Finding our Way

The past two days have been solid.  Darren and Kahlil seem to have gotten over the whole mud thing.  I wake up in the morning and they are making eggs with Jane.  They have been on time for teaching each morning. I told them they could watch a movie Tuesday night alone in the TV room on our compound.   They picked one out and I left them alone to eat popcorn. Before leaving, I told them that the Juniors were also watching a movie in a classroom.  I didn't want to force them to go; the smell of a hundred boys scrunched together in one room trying to watch a tiny television screen can be a bit much.  I can only handle it for twenty minutes. Anyway...I left to go write in my room about twenty minutes later I walked by the TV room and it was empty.  So I took my flashlight and found that they had decided to go be with the boys instead.  :-)

One challenge has been to get Darren and Kahlil to get off the defensive.  Their inclination when people stare, or when people laugh, or most recently when Darren got hit in the face on the basketball court....is to think that it is because someone is out to get them.  "The kid with the stick is NOT going to hit you!"  This is further complicated by the fact that  often when they ask a question, they assume it is understood because the person on the other side is smiling or says "yes".  This can easily turn into a hot mess.  But, fortunately some of the secondary school boys, and especially JUMA (one of the older boys at the Rescue Center) rushes in at such moments to mediate/ translate.  I watch them work it out and I'm grateful. I know Darren and Kahlil are realizing that they are surrounded by people who would jump in front of a vehicle for them or give their dinner up for them...but it does require a mentality adjustment. Making eye contact, smiling, saying good morning to everyone, trusting a stranger....these are new expectations.  It just get easier and easier though, and it's beautiful to witness. 

Last night it was Brother Peter's birthday and we had a wonderful celebration...complete with a delicious cake.  I ate three pieces. Three.  A giant grasshopper was on the wall by our table.  After Kahlil and Darren had left, Kahlil returned a few minutes later "to check if his grasshopper was still there" and Darren returned a few minutes later to ask when we were going to read. 

After they played for a while, we met up as usual for reading and writing time.  Darren ate an orange and made the announcement- " there should be a warning on these oranges-- Do not open without goggles".   And when I asked Kahlil where his shirt was, he told me he had given it away to Dennis. 

It's funny because Darren and Kahlil don't like people staring at them, however today while we were walking in town, they insisted on wearing tank tops while everyone is wearing parkas and winter hats.  Michael said to them-- "now you are attracting attention..." These are battles I'm not fighting...:-)

Yesterday, we went through the slums..particularly to help a family.  One child is actually at St. Mary's Rescue Center.  Where this woman was living was beyond poverty, and I felt extremely overwhelmed trying to think about how best to use the donation.  I was trying my best not to choke crouching on a piece of wood, while smoke from her fire filled the entire space.  Holes in the roof reflected little dabs of light across plastic walls.  When Michael translated for me, she said she wanted the money to be used for her son's education not her.  Darren and Kahlil were clearly uncomfortable and I let them get air in a nearby corn field.   While driving through the slums, Darren and Kahlil started acting up a bit which I know is because it's extremely hard to process what they were seeing.  How do you make sense of the fact that people....just as human as you....are living in inhumane conditions? 

Last night after the birthday celebration, we had a serious debrief on what they had seen.  I think it was extremely important to see where many of the boys from the Rescue Center were rescued from.  It helps to understand why, to the boys, life at the orphanage is such a huge improvement.  Their dorm might smell like urine, but they have beds and blankets and they are safe.

Today we went to visit one of the nearby Primary Schools where Benson, Dennis, Simon and Godfrey attend.  I have to say I was blown away by the condition of the classrooms and overcrowding.  60 students to a class.  It is the best Primary school in the area, but classes of 55 are normal.  Once again, Darren and Kahlil were clearly overwhelmed and a bit uncomfortable but as usual....they got it together and were very friendly and positive.  We stopped by Juma's school too.  He was so proud to show us around.  I know what they saw in the slums and at the schools today will take time to settle. 

Tomorrow we leave for Safari.  Brother Paul who is coming tonight will be giving us a ride back to Anna's.  We leave Saturday morning for Masai Mara.  I'm so excited.  Kahlil and Darren do not want to leave St. Mary's and so we will return Monday night and stay here until it is time to leave instead of spending time in Nairobi.  I'm in agreement that this is the right decision.  I myself am thankful for the safety and guidance the Brothers and Michael offer here in Nyeri. 

Michael is the one who has taken us everywhere, and is purchasing $200 worth of Revision books right now for the boys at the Rescue Center.  He just called me to ask if it'd be all right if he took a taxi back ($1.50) because the books are too heavy for him to carry. He is so incredibly honest and kind....
GOOD PEOPLE!

So tonight we will have more dancing I think (this time with the music I brought) and Michael will present the revision books and give everyone pens. The t-shirts too are about to get out there.