Lions, Giraffes, Elephants and more!
Hello Everyone,
With less than two weeks remaining of our program, the interns continue to prepare their final advocates and fellows projects. Interns are excitedly forming important partnerships with local entrepreneurs, structuring committees and carrying out research using surveys, focus groups and individual interviews.
Early Saturday morning we transferred from Kayafungo to Mombasa for a day of shopping, researching on the Internet, and relaxing by the Indian Ocean. For dinner we feasted at an authentic Swahili restaurant in Old Town. Those not too exhausted from the demanding week in Kayafungo, joined Kenyan friends for dancing at a club on the water.
At 6am on Sunday we met for the start of our safari excursion to Tsavo East and Amboseli National Parks. We were delighted to see lions, giraffes, elephants, impala, waterbucks, monkeys, gazelles, zebras, dik diks and a variety of birds. Missing the hippos and cheetahs gives everyone another reason to return to Kenya. Kelly, Nick, Marty, Ari and Paul are pictured in one of the safari vans. Also pictured is a monkey crossing the road and a family of elephants, some of the interns’ favorites.
Marty turned 22 on Wednesday and Stephanie turns 21 this coming Tuesday. We will be celebrating together on Sunday evening during our last night in Mariakani.
In other ThinkImpact news, we identified the location of our new ThinkImpact office and apartment in Mombasa! As our new full-time country director, Abdallah will be running office logistics and supporting the Global Development Internship and Fellowship programs. Two ThinkImpact fellows arrive next week to stay for eight months to a year. They will be using the apartment and office as a base as they carry out their social business initiatives in Kayafungo.
This Week’s Highlighted Projects:
Following the advocacy track, Marty is writing an article focused on the importance of family planning in alleviating poverty. She will compare two families, one with two kids and the other with many more, to show the benefits of a smaller family. Then she will present her research discussing the social barriers that inhibit families from participating in family planning.
Also an advocate, Patrick is working with three secondary schools in the Kayafungo Location to explore the issues surrounding access to education. He is using surveys and statistical analysis to evaluate the relationships between education, poverty, health and any other issues he discovers affect educational opportunities.
In response to health issues that exist as a result of people walking barefoot, Paul is developing a shoe-making business on the fellowship track. Using recycled materials, including old tires, he is working with local shoemakers to create inexpensive, atheistic footwear.
Pictured are Paddy, Meredith, Jessie and Leslie in front of the supply shop in Mariakani called, “In God We Trust.”
Hope you are having a good week!
Peace and love,
Lily
