Giving Hope In Africa
Send a Cow meant to her. It was delightful, and it
conveyed to us the joy that she was experiencing
every day in providing for herself and her family.
So simple, but so powerful – and one of many
powerful women we met.
GIRL POWER
At the end of days two and three, we visited
co-ops where people came together to work with
each other and grow their farms. The loveliest
part to me was the “girl power” involved: those
leading the way at each place were women. One
man in our group asked why that was, and he was
answered by one of the men, who said simply that
women return messages and calls, and they get
things done. The other men in attendance laughed,
and shook their heads in agreement.
The women had such a strong sense of pride in
their groups. They sewed dresses out of the same
bright fabric to create uniforms that would all
identify them as part of the same co-op.
They even loaned each other money, doing
some table banking, for expansions or other needs.
The shift from that first day that started with
Philister to the next few days was a change from
resignation to joy, and that was wonderful to
see. It was largely that sense of community that
changed things for these women. The presence
of a peer farmer from Send a Cow or a member
of your co-op buoyed your spirits. It has long
seemed to me that large amounts of money are
necessary to solve big problems, such as hunger
in Africa. But it’s not that way.
Solving big problems starts with listening. It
starts with understanding the root causes of the
problems. It starts with knowing that the person
who stopped taking their HIV drugs did so because
it made them feel terrible, and they felt terrible
because they didn’t eat enough before they took
the drugs.
Why don’t they have enough food? Because
they aren’t growing the right kinds or using the
best techniques.
While I can’t solve the hunger problems in all
of Africa, I can help Philister, Caren and 598 other
families grow more, and better, food. I can help
them protect their watersheds.
I can do all of that.
SO, WHAT NOW?
I landed in Louisville on Mother’s Day evening.
My husband, mother and three daughters were
waiting for me at the airport. We went directly to
Red Robin for something I desperately wanted: a
cheeseburger. And it was delicious.
I fell into a deep sleep that night in my own bed
with vivid dreams due to the malaria medication.
I took a single day to edit down my photos, nest at
home, catch up on laundry and just enjoy the quiet.
But by day two at home, I could feel something
in me shifting.
There is a shift that occurs in probably anyone
who has truly experienced a developing country
and has really listened, absorbed and understood
what they were seeing.
My question now is what I will do about it.
I’m not certain I have an answer. But I do know
this: I feel a deep sense of duty to change the world.
For me, that service will be through Send a Cow.
I want to continue to serve in any way I’m asked.
I will go to Africa when they ask me to go. I will
support this organization financially. I will speak
about this incredible work to whomever will have
me. It is the support I can give, here, right now.
You see, it’s not really necessary for me, a person
with no background in agriculture or living in
Kenya, to give up everything here and move there
to help. Chances are, I’d do more harm than good.
The best thing I can do is remember, listen,
read, and talk about my experiences.
The best thing I can do is continue to see.
Once you see, you cannot unsee, says Greg
Ellison of the Chandler School of Theology at
Emory University. I heard that quote in my work
with the Presbyterian Foundation, and I’ve never
forgotten it.
I have seen Kenya.
I have seen Philister.
I have seen Caren.
I cannot unsee them.
And I never want to.
Robyn Davis Sekula is a public relations,
marketing and social media consultant and speaker
who lives in New Albany. She is a member of the
Board of Trustees of Send a Cow, an international
non-profit that works in some of the poorest countries
in Africa. In her working life, she primarily consults
with organizations and business in communications,
social media, public relations and marketing and is
a frequent speaker on social media, communications
and branding, and yes, she would be happy to talk
to local groups about Send a Cow’s work in Kenya.
A former journalist, Robyn has served as President
of the Society of Professional Journalists, Louisville
Pro Chapter, and as Membership Chair of the
national SP J organization. In her personal time,
she is a mother of three girls, CrossFit enthusiast,
avid traveler and music junkie.