A Big Day for Kenya

This coming Monday is significant for Kenya. They will be hosting their first national election since the tragic post-election violence of 2008. It will also be the first elections held under the new constitution and regional representation structure. The country is confidently optimistic that 2008 will not repeat itself. I don't know what to believe, but I know Kenya needs our prayers.

As you know from our own country, politics is messy. It makes public all of our individual world views and collides (sometimes awkwardly, sometimes violently) together as we look first, with self-interest, and with whatever is left, with public interest. Politics is dramatic, especially in Africa where checks and balances are sub-par and ethnic tribes drive party affiliation. Oh, and two presidential candidates are wanted from the International Criminal Court with charges of crimes against humanity.

On a rainy night in Lwala, James and I watched the first ever televised presidential debate on NTV with our Kenyan friends. Most of them have been impressed with a young, articulate candidate named Peter Kenneth. They say that he is not from the political families that have dominated Kenya, but has a fresh voice of perspective and leadership. When we asked if they were going to vote for him, they replied, No, we must vote for Raila.

Raila Odinga is Kenya's current prime minister and is a Luo from the western part of the country - the same region as our friends here in Lwala. Odinga had technically won the 2008 presidential debate, but due to a corrupt system, was not given power (this is what led to the violence). Here, people are convinced that Raila will finally, justly win this time around, and it is their duty to stay loyal to tribe more than ideology. They are already celebrating Raila's victory.

I prodded a bit more:

But what if Raila loses?

He will not lose.

Okay, but what if someone else wins? Like, what if Kenyatta wins?

(pause) Kenyatta is a criminal. Raila will win.

Just imagine this with me: Kenyatta and Raila are neck to neck, but in the end Raila loses.

(long pause, never having considered it up until asked) People will become very, very upset. They will likely protest.

And that is why we pray. Not for a specific candidate to win. But for a positive mark in history when a nation's citizens are empowered with a vote and united in welcoming a necessary transition of power. For peace and for unity. Amen.

Let's Let Them Try

To say that it's hard to be an African girl would be a gross understatement.

This is Verona.

Her greatest fault is that she was not born a boy.

Her greatest contribution is household labor: carrying water, cleaning, cooking, working the fields, caring for siblings. And then, staying out of the way.

She is powerless to defend herself from abuse of every kind. You would puke with disgust at the rate of rape among our young girls here.

She is precious. She is delightful. She is worthy. She is valuable. She just doesn't know it.

There is no silver bullet here. Trust me, decades of do-gooders have tried to find it. But the closest thing we have found?

Keep a girl in school.

This is Diana.

She will be less likely to get pregnant as a teenager or marry early.

She will have a lower rate of HIV/AIDS and lower transmission of the disease to her future children.

She will produce higher crop yields of up to 25%.

Every extra year of primary school increases her eventual wages by at least 10%.

She will have more power against a man when she is earning her own income.

Every extra year of her education decreases future infant mortality by 5-10%.

Proven ways to keep a girl in school? New uniforms (to replace their irreparable ones), clean water supply at school (so they can return from school with water for the family), latrines and re-usable sanitary pads (most girls skip school during menstruation for lack of facilities and supplies), and community education about the benefits of girls' education.

This is uniform distribution day at Kanyadigiro Primary School.

The girls in grades 6, 7 and 8 are given a special ceremony in front of the teachers, parents and community members to receive their uniforms.

They are privately mentored from the women in the community about menstruation. And they are each given bags with their own set of reusable menstrual pads. Latrines, rain tanks and health outreach are already in process.

These are our girls. They are your girls, too. They are beaming with potential, and I truly believe they have the greatest ability to shape the future of Africa. Let's let them try.

(If you are interested in learning more about issue, check out this blog post on the amazing book, Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.)

Thirty-One

I turned thirty-one on the thirty-first of January. The golden birthday, as many call it. I've had to wait the longest, being born on the final day of the month. Maybe like having a last name at the end of the alphabet. I don't know what a golden birthday represents beyond the clever age and date connection, but regardless, this birthday was special.

I spent the day in the Lwala hospital, shadowing my friend Japolo as he served patients with precision and care. As we traveled through the crowded ward, I was reminded that we are not guaranteed any breath beyond the one we have just taken, and to live past each breath is a miracle.

As we made the rounds, I met a man with a severe case of malaria which causes a bit of a psychosis along with horrible pain. His groans of physical suffering were small compared to the ones he had wailed just two weeks ago when his one-year-old son died of anemia.

A malaria outbreak. An increase in anemia deaths. We are full here, all beds in the ward occupied. Non-contagious babies sharing beds together. Two babies born this morning. Four born here through the night.

We each have one precious life, one light to shine in the world. Some burn steadily through the years until the wick is no more. Others are gone with a breath. For thirty-one years on this thirty-first of January, I give thanks.

The Friday Five: How to Pack for Travel to Africa

James and I are headed to Lwala (by way of Paris!) and will be there for almost a full month. This is the last leg of my Sabbatical, and I am so looking forward to spending time with our friends in a place that has become our second home!

Of course, the downside to travel is all the packing and prep that goes into it. Since the beginning of Blood:Water over eight years ago, I've traveled to Africa more times than I can count - and over the years, I'm proud to say, I have perfected the art of packing. I even have a famous "Packing for Africa" tutorial and demonstration that has helped many first-time travelers pack everything they need for two weeks of travel in rural Africa - all in carry-on luggage only! I can say with full confidence that it is better to travel to Africa with less, than with baggage! James and I have learned he hard way: it's just better to bring what will fit in a rolling carry-on and backpack than checking.

Don't forget that Africa's climate varies, depending on region. So this is a general guide, but make sure you are aware of the specific climate and season to which your traveling.

Without further ado, here are my top five tips for packing:

1. Clothes to Pack

• 5-6 short-sleeved t-shirts (Ladies, remember to keep it classy and modest! Gentlemen, button up shirts with a collar are preferred)
• 2 long-sleeved t-shirts
• For Women: 3-4 lightweight knee or ankle-length skirts (most women wear skirts, but be sure that your knees are always covered, as anything higher is considered immodest in rural Africa) plus 2 pairs of lightweight pants or capris (comfortable for the long plane ride )
• For Men: 3-4 light weight khakis (WITHOUT zip off shorts or cargo pockets) or semi-dress trousers with a belt (most men dress formally even in rural settings
• 1 t-shirt and 1 pair of shorts/boxers for sleeping
• 1 pair of jeans for days in transit or in a city
• 1 fleece or zip-up outer layer
• 1 lightweight rain jacket
• 2 bandanas
• 10 pairs of underwear
• For Women: 3-4 pairs of socks For Men: 7-8 pairs of socks
• 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes
• 1 pair of semi-dress shoes (flats for ladies, loafers for men)
• 1 pair of sandals or flip-flops
• Sunglasses and/or hat

2. Gear & Documents to Pack

• Quick-dry towel (you can find this at any camping store like REI or LL Bean)
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• Nalgene (or other) water bottle
• Alarm clock (or watch with an alarm)

iPod or smart phone (remember that you likely will not use your cell phone; you can plan to purchase an inexpensive cell phone in country rather than deal with international roaming charges - but it's nice to have music)

• Earplugs
• Camera
• Universal electricity plug adaptor (REI carries an all-in-one adaptor that I prefer)
• Granola bars or Power Bars (or any other small snack that is familiar and comfortable for you)
• Passport and Driver's License
• Additional copy of passport and driver's license, kept separately from your originals
• Travel Insurance card (or make sure the person/group you are traveling with has it for you - Blood:Water provides insurance cards to everyone who travels with us)
• Notebook and pens
• Book (or eReader, which is a fabulous way to travel with multiple books)
• ATM card (remember to call your bank before you leave so they know you are traveling internationally and won't hold withdrawals placed out of the U.S.)
• U.S. cash (make sure that any $50 and $100 bills are dated AT LEAST 2009 - anything printed before 2009 may not be accepted
• Inoculations proof (you will receive a yellow card - just keep it in your passport)

3. Toiletries to Pack

• 2-3 packs of travel-size baby wipes
• Toothbrush, toothbrush cover, and travel-size toothpaste
• Floss
• Hairbrush/comb
• 3 packs of travel-size Kleenex
• Mini travel mirror
• 2 razors and travel-size shaving cream
• 2 travel-size packs of hand sanitizer
• Contact solution and eyeglasses (if applicable)
• Sunscreen - at least 30 SPF
• Insect repellant/li>
• Deodorant
• Travel-size hand or body lotion
• Travel-size shampoo and conditioner
• 1 small roll of toilet paper (you can roll your own or get Charmin’s travel-size version)
• 3-4 travel-packets of dry laundry detergent (Tide or Shout both work great)

4. Medicines & First Aid to Pack

• Malarone - Malaria pills (remember to take one every morning with food)
• Sleep aid (I generally take one on my first two nights in Africa to help me settle into the new sleep schedule)
• 1 small bottle of Pepto-Bismol pills - stomach aid (I generally take one every morning to coat my stomach)
• 2 rolls of travel-size Tums - antacid
• 1 broad-spectrum antibiotic (I use Cipro - you will need a prescription for this)
• Small bag (10-15) of cough drops and/or throat lozenges
• Travel-size tube of Cortizone - anti-itch cream
• 3-4 packets of Emergen-C (or other)
• Various size band-aids - 2-3 of each size
• Neosporin

5. Packing - The Main Event!

I would highly recommend traveling with only carry-on luggage. This will practically erase the possibility lost luggage and will make traveling while in Africa infinitely easier. I know it may sound crazy, but, I promise - you CAN fit all of the above into one small/medium-size rolling duffle bag or suitcase (make sure to confirm that it matches size regulations for carry-on luggage!), one backpack, and one purse or messenger bag that you can carry with you every day in Africa. Here are some helpful tips on how to do that (hint: it all comes down to plastic bags!):

• Gallon-size Ziplock Bags: roll up all your clothes and seal them in Ziplock bags, squeezing out all the air to create a vacuum-like pack.

• Carry-on Liquids: Remember that (A) All carry-on liquids need to be less than 3oz and (B) they need to fit into a quart-size bag.

• Medicine: In order to save space, I put my medicines in little pill bags that you can buy at drugstores like Walgreens. If you do this, remember to make sure each bag is labeled so you don't mix up your medicines! I like to take the label or sticker off the original packaging and include it right in the bag with the medicine. Once all your little bags of medicine are ready, just put them into one of your ziplock bags!

And there you have it! Jena's famous Packing for Africa 101!

Au revoir until next time!

The Friday Five: Issues that Complicate HIV/AIDS in Western Kenya

HIV/AIDS is complex. A horrific disease that affects all parts of life, it is also specific in that in attacks a community in a multitude of ways. No region is exactly the same in how it is affected by HIV, and so our approaches to combating it require us to apply contextual approaches to each individual community.

No where is HIV/AIDS so prolific and total as in rural Africa. In the Lwala region of western Kenya, 24% of the population is HIV positive. Here is a peek into one of the places where HIV is rampant - and five issues that complicate the problem.

1. Polygamy It is still common for some tribes to observe the Old Testament practice of polygamy. If one member of the marriage is HIV positive, it passes to everyone else. Concurrent sexual relationships give flame to a fire that becomes difficult to stop.

2. Circumcision Most baby boys in western Kenya are not circumcised. However, studies show that HIV transmission is reduced up to 70% for men who are circumcised. There are significant efforts being made in the region to encourage voluntary adult male circumcision.

3. Maternal/Child Health In the region where we work in Lwala, Kenya, only 35% of women deliver their children with a skilled attendant or qualified nurse. Sufficient medical care is essential during labor and delivery in order to prevent transmission from mother to child, and unfortunately, it often comes too late or not at all.

4. Gender Inequality Women in Africa are not valued as highly as men. They are not given equal access to education and employment. They are seen more as property than as valuable citizens. Because of this vast gender inequality, most women lack the ability to say no to a man, even if he is her husband. The population at greatest risk for HIV is married African women. In Lwala, 67% of our HIV patients are women.

5. Stigma HIV/AIDS is our modern-day leprosy. It drips with shame and fear, making it extremely difficult for people to be open about their status. The fear associated with HIV/AIDS breeds ostracizing and hateful acts and so people continue to live in fear, full of guilt and shame and hiding their disease. Even more, when HIV/AIDS is kept secret by individuals, it prevents a community's ability to address the issue together - to speak about prevention and provide treatment in a safe and caring environment.

This list could go on and on. But the good news is that Lwala and other communities in Africa are not alone in their fight against HIV/AIDS. To learn more about how Blood:Water Mission partners with communities in Africa to address the HIV/AIDS crisis, click here. To learn more about our partner in Lwala, Kenya, Lwala Community Alliance, visit their website here.

*Photo Credit: Chris Pereira for Lwala Community Alliance.

Could We Still Believe?

This is post 2 of 10 in the Broken:Beautiful series.                              

My first thoughts of Africa were wrapped up in idealism, dripping with it. I had romanticized Africa as a place of simplicity, poverty, culture and beauty. Like other Americans, I imagined Africa as it belonged in the travel magazines, in the headlines of the newspapers and in the argument for why children should finish their dinners.

Perhaps, we sentimentalize places and people who are different from us until we truly know them. Or perhaps we long for them, in the way Isaiah longed for a New Jerusalem. As a 21-year-old, I co-founded Blood:Water Mission with the belief that we could eradicate HIV/AIDS and provide safe water for all. If we could simply rally enough people to care, certainly there could be enough resources in the world to make these things happen. In my naiveté I believed early on that I could be the one to usher that change.

Thomas Merton wrote a letter to a young activist and he urged him to struggle less and less for an idea and more and more for specific people. Merton’s advice reminds me of the I-Thou and I-It relationship advocated for by the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber. The I-Thou relationship occurs when two people see each other, simply, as people created by God in His image. There is no qualification of poor or rich or us or them. I-Thou sees the humanity and the divinity within each person. Conversely, I-It exists when a person sees the other as an object to be used to serve his or her interest. It gives a person permission to define, label and objectify the other person. To romanticize Africa is to make an “it” of the place and the people.

It was apparent, even on the plane that both James and I longed to live out the I-Thou relationship and realized our own idealism stood in the way. Perhaps not surprisingly to someone seasoned like Thomas Merton, our romanticism for the ideas and virtues of justice, healthcare, preferential options for the poor and for the hastening of a New Jerusalem would have to be shattered in order to understand the sacred I and Thou. It was easy to see someone as a brother and sister in the loving, general sense of the word.

But what would happen if the Thou you were trying to serve, lied to you, hurt you or disappointed you with corruption- or if the I that wanted to serve began to fall short in his or her false sense of capabilities or large promises  - could we still believe?

Admittedly, we’re still in the midst of picking up some of those pieces of idealism and reworking them. But we continue to commit our lives to social justice in Africa and invite many others to join in the journey with us – even as we are still learning. Because we do believe that the world changes when love is lavished upon others. We hold fast to the hope that someday all things will be renewed. Just as we know ourselves as recipients of God’s great grace, we pray the same for the injustices we see.

James' post next week will expose the broken of broken:beautiful.

That Should Be An International Scandal

Today marks an important moment in history - the President of the United States publicly responded to the more than 73,000 of us who asked the White House to take a stand against modern-day slavery. (Huge thanks to IJM for taking the lead!)

Sheryl WuDunn, co-author of Half the Sky, spoke in Nashville last night. It's an important book and is deeply personal to me as it brings to light the horrific injustices that James and I see on a regular basis in our work in Africa. It's why we pour our work into educating girls, freeing girls from oppression and protecting them from HIV/AIDS. Here are direct highlights from Half the Sky.

21st Century Slavery

Far more women and girls are shipped into brothels each year in the early twenty-first century than African slaves were shipped into slave plantations each year in the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries—although the overall population was of course far smaller then.

Our own estimate is that there are 3 million women and girls (and a very small number of boys) worldwide who can be fairly termed enslaved in the sex trade.

Maternal Deaths

More women die in childbirth in a few days than terrorism kills people in a year.

In the United States, the lifetime risk of dying in childbirth is 1 in 4,800; in Italy, it’s 1 in 26,600; and in Ireland a woman has only 1 chance in 47,600 of dying in childbirth. Overall in sub-Saharan Africa, the lifetime risk of dying in childbirth is 1 in 22.

So lifetime risk of maternal death is one thousand times higher in a poor country than in the West. That should be an international scandal.

HIV/AIDS

Being sold to a brothel was always a hideous fate, but not usually a death sentence. Now it often is. And because of the fear of AIDS, customers prefer younger girls whom they believe are less likely to be infected.

Women are about twice as likely to be infected during heterosexual sex with an HIV-positive partner as men are.

For women the lethal risk factor is often not promiscuity but marriage. Routinely in Africa and Asia, women stay safe until they marry, and then they contract AIDS from their husbands.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Worldwide, some 130 million women have been cut, and after new research, the UN now estimates that 3 million girls are cut annually in Africa alone (the previous estimate had been 2 million globally).

Domestic Violence

Surveys suggest that about one third of all women worldwide face beatings in the home. Women aged fifteen through forty-four are more likely to be maimed or die from male violence than from cancer, malaria, traffic accidents, and war combined.

Moving Forward

“Empowerment” is a cliché in the aid community, but it is truly what is needed. The first step toward greater justice is to transform that culture of female docility and subservience, so that women themselves become more assertive and demanding. As we said earlier, that is, of course, easy for outsiders like us to say: We’re not the ones who run horrible risks for speaking up. But when a woman does stand up, it’s imperative that outsiders champion her; we also must nurture institutions to protect such people.

In developing countries, tormenting the illiterate is usually risk-free; preying on the educated is more perilous.

The single most important way to encourage women and girls to stand up for their rights is education, and we can do far more to promote universal education in poor countries.

If there is to be a successful movement on behalf of women in poor countries, it will have to bridge the God Gulf. Secular bleeding hearts and religious bleeding hearts will have to forge a common cause. That’s what happened two centuries ago in the abolitionist movement, when liberal deists and conservative evangelicals joined forces to overthrow slavery. And it’s the only way to muster the political will to get now-invisible women onto the international agenda.

I want to be a part of this movement, don't you?