created the perfect breeding ground to intensify the search for justice and equity. And who better to carry the banner of change than those with the most pressing financial needs: the youth. Generation Z, the one with the smallest wealth in history and the greatest economic difficulties facing the construction of their future.

With this backdrop, Kenyan youth took to the streets and, like in my country, faced repression, crime, and violations of their rights. Network connectivity issues hampered the organization of their meeting points, police brutality, army forces deployed in cities, and dozens of fatalities.

Human rights organizations report over 34 abductions and tortures of protesters against Ruto's government, while families count many more missing persons.

International pressure has also led Ruto to remove his financial bill and make changes to calm the protests. However, Kenyans are not satisfied. Again, like in my country, the financial reform served as a pretext to ignite an uprising over the country's historical debt in terms of corruption, lack of opportunities, and social injustice.

Recently, the protests have subsided, and Ruto's actions, in one way or another, have managed to ease the fire of indignation. Nevertheless, my outlook is positive, and I anticipate that the impact of this social uprising will bear fruit in more concrete and democratic actions in the future, rather than a continued drain at this point.

I deeply understand and empathize with the national pain, and I am proud to see Kenyan youth fighting for their people. Inevitably, every struggle brings pain that leaves a mark on us; however, they do well if they bear these marks and remember them in honor of those who are no longer here and for whom they now need to bring about real change. I trust that, just like in my country, after 3 years of the uprising (with continued pressure during that period), Kenya will be able to have a president truly elected by its people.

Valery J Serrano U

All good things come to an end

Here I am, with my last blog post.

I am writing from Nairobi's airport, sharing my last reflections regarding this experience and adventure that it has been in these past seven months.

Today I said goodbye to Emma and Valery, as we spent a few last days together. Us volunteers have lived a lot of experiences, laughs and struggles together in Shianda, and I am grateful for the moments that we shared and will always remember! 

From living periods without electricity, to walks in the areas sorrounding our house and the many moments and activities done with the locals in Shianda, we definitely shared a lot.

Perhaps some things did not go as we expected or wished, but I am happy to have made the choice to come and spend this time in Shianda, to play my part in helping the community develop. I believe that I tried my best and that I have learned a lot, while offering to the community my most sincere efforts.

I hope they will cherish and apply the information and practices that we have all shared with them, as we put our hearts into working with them.

I leave Kenya with some sadness, as although I am happy to go back to Europe and see my family, I enjoyed living in this countries with all its pros and cons. But I am sure that one day I will be back and spend more time here.

Asante Sana Kenya! 

Time flies, time flies

 Today is the first of August, my last month here in Kenya.

The last two months have definitely been full of activities and events. I have lost count of how many financial trainings I have done with the groups that we work with at WEFOCO! That was definitely very rewarding; I surely hope that they put the teachings in practice. This allowed me to go even more around the area of Shianda, getting to know a few more places as I worked with a few new groups. Working with the beneficiaries of WEFOCO is rewarding and challenging at the same time. Different languages, ages, cultures and habits of learning. For sure, one of the most difficult challanges was teaching something new to older women, who have all the right of being used to do things their way for many years. Nonetheless, they showed interest and willingness to put into practice new learnings and habits to improve their current situations.

   

Adaptation is key! Having done most of these trainings at the group's houses, sometimes we did it outisde (better light and environment) sticking the papers on the walls to have somewhere to write, sometimes we had to rush in a small room to run away from the storms. The important thing is to enjoy the moments, which I am sure I will miss once I will move away from Shianda. 

 

For June and July I had a great helper: David. He is a university student from Kisumu and he helped me with translation during our training sessions with the groups, his help was truly appreciated! Having the additional struggle of some people not knowing English, some only speaking Luhya (the local language), David really helped out with making sure that they understood the concepts that we were discussing and that they were active and participating. 

Recently, I also had the chance to give financial training to a school nearby Shianda (more were planned but some technicalities got in the way). It was very nice to host a session with both the teachers of the school and the students. Unfortunately all the schools are closed now, so I am not sure if I will be able to have more school sessions before leaving. During our first visit at Ahong'injo school I had promised to play a football game with the students once we would go back. So, the following week I kept my promise and had a fun game! Everybody asked me to sponsor their team, to open a football academy and to find them teams in Italy. Unfortunately I cannot do that, but if some of the readers are interested to help, please reach out!

  

Last week, Emma, Valery and I went for a long weekend trip to Lake Turkana. I had seen it on my lonely planet guide and seemed truly a fascinating place to visits, with its Central Island having three different lakes (so, a lake, with an island, with lakes inside, pretty cool in my opinion!). The journey there was a big adventure: many matatus, a lot of time, sleeping in random guesthouses with crazy heat during the night a night motorboat ride on the lake with the rain all around us (but not on us!) the island was definitely worth the hustle.

In Kitale, we met up with a guy I had casually met in Nairobi several months ago. That day we had to wait for hours for our buses: I was travelling back to Shianda and he was going to Kitale. We had exchanged numbers and the other day we met up and the four of us went to Kitum Cave in Mount Elgon National Park, supposedly the elephants go there to consume salt, necessary for their health.

I will make sure to enjoy all the small things of this last month, and to write a final blog post to conclude my journey here in Shianda!

Mattia 

Teaching and Making a Difference

 As my time teaching here comes to an end, I feel very happy and proud. Seeing the classes I started being taught by local teachers makes me hopeful. Even after I leave, I know that many people will benefit from what I started. It’s exciting to think that some people might find jobs and support their families because of these classes. I like to believe that my work here has made a difference, even if it has helped just one person.

There were many challenges—like not having the best environment or materials for teaching—but these taught me an important lesson: never give up on your dreams, even if you don't have everything you need. Overcoming these obstacles made me stronger and more determined.

This experience has changed me in many ways. Teaching and facing difficulties here have made me see the future differently and appreciate things I didn't notice before. I am thankful for this growth and new perspective.

I hope that what I started here will continue to inspire and help others, creating a lasting positive impact in this community.

As I prepare to leave, my heart is full of gratitude. I am thankful for the opportunity to teach, learn, and grow alongside such wonderful people. I look forward to seeing how this community continues to thrive and succeed. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.

Life is a rollercoaster! Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

 That this journey is filled with ups and downs, as hilly as this beautiful landscape, is a given fact. After all the positive momentum created with the new GBVA, everything suddenly started to get very slow again. Obstacles appeared left and right, which, I’m not gonna lie, demotivated a bit. However, like climbing a mountain, the way up might be challenging, but the views are always worth it! (Unless you find yourself on top of Mt. Longonot surrounded by clouds the whole loop, then it’s definitely the dopamine, serotonin and good company that makes it worth it…). 

All metaphors and proverbs aside, what I am trying to say is that giving up is never an option. Especially when you live in a community where there is so much to win, so much to achieve, and so much to be inspired by. A token came along my way (oke, one more for those who’ve read The Alchemist), and I decided to follow it. Not too long ago Patrick, in charge of the Young Mothers Support Groups, showed up, excited to meet the “new” gender volunteer and to see how we can continue (or actually set up) the groups. Needless to say, we got working! We presented ourselves at 7 different schools and are now busy meeting all the young mothers to explore options of setting up support groups and meeting all student counsellors to enhance their capacities. Meeting these bright young minds was the fresh energy that I needed! Suddenly, leaving in September almost feels like too short time again hahah. Nevertheless, this time, an extension is not an option.

Lucky for me, I heard from a little bird that WEFOCO will receive a few new volunteers soon, right before I leave. Coming from an organisation different from MONDO, we are stressing the importance of creating good hand-over materials for this new energy coming into town. With the help of Valery, our communications volunteer, we are establishing a better system to manage all documents related to the work of volunteers by WEFOCO themselves. This entails ensuring all documents by and for volunteers are straightforward, easy to find, read, and adopt. Also, I am finally meeting some more stakeholders in the area, with whom good collaboration can seriously increase the efforts of all our work. A list of contacts, functions, and organisations in all areas is in development, so you, as a newbie, will know who you should meet in your first month to pick it up right from where we left it! No more groping in the dark (yes, okay, one more). 

We’ve been spending a significant amount of time within Shianda without any good new travels... Although we visited the cinema in Kisumu twice (Inside Out 2 is a full-on recommendation, but don’t waste your time in A Quiet Place: Day One), We did have the WHOLE cinema to ourselves one time, which was kinda cool. Anyway, since I can’t sit still for too long, I’m looking forward to a weekend away, in addition to preparing a travel itinerary for my family, who will be travelling to Kenya soon.

Oh yes, almost forgot to add, I have to acknowledge how I admire the Gen Z of this country. They have already managed to dissolve their cabinet and forced governors to resign. They will continue until President Ruto steps down. Experiencing this momentum from the position where we are is incredible. Shianda is safe, and even when stuck in Kakamega during one of the protests, the atmosphere felt safe. Security assured, it has been an incredible inspiration to see people stand up against corruption, speak up about justice, and fight for a better future they so much need. 

Quick Update

This will be a quick entry. A short update. So as not to lose the habit.  

It's been two months since my arrival in Kenya. I am starting to feel at home. I have gotten used to the people, the new house, and the new environment. Even my body stopped suffering with the food (or was it the water?).

Work-wise, this month things have flowed much better. I have achieved several goals I had set for myself. Everything feels more organized and I work better with my colleagues. I'm still trying to figure out the locals, tho. It's quite challenging to apprehend their motivations and mentality. Sometimes I am very pleasantly surprised and sometimes the opposite. 

However, I think those pleasant surprises make up for absolutely everything else. Those wonderful people I have met, with a lot of desire to change things. With a lot of strength in their eyes and with wonderful smiles. People who believe in doing things well and making things better. I call them huggable people.

House-wise, there have been changes. Ebba is no longer with us and we miss her. The dynamics in the house have also changed due to her departure. It was to be expected. Anyway, I still enjoy living with my housemates. Our dinners together and movie nights are sometimes the best part of the day. They make me laugh tons.

We also went to the cinema a week ago. It took us four hours to get there and back for only two hours of movie time. But it was worth it. We also had a failed visit to the sauna. Wonderful. Oh, and I visited Mount Longonot and Hell's Gate with Emma and Ebba. Still trying to recover from the hike. 

PS. I celebrated my birthday here, with three cakes and three happy birthday songs. It was very beautiful.

-VJSU 

Glimmers of Shianda

Emma and I were discussing the term ‘glimmers’ at the beginning of our deployment. Glimmers are described as small, spontaneus, moments where you feel calm, peaceful, present, joyful, or all of the above. During the time we were having this conversation, everything was still new for us. We still took notice when somebody was carrying half of a tree on their head, or a family of four generations fitting on one boda boda with two chickens, a goat, a cow, and some furniture. I decided to start documenting these beautiful every day moments.

Glimmers in Shianda:

• Riding a bodaboda in the pouring rain after dawn, only getting visibility when a lightning bolt hits the sky.  

• Working from home accompanied by 3 cows and 2 goats cutting the grass. 

• Playing football with kids at the neighboring school. 

• Having a movie night at our home cinema when a neighbor comes over & surprises us with food.

• 

  Reading on our terrace.

• Eating what taste like the best fruit you have ever had!

• 

  Maintaining our litlle kitchen garden.

  
  
  

• Walking on one small, side street in the middle of what feels like nowhere and bumping into someone you know.

• 

  Go to your safe spot to think & breathe but accidentally catch a beautiful sunset & a naked man washing himself in the river & start laughing instead.

  
  
  

• Sitting in a full matatu trying to embrace the little breeze coming in from the half-open window while being squeezed between curious locals. 

• 

  Waking upp to the sunlight hitting your face.

• Getting electricity back after an 11 days powercut. 

• 

  Jogging home from the gym in the morning accompanied by a school class.

• Watching people dance at the bar while the sky is falling outside. 

• Going on safari in Nairobi National Park.

• Waking up for suhoor and finding Mohammad cooking pasta on the floor of his room. 

• 

  Finishing & celebrating Ramadan with friends & an abundance of food cooked by everyone.

• 

  Having plants growing taller than you in the garden.

• Children getting excited & cheering when seeing us mzungus pass by the street.

• 

  Learning afrobeat dances with friends.

• Buying fruit from our regular fruit lady at the market. 

• Walking up and being served breakfast by your amazing housemate. 

• 

  Getting stronger at the gym without knowing how much you are lifting since weights are not marked.

• Admiring how a mother with a child in her lap can sleep peacefully on the bus, while you, alone in your seat, struggle to find a comfortable position.

• 

  Emma & Mattia enjoying breakfast at a hostel.

• Replanting an avocado seedling that was randomly found growing in our compost. 

• 

  Finding humongous veggies & fruits (it is not a small pineapple but an avocado on steroids).

  
  
  

• Overhearing a conversation in Kiswahili & understanding the context and a few words. 

  

  Emma, Valery, & me having Ndere island for ourselves, only surrounded by dragonflies & peaceful nature.

• 
  

  Leaving the house to a beautiful sunset.

• 

  Traveling to the coast was too good & beautiful to be true.

  
  
  

• Sitting in a mud house with chickens, kittens, and kids running around your feet.

• 

  Learning how to cook ugali & leafy greens over an open fire.

  
  
  

• 

  Saying farewell to your wonderful fellow volunteers.

Documenting these moments made me realize that there are so many beautiful things happening right before our eyes every day, without us paying too much attention to it. By appreciating the small things in life, the rest gets easier. Don’t miss the forest for the trees. 

My time in Kenya has come to an end and though it is sad to leave the wonderful people and nature, I am also looking forward to what is to come. I leave this experience with happy memories, a wiser mind and a desire to discover more of our beautiful world!