Safety
The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
Security
Safety is very important in the world of development, where international travel is the norm. Growing up in a family where so many of my relatives have been through military training, self-defense was something my brothers and I were taught from a young age. So I’ve always been in the habit of preparing for worst case scenarios but my World Vision Personal Security training helped me understand safety from many new angles I had not considered (like when NOT to fight). Southern Adventist University's MGCD program also helped prepare me with addition safety training.
When my wife and I went to Tanzania for our honeymoon, we were fortunate enough to have friends who lived in the local area. I asked them many questions about security issues in Tanzania and how to avoid trouble. I found that insider knowledge is the most helpful and I am very glad that I took the World Vision Personal Security training because it reminded me to ask local experts before going anywhere. When it was time for my wife to travel back to the United States, she planned a route to the airport by herself using information she found online. The bus company that she wanted to book a ticket with stopped at several spots along the way including a transfer station in Nairobi. I asked an employee at World Vision Kenya (WVK) where we were staying what they thought of our plan. He widened is eyes in shock and said “you want to go there? I’m a local and I don’t even go there – that’s a very dangerous area!” This taught me to always seek advice from local experts before going anywhere – no matter what the internet tells you.
As trip leader for an upcoming EWB trip, I am currently working on a safety plan for our upcoming trip to Japura, Peru. Walla Walla University policy requires that we have a safety briefing with the Risk & Safety department. These safety briefing are very thorough and we cover a multitude of potential threats in the field and all logistical contingencies must planned in advance. We also have to make sure that every member of the travel team is properly insured in case emergency medical attention is required.
Self-care
Development work can be very stressful and intense at times. This is why it is important to take breaks at times. During rotation 2 in East Africa, we scheduled a number of fun excursions on the weekends. We went on a beautiful Safari in Tanzania with my cohorts and my wife. Here’s one of my favorite photos from that Safari of an Elephant.
When I was working with World Vision Kenya (WVK), my wife and I took a weekend trip to Mombasa and had a fabulous time at a resort along the coast. Here's a photo of using resort transportation (Tuk-Tuk).
At the end of my rotation 2 in Kenya (December 2015), I was invited to join the World Vision staff I had been working with to a retreat in Malindi – a beautiful coastal town near Mombasa. Here’s a video of one of a fun team building exercise in which the team had to work together in complex ways to solve a simple task.
When we moved to Walla Walla, WA, my wife and I made sure to schedule weekend excursions to the mountains to go camping, and hammocking. We are also very fortunate to have a strong friendship with our landlord, who lets us go boating, quadding and motorcycling with his equipment.
During our last EWB implementation trip to Peru, the project team took a day off from working very hard to visit Machu Picchu. Here are some photos from that trip.
Health and Wellness
It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. -Mahatma Gandhi
Staying healthy is key, especially when working on the frontlines of development. I made sure to take notes and follow all the instructions provided in the health and safety video in the MGCD online portal. I made sure to bring the right medication to prevent Malaria infection and for traveler’s diarrhea. I also got vaccinated according to official recommendations for travel to East Africa before the trip. My wife and I both brought Sawyer water bottles with us to protect from water borne contaminants just in case. I also brought a UV light filter to kill off any viruses that the Sawyer filter might have missed. Unfortunately, I still ended up with food poisoning twice and had to go to the hospital but I still think the medications helped. It was a good thing I had good insurance so I was reimbursed for all medical expenses incurred.
During my stay in Mtito Andei, Kenya working with World Vision, I made sure to exercise on a daily basis. My favor part was when the children would come out and join me. They would copy my movements and I would raise the kids up to branches and spot them while they did pull-ups. I had a lot of fun staying in shape. My friend and ADP director, Alexon Mwasi, also challenged me to go on a 7K run around Mtito Andei. It was exhausting but also very rewarding getting to see the back roads lined with farms and little children playing.
Motor vehicle safety is also important so I always buckled up. I also made sure to always wear a helmet and travel at a safe speed when riding on the back of World Vision Kenya’s piki piki (motorcycle). Here’s a video of me and my partner, Mark Mutai, riding back to World Vision Kenya’s local office in Mtito Andei.
Throughout my internship at Walla Walla University, I have made it a point to bike to work (weather permitting) as much as possible instead of driving. I also made sure to take advantage of the university gym benefits at Walla Walla University to work out and prepare for athletic events. Here's a photo of my wife and I at two 5K events.
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Walla Walla University 5K Color Run (Instagram Photo)