Mary Ann Slabaugh, in Kenyan dress. Photo by Ron Claus.
By Mary Ann Slabaugh
This July I will be leaving for Kenya to volunteer and live in the village of Chwele. I plan to be part of their Harambee practice which in Swahili means “let’s pull together for the good of the global community.”
Seventeen years ago I met Grace Kuto, my Kenyan sister at an international women’s conference in Portland, Oregon. Grace had established the Chwele community development project in her village in Western Kenya. Grace’s inspiration and efforts have updated a medical dispensary, built in 1948 but never in operation, to a medical clinic that serves 60,000 people in the neighboring region.
A Resource and Peace Center of 7,000 square feet will open this August. While I am in this Kenyan village I will be gardening around the resource center and helping in the village’s schools — after nine immunizations and 40 hours expected round trip airtime!
Grace Kuto has visited Orcas three times, and sees a bridge or connection between the village of Chwele and the community of Orcas Island. She has put on several events here, contributing to our cultural diversity and bridging our communities.
This Sunday, March 17, I’ll be holding a fundraising bake sale with an African theme at Island Market, beginning at 10 a.m. Please come and see what my adventure is all about, and bring a friend!
To learn more of my Kenyan project check out the website at chwele.wordpress.com and my blog kenyankalling.blogspot.com.
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WTG for living your dream, Mary Ann!