Shelly Kacergis, retired corporate banker and 2016 traveler
Recently, I retired early from banking to pursue opportunities in social enterprise or micro finance. I am so glad that I did not wait any longer to take this trip. I might still be at that desk wondering what else was out there…
I was stuck on the corporate treadmill feeling restless and unsatisfied when my long- time friend and colleague, Paul Higdon, and his inspiring wife, Linda, sat in my kitchen explaining their vision for a unique trip for women to travel to Kenya with them.
The landscape and magnificent wildlife is breathtaking at the Samburu Game Reserve where we stayed for two nights at a luxury tented camp
As they described the beauty of the place and the relationships with the people that they have cultivated over 15 years it sparked my curiosity. Then my inexperience with developing world travel caused my risk aversion to kick in. After a bit of deliberation about the required shots, the long distance to travel and safe drinking water I decided to join the first group of Women’s Journey to Kenya in early 2016.
Here we are (the inaugural group in 2016) with Lucy Mukaria. She shared her story of being the first girl to graduate from her village to her rise as a legislator for women’s rights.
I did not know what to expect and given work responsibilities, had no time to contemplate it. My gut said to trust Paul and Linda and just let the journey unfold. That was a smart move.
I flung a tea basket on my back and learned how to pick “two leaves and a bud” while the Kenyan women seemed quite amused.
We did not just observe life in rural Kenya and Nairobi from a van as I might have expected. We put baskets on our backs and picked tea, alongside women up to age 80 who sing as they work with their strong and capable hands. We learned their songs but could not match their speed (much to their amusement).
We visited a market where women were making jewelry and baskets and men were trying to interfere as “agents” for the women with no value added. We quickly displayed our American bravado and gave them each a shilling to go away. I would not expect the Kenyan women themselves to be so bold but it was fun to see their smiles when the men backed off!
Traditional basketry is the pride of Kenya and is passed down orally from mother to daughter. This woman is environmentally conscious, weaving recycled plastic with sisal.
Our many interactions with the children was another highlight. We visited three very different schools and two orphanages. The children were so eager to learn whether in a modern facility or a classroom with dirt floors. The orphans were happy and well cared for by loving and generous caregivers. I kept wondering how these children would achieve their potential.
I had the chance to teach a class at Ribui Elementary School in a poor remote valley of Kenya and see first-hand why school means the world to these kids. They hung on every word.
We learned much about how the culture and economy really operate and made lasting friendships with our Kenyan hosts and guides. I was surprised at how content Kenyans are; how resourceful and enterprising. I walked away with a new appreciation for and interest in Fair Trade and Microfinance and can honestly say I now know what living on $3 a day looks like. I know how critical it is to educate girls in particular. I worked in corporate banking for 30 years but somehow missed out on all of this.
