Celia Booher, 2011 Youth Leadership Trip Leader
We are so proud of the “youths” from Indianapolis. They are doing an awesome job of representing Indiana and the Global Interfaith Partnership.
Our week has been full of varied, inspirational experiences. On Monday we went in small groups to visit homes of some of the orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). It was very powerful to hear their stories and see where and how they live.
In the afternoon, we visited St. George Secondary School for a cultural exchange. For this event we were seated on chairs on the grass across from the 300 students of St. George (who were seated in chairs across from us). They recited poems, did a “drama” and sang for us. Our students sang for them and taught the song (with hand motions). Following the performances we had time for “interaction.” We Americans were thinking this would mean speaking in small groups. Actually it was a formal, moderated question and answer session. All of the students were encouraged to “speak freely.”
After the Q&A session, we did have some informal conversation. Some of the students asked Kristin if she had a boyfriend (yes) and if she visited him (yes). When they giggled, we learned that visiting has a much different meaning here!
Leah, the Umoja intern, has been with us for the week. She is awesome and has become a part of our group.
On Tuesday, we visited the Chulaimbo Health Center. It is very different from our facilities but the sincerity of care is obvious. One thing we noticed was large charts painted on the walls showing the fee and waiting time for each service. Maybe the US should adopt such a system.
In the afternoon we visited with a guardian group for one of the schools. We saw the vegetable gardens and poultry projects being done with training from a Heifer International person. Very impressive. It is so humbling to see the commitment of these women and men.
We had another interaction (sitting in chairs across from each other under a shade tree). Nate eloquently explained the origin and evolution of Kenya Carnival. Our exchange with the guardians was inspirational and I think both sides learned a lot.
Yesterday we had a unique Kenyan experience. Our kids helped build a mud hut for Joseph, an orphan who had been living with a “mama who is not normal” — I believe this means a crazy woman (his parents are dead). It was like an African version of a barn-raising. The basic structure was assembled of wooden poles or sticks with a metal roof. Our kids jumped in with the guardians to make the mud walls and the house was completed in a little over an hour! They said the mudding usually takes at least six hours.
Following the house building project, we saw the Umoja lunch program at the school. Then the guardians and teachers at the school fed us an amazing feast with beef stew, sukuma wiki (greens), rice, cooked cabbage salad, chicken stew, fried chicken and, of course, a huge mound of ugali.
Today we went to the Ogada compound, which includes a children’s home, primary school, secondary school and church. We toured the place and saw the primary school Umoja children “taking lunch.”
The Kenyans seem to love protocol. When we visit a school, the adults meet all the administrators and sign the guest book. Then we usually have an interaction followed by the ceremonial offering of warm bottles of sodas. We are all quite full of carbonated beverages! We don’t want to offend anyone by not taking the hospitality that is offered, but none of us is used to drinking this many soft drinks.
Every school we have visited has shown us how well the Umoja students are performing. In most cases they are school leaders and top performers. One principal explained that before the Umoja Project the orphans were outsiders because they didn’t have clothes or fees for school. Now they are just like the other children. Also, the Umoja children are performing so well it is inspiring other students.
Late this afternoon we had the opportunity to bring out some of the soccer balls we had brought for the students. It was like Christmas morning! We have five balls for each of the 15 schools. It starting raining, and most of our wimpy children ran for shelter. The Kenyans continued to play soccer barefoot in the downpour. I wish I could load photos, but, alas, the connection is too slow.
Spending time with the Umoja students, guardians and staff has been a tremendous experience for us all.
Thank you all for your continuing prayers!