Rosemary attends Diaspora Conference from Colorado and stops at Centralized Options Booth.

Joyful, Rosemary Oyugi, from Denver, Colorado was one of the organizing committee members who made the recently concluded conference possible. Donning a scarf with the Kenya flag she also made the Kenyan event real Kenyan, “I wear the flag because I’m a proud Kenyan. I give respect to my flag. The color black is my people of Kenya, red represents our blood, green our land and our natural wealth and white represents the peace desired at all times. The Maasai shield and spears represent the defending of freedom.”

The State known for the Rocky Mountains that stretch more than 3,000 miles (4,830 km) from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States and has many of the highest peak mountains, attracted Rosemary to settle there. “Denver Colorado has a lot of opportunities,” she says, “they have events and festivals that benefit us small scale Jua-Kali business people.”

With the Rocky Mountains drawing millions of tourists who come to hike camp, or engage in mountain sports every year, Rosemary has set up an Arts and Crafts business to sell Kenya products and in so doing promote Kenya to these visitors. In her own way she is contributing toward Vision 2030 and says, “We are in the right track. We will move forward by organizing events and festivals and inviting our fellow Kenyans here in the States to share with us.” In doing this she believes we shall be growing the Vision.

“Listening to the many Speakers and the Diaspora meeting made me happy,” said Mary who donned a smile as she visited Centralized Options, a booth set up by entrepreneur ladies from Chicago. She agreed with the Permanent Secretary explanation that once LAPSSET is built then it will become a great economic belt. Indeed belts could also be explained by the Interstate roads. Interstate that passes through Denver from Utah State to Baltimore, Maryland is what connects Denver to the other states.

Like any visitor who is impressed by Washington D.C planning and environmental standards, Rosemary who deals with arts and crafts says, “Washington D.C is a beautiful city and very green. The historic buildings have a lot to be desired.”