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Rotary In Action
Rotary Peace Fellow in Kenya
As usual, here are my highlight and personal observations: 1. I am in the process of finishing up my internship for the Green Belt Movement (GBM). I was working on the logistic management for the World Social Forum 2007. I was the representative for the GBM, and everything concerning the World Social Forum was sent to me. While I was an intern there, I have accomplished the following: a. In charge of logistics, including, forming a committee within the GBM, briefing to the committee members, responding to the GBM's World Social Forum e-mails, and arranging meetings. b. Keeping the committee, Professor Maathai, and Wanjira (GBM's executive director) informed of the latest updates on the World Social Forum. c. Negotiating the conference sites for the GBM during the World Social Forum. d. Giving my inputs at the highest strategic level on the planning of the events. e. Catering for Japanese business people, including from Mainichi Newspaper and Aichi Expo, when they visited the GBM. attach://7 2. My job has been challenging since my boss- Wanjira, was often out of the country. I was given the task of taking care of the World Social Forum—the largest civil society gathering in the world annually, and had to throw myself into the Kenyan culture completely. Frequently, I found myself talking to top NGO people and local Kenyan business people and had to sound like I knew what I was talking about. I did not allow myself to make any mistake so I was reading up everything I could about the World Social Forum and Kenya in general. In the end, I was asked by the World Social Forum organizer to give advice on several things—I consider it an accomplishment. The organizer even asked me whether I could stay longer to work for the World Social Forum but I had to turn down the offer—need to go back to Japan! 3. Given the stressful nature of my job and the occasionally cultural shock, I have found my comfort in Rotary. I have attended the Rotary Club of Nairobi's meeting every week and it has become my host Rotary Club in Kenya. It is the largest and oldest club in Kenya, and the Rotarians are absolutely successful people in the society. However, they are also the sweetest people I have met in Kenya. They work extremely hard— from early morning to late at night, and still find time to devote to a life of service. 4. Thank to the invitation of the Nairobi Club's president, I was invited to attend the 2-day event during RI President's visit in Kenya on August 21st – 22nd. President Bill and Lorna visited Nairobi and they visited many Rotary service projects. I was there throughout. During their visit, I had some brief chats with Bill and Lorna. They told me that they visited my sponsoring Rotarian, Ron and Jetta Burton in Norman, Oklahoma early this year and ate catfish. Lorna, especially, pulled me aside before they left and asked for my contact information. She was just a lovely and down-to-earth lady. Considering their schedule being so tight here, she still found time to talk to me. Words cannot even describe my feelings. 5. I have to say that I have made so many friends here that it is so unbelievable. First, I have gotten to know Professor Maathai and Wanjira so well that I know that they will remember me and I can always come to visit them. Second, most of my friends are true Kenyans—most of them have never been out of the country and are truly interesting and fun people. Although we all come from very different backgrounds, I have found that it is so easy to make friends here—all it takes is just a genuine smile. In the end, I have to say that my internship is well worth it. I have learned so much and met so many fascinating people. I consider Kenya one of my homes now. I have never thought that I would survive in a different continent and in a culture that is so different. If you want to write Nai, you can reach her: |
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