There's no place like...

Ya, ya... not in some corny Dorothy way: but it's true, on many levels.

It is really only when we travel that we can appreciate all that we have in Canada: space, freedom, opportunity, water, voting. And yet, for the most part, Canadians are apathetic about these. Many of my own students say that they will never vote because their parents don't. And here, we've met people who looked at each other in disbelief when we told them that every four to five years, Canadians get to vote. And that we'll have voted four times in seven years.

Throughout East Africa, we have heard and seen so much about the difficulties that regular people face. In Kenya, it seems even worse. People openly complain about their government, the law enforcement... the general infrastructure (roads, electricity...). We've often wondered why they do nothing about it. (Although workers are organising a country-wide "demonstration day" on May 1, to protest the rising cost of living. We'll see what it brings.) Buses are late by three hours: they take it in stride. "What can we do about it?" Roads are in terrible condition; they don't seem to notice. The quality of public education is worsening; they have to put up with it. "The government doesn't want us to be educated." Corruption abounds: they say they can't fight it. Many police don't enforce laws because they get paid off, even by the little guy. 200 shillings. 500 shillings. Better than a fine. The government has been the same (a majority of members of parliament have served for about thirty years) since they were born: they say there's nothing they can do. "If we fight, they will shoot us?" Verbatim. Nancy, Ivy and Eunice in Eldoret complained about impunity, about graft, about corruption, about their vote being meaningless. They are in their 20's and studied at Kampala University. They can't find jobs in their field because they don't have any connections. They work for a delightful Mr. Raj at his resort campground. But it's not the social work for an NGO, as they had dreamed. During the last elections, these girls were IDP's outside of Eldoret when the majority tribe burned down their families' barns, stole their cattle, destroyed their crops.

And then there's the second aspect to all this: there is no place like home (in the broadest and simplest sense). This is the most appealing facet of life in Africa (and likewise in south-east Asia): the overwhelming importance of family and community. Despite all the seemingly insurmountable difficulty, there is much happiness and playfulness. And trust. It's not all idyllic, but it sure is different from our North American experience. Every morning, primary and high school children stream to schools (in uniform) hand-in-hand with family or friends. Primary students wait in the front yard (such as it is) and are "collected" by their teachers before entering the building. Everywhere, children are children. They play impromptu games along the road, in fields, in the town square, safely. Their parents don't hover or organise. Why? Because they are known by everyone in town and are being watched. I hate to quote Hillary, but she's so right: "It takes a village." It seems here in North America, with our "First World problems," we've lost sight of this very important element of raising children - and connecting with individuals. We didn't see kids attached to objects and ipods: we saw them attached to adults, to each other and to play. I will miss this most.

This guy sings it best: First World Problems! I couldn't have said it better... Perhaps a good future project with my grade 11's!

And for obvious reasons, they don't "worry" about obesity and which workout program they'll buy next...