Thursday, July 10, 2008
Day 27 in Kenya
At
Hekima
Primary School in the morning, I announced contest winners and gave out sweets. My, how Kenyans love sweets! J I gave one sweet to the young man who takes care of the grounds. He looked so happy later when I saw him opening it.
Christie and I ran to
Karen
Center, then Adam’s
Arcade (YaYa Market closed), then back to
Karen
Center. Sam took me to a shop and then to the Bomas markets. He helped me bargain for souvenirs. Then Nakumatt for cookies and back to HPS, where the students were busily cleaning for the annual parents’ day tomorrow.
Teacher
Virginia put together a thank you/ goodbye party for me! It was so nice! They had cookies, chips, sweets (of course), cake, and an orange drink. Mr. Maranga wrapped a gift and gave me a card on behalf of everyone (a beautiful scarf). They went around and said thank you/ good luck. I also gave a small speech and started to tear up. We were laughing because Teacher Virginia said that, as the hostess, I had to “keep my mouth busy” (keep eating) until everything was gone. Also, when Charity said that she has a young, unmarried brother, Tr. Virginia piped up, saying that she has already booked me a Maasai man (according to tradition, the soda and bee incident from last week indicates that I will get married in Kenya; she is married to a Maasai).
I helped Charity, Esther, and Rose with pronunciation, after saying goodbye to the teachers. Lovi and the Karen C girls picked me up. At , I played cards with some of the girls before chapati dinner! After dinner, I talked to Sara about culture shock, while I hung up my laundry. Then, back at Baraka, I hung out with some of the girls.
Hekima Place
Ann asked if we could go over to Amani then to practice “Bop to the Top” some more. I had asked her before dinner if she would tell me sometime about her life before HP. She asked for another set of lyrics to “Bop to the Top” because she didn’t have the original I gave her. She got rid of them when she was mad that one day. I didn’t get mad at her for it, but I asked her not to get mad like that at me again (not sure if that was a fair request). There was no use in making her feel badly about it. She has enough on her plate, and I know how much she appreciated them at first.
We went into Amani, and I suggested we talk, then sing, then dance. We never got to the singing and dancing. We talked until around 9:00. I told her Mum Gladys said she’d be open to sharing, and I asked her if she would. She said it is a long story, but she’d try to make it short…
I journaled the entirely of my conversation with Ann that night. Her story is incredible—one of great sadness and loneliness, but also one of hope, a testament to that Higher Power I call God looking out for one of His little ones. I would call it a miracle. However, after much reflection, I have chosen not to share that story here. Ann has asked me to respect her secrets, and after all, it is not my story to tell. I can say, however, that it has moved me toward greater compassion and understanding. I am grateful to her for sharing with me courageously and openly. Ann’s life has widened my appreciation for the story, and the miracle, in everyone.
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