For many of us it is unthinkable to undertake an experience of volunteering in one of the slums in the world, in the side of Nairobi that rivals the Brazilian favelas to conquer the sad black knit suburban agglomeration poorest and forlorn on the planet.
But even for those who decide to deal with it, often it remains an adventure touching, humanly deep, terrible and glorious at the time often, that leaves its mark, but then maybe it stays there, like an indelible tattoo and just.
For Catherine Padova, Como voluntary, instead Korogocho is now part of life.
It 'a major boost, something that walks with her every day.
But not enough, that's not all, the volunteer work in schools in the largest slum in Africa is sometimes exhausting, capture as few other things.
Yet for her Korogocho is the basis on which to build his second nature, the parallel lives of African women.
Attracted by the dignity of the last of the earth and the splendor of Kenya, Catherine from Nairobi by bus arrived in Malindi to know the most mistreated and forgotten tribe of Kenya, the Giriama.
We had met during one of our Italian stages where abbinavamo to the wonders of Kenyan nature, presented thanks to the images and suggestions of the Kenya Tourist Board, the history of this ethnic group whose few supporters, often elderly, struggling not to lose their traditions and their culture. "A moving battle, to be placed absolutely - he thought Catherine, when in Como requested information on Mijikenda, their customs and traditions and because of this abandonment on the part of the younger generation, which also arrive to kill their fathers and grandfathers, accusing them of being retrograde, still believe in witchcraft and practicing magic rituals.
The young lariana arrived in Malindi and wanted to meet the members of the Malindi District Cultural Association, to get an explanation of their reasons and listen to their story, which as before is transmitted only orally. There are books, if not some treatise on anthropology, that could explain how he lives, what he thinks, how does a Giriama with the rest of the country, a nation growing, embracing the western development but also creates situations to the limit of human tolerability as Korogocho, Kibera and Mathare in Nairobi.
And here Caterina in Malindi wear the typical clothing of the Giriama women, kishutu alive and hando, the typical traditional skirt. Together with her two boys in Korogocho that accompanied in the excursion to the south, and who knew nothing ethnicity further south of their country.
"From today we feel a bit 'Mijikenda we ourselves - say the two boys - from their history and their tribulations came the first impulse revolutionary and independence of Kenya".
That's right: Catherine wants to know then the history of Mekatilili Wa Menza, the Giriama heroine who was the first in the country challenged the British authorities. And 'the lawyer Joseph Karisa Mwarandu, founder of MADCA, telling the Italian woman the story of his people.
Experiences that definitely does not apply, for generosity and courage, those volunteering in Korogocho, but that anyone frequent Malindi, even just for a holiday, should do, to fully immerse themselves in the place where he spends his time and for the pleasure of a day of knowledge and sharing. Thank you, Catherine. Asante sana!