My Last Entry from Kenya
Sounds very sad, doesn't it?! I'm not even going to talk about I feel about returning. Today a friend who thought I had another week before leaving said that it was too soon to go. I said you're telling me?
Today was a great day. This morning, I had quite an interview with 3 pastors from the Kibera slum who worked with and are still working with refugees in IDP camps. These men have been - still are - traumatized themselves from the post-election violence, and still are committed to helping their church members and families cope with their losses. Although our focus was on their perceptions of refugees' experiences, clearly they spent a lot of time talking about their own experiences and how they are coping. As I've said before, they gave so much to me - and yet, thanked me for all I had given them in the interview. They've joined others here in Kenya who are praying that I'll be able to return next year . . . I hope their prayers are answered in a positive way!
This afternoon my friend, Roselyne, and I went to the Bomas . . . it's a place to see traditional dances from across Kenya. It was great! Great fun to watch the storytelling in the dances from different tribes. I've been wanting to see traditional dancing for 3 months . . . finally got it!
I may have one more interview tomorrow - but it looks like my data gathering has come to an end. Now to the write-up.
I am hoping to spend my last 3 days in Kenya in a Maasai village . . . maybe they'll kidnap me and I won't be able to get on the plane. You never know - a warrior might think I'm worth losing a few cows to keep me around :)
Lest I sound ungrateful . . . I do miss my friends and family. I AM looking forward to seeing you all again - emails/blogs/ text messages just aren't the same as talking face to face. And, I'm grateful not to be living out of suitcase any longer. And I'm looking forward to ice in my Coke. And, it will be great to have something to wear other than the same clothes for the last 3 months!
I'll write again once I've arrived back in the US . . . probably one of those nights that I'm awake at 3 in the morning because my body hasn't made the time adjustment yet!