Be a thoughtful contributor to grassroots movements!

My experience in Kenya under the organization of Village Volunteers was one of the most formative experiences of my life. Upon arriving in Nairobi I was greeted and escorted my VV's In-Country Coordinator Wendy Gaya. As the sights, sounds and people absorbed into my senses, Wendy wisely toured me through the robust city in a Matatu.

As I traveled west towards Transmara land on a bus to visit the first village, Namunyak Maasai, I got to experience the diverse landscape of the country. Greeted by Emmanuel Tasur I was taken to his home and got to live on his land that sat atop a valley of green lush hills. I spent three weeks volunteering with adolescent girls in a local school talking about HIV/AIDS prevention. My time with the Tasur family (Emmanuel and his wife Lillian) was wonderful. Getting to experience their work with the local community, sharing stories of their lives and learning how to cook chipati (a Kenyan classic, similar to a tortilla) in Lillian's cooking hut made me feel like a family member.

I spent the rest of my three months traveling to Mama Maria and Mama Na Dada Villages, also working with local youth in HIV/AIDS prevention and healthy lifestyle practices. All of the village partners were exceptional and thoughtful of my safety and experience at all times.

I have the utmost respect of the Village Directors and projects they run in Kenya. I truly valued the opportunity to learn and support some of the most revolutionary activists in Kenya and witness how their projects and passion are impacting their communities.