I’ve been privileged enough to spend my summer in Nairobi, Kenya, as a part of the Students for Development Program. I was planning on a normal summer in Chilliwack, working and taking a few summer classes, when I heard about this program through UFV. I applied on a whim, and barely gave it a second though. When I found out I’d been selected to receive funding along with 3 other UFV students, I was ecstatic. The next 16 days were a whirlwind while we rushed to make preparations for our trip.  There were debriefings, painful immunizations, and putting our jobs and lives on hold, and then after 2 transcontinental flights, we were in Nairobi.

My official internship placement is with the Africa Regional Office of the World Scout Bureau. The ARO serves as a secretariat of the Africa Scout Region, which is made up of National Scout Associations in 37 sub-Saharan African countries. I was given several really amazing projects to work this summer. First, I compiled a list of current and potential partnerships involving the Scout Bureau, including a list of projects currently underway in the region. I also spent time researching potential grants and sponsors for the organization.

Then I worked on updating a project proposal that had been written in 2004. It was called “Connecting Africa’s Youth for Change”, and it involves installing computer centers in 6 different African countries. I was able to put my business skills to great use as I designated and updated the project goals, objectives and indicators, as well as other proposal elements, such as implementation schedules and budgets. It was a really neat experience, being able to put these skills I’d only ever read about to use in such a great context. I’m happy to report that five years after its initial conception, the proposal is finally ready to be marketed to sponsors. The 24 computer centers will positively affect the lives of the thousands of people who will have access to them, many of whom have never seen a computer before in their lives. Knowing I was a part of making it happen is so enriching.

As well, I was given the responsibility of compiling the Africa Scout Region’s Triennial Report for the 2005-2008 period, which I’m working on right now. This report will give an overview of operations, achievements and challenges faced by the bureau, with data from each department. This project gives me an opportunity to correspond with the staff from the office in Nairobi, along with the regional offices. It’s a great experience in setting and following deadlines, practicing professional correspondence, and formatting a professional document.

As well, along with Natalie, Heather, and Graham, my fellow interns, I spend Fridays and Saturdays teaching at a local school. Of the 80 children who attend the school, 23 of them actually board there, about half of whom are orphaned. We thought we would just spend time playing with the kids, so we were all a little shocked when we arrived our first day and found each ourselves standing in front of a class of kids less than 10 minutes later, being introduced as their new teacher. The kids were so bright and confident and eager to learn. Despite the fact that some of them are orphans who have little more than the clothes on their backs, they display such gratitude and hope that it really made me think strongly about the things on our lives that we take for granted. On my first day, when I saw the stark room with five bare bunk beds, my heart broke for the 20 boys who actually shared that room. As it turns out, they are so grateful to have a bed to sleep in that they count it as one of their highest blessings.

One of most significant gifts of this experience is being able to interact with such a diverse range of people. Many people from home have asked me how the people are here, and I can say that as a whole, the Kenyan people are among the warmest, most welcoming people I’ve ever met or could hope to meet again. In particular, the staff at the ARO go above and beyond on a daily basis to ensure that I feel welcome and comfortable, and I just can’t express my gratitude enough to them for it.

I learned so much about international development while I’ve been here. The most significant reading I’m doing is about international aid, and how it tends to hurt developing nations much more than it helps them. When foreign governments or humanitarian organizations pump money into a country, more often than not, it goes into the pockets of corrupt government officials. Rarely does it actually make it down to the people who actually need it. The level of corruption in governments across the continent is deeply unsettling. Every day in the paper, you’d read about government officials buying new cars or planes or houses, while millions of their constituents die of famine or preventable diseases. Academics and activists alike are united in the opinion that significant improvements in the lives of African citizens will not be made until citizens are able to depend on a government that is both democratic and transparent.  From my perspective, the best way for people who want to help is to put their money directly into grassroots initiatives. This ensures that the money actually makes it to the people who need it the most.

I’ve been keeping a blog of my experiences so far this summer. If you want to read more about my time in and around Kenya, you can check it out at http://www.delaneybullied.blogspot.com

-Delaney

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