Irene Abdou writes: I'm a Niger RPCV (1995-1999), and also lived in South Sudan for two years in 2005-2006. When I lived in South Sudan, I traveled in and out of Kenya very frequently, and spent a lot of time there. I'm also a photographer and have a few photos of Kenya, taken mostly at the Coast. Here's a link to her Kenya photo gallery: http://www.photoswithsoul.com/section136113_74880.html.
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Irene Abdou Fine Art Photography & Creative Images
Germantown, MD
Tel. 202-367-6071
E-mail: photoswithsoul@gmail.com
On the web at http://www.photoswithsoul.com

The board of directors, on behalf of the members of Friends of Kenya, wants to express its solidarity with the people of Kenya at this time of transition and collaboration in a new government. As former Peace Corps volunteers in Kenya, we support the president, new prime minister, and members of Parliament as they work with the people of Kenya to bring economic stability, solidarity among all Kenyan people, resumption of schools, and resolution in resettling those who have lost their homes and livelihoods and are displaced.

We again express our poles to those who are still displaced and to those who have lost loved ones in the clashes following the election.

We endorse the efforts of Kenyan leaders and all Kenyan people to establish a workable government and to positively reconcile land disputes and overcome tribal differences.

We will continue to provide financial support to community projects (as we have done since 1986) in addition to our recent contribution to the International Medical Corps for their work with displaced people.

From Dennis Cordell
Editor, Volume on Africa and the Middle East
The Peace Corps at 50 Anniversary Story Project

In three years, the Peace Corps will reach the ripe old (or young, if 60 really is the new 40) age of 50. Several other former volunteers and I have organized The Peace Corps at 50 Story Project to honor that event in writing. It is described in detail with pictures at www.peacecorpsat50.org. We are all actively soliciting non-fiction stories for four volumes to mark this milestone in Peace Corps history.

The four volumes—on, respectively, Africa and the Middle East; Asia and the Pacific; Central America, South America, and the Caribbean; and After the Cold War (Eastern Europe and Central Asia)—will include stories from past and present volunteers, staff, instructors, and “Peace Corps friends.” (Click the title for more information)

Arthur Dobrin writes:
What prompts this email is the situation in Kenya. There is the immediate situation and the long-term one. Regarding the immediate: Elkana Omweri Onge’sa, a Kisii sculpture, is our friend of ours. We created a webpage to display the work of his that is now in our house and is for sale.

I can assure anyone who buys one of his pieces that all the money goes to him (and Sema Academy) and this means that it will be distributed amongst his extended family in Tabaka. You can see his work as well as find information about the school (and a photo of Arthur and Lyn) at the website: http://www.semaacademy.org/.

Sema Academy is the long-term issue. If the school survives—and it is on the Kisii/Kipsigis border—then this is still one of the best investments in the country. Education is still key.

Click here for an article Arthur wrote about Kenya and the school.

Speaking at a gathering hosted by the Friends of Kenya-DC group, RPCV Mark Hankins spoke about two of his passions: music and renewable energy. Mark (a.k.a. Markus Kamau) is a well-known singer and songwriter in Nairobi. He has also been working to bring renewable energy to Kenya and other African nations since his Peace Corps service in 1983–87.

Go to the National Peace Corps Association website for the full story. Click here