July 4th party and girls soccer

Holy moly. The last couple days have been wild.

Happy independence day, America! On the fourth of July we went to a celebration at the home of Micheal Ranneberger, who is the US ambassador to Kenya (yes the same one we met a couple posts back). There were over 2,000 people at this invite only event out on his huge back yard. Things to note include the life size American flag made entirely of cupcakes, Raila, Kalonzo, Obama's Grandmother, Obama's sister, and free wine. Disclaimer: those things do not necessarily all rank equally :) It was so cool!!!!!!! I was shocked to see Raila in person (because I have only see posters of him everywhere) but was most smitten with Obama's relatives. Salim knows Obama's sister, so whe chatted with her and then she introduced us to his grandmother. In vernacular language she said, "Mama, these are some of Barack's friends." I have never felt so awesome!!!!!! I got to hug Obama's sister and take photos with her and his grandmother. It was very clear that awesome-ness runs in the Obama family. They all emit a glowing energy.

We also talked to David Price, Jim Cooper, Mel Watt and other congressional folks, their military escorts, and spouses. David Price was particularly impressive; he was a wonderful networker (introduced us to at least 6 people), has a good head on his shoulders, and was passionate about CFK. His wife Lisa was also very cool to talk to and super down-to-earth. After the party, they all came down to CFK to here more about what we do and then we took a walk through Kibera to see our clinics. About half way into the walk it started pouring rain. It was quite an adventure to tour a big group of wazungus around a muddy, flooded Kibera. We laughed, and everyone was a good sport, which was impressive for folks who were dressed to a T trudging through mud. We got back to CFK and everyone was soaked. I, brilliantly, waiting until this point to get pictures with them and have some great shots of me with important congress folks; both of us soppy wet. They described their trip to Kibera as unforgettable. I hope that's the case.

Yesterday we hosted a soccer tournament for girls from the informal school sector in Kibera. These are schools who are not recognized by the government and have little to no resources for students and also don't have soccer games like the formal schools do (soccer is hugely popular). There were hundreds of kids there playing soccer, listening to forums about sexual health, getting VCT counseling, and having dance-offs. It was a successful day; everyone had a lot of fun.

Also, all week I have been hanging out with Dr. Jennifer Coffman, who is on the board of directors fro CFK and is a professor at James Madison University. She is a cultural anthropologist, brilliant professor, loving mother, avid environmentalist, and fantastic story teller (I could go on and on). It has been such a pleasure to get to know her, hear about her work and passions. You know how sometimes you just hit it off with people that you hardly know but feel instantly attuned to? Ya, Jennifer is one of those people :)




On a different note; my house mate (NOT BLAIR, whom I am traveling with) went downtown last night to a few bars. When getting ready to leave, someone on the street ran past her, snatching her bag from her shoulder. The street was crowded and well lit, and the many people who saw it ran after him and beat him until he was lying in a pool of blood. She came home horrified from witnessing such an event, and it has and will continue to take a great deal of energy to convince her that it is not her fault. The sense of mob justice is prevalent here, and terrifying. While we can talk all day long about where she was, how she carried her bag, who was with her, what time it was and so on, for me it comes down the troubling process of acclimation. As a white person, no matter how acclimated to Kenya you may become, Kenya is not acclimated to you. After being somewhere for a certain amount of time you naturally become more comfortable and let you guard down. However, we stick out, are stereotyped and targeted for crime. I feel very strongly about not blaming the victim in any circumstance and instead looking at sources of crime, namely poverty, and putting energy in addressing them. Regardless, it is unnerving when it happens so close to home and reminds me that in fact I am farther from home than I have ever been.

all of me,

alisa