efaulk@observer-reporter.com

When Ashley Grable moved to Nairobi, Kenya, in October 2006, she knew she was entering an area with a reputation for crime.

She initially worried about encountering violence, but now the 29-year-old Washington County native is more concerned that she will return to a country of people with broken spirits.

"Despite widespread poverty, the Kenyans with whom I have become friends are proud that they live in a country that is a recognized leader in the region," she said.

She hopes that the recent unrest in Nairobi hasn't broken this pride.

Grable, daughter of Jeff and Ellen Emory of South Franklin Township and a 1996 McGuffey High School graduate, received a degree in political science from Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, in 2000. She moved to Nairobi when she began working as program development associate in Land O'Lakes Corp.'s Regional Office for Africa.

The goal of the Land O'Lakes International Development Division is to establish market-driven agricultural business systems that generate economic growth in developing countries. It is currently working in 13 African countries.

Grable is responsible for securing funding for all new programs established by Land O'Lakes in Africa, and she represents all of the project offices in the region of Kenya. In the past year and a half, her job has taken her to Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia.

Grable mainly works in an office setting, but has had opportunities to see Kenya and meet its people, and now understands the pride they have for their country and its government.

"The belief in the country's democracy was clearly illustrated by the lines voters stood in for hours to cast their ballots," she said.

However, she said that since live news broadcasts and public demonstrations are now forbidden, the country appears to be rolling back 15 years of democratic progress in just a few days.

Working in Africa can be challenging, particularly because weak telephone and Internet connections make communication with the United States difficult.

It also can be dangerous, with mugging, theft and carjacking commonplace in Nairobi. Grable lives in a gated community in one of Nairobi's safer neighborhoods, but she still takes precautions to avoid becoming a victim of violence. Her home has a security system. She will not walk anywhere after dark and always travels in a group.

Grable was able to visit her family in Washington County for the holidays and will return to Nairobi this weekend. She is committed to her current position until October and plans to fulfill the obligation, if she is not evacuated from the country.

Because the violence in Nairobi was triggered by election results and ethnic tensions, she is optimistic that her personal security will not be threatened.

She is hopeful that the people of Kenya will maintain their shared sense of optimism and pride.

"I can only hope that with the assistance of mediators from the African Union, Archbishop (Desmond) Tutu and others in the international community, Kenya's leaders will resolve the current conflict in a way that allows the country to move forward with continued optimism," Grable said.

Home