from CALI to KENYA

I’m starting this blog to document my journey from San Diego, CA to Kenya, Africa. In September 2009, I will be going to Nairobi, Kenya and surrounding villages with a small team of people for two weeks.

Kenya has been on my radar for a while now. For three years, I have been sponsoring and corresponding with an 11-year old boy, Collins, who lives in a small coastal Kenyan village, through Compassion International. I “found” him in a stack of kids waiting to be sponsored at one of Anadara’s concerts. As I was sifting through the pile, the only criteria I had was a boy from Africa. Our family is ALL girl, ALL the time. So I thought I needed a boy in my life :) Although I will not have the opportunity to visit him, I look forward to experiencing his country first-hand. I hope to return one day and meet him in person.

I have a passion for the Deaf Community and recently, I’ve learned how Kenya is actively empowering the Deaf Community through access to information, education and communication especially about HIV/AIDS. As a result of this trip, I hope to be able to make connections and learn more about how I can help support the cause.

During my trip in September, our team will be volunteering with rescued street children at Hope Community Centre (see picture to left) and with AIDS orphans in Nairobi through activities, sports and crafts. I am most excited about visiting The Tumutumu School for the Deaf, near the equator in Mt. Kenya, where my sign language skills will come in handy. From the internet research I’ve done, it’s likely that they use a combo of Kenyan Sign Language and ASL. Communication will be interesting. We will also be doing community development work including planting trees, volunteering at a health clinic and helping to build a school to give vocational training to young people. It is profound to these children that people would come from across the world to spend time with them and communicate the hope and love of God.

I know this journey to Africa will be life changing.

http://fromcalitokenya.blogspot.com/