There is a picture in my office of a group standing in front of the Transit Hotel in Maai Mahiu, Kenya. It was taken in August of 2008. We were at the end of a two-week journey that would change my life.
I arrived in Kenya, like many of my team members, not knowing what to expect but excited. I wanted to strip away everything I thought I knew about Africa and start over. When my backpack did not arrive in Nairobi with me, I was truly dependent on the generosity of others. It was a good start.
It took a couple of days to get orientated, but it was clear from the beginning this trip was going to be amazing. Every night our team gathered together to talk about the day and reflect on our experiences. During our reflections on the second night, one of the team members said, “I don’t understand why we are here; we are not doing anything.” Through her frustration, and some uncertainty and fear, the truth of why she thought we were there came through. I’m here to help these people.
I paused for a long moment and responded, “I’m not sure, but it feels like we are here to establish relationships and maybe friendship with our Kenyan hosts. I think it's all about relationship.”
We visited schools, hospitals, markets, met with community leaders, and shared meals, and in the process, my heart was opened to the kindness and compassion that was present in each encounter. One night, Tusker [a Kenyan beer] in hand, I asked Jeremiah Kuria, a pastor like me and Co-founder and Executive Director of Ubuntu Life Foundation, a question. “Bwana, why don’t we pray before meals?” He smiled, “Brother, everything we do is prayer.” My heart and mind burst open! Kindness and Compassion.
The details of that trip and others blend together thirteen years later, but the connections and the partnership remain. Shortly after that trip, Tribe was born. As an original Tribe member, I have watched and been a part of the growth and outreach that is happening in Maai Mahiu through the work of Ubuntu Life Foundation.
Now, as we sit on the cusp of an extraordinary new chapter, the kindness, and compassion I experienced on my very first visit, continues every day in the work of the awesome teachers and healthcare workers taking care of this community that I am honored to be a part of. Ubuntu, I am because we are. It’s all about relationship!
Oh, and my backpack did eventually arrive on the last day.
Ken
The Reverend Ken Malcolm
Chaplain, Trinity Episcopal School, Austin Texas
Ubuntu Foundation Tribe Heart Member!
