Sooo. I am off to Kenya!!!

HI!

Well the time has come and I am FINALLY leaving! I can't believe it. I am feeling every emotion possible at the moment. Am I nervous? YES! Excited? OH YES! Anxious: VERY ... Ready? AS I'll EVER BE... the list goes on. I have gotten all my shots, taken my Malaria medication, packed up all my bug spray and everything else I should need in the next 7 in half weeks. It is truly going to be a " Zuri Mwendo" meaning a Beautiful Journey. Both for the work that I will be doing and for myself.

Well I have to get ready to leave, my flight leaves in just a few hours. It will take me a few days to actually get to Kisumu, so you should hear back from me in a few days. Keep in your prayers and write me e-mails!! (sryounge@gmail.com)

I have to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who has supported me throughout this process so far. It has truly meant a lot to me and really gives me the extra support I will need to make our work there a success.

Below are some FAQ about what I will be doing:

Who is hosting this internship:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cupid/Initiatives.html

Where I will be working:
http://www.abilacreative.org/

Kenya?!
https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ke.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya

Kisumu( the city i will be in)?!?!?!?!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kisumu
http://www.go2africa.com/kenya/lake-victoria/kisumu/
http://www.world66.com/africa/kenya/westernkenya/kisumu

Where will I be staying?

The Abila Creative Center has an on site guest facility. No running water though, things should get interesting.

What Will I Be Doing?

Our team made of 2 social work students, 1 teacher, 1 public health student and two International studies grad students will be interning at the Abila Creative Center which serves as the local community center located on the outskirts of Kisumu. It is the third largest town in Kenya and the second largest city affected by HIV/AIDS in the world. The Abila Center works with youth helping them learn multimedia technologies, develop entrepreneurial skills and discover creative ways to raise awareness of the various issues facing their community. We will work with the Kisumu community to conduct a community assessment, as well as work with the Abila Center on their current projects. Additionally, we will implement our own project based on what we assess as a community need.