The Problem of Unemployment

Everyone wants to work here. Jobs are scarce, even with college degrees. My interpreter, sweet Sylvia the retired teacher with 6 kids, asked me again today if I would help her find a position here. She is such a blessing, and I put in a good word for her last week, but Dr. Dan said that all the volunteers want a full-time job here. I'm sad, since they are all so awesome!

We all adore David, the driver employed by Village Director Yeen-Lan. I first met David the day after I arrived in Kenya, when he came to fetch me from the B&B with YL, Mama Faith, and the three little munchkins that visited the dentist in Nairobi that Tuesday. While we waited in the car together with the children, as YL took Mama Faith to the doc to get her Typhoid Fever diagnosed, David opened up to me. I was shocked with his statistics. He told me that the unemployment rate in Nairobi is 70%. Since then, I've heard numerous stories of college graduates unable to find work here.

David is himself supporting his family of 6, as he is the only one employed, even though his two older sons have college degrees. His beautiful daughter wants to go to college in the US, and he longs for her to do that. He tells every MiniMissionary his story, just hoping that someone will be able to sponsor her. I was told not to get involved with such requests. Again, I feel frustrated and discouraged at my helplessness... David said everyone dreams of moving to the US and living in comfort. When he drove us to Rafiki Village that afternoon, the first time I set eyes on the Mwiki neighborhood right outside our walls, my heart sank at the apparent squalor. Then YL told me that Mwiki was considered middle class, and that most of our employees, including David, lived there. I was speechless. And heartbroken... David had voiced despair that their are so many wealthy westerners moving to Kenya and building big mansions for themselves, with no regard for the masses who live in poverty throughout the city and surrounding areas. I tend to feel despair at this as well.

What is even more mind-blowing and heart-wrenching to me is the thought of the extreme surplus of wealth and brains in Austin, Texas alone. Even with all my education, I am also having difficulty finding work in my field chosen field of public health. However, I can come over here and find a huge need for my skills and experience in helping Rafiki raise and rescue a few fortunate orphans, the chosen ones of the next generation. Thus, I'm constantly tormented with confusion about how to contribute my gifts in God's economy. Do I turn my back on the conspicuous consumption so rampant in the US to come here to my beloved Africa as a missionary nurse or teacher? Do I give up my career search and start raising support from benefactors and generous folks who lovingly support missionaries in third world countries? Perhaps the answer is "Not Yet". I still have aging parents who need me back home. Can I find a fulfilling career there when I return? God only knows...