Inhale. Exhale. My first breath on the continent of the beginning, Mother Africa. Representing the beginning of human development, innovation, and humankind, Mother Africa holds the blueprint to all civilization. I anticipated that I’d be showered with overwhelming emotion given the significance of my journey home. I imagined tears would flow uncontrollably and I’d weep from happiness. But that scene was captured from an overdramatized movie because none of that actually happened in real life. After arriving to the airport, I had my temperature checked by the clinical staff, headed to customs and quickly grabbed my bags to catch a ride to my new home that I had only seen via Google satellite.
While people around me removed cameras to take pictures, I spent the next few moments in silence observing the vast plains in the distance, watching my scarf battle the cool gusts of wind carrying thick dust, noting the rich color of dirt roads surrounding the airline runway, and being comforted by the familiarity of American advertisements. VISA “Everywhere you want to be.”
Days passed and I continued normal processes of adjusting to the 6-hour time difference, unpacking and learning my way around Lusaka. It wasn’t until I was riding in the car with a friend, who is a native of Zambia, and he said to me, “You’re home.. finally… how does it feel?” I paused at the notion of him referring to his country as my home and in that moment every feeling of displacement that I have ever harbored diminished. Displacement in the sense that I’ve carried with me for many years this internal struggle of ‘I’m suppose to be somewhere else’, but I never knew where that somewhere else was. In recurring conversations with peers when the question was posed, “ Where would you like to end up or settle down?” Responses from others usually ranged from Atlanta, Texas, New York, or California to name a few. Everyone always had a response except me. Did I not possess the foresight to plan for a place to settle in the future? Do I have commitment issues with geographic spaces? Due to the mobility of my career choice, I’ve been blessed to live in many places in the United States, but none have felt like home. This perception became burdensome for those close to me in that I freely move around from state to state and feel unattached to geographical spaces. It wasn’t until my early 20s that I realized the purpose of the burden etched within my consciousness. I must return.
My reality. I am an African-American woman, decorated with physical features similar to the people of East Africa, consumed with mannerisms and demeanor of the people of West Africa, whose birth name is Kenya, yet I wouldn’t know where to begin in telling you which country my family is from. I know who I am spiritually, but my lineage remains a mystery. This is the affliction of many African Americans in which some have chosen to explore and others have chosen to let remain hidden. We are like priceless packages shipped to a location far away with the ‘To’ portion of the address label filled in to completion whereas the ‘From’ portion is partially incomplete.
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots”-Marcus Garvey
This blog is not long enough for dispelling why this is so, nevertheless my friend was right. I am HOME. Zambia may or may not be where my roots actually began, but it is where my God has led me and where I choose to start looking back. I made a personal vow that whenever I returned home, to Mother Africa, I would not come empty handed. I am a summation of the recycled lives of my ancestors, and have benefitted greatly from their sacrifices. Many who have come before me were not afforded the opportunity of higher learning. But I have had that and more. Thus, I come bearing and seeking fruits.. seeking fruits of elevation of my cultural consciousness and bearing fruits of intellect to assist with improving the health system.
I am an Infectious Disease Epidemiologist by training and have spent the majority of my career investigating old and emerging communicable diseases, developing surveillance systems to track them, and recommending prevention measures. In a resource poor setting such as Zambia, pertussis (whooping cough) remains a leading cause of infant deaths, with infants becoming sick or dying in the first 3 months of life. The burden of pertussis disease in Lusaka, Zambia is unknown, as the epidemiology remains unstudied. I am here to contribute to the first baseline study of pertussis in Zambia that will hopefully provide data to inform implementation of prevention measures and future research to reduce infant deaths related to this deadly, yet preventable disease. While pertussis is my main focus, I also work with other communicable diseases affecting the nation ranging from malaria, pneumonia, and diarrheal illnesses in children.
So I am here. As I’ve done for many years for my first day on the job, I showed up with my invisibly decorated glitter cape, an ink pen, notepad, a pair of heels, and an emergency pair of sandals (I didn’t always bring sandals, but investigations in the streets of New York City weren’t so kind to my feet in heels). I started my career wanting to change the world, but I have grown to appreciate how God designed the world so that we are all interconnected and need one another to truly make sustainable change. I’m resting in not changing the world, but willfully contributing a brick to the foundation for the group of people who will.
Bwela na ine (Come with me).
Kaha
November 19, 2015 at 3:21 pm (8 years ago)Kenya! I love this. I’m so excited to be able to follow you on your journey.
Kenya
November 24, 2015 at 2:14 pm (8 years ago)Kaha, you were there in the beginning… When there were only textbook dreams, Panera Bread plans, and Starbucks consolation lattes… Thank you for joining me again. Trust I’m following you too.
Samantha
November 19, 2015 at 4:48 pm (8 years ago)This is amazing! I can’t wait to read more about your life and your epi work in Zambia!
Kenya
November 24, 2015 at 2:17 pm (8 years ago)From one Epi to another.. Thank you for joining me.
Yernia Preer
November 23, 2015 at 2:52 am (8 years ago)OMG Kenya, I am so proud of you! Reading the posts and info throughout your website is inspiring to say the least. Very detailed and descriptive, honest and insightful, keep up the good work. Continue to be you, learn, grow, and share your story and journey with others!
Kenya
November 24, 2015 at 2:22 pm (8 years ago)Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate you so much for helping me be clothed in my truth. We are us but we are also reflections of those who we choose to keep close. I am a reflection of you.
Jane
November 30, 2015 at 4:16 pm (8 years ago)I am glad that you are enjoying Zambia. Welcome to the motherland, it is as much my home as it is yours. It is interesting to read your experience. Best wishes!!!
Kenya
December 8, 2015 at 7:02 am (8 years ago)Years ago, who knew that your home would someday become my home. I’m so grateful for the warm welcoming that Zambia has shown me. I’m also most grateful for you Jane… awaiting your return.
Kimberly
December 2, 2015 at 8:51 pm (8 years ago)Kenya in Zambia. I am much more thrilled to read this than i expected to be. As expected your journey has been beautiful! Just a year ago we made our first connections and our budding friendship was born. You helped me reaffirm my fearlessness and you have my support from across the ocean.
Know that you are loved by me!
I’ll be stopping by again.
Kenya
December 8, 2015 at 8:09 am (8 years ago)I appreciate you Kim and have learned so much from you. I’ve since made dreaming aloud a mandatory part of my life. Those moments we spent shaping our realities with words have proved necessary.. as I’m living what we spoke of last year. Oceans away you have my support for your journey. I’m so excited about your future.
Joray
December 6, 2015 at 11:21 pm (8 years ago)My heart smiles as I read your words and view images of you in Zambia. I pray that you continue to live out your purpose and experience the greatness of God. You deserve it!
Kenya
December 8, 2015 at 8:10 am (8 years ago)Thank you for visiting Joray. I receive your well wishes with gladness.
Ashley
December 9, 2015 at 2:58 pm (8 years ago)Kenya this is amazing, you are amazing. You have a spirit that I’m sure will touch so many, as it touched me in our short time at the dreaded DOHMH lol. I’m sure you’ve already made a difference, you’re going to do great things love.
Kenya
December 14, 2015 at 2:55 pm (8 years ago)Ashley!! Oh how I miss you! Things have since changed from when you were at DOHMH. They now have Black Panther Party film viewings and surface discussions on racial inequalities in health… Thee life! Strides from what you once knew, I’m certain. I reminisce about all the times we “stole away” to have those prayer meetings. Praying for ‘in the now’ experiences but knowing that God was conspiring for the good of our futures. I know you’re somewhere wrapped in happiness. Keep stopping by!!
tess
January 28, 2016 at 7:01 am (8 years ago)Oh my goodness!!I read up the blog name and I was like’wow is she a Kenyan named Kenya?’
This will be a beautiful journey for you.
Maybe sometime if you feel like travelling to the eastern side of Africa…I don’t know… maybe Kenya?Hahaha!!Corniest girl ever!!smh!!You are welcome.
Kenya
January 28, 2016 at 2:36 pm (8 years ago)I chuckled a bit 🙂 .. I get this question so often. More so now that ever. I have a set of responses readily prepared for all the questions I get in reference to my name.
1. My name is Kenya
2. I am not from Kenya
3. I am not Kenyan (that I’m aware of)
4. My parents are not from Kenya (that I’m aware of)
5. Their parents are not from Kenya (that I’m aware of)
6. I’ve never lived in Kenya
One of my goals of 2016 is to make it to Kenya. I’m open to any recommendations you may have.
Steven Lucas
February 15, 2016 at 6:23 pm (8 years ago)Kenya! You are awesome, inspiring, and an ambassador to all mankind. I’m proud of you and uplifted from every update you post in your journey. Stay strong my sister and embrace the moment. Best Regards!
Kenya
February 16, 2016 at 10:41 am (8 years ago)Thank you brotha for your kind words. Embracing the moment as I scream “I Ain’t Got Time To Waste” to the top of my lungs.
Puja
February 16, 2016 at 2:57 am (8 years ago)Kenya, this sounds amazing! Pertussis is one of my interest as well! I’m curious to know if Tdap vaccines are at least somewhat available to healthcare workers. At least for the maternity ward. May be possible after your epidemiological study you could reach out to a pharmaceutical company to help out? Please continue to write more about this study, I’m very interested! I wish you the best of luck and I look forward to hearing the rest!