Jambo!!

Jambo from Kenya!!  It's been a whirlwind first couple of days so far.  My traveling companion Mike and I arrive at midnight Wednesday night at Jomo Kenyatta Airport and proceeded to get a harrowing taxi ride through darkened streets in a 1990 esq Subaru with one headlight.
Gotta run.

More later.
Hakuna matata!

48 Hours and counting...

In approximately 48 hours I will be arriving in Kenya for my first African experience.  No place on earth conjures up more images than Africa.  Sadly so many are negative.  I hope to tell just a few stories that remind us that there are so many views of the world.  Trying to move down to earth from 30,000 feet is one of our most difficult tasks in the developed world with our first world comforts. 
Geography and history have played roles beyond our control and yet we pass judgment without even a second thought. 
I feel blessed everyday to have been born when and where I was but I want to believe I can see the world for what it really is. 
I know I will learn far more from them than they will from me.

Gua to all,
Jeff

Creek Crumbs

Thanks to all who participated in the Creek Crumbs for Kenya!  We are taking a large supply of children's clothes, toiletries, and toys to kids in Nairobi.  Hopefully all will go well and I'll be able to distribute them after I get there.  A special thanks to Mark Kelly, Annette Stegemoeller, and the Hyde PTA for providing money to mail off our packages!!

Hyde Helpers!

Thanks to the fifth graders at Hyde Elementary for joining the Creek Crumbs Campaign for our last big project this spring!  I gave a presentation to the classes today and the kids were great and very excited about helping the less fortunate in Africa. 

The four classes of Ms. Richter, Ms. Cooke, Ms. Soto, and Ms. Rogers will be "paying it forward" by donating items such as toiletries and t-shirts that will be sent to Nairobi, Kenya in the next few weeks.  My students at the high school will be doing the same and we hope to provide a nice care package for the Kids of Kibera and other needy individuals.

How awesome to be able to give these thoughtful gifts out when I arrive June 13th.

Thanks Hyde!!

Funds for Teachers

Thanks to Fund for Teachers for this amazing opportunity!!  This non-profit organization is making trips like this possible for teachers around the U.S.  This is my second time as a FFT Fellow.  I was fortunate enough to go to Israel in the summer of 2008 with their support.

Check them out on Facebook!!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/fundforteachers

Intervational Volunteers HQ

IVHQ is a great volunteer organization that works in 18 countries around the world.  It is through IVHQ that I am working in Nairobi in June.  If you ever wanted to volunteer but didn't know where to start and thought it was unaffordable, check out http://www.ivhq.org/

How do I help?

I honestly don't know how I will help.  Am I just a guilty-conscious, do-gooder who thinks its cool to visit poor people in the Third World?  I hope not, but I've got to be honest that it seems almost mind-numbing to think of going to Nairobi for 7 days and think there is any way I can do anything to improve the lives of people there.  It won't stop me from going and I'm thrilled at this incredible opportunity but my heart aches in so many ways.

Any advice??