17 people + 1 nissan van from the 80s = Great Kenyan Public Transportation

Today Joseph came by Shalom we chatted for a bit over sodas. I also delivered a few items that Desiree and Rick sent with me. Then he invited me to visit the school Kiscodep sponsors. Kiscodep is a community development organization that offers many different services to Kibera (Africa’s estimated largest slum at 800,000 to 1 mil. people in the area of Central Park in NY) such as computer training, micro-finance loans, sponsorship for a school, etc. They had changed locations since the summer. Now they are renting a building from a local church which is an upgrade from the small hut that was constructed out of cardboard, and scrap tin. There I met the head school mistress Susan. She was certified as a teacher but chooses to volunteer her time to teach roughly 35 children ages 3-7. I walked in and immediately the ‘how are you’s started. I got introduced to them, they sang some little kiddie songs. Then the kids were free to do whatever while Joseph, Susan and I chatted about the school.

Before leaving, I took a group photo. But also took some individual photos of the kids and showed them. They think it is so funny to see themselves on a camera. After, I shook every single child’s hand goodbye Joseph and I headed back up to the Kiscodep office. There I got to enjoy the company of his wife, baby girl who is 1 almost 2, and two other little girls who they look after. Sunday I will go back to Kiscodep office to be introduced to the new board and possibly shown around some of the new microfinance business that have been created. I’m looking forward to returning to Kibera.

Oh, one of the most interesting things today was the ride there. Joseph and I were 2 of 17 people squeezed into a Matatu (Nissan box van). And of course, the front seats were not open so my large 6’2 American booty had to squeeze through two rows of people to sit on the back bench with 3 other people. One person even laughed at me because I had to tilt my head because I was definitely taller than the average Kenyan who would sit back there. On the way back Joseph gave me the number of the routes to take to get back to Shalom so I braved it along. And look Mom I made it, maybe I am ready for the Peace Corps!?!

Peace Corps Update
submitted application: September 22nd
conducted interview: October 23rd
nominated for a position: November 10th
submitted medical packet: January 29th
resubmitted dental files: March 4th
dental files processed: March 20th

now really just waiting…

Rugby Anyone?

Today, I again woke up and was like am I really in Kenya? Woke up to my ipod, my bed is comfortable. I fall asleep like a baby then around 3am I wake up til about 5:30am. Breakfast is 7-8:30am. So around 8:25 I drug myself downstairs to Baraza Café. Walking in I soon realized that the place was hopping more than normal.

Right now there are around 26 rugby players from Mombassa staying at Shalom. I very nice gentlemen named Oliver saw me sitting alone asked me if he could join me. So there we sat enjoying our eggs and toast. He told me of how Kenya brings two clubs to Nairobi. Has them play with and against each other and at the end of it they select 26 players out of the 52 from both teams to form the national team. Eventually the Kenya will host Rugby world cup from what I got of the conversation.

Oliver, who is the team manager, also tried to explain the scoring system of rugby. I then compared the game to American football and explained my great love for Da Bears. I said that I had never watched a rugby game and wasn’t even sure if we had a team. He then informed me that we do have team and they will actually be coming to Kenya in April to play against Kenya. He called it the match between the two Obama teams.

After, my breakfast I headed back up to my room to take a quick shower. When I came back down to the café and to enjoy the lovely weather, I bumped into George the man who runs White Gazelle. He coordinated the past two ministry and service trips. I was sitting with Francis downstairs, George joined us. Eventually, it ended up me and him talking of course you guessed it Obama. It is amazing at the interest and curiosity people have about America now because of Obama. He asked many questions about the election. He was also very update about the economic situation we are in. It is very interesting to talk with a person who has a completely different perspective that you. It was quite an enjoyable conversation.

We also talked about his daughter who is at bordering school not to far from their home at Kivuli Center. George and his wife are also expecting child #2 and 3 in July. Twins how exciting. He gave me his phone number and told me that I better call him when I plan to visit Kivuli next week.

At the moment, I’m waiting for Joseph, the man who runs Kiscodep (community development organization) in Kibera. So I will enjoy this beautiful, beautiful day outside while reading and organizing my thoughts in my journal.

Is there a quiet area where I can go to meditate or pray? (Terminal 5 information board)

Well I have made it to Heathrow with no problems. I actually probably had one of my best international flights. I had a window seat so I saw Chicago at dusk and London at dawn. Low turbulence, good movies (Slumdog Millionaire & Rachel Getting Married), decent airplane food, and time for 2 hour nap. A vacant seat between me and the older gentlemen to my right; spacious ride at the back of a 747.

So after 7 and half hours I find myself here at gate B39 waiting until 10:05am. I believe I’m facing west because there is a religious group of men standing near the window. At first, I thought they were Amish because of the simple dress. They were all praying different prayers and bowing in the process.

Along with other travelers, I caught myself staring but not in a disgusted or disapproving way. I wish I had the audacity to ask them what religion they were and what they were doing meant. Even though I’m an American Christian who has split most of my church time between a Baptist and Methodist church I still find their dedication to their faith inspiring. I enjoyed the youngest men of the group who stopped and posed for a goofy photo before boarding the plane to JFK.

The people setting behind me are speaking Arabic. It is so refreshing to be around people from other areas of the world it reminds me not everyone in this world is a democrat, independent, or republican American who cheers for the sox or cubs. I embrace the friendly reminder that my experience and background is merely one of many in this world. I appreciate the hour and half until boarding it allows me experience the diversity while at the same time hoping my cubbies are playing well in spring season. Go CUBS!

God it's me, Kate...

Complaints:
Why do good people have to suffer? I understand bad things happen in this fallen world but why drag an ailing person through pain. I just see it as unnecessary and mean.
I don’t understand why some of us have so much yet cannot realize how blessed we truly are. To some extent I’m frustrated for you at myself.

Requested:
Let the sick and suffering know that they are loved and not forgotten.
Help with people’s jobs and incomes, let them have enough to get by.
Let my mom know I love her, today and every day. Allow me to show it better.
Give Edel the strength to keep doing math problems for a real long time.
Make sure Lucy isn’t picked up too much by the older girls.
Let certain friends know that one day they will be with loved ones again.
Give President Obama wisdom and courage to do what is right.
Take care of everyone I love and those who I may not love.
Allow me to find you even when I’m not looking.
Teach me patience and let me feel calm even in the unknown.
Let me live my love for you.


Gratitude:
Thanks for the delicious kman meal at dinner and the even better conversation with a friend.
Thanks for the good health that my family has.
Thanks for allowing me a car, gas, and alertness to drive to see my best friend’s last game.
Thanks for not tuning your back on me even when I doubt you.
Thank you for my new second cousin Cole Benjamin.
Thank you for things I don’t even realize yet.
Thank you for my many great friends, who all make me better in their own ways.
Thanks for being my big man upstairs.

Peace Corps Update
submitted application: September 22nd
conducted interview: October 23rd
nominated for a position: November 10th
submitted medical packet: January 29th
resubmitted dental files: March 4th

Teach for America:
submitted application: Feb 13th
phone interview: March 2nd

what we want, what He wants

Prayer is not so much about convincing God to do what we want God to do as it is about convincing ourselves to do what God wants us to do.

God doesn't give you the people you want, He gives you the people you
NEED - To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make
you into the person you were meant to be.

Plan A, B, C?

"To help others in realizing their authenticity and to value the diversity that the world has to offer" Kate Schmidt 2006

My freshmen year here at North Central I participated in an Emerging Leadership Series. We did self-reflection along with leadership skill building activities over the course of spring term. At the end of it we had to develop mission statement/vision for ourselves. Mine (written above) is what I came up with.

For the most part, I find it pretty accurate. I wrote it before becoming a world relief friendship partner and resident assistant, before traveling to Africa three times, numerous service trips around the states. Strange how things play out and to think I was ready to transfer after my first term freshmen year.

Here I am four years later, planning the next step. Trying to have a game plan for the next phase of my life. Plan A: peace corps (waiting to hear the verdict), Plan B: Teach for America (submitted my application yesterday), and Plan C: well haven't gotten that far.

"Throughout my college career, I have had many encounters with the issues of social justice. I began college as an education major to achieve my childhood dream of becoming a teacher. Through many service projects, my passion broadened from education to social justice issues. It made me consider becoming a social worker or a school counselor. While completing coursework for my sociology major this past term, I was enrolled in Social Class and Race & Ethnicity. Class discussions mainly focused on the divide in classes and the poverty in our country: I soon recognized that education is the key to equality. I believe that if we, as a country, dedicate ourselves to correcting this great injustice, we can make our country better, stronger and more equal, one student at a time. Coming to this realization empowered me to make the decision to give my time, effort and heart to this cause." Kate Schmidt 2009

Regardless, if I do Peace Corps right after graduation I hope one day to be involved in improving education in our country.

Intersection

"Stop. Stop asking God to bless what you're doing. Get involved in what God is doing- because it's already blessed."

"What would you die for? Dying for something is easy because it is associated with glory. Living for something is hard. Living for something extends beyond fashion, glory, or recognition. We live for what we believe."

Peace Corps Update
submitted application: September 22nd
conducted interview: October 23rd
nominated for a position: November 10th
submitted medical packet: January 29th