Moving to Arusha, Tanzania!

Okay, so technically I am not moving to Africa forever, but I am moving there for the semester!  As I sit here preparing this post, I am still in disbelief as to how much my life has changed in just a matter of days.  Last Tuesday started out as any other day, I woke up at the same time, had the same breakfast, went to the same firm, to work on the same Social Security and Workers' Comp claims.  At around mid-morning, my phone alerted me that I had a new e-mail.  I clicked on the mail button, and saw "Acceptance to ICTR internship programme."  WHAT!?!  I had applied for this position in February; needless to say, I had filed that in the "good try, but it's never going to happen" drawer.  Below is a picture of the ICTR located in Arusha, Tanzania. 

Let me explain....

Last Christmas break, I traveled to Tanzania with Seton Hall University School of Law to participate in a study abroad program about human trafficking.  While on our trip, our group was able to travel to Arusha, Tanzania where the United Nation's International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda is located.  We were able to tour the facility, meet with a Prosecutor, and a Judge, and learn more about the work the tribunal is doing to deal with the Rwanda genocide.  Seeing this place, I knew instantly I wanted to attempt to get an internship.  I knew it would be a long-shot, I attend Northern Kentucky University's law school not Harvard, Duke, or another prestigious, well-known law school.  However, upon my return to the Kentucky, I started the lengthy application process.  I worked on the application, tweeked my cover letter approximately 1 million times, and met with Career Services weekly as I prepared to send everything.  It finally went out in late February.  And then, silence.  Not once did I receive word that the ICTR had received the application, read the application, or denied the application.  It was not until July 26th, months later, that I received word that I was accepted into the internship programme, specifically in the Office of the Prosecutor. 

To say that I freaked out is the understatement of the year.  This was something I had been dreaming about for quite some time.  You need to know some prior history before you can really understand I suppose.  In 2006, I spent the summer in refugee settlements outside of Johannesburg, South Africa.  I had always dreamed about going to Africa; I'll admit it had more to do with my childhood obsession with "The Lion King" than any true desire to make a difference.  Anyhow, I ended up connecting with a group that was going, so I jumped on board.  I was there for about a month working among people who were abused and neglected by society.  At that point in my life, I was studying Religion in college with every intention of attending seminary or divinity school.  My whole life I have said "I will never be a lawyer."  You see, my Dad is an attorney.  It was never something that looked fun or appealing.  Again, I never, ever mentioned that I wanted to be a lawyer.  During my time in South Africa, I remember the conversation that changed my life forever.  I was sitting around a burning pile of garbage in the settlement one evening with a man named Fouch.  He was telling me about his home country and the conflict and violence he had grown up knowing.  He told me about the family and friends who had been victims of gross human rights violations.  I was in shock.  I had grown up in little London, Kentucky without a care in the world.  Unbeknownst to me, people were suffering from curable diseases simply because they were poor, dying by the hands of dangerous rebels, and being abused by a government who should have been looking out for them.  I was instantly changed.  I wanted to do something different with my life, something that mattered, something that made the lives of others better.  I went back home, attempting to figure out what changes in my life I should make in order to pursue this new charge.  After talking to my Dad, I decided to try law school.  I could not think of a better way to help others than to be an advocate.  To speak and fight for justice.  It's been a long time coming, this internship.  I tried to quit law school about 2345678923987493874 times (my friends can definitely vouch).  I have not really found an outlet for my passion in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio region.  Needless to say, I was getting very discouraged.  Was I ever going to truly be able to do human rights work?  Was I ever going to return to Africa to work?  I am so thankful for this opportunity. 

Here are a few pictures from my trip to South Africa almost 5 years ago!

So here's the deal, I am taking a semester off of law school basically.  I will be doing a "criminal law externship" so I will only be taking 3 credit hours this semester.  Unfortunately, this is going to put me a little behind in terms of finishing school and taking the Bar.  I will take a full semester in the spring of 2012, a few classes in the summer 2012, and hopefully only one the following fall 2012.  In February of 2013, I will take the Kentucky Bar.  I think it's worth it to take advantage of such an incredible opportunity.  Therefore, I will be leaving Kentucky and the States late August; I am to arrive in Arusha, Tanzania by September 1, 2011.  I will be staying in Tanzania until the first of January.  While I am away, I plan on blogging about my experience.  While I likely will not be able to convey too much information about my work at the ICTR, I'm sure there will be plenty of other things to discuss such as friends I am meeting, food I am trying, and adjustments to living abroad for a few months.  I will have Internet connections, but trying to keep up with each person individually will be pretty difficult; therefore, I think this is the best approach.  Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare to go and also during my stay in Tanzania.  I feel truly blessed to have the love and support of so many people; I can think of so many people who have encouraged and cheered me on as I have pursued my dreams.

Below are some fun memories (and favorite people) from my last time in Tanzania.  Great memories!

To conclude, here is the verse that I have tattooed on my wrist.  It is sort of my motto, a reminder of what's important to me.  Micah 6:8--"What does the Lord require of you, to do justice, and love mercy, and walk humbly with Your God." 

Nepal and India

Hello.  Here it is, my first blog.  I thought there would be no better place to start than discussing my most significant experience this summer: my trip to India and Nepal.  I'll try and give you the highlights, introduce you to some of my favorite children at the orphanage, and tell you a little about what I learned along the way.

So let's begin...

I left on May 10th, 2011, about 12 hours after I finished my last final, Administrative Law.  I hardly had time to think about the fact that I would be leaving for such an exciting adventure with five finals standing between me and my trip.  Finally, it was May 10th!  Was I ready for this?  Probably yes, but probably no in the sense that I was positive I left something important.  Anyways, I left Cincinnati, OH at around 1-ish, heading to Chicago to meet up with Eric (my travel partner/boyfriend/overall fun person).  We would hop a flight to New Delhi, spend a few days traveling in the area, and then head on to Kathmandu, Nepal. 

We stayed in New Delhi for two nights.  The first day was spent traveling to Agra, India to visit one of the seven wonders of the world, The Taj Mahal.  This might be one of the most incredible things I have ever had the pleasure to see.  After a five hour trip to Agra, we proceeding to walk around the Taj in 110 degree heat with our awesome tour guide.  Eric and I were able to ask every random question we had about the Taj; it was pretty fabulous since we are both somewhat annoyingly curious about things.  The next day we traveled around New Delhi.  We ate fabulous foods, took a rickshaw ride through Delhi, and visited the Gandhi memorial.  Overall, it was very brief, but we felt as though we hit all the important sites.  We were ready to move on to Nepal and start the next leg of the journey, working in the orphanage. 

Finally, we arrived in Kathmandu.  We were picked up from the airport and taken directly to our hostel.  We would stay in the hostel for about two days before heading outside the Ringroad to the orphanage.  Here is a picture from the roof of the hostel.  It was beautiful to be inside the Kathmandu Valley.

We went to the orphanage on Sunday.  I cannot begin to describe to you the feeling of driving along the bumpy, pot-holed road.  I was so nervous!  Would these kids like me?  Would I be fun to hang out with for two weeks?  What was the living situation going to be like, we were out in the middle-of-nowhere Nepal for goodness sake.  As we rounded the corner, I saw a group of children playing in the field.  When they saw the approaching car, all movement stopped.  They stared.  Then, they shot forward, dropping soccer balls, picked flowers, and raced alongside the car, waving and smiling.  I just started laughing, what a welcome! If you ever want to feel like the coolest person in the world, choose to volunteer with 18 little Nepalese children.  They think you are a rock star, and immediately love you unconditionally.  Needless to say, all my fears completely vanished.  As soon as we left the car, Eric and I were covered in homemade flower necklaces and bracelets.  We were given kisses on both cheeks, and our hands were being held by at least five other tiny hands.  As flower petals were being thrown in the air, I heard their sweet voices welcoming the new "brother" and "sister" to their home.  Again, total rock star treatment. 

Here is the setup.  The kids go to school at around 8-ish in the morning and don't return until around 5 in the late afternoon.  During the day, Eric and I would travel to Thamel which is the tourist center of Kathmandu.  We would go there to eat at least one good meal and use a nice toilet.  It's the little things you appreciate when you are living with 18 Nepalese orphans (i.e. a somewhat quiet meal and running water).  While at the orphanage, we traveled to Patan and visited its Durbar Square, climbed the 365-ish staircase to Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), rested and read in the Garden of Dreams, and experienced Boudhanath on Buddha's birthday.  We were able to see a lot of the area as we volunteered. 

Every night, we would make it back to the orphanage in time for the children to return.  They would race home, anxious to play soccer, color, and play.  We spent two weeks with these little munchkins.  I really connected with a little boy named Dunraj.  He was about eleven years old.  He and his brother Lalit lived in the orphanage.  Dunraj and I spent a lot of time together.  We played soccer, went on walks, and one night he even fell asleep in my lap after homework time.  I fell in love with him.  On the last day, it was miserable to say goodbye to him.  He was crying and would hardly come to me.  It was very heartbreaking to leave him behind.  I constantly think about him now.  I pray that he grows up to be an amazing young man, and is able to accomplish his dreams.  Below is a picture of us together after morning prayer before school.  Isn't he such a cutie?  Again, so in love!

  



Here are some of the other kids at the orphanage.  They are wonderful.  Enjoy!

These children are amazing.  They have so many needs, most of which just involves love and attention.  I hope to one day return to them, to see them again, to hold them again, and to see how much they have grown up.  They changed my life, and I hope that by being with them for even a short time changed them too.  I miss my little loves in Nepal. 

After leaving the orphanage, we went to the Pokara which is about a six hour bus ride outside of Kathmandu.  It sits at the base of the Himalayan Mountains.  We kayaked, read books, woke up at 4 a.m. to watch a sunrise, and visited a Tibet monastery.  It was nice to relax and have no agenda for a few days.  We returned to Kathmandu with only two days remaining on our adventure.  We decided to end with a bang.  We signed up to visit The Last Resort, an adventure resort about two hours outside of Kathmandu where one could bungee jump, canyon swing, complete a high ropes course, or repel down a waterfall.  Seeing as I am deathly afraid of heights, I opted for canyoning (repelling down waterfalls) and gave Eric my blessing to canyon swing (he did it two times, he's insane!).  Below: picture of lake in Pokara, bungee bridge I could hardly cross, canyoning down a waterfall, and the accommodations at the Last Resort. 



Overall, this was a life-changing trip.  I learned a lot about myself as I traveled and experienced all kinds of new things.  I feel as though this only is the tip of the iceberg of all that I experienced, but it is definitely the highlights.  Until next time.