Friends of Kenya - Friends of Kenya contributes to grassroots projects in Kenya,and hosts events in the United States.

See Photos of Kenya

2008-04-06T02:41:32Z

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

Friends of Kenya Expresses Solidarity with the People of Kenya

2008-04-04T01:17:22Z

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.

Write for the Peace Corps at 50 Anniversary Story Project

2008-03-10T01:03:10Z

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)

Projects Supported by Friends of Kenya

2008-03-10T12:44:32Z

Project summary:
Below is a list of the current projects that Friends of Kenya is funding, as of February 2007.

Uluthe Community Safe Water Project (October 2007)
$1,000 to support the protection of five water sources in Siaya district of Nyanza Province. In partnership with the Conifer Rotary Club of Colorado.

Project Baobab (November 2007)

$1,500 to provide 15 small business grants to women who have completed Project Baobab’s Life Skills and Entrepreneurship Education program at the Ollooseos School in Kiserian and Lang’ata Women’s Prison in Nairobi. (Click the title for more projects and information)

Help a Kenyan Artist and School

2008-02-18T12:15:22Z

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.

Making a Difference for our Climate

2007-10-22T01:11:51Z

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

Brush Up on your Swahili

2007-08-24T01:17:36Z

A new glossary collection of Swahili-English / English-Swahili dictionaries is now available. The collection of dictionaries provides clear and precise translations and it is absolutely free of charge.

Basically, "Look up" is a search-box (like Google) but it's focused on both the Swahili and English languages and the following is the link to it: http://www.babylon.com/define/120/Swahili.html

Check it out!

Kenya Peace Corps Blogs

2007-05-12T12:54:54Z

Let us call your attention to www.peacecorpsjournals.com, a site with country entries to hundreds, if not thousands of blogs written by serving Peace Corps Volunteers and returned Peace Corps Volunteers. As expected, the subject matter of most blogs deals with current service or reminisces of life as a PCV. The Kenya listing contains links to several dozen interesting sites. Take time to browse them. We recommend that if you are blogging about Kenya, list yourself there.

No one will be surprised to learn that Peace Corps management has “rules” about how PC computer equipment can be used and about content. Most rules, however, are simply common sense and courtesy that ought not to offend. Check it out.