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Friday, November 28, 2008

40 shillings for a day to remember...


Hello everyone! I am back in Kenya for a short time to check in on things and have our end of the year meeting to work on the budget for next year and discuss some of the sustainability aspects of the project. I was talking to my parents before I left for Kenya and we were reflecting on how amazing it is to think how normal traveling back and forth to Africa has become. I never in a million years would have guessed that this is where I would end up, but am so glad God has blessed me with this opportunity.

Unfortunately by the time I arrived, school had closed for the year. Consolata told the parents on closing day that I would be coming this week and that if they were around they could send the kids in on Thursday to spend the day with me. I was amazed when I arrived yesterday to find almost 80 children. It filled my heart with joy to see all of the kids and to see their mirrored excitement as I arrived. It is good to no longer be mzungu, but rather Adam. Even people in the community, from outside of the school greeted me by my name. It is hard to put into words the impact these children and this community has had on me, and to consider how accepted I am.


I had the opportunity to sing and dance with the kids, we went to our rented field and played games and ran around (actually they just chased me everywhere until I was out of breath), I was able to spend time with the teachers and our staff and was simply blessed by the time. I was able to share a little bit with the children as well and ask how they were enjoying school and if they were looking forward to coming back next year. They also got to have a meal after our activities before they went home.

I was sitting in the church with Consolata and Bella, our project staff, waiting to go to the field with the kids when through the "window" I saw a familiar smile looking through, it was Jane. I did an entry when I left in June about Jane, and not knowing whether I would see her again, as she has been living with AIDS for a long time. So, when I saw that smile, I thought, 'Thanks God'. Jane is still full of energy leading the charge with the home based care program.


It is hard to garner the words to describe my feelings and emotions when I walk into all of those smiling faces yelling, 'Adam, Adam'. I don't just see smiling faces - I see malnourished children who have been fed. I see children struggling with worms, malaria, typhoid, etc. who have been given medicine and regained strength. I see children who weren't able to go to school who now have opportunity, who now have hope. I see that hope that Christ speaks of that only comes from him. I look at little Faith who is growing up and getting ready to start second grade. I look at Oduor and see a child who might not be alive right now if he hadn't joined the KCP. I see Emmanuel who has come through situations and a home life none of us can fathom with a constant wide smile on his face, thriving in his studies. So, you can see why it is hard to describe the emotions I feel when I walk into Jangwani - it is overwhelming.

I was walking with Dominic, one of our teachers, to get a matatu to head back to town. We were talking about all kinds of things, and then he asked me what my job was. So, I told him I fundraise full time for the school and am in school as well. He told me I was a very busy person, and then asked how I was able to support myself, so I told him I didn't take a salary from the project, but had family members who took care of housing and my needs. His response shocked me - he said, "Wow! You sacrifice so much. You are really sacrificing." My thoughts went directly to Dominic and the sacrifice he has made as a teacher at the school. He lives in a very rough area, makes a salary that is substantial for where he lives, but is not an amount of money that I would ever consider living off of. He went for a year without a salary as a teacher at the small pre school that existed before the KCP started. because he cared for the children in the community so much. Meanwhile, he is telling me that I sacrifice. My ticket to fly to Kenya was 2/3 of his salary for the year. I live in a comfortable house, own a car, never worry about whether there will be food on the table, but maybe get up tight if my high speed internet connection goes down for a couple of hours. I felt awkward hearing Dominic's comment, and was humbled by the sacrifice he has made for children of Jangwani, and the hope that he helps to represent.

The lessons and learning never cease. It cost me 40 shillings, or 50 cents, to get from where I lived to Jangwani. 40 shillings is all it took to produce a day that will warm my heart for a long time, and one I won't forget.