Name: Nelleke Nijhuis
During my stay in Kenya I worked at several projects. The main focus was teaching lifeskills. Mainly taught classes to youth from Mathare. I've also been to Kiserian secondary school and Upper Matasia with these classes. Every friday during my stay in Kenya I visited Maji Mazuri's Children Center in Kasarani. I helped with the needs of the day, interacted, played and danced with the children.
Most people I met, working for Maji Mazuri have very inspiring stories of life themselves. You can feel and see that what they are working for comes from the heart. For example Matron and Joyce in Kiserian, MC in Mathare (who is so able to connect, inspire and empower all around him), teacher Caro at the children's center, with her tremendous amount of loving patience. Also the extra effort that teacher Patrick and Judith put in there teaching to the children at Headstart (Talent Program) is so inspiring to me. I see all of them as a source of experience and wisdom, affecting the people around them so positively.
In a meeting with Naomi i gained a lot of information about the country, the projects, the culture and so. I had come to Kenya in 2006 with Edukans (Dutch organisation that stands for a change on education for every child around the world) so I was sort of prepared to visit Kenya. The information that I received later on from Wanjiku Kironyo about how to travel, stand your ground, cultural and gender differences in Kenya was very helpful and needed. It made me feel stronger and more able to deal with what could possibly come may way.
My coming to Kenya has been as an practical period for my study Social Work. I realized for that it's very important to reflect and evaluate my actions, all the time. Because of working in different projects, you get in touch with different styles of working and communication which makes it sometimes challenging to keep it clear and effectively. If we can create a guideline for communication - where to go and how to keep the communication effictively could be very useful.
If you are able to learn from all that comes towards you (in Kenya) you found a university of experiences, which you'll take with you always and everywhere. Expect the unexpected - learn and grow - and always see the power, strengths, positivity, wisdom and beauty around you! Let curiousity guide you!
For now all I can express is appreciation and gratitude. I'm sure there will be a day where we will meet again! Would I consider returning? Definitely!
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Tuesday, 14 September 2010 10:25
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Kebane Victor
we also appreciate the skills you thought us...we are applying them in our day to day lives and they are impacting we the youths and the community positively...asante sana.
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