Left Field

Organize, Eat, Pray, Love

To the Moon & Back

Goodbye dinner #2012309 

Tonight, my Austin girlfriends took me out for our last dinner (I swear, I’m really leaving now…).

We’re a crazy bunch.  We’re a wild bunch, and we’re definitely a funny bunch.  We’re a mini-United Nations.  We cry.  We laugh.  We giggle.  We make up nicknames for each other.  We eat too much.  We’re each so different from the other.  We’re respected.  We’re all helping raise baby Reed, yes - we have a community baby (thanks, Ian).  When I’m driving to meet up with them, I preemptively giggle at the fun times we’re about to have.  They host 120498 goodbye dinners, and house warming parties.  

And even though I am moving, the great thing about girlfriends like mine - they never leave you.  

And as Coco says, “Love you to the moon and back.” 

This video sums us up pretty perfectly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_4qwVLqt9Q&feature=youtu.be

Homegrown

Almost 2 years ago, I attended my first OFA-TX meeting in Edinburg, Texas.  I had just moved back to Texas from DC, and was still nervous with my decision.  After briefly meeting our volunteers, one of our biggest Valley supporters – Dr. Beverly Friedie introduced to all attendees.  I will never forget that introduction and how it made me feel.  She introduced me, described my experience and concluded with, “And folks, best of all – she is homegrown.” 

 

That meeting kicked off 2 amazing years of organizing and living in Texas.  I’m extremely grateful that for two years I worked with my dream field team, with the best volunteer leaders, and spent a lot of quality time with my family and friends. 

 

Today kicks off my next adventure.  I’m flying back to Austin for my goodbye dinner #29384 w/my girlfriends and hitting the rd. tomorrow.  After a 4-month sabbatical from OFA (2 months in Africa, 2 months play), it’s time to get back to work. 

 

Almost 4 years ago, I left my job at Red Cross for a shot at campaigning and organizing in Las Vegas for Hillary.  Tomorrow, I’ll be on the road again to NV.  Nevada is the place that taught me that asking someone to make phone calls is asking them to have a voice in democracy.  Nevada is where I learned to build neighborhood teams and empower volunteers. I owe it to that state – it was there I fell in love with organizing. 

 

Excited for the next adventure and you know what they say, what happens in Vegas… re-elects the President.   

Ps.  Keep an eye out for rd. trip tidbits.  

Sammy picking me up at the airport when I moved back home.  

Pic. from my first OFA-TX meeting. 

Mom & Me before boarding.  We have the same hairstyle.  

Babies, babies, babies - clinging to me.  Sigh.  

Austin

Austin

Oh, how I missed you Austin.

Oh, how I missed you Austin.

Mrembo Kenya

means beautiful Kenya in Kiswahili.

Two months ago after deliberating whether to take a leave from OFA, and do this job - I decided I would do it for the following two reasons:

  1. I love organizing, and doing it on an international scale is one of my dreams.
  2. I was looking for my next great challenge. (As if organizing Texas isn’t enough.)

Well, I definitely got a challenge.

Like most significant moments in my life, upon arriving, I initially met Kenya with resistance. It wasn’t just the jetlag or the homesickness, it was being out of my comfort zone and in a country where everything, everyday - is new. Even the organizing challenges are new.

I’ve had my share of sleepless nights in Kenya. In fact, as I draft this blog entry, it is 7 am in Nairobi and I’ve not slept all night. I’ve been so homesick and missed my life (family, friends, work, home) at times, that it has felt like my heart literally aches. I’ve spent a lot of time evaluating my life, my profession of choice- and whether I can make a difference. I’ve struggled with disconnecting from my TX work, almost as if I just refused to. But most importantly, I’ve spent a lot of time daydreaming of all that I am grateful for and how lucky I feel to have this opportunity. When I think about this experience in comparison to others, this isn’t the first time I’ve encountered these symtoms. Diagnosis: Growing pains.

Now, to the reason our team is here. We had a rocky few weeks with the preliminary youth assessment and the leadership summit. To wrap up this phase of our work, we met with youth leaders yesterday to discuss next steps and recommendations. Unlike before, they were engaged. They took notes. We set deadlines and timelines. They were receptive to my campaign plan and recommendations. They’re establishing organizational and mobilization goals. They want to add a leadership component to their work plan. Swoon.

I’m hopeful that together, we’ll see our commitments through. I strongly believe in the power of Kenyan youth, and the tremendous potential youth leaders posses. They will rise to the challenge, and it will start at the local grassroots level.

The past few days have been spent in meetings, and goodbyes with friends. Last night we had dinner with our director at USAID. We were discussing many of the challenges this program faces. I asked him, “With so many challenges, with so much work to do, why stay with this project and work? What’s the reasoning behind it?” In response, he told us about his days with the Peace Corps in Kenya and Nicaragua. He’s seen and lived in the poorest of conditions. On his most difficult days, he told us he connects the dots - connects the dots between the the work he is doing and how these programs help the greater community, Kenyans, Nicaraguans - all those he’s met along the way.

I’ll remember that, and do my best to connect the dots.

Beyond it’s challenges, Kenya stands out as a country that strives to make the next day better than the last. We were lucky and privileged to be a part of it for a short time.

Few highlights from this trip:

  • We met hundreds of Kenyan youth who shared their stories with us and want a better Kenya.
  • Inspired by Kenyan women, Muslim women in particular (based on my interaction), unafraid to speak up in conservative regions. They are making their voice heard, loud and clear.
  • Wrote a national youth field assessment and field plan. Amazing opportunity.
  • Learned that Kenyans eat almost as much meat as Texans.
  • Traveled over 4k kilometers in Kenya, learned as much as I could possibly absorb.
  • Tracy Chapman’s Baby Can I Hold You can be heard on every radio station and hotel lobby in Kenya. True story and a sweet reminder of home.
  • Celebrated my first St. Patty’s Day in Kenya.
  • Elephants, period.
  • My mama who just recently had her first social media training before I left (I was the facilitator) used facebook, text, and email to write me everyday.
  • Felt the love from my friends and family in the states. Regularly got encouraging emails. I had a blog dedicated to me (this is a sign that I’ve hit the big time) thanks to my friend Mike, and my friend Erin even sent me a collection of haikus*:

EMMY

My love, it does grow

Dora the explorer, yo

Please come home for sho

KENYA EMMY

Eyes are so starry

Love her like a safari

Jambo Jambo e

KAUAI EMMY

Looks like a palm tree

Swimming is not her strong suit

Can eat lots of pig

*All true.

The past 6 weeks have served as an opportunity for me to learn a lot about myself, and leave me inspired to work through challenges ahead.

And like most significant moments in my life, as I get ready to complete this journey - I am absolutely in love with this country and its people, and wishing that perhaps we would have had more time and that there was more we could have done.

This project isn’t over, and we’ll hopefully be back soon. At the latest, I’ve promised Halima I will be back for her wedding. In turn, she has promised to find a suitor quickly. Ha.

Until I’m back, I will miss and rembrembo Kenya often.

But before I do, I’ve got to board the plane and ask the pilot to take me straight to Texas.

Ps Here is a list of blogs submissions you were spared from reading:

  • kEMMYa (original blog title)
  • ¿Quénya?
  • Chaparty
  • Me Talk Pretty Kiswahili One Day
  • Layover in Emsterdam
  • LUKEing Good in Kenya

Kenya Dig It

On Friday, we left Nairobi for the Maasai Mara on the Kenya/Tanzania border.  It is one of the few remaining untouched lands in the world, and also the setting of some of the National Geographic documentaries.  You know all those shows about the large animal migrations?  Maasai Mara.

The plane that transported us is smaller than most of the toy airplanes my nephews own.  But, nothing my earphones on blast couldn’t ignore.  

We spent two nights at the Maasai Mara and went on four safaris.  Our last safari ended with a surprise champagne breakfast overlooking the hippo pond.  

During our safaris, we were able to drive (and off-road) the vast savanas, and observe wild animals in their natural habitat.  We saw zebras running away from a young cub, tribes of elephants grazing, lions mating (Kenya hear the love tonight?), warthogs, hyenas, and the most beautiful sunsets/sunrises I have ever seen in my life.  

But, perhaps most memorable was the conversation I had with a staffer at the lodge.  

Sylvester:  Hi, I meant to say hi to you last night when I saw you playing cards.  

Emmy:  You should have. (We were playing UNO.)

Sylvester:  You seemed very interesting playing cards.  Are you an acrobat?

Emmy:  I can be whatever you want me to be.  Um. Ha. I’m not. You really thought that?

Sylvester:  The way you were sitting, you looked like an acrobat.

Emmy:  (Note to self:  Start sitting like a lady.)  Oh okay, that works.  Next time say hello. <I immediately double flipped out of the lodge of emmybarrassment.>

On Sunday, we returned to Nairobi (on an even smaller plane than the first).

That afternoon, we arranged for a private meeting at Sheldrick with the baby elephants for Myke, Rose, Bobo, and Tracie - as a thank you for being our Kenyan family.  What we thought would be a great family experience ended up being one of the most traumatic moments of Bobo’s life.  The baby elephants must have seemed the size of dinosaurs to her, and she was not pleased.  For me, however, it was seriously one of the happiest, most whimsical moments of my life.  

Kenya believe it?  

Check out some of the my favorite pics. from this weekend below.  

Sue me for dressing for the occasion.  Not sure what is up with the pose, but I’d still like to dedicate my safari shirt to some of my heroes who inspired my gear:  Jack Hannah, Steve Erwin (RIP), Sam and Josh Ruiz.  

Check out the baby in the middle.  

Zebra stampede

These white little birds follow elephants around.  Adds to their magic.  

Breakfast by the hippo pool

You can almost hear my biological clock ticking in this photo.

Bobo fearing for her life.  Part of me thinks she had elephant milk-bottle envy.  

My favorite Kenyan friends.  I love them even more than the elephants.  

Tafadhali Amini

means please believe in Kiswahili.  Please believe is an organizing motto that was born many cycles ago to my dear friend (and first field director) Marlon Marshall, but caught steam in Vegas with our Hillary team.  For me it means recognizing the challenges that accompany organizing, but most importantly - it asks, it tells, it pleads for you to believe (and take action) in a better future.   

The past few days in Kenya have often reminded me of my NV organizing experience.  
After completing our initial assessment, we led a summit with national leaders to discuss our findings (specifically challenges and opportunities), and next steps. Our goal during our stay in Kenya is, ultimately, to work with organizations to empower youth at the grassroots level. Consider the organizer’s mantra of taking what you have, turning it into what you need, to get what you want.  

Easier said than done.  Before I left Texas, I was joking that organizing Kenya had to be easier than Texas.  I was wrong.

Our summit yesterday was incredibly sobering.  

Youth leaders in Kenya are inspirational, passionate, smart, and incredibly able of creating the change Kenya needs.  

However, they face some serious challenges.  Among those identified yesterday, they lack the willingness to work together, a culture of volunteerism, and an understanding of what empowering people really means.

They are cautious to take ownership of engaging and empowering those who they say they are fighting for.  

They remind me of myself in Nevada.  When I first started organizing, I viewed asking people to volunteer (make calls, knock on doors, precinct captains, volunteer recruitment) as an inconvenience for them.  Many of these people were single mothers, unemployed or working multiple jobs, and struggling with their day-to-day.  I specifically remember having a conversation with our State Director, Robby Mook, about this.  He asked me why I wasn’t meeting my goals.  I defensively told him that I couldn’t justify asking a supporter who already had more than enough on their plate to make a sacrifice of volunteering after work, taking time away from their kids, etc.  He said to me, “We’re not asking them to sacrifice, we are giving them an opportunity to participate in their future, to have a voice.”  Truth.

Only time will tell if our summit made any difference at all.  Ultimately, solutions and next steps need to come from them, not us.  Today, I want to believe that many of our suggestions will be implemented at the local level in their individual organizations.  If the leaders work together, if they are inclusive, and if they work to empower the grassroots - they will be successful.  

Alas, great organizers need great challenges.  Please believe, they will meet them.  

“I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant’s faithful one hundred percent. That’s my code, my motto.”  Horton Hears a Who! - Dr. Seuss

Yesterday marked our third visit to the elephant orphanage.  During our visit, we spent time making friends with the keepers, learning about the elephants, and simply enjoying some quiet time at the park.  

This little one loves her milk.  She also loves to do the opposite of what the trainers ask her to do.  We spent some time talking to her keeper and he gave us insight as to how they are disciplined.  He told us that similar to children, they must be reprimanded and given…time outs.  During time outs, they are removed from the group for 30-60 minutes and play alone.  

Also, you’ll notice in these pics. that some of the elephants are wearing blankets.  The babies wear blankets to protect them from pneumonia.  

She may be one of the known naughty ones, but she’s no competition to Chemi Chemi (the one I’m fostering).

These two were rescued days apart and are very close in age.  Since the day they met, they’ve been inseparable and are BFFs.  They are so close that they are the only two elephants that share their sleepy pen.  One thing they don’t like to share:  food.  

Here’s a pic. of my special Chemi Chemi, the naughtiest of the group.  He is 1 of 3 bulls (boys) in the entire orphanage.  He pushes the others to prove that he is the “man” of the group.  Unfortunately for him, they’re not afraid to push back (bullies) and put him in his place.  What?  Okay, maybe I’m biased.  I told him it gets better.

Notice how stylish he is in his eating ways.  I taught him how to cross his legs. 

And here is Naipoki, the baby of the group.  She is Elliott’s foster baby.  Before we left the orphanage, she fell asleep in her little pen covered in a blanket.  Can you think of anything more endearing?  Consider my heart melted.

Pot Calling the Kettle Sexist

After 29 days, 3190 kilometers, 12 cities, 31 meetings/forums, and 2 adventures in food poisoning - our listening tour wrapped up last Friday.

Our last meeting was with 13 male youth leaders from the Eastern Region (read: Somali border).  When we first set our travel schedule, Garissa (biggest city in the region) was included, but it was quickly scrapped by our advisors due to security concerns.  This region is largely underdeveloped and very rural.

We’ve heard a lot of common challenges in Kenya, but this region faces some of the biggest obstacles.  Due to violence and security concerns spilling over from Somalia, this region is often abandoned and ignored by the Kenyan government and as a result, the people of this region do not have any Kenyan pride or interest.  This region has the highest education discrepancy, highest illiteracy rates, and suffer from lack of exposure to the developed country areas.  They spoke about the challenges women in the region face, like female circumcision.

It was right around this time that I asked one of my favorite questions:  ”Why aren’t there any women here today representing your region?”  Here’s what I got in return:

“You know, I was looking at the GM board of directors and there are about two women on that board.  Also, Obama has not selected many female secretaries in his administration, so before you go judging us…” Yikers.  

(side note:  I was about 15 min. late to the meeting because I was working on the report, and Kellie had apparently already asked this at the beginning…)

One of the other leaders then kindly explained that because this region is very conservative and Islamic, women were unable to travel to the meeting because they would have needed to be away from their husbands or their parents for two nights and traveled alone with men.   

I apologized ( in case my previous tone was defensive) and also explained that I’m incredibly aware of the gender inequality challenges we still face in America.  They described the steps they’ve taken to include women and ensure equal representation in their region.  They were so genuine in their discussion (and insulted by my question) that I believe them and was completely won over.  After the meeting, I asked them how many cracks they’ve made in their glass ceiling.  JK

For all of their challenges and obstacles, this group was one of the most inspiring, moving, and action-oriented (highest # of voters in support of the new constitution in the country). What was most impressive about this group is that during the challenges portion of the discussion, they kept referring to themselves as the answer:  they need to talk to more people, they need to engage others to join their efforts, they need to organize, they need to share their personal story.  

Immediately following that meeting, we submitted our youth organizational assessment and are now working on the national youth leaders’ summit on Wednesday and our next steps plan.  No pressure.

This weekend in Nairobi, we’ve spent a lot of time with the Homeboyz team.  They’re the closest thing to family we’ve got in Kenya. 

Yesterday, we attended a rugby cup tournament to support the Homeboyz Kibera team we met when we first arrived.  After a lot of tackling and throwing each other in the mud, the Kibera team took home the cup…or so I’ve been told.  I spent the majority of the time trying to win over Face’s boy Camron.  I call him Camrino for short.  (<-That might be why it took me so long to win him over.)

Today, Myke (Homeboyz founder) and his wife Rose invited us to their house for Sunday afternoon late lunch and family time with their two little ones.  Tracie is 8 years old and she loves to dance, play the violin, sing, model, and quick to give hugs.  Bobo, on the other hand - is a little fireball that was shy at first.  Nothing a cup of ice cream couldn’t cure.  

They served us homemade hamburgers, pizza, fries, and salad.  (They know their audience.)  After lunch we enjoyed tv, tea parties with Bobo, playing with the rugby ball, chasing Bobo, and ice cream.  

This is only the second homemade meal we’ve had while in Kenya (5 weeks), and we had a lovely lovely lovely Sunday in their home.  They’ve invited us back for homemade chapati (Kenyan flat bread that is very similar to tortillas) on Thursday.  It’ll be a chaparty if Bobo, Tracie, and I have any say in it.  Zing.

Ps Today really made me miss my little crew back home.  So, when I got back to our hotel I called my brother and he put his little ones on the phone.  The first thing they asked was, “Emmy, when are you coming to visit us?”  Let the countdown begin.