Day 30

Pin the Tail on the Donkey

This saying has never ever been meant in such a literal way.

Take a minute. Brace yourselves.

The children at Hope were crawling around on the ground pretending to be dogs and barking and such with a cute little tail. It’s Halloween (yes, they do celebrate halloween here) so I thought maybe it’s a left over from a costume from a previous year or something. 

Only when I went over and asked what they were doing and to potentially join in on their game did they rip the object out of the kid’s pants and thrust a severed donkey’s tail in my face.

Sight was the first sense to hit me. I’ll spare you details of this horrific encounter.

Then the smell of it filled my nose. There are many unpleasant smells here in Kenya. I will never forget my first day at Hope and all the new aromas I had to get used to, but this surpassed any nasty smell I have ever known. EVER.

But before you all get sick and decide forever to disregard this entry there is a better side. (Did you see how I didn’t split the infinitive Mom? See I listen)

Like I said, today was Halloween so Kelly and I decided to do something fun with the children--Halloween Masks!

Essentially, this consisted of foam plates with eye cutouts and a stick shoved through the side for a handle. What a success! 

We brought the tables outside into the sun (holy hot day. Not your typical Colorado Halloween) and they sat down to color the plates in any which way they wanted and then brought them to us to attach the sticks--which were really shish kabob sticks (don’t panic Dad, we watched them like hawks).

And then we brought out the finale--SWEETS! They got in a giant circle we went around passing out a single sweet to each child. I’ve never seen more joy on a child’s face over a single piece of candy. The second they saw the bag the all ran around screaming (yes screaming) “SWEETIES!!” 

I would have loved to pass out the rest of the bag but even after one piece these children were bouncing off walls (we bought two kilos of sweets and only went through half of one of the bags). So, we are saving them for another day.

Day 27

(Before reading this entry, it should be known that I have permission to write about David. Enjoy)

David is my best friend. He is so wonderful and yet so sick.

I finally broke down and asked the awkward question that’s been bothering me since day one; I asked head teacher Mary why David was at Hope, in PP3, if he is 12 years old and is much brighter than the level he’s being taught.

Here is David’s story:

David lives with his mother and six year old brother, Peter, who is also in PP3 (yes, David said this made him very sad at times). According to Mary his family is more “well off” than most of the other families whose children attend Hope. 

David also has a condition that prevents him from moving on to a primary school. At the end of each year, the children of Hope take their exams in hopes of moving on to the next level which is primary school. At the end of each year, David takes his exams and exceeds the average. At the end of each year, the primary schools he applies to sees his scores but David is turned away.

The reason for this? A colostomy. David has an stoma complete with a bag he has to wear every day. The schools deem this as a health issue to the other children and so David is denied entrance to primary school.

So far, David has had two surgeries to try to get him to the point where he won’t need the bag. So far, the success of the surgeries last for a few days but eventually fail. However, the length of the success increased with each surgery. 

Now, David is about to go in for his third surgery (He had his consultation today). At this point everyone is praying for the success of this surgery to be permanent. His mother only wants the best for him and even for a wealthy family keep in mind that his family is in the slums of Limuru and three surgeries cost a lot. So much that the boys didn’t show up at school because the tuition was due and their mother couldn’t pay the total of 24 dollars for the year.

I know everyone has very busy lives and already has a ton on their to-do lists but I’m asking if you will take a single minute of your time, even the smallest prayer for David and his mother can work miracles. His mother hasn’t asked for financial support in any form. She came to me to ask for prayers and love. Every prayer gives them the strength to continue to hope and to continue to try.

So while you’re in your car or standing in line for coffee or studying, take a moment to think about David and his brother and mother and support them in the strongest way--prayer.

Day 24

Half Way

I’m generally a pretty optimistic person and I like to look at the glass half full but no part of me in any way, shape, or form is able to see this as being a half full kind of situation.

My time here is half over and I’m in absolute disbelief that I only have 24 days left here in Kenya. I honestly feel like it’s maybe my second week here. It’s like my time here is in fast forward.

On the other hand, I’ve already spent 24 days here and even after three and a half weeks at Hope (and in Kenya in general), I’m still learning. Every day I’m learning something new, whether that be a new Swahili word or that someone greater than me has this trip in His hands, I’m learning. 

I came to teach and the miracle is that I am also the student. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I wanted to be adaptable when I came and I’ve exceeded that expectation of myself. I’m no longer flowing through Kenya, Kenya is forming me.

Day 17

18/10/2012

The children hate when I get dirty. Of course it's unavoidable but every time they see a smudge on my skirt the rush over and wipe it off. I personally don't mind. I mean that's why I came to Kenya in the first place; to get right into the thick of things.

Today was so great! The coordinators from the Tanzania project are visiting (they are supposed to take over the coordination here starting in 2013) and it was their day to come visit Hope. Of course I was instantly jealous because having lived in Africa for a while now, they have picked up Swahili. Enough to actually communicate with the kids. I can get the basic word here and there but I can't instruct them on how to play a new game or listen to why they are crying and offer comforting words. But I am determined to get there! Charity offered to record some phrases for me so I can learn them and hopefully use them with the children.

It was sunny again today which I see as an absolute blessing. My dad will tell you in a heartbeat that rain follows me and I'm beginning to think he's right. Either way, today we got to run around and play in the sun all afternoon and the children were in such a good mood because of it.

Does anyone remember nap time? When you'd come in off the playground all hot and tired and the teacher would offer you a drink and then you could just kind of relax and slip off into dream land? And if you're my sister you sleep well past wake up time.

I got to participate! I'm talking about how my 19 year old self came in off the playground and Mary told the children it was nap time and then found a bunched up scarf to use as a pillow and I my sweatshirt and we took naps for 45 minutes. To sum it up, it was glorious.

The children. Oh the children. They are so happy. I want to say despite where they come from but that's me comparing their lives to mine back in the states. To them this is life and it's so rich. I can honestly say that I've never seen a group of children more full of smiles and laughter. It lifts my spirits when I get to step out of the van and hear all of them shouting, "Breckren" and reaching through the fence. God has blessed me so.

Day 16

17/10/2012

Well I almost made it. But, alas, I caught the cold that half the house had. I’ve stayed home from project because to expose the children to this nasty bug would be selfish. The power has been off all morning. (Actually, if I’m being honest, the power is out rather frequently) So instead of wallowing in despair that I'm stuck at home and not at project...I went outside. Why? 

Well because we actually got a break from this rain and there was a big yellow orb in the sky that was warm and inviting. 

Why do I get the feeling as if I'm writing from Indiana?

Any way, I'm sitting out on my red striped blanket and everything was fine and dandy until the ants invaded. Excuse me, you were not invited to my party.

This is my first and only complaint.

Communication when it comes to Charity is atrocious. I was definitely not in the mood for her to lie straight to my face this morning. Here's what happened:

When I first came to Kenya she recommended that I go to Hope because "Belinda is there by herself and it's not a good idea to have only one volunteer there." I have been at Hope by myself for over a week now. I was excited to get new volunteers because one would be joining me at Hope. However, when I was on my way to project on Monday, Charity said I would not be getting a new volunteer. After some reasoning she said she would ask the girl that came by herself if she would like to go to Hope.

I came home later that day and asked the girl if she was going to come to Hope tomorrow all excited that I get a new friend to help split up the work. She then replied with saying, "We three are going to a new school they just started working with and actually we started today. I love the kids already..." and she went on to talk about how her day was. I asked her if she had been given the option of coming to Hope.

No.

This morning Charity knocked on my door and after going through the small talk of hey, how are you, how are you feeling, do you need a doctor stuff she changed the subject to Hope.

I'm standing in my doorway with a fever and wanting to sleep when she says, "So I asked [the girl] if she wanted to go to Hope during our orientation on Tuesday and she said she preferred to go to the other school. I'm sorry."

First instinct would be to say oh so she probably asked and the girl felt bad about saying no so she told me Charity hadn't. Only actions speak louder than words. When the girl told me Charity hadn't said anything she genuinely looked confused. Also after that she asked me what kind of school Hope was.

I don't mind being at Hope by myself. Honestly (more children to interact with because I'm the only one outside). But, lying to people is not ok. Especially if you run an organization. I wonder if she thought I would never find out but I live in the same house as the girl so I was bound to find out sooner than later.

Does she really think so little of her volunteers that she can't be straightforward with them? That she has to fabricate stories to "keep the peace?" Because the Truth really does come out so why not eliminate the part where the volunteer finds out you lied and knows you are lying right to her sick, tired face and just be honest in the first place?

Day 14 (No you didn't miss any)

15/10/2012

I haven’t written in quite a while but I have had nothing to write about. The power has been scarce and it have been raining for three days straight. When you think about Africa don’t you think dry, thirsty land? I did. And that’s what I packed for. Reality is, however, that I came during the shorter of the two rain seasons. And I decided to leave my rain boots back in Colorado--smart choice. Today we get new volunteers! I”m pretty excited about that. I”m currently at Hope alone and it’s os overwhelming. ALL the kids want my attention and I’m not THAT good at multi-tasking. David is waring an Abercrombie sweater today and it makes me want to throw up. I used to be the biggest Abercrombie snob ever; I wouldn’t be caught dead in a thrift store just ask my mother. How stuck up and backwards I was. Now, one sweater--about 48 dollars let’s say--pays for a year of school for four children or four years of schooling for one child. And now I get to see that same logo I knew so well being scuffed up, thrown in the mud, tugged on, sewn back together, and ripped all over again. David doesn’t know the story of where his sweater comes from just as Abercrombie doesn’t know where its sweater is now. But it’s the juxtaposition of these two worlds not this cold African rain that has me shuddering.

Day 8

9/10/2012

Hair. Freckles. Veins. These are all words that fascinate the kids. My skin is so pale and different to them that the refer to me as Mizungou--white in Swahili. They can’t see their veins through their dark skin so they enjoy tracing the tracks that run up and down he insides of my arm. Another foreign blemish is the small dark brown spots we call freckles. We searched vigorously before we finally found a small, barely visible freckle on Dvid’s arm. Finally, hair. The texture, look and feel of mine is so strange to them that they are content just sitting and braiding it all day long. They also do not have hair that covers their arms like mine; they have no need for it. Physically, I look so different to them that every day they find something new to ogle at.

Day 7

8/10/2012

Structure. That’s what is missing from Hope School. Or, maybe it’s motivational teachers. Mary, in PP1 is an excellent teacher. She always seems like she wants to do activities with the children, but Marry, in PP3, also the head teacher, seems so cold. I’ve only actually seen her at the school for the entire day twice and on of those days she spent removing her braids. I’m not too sure about Susan but she seems pretty fun and likes to get the kids to sing outside. Also, from what I hear, Mary lies. She at least has been known to not tell the eact truth. But, overall, I love it at Hope. The kids are so full of joy and laughter. They have the cutest laughter. Although, today had a few crocodile tears. Mary (the one I teach with in PP1) says Monday is a hard day for most kids because they don’t want to be at school--who isn’t that way though?

Day 6

7/10/2012

The power is off. I sat down to write about my relaxing Sunday and a sudden darkness spread through my room. So, I’m outside trying to write in what little light of the day is left. Apparently my family has been texting me--a lot actually--but my phone isn’t receiving them. It was so good to talk to them and see their faces. 

I haven’t done anything interesting today so I thought I would use this entry as a place for my petty first-world feelings. You've been warned.

I miss my friends and school (yes even school). I’m feeling a little left out on the excitement of becoming a Big and running around decorating our Littles’ doors with Dimi.  But that’s a 26 hour trip away and I’m here in Africa. I’m not complaining about my decision to come or what I’m doing here in any way. I just wish I could live both lives without sacrificing the other.

Day 5

6/10/2012

Ah, Saturday. The day to relax and breathe and just be. Oh, and the day to visit the Elephant Orphanage, Giraffe Center, and the Traditional Culture Center. Ok, so, maybe I was a bit too busy to relax and breathe but I had the time of my life.The first stop we made was at the elephant orphanage. These little elephants were rescued after their mothers had been murdered by poachers. They are then taken to this nursery where they are encouraged to learn to survive on their own until they can, ultimately, be released back into the wild. It was fascinating. We got to pet the elephants and when I bent down to take a photo next to it, it was so interested in my shiny watch that it wrapped its trunk around my wrist and started tugging on my arm. Then, we got to go to the giraffe center! This was my favorite part of the day. I actually got to feed a real giraffe! We each got branches and went up to the second story balcony and the giraffe, one by one, are the food we held out for it. Let me just say that giraffes have strange tongues. They are blueish-black and almost sticky. If you held the branch back just far enough, the giraffe will stick its tongue out and wrap it around your hand and pull the branch into its mouth. I almost died from excitement. It was time to move on and after my goup peeled me away from the fence, we went to the traditional culture center. The first stop on our tour was to see the Bomas. These are the huts that the tribes lived in. All I could think of while I was crouched over inside the much walls was, “Oh hello Okonkwo. Have things fallen apart yet?” It was really interesting but it also seemed almost normal that this is how people lived. After exploring seven different styles of Bomas, we went into the auditorium to watch the traditional dances of the tribes. I only have one word for that show--Sex. It’s all about flirting between the male and female and yet it’s done in such a graceful manner. It makes “grinding’” look like something you wold find on Animal Planet. After such a long day, I’m exhausted and cannot wait to get to the Internet. Someone from my family better be online; I’m dying to hear from them. I haven’t even received a single text from them since I landed in Nairobi...and that’s strange.

Day 4

5/10/2012

Today was our first day helping to rebuild the school. When we first got there, we were told to help move the sticks and pick up the rubbish. Easy. I’ve been doing that all summer landscaping with Dad. Let me tell you what. That rubbish was probably the most disgusting task I’ve ever been given. And all we got was a potato sack to put it in for disposal. No gloves. I’m talking decaying underwear, shoes, glass bottles with liquid in them, and much much worse. After working on that task for about an hour and a half, we got to work inside. The ceilings needed to be painted so me, with my painting expertise (hey, I remodeled my room a few times), volunteered to do that job. We got to use the handmade ladder that were completed just that morning. Sketchy. The had a tripod stance and rungs up one side. AND we had to stand on the top rung in order to reach the ceiling properly. Yes it was extremely wobbly. The next task was to sand the ceiling of the next room so it could be painted later. This time we got to use scaffolding. I’m talking a metal frame with the door of the classroom laid across the top. I’m pretty sure to props we made in The Theatre were more stable. In the end we all went home covered in dust, dirt, and sweat with a feeling of accomplishment.

Day 3

4/10/2012

All better! I think it was just from exhaustion. I was up for over 58 hours straight and I think my body had had enough. So, I went back to project today. David. David is my new best friend. He is twelve years old and lives with his mother and brother, Peter, who is seven. He loves to teach me Swahili so we trade off; one English word for the Swahili equivalent. So far the most useful word I’ve learned is “Hapana”--No. All these children want is to be held...all the time. And it’s great but then they start to fight each other for attention so rip is a point when it’s better just to say that’s enough--Hapana. I wish I had more hands for these children to hold. I love them so much already.

Day 2

3/10/2012

I am sick. I’m not sure how or why but I am. I went to project this morning and around 11:00 I got very sick very suddenly. After getting sick two more times, Eric came and picked me up. Now, three hours later, there is nothing left in my system. It’s gross and to escape this awful feeling I’m going to nap

Day 1

Kenya...where people drive worse than Italians and people dash between cars on the highways.

There really is no logic to the way people get around. So many cars on roads tat hold four lanes when it was built for two. And on top of that there are people walking around to fill the spaces in between. I'm talking in and out of and along the highways where there isn't even civilization for another 10 minutes in a car.

My driver was Fanta. His real name is Fatasima but all I heard was Fanta and he like the nickname so Fanta it is. He taught me three very important things: the gestation of an elephant is 23 months, the gestation of a lion in 3.5 months, and that Kenyans value sincerity and give everything. BUT I plan on using that story to wrap up my journey here so let's just start with my day.

I got in at 0645, I got to Customs at 0700, finished customs at 0853, found my ride and started the two hour (that should have been one hour) trip to Brackenhurst. By 1300 I had gone through orientation, gotten a tour of the center, shown my room, saw the new school we are to help refurbish, and arrived at my project placement.

There were wild chickens running around, a latrine, two classroom doors, and a single slide. That was all. The children, filthier than I imagined, were running around in ragged clothes playing with trash. I walked inside the gate and immediately smelled the feces...both human and animal alike. Litter covered the play yard. It was overwhelming. I had prepared myself for bad but this was worse. The children avoided me at first while I taled to the teacher Mary who turned 21 today. It was in her class that I was to spend the duration of my stay in. Then it happened.

I felt pressure on my hand which increased to a vice-like grip and as I looked down, the girl said the only full English sentence she, and most of the others, knew, "What's your name?"
The floodgates opened. Every square inch of me was being tugged at. It was in that moment sitting on the ground with my face being poked, fingers being pulled, hair being ratted, and clothes getting footprints all over, I realized

More than the soles of my shoes have been stained by this red earth.

and it's only been 12 hours. I cannot wait to discover what God has planned for my stay here.

Nothing Short of a Miracle

I was just able to witness the most amazing thing. I woke up (yes I actually got 20 minutes of sleep) at 4:07 and the sky was pitch black save for several thousand twinkling stars. And then as we were flying over the shoreline of Africa it was as if god put a mirror over the land. A single light appeared right on the edge and then one by one more and more lights appeared. They were shy at first and if you looked directly at them they would disappear but soon they were strong and closer together and then across the rest of the land more and more. It was like looking down at stars. Now we are flying at 36000 feet which means we're above cloud level. Way above. As the sky started to lighten with the rising sun a dark very large cloud disrupted the continuum of the horizon and as I was admiring the cloud lightning struck. If you've never seen lightning from above then I hope someday you do. There is just no way to describe it. At that point the sun was trying so very hard to peak over the horizon but it held back until the very last second and when it broke the barrier holding it out of sight it burst into my little cabin window as red and vibrant as I've ever seen it before. It can only be described as a pomegranate. And now as we make our last turn before touchdown in Nairobi we have to break through a layer of fluffy, well spun, pink cotton candy. 

En Route

I am on my way to Kenya. I'm on my way to Kenya! I am on my way to KENYA!! I can barely contain myself. I was thinking I would get a few minutes of shut eye on this flight but are you kidding me?! No way am I sleeping! This flight is so empty that we all sat in our assigned seats and once the doors closed there was a major seat swapping swaray. So...I grab a window seat. So...all hopes for sleep dissipated with that move. Besides it'll be sunny when I get there so there won't be any threat of me falling asleep. Ok let's be real. I'll be taking way too may photos and ogling at new sights for sleep. The adrenaline has kicked in and there is no shutting it off. Ok time for the takeoff...of the rest of my life!

Guardian Angels

Adriana and Santiago. Those are the angels god sent me. I met them getting off the plane in London and found they too were traveling to Nairobi via Dubai. They had missed the same plane I had. They have saved up to go in a 14 day safari in Kenya and Tanzania. Together we discover London heathrow and then Dubai international. Without them I probably would have wandered aimlessly through the airport and then returned to my gate much too early to board. Instead we walked around taking photos and sending postcards and bought a little something that said "hey! We were in Dubai!" I mean how often is that going to happen in my lifetime? We talked and joked and they made this awful reroute oh so worth it in the end. I love them for that and wish them all the best on their trip. 

We are currently waiting in the terminal for our flight and boy is it cultural. We have Spanish (supplied by Santiago and Adriana), English (by yours truly and some others, German to my right, French to my left, tribal languages here and there, Arabic at the gate,and Swahili all around. I could live right here in this terminal and be happy. I mean really, what more could I ask for? Friends, language, culture, diversity, and love. Everywhere there is love. A man carrying a woman's bag for her because it is heavy. A group letting a family in front of them because they have children. And of course my friends who have taken me along side them in their journey across the globe. All that's missing is some music and a warm drink. Scratch that. The woman behind me started humming. It counts and I'll take it. Now about that warm drink...

Traveling Babies and A Nice Stranger

Well this flight is a lot longer than I thought it would be. It may he because I didn't find out how many hours ahead Dubai was from London. Ok the flight attendant just said 1500 Dubai time which means I only have an hour left. Still no sleep though. Once I get there I have to figure out where my next flight is. You know. The flight that actually gets me to Nairobi. The place where I should be exiting the terminal right now to find my ride and luggage and a proper bed for some actual sleep. Lucky for me I brought my toothbrush/paste and a hairbrush wish me so I don't feel quite so gross after over 24 hours on a plane. 

It may seem like I'm complaining but I'm really not. Missing my flight was a blessing. I am no longer stressed about catching a flight. I get to see another part of the world (this trip has ended up being a global trip). And I've met the nicest people. My phone was about at three percent battery and I knew my dad would go all Liam Neeson and pull a "Taken" on me if I didn't tell him I made it to Dubai an ultimately to Nairobi. So this couple up in first class was all like "hey we have an iPad and an outlet. We can charge it up here and you can grab it when it's done." Since they are technically only a row and a divider away I thanked them a million times and let my phone ride first class. And the people in my row have the cutest baby ever. She is so content with life and barely made a sound the entire time. I hope my kids are that well behaved in the future. She deserves to be the Gerber child of the year. 

It's kind of strange when you can say you saw the sun rise and set twice in the same day. So have I lives two days in the time it takes me to live one? I'm technically supposed to be asleep right now because it's night once again but I still feel like it's 1300 back home. Not almost 2300 Dubai time. My plane out of here leaves at 0230 which means I have time to get off get a sandwich an get on my plane and then off to Kenya! But first...the airport. 

What Luck

So I missed my flight to Nairobi. My plane leaving Dallas was delayed by one hour and thirty seven minutes. Originally I only had about fifteen minutes to get all the way through heathrow (including security...again) to my gate. Of course there was no sleeping for me.  When the pilot announced this morning we had arrived in London Ahead of schedule (early enough for me to catch my plane) I was elated. No. God had other plans. We were put on hold for landing for 45 minutes. I missed my plane. Now I'm on a 13:00 flight to Dubai and my plane from there leaves at 2:45. Yes am. and if all goes according to plan I should be in Nairobi at 6:30 tomorrow morning. There is a reason I'm on this plane I know it so I'm remaining calm in every aspect except that I packed my phone charger in my carry on that became a checked suitcase in Denver! How am I supposed to notify my parents I made it to Dubai and then to Nairobi? Beats me. I'll have to make friends with another apple product lover. I also feel that I owe heathrow an apology. At first I called it a little dumpy and then I got to the real airport area instead of just the unloading zone. It's fabulous! I got a cappuccino (I'm not going to sleep any way) looked around a department store and am sitting at my gate. I pray for god to make the reason for this reroute clear to me. 

Let the Adventure Begin

(A small note before reading my posts: I will refer to time using international time aka military time because it makes more sense than saying am/pm noon/midnight etc. you'll just know by the numbers. Then there is no confusion as to when I did activities or most important when my flights are)

 I am on the airplane headed to London! Not only do I have an assigned window seat I get a whole row to myself and the guy across the isle is super nice and has promise to show me a British card game later. It is a tad cold but thankfully my mama gave me her pashmina for the trip so I'll be cozy warm. Takeoff was delayed by an entire hour so that only leaves me with roughly 15 minutes to make my connecting flight to Nairobi. I'm kind of panicking. Ok I'm really panicking but I know God has this in His hands and he will make good come from this. Unfortunately I can make the plane go any faster than scheduled so I just have to sit back and pray everything works out. He will make everything work out for the better. All I have to say is g'bye America. Ello London!