Oh world! I am sorry I haven't written in a bit, the power was out for a day and I have been running around like a mad woman. I am looking forward to tomorrow, we are talking the kids on a field trip! They get to get out for a day :) I also have been spending time in the slum which is amazing! Today I went to the river which is not exactly the safest place in the world, but I was with MC who is the man in Mathare. Down by the river I found the most polluted water I've ever seen in my life. All the the sewers in Mathare are directed to that river along with trash. The men then use that water to brew illegal alcohol, which is extremely high in alcohol content and sell it. After spending a half hour talking with them, I was offered some, but I kindly declined. They really welcomed me and after 10 minutes I almost forgot that I was in a very dangerous place. I was just hanging out! I am also working on a video that I will have up soon of the peace project. I have almost been here a month now and time feels like its flying by. Someone asked me what has been one thing that has stood out to me, and you know I cant say it is the poverty because I think I was mentally prepared for that. I have to say that it has been the attention I get just for being white. It is shocking to me how the color of skin automatically puts you, in their eyes, at an advantage here. The COLOR OF YOUR SKIN! We are ALL the same we are ALL HUMAN.
I promise to have more pictures soon, and the peace video!
with a little piece of my heart,
Julia
Thank g-d you didn't drink it (not that I thought you would have)! You sound so at home, no wonder the slum isn't so bad, do you remember how you kept your room! Hope that is one of the many changes we will see in you when you return. HAHAHAHA just kidding, I will take you back with your messy room and all! I love and miss you, and again am so proud of what your doing. Love MoM
ReplyDeleteAhhh, the "P" word. And, (surprise!) this time, in a country where the segregation of races began in the early 1900's. "Apartheid" was the name of the game from about 1948 until only 17 years ago.
ReplyDeleteFor bloggers too young to remember, Apartheid is an Afrikaans word meaning "apartness." It was the name given to a system that the government (dishonestly) referred to as "separate development." But no development whatsoever was ever intended for the black majority, only vicious exploitation and/or neglect.
The ignorance, arrogance and INHUMANITY of forming prejudicial assumptions, whether aimed at people of color, or people that are "different," (not only in skin color, but due to ANY appearances not considered to be the "norm" is the "HUMAN tragedy" itself. Add to that, prejudice due to religious or lifestyle differences, and you have many of the basic reasons for war.
Actually, it would be surprising if you were NOT considered a creature of "advantage" in your current environment -- even though it's a kind of reverse discrimination. Alas, the world is not colorblind
. . . at least not yet.
Education is the key to solving the problem, and education is the reason you chose to go to Kenya. YOU are the one that will make a difference in the hearts and minds of these children and they, in turn, will pass it on to their children.
Okay, I'll say it again. Sweet Julia, YOU are their hero -- and mine.
To All:
ReplyDeleteIf you would like some in-depth coverage of Maji Mazuri's current and ongoing activities -- along with more AMAZING photos and some interesting articles, you can visit the organization's website at:
http://www.majimazuri.org/
thank you sharon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete