Recent Conversation

How cool is it that across the world, you can have an instant conversation? Well tonight, while being inspired by the faces, stories and experiences in the Kibera slum today, I decided to shall we say.....share why I think this is important work. We are here trying to establish relationships with local organizations so students from our University will be able to come here and study, explore and learn in the future. So many people lack the opportunity to see the world and I truely believe that if more people had the opportunity to see the faces of poverty and hear their stories face to face, we would live in a much different world. I really hope our exploritory work here helps get more students to see this part of the world and connect with it because they faces are unforgettable.

We are here as ambassators for many people and groups. We are so foruntate to be here and learn from Kibera and Dandora communities and I can say I have learned more in the last 3 days then I could ever in a classroom.

This experience empowers people, it changes people and it builds relationship which one cannot turn their back against. We hope this experience can we shared with our school, friends and family to also empower them, to expose them to what we experienced, to make our world smaller and to foster a wider worldview for everyone.

This is an example of the kind of teaching that can happen, even over the internet. I am so proud of this person for wanting to learn more and opening himself up to ask questions and be curious about why I am feeling inspired and amazing despite being immersed in a society of poverty, hunger and illness.

8:47Anonymous
more importantly however, is how is Africa?

8:48pmElle
Incredible, indescribable really. I can't wait till I can upload photos. We are staying 5ft from the largest slum in Africa
With over 1.3 people living in it

8:49pmAnonymous
Question: why is that amazing
I feel like that would be sad, or infuriating or something else u know

8:50pmElle
Because it is real life, it's not some huge roman cathedral it's people and connecting with ppl and talking with ppl and building relationship

8:50pmAnonymous
ahh, when u put it that way

8:50pmElle
i spent today playing with 50+ kids in a school in the Kibera slums
they are happier, sweeter and more beautiful than anyone ive ever met, really. the joy they gave me made me want to cry. and in the conditions they live in, its inspiring
I’ve always wanted to work with the poor and now i am
more than that though I’m getting to build relationship with those in extreme poverty and i think they are the best teachers
8:52pmAnonymous
how so

8:52pmElle
how so to which part lol

8:53pmAnonymous
how do you learn so much from those in poverty

8:54pmElle
really? where do i begin
life isn’t about wealth or class
it’s about experience
there’s nothing like hearing other people’s stories

8:55pmAnonymous
but whose to say that those in poverty have the best experiences?

8:56pmElle
best?
they have way more experiences than we do
that’s for sure

8:57pmAnonymous
they certainly have different experiences

8:58pmAnonymous
i think its weird the way you relish their experiences, when they may or may not though

8:58pmElle
may or may not what?

8:59pmAnonymous
so, you say they have more experiences
good and bad

8:59pmElle
no you’re missing the whole point
my point is that they are teachers
the things they face we could never imagine
they have joy despite not owning one thing
not having access to a toilet

9:00pmAnonymous
how does that teach u

9:00pmElle
u couldn’t learn from that?
we have so much, the disparity of wealth in the world is disgusting

9:01pmAnonymous
this is true

9:01pmElle
the stories they tell are real, these are real people
our brothers and sisters
they don’t ask for handouts
they all work
they are joyful
they appreciate life in a way we know nothing about

9:03pmElle
if u want to end poverty, decrease aids rates, elevate hungry
these are the people u should learn from

9:03pmAnonymous
hmm

9:03pmElle
and that’s what I want to do
u can’t learn about that crap in a class room
cause I take those classes too
9:05pmAnonymous
I'm trying to teach myself about something you already realize through u w/o having the crucial experience
ie, understand the realizations you’ve come to a little bit, without hanging out w/ the people that taught u
but i think i get it
that is actually really, really awesome


Learning and Teaching has already begun..... Thanks to the St. Monica's school in Kibera, you inspired me today.