Before I went to Rwanda, I had this outlined plan on how I was going to construct a blog post highlighting the things I was thankful for. Surprisingly, this post was far more difficult to write than expected. I had wanted to list all I was thankful for with these articulate explanations to why I felt this way, and what not. What I have found is that perhaps simplicity expresses my thankfulness best.
I am thankful for my parents.
I am thankful for my sisters.
I am thankful the rest of my family, be it Kiefer, Whaley, Cornell or whatever.
I am thankful for my friends.
I am thankful for every opportunity that has come my way.
I am thankful for my life.
Yup. I should thank the gods everywhere that I am who I am. I get to wake up everyday and know that I will have a structure over my head, food in my stomach and medical care.
You know what – everyone who has that, they are the 1%. So, occupy poverty. And occupy injustice.
Kenya has helped me recognize that life’s gifts are to be acknowledged and praised daily. I shouldn’t wait until the third Thursday in November to give thanks.
Anyway. RWANDA WAS WONDERFUL.
I was going to write about Rwanda, however, I have yet to find a method in which to accurately portray what I felt about my trip. I am sure I will get there. I have been writing this post for about three weeks, it has been sitting in limbo in a random Microsoft word document, waiting for completion, perhaps tonight will be the night.
So my roommate is an intern at this really awesome refugee organization which provides a safe haven for Somali refguee girls who are unaccompanied minors who find themselves in Kenya after fleeing the conflict in their country and also girls from the DRC and surrounding East African countries. She speaks in tones of elations as we gossip in our beds, when she describes the glee that the girls bring to her life and how they smile everyday. It is a beautiful thought. These girls, coming together, learning, going to school, generating an income (they make beautiful scarves) and starting a new life?
Right?
Most, if not all, of these girls, have been brutally raped. By their family members, neighbors, or soliders. Or all of the above.
My friend was recently grading a test in which the girls answered questions about gender based violenced. It was a multiple choice question.
Which of the listed are most likely to sexually assault you?
A) stranger
b) family member
she wrote in: c) your cousin
I know I have had really sad posts as of late, but, I think it’s important to highlight the imperfections. I came to Kenya expecting to make some sort of difference. While I still strive to do so, I am recognizing that it is a larger fete than you’d think. You can’t just throw money and ideas at a problem, no matter how much you wish you could. Donations are vital. Playing your part in the global fight against injustice is vital, but what can we really do?
How do we make a difference?
We watch Law and Order: SVU and see men and women fight the injustices that occur against their bodies. That is not a reality here. Rape means dishonor, rape is a way of life. HIV/AIDS is the only reality. Syphilis, gonorrhea and herpes isn’t even one these women’s radar. They raise their children in a world were violence against women is an accepted reality. We live in a reality where violence against women is a reality. Most of these women are under the age of 17. They have one or two children, and they are beautiful mothers. They love their babies and they want a better world for them – but they have their doubts. I have my doubts.
Remember when people were afraid of nuclear bombs? Well, most of the population here is afraid of having their bodies used against them.
I don’t even know. I can’t even explain. The atrocities that mankind can commit against another human being can melt your soul.
I do believe that we can change the world. One hefer project at the time, one UNICEF donation, one humane society donation, anything, really. But when do we become accountable? We need to stop buying things that come from conflict zones. We need to demand that our government stands up for the poverty in the United States along with the rest of the world.
We need better gun laws. While I support the right to bear arms, I do not support the right to execute a child right next to my car while I babysit in Washington, DC and because it is a black child, have nothing happen. I would rather have no guns at all than that happen.
I am sorry that I am ranting. I know a lot of my parents friends read this and I wish I could write happy anecdotes of the funny things that happen to me daily. But, life happens to me. I am so happy I am here.
I am living. I am living life. I am thankful for the opportunity to survive. The opportunity to live my life to my full potential.
