Kenya Dig It?: July 2012

or rather, since i last rambled on about my daily activities.

So Saturday was the big day! Kibera Community for Peace finally happened. and was in enormous success. i mean i'm estimating (seriously my own estimates, i'll post photos in the next few days do you can project your own) is that at one point we had over 3,000 people in attendance! and reached over 15,000 people spreading Peace from start to finish!

The event went from 9am until 8pm. of course with 5 billion problems- but that me and a small team of people fixed so that no one else would notice. probably the most stressful day of my life. but we all survived and for an amazing day and turnout. Over 27 organizations, and 30 artists from all over Nairobi (even a few outside) came together to help in one of the largest slums in Africa, with ZERO funding, everything including people's time was donated and volunteered (except for the stage/PA system/security- thanks dad for helping out with that before we raise funds to repay).

the official theme behind the event was as Solo7 write painted throughout Kibera during the post-election violence, "KEEP PEACE ALIVE" but a new concept came about- this "Kenyans for Kenyans" idea, or give a little get a little. in exchange for donating time/chairs/tents/etc we promote your organization, or have a performance, etc. etc. and although not without errors, it worked. overall it worked. and trust me i had my doubts. but we all worked insanely hard over the past month and boom we put together this event in 6 weeks (from the first idea until it became a reality). so I am so proud of everyone that contributed time, effort, or materials to make Saturday work the way it. did. Seriously many thanks to all, especially Jojo/George of Kibera Fruitful the event would not have happened without all of his hard work, determination, and effort.

Hopefully later today or tomorrow I can post pictures of the event to give you guys an idea of how the day went.

but now that it's over i'm just doing a few close up things at work with NYA Kenya and Nafsi. my mom comes this week on thursday! then dad and erin next week where we are going on safari and then to zanzibar! i can't wait. then back to America. As it's getting closer i think i am ready to go home for a bit. but honestly I just want to visit home, I don't want to stay. so without a doubt i will be back in Nairobi some time next year. i'm already thinking about it, and with the NGO i already have a job (because now i am a senior and soon I have to be a real person in life, so why not just skip on out back to africa- sounds like a great plan to me- do what i do best).

ALSO i totally forgot the Kenya ni Kwetu organization registration- well things have gone much further. now we are officially have all our paperwork in and are waiting for approval of our INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION, called Network for Youth Advocacy Kenya. like us on facebook and follow us on twitter here !! our website will be up and running in the next few weeks too!

http://www.facebook.com/NetworkForYouthAdvocacyKenya
http://twitter.com/nya_kenya

it looks like this organization is going to be huge all across Kenya, and i'm really excited to work with them, as a co-founder!

keep checking in for photos!

and of course,

don't forget to smile today!

here are a few photos (that i mostly took) around Nairobi, for your viewing pleasure. (you can click them to enlarge- just FYI Aunt Mo).

emily & i at AU abroad going away dinner