Experiences

Well, I have talked a lot about how things work at the school and I really want to show you the pictures. But, I think my mom would like to hear more about how I am actually doing! :-)

The first day I was completely overwhelmed by the students. I did not get to meet many of the teachers and we were so bombarded with so many requests, that we were really able to get organized. Each room we went into we got to hear the students sing. They were all smiling and very excited about us being there. They did a performance for us which was amazing even though I had a seat in the hot sun. It has only been in the 70s here but that day it must have been in the mid 80s.

The second day I did interviews in the morning which was really cool. The children really did not open up to me. I kind of wished I would have thought of different questions and waited until the second week because even after today, they really seemed to be more open with me. After lunch we set up the tennis net. They were thrilled. I gave some of them a quick lesson. It was so fun!

In the evenings we come back, shower, and go to dinner. Then we usually meet and everyone gets a chance to talk about their day. Bethany nor I are that people that cry that easily, but it is hard not to cry here. The kids are SO positive and happy and eager to learn even though their situation is such a far cry from our life. I told myself this would be a life changing experience before I came, but I did not have any idea how much it would change me!

Today, Bethany and I basically got off the bus and started directly to work. Neither of us had been able to get into the classrooms to teach much so we did "We're Going on a Bear Hunt." We almost decided not to do it last night because we did not know if they would know about bears or snowstorms. Believe me they got it. We had a big book in front of the room and did motions to go along with the songs. They ate it up! I even did it alone with the 4th graders in the afternoon and they loved it.

Then they read to me. They have incredible reading skills!

A funny thing happened. I walked through a classroom and saw a student reading a story, I asked what he was reading and he told me that it was about a man that could not leave the pot....no not the toilet, but the pot of food. I said what happens when you can't leave the pot alone. They said you get fat. I said like me.......you need to understand that they want to please and be polite and smile a lot. Their first response to almost anything is "yes." So, they kindly nodded and said "yes." I put my hands on my hips and said ,"WHAT!" They giggled and said, no no no!!! It was really funny!

One of the things that I heard over and over in the interview was how kind the teachers were. These men and women start work at 7 and end at 5!!! Then some stay over to help students with choir, drama and other outside interests! I won't be complaining anymore about my workload as a teacher!

In the afternoon the students set up the net and got out the racquets again. It was a great day of smiles and laughter. Then, When I was taking pictures of everyone playing soccer, this two Form 2 which is like 10th grade for us came over and said can we ask you some questions. I said yes. They took my arm and pulled me into their classroom of about 14 or so. They smiled and giggled and started asking me questions. They asked me where I was from and I said VA. I told them I grew up in North Carolina and then I moved to VA. This beautiful young women with a completely straight face said I was born in Mathare and then I moved to Mathare. Then everyone cracked up. They said they wanted to come to VA and they wanted my email address.

Every day I try to spend the evenings registering everything I have experienced. I feel so safe and loved at the school. It is amazing to think of what these children have suffered through and yet some of them continued to come to school even during the horrible violence back in December through March.

The teachers for the first two days fed us lunch. It was a great gesture, but I just hated to leave so much of the food when we were done, but most days the teachers did not eat until we left and then they ate. The food is pretty good here. We eat at the guest house every morning and evening.

Well, It is 11 now and after my complete lack of sleep last night, I have got to get to bed. PLEASE leave some comments. I would love to hear from you.

Closing, I want to thank David for supporting me in this mission. It has definitely been a blessing for me. I know it is not easy taking care of the boys alone, especially for two weeks. But I thank him and mom and Marylene and Lawrence for pitching in. Thanks to Tina for checking in and I am sure Mendy you did as well. I love being here and it is going to be very sad and with a heavy heart that I leave next week, but it has been very hard to think of the boys and David and know we have a long time before I will be home. I love you!

Good night.