July 13, 2009
Today was my last day in Shianda. It was so hectic because I had a lot to get done. The women wanted Elizabeth and I to come earlier than usual so that we could have a farewell celebration. Before I could go though, I had to prepare the material for the business workshop, make copies of all the information that they could need for the Ilesi-Shianda rafiki/visitation, etc.. Luckily, the cyber café that I recently discovered is extremely efficient at printing and copying so I was saved.
Once Elizabeth and I got there, we saw that there were decorations and music. They had really put in an effort. They made speeches, which were all very sweet.
Today was also the kick-off of the Ilesi-Shianda visitation program. So, about an hour or two after I arrived in Shianda, 3 people from Ilesi also arrived. I was so excited that the visitation program had started, and people from both groups seemed to be excited about it. I had the women in Shianda do their merry-go-round and microfinance activities so that the people from Ilesi could observe.
Then, I explained to the group about how the rafiki program and the visitation program would continue after I left. I was so happy to receive 30 letters to deliver to Ilesi. I really emphasized that it was up to them to keep the two programs going. They have to raise the money for transportation costs themselves in order to support the visitation program, and I gave them ideas on how to collect the money. I also brought a world map with me to show them on a map where I come from, and point out where their rafikis abroad live. Then, I said that there are many people in the world and we are all a part of the world. We all share it.
“There are differences between Kenya and America, or Kenya and Japan, but more importantly we are all human. We have more similarities than differences. My skin may be white and my hair might be different but I’m no better than all of you and you’re no better than me. We are all equals and we are all part of this world.”
I said that because it’s something that’s really struck me. It’s so easy to be in a different culture and start using words like “we” and “them” to point out all the differences, to build up sort of a cultural barrier between the home culture and the host culture. Another FSD intern Erica had mentioned during the mid-term retreat that it’s easy to point out all the differences but in reality, there are more similarities. People go to work, come home and spend time with families, they laugh; they make jokes, etc. That comment has really stuck with me. It’s made it so much easier to relate to people here and stay grounded.
I also wanted to tell the women that because many of them were so happy that a mzungu had visited their home. I could understand why that would be considered exciting for them and I was glad they were happy, but I also wanted to stress that I am not that special, and they are just as special as I am. I’m just another human. My skin is lighter, that’s all.
Next, the women from Ilesi asked questions which was cool because they were so interested in what the women in Shianda was doing. Hooray mission accomplished!
Then, we were served ugali, chicken (kuku) and chapatti. It was delicious. The women in Shianda had also prepared a small entertainment for us so we watched a man make cardboard puppets move while we ate.
The whole time, as much as I was enjoying everything, I was getting anxious because it looked like it was going to rain and it was also getting late. Once it rains, it’s impossible to get to the bus station because the roads are dirt and it rains hard. Since the women from Ilesi had to go further than Kakamega, I was getting really anxious for them. Thankfully, by some grace of God, it didn’t rain (lately it’s been raining every day at around 4:45). Vincent, the teacher at Ilesi, laughed at me for my very systematic ways (as in, I have a paper/file for everything, I plan things with a detailed time plan, etc.)
We then had the guests from Ilesi head home. I stayed with the Shianda ladies to do a quick workshop on business, which they seemed to really like. There’s a Swedish intern at Project Africa who will be here next week so I asked her to continue where I left off.
Then, finally it was time for me to leave. We took a group picture. It was so emotional because I had gotten to know so many of these women so well. It’s a big group but I know most of their names and they have been so wonderful. As parting gifts, they gave me a beatufiul purple lesso (type of Kenyan fabric) that says, “Every season has its sweetness.” They wrapped it around me as they danced and sang. They told me that this season with me has been sweet. Mama Phelistus also gave me a pencil and cell phone holder that she had made, with the message “God bless Kana.”
I wished that I could have savored the moment and taken more time to say goodbyes but it was getting really late by then so I had to rush back to Kakamega. It’s been a lot of work and at times it was slightly stressful but it’s been so worth it. I’ll really miss those women. And I sincerely hope that they will continue with the rafiki, visitation and workshops!
