Curious 5th Graders

Since we have arrived at OLG, slowly by slowly the kids have opened up to us and begun to trust us more and more each day. As I have mentioned, the children here are wonderful! And though their backgrounds differ drastically from my own they are still just children. As my grandmother gracefully stated in an email today,"Children are the same the world over joyful, sad, curious, funny, shy, mischievous.  It is the circumstances of life that ultimately form them. Children can be amazingly resilient and strong." Mim is right! These children are all of those things! Last night they were VERY curious! "B" my good friend (or Rafiki in Swahili) asked if I could meet him after supper so he could ask me some questions. When I arrived under the mango tree where we would meet there were 6 boys eager with questions for me! Their curiosities ranged from American politics and Osama bin Laden to the schooling system and what we typically eat in the US. They all told me that they hope to come there some day, possibly for university. One boy "S" was very interested in my skin color. He asked me "If he were to come to America and gain citizenship, would my skin color change from black like I am now to brown like you are?"  "No", I said, "you would still be black." "But what about if my parents were African but I was born in America, then would I be brown like you?", "S" asked.  I proceeded to tell "S" and the other boys that it did not matter what country you were born in or where you had citizenship, your skin color is based on your parents and your DNA. "But you should be proud of your beautiful dark skin! You are very handsome boys" I told them. "S" smiled shyly and looked away. The concept of a true black American is unknown to these boys. They have so many questions! After they ask me questions they allow me to ask them some about their history, families, and culture. We are learning together. We are learning from each other. Human curiosity and yearning for knowledge is universal!

Details, Details, Details

JAMBO! and thank you to all of you that are following my blog! I will try and keep it as updated as my schedule allows and be descriptive! I am still trying to figure out how to post pictures and how you can leave comments....if you know, help me out please!!

Aunt Laur - to elaborate on the delicious food!! We have been enjoying some awesome Kenya grub these past 10 days! We eat UGALI almost every day. It is a staple Kenyan dish and is very similar to thickened grits. It is similar to the consistency of thick mashed potatoes and is made from maize flour and water. It doesn't have much flavor but is eaten with other food to give it flavor. Kenyans do not typically use utensils to eat with but instead form three fingers around the ugali and make a "thumb print" in the middle where they push in the other contents of their plate making perfect flavorful bites! We also have SCUMAWIKI every day (some times for lunch and dinner). It is dish of sauted or braised kale or spinach (or both!) with onions and garlic. It is my favorite! Goes really well with the ugali. We have also had lots of stewed meats. Super flavorful! Twice now we have been served eggs scrambled with stewed tomatoes and peppers. It is a saltier dish but still really good. Rice is also common and we almost always have fruit for dessert! Pineapple or mango typically. I will try and post pictures of meals when I figure out how to do that! :) 

Question of the Day

On my walk to school the other day I was approached by one of the Primary school boys who I have started to befriend. He is a VERY sweet and timid boy who I have taken a liking to. His kind nature makes him very easy to be around and he has begun to feel comfortable around me and so, unlike some of the more shy students, he has started chatting with me. As we and the other fellows and students walked down the dirt path to the school, "B" (for privacy I will give only the students initials) tugged on my skirt and asked me a question. "Sister, may I ask you a question", he asked. (Some of the students think I am a nun and so they refer to me as a sister, though I have told them I am not, I don't think they understand. Most of their encounters with white women have been nuns.) "Yes B.Of course you can ask me a question", I responded. B looked up at me with all the innocents in the world and asked, "How do children in America survive?" He stopped me dead in my tracks. How do I answer that? How did his little twelve year old brain conceive that question? What has he experienced in his life to have a thought like that even come into his realm of reality? I thought for a moment and decided to answer him as honestly as I could. I told "B" that I was a very blessed child and I had both of my parents and grandparents to raise me.  They brought me up and took care of my needs.  "B" nodded and looked at the ground. I also explained to him that there are children in America, similar to him, who are raised by other adults that are not their family members but who love them and care for them very much. "They, like my parents, only want what is best for you", I told him. I told "B" that we have to take the lessons that our loving care givers tell us and use them and hard work to succeed in life and that it can be hard for children all over the world to do that. "Did that answer your question?", I asked hopefully. "B" nodded again and walked by my side the rest of the way to school.

It is incredible the things these children have faced in their sweet young lives. So many of the children are dumb founded when they discover that myself and the other fellows still have both of our parents alive and that we live with them. That concept is more foreign to them than the moon. And despite all that they still have hope and love and ambition. They generally have a good outlook on the world and dreams of succeeding in it. Much of that I give credit to the wonderful work done by their teachers, administrators and the Dominicans. These children are gifts! They are wonderfully insightful and have seen more hatred, anger and violence than I ever hope to in my life. Please keep them in your prayers.....

A Big 'Ole Slice of Humble Pie

Coming into this trip, I was repeatedly told what a great person I was for going to Kenya and helping all those less fortunate than myself. I cannot speak for the other fellows but I imagine they encountered some similar salutations. I was getting praise (not deserved because I hadn't actually even done anything at that point...I was still "going") and now reflecting upon it, and put on a white horse. I was like the knight coming into save the poor helpless princess. Even when we were introduced to the students at OLG on our first day during mass, Fr. Chris introduced us as "Gifts from God". While I do think we will be able to help a bit while we are here, by no means do I feel as though these children and this organization are "blessed" to know me. Fortunately, I got a beautiful reality check soon after my entrance into Kenya. On our car ride down from Mt. Kenya there were many people gathering and farming very near to the road. We, in the car, could see them and they could see us. Some adults watched and some children waved. I loved waving back to the little kids. This again was encouraging the idea that me and the fellows were like some kind of celebrities here to preform or put on a show; MUCH more important than we are. As I was waving out the window to these Kenya children I got a waive back from a young boy, between 6 and 8 years old. His wave, however, was only with one finger.... (Hopefully I don't need to spell out which finger that was). He had a scowl on his face and stood and watched the van pass with his finger high in front of his face. For a split second I was taken aback. I didn't know how to react. That was the last thing this girl and her high horse was expecting. Then I just began to laugh. This boy was just the gift I needed! I quickly realized a very important thing about service that would apply to not only my trip in Kenya but much of the service I will do in my future; not everyone wants help. As an American, it is very difficult to shut off the part of your brain that believes that your way is best. I am very proud of my nationality and believe that as a nation we provide much service throughout the world to needy people everyday, but I also recognize that many people outside of our country are getting along just fine without us and our help. When serving it is very important for those you are giving to, to want what it is you are giving. If people are not receptive to your service, they will not benefit from your service and it may even worsen the situation or relationship you are working to help. Thank you and God Bless! to the little boy who gave me my very early wake up call! I hope that in learning that lesson I will be able to serve more effectively in my future.

First Days at Our Lady of Grace

We have arrived at the school!! Being greeted by Fr. Chris and Anna, our new friend from Dartmouth, at the Kisumu airport was a very warm welcome to this amazing place. Our Lady of Grace and all affiliated with it have welcomed us with open arms. The Dominicans had us over for a delicious meal our first night consisting of ugali (similar to Kenya polenta or stiff grits), beef stew and lots of fruit for dessert. We began our next day as we will begin all of them here at the school, with rosary at 6:10am followed by mass at 6:30am. Following mass we toured the grounds and got to know those we would be working with.  The children were a bit timid around us the first day but have since warmed right up to us. Hand shakes are very important in Kenya and are a sign or peace and respect. The children love to give and receive them. Our second day at the school has been a bit more productive in the sense of getting things accomplished. We have begun our schedules, teaching classes and working on promotional information. Today I taught handwriting to the 4th grade class. We worked on our alphabet in print and in cursive. After class, I helped Kevin teach the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade how to play kickball. They took to the game like fish to water and are all natural athletes. I was also able to spend a lot of one on one time with different kids today which I really enjoyed. I spoke to a few girls who are in their senior year of high school about what they want to do after they matriculate. One wants to be a special needs teacher to the deaf and blind, another wants to be a surgeon and the third wants to be a science and math teacher. The girls are taking their national exams later this year to see if they can qualify to get government subsidies to study at university. These days have left much time for reflection and my mind races with all that can be done to help here. I pray that I am spending my time here efficiently because I know these next 5 weeks will fly by. Please keep my fellows, myself and the children in your thoughts and prayers.

Mt. Kenya - By the hands of God and Richard

Last week we climbed Mt. Kenya, base to summit. Our adventure began when we left Nairobi for a 3 hour car ride out to the mountain. Our drive took us through the capital city. It was hard to believe that this was their "Washington, D.C.". After driving through the construction of the city and passing many large farms and a few open markets we finally reached Nanyuko, Kenya (the town that we would leave from to drive to the base of the mountain). There we met with our guides who brought us to the mountain where we began our climb. Benson, our cook, Richard, our guide and our 4 porters led the way. While Benson and the 4 porters hurried up the mountain before us with all our gear and cooking tools to the first camp, Richard took his time with us as we "pole, pole" made our way up the mountain. "Pole, pole" is a phrase in Kiswahili which means "slowly by slowly". This phrase became our mantra for our journey. Slowly by slowly we made our way to the first camp, Old Moses. There we had an amazing meal and spent our first night. The next morning we woke up around 5:45am to begin the second leg our our hike. We hiked 16 kilometers (6 of which were through rain) to our next location, Shipton Camp at the base of the summit. That night was difficult. We were all very cold, wet and exhausted from the days hike. We doubted that we would even be able to climb the next day. However, we were there for each other and at 3am the next day all four of us, Tommy, Katie, Kevin and myself set out for the summit. About half way up, I felt that I couldn't go any further. My breaths were short and I was physically exhausted. I asked Richard if he thought I could go on or if he thought it best for me to go back down the mountain. He said that I needed more water and to do what I thought because I knew how I was feeling. He also said he believed I could do it "pole, pole". Richard believed in me when I stopped believing in myself. I was praying and repeating the words of the Little Engine that Could but even that did not seem to be enough. I needed the encouragement of someone else. I needed someone else to believe in me when I did not have to confidence myself. Richard took my hand and walked me up to the summit "pole, pole". We made our own pace as the rest of the group went on with another guide. Richard held my hand the rest of the way as we both climbed to the summit. We reached the summit at sunrise and saw the day began in Kenya from its highest point. I was so proud of myself and even more greatful to Richard for all his guidance. The climb was a test of my faith, trust and ability to surrender. I had to surrender over to God and let Him and Richard guide me to the top. I was so overcome with emotion and gratitude that I wept on the summit! It was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen (and one of the hardest I have ever had to work for)! When I climbed back down and reflected upon what I had done I was stunned to think that this journey had yet to begin. It would now be my turn, for the next five weeks, to "take the hands" of the children at Our Lady of Grace, like Richard did for me. I hope to remind them that they can do it! That they should believe in themselves and that if they dream it, it is achievable!

In Nairobi !!

We are safely here! After a 9 hour flight to Istanbul, a 3 hour layover and a 6 hour flight to Nairobi...we are finally in Kenya!! Our long day of travel left us very tired. We got we greeted at the airport with a big "JAMBO!" from John, one of our guides on our hike, who drove us and our 6 bags and guitar case to our hotel. By the time we were settled in to our rooms the clock read 4am. We tucked ourselves into our mosquito nets and called it a night. Around 1pm today we forced ourselves out of bed and went to the restaurant in the hotel for lunch. I enjoyed a hot cup of pumpkin soup and some rice! A delicious first meal in a new country! We are all still pinching ourselves to make sure this is real! Some more rest and we will be ready for our hike tomorrow! Prayers and love xoxo.

Preparations

 We leave for Kenya on June 14th. Just 12 short days away from the adventure of a lifetime. When we arrive in Kenya our first activity will be climbing Mt. Kenya. After a 3 night 4 day hike we will head out to Kisumu to the Our Lady of Grace School and Orphanage where we will be volunteering for the following 5 weeks. When our time in Kisumu is done myself and the other three fellows will be going on a safari. Please keep the 4 of us and all those at OLG in your prayers. KENYA HERE WE COME!