Acadia Quaker Journeys to Kenya
A Quaker “leading” is a deep inner conviction or spiritual prompting that feels like a call to a specific action or service.”
By Judith Bradshaw Brown
My leading took me to Kenya. After retiring from a lifelong teaching career, I felt a strong desire to remain connected to students. When Maine Quaker, Sukie Rice, visited Acadia Friends Meeting to share information about the Kakamega Care Centre in Kenya. I felt immediately called to become involved.
My family, along with others Acadia Friends, began by sponsoring students, exchanging letters, and sending needed supplies. Later, Dorothy Selebwa, one of the Kakamega Care Centre founders, visited our Meeting, stayed in our home, and became a close friend. She urged me to come to Kakamega. Unfortunately, my bad knee made travel seem impossible. However, one day I awoke with a clear leading telling me to get a knee replacement so I could make this journey. I listened, had the surgery, and was able to spend life‑changing time with the children and staff at the Care Centre.
Judith with Care Centre children and returning program graduates served as counselors in the summer camp.The camp was run by Kenyans and Friends of Kakamega Americans who visited for 3 weeks every summer.
Program children and staff with American “trippers” (Judith in upper right, Sarah in second row middle.)
On my first trip, I traveled with Sarah Emigh-Doyle, a young woman from Acadia Friends, and other Americans to work with Kenyan staff at summer camps for the children. Deeply moved by the experience, I felt led to return the following year to work with students preparing for post‑secondary education. Some of these grown students now work for the organization. Back in Maine, I joined the board of Friends of Kakamega and contributed to newsletters, social media, fundraising and events. I have since been gratified to see the project grow into United Kenya Rising supported by Friends of Kenya Rising, a comprehensive program supporting whole families as they pursue education, safe housing, sustainable farming, small businesses, and self‑sufficiency in their communities.
Judith with Sylvia, who was sponsored by Judith’s family.
Judith and Sharon Salmon join Kenyan friends, Florence Waswa and Dorothy Selebwa, who honored American friends with traditional dresses.