#34 Six months in Kenya. I tell you why.
With this interview we try to understand who is Paola, when she met Karibuni Onlus, what are her plans and, expecially, why a young Italian psychologist has decided to leave Italy and spend a part of her life in Kenya to develop school, health and work projects.What kind of studies did you attend and why did you to start travelling?
My name is Paola Deriard a young psychologist and registered at the Lombardy. In 2006 I got a degree in Psychology of Communication and Development. My graduation thesis was about the study of a virtual software for the treatment of Anxiety Disorders, a project I've been working on for over a year, after winning a call for bids by Lombardy Region. A busy year that gave me the opportunity of a future research and professional collaboration in my country, in an innovative and curious professional field. Just graduated, I decided to realize the dream I have always been fostering: to know the country in which part of my family is now living: Venezuela. A land I had always heard of since I was a child and had by my aunt many colorful souvenirs from this land that she considered wonderful, difficult and endlessly beautiful.
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| Seven Days-in and Walter Grio, Shoot for Change, support Karibuni Onlus. View the Collection |
What happened in Venezuela?
It had to be just a vacation to me but it became a life experience that changed my life and soon, arrived as a toursit, turned me into a volunteer. Coming back to me was not easy, as it's not for anyone. I left as a doctor going on a "simple" vacation as a graduation gift and came back to Italy deeply unsure about what to do, only being sure to have discovered the meaning of my profession and existence: being helpful in Developing Countries. A page of my life scarred by the pride and emotion of my father, who was picturing "his doctor" daughter wearing a lab coat and receiving patients in a health facility close to home. Instead, I was only wearing simple t-shirts travelling around the world to give my support in voluntary international cooperation.
It was 2008, a year with unforgettable and intense months spent at the Italian Embassy in Santo Domingo, where I worked in the field of culture and communication, facilitated by knowledge of the Spanish language after my experience in Venezuela. In 2009, after several months in the United States to imprive the English language, I have been linving in countries such as Cuba, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica, to support biodiversity and responsible tourism project.
When did you come back to Italy?
In 2010 I decided to take a break and, after entering in the Register of Psychologists and joining the compnay of my father, I started to practice my job in Italy, attending training courses on International Co-operation. Then, during what was supposed to be another simple vacation, I met Africa on my way, and that was my "point of no return". I stayed only one month in Tanzania, as a tourist and as a volunteer at a small local association. I knew for sure my life had changed and when I came back to Italy I had the great luck to know Karibuni Onlus.
How did you get into Karibuni Fund?
It came to me, as dreams, they say, come to you. My brief experience in Africa ended knowing for certain that it could not end, so once back to Italy I used to live as a psychologist and, at the same time, searching on the Net for job opportunities in international cooperation organizations. So I read on the site of Karibuni Onlus about their projects in Kenya dedicated to education, health and agricultural themes. I was patricularly interested in the idea of creating a "work culture" that allows communities to manage by themselves. I looked at their pics and videos showing smiles of many children supported by the association. I also found out the Karibuni page on Facebook where you can read about their fundraising activities and new photos.On that page you can talked to them, so I did it and sent a private message to the administrator to try and get in touch with the president of the Association and to ask about a possible collaboration volunteer in Kenya. After a first contact, I thought this would have been a period of voluntary work during the short summer season.
... but you were available for a longer stay?
Yes, I remember I have answered with some regret that I was looking for something more than a short period of volunteering and I was highly motivated to spend a period of time in larger projects to follow on-site . By the time I was continuing my research, another association proposed me to leave for Mexico and join a psycho-educational project, to help an indigenous community in the territory of Chiapas. While reflecting on the possible departure, my phone ringed and it was Gianfranco Ranieri, Chairman of Karibuni non-profit organization, asking me for a business lunch with Dr. Carlo Peverelli, one of the chief medical officer in Karibuni. It was one of the most important meals I can remember, as he offered me to follow professional Karibuni projects in the role of "Supervisor" on the spot, "for at least six months."
Why did you take this opportunity?
When I met the President Gianfranco Karibuni, so full of dedication, passion and pragmatism, hope and humility, I had the feeling I had the chance I was looking for since a long time. The decision just came up spontaneously as it was for me a great achievement .
Have you ever act as a Supervisor in an association?
No, I've never been "supervisor" of all projetcs within an association. This is for me the first time with this responsibility, I feel honored for that and I receive it with great enthusiasm, humility and deep motivation.
What prior actions Karibuni wants to lead in Kenya?
Since its birth, Karibuni non-profit organization is focused on school projects parallel to health projects, at the sime time giving support on the educational front and in the health sector. It is not easy, in my opinion, to draw up a priority list, because first it is essential to ensure the health, when operating in countries such as Africa, but information and education are also fundamental for the development and well-being of a people. In addition, the primary objective of Karibuni has become to create the right conditions for self-sustaining communities where it operates, through the creation of agricultural and livestock projects and give products that can guarantee an income. This way a community can grow up and run by itself, making themselves more and more autonomous and well being, loosening, if not breaking, the circle of aid-dependent.
How will you hand over your experience in Kenya to Karibuni followers or to those who still do not know Karibuni?
Karibuni uses to update its followers with a monthly newsletter published on the website www.karibuni.org and on his Facebook page but it also can be sent by mail to those who want to sign up.
With my arrival in Karibuni we decided to create a section within the Association's website called "Travel Diary", where those who wish can follow my experience, told by me in person. I've always had a certain passion for writing and my travels since 2006 have always been followed by a diary, where I often fix some feelings and thoughts. An indispensable companion during all my life so intense experience. I am grateful to Karibuni for giving me permission to do the same while in Kenya. We also thought of small movies, following my personal feelings and reflections on my experience in Africa. Finally, for those who will be interested to know concretely Karibuni in its activities, I strongly invite to come to Kenya. I'll accompany personally through our projects and meet the smile of our children.
With these posters you support Karibuni Onlus. View the collection by Walter Grio, Shoot for Change.
