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Corban grad lends perspective on Kenyan violence
By Stephanie Hallman
Angry mobs, more than 600 deaths, and thousands of displaced citizens: violence in Kenya following the controversial Dec. 27 presidential election has dominated world headlines.
The danger may be thousands of miles away for Corban students, but for Daylan Arnold, the world of Kenya is just outside her doorstep. Arnold, an ‘05 elementary education graduate, has spent the past year-and-a-half in Kenya’s capital, teaching at West Nairobi School.
“Most Kenyans I talk to are simply tired of all the violence and want things to go back to normal,” Arnold said. “Some of my Kenyan friends said that when the violence was really bad, they would sleep during the day and stay awake all night. They packed all their things and were ready to leave their house at any given time.”
The violence that has lasted several weeks is the result of the perception the election was rigged in favor of re-elected Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki. Kibaki won the race by a margin of approximately 230,000 votes, according to the BBC.
Arnold avoided the most violent days because she spent part of her school vacation on an island off of nearby Tanzania. Since arriving back in Kenya, she has been keeping close to her house, although she observed that violence appears to be lessening in Nairobi.
On Jan. 18, she attended a town hall meeting at the U.S. Embassy, where the ambassador noted that faith-based organizations are playing a significant role in helping the country and its people.
“The church is really rising up to meet the needs of people in Kenya, and I know many people have already come to know the Lord because of this tragedy,” Arnold said.
She said the biggest prayer request is for peace, especially between the tribes.
The Corban community can also pray for the people of Kenya, “that they would be able to find shelter once again and also that they would find the shelter and comfort of the Almighty God during this time,” she said.
So despite the possibility of danger, would she encourage others to consider teaching overseas? For Arnold, the answer is “absolutely,” though she recommends graduates spend at least one year teaching in the states before moving overseas.
“Every school and every country is different, but my experience overseas has broadened my perspective as a teacher and as a person. I think it is good for everyone to experience life as a foreigner, to have to learn to do things a different way, and to realize that just because you do things differently doesn't mean your way is better.”
According to Arnold, her experiences have changed her perspectives: “I have learned to be patient because things in this culture just take a lot longer than they do in America. I have learned to be grateful for little things, like white board markers that don't dry out after a day and glue sticks that actually work. I have learned that people are so much more important than possessions.”
Those interested can learn more about Daylan and her time in Kenya by visiting her blog at daylanarnold.blogspot.com
