48 hours travel, 3 continents, my first time in Europe, my first time in Africa... The beauty of the country is apparent right away ..you don't want to rush your eyes or thoughts when you look around. There is an insular feeling as well as a feeling of excitement as I know that things here are not going to be familiar.
Two taxi's from Nairobi to Vihiga passing the equator on the way...The people are curious as we pass in the taxi's, these tired Canadians shouting Jambo (hello in Swahili)..all happy to answer back and tell us "you are welcome here".
The first days have been spent at Priscilla's with her husband Shem, son Jeffry, daughter in law Judy (their daughter Tatiana) son Alfred and his daughters Ivy and Christina. They have given up their dinning table so that we may eat first, they have let us eat their chickens when meat is a scarce commodity and they are taking care of us and treating us as very honoured guests. They live very modestly with the kitchen being a fire in a hut out back, and water from the rain caught in barrels as their lifeline. We ask many questions to understand how and why this family has banned together to show the community that these vulnerable children are worth their attention. Alfred believes in the school so much that he is sending his daughters here and the school is known for producing pupils with high grades and positive study habits.
We have been spending everyday with the children. The day we arrived, the baby class (kindergarten) was graduating and they had a lively celebration with parents and guardians of the non-residents in attendance. We were first at the school and now at Priscilla's as class 8 are writing their exams and the school is closed during the day. We have listed as the kids have sung their national anthem, songs of their struggles and hope in a better life, We are the Champions by Queen and Hakuna Matata (thanks Paul, Ute and Nikki). We have happily enjoyed many hours of football, frisbee, jump rope, hopscotch, sprinting, crafts, pen pal letters, skits, singing, answering questions about Canada, dental hygiene classes, Church service, hair braiding, new shoes, chocolate and sugarcane treats, bee stings, stubbed toes and upset tummies (thank you Guava tree leaves) and just laughing.
The children honestly welcome strangers as new friends and have an amazing happiness that radiates from their eyes and is reflected in their brilliant smiles. We cry for what they do not have and we are humbled by what they do....Children should feel proud of themselves and we are doing everything we can to show them how important their lives are and how much we believe in them. You never know how big your heart is until you open it unconditionally. They are a part of us all now...
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