Voyage with a Vision Reportback
Kenya Delegation: June 10-17, 2006
MADRE's delegation returned invigorated and inspired by the work of MADRE's partners to end sexual violence and promote Indigenous Peoples' rights throughout communities in Kenya. First, delegates were introduced to Umoja, an Indigenous Samburu community established and led by women who have declared their village a violence-against-women-free zone. MADRE works with Umoja through our sister organization in Kenya, the Indigenous Information Network (IIN). Later in the week, we visited Maasai communities near Nairobi and met with activists who promote women's health and human rights and advocate for the environmental preservation and sustainable development of Indigneous Peoples' lands.
As a special component of the delegation, MADRE offered human rights trainings to women from Indigenous Samburu and Maasai communities. Delegates had a chance to participate in the workshops and hear directly from Samburu and Maasai women and youth about topics such as women's political participation, women's human rights, and HIV/AIDS. We were also lucky to have with us the director of My Little Village, a pre-school in New York, who joined MADRE to do teacher training sessions in three villages, including Umoja. Young people—including students from the US and Latin America, and youth from Umoja and nearby communities—participated in an exchange during which they shared perspectives on issues such as youth leadership and female genital mutilation (FGM).
MADRE, with the outstanding support of delegates, collected school supplies, didactic materials, and toys to deliver to pre-schools in and nearby Umoja. We were also invited to help decorate Umoja's school with the new materials!
Join us on our next delegation to Kenya in January 2007 during the World Social Forum!
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