Summary: Welcome to my blog!
Dear Friends, Family, and Guests,
Welcome to my blog! The entries are many, and most of them long, but they only begin to document the thoughts, feelings, and experiences from each day of my trip with the Brueggeman Fellowship. These are the pages of my journal. I have included nearly everything–even thoughts I am ashamed of, indications of lessons not yet learned, not to mention grammatical flaws–in order to share some of the fullness and human-ness of my trip. You are welcome to read all or as many of them as you would like. Here are a few in particular, depending on your time and interest…
- Lessons Learned… July 12, 2008
- Friday, June 13, 2008
- Monday, June 16, 2008
- Sunday, June 22, 2008 - St. Al’s Festival
- Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - Safari
I spent exactly four weeks at Hekima Place, a home for girls in Karen, just outside of Nairobi, Kenya (www.hekimaplace.org). Most of these girls are orphaned because of HIV/AIDS. I also helped with French and English at Hekima Primary School.
I cannot speak highly enough of this opportunity. It taught me life skills and lessons–independence, self-initiative, cultural appreciation, openness, and more–that will carry over into the rest of my life.
I am forever grateful to Dr. James Buchanan, of Xavier University’s Brueggeman Center for Dialogue, who developed this program and supported my project in its entirety, guiding me through the process. This gratitude extends to Cynthia Cummins, who also works on behalf of each of the Fellows, helping with the details of our projects and always sharing her listening ear. These two people were our greatest advocates and the reason our lives will be forever directed toward a whole and just world, in which we are free to live and learn.
I am grateful to Jean Skoblar, whose stories about her trips to Kenya inspired me during my high school years and planted the seed for my own desire to visit there. My deep thanks must also go to my family and friends for their openness to learn along with me and their love and support.
Finally, to the wonderful people at Hekima Place and Hekima Primary School… it is because of you that this was more than a trip, and I hope to visit again someday.
With Love & Baraka (Blessings),
Jenny Makena
Topics: Jenny's Blog |