I have been looking for a way to volunteer this year, some way to give back. I haven't been able to find an opportunity here in Copenhagen because of my non-existent Danish language skills. But I have found something a little further afield. Next Sunday I fly to the Kenyan capitol of Nairobi where I will spend my spring break week at an orphanage run by Living Positive Kenya. The organization takes care of Kenyans living with HIV. The associated orphanage is for the children left behind if their parents succumb to AIDS.
I had been a little nervous because shortly after I booked my trip the elections in Kenya took place. The last elections, 5 years ago, resulted in 1200 deaths and thousands of people displaced. The election went off without a hitch, though the runner-up is not pleased to have lost. Thankfully the new constitution provides a path for appealing the results in court and both candidates have stuck to their pledge to take grievances to the courts instead of into the streets.
I'm looking forward to meeting lots of new people, learning a little bit about a new country, and I'm excited about stepping foot on a new continent. I have no idea what the living conditions will be like, but I do have to write a paper while I am there. Here's hoping to reliable electricity.
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