Violence in Kenya

As the trip get's closer for us, we are reminded that Africa is still Africa. What has been traditionally considered a more 'stable' part of Africa, Kenya has been rocked by violent tribal attacks as a result of the recent presidential election. Claims that the election was rigged by President Mwai Kibaki spurred attacts against members of the Kikuyu tribe, the President's tribe. Different media sources estimate the death toll so far to be between 400-1000.

Indiana has many important ties to Kenya because of the IU/Kenya partnership and Moi Univerrsity in Eldoret. All IU staff and residents have left Kenya except for Dr. Joe Mamlin and his wife Sara Ellen. They have choosen to stay despite the obvious concerns for their own personal safety. The Mamlin's passion for the people of this country is so strong, they have choosen to remain is this time of great need. Perhaps the words of Dr. Mamlin, as taken from an email he has sent back to the states, can best describe his reason for staying :

"We have seen some things over the last few days that cannot be described in this note. We have witnessed sad evidence that we as a human family have a lot of growing yet to do. When you think a moment, you realize the IU-Kenya Program at its core symbolizes what is so critically needed by Kenyan leadership. This is not a program dedicated to building medical schools or even stamping out a pandemic. At its heart, it is a program that screams "Yes" in a world too ready to say "No". This program puts love and compassion front and center. Those values build the rest. When that message is embraced here, we can go home. We are unable to stop what is now happening, but we are rock solid in keeping to our core message."