My Experience as a KDEF Intern
Antoine Marc, student intern
Growing up in Switzerland, I was able to benefit from one of the best public education systems in the world. It didn’t take me long to grasp that not everyone was that lucky. Though I’ve always had a desire to understand various key social issues, I was never sure exactly what I could do to make a real impact in the world. That was until I met Sarah Hadden, Cofounder of Kenya Drylands Education Fund.
Despite never having been to Kenya myself, Sarah’s description of the conditions she encountered when she first visited northern Kenya in 2010 and the work she has done since opened my eyes. In an area where basic education was seen as a luxury, KDEF has had a great impact, solving immediate problems while always remaining true to the aim of education for all. After meeting Sarah and seeing how her passion has changed lives, I immediately knew I had to get involved. Since volunteering for KDEF, it has become my goal to contribute to the best of my abilities at all times. I realize that every little bit helps and can make a huge difference in the lives of people in northern Kenya.
It might be difficult to imagine that a Swiss teenager working remotely in his dorm room in Vermont could have an emotional connection to the people he was helping in Kenya. My tasks for KDEF have included maintaining the website and social media accounts. I also researched and selected foundations in Switzerland that might be willing to help with donations. These efforts have indirect influences on the children KDEF supports.
I only felt the effect of my actions when I got to speak to a group of teenage girls face to face (albeit virtually in an Instagram Live I hosted). Their lives have been changed completely thanks to the recent construction of our library, which is now open to the public. One of the students told me that she was so happy about the light in the new library. She had previously been restricted to studying during daylight hours since her family does not have access to electricity. What struck me from the conversation was the girl’s continuous smile, proof that access to education can be life-changing. The library has opened a new world for these girls, and with it the opportunity to open dialogue among the various tribes, promoting peace.
We are, however, still at the very beginning of this journey. The next step in supporting these girls, who are so eager to learn and take advantage of these new opportunities, will be to fill the library with more books. Just one book can make a huge difference in the lives of the residents. Our job is to keep expanding their horizons. My hope is that my efforts on a small scale can contribute to making a bigger impact in the future and finally breaking the vicious cycles of forced child marriage, tribal conflicts and poverty.