Hey guys it’s been a busy week but here’s how I’m doing-
After visiting the slums, Hosna,
Jackson, and Lucy’s parents all agreed to meet me downtown on two separate occasions
but stood me up both times. Today I went back to arrange another meeting and the
slums were just as depressing, but this time I was prepared. I wore a long
skirt, long sleeves, and a head scarf to make my whiteness less conspicuous (as
advised by the teachers) and brought sweets and 4 kilos of rice to hopefully
warm them up to the idea of a stranger taking their children all day. I think
it worked because they were very appreciative and agreed to meet me Tuesday morning.
I’ll find out Tuesday I guess, but I hope they realize that I’m not giving up
on their children even if it means more trips to the slums.
Although I’m determined and trying
my best to be strong, I can’t pretend that I was totally unfazed by the extreme
poverty on my second trip to the slums in 2 weeks. It’s hard for me to wrap my
American mind around how people can live in these sorts of conditions, but I
also think there is beauty in it. Hear me out-
Today we found Hosna first and I was
happy to see her playing with other children in a New England Patriots hoodie.
She looked healthy and happy, especially when her mother agreed to meet me
downtown next Tuesday. Jackson and Lucy also looked happy and we found them
eating porridge at a neighbor’s house.
These kids don’t sit around all day
playing on their iPads or lusting after the latest toy fad. They don’t care
that their clothes aren’t in style (although the Patriots never go out of
style) or their shoes are worn thin. They make do with what little they have
and, although saying they live simply is an understatement, they find happiness
in the smallest things like a makeshift soccer ball or a few sweets. My experiences
make me appreciate what I have and try to look at all the good things in my
life instead of obsessing over the negative things. I have a roof over my head,
food in my belly, and friends and family that love me very much. Everything
else is just bonus.
Anyway, on Monday I spent the entire
day evaluating the Pre-Vocational Class. Their progress from my last trip to
Tanzania was somewhat disappointing, but I’m optimistic that the new curriculum
will get them back on track.
Also this week I was sent a gift
from above in the form of 4 Special Education majors from the University of
Illinois! I was hesitant to bring them into the school in the midst of all the
changes Mary and I are making, but it didn’t take long before they had settled
into the classrooms like they had been teaching for years. I can’t tell you how
much of a weight they take off my shoulders. They are so driven and motivated to
help me and the students as much as they can in the two weeks they will be at
the school. This week they worked on informally assessing the two other
classrooms so I’ll have an idea of what to expect when I formally assess those
students next week. Today they brought new shoes and socks for the students and
the kids went crazy. They started dancing and singing a chorus of
SHOOOOOOOOOESSS SHOOOOOOOOOOOESSSSSS!!!! Julius in particular interrupted my class
multiple times to lift up his pant legs, strike a pose, and show off his new
shoes. Katrin, Katrin, TEACHER KATRIN!
Angalia! SHOOOOOOOESSSSSSS
I swear smiles never left their
faces all day.
It’s been a crazy week, but tomorrow
I’m going on a safari for 4 days and 3 nights! Not going on a safari was my
biggest regret from my first visit and I’m so psyched to be able to see the
great migration on the Serengeti! I’ll post pictures as soon as the internet
connection allows. I uploaded some more pictures of my trip and the students to
facebook, so check it out if you would like and go like AFLLFA’s facebook page
at facebook.com/allforloveloveforall! I’ve posted a lot of pictures of the
school on the page lately and it’s worth a look.
Until next time
Kwaheri!
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