Day 3 in Kenya

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Today was Christmas at Mabatini, Mission of Hope School.  We had 340 children rotate through activities, that included a craft, music, story, and recreational games.  I spent the previous day at this school in several classrooms working and teaching alongside the teachers.  Later in the day, I spent time working with two head teachers (one from this school and one from a neighboring school) to talk about new strategies they could use in the classroom. 

In their school the children stay in the same room and the teachers rotate.  That would eliminate the need for lockers or passing periods.  Do you think this would work in our schools?  Much of their work is done orally, that means that they all memorize the same information and repeat it together.  Each level has a test that must be passed before you can move on to the next level or grade.  One other think I enjoyed was the way the students greeted their teachers.  The said in unison, "Good morning to you.  We love our school, we love our teacher, I will work hard and stay strong to learn my lessons."

This was their last day of school and we had a graduation celebration at the church for the younger students advancing to the next level.   We climbed the hill to the church, past a large pile of rocks that blocked the road, beyond the ever-growing pile of garbage, through a herd of goats to the ceremony.   Complete with graduation cap and gown, cake, songs and poems performed by the students, pictures, and even a short congratulatory, encouragement speech from Mrs. Mar.  The community was very welcoming and receptive to our interactions with the school, and thankful for  the food baskets we had spent the afternoon preparing for them to take home over their break. 

Our team had raised money from many caring people who live in Wichita to be able to provide food baskets that contained food for about 1 week for the children while they are on their school month long break.  Many of these children get one balanced meal a day from their school.  So they were very happy with the gift of corn, green maze, rice, flour, sugar, and oil.  The children were overjoyed by the cake at their graduation.  Each child had one small bite.  Yes, bite. 

The poverty is unlike anything you can imagine.  The traffic is absolute chaos.  I will talk with you when I return more about my experiences.  Perform to excellence in my absence.  Until next time. Love Mrs. Mar

The Flight to Kenya

28 hours from Wichita to Nairobi, from airport waiting to plane riding.  Sitting for two 9 hour stretches on a plane is like reliving a dream that you can’t awaken from.  One of those dreams where you feel as if you are in a state of falling and can’t wake up or finally hit the ground, just lingering in limbo. Feeling as if I’m neither here nor there, just being, in a zombie-like state.

Once on the ground in Nairobi joy overcomes the lengthy, lethargic, lingering hours on the plane.  While darkness greets our arrival, I am overcome by the faces of multiple races blending together, the languages of the earth blending together in song with the vans, cars and taxis that await weary travelers as they venture into the city.

Tonight sleep in a bed, not airplane seat is what I am looking forward too.  Tomorrow our team will be introduced to the city and we will plan our activities while here with our hosts.  I look forward to getting into the schools to meet the teachers and students I will be working with over the next two weeks.  Until I can write again, treat others kindly, peace and love.

Lesson for my Wranglers:  What styles of figurative language can you find in my writing? 

Nearing the time to leave

About 8 hours and counting until our flight is scheduled to leave Wichita enroute to the Mathare Valley, Niarobi, Kenya, Africa.  I can't believe it has been 5 months since I said yes to going on this trip.  In the midst of pain and sorrow I found a calling to extend myself for the sake of others regardless of cost to me. I am trusting that my going will be an encouragement and help to others.
This holiday weekend has been a time of reflection over the many blessings I enjoy. Friends, family, 3 meals a day, shelter that keeps me warm/cool/safe, and the ability to freely express my ideas. I will be working with kids and their teachers who have far less resources than we, yet somehow I wonder if we will have much more in common that I might have once thought?
I hope to have time and internet connection availability to share my journey with you in the upcoming days. Stay tuned.
Feel free to post a comment or question, IF YOU ARE MY STUDENT use initials and your class hour only, do not put your name!  This is for your safety, I will know who you are. I may not have time to respond to each comment.