July 20, 2006. Informal gathering at the home of VOW supporter, Francine Busby to meet Wahu Kaara, Nobel Peace Prize nominee (2005), convenor of the World Social Forum (2007, in Nairobi), and candidate for President of Kenya (2007).

Kaara is passionate about social justice, peace and harmony. “We must unchain ourselves.” Was a teacher for 22 years, a principal for 10. At University, Kaara began to understand the world order and realized it’s not ordered! People need to be connected. She is the mother of four grown children, two grandchildren. Her daughter works with micro-credit and is currently applying it to health concerns, which is a new concept. One son is a political scientist. “Power is about being there. We don’t need $millions to make things happen. We are the wealth.” Kaara’s husband was in exile for 10 years, he came home for two years, then died. Kaara had no electricity or transportation, then she lost her job. She was penniless. For 2 years she reported to the police authorities. In 2002, the president was elected for a new Kenyan constitution on which he reneged. Kaara: “our world is crying out for definition, we need to reorient spirituality and the basis of our connection. The agents for this change must be women.”  There are two Africas: one of hope, one of HIV-AIDS, etc., yet the country is vibrant, full of spirit, women are living for Africa. Women don’t mourn at funerals, they support each other for the seven days of mourning, then counsel each other to get on with life. Men are losing more than women in Africa. “We need Gender Alliance.” Africa is not a dark continent: “it has always been there!” After World Social Forum, Kaara will turn her attentions to becoming a politician.