Would I go back? In. a. heartbeat.

Aug 1st, 2011 11:13 AM UTC
By ONE Partners

ONE Mom Karen Walrond reflects on her week in Kenya with nine other American mom bloggers.

I’m back home in Houston, and after the 24-hour journey it took to get here, I’ve had time to process all that I saw and experienced in Kenya. I have to admit, in hindsight, I think I arrived in Kenya feeling a bit smug: having traveled to dozens of countries all around the world, I expected Kenya to be a unique combination of characteristics I’d experienced before and didn’t really expect to see anything new.

I could not have been more wrong. There were things that were familiar, of course, mostly from my experience as a Trinidadian. Some of the flora and fauna reminded me of home, as well as the rural huts and farms. Similarly, some of the towns resembled towns in Trinidad, and Nairobi reminded me of some of the large bustling cities I’ve visited in South America.

But what was different — shocking, really — was the overwhelming warmth with which we were greeted everywhere, without exception. I have never, ever experienced such friendliness and instant camaraderie anywhere in the world — and I’m from the Caribbean, mind you, which is sort of famous for friendliness and camaraderie. I am not naïve, of course, and am willing to allow for the possibility that my experience as a visitor, and what might occur were I an immigrant to Kenya might be two different things; however, the fact remains that in all of my travels, I have never felt so instantly enveloped in warmth and friendship in my life. It was breathtaking, and it was beautiful.

Would I go back? In. a. heartbeat. I would love to return with my family, to see how Marcus views its vibrant capital. Also, since my fellow travelers and I spent most of our time learning about the programs that help support the advancement of the impoverished, if I do get the opportunity to return, I’d be interested in learning about a different aspect of Kenyan life: maybe more about the lives of young professionals. For example, how do young adults view the country’s evolving political and constitutional climate? What is Kenya’s art and music scene like? Where do Kenya’s young leaders see the country in five or 10 years? I think it would be fascinating to learn more about Kenya from the perspective of those who are likely to be at the helm, steering the country’s near-term future.

In addition, I’d love to show Marcus and Alex the Great Rift Valley: it’s beautiful, and I think Alex would be particularly blown away seeing Kenya’s amazing animals as they are meant to be seen: running freely and safely in the open, rather than in the confines of cages in zoos. Someone said during our trip that there is something that stirs on quite an elemental level in experiencing Kenya’s natural beauty, and it’s true: I wish every person were fortunate enough to experience it first-hand.

Which, of course, leads me to express my deep gratitude to ONE. Visiting Kenya (specifically Nairobi) was on my life list, and at some point I know I would’ve busted my hump to make it happen; however, being able to do it in partnership with an organization created specifically to fight extreme poverty and preventable disease made the experience indescribably rewarding for me, and was beyond anything I could’ve ever hoped for. And as if that wasn’t enough, I was exposed to a beauty of Kenya that very few visitors ever have an opportunity to see.

So for this, I will be forever grateful.

-Karen Walrond, Chookooloonks

TAGS: Mother's Day Every Day Campaign, Mothers Day 2011, ONE, ONE Mom Bloggers