This JustJourney is designed to give you an in-depth understanding of the issues facing Kenya and UUSC’s Kenyan program partners, who protect the right to work and to earn a dignified living.

As a participant, you will have the opportunity to bring back the voices of the Kenyan people and, more importantly, to stand with them in solidarity.

Supporting working children and street vendors in Kenya

After the post-election violence of late 2007 and early 2008, boys, girls, and young adults between the ages of 14 and 21 have fewer possibilities for earning a viable income. As a result, they are more vulnerable to exploitation by gangs and militias that recruit young people to foment chaos.

The Rock Women Group is protecting and strengthening the rights of working children by training them in safe, sustainable trades. The group provides job ladders to sustainable informal-sector jobs and places working children in alternative off-hour schools.

KENASVIT provides a unified voice for Kenya’s street vendors, many of whom lost their property and wares when their shops were burned down in early 2008. Losing their main source of income, many vendors were unable to repay money that they had borrowed from lending institutions and individuals. Women street vendors and their children face particular challenges, because the vending environment poses serious constraints to earning a sustainable living. Through outreach, organizing, training, and leadership development, KENASVIT is creating conditions for stable employment for workers in the informal economy.

Facilitators: We are incredibly fortunate to have as a facilitator UUSC Program Director Atema Eclai, a Kenyan woman leader with years of experience in peace building and development. You can read more about Eclai and fellow facilitator Johanna Chao Kreilick, UUSC’s Economic Justice Program manager, on the UUSC website.

Who should apply? Experienced economic justice advocates and parties interested in supporting revolving-loan funds, which KENASVIT is experimenting with.

Cost: US $2,550. This includes all pre- and post-trip literature; room and board; and in-country transportation, interpretation, and facilitators. Participants will stay in double rooms at moderate hotels/guesthouses. Meals are usually served family or buffet style. The cost does not include airfare or any incidentals. Participants must make their own travel arrangements to Nairobi. UUSC will provide shuttle transportation from the airport to the guesthouse.

Application Deadline: December 5, 2008.

Download the application and waiver forms today at http://www.uusc.org/justjourneys.

For more information, please contact Xenia Barahona at justjourneys@uusc.org or 617-301-4316.