Day in Nairobi - by Tracy Guthrie, CE Adviser in Africa

Hello everyone!
I am at an internet cafe again, so don't expect much...

Today two other volunteers - Stella and Vicki- and I came to Nairobi with a staff member from the orphanage- Erick. His family runs a center for children with cerebal pasley. It was great! Erick's family served us tea, and bread with butter! I haven't had butter since I left the states. We visited a family in the slums of Nairobi (mom, I promise it was safe!) who have TWO kids with CP. After that we went to the center where they offer therapy and other services to these family. They work with about 185 kids and work with budget of about $4500/ year!!!

We are on our way back to WWB. I missed the kids a bit today. I think I am starting to get attached. One of the girls, Amenia, gave me a hand written note on Friday evening. She said she was happy i was there, grateful for my time and God for sending me. At the end of the note she wrote - "Love God" It made my heart so happy! I know in my heart that it was another way God was communicating with me. I am in the right place right now and need to just focus on not only giving love, but learning to accept love.

All for now!
BTW - this time on the computer costs 25 schilings. I think it is like 50 cents

I love all of you, and bless you for supporting my trip.

TracyNAfrica

All Aboard - Good ole American Style! - by Emlyn Lee

Since I grew up in the metro DC area, and love New York, I'd cruise up and down I-95 with friends, family, Peter Pan, and Greyhound. While you can't beat road trips with friends and family, and always have random stories riding on Greyhound or Peter Pan buses, I wanted to share a new enjoyable way of getting between these two great cities. Tripperbus.com, a fairly new bus shuttle service that offers wi-fi, electrical outfits, and cordial drivers that are articulate on the microphone.

Who would have thought that I would be writing a blog, checking Facebook, and sending out work emails, while going through the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel? This brings a whole new meaning to multi-tasking!

I just did a whirlwind business trip along the East coast the past five days, promoting Cultural Embrace from Maryland to New Haven, CT and return via a night stopover in New York City last night. I was debating whether to hire a car, thinking that it would give me more freedom and accessibility to see and do more things with my limited schedule. On the contrary, I think I saved more time, money, and stress taking these public transportation. I was able to work while traveling, enjoyed the scenic drive, met strangers on the train and bus, and reduced my stress level battling East Coast traffic.

I first took the Amtrak (amtrak.com) train from Maryland to New Haven, CT. I have ridden trains across China, Vietnam, Europe, Australia, yet never embraced Amtrak in my own country. But am jazzed about my wonderful experience. From the clean carts, to electrical outlet access to keep my laptop juiced up, to the friendly conductors, and timely schedule, I am All Aboard the public transportation system that we have in our own backyard.

First Week - by Tracy Guthrie, CE Adviser in Africa

Goodness this has been an interesting week. I am at an internet cafe in Thika. Thika is about 45 minutes from Makuyu,where the orphanage is. To get here we walked about 20 minutes to the bus stop to jump on a Matutu. The Matutu bus ride took about 45 minutes. I think we are the only white people in the area. Everyone stares at us as we walk by and kids come up wanting to touch our hands. I imagine it is the same experience as a movie star. The reason the kids are so interested in touching us is because they think we are grown babies. All people are born white, even Kenyans. So the kids think we are big white babies. I hope I am making sense. I don't have much time and my thoughts are racing in every direction.

Overall I have had a great time. There was a bit of adjustment time, but things seem to be getting easier. There are 6 other volunteers from all over. Two from San Diego, one from South Korea, one from Germany,one from Canada, and one from England.

The kids are great. They all have thier head shaved b/c of school. So it was hard to tell boys from girls. There are 34 in total, and I have started to get to know a handful of them. I have so many stories and thoughts in my head and so little time!

There have been some frustrating moments. For example, some of the kids have been sick this week and at first it seemed as if the staff wasn't doing anything to take care of them. That was not the case. They just handle things differently than I would. Also, there communication is different. I think because there are so many kids (34 in total), staff (8), and volunteers (7) they have time to make sure everyone knows what is going on.

I have also struggled to stay in the present. When I left I came with the desire to just serve and love others. That is still the case, but I started to feel like I needed to make a difference and change their lives forever. The more I accept how things are at that very moment and remind myself I don't have to make this huge impact. All I have to do is love.

I have been reading my bible, and landed on James today. The entire chapter speaks to what I am going through, and how God wants me to handle these things. If you have time read it. The chapter is not that long.

I have to go now. Hopefully the next time I blog I will be able to make sense.
Love to all!!!

Mi luz al final del túnel… - by Caroline McCurdy, CE Adviser in Chile

Hello all!

I should start by saying that I am writing this while having a terrible case of senioritis; an affliction which I will be battling for the next 39 days (but who’s counting?) In my final days as a college undergrad, I am repeatedly asked the obligatory “So, what’s next?” by both those who do and do not really care what the answer is. However, when I tell them that I’m planning to go to Chile to teach inglés to the niños, I definitely win the Interesting Answer Game.

Over the Easter break, I went home for some quality time with my bed and my weenie dog Buddy, but also found time to meet with some friends of my grandparents who lived in Santiago for 20 years. While talking to them I learned several fun facts, but the top 2 most exciting ones were:
1) Chile has some crazy good seafood.
2) Chile has some very good looking men. ;-)

Chile continues to be my light at the end of the undergraduate tunnel and, as such, will provide me with infinite opportunities to procrastinate my studies as I slowly prepare for it in the coming weeks. So, until next time, I leave you with the philosophical question of the day:

If corn oil comes from corn, where does baby oil come from?

-Caroline
Advisor Abroad in Chile

Bids, Bids, and More Bids - by Emlyn Lee

I'm taking a break from writing up bids and proposals for 2011 trips. There are many schools requesting international opportunities--yay! I'm thrilled about that! But the formal process, particularly state funded schools--whoa, it is tedious. I'm working on one now that the proposal details are 48 pages! Most request formal response with anywhere between 4-8 copies, bounded, original ones notarized, etc. I'm happy and willing to do it all, I'll give them my blood if it offers more young adults to gain international exposure and a first-hand view of our world.

But man, would be great if there were some on-line and paperless options. Perhaps I'll propose a 'green' version of bids to state schools?! :)

Ok, back to the drawing boards. Now I know why we were taught how to write footnotes, addendums, and roman numeral outlines in grade school!

As the band "Peter, Paul & Mary" sang - I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane - by Tracy Guthrie, CE Adviser in Africa

Can't type much. About to leave the house to go to DFW. I was getting things together at the very last minute. Hope I can talk to you guys while I am there.

This is AWESOME!!

With Love -
Tracy

Heartpangs for Africa - by Emlyn Lee

There is something about Africa that warms my soul. As a young girl, I was always fascinated by National Geographic magazines, PBS television series, and readings we had in school about African countries and culture. I would always do (and still do) a double-take when I see African art, get warm and fuzzies when I hear stories about humanitarian work to save Africa, bop my head around when I hear African drumming and tunes. Although each region has it's distinct style, the rhythmic beats, vibrant artwork, and stories infectiously lighten up my spirit, and allows me to embrace the continent from afar.

But then, I scored one of the best jobs in the world, and managed the operations of luxury tours around the globe. Year after year, I would submit my request form to this far, foreign, and fascinating continent. The Okavango Delta, Kalahari desert, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt always topped my "wish list," along with every other colleague in my office. Fortunately, by 1998 my wishes came true with seniority, and a few cartons of Dunhill cigarettes to the travel staff manager--haha just friendly (and unhealthy) reminders to my former boss.

Even though I have visited Southern, Eastern, and Northern Africa several times, my love and interest to Africa never wanes. I am thrilled and blessed to have an opportunity to return back to South Africa in about two weeks. This time, I will meet and work with the communities we partner with at Cultural Embrace. I will get a chance to truly integrate with the people and the communities, like how you will experience it on one of our volunteer, internship, and group programs.

I welcome you to join me and Cultural Embrace, as we dedicate the month of April featuring Africa programs and travel tips. I will be reporting about my experiences and site visits to our South African projects and placements, and invite you to join a C.E. volunteer, Tracy Guthrie, who is currently volunteering at our Kenyan orphanage.

For those that are still dreaming of Africa, we hope to whet your appetite to go explore her someday soon. If you have already visited, then I'm sure you can positively attest the natural beauty and rich culture of this exotic continent, and hope the travel bug continues to itch with stronger heartpangs for Africa.