By Perry Finney Brody, July 31
Each day, Mama Jane prepares a yummy breakfast. Today was no different - except more fruit alongside the standard "fare" of plentiful breads, eggs, and great conversation.
At our first school, Lakaitatu Secondary School (the 7th one we've visited so far) we shared our message about health and hygiene during menstruation and beyond. After "True or False" was played and lots of questions were answered, we officially ended our training with our own take on a traditional US cheer off shouting:
“We've got freedom, yes we do! We've got freedom, how 'bout you!?”
Although Debbie and Ann’s groups started the cheer, I was fortunate to be paired to present with Holly Johnson, a dietitian from the DC area...and a former Penn State cheerleader!! What were they thinking? Our group definitely won the day.
As we headed out, we stopped to take a group picture in front of the school motto: “The land where everyone speaks English.” Our six Vanderbilt grads took a selfie with a traveling stuffed squirrel Michael B. Keegan, who is traveling the world with Meredith, a recent Vandy grad who is on a fellowship to study “Global Girls.”
Our second school today was Uraki Secondary School. More than at any other school, the teachers asked questions, too.
We are fortunate that Arnab Paul, the installation engineer from Aakar (which provided the technology behind UhuruPads) was able to join us at both schools and see so many of the young women whose lives will be transformed through Aakar’s generous sharing of its technology.
Holly and I continued to work with our super special translator, Goodness. Watching her interact with these young women - pulling them into the conversation and getting them on their feet to celebrate - was remarkable.
One of my favorite parts of the presentation is talking to the girls about self defense, which starts with being aware of their surroundings and stay in the company of others. We remind the girls that their bodies are their own and give them tips to fend off attackers. Elbows and knees planted in just the right places as well as a hard stomp on the top of the foot can be quite effective. After we act out options for escape, we ask for girls to volunteer to demonstrate what they would do in a similar situation. The girls do silly skits and have such fun with this, but the lessons learned can help them.
With each group of girls, we can observe them going from very quiet and shy to dancing, singing and celebrating their newfound Uhuru - Freedom!
As we went to leave our second school, our driver opened the door of the van and blasted “Waka Waka” and a dusty courtyard was transformed into a dance party: all of us and the lovely young women singing and laughing. The boys leaned outside the windows of their classrooms watching a big girl power fest.
We headed to Sidai Designs. Founded in 2011, Sidai works with women artisans of the Maasai community to create beautiful, modern jewelry. More than 50 Maasai women are employed in their traditional bead work and they receive skills training, literacy classes and basic medical information they can use back in their villages.
A large sign painted on the side of the workshop declares - “A Maasai without culture is like a zebra without stripes.” Sidai enables these women to use their culture to help them secure sustainable employment and forge better lives for themselves and their communities. We were thrilled to purchases fabulous accessories that help empower women!
After another delicious dinner by Mama Jane (including watermelon smoothies), our safari guide - Albert- stopped by to brief us on the short safari coming up on Friday and Saturday.
How can it be that our adventure in service and love is drawing to a close?
Each day, Mama Jane prepares a yummy breakfast. Today was no different - except more fruit alongside the standard "fare" of plentiful breads, eggs, and great conversation.
At our first school, Lakaitatu Secondary School (the 7th one we've visited so far) we shared our message about health and hygiene during menstruation and beyond. After "True or False" was played and lots of questions were answered, we officially ended our training with our own take on a traditional US cheer off shouting:
“We've got freedom, yes we do! We've got freedom, how 'bout you!?”
Although Debbie and Ann’s groups started the cheer, I was fortunate to be paired to present with Holly Johnson, a dietitian from the DC area...and a former Penn State cheerleader!! What were they thinking? Our group definitely won the day.
As we headed out, we stopped to take a group picture in front of the school motto: “The land where everyone speaks English.” Our six Vanderbilt grads took a selfie with a traveling stuffed squirrel Michael B. Keegan, who is traveling the world with Meredith, a recent Vandy grad who is on a fellowship to study “Global Girls.”
Our second school today was Uraki Secondary School. More than at any other school, the teachers asked questions, too.
We are fortunate that Arnab Paul, the installation engineer from Aakar (which provided the technology behind UhuruPads) was able to join us at both schools and see so many of the young women whose lives will be transformed through Aakar’s generous sharing of its technology.
Holly and I continued to work with our super special translator, Goodness. Watching her interact with these young women - pulling them into the conversation and getting them on their feet to celebrate - was remarkable.
One of my favorite parts of the presentation is talking to the girls about self defense, which starts with being aware of their surroundings and stay in the company of others. We remind the girls that their bodies are their own and give them tips to fend off attackers. Elbows and knees planted in just the right places as well as a hard stomp on the top of the foot can be quite effective. After we act out options for escape, we ask for girls to volunteer to demonstrate what they would do in a similar situation. The girls do silly skits and have such fun with this, but the lessons learned can help them.
With each group of girls, we can observe them going from very quiet and shy to dancing, singing and celebrating their newfound Uhuru - Freedom!
As we went to leave our second school, our driver opened the door of the van and blasted “Waka Waka” and a dusty courtyard was transformed into a dance party: all of us and the lovely young women singing and laughing. The boys leaned outside the windows of their classrooms watching a big girl power fest.
We headed to Sidai Designs. Founded in 2011, Sidai works with women artisans of the Maasai community to create beautiful, modern jewelry. More than 50 Maasai women are employed in their traditional bead work and they receive skills training, literacy classes and basic medical information they can use back in their villages.
A large sign painted on the side of the workshop declares - “A Maasai without culture is like a zebra without stripes.” Sidai enables these women to use their culture to help them secure sustainable employment and forge better lives for themselves and their communities. We were thrilled to purchases fabulous accessories that help empower women!
After another delicious dinner by Mama Jane (including watermelon smoothies), our safari guide - Albert- stopped by to brief us on the short safari coming up on Friday and Saturday.
How can it be that our adventure in service and love is drawing to a close?
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