Patrick's visit

I can't tell you how wonderful it was to see Patrick here at our little rural church. It was amazing to open my home & football field! :-)

Last day at the school and teacher dinner

Yesterday was a fantastic ending to the two weeks at the school. I went into the standards 1-8 and got them to sing a song so that I could put it into GarageBand and then I showed them the pictures from the safari. They really enjoyed it, as did I. We had to leave around 1:00 because everyone else had to pack for their trek to Tanzania. It went by SO fast! I was the last one on the bus because the students were wanting my email address. It was heartbreaking leaving. It was a long way back to the Methodist Guest House. I spent the time reflecting on what I had seen, heard and what I can do to help there in the future.

When we got back here, it was showers and getting ready for dinner. Since almost all of the teachers live in either Mathare or Kibera (another slum), we wanted to get them to dinner early so they would not have to travel in the slums so late at night. We got to the African restaurant around 4:30. We waited and waited for the teachers to arrive. They were late because they had to wait for the teachers who went with the students to the competition. I haven’t spoken much about the competition because I decided not to go. I kind of regret that decision because I did not get to share in the joy when our students took several 1st places and get to go to nationals!!! The competitions were every day for different groups each day. The students would walk up to the competition grounds about 3 Km away. The secondary did take a bus yesterday because the grounds were farther away. Frances, the music, math and P.E. teacher all in one, told us how well the children did! It was great to hear.

This restaurant was really unique! It had different little open air “huts” for dinner parties to sit in. They placed us in a long shelter. There were beautiful flowers everywhere and a playground.

We were so large – 21 visitors and ALL the teachers and staff came! 29 of them. It was so wonderful that they all made the sacrifice of time with their families to come to dinner! They are at the school from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at least. Most of them have to travel a long time to get to the school. That doesn’t leave a lot of time with family. It was great to see all of them.

Helen came up with a great idea – an ice breaker if you will. Joy explained that we were to ask our partner – a teacher questions. What is an interesting fact about yourself? What is your dream? What is your calling to MCC? Things like that.

Penina sat beside of me. Her smile is so contagious. She is so beautiful inside and out. It was great getting to know her. We quickly found that we had a lot in common and that we were truly sisters or dada in Swahili. She milks a cow in the a.m. and p.m. just like I used to. She could not believe that I knew how to milk a cow and that I used to train horses. We laughed and talked all evening. It was great. We did discuss many deeper things like slums in the U.S., politics, violence and many other subjects. She lost a son to pneumonia but now has a daughter that is 2. Penina glows when she speaks of her daughter, Noreen and husband, Moses. Even though I wish I would have gotten to know the teachers better the first week, that was the best way to end our week!

Well, we have had many adventures while we were here. I must say though, the trip has been pretty smooth. There were some exceptions like the trip home from Ester’s family as well as the bus ride home last night. We did not get to leave until late because the bus had to go get a leaky hose fixed….should have been the first clue. Peter came and picked us up for the bus ride home. About half way home, Joy says frantically but firmly, there is a fire get off the bus. We could see the smoke, but then I looked towards the driver and saw the flames. You have to understand that the traffic here is completely crazy. People will cut you off honk horns, go around you even if it means running through a sidewalk, you get the picture. We are in the middle lane and people start going around on the left side of the bus (they drive on the opposite side of the road from us). Joy waited patiently with me for 2 cars and then just stepped out in front of a car and said STOP. She stood there while everyone crossed to the side of the road. Well, it was really dark and I went to the side of the road first and turned around to see if the bus had caught completely on fire yet, but as I turned my foot slid and I ended up in a mudhole downhill. I just cringe to think of what was in that water. So I washed my feet A LOT and my flipflop when we got back. Bethany took a picture of my foot! YUCK!

The funniest thing was when Peter , who is very shy and humble, was laughing at us and told us everything was okay and we could get back on the bus. He was talking on the phone to someone and I said he is probably laughing at all these Mzungu – which is what the Kenyans call white people which means something that goes round and round in a circle! J We definitely lived up to our name! We giggled the whole way home.

Last day at the school

What a day! I cannot get over it that today was the last day that I will see the teachers and students of the Mercy Care Centre. I think because I went early all this week and had the opportunity to get to know many of the students and teachers this week, I feel that last week I wasn’t as effective. Teaching this week was a lot of fun. I would like to have some more time at the MCC! It has gone by too quickly even though I miss my sons and husband very much. The love and kinship I feel with the teachers and students are great in quantity and quality. I admire these teachers so much for the trouble they have personally seen as well as helping the students deal with the trauma they have gone through. When you hear the students’ stories, it is very difficult to believe they still have the drive and determination to stay in school and study hard for a better life in the future. The teachers are remarkable in their belief in the students and the community to make it better. The community around MCC has been a large support system through the violence.

This morning, I went early again. When we got there they were starting the morning assembly. The students were raising the flag. The light was beautiful. It was truly a gorgeous site to start off the last day. Then there was an assembly. The scouts marched. The children sang. It was really cool.

I will write more in the morning including our great dinner tonight with the teachers. We don’t have to get up in the morning. YIPPPEEE! The rest of the group are leaving for Tanzania early in the morning. I kind of wish I was going, but I can’t imagine being away from David and the boys for another week! The principal is going to take me, Bethany, Megan, John, Joy, Clare and Anni to an elephant orphanage, lunch and tour around Nairobi. Talk to you in a morning. :-)

Ester's Family visit

What an incredible day. I spent the first part of the day finishing my math lesson! Yes, Harvey, I was teaching math - as scary as that might be! :-) It was fun. I was using video and podcasts again. I learned today that the other classes have been asking where is that lady that has been carrying that thing! Everyone wants to see it. It has been fun.

After my math lesson, I had an experience that I don't know if I can talk about in detail yet. I was in the class and started asking simple questions about the children and recording it on my ipod. Then I went to the backrow and asked a group of boys if they had any questions for me. They started asking about school and how long it took to get your doctorate. They asked if there were any slums in the US and what they were like. They asked if there were people without shoes, food, etc. So, we were tlaking a while and then they just opened up and for 45 minutes talked about the violence and what they had seen. They say at night it is still scary because they lay away and listen to make sure no one is coming. I will try to write more about this later. I just can't do it right now.

In the afternoon, Bethany, Megan, Carroll and I went out north of Nairobi about 1 1/2 hours. It was beautiful farm land. Carroll has a friend in the US and her sisters, brother and parents still live here. They had invited us for tea. Well it wasn't just tea, it was a full blown meal HUGE! They live on a shamba (farm). It was beautiful there. It really looked like a mix of Hawaii and California farm land. THere was even a patch of evergreens. As we approached the house, we saw a group of zebras just grazing out in the middle of a field. Then we saw some boys playing soccer with a group of donkeys in the middle of their field. It was pretty cool!

As we approached the drive, the father was standing out to greet us. He smiled SO big. As we turned in the whole family was there cheering and smiling. It was beautiful. The reception and graciousness of these people are incredible! As soon as I stepped out of the car, I got VERY big hugs and they introduced themselves and I felt a familiar touch after the past two weeks. A little hand put in mine and squeezing to not let go. One of the youngest, Kenton, had attached himself to me, just like the little ones at the school do every morning and all day long. He sat on my lap, held my hand, played with my hair band, anything. He did not want to leave my side. It was great. Their house was simple but huge compared to the ones in the valley. They had several cows, a corn field, a dog, chickens. I felt like I was home. :-)

I want to answer some questions I have gotten, and I am getting very tired since I have been getting up at 5:45 a.m. the past couple of mornings so I can get more work done than if I come on the bus with the others who get there about 9:30. I will try to finish the Ester family story tomorrow.

Questions -
Do the children wear uniforms? Yes they do. The school colors are navy for the babies through class 8 and burgandy and gray for form 1 & 2 (high school). There is also a Mercy Care sewing school to help some of the girls who won't finish high school and go to the university to get skills. They make most of the uniforms.

They seem to wear tshirts for different teams? There is someone form Virginia I think that donates the screenprinting and charges a small fee for the tshirts every year. The different colors are only used as teams for the game day which is only held once a year.

How do they keep them so clean and bright? We just gave them to them one week ago, but I must say, people work very hard in an extremely dirty place to keep sidewalks, their floors, and clothes, and especially their shoes clean. It is very common to see people taking a rag or brush and cleaning off their shoes.

What language do they speak there? Swahili is the common language. MOst tribes have their own. But English and Swahili are the most common. It is interesting the children that have been at MCC for several years have quite good English. They really young ones and the newer students have more of a difficult time speaking and understanding.

What kinds of foods do they eat? They have a sweet potato that is yellow and not orange. They grow the sweetest bananas here you have ever tasted. Ray and I fight over them! :-) We have pineapple and watermelon here at the guest house every morning. Plus toast, beans (like the English), bacon, sausage(doesn't taste like home) and porridge. At the school, the students who can have porridge for breakfast, then a soup like for lunch that is maze, beans, some meat. The students look so much healthier than I remember seeing a couple of years ago in pictures. And that is because of the food and there is now a nurse at the school. The board is hoping to start a vitamin program.

Ugali (also sometimes called sima or posho) is a cornmeal product and a staple starch component of many African meals. I am not a huge fan of this. They use cabbage a lot because it is not very expensive.

We eat at the guest house in the am. and for dinner and at the school we usually have rice and ugali and fruit and some type of meat or greens. They have been very gracious!

Who have been taking care of you guys? The principal insures that we are safe. one of the schools helpers gets us water and occasionally soda from the street vendors. We have a bus (not a typical american bus) that comes to get us every morning (I have been going early with the principal in an Isuzu trooper) and the bus brings us back each afternoon. Wayne and Carroll, Bethany's parents have been in charge of making all the arrangements for everything.

Where are you sleeping?showers?bathrooms? We are staying at a Methodist Guest House. It is between a youth hostil and a lower end hotel. We have our own bathroom (I am rooming with Megan and Bethany).


How can we continue to support the school once you return? I will have lots of specific things that we are talking with the principal about right now and then larger more general things as well when I return.

How are the parents responding? It has been really cool. Now that I get their earlier, I am seeing some of the parents dropping their kids off. They have smiles and even linger for a few minutes. It is pretty cool!

What religion is the area exposed to? Christian, Hindu, Muslim, just about anything we are.........

Hope this helps.