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Children from the shelter on a field trip to Lake Nakuru
When I wake up in the morning, I can hear the boys laughing in the dining hall, ready to begin their school day with the same joy and enthusiasm they show each and every day. The boys finish their morning clean up, and head to class, waiting quietly for their teacher to begin their lessons.
Every morning I am greeted with a friendly, “Good morning Miss Laura” and smiles all around. But though the daily routine may seem the same, each day in my eyes is so very different and exciting. I have been volunteering at the shelter for about two months now, and every day I am surprised. From gathering the boys to watch the cow being de-horned, to watching little Chalo, just five years old, chase after the bigger boys up the mountain on a hike. The other day during P.E. we were doing some relay races when two of the boys disappeared. I assumed they had run off to the restrooms, but five minutes later they returned rolling a massive tractor tire, setting it flat on the ground a few feet away. I watched as one boy took off sprinting towards the tire, jumping onto the rubber, bouncing into the air, and landing a perfect forward flip. I was impressed to say the least, but I almost had a heart attack as well.
These boys have so much spirit, so much talent, and so much joy. This shelter really is their home. The boys all act as brothers, and the staff their parents. I have only been here a short time and have already grown to know and love them all individually. Every day they make me laugh, make me feel welcome, and make me re-evaluate the true meaning of happiness. It is enlightening how these boys who have been abandoned, abused, and left to fend for themselves are yet so joyful and have such beautiful spirits.
One weekend my mobile was stolen during a weekend trip to Nairobi (they don't call it Nairobbery for nothing!) and when I told the boys, they genuinely seemed so sorry for me. When I got a new one it strangely wasn't working for a couple of days. Quite frustrating. When it finally started to work I told one of my classes and they simply said, “that's because we prayed for you Miss Laura.” I can't describe to you how sweet these boys are. They are so quick to do anything I ask. If the cow (which I'm terrified of) is front of my house, before I even need to ask, there are at least three boys shooing it away. If I ask for extra chalk, every boy desperately searches in his desk for a piece. I asked one of my classes to do a composition on their Easter weekend, and one of them wrote, “I missed teacher Laura very much,” because I was away for the weekend. I already know that when I leave at the end of July I will miss the shelter dearly.
It's already May, and it's absolutely beautiful here. Flowers are blooming, the seasonal river running. The cow has just gave birth, baby chicks roam the grounds discovering their new home, and the once dusty football field is sprouting a tiny new layer of green grass. The rain has finally come, symbolizing new life, and new beginnings.
It's only fitting that I am here during the rains. These boys came to the shelter for a new start, just like the rain symbolizes new life and beginnings. I only hope and pray that Kenya 's new government will be a fresh and beautiful new beginning for the country as well. Should be a wonderful month of May, and I'm looking forward to spending it at the shelter.
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I've been in Kenya for over a month now, and can confidently say that
the country is starting to feel more and more like home. It has been a
month of ups and downs, to say the least. Sometimes to be quite honest I
would sit back and think, "What the hell did I get myself into?!?!" I often
felt homesick, and paralyzed by my new surroundings. New roads, new
languages, new customs, new traditions, new neW nEW NEW! But there
frequently are those moments, those absolutely perfect moments when I look
around, sigh, and realize that coming to Kenya was the best decision I've
ever made. Just yesterday I was on a matatu (paying minibus) back to Nairobi from Naivasha,
sitting next to a man with a pooing chicken on his lap, and looking out the
window at the baboons sitting along the sides of the highway. It may seem
strange, but it's those moments when I feel luckiest. Like when I wake up
to the sounds of roosters, or the nearby mosque blasting out its call for
prayer. I know I'm going to go home and miss my orange dirt caked feet,
miss the challenge of crossing the road each day (no yielding to pedestrians
here). I'll miss the Kenyan chai tea each morning, and the mangos (you have
not tasted a real mango until you come to east Africa !). Sometimes I'll be
walking down the road and realize that I'm smiling. Everyone in the
neighborhood knows me, and each morning I go through
at least 20 standard greetings. Habari! (how are you?) and mzuiri sana
(very good!).
On Sunday I am moving from Nairobi to Naivasha Children's Shelter, where
I will be living for maybe the rest of my stay. Because of the massive
amount of displaced people in Kenya , I feel that as a volunteer, I need to
make sure that I'm doing my bit to help out the situation. Unfortunately,
the Nairobi Red Cross camp shut down last week because it became unclear who
was really displaced and who was just coming in from the slums for the free
food handouts. There are thousands upon thousands displaced from the Rift
Valley in Naivasha and its surrounding towns- GilGil, Langa Langa, and Nyama
Choma. Over last weekend I visited a few of the camps, leaving feeling
overwhelmed and anxious. Some camps had no water, no toilets, no blankets.
Just women and men sleeping under the stars, unsure of where to go next.
How can they return home when it was their next door neighbor who hacked
their parents and raped their wives?
The Naivasha Children's Shelter is a place for street boys to live.
These boys have no family, no money, and many were on drugs before being
brought to the shelter. I will live on the project, teaching, counseling,
playing games, singing songs, and helping out anywhere needed. I will also
go out every so often with some of the staff and search the streets to try
and persuade more to come stay with us. I'm told some will come, but most
leave after a few days. The children's shelter is right across the road
from the Red Cross camp in Naivasha, so I can spend my weekends and free
time helping with the displaced.
It won't be easy leaving my Nairobi life, especially after I just became
comfortable with it! But I know in my heart that I need to go where I am
desperately needed, even if I do lose some lovely Nairobi conveniences (fast
food fixes, internet cafes, newspapers). I was just about to send out a
bunch of letters but now that I'm moving addresses, I'll have to wait a bit.
But trust me, there are some letters coming soon!
It was so lovely hearing news from home. I hope everyone is well, and I wish you all much
happiness and health. It's mind blowing to see these children made of skin
and bones with dirt caked onto their cheeks, torn clothes and no shoes, and
yet they giggle and run to their mothers warm embraces! Women with five
children, runaway husbands, and no money- singing so happily. Real deep
rooted love and joy bellowing out through song and laughter! There is one
I'm sorry I haven't emailed you sooner, but where I moved there's no
internet access and no internet café so the only time I can email is when I
return to Nairobi. I'm back in Nairobi for Easter weekend to visit my host
family and take a break from living on the shelter 24/7.
It's a bit difficult being the only white person, and the only female
around, but I've grown quite accustomed to being the alien around town.
Will be very odd coming home and suddenly being and no longer being the odd one out.
Naivasha is a small dusty little town, that's dreadfully poor yet absolutely lovely. I'm
known around town as “that mzungu who works at the shelter” and am actually
valued and very looked after by complete strangers on the street. Will be
nice to develop a strong relationship with the community over the next 5
months.
The shelter is beautiful and I'm kept very busy. I teach 2 English classes,
and one math, as well as P.E 4 days a week (absolutely hilarious). I also
spend time in the shamba (garden) and jiko (kitchen) whenever I have spare
time. Going into town is always quite the adventure, as you take a borda
borda (motor bike) along dusty bumpy dirt roads. It is quite dangerous but
great fun! There are 2 cows, 2 donkeys, 2 dogs, a cat, a bunch of very angry
geese, many ever-populating rabbits, and countless chickens and roosters.
Funny how the most dangerous part of Africa so far has been the livestock,
as last week I was attacked by one of the cows! She has only attacked myself and Debbie (the mzungu who started the
shelter). I escaped with only a few scrapes and bruises and a very sore
body, but from now on I'm always on the look-out for the cow and go my
separate ways. The boys are always quick to throw rocks at it if it's in
front of my house. The boys are actually very protective of me, and are
always asking me about when I leave- when I'm going to return. They are all
sweet very good boys who have had horrible pasts. Chalo, the youngest, is
only 4 and has scars all over his back from his mother trying to burn him
alive. Hard to believe because he's such a cute little boy. It's good for
them to have a woman around, and my nickname has become Mama Shelter.
Of course, it hasn't been easy leaving Nairobi . I miss my luke warm baths,
for now all I've got is freezing cold showers. I miss the close by internet
café, and the newspapers. But I'm really experiencing Africa , and realize
how unnecessary some of my US luxuries are. No need for fancy cell phones,
going out to dinner every other night, and overly expensive clothes. All
you need in life is family, friends, and love. I've seen some of
the happiest people here in Kenya , and oddly happiest are those with
nothing.
I have also realized my love for traveling. I'm excited to see the rest of
Kenya , and am planning a few trips to be able and see all that I can.
Everyone I meet wants me to go see their home town, where they have
relatives and assure me I would be welcomed, which I'm sure I would.
I hope that you two are doing well.
I can't wait till I return and we can
sit down together and I can tell you all about my experiences. Tell all
the uncles, aunts, and cousins I love them. I am doing very well here in
Kenya , but I do dream of the Pacific and of Mexican food.
Love you around the world a million times.
Your loving grand daughter,
Laura
