My Travel Journal

Not a Finalist...but inspired by those who were chosen

2011-04-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately I was not chosen as a finalist for the competition. However, the three young women that were chosen are huge inspirations to me. Check out their blogs. They are definitely deserving of this honor.
http://genderandme.blogspot.com/
http://www.treehugger.com/author/rachel-cernasky/
http://blogs.dfid.gov.uk/author/hannahryder/

Public Health-->Enivornmental Sustainability-->Women's Rights...yes, they are related!

2011-04-20T23:18:00.001-07:00

I first heard about the LifeStraw in an International Studies class a few years ago. Our group assignment was to discuss various aspects of the UN MDG's. One group had researched this fascinating product and briefly mentioned it in their presentation. At the time, I was impressed by the capabilities of modern technology and a dedicated team of professionals to create such a product. Now, I may have the chance to join the ambitious public health campaign trail taking place throughout Kenya. I will aid in spreading the word about the effectiveness of simple, healthy life-style changes and life-changing abilities of products such as the LifeStraw.
I think the creators explain it best! Check it out: http://www.vestergaard-frandsen.com/lifestraw
Through the use of the Straw, carbon emissions will be decreased due to the reduced reliance of coal and firewood to boil and clean disease-ridden water. Without the need for such fuel, most often collected by women, their time will be freed up for alternative activities such as education. Educating women has proven to reduce the number of children she has, and allows her to take better control of her sexual health.
Just another example of how an isolated event can effect a community in a variety of ways!!!
Photo borrowed from: http://www.vestergaard-frandsen.com/lifestraw

“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more”

2011-04-18T15:19:00.000-07:00

--Anthony Robbins

One day as I was sifting through my email inbox, weeding out the spam, the Living Social deals, and work updates, and I came across a short email from a colleague. She stated that she had read about an opportunity for young women bloggers to follow development work in Kakamega, Kenya. She said that she immediately thought of me because she had followed my blog during my trip to Kenya last year and knows how passionate I am about community development. I quickly clicked on the link that she provided. After reading the description of the contest, there was no doubt in my mind that I would not jump at the opportunity to continue development work in a community I have grown to love.
I have been busy composing my application these past few days. Talking about development is like second-nature to me. I have not only studied it for several years, but have lived it, and am constantly searching for opportunities to continue working in the international community development field. Therefore, I am reactivating my travel blog!
I often have people tell me that I should continue to blog about my life and my continued pursuit for a fulfilling career in...well....changing the world one person at a time. Reading over the years worth of posts reminded me of the work that my hardworking coworkers and I accomplished in Baltimore and Kenya. This Women Bloggers Deliver Competition, sponsored by Vestergaard Frandsen and Women Deliver, is opening up an opportunity for me to start blogging again about work and a community that is close to my heart.
The word of the day seems to be "opportunity". These organizations are giving me the opportunity to learn new development strategies and create awareness around issues that people around the world need to address. If I am chosen for this honor, it will be my chance to give women in Kenya the opportunity to be heard and to have access to resources they deserve.
Read more about it at: http://www.vestergaard-frandsen.com/women-bloggers-deliver/

Wish Me Luck!!!

Home

2010-11-16T09:05:00.000-08:00

I arrived in Portland yesterday afternoon. It doesn't feel real that I am back yet. I will post pictures and more info once I get settled in. Overall, I had a great time in Kenya and miss it already. I have made lifelong friends and have a new family now...who could ask for more!

My Last Week At Daisy

2010-11-06T23:57:00.000-07:00

This will be my ninth week here in Kakamega. My last week to spend with the Daisy community. I have my exit interview on Tuesday and my final reports are due by the end of the week. It is a sad realization that things are really ending for me. There is so much work that can be done to improve the school. I wish that I could do more. I will surely miss everyone that I have gotten to know in Kakamega. However, it is just the beginning of many activities at Daisy, which is very exciting. I plan to come back in the future to see the progress of the new programs.
Another good thing is, everything I set out to do was accomplished! I started a garden, renovated the cow shed, purchased a cow, revamped the tailoring program, and generated ideas to start a computer training course at the school. I feel satisfied with the work that I have completed.
I want to thank everyone that has supported me, both financially and emotionally. You are all blessings in my life! The staff and students have told me to pass along a "THANK YOU" as well.
Tutaonana! We will be seeing each other....soon!

Jackie Mroz

What A Week!

2010-10-30T23:34:00.000-07:00

This week started out very slowly. In fact, on Tuesday I was getting worried about accomplishing everything that I wanted to before I leave. Wednesday changed everything. Wednesday was going to be a normal day but turned out to be much more. We hired a fundi to renovate the cow shed. I went to several different farms to look at cows. I even went out to Malava (about an hour away) to view a cow in a small countryside village. Turns out that is the cow we ended up buying. I spent that evening running back and forth from school and home to discuss purchasing that cow on Thursday. We needed to act fast because they were going to sell her at the market the next morning. We decided to leave early and purchase her on Thursday.
Thursday morning came around and we headed to Labao. We found our friends and bought the cow. We walked 12km back to Kakamega in the hot sun. It was quite the experience. We arrived just in time for Parent's Day.
The Parent's got to see our new cow. I gave a brief presentation on my project and my hopes for the school. They were all very appreciative. I asked them to encourage their students and to continue the program through their financial investments once I am gone.
On Friday, I gave the same short speech to the Board of Governors who are definitely happy about the program. They will be there to support it when I leave. Everyone is very pleased!
These next two weeks will be full of meetings and signing documents. I will wrap up my work on the garden and then leave it in the hands of Daisy. They will do great!

It has been requested that I show where the fundraised money is going. Here is a breakdown of cost so far. The money that I have left will go to purchase a few remaining items for the garden. The remaining money I am trying to encourage the school to use to pay the groundsman extra. He will now have to come in 7 days a week to care for the cow, versus his usual 5 days. Unfortunately, because this is seen as his "duty" as a groundsman, he will not get a salary increase. I want to change that. I will let you know if it works out.

Animal Keeping
Cow	$440
Stock Sale Fee	$6.67
Permit to Move Fee	$0.67
Market Fee (Entry)	$0.40
Spray	$36.67
Spray Pump	$62.67
High Phosphous Salt	$19.73
Multivitamin Injection	$3.33
Milking Jelly (500g)	$18
Desmodium	$2.66
Dairy Meal (3 bags/1@1300)	$156.00
Sweet Potato Vines	$1.33
Grass	$20
Medicine (Adamiacine)	$3.73
Vet Bill	$4
	$789

Cow Shed Renovation
Materials (see breakdown)	$60.00
Transportation of materials	$5.33
Labor	$32.00
	$97.33

Materials (Cow Shed)
Nails	$5.33
Cement	$36.00
Waterproof Cement	$6.67
PVC Pipe	$12.00
	$60.00

Garden Planting
Labor	$40
Panga	$3.47
Watering Can	$4.93
Rake	$2.66
Slasher	$1.87
Fertilizer (DAP)	$39.47
Pesticides	$19.73
Collards	$4.80
Cow Peas	$6.67
Spring Onions	$2.13
Avocado	$2.66
Green Grams (6kg)	$11.60
Irish Potatoes	$6.80
Sutza	$4.00
Saga	$4.00
	$155
Transportation
Cow Research	$40.00
Fertilizer Transport	$0.40
Napier Grass Seed Transport/Cutting	$8.67
Desmodium Transport	$1.33
Seed Transport	$3.73
Grass Transport	$72
Transportation	$22.67
	$148.80

Other
Log Book	$2
	$2

TOTAL	$1,179.13

Didn't get a chance to contribute??? You still can!

2010-10-29T02:48:00.000-07:00

The tailoring program at Daisy is selling bags and aprons. They are tailored by the vocational students and their teacher. Please help support this program and get a nice bag and/or apron too!
Apron: $10.00

Large Bag: $25.00
Small Bag: $18.00

These pictures show two varieties of larger bags, but a smaller one can be made as well.
I am taking orders. Let me know what you want and I will pass it on. I will bring your item home with me. Email me: jackie.mroz@gmail.com

Meet Jacqueline Maua

2010-10-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

Our cow has made it to Daisy. I left early this morning to head to Labao with our groundsman and Minyade. I walked around the market a bit, then we arranged finances with the guys we had negotiated with yesterday, and then headed to Kakamega. After a 13km walk in the hot sun, we made it to Daisy. Her name was originally Maua, but they wanted to give it a new name. She is now called Jacqueline Maua...Jackie for short.

Cow Research

2010-10-27T09:57:00.000-07:00

Today is not over for me. It was the busiest day I have had since arriving in Kenya. I just want to give a brief update before I get back to work. Today I went into the field with KARI (Kenya Agricultural Research Institute). We had sourced some cows from local farmers and wanted to check them out. Our first stop was unsuccessful. The farmer was asking way out of our price range.
We then headed to Malava, a neighboring town. After hiking up a hill a bit, we arrived at a small farm. A cow was brought out. After a long negotiation, we think we have found our cow. Tomorrow we will go to a nearby town market to pick her up. If all is successful, she will be at Daisy by the afternoon. Good news is: tomorrow is Parent's Day. Maybe they will have a chance to see the fruits of our labor!
We are having the cow shed renovated Thursday and Friday, so she will have to sleep outside for two nights, nothing she isn't used too.
Wish me luck!

Another day in the 'shamba'

2010-10-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

This week was much different than the previous. The beginning of the week was filled with meetings about the budget and investment from Daisy. On Wednesday we celebrated Mashujaa (Heros) Day, so no school. I also celebrated far surpassing my fundraising goal. On Thursday I did some research on cow sheds in the area by visiting some local schools and homes that keep multiple cows. It gave me a better perspective on exactly how well constructed Daisy’s shed is.

Today I held a meeting with the administration and we have cut the cow shed renovation costs in more than half! I am very excited. Our grounds man has started making some repairs to the sleeping area. Next week, once the ‘Farming Contract’ that I am constructing is signed by Daisy and FSD staff, we will hire a fundi to make the final preparations for a cow. I am currently researching the best available cows in the area. We want to keep it local, so I will be contacting several farmers next week, looking at their record, and bargaining a price. We hope to have a cow by my final week.

Also, today we spent about an hour with Standards 7 and 8 in the shamba. They did great work. They learned how to plant napier grass that will soon feed the cow. They always have so much fun, it is enjoyable just to watch them learn and engage. I am afraid of safari ants, so I can’t say I am digging in so much…maybe next week!

WE DID IT!

2010-10-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

The fundraising campaign has come to an end. The total amount raised was $1,003.40! A HUGE ASANTE SANA to everyone that was involved. Daisy will really benefit from these donations. I will hold a meeting with the staff today to discuss implementation. You are all awesome! Thank you for believing in this project.

A shout out to St. Luke Parish for coming together and raising $536.21. Wow!

More updates to come.

Week 5 at Daisy

2010-10-18T04:13:00.000-07:00

This week I will be holding many meetings with the Administration to finalize our plans for the garden and farming programs. I will be creating documents including sustainability plans and contracts with Daisy to ensure transparency and accountability in the future.

As far as progress on the garden, we will do what we can as the seeds are available and if the rains hold off.

By the end of the week, I hope to have an update on the farming project.

Fundraising ENDS TOMORROW 10/19, which we are all very excited about, because that means funds will be available to use for progress. Get the word out!

Ants In My Pants

2010-10-14T07:57:00.000-07:00

Literally! Today was a perfect day except for one mishap. Let me tell you the good first. I started the day by going to the open air market with our accounts clerk, Naftali, who has been amazingly helpful. We went to several vendors whose seeds were infested or diseased, and even one vendor who was asleep! We finally came across a very nice lady whose seeds were healthy. We bought 4kg of cow peas, 15 ‘caps’ of sutza, and 15 ‘caps’ of saga. The prices were slightly lower than budgeted, which is always a sweet surprise.
I went straight to the garden with our grounds man and another Daisy helper, to learn how to plant. They said I was a “mwanafunzi mzuri”, a good student. I don’t think they expected me to be out there helping them. They warned me about the smell of the manure, but I just dug my hands right in and got to planting. It was a lot of fun and I was happy to help. One unpleasant thing about it, lunch was directly after I finished planting. Remember, we eat with our hands here…the same hands that were just covered in manure. Yuck! Made me feel like a real farmer.
Later in the day, our RODI friend Christine came by with our sweet potatoes, kolanuts, and sweet onions. We quickly gathered some students to go down to the shamba. They were taught how to cut and plant each type of veggie. The boys did the digging and the girls got to planting. They were having a lot of fun as I went around taking their photos. We were all laughing until I started feeling bites all over my feet.
One students yelled out, “look out, Safari Ants!”. I looked down and noticed my shoes covered in ants. The burning sensation I was feeling started to slowly travel up my pants. Ants in my pants!!! Everyone was quick to help, patting me down, grabbing my shoes, brushing the ants off of me. I was escorted by four lovely girls to the dorms to shake out my pants. I had at least three ants burrowed in my feet. Boy, did they sting! As I came out of the dorm the girls proceeded to tell me that these ants will make me swell and you can die from their bites. I was just an insy-wensy bit worried…then they started to laugh. As I went back to the shamba, the boys started imitating me, screaming “ahh, get them off!” as they danced around, supposedly as I did! I am sure it will take a while to live that one down. I spent the remainder of the time a ways away from the students finishing up. They were having a grand ‘ole time laughing at my hesitation to go back down. Can’t wait for Monday! Really!I am off to the Kakamega Rainforest this weekend. I have left a list of things to be done while I am gone and I have faith they will be accomplished well. More to come next week.

REMEMBER FUNDRAISING ENDS TUESDAY, OCT. 19! Read. Believe. Contribute! ----->

Focus on Tailoring

2010-10-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

I spent most of the day today in the tailoring classroom. I was going over the needs of the program. We created a budget and talked with a fundi (skilled worker) about the cost of repairing the 8 idle machines, and restoring the 2 working ones. The bottom line was much higher than I had thought. I am going to negotiate a lower price of labor with the fundi. If that does not work, maybe we will look at only fixing a few at a time.
This project will not be carried out by me. I am just setting up a plan for Daisy to use in the future, when funds are available to spend on revamping the tailoring vocation (hopefully, funds from my garden project will help out!).
Also, we are still holding meetings regarding the animal keeping project. We are trying to cut costs to make it more viable and sustainable for Daisy. We should be settled by the end of the week.
Tomorrow is Market Day. That is, we will go to the market in the afternoon if the rains hold off. Yay!

Commencement

2010-10-11T06:28:00.001-07:00

The gardening project officially began as of today. On Saturday, some of the boarders spent time in the garden making holes for the anticipated arrival of the napier grass seeds later this week. 15 were made, and more will be completed as the week goes on. Getting the napier grass in the ground is imperative to having enough feed when the cow is purchased. We were supposed to have the seeds this morning but we are waiting to see if Christine, from RODI, can find some cheaper, but quality seedlings. After all, cutting costs is important, but quality is even of greater importance.
I went into town to buy the essential materials for the garden. I purchased a watering can, slasher, rake (we still need to get the handle), panga (machete), fertilizer, and pesticides. This was very exciting for me because it means the beginning of the project. It means that all my planning is actually a reality now. I cannot wait to use each of these items, and even more excited to see the children working with them in their garden.
As far as the animal keeping project goes, we are looking over the budget again. As I met with different organizations last week, the budget grew. We will assess what is necessary and what can hold off for a bit. Daisy has assured me that they are extremely invested in this program and will do what they can to invest financially. I will update you later in the week after I meet with the staff and we decide on some figures.

Maybe this post will answer your question too!

2010-10-09T21:41:00.000-07:00

You are most likely visiting my blog because you received an email or FB message from me (or both!). One of my friends responded to my request with some very thoughtful questions. I think they are important and wanted to share them with you. Maybe you have a similar question.

Who will continue with the project after you leave? Do they have knowledge and experience caring for and milking a cow, do they have experience or access to someone re raising the variety of vegetables that you want to grow?

The answer to this question incorporates the basis of my project. I am here to facilitate a sustainable development initiative. That is, one that does not depend on me, but accesses resources already in place just needing a bit of a “boost”. My job at Daisy is to identify opportunities where the school can grow or areas they need to work on. During my first few weeks, I spent a lot of time doing observation and asking many questions. Once I identified these areas, I was to gather my ideas, identify the schools assets (be it individual, financial, spacial, etc.), and collaborate with the staff. As you know, I saw the greatest need in nutrition, vocations, income-generation and access to resources.

Daisy has several staff members that are both teachers and agriculturalists. In fact, the school already has a club that deals with farming and working with the land headed by two teachers in particular. The school grounds has a cow shed that has not been used in 2 years. They used to keep 3 cows, but two were sold because of financial crisis and one died of natural causes. (I am currently working on ways the school can prevent selling as a means of funds in the future; such as encouraging fundraising or informing their Board of Governors when problems strike.) The school also has several acres of land that is unused. They have a grounds man who can offer his time and energy. Lastly, Daisy is well-known and respected in much of the community, therefore has connections with various agricultural and agronomy organizations.

These assets are the reason I saw my initiative being successful. In fact, I was originally going to teach a nutrition or farming seminar. However, we changed that to weekly meetings with the students, facilitated by one of two “teachers in-charge of gardening”. I found that they are extremely knowledgeable about organic farming, animal keeping, and the local foods. After all, do remember that farming was a major part of there culture. People survive off the land here. Unfortunately, less and less young people are learning such skills though as time change. However, it is extremely important to have this knowledge as Kakamega, and Kenya in general, are rural. But the teachers at Daisy are from a different generation and grew up learning how to farm. In fact, several have farms of their own. Therefore they have resources and knowledge!

As of right now, Daisy is in close contact with RODI (Resource Oriented Development Initiative) which focuses on teaching agricultural practices, KARI (Kenya Agricultural Research Initiative) which has branches ranging from selling of goods to research, to harvesting and teaching, and lastly a Veterinarian (my neighbor) who will advise them on keeping a cow should they need it.

I am making sure to let them make the decisions (under my guidance) and lead the focus of our meetings with both staff and students. They know much more than I do on this topic. I have complete faith in them. This program will really benefit the school in so many ways and I can see their brainstorming everyday for ways of making it happen. I am also setting in place steps towards accountability and transparency. They will sign a contract before I leave. The FSD site team will make random checks to the school to see they are following the guidelines that we agreed on.

Is the soil appropriate for those vegetables?

As I said above, the school had cows in the past. Therefore, a manure pile was created. This manure has rotted and made a large amount of the land very fertile. Where the land is not as suitable, we plan to move the rotted and nutrient-rich manure/soil mix to the other plot of land. I do believe the crops will fair just fine where we have chosen to start the garden.

Why did you choose a cow over a goat, chickens, or another animal?

We chose a dairy cow over these other animals for several reasons. A cow will produce more milk for the children and excess to be sold. There is a shortage of milk in the children’s diet currently and the school had already been seeking solutions to this problem. The compound has a zero-grazing cow shed (although it needs some renovations), which is suited, obviously, for cows over goats. I was told that chickens are much more time and labor intensive than a cow, and finicky. Plus, cow milk is the milk of choice at the school!

Will these staff be there for the long term and how do they feel about this project? Have you gotten input from them?

I do not foresee the staff changing anytime soon. However, my job as an intern is to see that no matter who walks onto the school grounds, could read through my sustainability plan, work plan, business plan, and/or contract and be able to pick up where the previous person left off.

The staff are overjoyed by the proposed program. I find often that they are going ahead with plans before I even asked them. I have heard nothing but good comments. However, they do challenge me, which only means they are thinking about the challenges that are sure to be ahead. I like that. They have assured me many times that they will not let this program fail because it is so beneficial for the school (and just to be sure they mean it, I will have them sign a contract).

The entire project is based on their input. They are the “owners” and beneficiaries of this project. Therefore, they must take initiative to see it through and also invest in it. Currently, the have not only contributed time and energy, but some start-up funds and lots of resources (ie. shovels, wheelbarrows, labor, space, etc.). If I make any decision I am sure that they know and I get their opinions on it. I hold daily meetings about issues/concerns/agendas with the appropriate staff members. They have accepted me as a member of the staff and I am becoming close with them. Therefore, it is easy for me to talk with them about my plans or concerns.

This week I am going to introduce the option of doing a fundraiser with the parents and community to raise a bit. Not only will this create awareness in the community, but build ownership with Daisy towards this program. Although they may not raise a lot, the little that is contributed will mean a lot more than a number, but investment and a need for accountability from the school to keep the program going.

Your Chance to Make a Difference at Daisy

2010-10-08T05:03:00.000-07:00

My fundraising proposal has been approved by the FSD San Francisco office. This means you get the chance to participate in my project!

I am requesting that YOU contribute to my Farming and Horticulture Vocational Training Program. Whatever you can give will make a huge difference.

Here are some of the costs. Can you spare a few bucks to purchase one??? Do you know someone who would be interested in helping??? Click the "Donate" button to the right to contribute.

Animal Keeping
Multivitamin Injections: $4.00
Napier Grass Seeds: $13.33
Mineral Salts: $17.77
Vet Bill: $33.33
Some materials to renovate the shed: $50.00
Cow: $533

Garden Planting
12 Spring Onion Bundles: $2.66
Machete: $4.00
Irish Potato Seeds: $6.80
Green Gram Seeds: $12.26
50 Collard Seedlings: $13.33
Fertilizer: $40.00

You can also see my project at: http://fsdinternational.org/donate/projects

The Week Ends with a Clap of Thunder

2010-10-08T05:00:00.001-07:00

If you have been reading the previous posts, you already know that the rain makes everything a little bit harder to accomplish here in Kakamega. The roads are dirt, which turn to mud, and make it almost impossible to get anywhere by foot. This afternoon I was to head into Kakamega Town to buy the necessary supplies for planting next week. However, with one very loud clap of thunder, those plans changed quickly. Nevertheless, today was very productive.

This morning I met several very nice workers at KARI (Kenya Agricultural Resource Institute) to discuss my initiative. I gave them an overview of the plan I had for Daisy and they were thrilled to hear them. They are hopeful and see the program as being very beneficial to the school, as well as the community once produce is being sold. We ran over my budget, which was right on, except for a few missing things. You know what that means, either cutting back, or encouraging Daisy to fundraise as well.

The head teacher has been gone this week, so many decisions have yet to be made. Once these decisions are made, I will have a better handle on the timeline for the remainder of my time at Daisy. I look forward to his return so that we can really get the ball rolling. If the rains don’t stop us up next week, at least three crops will be in the ground by the weeks end.

A Busy Week Ahead

2010-10-07T07:42:00.000-07:00

This morning I sat down with Bwana Minyade, the teacher in-charge of gardening (and my saving grace because I know nothing about gardening/farming) to plan the upcoming week. We will go into town tomorrow to buy the tools and materials needed to start the garden. Over the weekend, some of the children from RODI (Resource Oriented Development Initiative) will plow the land to remove the excess grass and weeds from the area. Napier grass seeds will be delivered this weekend as well. On Monday we will set aside time to start digging holes to plant those seeds. On Tuesday we will get them in the ground. I am really looking forward to Wednesday, when Minyade and I will go to the market to purchase our first batch of seeds and seedlings of the veggies we want to grow. We will spend the next several days teaching the students proper techniques for planting and getting the garden started!

We had our second meeting with the whole group of students today. We went over understanding the commitment of starting a garden, from preparation to planting, and maintenance to harvesting. They are energetic and cannot wait to be involved. Unfortunately, once again, the rains kept us from taking the children to the land and sharing with them our vision for it. However, I am working with a wonderful group of students and I trust they will care for this garden properly and make that vision come alive.

Another day at Daisy

2010-10-06T04:28:00.000-07:00

Our Cateress hard at work

On Friday I have scheduled a meeting with a gentleman from the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) to discuss the sustainability and operational costs of buying a cow for Daisy. He should be very knowledgeable and be able to answer many of the questions that I have. Since I am not a farmer myself, I have numerous questions that come up daily as I plan out the project.
Yesterday, I held a staff meeting with the Deputy, teacher in charge of gardening, accounts clerk, and Daisy’s FSD coordinator to go over the overall goal of my program. I wanted them to start thinking about being “owners” of the proposed programs. Without their investment in the program, it will fail. They reassured me that they back me 100% and will not let this program fail because they understand the benefits of it to the school. I was very happy to hear this. I will follow up with them next week to see what type of ideas they have generated about accountability, sustainability, and ownership. The head teacher is out this week, so it will be nice to have something to share with him upon his return.
We are hoping to purchase materials for the garden either Friday, or earlier next week with my seed grant money.
We will have our second meeting with the children tomorrow (it was cancelled due to rains yesterday). I will let you know how it goes. On the agenda is choosing 2 representatives for each class, as well as teaching everyone the attention that it will take to start a garden. We are hoping the rains will hold off so that they will have a chance to ‘weed’ some of the land.

Development Takes Time

2010-10-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

Today I met with my FSD supervisor to run over my ideas. We have decided that it would be best to do a bit more research on the costs of caring for a cow, but go forward with the garden project. My seed grant will help initiate the purchases for the garden.
These next few weeks we will be teaching the children about the responsibilities of caring for a garden and giving them duties to start planting. It will be exciting to see some work being done. The land is almost all the way tilled and ready to start planting in.
We will reconsider the renovation of the cow shed in a few weeks. And make final preparations for it before I leave.

Preparation and Patience

2010-10-04T06:18:00.000-07:00

This morning I arrived at Daisy to a very nice surprise. The hired labor was already at work tilling the soon-to-be garden. They started on Saturday, took a break Sunday, and were hard at work again this morning. They are three young men. When I originally started my planning for this program, the staff told me that 3 labors could clear the land in as little as 5 days. I laughed, thinking they were joking. They told me to “wait and see”. They have proved me wrong. These men have cleared about half of the land in two days. We are hoping to have it finished ahead of schedule, on Thursday. That way some of the students can go through and pull out the excess rubbish in preparation for the seeds.
The next step in the process is planting the napier grass seeds (feed for the cow) so that it will be ready within the next three months. When we get the cow we will be relying on grass from the compound and some that we will pay for before the napier grass grows tall enough. The sooner we get the napier grass seeds in the ground, the sooner we can cut another cost.
This program could take off as soon as tomorrow. However, we have to wait for funding. My contribution to the program of $200.00USD will be implemented later this week for the cow shed renovations. I am hoping to raise the additional $685.00USD by October 22. I will put up more information on donating later this week once my budget is approved by FSD. Please take time to consider contributing to this program. If you need more information, email me at jackie.mroz@gmail.com. I can guarantee the money put towards this development project will be extremely beneficial. I will show you direct results of your involvement in the program.

Kenyan Time

2010-09-30T06:07:00.001-07:00

Today things ran on “Kenyan Time”. That is, lets say slowly. People throughout Kenya say “better late than never”. At Daisy this is not usually the case, but I just kept running into people at the wrong time.
Last night, I received feedback on my workplan. It needs some work. This is stopping me up a bit, but it is good for my overall project. It will help me learn the development process even better. Not a lot of news for today. Overall progress: Good!

**Unfortunately, I will be unable to upload pictures due to my slow internet connection. I cannot afford the speed it takes to upload photos. I will when it is necessary to show our progress.**

"You Give and You Receive"

2010-09-29T10:42:00.001-07:00

This is the statement that Mwalimu Dennis reminded the students of today at our first Farming and Horticulture Vocational Training meeting. We had a hall full of students interested in the program that the staff and I are starting. Today we briefed them on how important it is to take accountability and responsibility for the garden and animal keeping. Their enthusiasm is immense. As I talk more and more about this program I am realizing the benefits it will have for the school.
After explaining the aim of the program, Mwalimu Dennis asked the children (grades 4-7 and special students) to name the reasons that it will be good for the school. Here are some of their answers (they were not prompted at all, these are their thoughts):
--Lately their has been a lack of milk in the school. One student mentioned that the milk that the cow produces can be used in their chai and they no longer have to drink “strong” chai (a.k.a. American-style tea).
--The manure that the cow produces will help grow the produce in the garden.
--People in the community can buy the milk and make money for the school (a young entrepreneur!)
--By planting the veggie garden, the school can save money and the boarders will have a variety to eat.
--The garden will help prevent erosion.
--Over time, with the money saved, another cow can be bought, expanding the program.
And my three favorites:
--The school will look more beautiful. The air will be clean because trees produce oxygen. Water will be plentiful because trees act as water catchments. The school environment will be improved.
--The things they learn in class can be put into practice. Dennis added: The Kenyan Development goals for 2030 include self-sufficiency. By learning animal keeping and gardening skills in school they can succeed in caring for these things at their homes in the future.
--Fruit salads! Now they will have a wide range of fruits to include in a salad. (Avocados are considered a fruit here. They already have guava and pawpaws.)

These children amaze me! The staff amazes me! I am working with great people. They are encouraging. They are making this idea come alive.

Today we started the day with clearing the cow shed in preparation for renovation. Once we have the funds in place, we have a fundi (skilled worker) ready to start work on it.

I was able to make an announcement to the staff at break about my plans. They are backing me 100%. I will not let them down. My next goal is to get my fundraising proposal in order so that I can do some outreach to generate funds to continue. If you believe in this project, get the word out and direct people to my blog. I will send you a fundraising letter to hand out if you would like. REMEMBER: This is DIRECT service to an organization in Kenya. Unlike World Vision, UNICEF, Compassion, etc., all of the money raised will go DIRECTLY to this program. Ask questions, make comments, give me suggestions. I want everyone to realize that even a small act can make a huge change in the lives of these students. I truly and whole-heartedly believe in that.

Productive Day

2010-09-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

As I walked home from a meeting with Isabel, a member of the FSD site team, enjoying the Kenyan sunset this evening, I rejoiced at the amount of work I accomplished today. I began the day with a blank screen in front of me. As the day progressed, it filled with facts, figures, and a plan proposal.
Looking at the work plan and budget, I realize we have a lot of work still to do, but the groundwork has been laid. I am impressed by the investment that the Daisy Special School has made in our project. As I crunched numbers and asked questions about achieving our goal of creating a garden and obtaining a cow for the school, the staff quickly got to work on answering them. I originally thought that there was a lack of communication between me and the staff, however I found today that I am very wrong. The staff is onboard with my idea and already working on hiring labors and quoting repairs to the cow shed. Kudos to the Daisy staff!
I am very excited about this project. Tomorrow I will be introducing it to the children and begin working on clearing the cow shed. The project will cost more than expected, but I know that it will be achievable with the proper support.
Please check back for updates. These next days are crucial to getting the program up and running.

Farming and Horticulture Vocational Training

2010-09-27T08:26:00.000-07:00

The Goal: To expand vocational training at Daisy Special School to include interests and skill levels of a wider range of special students and also benefit the school as a whole.

My project plan has been approved by the Head Teacher, Deputy teacher, and FSD Program Directors. I will be working on confirming my work plan, timeline, and budget by the end of the week. We planned on tilling the land starting today, but the rains stopped us.

This program will give the vocational training program a chance to blossom. It is my hope that this project will be the springboard for future vocations. I want to give these unique children the chance at life beyond school that they deserve.

It is only the beginning

2010-09-26T00:31:00.000-07:00

My week of observation at Daisy is done. I have identified so many opportunities. However, I need to focus in on one. I have chosen to expand the vocational training sector for the special classes. I want to utilize the resources that the school currently has, begin a self-sustaining income generating project, and teach students the value of nutrition and conservation. Therefore, if my supervisor approves it, I will start a Farming and Horticulture Vocational Training course.

Let me explain.

My observations include:
-Students enjoy manual work and teaching
-There is an interest in expanding the school ‘shamba’ (large garden)
-There are teachers available with the knowledge to teach the care of a farm
-Smaller class sizes means more attention to the remaining students
-A shamba will be useful to the school in many ways, including cost cutting and/or income generating for future vocations
-The school has many resources (cow shed, time, labor, tools, water, land, etc.)
-Learning opportunities (nutrition and conservation)

The Vocation will include:
-Expansion of the garden. Currently they have Pawpaw and avocado trees. I would like to have more practical produce planted. Tomatoes, kales, and onions are a few that the cooks have identified they could use to prepare meals for the students.
-Clearing the cow shed, currently used as storage, to make space for a cow or goat. The milk can be used for meal preparation as well.
-Purchasing a couple of chickens for egg production. These can be sold or used.
-A training on nutrition and conservation.

Why this development will be sustainable:
-It expands the vocational sector
-Students will be able to apply their study of nutrition and farming practically
-The school will benefit from the food grown (either sold or used for meals)
-The resources are already there, the program just needs to be jump-started
-The entire school can be involved and held accountable for its up-keep

I am very excited about getting the project started. I have a meeting with my supervisor this week to discuss a timeline and budget. I will update you after I get word. Please give me your feedback, ask questions, etc. I would love to tell you more about Daisy. It is a very unique place to work!

2010-09-21T08:19:00.001-07:00

After a bit of a rough start, I am finally getting settled in Kakamega. Many people have been emailing about my experiences and work here in Kenya. I would be more than happy to share. I ask you to share with your friends and family as well. Kenya is a beautiful place, where some amazing things are taking place. Let’s break the stereotype!
For the next 8 weeks I will be taken care of by the Mulindi Family. They have graciously provided a room, food, and security to me during my stay. We are learning all kinds of new things from each other. I am adjusting to their way of life including bucket showers, pit toilets, and eating a variety of Kenyan dishes throughout the day. I am really enjoying my time with them. I promise to cook my favorite, chapati, when I get home. 
During the day I am busy at work at the Daisy School. It is just down the road from my home. Now that orientation is over, I report directly to my supervisor at Daisy. I am completely independent, having FSD only as necessary support and facilitating various weekend seminars.
Daisy School is both a day school and a boarding school. There are 276 pupils, with around 130 boarding. The staff includes 15 teachers and 15 support workers. This school is unique because it accepts physically and mentally disabled children. The teachers are trained to teach these special students. There is baby class, middle class, pre-unit, and Standards I-VIII. In addition, they have an occupational therapy room and vocational training. The regular and special students work together to create a supportive learning environment. It is a lovely place.
As an intern, it is my duty to carry out a needs assessment during my first week of observation. I am looking for places within the center where there are opportunities for improvement. Next week, I will be working with the staff to generate a work plan for the following 7 weeks. This work plan will act as a map, guiding me through the steps to achieving my ultimate goal, whatever it may be. The tricky part is finding an opportunity to work on that will be sustained long after I am gone. After all, I am a Foundation for “SUSTAINABLE” Development intern. It takes a lot of thinking out-of-the-box to differentiate between development and aid. My goal must be development, something that will create lasting positive change. The challenge is great, but I am up for it and already have ideas rattling around in my head.
Feel free to ask questions, make comments, and throw out ideas. I will try to keep you updated on my work.

One Week Down

2010-09-16T07:15:00.000-07:00

I left one week ago for my adventures in Kenya. I passed through Amsterdam, navigated the public transit system, and visited the Anne Frank Museum. I arrived in Kisumu on Saturday ready to start everything. Graham, another intern, was with the Program Director, Peter, to greet me. My luggage was missing. We quickly tracked it to Amsterdam. I will be able to pick it up tomorrow. I am very excited about that. I have been wearing the same variety of clothes for a week now.
Orientation has been going very well. I am anxious about getting into my host organization and seeing where I can be helpful. We are staying at Sheywe Guest House, “the hub of luxury”, which is very nice. Things will change drastically when I am with my host family though. I will meet the Mulindi Family on Saturday. I am ready to get settled and become a member of Kakamega.

Kakamega!

2010-09-11T08:09:00.000-07:00

I just want to quickly update everyone. I made it to Kakamega with absolutely no problems. My luggage is still in Amsterdam. I should get it in the next week or so. Anyway, at orientation for a week. Small group of people, just three of us. I am stoked to see what comes next.

Kenya here I come!

2010-09-08T18:47:00.000-07:00

I leave tomorrow!!! I feel like tomorrow is just another day, but really this is the day that I have waited over two years for. Please wish me luck. I plan to go to the Anne Frank museum on my lay-over in Amsterdam. I have wanted to do that since I was eight years old. This is the beginning of a very exciting trip. I have orientation starting Saturday at 8:45 in the morning. We are jumping right in...and I cannot wait. I want to soak up every minute of this trip.

Here I go!

5 DAYS!

2010-09-04T15:46:00.000-07:00

Jambo!!!

I have five days before I head out to Kenya. I had a very fun road trip across the country, only a few hiccups along the way. I am now busy seeing friends, packing, and mentally preparing for my trip. I had a chance to talk with one of the interns that worked at the Daisy School (my internship site) this past May. It was his first time to Africa, so most of the advice he gave me I already knew or will be expecting. This is helping calm my nerves and turn my worries to excitement.
My biggest worry right now is accomplishing something during my internship. I will be working independently, with little direction or supervision. I am used to guided and structured programs. It will be good for me to go through this, but it will not be easy. Yay for challenges!

I realized the other day as one of my friends "welcomed" me to Kenya (he is currently visiting his family there) that I have been planning and talking about this trip for over two years now. This is a dream of mine. This friend of mine has not seen me since graduation and even remembered how important traveling to Kenya was too me! It is finally here. I am going to do my best to embrace every minute of this trip. Wish me luck!

Leesville, SC and Nashville, TN

2010-08-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

Made it to Nashville today. It is a great city (besides being the Country Capital of the US)! Yesterday, I spent the day setting up an old family tent and playing soccer in the heat of my fathers backyard. We chilled and had a great time visiting with my dad and his wife. Drove six hours to Nashville. Played in the pool and explored downtown this afternoon. Tomorrow we are off to Saint Louis for a campus visit.

Chapel Hill, NC

2010-08-20T12:55:00.000-07:00

My friend Jared and I made it to Chapel Hill by noon today. After a tear-full goodbye to Baltimore and my lovely roommate, we were on the road by 7am. We drove straight to the University of North Carolina, School of Social Work. I had a great information session with the admissions team. I had many of my questions answered, as well as learned new things about the school. I really like the town and could definitely see myself here. One set back though: I will be taking my GRE 4 days past the deadline for admission during the 2011 school year. I will have to reevaluate my situation. I still have Washington University to check out though, so no decisions will be made yet!
We are off to explore the rest of the town now. Tomorrow we will spend the evening with my dad in Leesville, SC.

Interview Update

2010-08-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

My interview was a breeze! It was not even an interview, it was more of a review of all the information that I have been given about the program. They also asked me about preferences for my host family. Of course I told them no fish or other seafood. The last thing I need is to go hungry or get sick from eating it. Gross!

I should get my work placement in a week or two. I will know my host family information just before I go.

Interview

2010-08-02T16:39:00.000-07:00

I have my official phone interview with the Kenyan site team on Thursday. During this interview, the team will be assessing my answers for the right placement. They will look over the organizations that have openings and find the right fit for me. Also, this interview will help find a host family that they think I will connect well with. I have prepared answers to five pages of questions that they sent me. All I have left to do is reread over all the information about FSD and my pre-departure packet because it has been several months since I first read them. I feel prepared and I am so excited to hear more about my placements! I will keep you updated.

VISA

2010-07-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

I was literally dancing when I got my Kenyan visa. I received my passport back in the mail yesterday from the Embassy of Kenya. I was accepted :) They are allowing me to visit their beautiful country. I am so excited. It is finally real. It is a crazy feeling because I am working with clients trying to escape many African countries, yet here I go. I hope that I can make even the slightest difference in one persons life. My clients are proud of me. I am proud! Yay Kenya!!!

A Day in the Life Of Jackie at the IRC...

2010-07-05T15:27:00.000-07:00

There have been at least two days so far this summer that I have gotten in my car after a stressful day of work and had a combination of feelings: anger, misunderstanding, fulfillment, frustration, sadness, contentment, etc that are almost unbearable. The rest of the days, the same feelings arise but I can cope. Teresa suggested that I write out a "Day In the Life Of..." in order to get some of those feelings out. I think that is a wonderful idea. Do keep in mind that at the current moment I have had a long weekend and many of these feelings have subsided.

8:30 am: Leave to pick up Mother and Daughter for Eye Appt scheduled at 10am (It took me at least six calls to the doctors office to make this appt bc of insurance and not-being-the client-confusion, three calls to the client via Language Link, and two visits to the clients apartment to arrange this appt).

8:45 am: Receive a call from Ashley (my case manager) saying her car is dead and I will need to pick up our new clients by 10am. After working through how to be in two places at once, we decided I could drop the Eye appt clients off, pick up the new clients, and then go back to drive the appt clients home while making the other ones wait on me.

9:15 am: Driving with deaf mother trying to explain that I would not be staying for the appt. While this is getting frustrating, I am completely lost on the John Hopkins Campus. I have only been here once before and it is a web of side roads with few signs. I have now missed at least three calls from Ashley and two other client calls.

9:35 am: Arrive and park at doctors office.

9:45 am: Go to check-in for the appt. Mother still confused about what I am saying. Told that I am at the wrong location. This is increasingly frustrating because I have had soooo many problems scheduling appts with this office and am constantly lost in a phone tree, yelled at for not having the right information (even though I am not the patient, as explained, and I am the one that speaks English), and not told directions as to where to go. I ask them to call the other office. The JH receptionist is put on hold!!! She asks me to call, even though at this point I am running late to pick up our new clients that should be waiting eagerly for me. I am trying to call Ashley, reschedule the appt and now have to get an interpreter to explain why we will not be seeing a doctor today to the clients I have with me. The mother is deaf so I can not do this over the phone by interpreter. We head to the car.

9:55 am: Connected to receptionist at JH Downtown Campus while driving. Find a spot to pull over bc I will need the client information to reschedule.

10:00 am: Drop off confused clients. Head to new clients apartment.

10:05 am: Knock on new clients door. Knock again. And again. And again. No answer. No movement. Call Ashley. What to do?

10:20 am: After several different attempts at getting clients attention (knocking on windows, pounding on the door, screaming names), it is decided that they are asleep after two days of travel. I am told to wait and then to head to the Management office to get a key.

10:30 am: Get a Key. Pick up various things for other IRC employees.

10:40 am: Let myself into new client apartment. No one is there. Call Ashley. Decide to pick up another client early for appointment.

10:50 am: Call other client via Language Link. No answer. Call myself. Answer but no understanding. Call again via Language Link. Still no understanding of why I would come so early to pick him up. Eventually explain that I am outside.

11:00 am: Client meets me at car. Ashley calls. Need to wait to exchange car seat for later appt.

11:15 am: Arrive at doctors office. Client still confused and frustrated that I came early. When we walk in we are met by a gathering of nurses chatting. Their power went out and we would need to come back!!!

11:30 am: Back at clients apartment, via Language Link, I explain the situation and reschedule. He is upset because he does not sleep much because he works nights and now lost a day of sleep.

11:40 am: Arrive at another clients house to discuss bills.

11:50 am: Via Language Link begin two hour conversation about how the family is doing LITERALLY everything right and everything they are expected to do above and beyond and are still not making ends meet. I had to insist they find some way to pay their bills. Went over budget. Discussed fathers military involvement.

2:00 pm: Left feeling broken down and angry. Took mother to enroll son in Disability program bc he is paralyzed waist down.

2:45 pm: Head back to office.

3:00 pm: Arrive at office with a world of emotions to several clients waiting to be seen. I am unsure of how to answer their questions and am having a hard time getting a hold of Language Link. Tell them to come back. Remember: Transportation is expensive and time consuming. It is a HUGE burden for clients.

4:00 pm: Work on expense sheets in order to calm down. Ashley informs me her father is sick and in the hospital.

4:35 pm: Tell everyone goodbye for the day!

This is an example of a short day. There really is no way to explain a day in the life of a case manager. Even the smallest things in our daily lives become a burden in a refugees life. Every minute is precious. I wish everyone could shadow this type of work for one day. I think people would be surprised at the level of talent and patience a job of this sort takes.

I can't wait to be a social worker. I feel satisfied knowing there are people that want to give their lives to this kind of work and I am proud to be one of them. I am frustrated that there will never be enough of us, therefore leaving much of societies needs unmet and worsening. I am only one person but hope to make a world of change someday.

The start of many beautiful things!

2010-06-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

My first two weeks at the IRC are complete. I am settled into my new home. This means it is time to job search, prepare for Kenya, and navigate numerous grad school websites for more information.
I am home sick today with food poisoning (I think?!) so I am taking the time to get a head start on my "To-Do" list. I registered my trip to Kakamega with the US Embassy. A few clicks of a button and I already feel like my trip is more secure :)I sent my visa application on Friday to Washington DC. I checked my FedEx tracking this morning and it has already arrived. Now I just have to wait for my passport to come back with my visa enclosed. I am excited.
That is the update for now. Off to write emails to my list of grad schools.

Oregonian Article

2010-06-12T19:18:00.000-07:00

About a two months ago I received an email about a writer from the Oregonian that was interested in covering a piece on 2009 graduates that have had a hard time finding jobs. Immediately I knew I had to be a part of his story. I emailed him with a bit of information about myself. Soon after he scheduled an interview with me. He asked me all about the past year including how I felt about my current situation. I told him exactly how the year went down and how disappointed I was with it. He comforted me by saying that he had heard many stories just like mine which was his inspiration for writing the story. However, he seemed to be really impressed by my story in particular. He asked if he could send a photographer to my work to get a couple of shots for the article. I agreed. After a rough day last day of work with a man taking pictures of me the entire time (just about my least favorite thing in the world!), the article is finally out. Take a look: http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2010/06/oregon_college_graduates_strug.html

Settling

2010-06-06T07:44:00.000-07:00

I made it across the country into Baltimore. I have spent the last few days getting to know the city. On Friday I had my orientation at the IRC. It was good to finally know a bit more about what I will be spending my summer doing. I am excited to jump right in on Monday morning. My Case Manager is 22 years old and did the exact same internship last summer. I think working with people from all different cultures will be good practice for Kenya, on top of being completely awesome! I will give you updates on the crazy things that happen throughout the summer because I am sure there will be many. It is definitely a classic nonprofit: disorganized, overworked, underpaid, making a beautiful change in many peoples lives :)

Exciting Change in Plans

2010-05-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

I am moving to Baltimore for the summer to pursue an internship with the International Rescue Committee. It is a great step in the right direction towards getting a job in the international nonprofit field. I am so excited. This will make leaving for Kenya a bit easier I think. It will not be so sudden and I will be used to unfamiliar surroundings. I can't wait! One week until I leave. I will have to do all my planning for Kenya in Baltimore. I hope I don't forget anything that I will need.

The more I think...

2010-05-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

...The more nervous I am about flying out to Kenya in just a few short months. I have so much more preparing to do. However, for many things it is just too early. I need to go shopping for travel essentials (mini-everything). I need practical things like new shoes that I can wear to walk long distances and are comfortable in high temperatures. I need to wait a while to submit my visa information so that it will cover the few months that I will be over there. I have to crack open my Swahili text and start re-learning some key phrases. I have a lot to do. I am excited. I am anxious. I am ready to take it on!

Finally

2010-04-25T18:12:00.000-07:00

I have been searching for flights for weeks now. The other night I had Orbitz pulled up on my computer and just before I got into bed I updated the search results for my flight from PDX to Kisumu. The price was the lowest I have seen. I did not want to pass the offer up, so I took it. I have my tickets booked for September 9 to November 14! Here is my itinerary:

(SEPT. 9) PDX~1:30pm to AMS~8:30am
AMS~8:40pm to NBO~6:15am
NBO~8:00am to KIS~8:45am (SEPT.11)

(NOV.14) KIS~6:20pm to NBO~7:05pm
NBO~10:50pm to AMS~5:30am
AMS~10:30am to PDX 12:00pm (NOV.15)

Tyson recommended that I take a tour of Amsterdam on my 12 hours layover. I was thinking about it. I'll keep you filled in on those plans.

I am off to work on my visa paperwork now. More updates to come...

Passport Photos and Flights

2010-04-19T16:18:00.001-07:00

So I still have yet to book my tickets. It may sound like I am procrastinating a bit, which is about 5% of the reason. However the price is fluctuating everyday so I am waiting for the best possible time. I am going to set a goal though. I want to have my tickets booked by May 1st.
I also am glad that I did not purchase tickets when I originally planned because after talking to Adam, my contact at FSD, I found out that I am not supposed to fly into Nairobi but Kisumu. This is an unexpected extra $400 hour-long flight. Not only is that unfortunate, but will make my travel days just that much longer. It sure will be an adventure.
For an update on my visa: I went to Walgreens the other day and had two more photos taken to send in with all my other documentation. I am that much closer to getting that sent off.
Once my tickets are purchased and my visa is in my hand, a huge weight will be lifted. After that, medication is the next on my list to take care of.

2010-04-11T19:26:00.000-07:00

Update: Flight prices are staying pretty steady as far as I can see. I just hate that I passed up a good deal last week. But I guess that is how it goes. I am working on getting all the required materials for my visa together. One step at a time...

Ugh...

2010-04-07T14:17:00.000-07:00

I forgot how much coordination and planning it is to prepare for an international trip. However, I am confident that I can do it. I did it on my own for my trip to Senegal. For that trip I was working, taking classes, and had absolutely no experience with travel. So I can do it!
Flights have already gone up by over $200 in a week. I was not sure where I would be flying from so I did not book a ticket and now I will pay for my hesitation. Goodness, I hate that!
I also want to apply for my visa, however, you need to send flight information and two passport pictures with the application. Neither of which I have. I need to step it up! My chore for this week is to figure out my flight so that I can move on to my visa application, and then notify FSD of my plans.

Flights, visa, payments

2010-04-01T17:50:00.000-07:00

JAMBO,

I have begun my search for flights to Nairobi. I have found some pretty sweet deals. I am hoping to book my tickets soon so that I can get the cheapest ones. I plan on contacting the Embassy of Kenya to get my visa this coming week. I have sent my initial payments into FSD and will be paying off the balance of my invoice as soon as I get paid on the 14th!

I am getting really excited because I finally have some firm plans to look forward too. I guess I will need to start looking over my Swahili notes soon :)

A change in plans

2010-03-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

I have not posted in a while with good reason. I promise to update you more often from now on. My reasoning is due to the recent changes in my plans. I have chosen to postpone my trip to Kenya until September. Along with this change, I have chosen to go for a shorter period of time. I will be in Kakamega for nine weeks instead of the originally planned fifty two. This is not quite what I had planned but I am still very excited about this opportunity.

There will be no changes in my internship, other than the duration. I will still be taking a position with a local nonprofit to work on a sustainable community development project. Let me give you a breakdown of the new costs.

Program fees: $4,192 vs. $12,283
Airfare: $1,700 vs. $2,600
Visa: $50
Insurance: $500 vs. ~$750
Extra: $1,000 vs. $2,000
Total: $7442 vs. $17,683

I want to use every penny wisely and still be able to live this dream. Hence the changes to my plans. I still have a way to go to raise the necessary funds, but this is a much more manageable number. I am still raising money so, please continue to get the word out about my cause. Put people in contact with me, please!

THANK YOU again for encouraging and supporting me through this process.

Why pay to vounteer???

2010-03-07T15:50:00.001-08:00

Lately I have been asked about why the cost is so high for my internship. This is a completely legitimate question considering the average volunteer position costs only time, energy, and, of course, passion! Let me explain.

The most obvious reason that my internship is so expensive is it is international. The cost associated with an international internship include:
-airfare
-visa fees
-vaccinations/medication
-travel insurance

I have studied international sustainable development for several years now and have a concrete understanding of how to provide sustainable, lasting, effective development strategies in different parts of the world. For me, it is easy to understand why the cost is high to do such an internship. I hope that you will understand as well.

Many nonprofits around the globe receive funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), CARE International, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), etc. However, the community-based organizations (CBO's) that FSD works with are grassroots and do not receive such funding. They are working very hard to impact the lives of the people in their communities and often don't have fundraising or outreach branches within the organization. When FSD identifies an appropriate host organization, they then seeks volunteers to help the CBO achieve its mission, just as any US-based nonprofit does (think Red Cross, Mercy Corps, etc.). The CBO cannot afford to take the time away from their mission to find talented, passionate, and available volunteers. Therefore, FSD steps in to aid them. The CBO definitely cannot spend the money to support volunteers either. Once again, FSD steps in to find voluneers that can absorb the cost of international volunteerism. FSD does a lot of fundraising themselves, but this fundraised money does not go to reduce the cost of sending volunteers but directly into the programs they support. FSD is truly a sustainable organization.
In order for development to be effective and efficient, long-term solutions must be found to problems. Time and money must be invested into teaching new ways of living, experimenting with a variety of programs/projects, and implimenting new strategies. I believe that FSD does an outstanding job of creating oppurtunities for sustainable development to be carried out.

A breakdown of the program fees:
-homestay (complete room and board)
-limited health insurance
-training and orientation
-retreats to discuss progress with other participants
-a seed grant to my CBO to aid in accomlishing the project I will work on
-airport pick-up/drop-off

*In order for FSD to do the work that it does, they must employ a staff able to identify and work with internationally-based nonprofits. Therefore, some of the funds I will pay will go to overhead. The way I think of this is that I will have a staff of people to contact if I am ever in trouble. I am basically "hiring" a staff to choose a CBO they feel is safe, a host family that will care for me, and 24-hours assistance. Otherwise I would be going over blindly, which can be quite unsafe. I am taking precautions by traveling under the wing of FSD.

There are also the daily living expenses, including:
-local transportation
-snacks
-necessities (soap, toilet paper, etc.)
-the cost of preparing for the trip. The things I will take with are not free!

2010-03-05T11:01:00.000-08:00

I am selling my car to raise money for my trip. If you or anyone you know is interested, please please please give me a call. It is a 2001 Buick Century Custom with 30,000 miles on it. It is in perfect condition. My grandparents bought it new. It has clean title.

Call me: 503.277.3100 Email me: jackie.mroz@gmail.com

Shout Out

2010-02-25T14:54:00.001-08:00

A HUGE 'Thank You' to the Sara's Wish Foundation for awarding me a scholarship towards my trip. Check out their cause.

Putting it in perspective

2010-02-18T10:15:00.000-08:00

Here is a shortened version of my story...

Last June I graduated a year early from the University of Oregon with degrees in International Studies and Sociology, as well as minors in African Studies and Nonprofit Administration. After taking a month off to visit some friends and family around the country, I began my pursuit for the perfect job. As I am sure you can imagine, this is not the best time to be looking for a job. I spent months searching, making calls, sending resumes and cover letters, and following up. I never even received an interview from anyone but the Rose Quarter catering office. I currently work part-time doing catering events for the Blazers. This is not quite how I imagined my life after graduation.

I started to dream about all the possibilities that the world has for me. Before graduating I planned on doing an internship in East Africa, but due to graduating early, never got around to it. Now I realize that this was a huge mistake because traveling as a student is much cheaper (as are most things in life). I decided since I have been unsuccessful at finding any sort of professional development job, most likely due to lack of experience, an internship would be a great alternative to waiting for something to open up. I decided to be proactive about my situation. I spent a lot of time choosing a program that fit both my personal and professional needs. It is through the Foundation for Sustainable Development. I applied for a community development internship in Kakamega, Kenya.

I spent several weeks waiting to hear if I was accepted to the internship. During this time I applied for numerous grants. Unfortunately, only one awarded me money. Most of them felt that I needed to have more information about the work I would be doing before they would support me. However, in order for me to build a project, I need to be in country. Or at least this is the sustainable way of working abroad, something many people don't quite understand. Luckily, I was accepted! This has sparked a whole new focus in my life.

I am now tirelessly on the search for funding. I need to come up with $17,600 to cover the cost of my entire trip by April 5th. I would hate to have to give up on yet another dream, the first being working for a development nonprofit out of college. So now I am looking at all of my options. I realized I would not be at this point if it weren't for many people. Hence, why I have contacted all of you.

I think it is important that people see that my education and support from friends, family, and even strangers, has gotten me here and how it will benefit both me and the people I will work with in Kenya. This internship is an investment in communities far away, as well as my future.

So many things to think about...

2010-02-14T18:46:00.000-08:00

Here are just a few of the things that are on my mind regarding my trip...
1. Travel insurance
2. Flights
3. Clothing
4. Mechanisms of communication (internet connection, cell phone, etc.)
5. Swahili (I am so nervous that I will not remember much. If you know Kiswahili, start calling me or writing me! Tafadhali :)
6. Bugs
7. Shoes
8. Camera
9. Food (excited to try new things, but I will miss a juicy burger I am sure!)
10. Malaria pills, in addition to all the other medication I will be carrying on me
11. Should I sell my car, or have it waiting for me when I get back?
12. Host family (Yay!)
13. Meeting my sponsor child in Tanzania, hopefully!
14. Luggage
15. Missing my Zoey-girl (my black lab) and of course MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Getting in touch

2010-02-10T13:54:00.000-08:00

I have been having such a hard time getting in touch with my contact at FSD lately. Finally, today, I was able to talk to him for the first time in weeks. It was so good to have some of my questions answered. Planning a trip like this consumes all of my thoughts, causing millions of questions to pop up daily. Having no way to keep track of them all, I often feel overwhelmed and lost. Adam, the East Africa program coordinator, was so helpful! Every time we do talk, he motivates me to keep going!
Thanks ADAM!
Not only did his answers to my question make my day so much better, but when he told me I had received my first 3 donations I almost cried. After months and months of being denied for jobs and grants, I started loosing my focus. I would question why I wanted to do this internship. But having all of you believe in me keeps me going. So...
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

Small steps...

2010-02-03T15:28:00.001-08:00

When I decided to confirm my acceptance for the community development internship, I was overwhelmed with excitement. Quickly, that excitement turned to overwhelming stress. The thought of coming up with around $18,000 in just two months sounds impossible. But I am holding true to my dream! I know that I can do it. I will do what it takes to make this trip happen.
As I started making preparations for the trip, I realized I am finding less pleasure in buying material things for my normal day-to-day activities. For example, I have been wanting a new jacket...but who needs a pea coat in Kenya. I also wanted to buy a bigger bed...but in reality sleeping on a cot for a year sounds like way more fun.
I realized that this trip is going to be more than just a professional development experience or dream of mine, but it is helping me realize that living a simple life suits me just fine. I am learning to appreciate the things that I already have. This trip really is going to change me...and I haven't even left yet.