Has anyone heard from Sama?

[Drawing a Blank]

Has anyone heard from Samakimoto lately? Bad things have been happening in Kenya and I am hoping she is alright.

[Kool]

Yeah I've been worried too. I hope she is either away from all the craziness or has a safe place to hunker down until sanity returns.

[morea]

I really hope that she is okay! :(

[frankster]

Has she ever spoken about her location, to see if it's anywhere near the areas that are kicking off?

[Virgo Nightingale]

I believe she does live just outside Nairobi. I remember her mentioning that she lives on one side of the city, but has to drive through Nairobi to get to her place of work on the other side of the city.

I do wonder if this post (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=393461&postcount=15) (where she explains a bit of the tensions in her area before the last election there – there had been a suicide bomber in Nairobi just the day before) offers a glimpse of exactly what she's in the midst of... :(

A recently updated news article (http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/01/03/kenya.violence/index.html) about some of the goings on in Nairobi for those who aren't aware...

[frankster]

So, I think she's in Ngong Township (http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/gallery/2008/jan/01/kenya?picture=331923267), outside Nairobi. As far as I can tell a lot of protestors were pushed back trying to get from the Kibera slums to the city via Ngong Road, so I guess she's in the thick of it indeed.

I hope you're safe Sama.

[Red Kittie Kat]

hopefully she will be able to send word to us soon.

Hoping you are doing ok Sama http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/smilies/hugs.gif

[cornfed]

I've been wondering, too. I hope she's ok. I'm sure no matter where she is right now she's experiencing a high stress level at least. Hope you're safe, Sama.

[budafist]

She does sometimes disappear for a little bit. Maybe her internet connection is dodgey these days.

[urstwile]

We miss you Sama!

[captain spanky]

sending good karma over your way sama! :)

[Virgo Nightingale]

*fingers crossed for a safe Sama*

[WannaBrie]

I keep checking to see if she's checked in...good karma sama!

[cornfed]

Eww...I just read the latest report on cnn. It looks like its only getting worse.

[urstwile]

I sure hope she's gotten herself to a safe place. :(

[budafist]

Ditto.

[Red Kittie Kat]

That's what I'm thinking ... she is someplace safe and just no net access :)

[captain spanky]

do you think we should rename this thread or make it sticky or something... just so sama knows we're looking for her?

[tuliptree]

More good thoughts coming from my direction....

[Exodus]

I hope you are hunkering down and staying safe, Sama!!

[Kool]

do you think we should rename this thread or make it sticky or something... just so sama knows we're looking for her?

I changed the thread title slightly so she should see it when she makes it back.

[D-Frag]

i hope she is safe, the rioting is terrible in that area. *keeping fingers crossed*

[budafist]

*toes crosssed too*

[urstwile]

I also sent her an e-mail, I had her e-mail address. Haven't heard back though. :(

[captain spanky]

There was a news story on last night which said there was evidence to prove ethnic cleansing is occurring between tribes over there and they've discovered over 600 bodies. :( and humans think they're civilised. :mad: WTF is wrong with this world?!?!?!

[budafist]

A lot unfortunately. Hope Sama is just hunkered down someone safe for a bit.

[Navian]

WTF is wrong with this world?!?!?!

Way too many things.. The biggest two: Money/Land & Power (greed).

I hate hearing about that stuff too. People shouldn't have to die (unless they take a life from another).

I agree Budah, I hope Sama got out of there.

[urstwile]

I got an e-mail from Sama this morning, she's okay:

Thanks for looking me up dear. :) It's just a little strained at the moment. I'm sure it will be fine. But the trust between neighbours is lost.

[Kool]

http://koolsplace.com/images/woohoo.gif Thank goodness!

[morea]

thank goodness!

Thanks for checking, urst!

[Virgo Nightingale]

Glad to hear she's well!!

[Drazan]

yay, I'm glad she's safe!

[WannaBrie]

Glad she's safe, but that situation is so sad.

[Tea]

That's good news. Stay safe Sama.

[tuliptree]

Good news, glad to hear she is safe!

[Cyan_Ide]

Good to hear she is safe.

[Typically]

glad to hear she's ok. hang tight sama

[Red Kittie Kat]

That's a relief ... ((Hugs Sama!))

[urstwile]

I don't know when she'll next be able to reply, but I did send a message back.

I'm sure once it settles down, she'll have her usual interesting perspective on what's going on over there, something I'm looking forward to hearing. :)

[budafist]

Phew! That's great news.

Must be pretty severe still if she can't be online much. If it were me, I'd probably put myself under house arrest.

[cornfed]

Whew! That's great. Thanks Urst!

[Drawing a Blank]

I don't know when she'll next be able to reply, but I did send a message back.

I'm sure once it settles down, she'll have her usual interesting perspective on what's going on over there, something I'm looking forward to hearing. :)

Thanks for letting us know Urst that is good news indeed. I too look forward to hearing/reading her accounts of what happened and her perspective.

[frankster]

Good news that our Sama is unharmed. Keeping you in our thoughts chuck. I look forward to hearing your views on the situation when you get some way back to normal.

[captain spanky]

Cool. Good to know she's safe. :) Thanks Urst!
I hope things get a decent chance to calm down out there and people can get a bit of stability back.

[Takayuki]

Glad to hear she's safe. Hope everything will be safe, and were waithing for you to come back.:)

[Samakimoto Graphics]

Hey everyone!

Three words: OMG!:(

I have never in my entire life witnessed such hatred and contempt for another human being on Kenyan soil.

Yes, I do live waaaay out of Nairobi (South Rift), and am somewhat safe from the violence... but not far enough to escape the grim reality of what happened a couple of weeks ago. Only this morning I met the cousin of a provincial administrator who was murdered for trying to protect some people who took shelter in his compound in the North Rift. Other towns like Kisumu in Western Kenya were reduced to ash and twisted metal in a span of two days ... Much of the blame is on the Electoral Commission of Kenya for announcing the results of a flawed election. I feel cheated in this election:mad:.

The networks talk of 600K dead...I say it's closer to 800K. I feel sort of helpless, but there are numerous channels for giving aid to the survivors and that's the only way we can do anything for now - the Red Cross is doing their best to make sure food and clothing donated by citizens through the local chain stores gets to those who need it.

As much as relative calm has been restored, calm cannot subsidize peace, and peace can only be restored when justice is served. One woman said to me this morning at the bus stop, "This was just a minor tremor, the volcano is yet to erupt":( . The opposition are not relenting, I for see more blood shed if this is not sorted out...

I won't be online much, as I'm also between jobs and going back for retraining so I can change careers in the near future. My silence is just so I can focus my energy ... I'm positive that things will be ok :)

[Samakimoto Graphics]

As I speak the Legislative assembly (the 9th Parliament since independence) is being sworn in...The opposition party has a majority in the house, in some outlying streets around the Nairobi Central Business District, which also houses the Parliament buildings, angry mobs have gathered. As I was coming into town, I saw squadrons of anti-riot police unit officers in formation at strategic points.

Peaceful demos here in the past have ended with scores shot dead... giving a new meaning to "Peaceful demo".

I hope for the best.

[Red Kittie Kat]

Sama I am so sorry to hear of all this. We were pretty worried about you. Thank you for coming on and giving us an update ... You stay safe and good luck on the job hunt.

We miss you and best wishes (((((big hugs))))) :)

[Tea]

Wow...that's so hard to read about. Stay safe and take care.

[captain spanky]

i simply cannot imagine being in a situation like that. I hope the eruption never happens, people can manage to stay calm and i hope things go better than they have been.
I can't understand the killing and violence... i know things are strained but to kill someone over it?!?!? NOTHING could drive me to murder.

Good luck Sama, stay positive. :)

[Drazan]

((Hugs Sama))

Stay safe. As much as this country is messed up, I'm so glad it hasn't come to strife. It's hard to read, and I can't fathom being so calm in a situation like that.

Good luck Sama, and pop in once and a while.
Jade

[tuliptree]

Hi Sama, so glad to hear you are ok. Thank you for keeping us informed. Stay safe, and I look forward to your posts...good luck on the job hunt.

[Drawing a Blank]

So good to hear you are relatively safe Sama. I am still trying to get my head around the situation in your part of the world by trying to find news sources other than US agencies. I hope things improve quickly.

[Virgo Nightingale]

Very relieving to hear from you Sama! ((hugs!!))

Sounds like a very tough situation to be living through, but it seems like you still have your head on straight and aren't in imminent danger.

I really hope the deadly violence doesn't make a resurgence.

Stay safe, and good luck with the job hunt!!!

[jimking]

I hope everything simmers down, Sama. Good luck to you and your family and friends!

[cornfed]

Thanks for posting Sama! You've been in my prayers!

[Kool]

Great to hear you are safe and somewhat out of harms way Sama. As you know I keep a close eye on your part of the world. In fact my family was actually planning a safari vacation there right after the first of the year, luckily they canceled it.

[morea]

My God, I can't imagine. Stay safe, Sama. We'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

[urstwile]

Sama, thanks so much for taking the time out of your schedule and all the strife to let us know you're okay. As Kat already said, we were pretty worried about you, and your e-mail reply to me was a major relief for all of us.

I hope things there sort themselves out very soon, and that the violence is just a temporary thing and not a harbinger of something more severe.

Good luck with your job hunt and retraining. I hope it's not too hard for you to focus what with all that's been going on.

Stay safe. :)

[budafist]

It's so scarey Sama, I can't even imagine what it would be like over there. I've got goosebumps all over. Stay safe sweetie.

[Samakimoto Graphics]

Hi Everyone...

Finally things have somewhat piped down. But this is because the political impasse was sorted. the "real" problemin the North Rift is pre- and post-colonial land distribution dispute.

In Nairobi and it's environs it was a class uprising drawn along the etnic orientation of the political parties.

I've been involved in the design and development of peace campaign material I will be sharing with you soon on "The Showcase"...

Good to see the good news on here...engagements, new MACs etc.:)

Will still be off a while.

Bye!!

[budafist]

Woot! Peace campaign!

Can't wait to see it Sama :)

Take care of yourself!

[Drazan]

Good to hear from you Sama! I was just thinking about you over the weekend.
I'm glad things are settling down a bit. I hope that things do smooth out. I can't imagine living in that kind of fear.

Jade

[Red Kittie Kat]

Samaaaa!!!! Hey darlin ... good to hear from you.

(((hugs))) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/smilies/wub.gif

[Virgo Nightingale]

It's such a relief to hear from you Sama! (((HUGS))) Glad that you're okay and that things are settling down. Can't wait to see your work for the peace campaign!

[cornfed]

Great to hear from you Sama! I'm glad things are settling down a little bit. You've been in my prayers!

[Riya]

Good to see that you are fine. It must be great to be involved in a peace campaign like that, actually designing something that will make a difference in the world. It must be refreshing. I'm sending lots of good thoughts your way.

[morea]

thanks for checking in, Sama. A lot of us have been worried about you.

I look forward to seeing what you've been working on! ;)

[urstwile]

Thanks for checking in Sama, I too was wondering how things were for you. I thought of you when I read about the recent accord, and hoped that meant the violence would be abating.

I'm looking forward to seeing your work for the peace campaign. :)

[SpugNothuson]

I've just read this thread from start to finish. Somehow I missed it originally.

I consider myself to be a tough cookie, even my ex once remarked that I'm quite heartless (I have the ability to shut things away, TIGHT. They almost never surface in the form of real emotion) but I actually had a tear in my eye.

Not so much for the horrors going on over there but more for how everyone here wanted to hear from Sama and were/are concerned for her wellbeing. When I saw the posts come in from Sama I felt a sense of relief.

This forum truly is something special from time to time. Hugs for everyone.

[Red Kittie Kat]

Same to you Spug darlin http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/smilies/101.gif

[budafist]

I get goosebumps when I skim through this thread.