I have to admit, my Kiswahili (the Swahili word for Swahili) lessons are not going so well! I even tried setting my facebook page to Kiswahili to help me practice. Now I've learned how to say lunga (language), picha (picture) and nyumbani (home)...all potentially important words, right?!
Enough with the facebook distraction! I have been doing real homework to learn more about Kenya. YCI (Youth Challenge International) gave us five modules to read 1) international development, 2) youth development, 3) gender, 4) power and privilege, and 5) culture and adaptation. For each model, I answered a self-reflection question that involved applying the information from YCI to the research I did on the current situation in Kenya. I find myself continually thinking about the essay I wrote on gender.
I was asked to think of a gender-based assumption that I had and outline what I am planning to do to challenge that assumption before departure and while in the field. My assumption was that women in Kenya are primarily uneducated and are forced to stay home. While I was trying to verifying that assumption, I learned that it was not far from reality. Kenyan women are far from being equal to men, however, very slowly, women are being educated and stimulating change.
I emphasize that this process is going very slowly. Earlier this year, there were only 18 elected women to parliament (210 seats total). Kenyan women tried to pass a bill ensuring 50 special seats in parliament are reserved for women. The bill was not passed (not for the first time), because there was not the required quorum in parliment in order for the vote. The bill can only be resubmitted after 6 months.
Although 18 seats is the highest number held by women in Kenyan history, Kenyan women hold the lowest amount of seats in parliament when compared to neighbouring Tanzania, Uganda and even Rwanada, a country that has only recently emerged from a serious war. This was very discouraging to read, but the fact that women continue to put this bill forward is a step in the right direction.
From this information, it was clear to me that there are women in Kenya who are making a difference, so I continued to research female role models in Kenya. I found many, but Kakenya's story was one that stood out for me.
Kankenya is a Maasai woman who grew up in a village called Enoosaen. She was engaged to be married at 5 years old. Once she became a teenager, she would be circumcised and would not be allowed to finish high school. Kakenya loved to learn and made an agreement with her father that she will be circumcised, as long as he allows her to finish high school. Once Kakenya completed her local education, she convinced the local elders to allow her to study abroad in the US. They agreed with the condition that she will come back and better their community. While in the US, Kakenya began working towards "Kakenya's Dream", a project to build and open a school for girls in Enoosaen. Her dream recently came true and the school is now open. This clip, Neipamei's Road to Freedom is the first hand account of a 16 year old Maasai girl who has been directly empowered by Kakenya's efforts. Today, Kakenya is currently working towards a PhD. in Education in order to help change the policies that impact women in Kenya. If you are interested in learning more about Kakenya and her work, there are many interviews with Kakenya on youtube.
I emphasize that this process is going very slowly. Earlier this year, there were only 18 elected women to parliament (210 seats total). Kenyan women tried to pass a bill ensuring 50 special seats in parliament are reserved for women. The bill was not passed (not for the first time), because there was not the required quorum in parliment in order for the vote. The bill can only be resubmitted after 6 months.
Although 18 seats is the highest number held by women in Kenyan history, Kenyan women hold the lowest amount of seats in parliament when compared to neighbouring Tanzania, Uganda and even Rwanada, a country that has only recently emerged from a serious war. This was very discouraging to read, but the fact that women continue to put this bill forward is a step in the right direction.
From this information, it was clear to me that there are women in Kenya who are making a difference, so I continued to research female role models in Kenya. I found many, but Kakenya's story was one that stood out for me.
Kankenya is a Maasai woman who grew up in a village called Enoosaen. She was engaged to be married at 5 years old. Once she became a teenager, she would be circumcised and would not be allowed to finish high school. Kakenya loved to learn and made an agreement with her father that she will be circumcised, as long as he allows her to finish high school. Once Kakenya completed her local education, she convinced the local elders to allow her to study abroad in the US. They agreed with the condition that she will come back and better their community. While in the US, Kakenya began working towards "Kakenya's Dream", a project to build and open a school for girls in Enoosaen. Her dream recently came true and the school is now open. This clip, Neipamei's Road to Freedom is the first hand account of a 16 year old Maasai girl who has been directly empowered by Kakenya's efforts. Today, Kakenya is currently working towards a PhD. in Education in order to help change the policies that impact women in Kenya. If you are interested in learning more about Kakenya and her work, there are many interviews with Kakenya on youtube.
As I continue to read about more women who are role models in Kenya, there is one commonality between them: Education. Girls need to be educated in order to create immediate and lasting changes in their environment. They also need to know that they are not alone. Other girls and women in their community are working to create changes in their lives. I hope that by using the research I've done and showing the girls how to access the internet, I can help motivate the girls in Mombasa through local female role models.
Last week, Oprah showed a short film called The Girl Effect, a short and power film that made me think about both Kakenya and Neipamei. What does it make you think of? How can you help change the face of humanity? I am still fundraising for one more week (December 14). I have currently raised $2015 (54.5%). Please help me make changes in the lives of Kenyan youth .
Other Links:
My YCI donation page
YCI Infomation
Kwacha Africa
Last week, Oprah showed a short film called The Girl Effect, a short and power film that made me think about both Kakenya and Neipamei. What does it make you think of? How can you help change the face of humanity? I am still fundraising for one more week (December 14). I have currently raised $2015 (54.5%). Please help me make changes in the lives of Kenyan youth .
Other Links:
My YCI donation page
YCI Infomation
Kwacha Africa
Great post Bec! Really interesting! Can't wait to see what you learn and share once you get there! :)
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