by JP Esq | Nov 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
Part of the family preservation programming operated by AMPATH & IU-Kenya Partnership is the Imani Workshop. The most amazing thing about this operation is the fact that it provides HIV/AIDS-affected families the opportunity to increase self-sufficiency and stimulate their economic growth by employing them to make high-quality handmade goods that are then sold through the Imani shop. Everything from jewelry, clothing, paper is handmade here. It really is an amazing operation to witness.
by JP Esq | Nov 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
In high school, one of my teachers had us write a “life list” as an assignment in her class. 10 years later, I found that list and my #3 was: Visit Africa. I grossly underestimated the feelings of elation & accomplishment that would accompany crossing something off of that list.
In October, I jumped on a plane {which is certainly my favorite thing to do other than eat & kitchen experiment} bound for Eldoret, Kenya. I was going to visit the Legal Aid Centre inside one of the AIDS hospitals in the area. There is so much I could say about the people of Kenya, but understand this: there is a spirit of resiliency that flows through that country beyond anything I have ever experienced.
Over the coming weeks, I will reflect on my trip and my experience as best as I can. Nothing, however, can substitute for just going there yourself.
On the way over, I had a layover in Istanbul. When I travel, I do my best to only eat the cuisine of the area, dine at local restaurants, and get the best experience I can. Even though I probably had time {layover was 6 hours}, the last thing I wanted to do was leave the airport and go on a 2-hr tour of the city. It would be just my luck that my chocolate behind would get lost, left, or broken. So we played that safe and stayed put for a while. In accordance with my princess personality, I was lucky enough to have an entire row all to myself. As a side note: Turkish flight attendants are the most gorgeous people ever. The end.
Several hours {and lovely Turkish in-flight meals} later, I arrived at the airport in Nairobi and waited for my domestic flight to Eldoret. It was here that I would have my first encounter with Kenya. The Kenya at 2am in an empty international airport with one outside restaurant and nowhere to sit until your domestic flight leaves at 6:30 from a terminal that you can’t go into until 1 hour before the flight. {Yes, it is a run-on sentence}.
Welcome to Kenya little American girl.
by JP Esq | Nov 2, 2009 | Uncategorized
Sasa!
So, I clearly do not blog regularly. I think about it – I just never get around to it. Bummer I know. Last you’ve heard from me I was considering a trip to Africa. Well that trip happened and I’m getting adjusted being back in the hustle and bustle of American life. I was only gone for a little over a week, but when you are immersed in a totally different way of life so quickly it takes a second to come back to this.
Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll post my travel journal – thoughts from my trip and more information about what I was doing there and what is to come. For now, suffice it to say that Kenya is a beautiful country with a lot of potential. I am excited for the opportunity to continue to visit there and make a difference in the lives of some very deserving people.
Until next time, Sawa.
by JP Esq | Jul 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
Most people who know me know that I’ve always had a desire to spend some time in Africa. I’ve always had this urge inside of me to go, just never found the right opportunity, or it wasn’t the right time, or what have you. Well, I was reading my weekly copy of the Indiana Lawyer and saw a little blurb about a partnership that IU has with Moi University in Kenya. The School of Medicine has been sending medical students and doctors to work in rural clinics around Eldoret for years. Recently, the law school in Indy has helped to form the Legal Aid Centre of Eldoret (LACE), which allows American lawyers, students, etc. to work alongside Kenyan lawyers providing services to HIV/AIDS patients, orphans, and really anyone in the area who can not otherwise afford the services. Several local attorneys take trips over quite often, but this was the first I had heard of it. So, I decided to go to the meeting just to check it out. I’m glad I went, and I am so super excited that I will be going to Kenya this October!
Besides the fact that Sallie Mae has me in a permanent headlock, I really didn’t think I’d be able to afford a trip like this so soon. But, the air fare into Nairobi isn’t too unreasonable & IU has a compound where we stay for a very reasonable daily rate.
I can not begin to explain how extraordinarily blessed, motivated and privileged I feel. This is something that has been on my heart to do for a very long time – like since high school. My only fear is that I will want to spend an extended period of time in there. Well, I guess it isn’t a fear necessarily, but we’ll just see what happens.
Humbled. Excited.
by JP Esq | Jun 22, 2009 | Uncategorized
A year later…finally.
It has been a year since I graduated from law school. In this moment, today, I can with some sense of certainty say that I am on the road to returning to that person I once knew. Sure, she’s different – it’s been 4 years – so personal growth is inevitable. But, the bitterness and impatience brought on by the beast that is graduate school seems to have kindly exited my life. And it feels good.
I’m remembering the things I used to do that made me enjoy life. And I’m doing them.
I’m remembering the way it felt to be at peace.
I’m remembering the compassion I used to have in my heart for people I don’t even know.
I’m remembering what it’s like to watch a bird soar carelessly above the trees.
{Please don’t get sentimental – this is not a poem}.
I spent some time this weekend just lying in the sun – letting it’s warmth embrace me like a freshly laundered towel when you remove it from the dryer. I love the sun. There’s something in it that reminds me of God’s wonder. I try to spend time just being aware of God in the little things around me. And I finally feel like I’ve returned to a point where I notice.
I’m not worried about exams; I’m not worried about grades; not worried about the bar exam. I feel like I’m finally getting back to that place where all that mattered was the little things. I don’t feel like I’ve reached an end to any journey – I don’t think there’s really ever an end. But, I am at a place of peace – which I once heard described as a place of contentment with the hope of growth & change. I’m content.
Being mindful. Living in gratitude.
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