We gave Benson, Simon, Godfrey and Dennis (aka "the four boys") each a letter from one of my students in BK. I don't know if it was hearing the words of my Brooklyn students through the mouths of these Kenyan boys, or if it was the words themselves, or if it was the fact that the four boys read the letters almost perfectly. Two years ago when I met them, I was teaching them how to sound out letters. What a testament to hard work, good schooling (after I left in 2008, I insisted they start going to primary school for real nearby), and inspiration (they all want to attend St. Mary's Secondary School which is in the top 25 out of 6,000 schools in Kenya). I was completely impressed and they were extremely happy with their letters. Kahlil and Darren showed the faces of the students who had written from pictures I brought. We haven't officially handed out the t-shirts yet, but the few we have given out have been HUGE hits. And Mr. Krevsky's stickers-- my God you'd think they were hundred dollar bills. Interesting though, that the only time I've seen one of them get mean towards one another, was when they were trying to get stickers. Ugh. Glad we have enough t-shirts for everyone.
(Darren's computer just shut off.....he's furious). Sigh. So many little things like that happen and I am trying to remind myself to be patient. We eat with the Brothers every day at their table, which is really quite an honor. They are very quiet and pensive. I've had to kick the boys under the table a few times :-), but for the most part I think the Brothers are happy to have new people around. Jane the cook really loves the boys who compliment her egg and cheese sandwiches as often as possible.
Getting the boys to shower is a bit of a challenge.....they tried to trick me yesterday. Darren loves that there's a switch for hot water...just like in Karate Kid.
Despite the fact that I've heard a lot of "no homo" and other such phrases in the past, it's interesting/to see Darren and Kahlil both allowing Simon and Dennis particularly to put their arms around them, touch their face, etc. I thought for sure that would freak them out, but they seem to understand (without talking about it) that in this place, showing affection towards your "brothers" is accepted...even necessary.
Watching Darren and Kahlil teach for the first time was amazing. They took to it immediately. Kahlil jotted down in his journal how many kids had pencils the size of toothpicks. For the past two days we've pulled out six Juniors for two on one tutoring. Using mostly phonics and math flashcards.....it's an extremely cool thing to listen to Darren teaching math tricks, and Kahlil trying to roll his rrrrs so the kids understand him. "Now this is your homework" Kahlil says....:-) Followed by (to me) "I don't know how you teachers do this all day!" Of course the six boys pulled out are glowing like they won the lottery.
I gave them their cards from their math teacher Ms. Jones and Kahlil told me he wants his gift of $10 to be given to the four boys at the end of the trip. Hope that's ok with you Glandy. :-)
We had our first "entertainment celebration" already. Darren needs some encouragement to show them his dance moves-- I really can't be the one that teaches them how American kids "get lite". He only got up after I did and then left me out there alone until Juma (very cool older boy that's befriended them) rescued me. I was a bit disappointed but hopefully he will feel more comfortable next time.
You know I forgot to tell you before that when we first arrived, the buzz amongst the kids was that it wasn't me. That it was my "younger sister". LOL. Yes, they said "you have changed! You have gotten smaller!" I don't think this is true, but it was pretty funny. When Michael Ndungu (he's mostly in charge of the Juniors) saw me, he was laughing so hard. "I am so relieved!...but yes, I see what they are saying." I love Micheal-- he's such a wonderful presence at the school and will be the one to arrange all the supplies we want to get for the Juniors. I sat down with him yesterday, and we plan on buying everyone new shoes (though Darren and Kahlil want to make a special trip with the four boys), revision (text) books, and pens....to start.
So the boys will continue teaching every morning while we are here. Tomorrow we will go visit a family in the slums outside of Nyeri town (where most of the orphans are from) with Michael because someone back home specified that their donation go to a family. We will see what they need and then return next week with supplies. This will be a new experience for Darren and Kahlil-- to see this part of Nyeri in the midst of absolute natural beauty.
Thursday, the kids are finally done with their term exams. We will go visit the school where Benson, Godfrey, Simon and Dennis now attend- Nyamachaki Primary School. Then BROTHER PAUL arrives to visit us. He was the head Brother when I was here in '08. He will also give us a ride to Nairobi Friday afternoon. We leave for Safari Saturday morning. Originally, we had planned to spend next week in Nairobi but we've talked about it and the boys and I want to return to St. Mary's instead. :-)
Last night was a little rough. Some of the expectations here are very new and I'm definitely having to stop them and remind them. Also, unfortunately, there is a TV room. For the most part this has been a non-issue, except that last night I had to explain a second time why I have a key to this room and they don't. A little frustrating, but again, I have to remind myself that mostly everything here (except for the egg sandwiches) is new.
So I said (in my own words) what a friend back home told me to say if such a moment arose-- "Listen...we repping America.....we got to hold this down.."...together. After an hour long conversation about the importance of how we treat each other, we ended up reading six chapters of True Diary and I got an invitation to sleep over.
What can I say....we have only been here for 2 1/2 days.
I had trouble sleeping last night-- so much I want to do-- so much I want the boys to see.
No comments:
Post a Comment