I don’t know if I have ever looked forward to meeting anyone more then I had looked forward to meeting the kids from the Sacred Care Orphanage. We had been here in Kenya for almost a week, and as wonderful as it has been so far, I have just been aching to interact with these kids. So yesterday, when we found ourselves sliding off chairs, slamming into the windows and bumping along down the road in the little blue van, Kira and I could barely contain our excitement. The road from Ogembo to Etora is relatively short, bending through the town out past road side ‘vendors’, assorted churches, and into small farming communities. Once we arrived at the school, Dorothy gave us a tour. The school is one long raised building, half finished, empty square brick rooms, red earth floors, each containing a blackboard and some desks. She showed us the church building, and what will be her families house. Then we walked back up towards fields of tea, stopping by the little brick kitchen and meeting two of the cooks, Lazarus and Alice. We were then met by Samson behind all the buildings and he explained the plan for building the orphanage, and finishing the other school buildings. As we were picturing the floor plan for the 60 person orphanage, a trickle of shy but extremely excited faces started to emerge from behind the kitchen. Mary, the dorm mother had gathered all the kids and brought them to meet us. They stood several feet away in a clump, smiling and staring, but averting their eyes as soon as our gaze met theirs. Samson gave us the most beautiful introduction, he elicited such respect, speaking much too highly of us with the kindest introduction, while simultaneously making the kids laugh and feel at ease. Then Kira and I got to speak to them briefly before they had to run off and do their washing in the river. You can tell these kids have been through so much, and are so strong and resilient. They smile so sweetly, and listen obediently. They obviously adore Samson, and he is incredible with them. He absolutely came to life when speaking to the kids. And he speaks of them with such care, his entire heart is with these kids and this church and school. He does SO much, so much, it would take an entire blog post to explain all that Samson manages to fit into a day. But he doesn’t complain, he does what he feels is right, and he is a savior for all these orphans, and an obvious light in so many people’s lives.
We went down with Dorothy to watch the kids do their wash in the river, it is amazing how hard-working and disciplined the kids are, they make washing clothes in a muddy brown river look enjoyable. We began to introduce ourselves to each of the kids as they would pass us, starting to try and memorize their names. That’s going to be a feat itself.
Dorothy, like Samson, adores these kids. She said “I know it is not in the near future, we have so much work still to be done, but sometime in the future my dream is to be able to afford a washing machine for the kids.” Her heart is so genuine and giving, and the seemingly simple request was powerful to hear. My washer at home has been broken for the past few months, hearing her speak about a washing machine as if it was the highest honor to own one really smacked some perspective into me. If there is one thing I have learned from visiting developing countries, it is about the importance of gratitude and perspective. These incredible little humans live with so little, so so happily. There are 64 orphans, ages 8 through 18 and I can not wait to get to know every single one of them.
Leaving the kids yesterday made us so excited to officially begin our work as interns for HCIC. Driving back in the little blue van my mind was flashing each of their big bright smiles into my stream of consciousness. Kira and I kept exchanging glances, so excited that we are lucky enough to be here. Our normally 8 minute drive home always ends up turning into at least 15. The driver, David, knows everyone in town. Whenever we drive through town we become a community bus, pulling over constantly to pick up another friend of Davids, or a friend of a friend. Everyone squishes in like a clown car, and then we begin dropping them off along the way home. He waves at the police officers we pass on the way to school every day, honks hello to passing cars, and stops to chat with different people in the town. Samson is the same way, they are so friendly. There is no sense of urgency, no rush, time moves as it needs to. They know they will get where they are going, and they enjoy the ride and people along the way. I like imagining David driving in New York City.
Whenever we leave the house everyone stares. I don’t think staring is rude here. Either that, or we are just the absolute strangest thing they have ever seen. All the kids yell ‘Mzungu’ which is White Person in Swahili. Sometimes they yell it in wonderment, sometimes it’s passed along in whispers to one another, and sometimes they yell it, waving, trying to get our attention. It’s strange how okay it is for them to yell that. We take no offense to it, it’s just interesting thinking how that would go over in America, or if the roles were reversed. But the cultures are so strikingly different, it’s almost incomparable. And honestly, it’s pretty darn cute that every kid wants to say hi to us. I want to talk to each of them, so the feeling is mutual.
A few days ago we went to Kisii town. It is a bigger city and is always so interesting seeing the weird meshing of cultures. People are either wearing quintessential african cloth or a business suit, or a combination. Some women are wrapped in traditional garb carrying baskets on their heads, some in smartly ironed suits carrying briefcases, while others wear mismatched decade clothing; YOLO hats, gators shirts (got lots of Florida fans over here in Kenya), hard rock cafe T-shirts... It’s funny what comes over from America.
Some friends and people we are close to have gotten malaria while we have been here. Luckily it is easier to treat now, and the medicine is helping. But it reminds me how our mosquito net is our best friend. Every night I lay there in our little blue mesh tent, feeling so grateful for it. Luckily we haven’t seen many mosquitos in our room. So far we have killed one already dead mosquito, so I think our track record is pretty good so far.
We are so excited about being here, we are feeling well adjusted and rarely feeling homesick. We have so much more to share, but it will have to wait until tomorrow, I’m falling asleep at the keyboard, WHICH is extremely exciting because we rarely fall asleep before 3 or 4. Our sleep cycles refuse to adapt to Kenya time. It’s getting pretty obvious that I’m sleep deprived... I keep spelling things wrong (not abnormal) and I asked Kira if my computer was autocorrecting to Kenyan English instead of American English... (definitely abnormal) Otherwise, all is well on this side of the world, hope everyone at home is doing well!
*Key to the places we often mention:*
Ogembo: the town where Samson and his family live, where we are staying Kisii: the closest big main town with bigger markets and stores Etora: where the Kenyan New Church is, same grounds as the Sacred Care Orphanage (currently orphans are staying in rented rooms) and Good News Preparatory School (New Church school where orphans go and local community kids) This is the site where most of our work will be done.