I am thankful for…

I am always and ever thankful for my family, friends, and all of the blessings that God has granted.  However, this trip made me realize that there are some simple everyday things for which I should also be thankful.  These items, which can easily be taken for granted, include:

·         Consistent power supply and lighting

·         Toilets that flush well

·         Finished floors, instead of dirt floors

·         Good strong showers with consistently warm water

·         Having 2 pillows

·         No threat of malaria and no need to use mosquito nets at night

·         Ease of communications and consistent internet service

·         Clean water from the tap and plentiful ice from the freezer

·         Good roads without huge potholes or secret speed bumps

·         Easy access to a car for transportation

·         Clothes washing machines and dryers

·         Enough rain/ snow year round to keep grass green and crops growing

·         Fire departments and fire trucks

·         Printer Cartridges and photocopiers

·         Mapquest

·         Clean air without dust, smog or smoke

I also realized that there are some simple things that I am truly missing since my return.  They include:

·         Easy access to my new friends and family from Kenya, Arizona and Iowa

·         All the beautiful girls that I consider my daughters at LOH

·         The easy and sincere Swahili greetings of Jambo and Habari

·         Hearing Joyful Singing and Great Music all the time

·         Walking to work everyday 

·         Children smiling and calling out “How are you?” as you pass

·         Java House

·         Warm sun on my face and incredible views and vistas

·         Open markets filled with beautiful hand crafted items and jewelry

·         Bartering for absolutely everything and anything

·         Some great food and drink including fresh veggies/fruits, Mango juice, Samosas, Chipati and Tusker beer

·         Getting to see all the progress that Ezekiel is making on the grounds at LOH

·         Hugs from Irene and Grace

·         Tabitha’s cooking and vegetables from Charles’ garden

·         Barnabus’ smile

I want to thank all of my new friends and family for making me feel so welcome and appreciated.  The great thing about travel is that it reminds you to appreciate what you  have at home and it helps you to identify new things that you enjoy at the same time.

 

Home Sweet Home

After two long (9 hours +) flights, a six hour layover in Amsterdam and a long delay in Minneapolis as we tried to get into the gate and as we tried to get the jetway to the plane,  I am home with my family!  It was wonderful to see Mike, Connor and Sean at the airport.  

I will write a bit more and certainly post more photos tomorrow.  Just wanted you to know that I was home safe and sound.  Betsy should land in Minneapolis soon.  Amy and Alyx are back in the states making their way from DC to Arizona. 

Kibera

We packed our bags to begin the lengthy return.  It felt very odd to be leaving Africa but at the same time I was really ready to see Mike and the boys.   On the drive to Nairobi, I was once again amazed by the incredible views of the Great Rift Valley.

In town we decided to make a quick stop at a shopping market in order to pick up the last few requests .  This was an upscale mall in the middle of a very elite neighborhood.  This area had several high shops and car dealerships.  I was told that the former president/PM had built his home just around the corner.  Imagine my surprise when I also learned that we were very near Kibera, the largest slum in Eastern Africa.  It is estimated that more than 1 million people live in Kibera. (One of our gudes later mentioned that he believed that it was more like 3 million.)  We were heading there to do a home visit and meet with the Mother of one of our students.  We wanted to give our group some perspective on the alternatives that our girls would face if they were not at LOH.  We also wanted to understand more about life within Kibera.

We connected with the two men (Victor and Chris) who had agreed to guide us to our destination within Kibera.  Both were related to one of the LOH girls.  They were really glad to hear that she was doing so well as school.  Her young brother met up with us as on the way.

Kibera was admittedly shocking.  Although I thought that I was prepared, the poverty and living conditions were unimaginable.  The “streets” or walking paths are very narrow, winding dirt paths which tend to go straight up or down hill.  It was incredibly hilly. Most of the structures are built with mud and garbage walls and tin roofs.  They are incredibly small accommodations with no conveniences except for electricity.  There is no running water.  Garbage is ever present.  There are streams of human waste running down the middle or side of most of the streets/walking paths.

There were people everywhere. It was unbearable hot, but luckily very dry.   At some points we had to jump from one spot to another.  We crossed a wooden plank bridge that resembled something that Indiana Jones might face in a movie.    You had to pick your way very carefully as there were sharp edges and potential for injury all around.

There were so many children of all ages.  They were very dirty, barely clothed and suffering from malnutrion.  They were clearly making due with very little.  They were also however very friendly and welcoming to our group of obvious visitors.  They all had smiles on their faces.  Every time we turned a corner an echo of ”How Are You? ” would ring out.   Many of the children would reach out for a handshake or a wave.  They were playing with whatever they could find.  Children are alike no matter their environment.  They want to have fun and be loved.

As you look across Kibera you see hundreds of thousands of tin roofs.  The pathways are not obvious but the view is peppered with antennas and aerials.  Kibera is divided into multiple districts or villages. Each of these areas has it’s own governance and rules.  A typical dwelling might be 8 by 10 feet.  Most of the residents have televisions and a cell phone which explains the huge array of antennas.

I was shocked to learn that the people who live in this place pay rent for their space.  The rent is higher the closer you get to an outside road or to an internal main street which houses all of their trades.  If you can’t afford the rent or fall behind in your payments, it is likely that the landlord would kick you out or burn you  out of your space.

As we met with Mary, the mother of our student, we heard more about her challenges.  We talked about why it is so important that her daughter remains in school at LOH and works hard.  I am convinced that education is the key to opportunity within Africa.  Education and hard work are the only option for some of these residents to move out and build a better life.  I was reminded that Boni, one of the founders of our institution, lived within Kibera for more than a year when he first came to Nairobi.  He is a true testament to the fact that one can move forward and help themselves as well as so many others.

We returned to the hotel to regroup and share one last group dinner that evening.  We had even more resolve to ensure that LOH can break this cycle of poverty for as many girls and women as possible.