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Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:26:14 -0700 (PDT)
Habari Yako? (How are you?)
It has been an interesting month in Kenya. With the presidential election
in December things are heating up in the political arena. It is very
interesting to watch a democracy grow as Kenya went through almost forty years
of a one party system and now they are trying to iron out this thing called
democracy! The Kenyans are very passionate about their politics. At
7 pm every night, all pubs, stores and homes have the news on. People
cannot wait to see what is going on in the country. It makes sense to me
because until 2002, when Moi was defeated, there was no freedom of press, therefore,
no one really knew what was going on. Now it is like a soap opera,
literally at times. Everyday you pick up the newspaper there are new and
sometimes strange developments. The news reminds me i am in a third world
country because the things that happen in Africa on a daily basis could not
happen in America. For instance, a guy was drunk and fell in a very large
hole dug by contractors and died in the hole. This happens all the time
in Kenya because people dig holes and they just stay there for months at a time
with no warnings posted. It is easy to die in a hole. Last month a
bus was in an accident. The people trying to rescue them had to deal with
hungry lions that could smell the blood. These things do not happend in
America, yet in Kenya these stories are an everyday occurance. It makes
Kenya to be a very interesting place with interesting people.
Lately I have been engulfed with Kenyan pride. I have been here nearly a
year and I feel like I am part of the landscape. When the track team did
so well at the World Championships it was such a great feeling to see the
country celebrate. In East Africa with so much violence, disease and
poverty it is nice to see people feel good about themselves. Athletics
are literally putting Kenya on the map and it is a good thing. This is a
beautiful place with nice people and according to Africa standards, an
excellent infastructure. I have been caught in the wave of excitement
about the future for KEnya because it looks so promising. Watching these
track athletes and seeing the reaction of wananchi (the citizens) it reminded
me of how good i feel when my football team wins. So I have been caught
in the wave of hysteria that has engulfed Kenya. For the first time in
the history of this nation there is a great feeling about who they are and what
they are capable of doing. For those who did not watch, Kenya finished
second only behind the USA. it was there best finish ever at a world
championship and they are looking forward to better things in the future.
I wrote some articles about this on my father's website www.youthtrack.com
I am in the middle of something that is so great it sometimes is beyond
words. The joy, the hope, the smiles because of the actions of
their fellow citizens. this week the African Volleyball championships
happen to be in Kenya and happen to be in walking distance from where I am
staying. I went over and it was so exciting to see the people cheering
Kenya on in this event. But most of all, being caught in this wave of
enthusiasm makes me smile because I know how hard these Kenyans have to work to
succeed. I think to myself how much better could they achieve if they had
the benefits and the luxuries in America. When I came here I did not see
what I can see now! I can see clearly that Africans, given the right
situation and circumstances, can achieve excellent results!
Bernard Legat! I watched him in the track championships as he was the
only man to beat the consistently brilliant Kenyans. In the last
championship Lagat was a KEnyan citizen running for the Kenyan national
team. Now he is an American and a doulble world champion as I watched him
break the hearts of many KEnyans. I was so happy, but part of me was sad
for my brothers in Kenya. how could he do this they asked? But when
I thought about it, it all makes sense. He is getting the best training,
the best housing, the best of the best in America and his talents are being
maximized. So he should naturally out do his Kenyan brothers who must
endure through situations not as accomodating. Although with the succes
this year things are getting better. i hope one day to incorperate track
and field into our programs so the children can run, be a part of the team and
take pride in being a Kenyan.
Go KENYA! I am a fan and I am looking for better things in the futures.
The best has yet to come for Kenya. but it all starts with the
children. I see a very bright future for this country as tourism is at an
all time high. I never realized how beautiful Africa is until I visited
for myself. If anyone is interested in visiting it is a great place to
see animals and they have great beaches, plus five star hotels. Also, it
is a good place for people to do business. there are many opportunities,
thanks to the good old USA! America is investing hundreds of millions
into security, infastructure and the economy. I do not know how or why
God sent me to Kenya, but I am glad He did because it is nothing like I
expected. No books, no videos, no course of study could have prepared me
for the things I ecountered in the last year. Africa is definately better
off than we think it is, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be
done.
Stacy
salexanderharris@yahoo.com
www.stacyharrisministries.com
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