They say every journey begins with a single step. Today's Itinerary was simple enough. First step was the INSPIRE community library.
It
has served the kids in the community for the last three years with books
majorly coming from American Friends of Kenya and other friends. Our visitors
were impressed not believing that one could open up their house to serve the
community. My heart did a little jig here. It is good when people see beyond
the bad guy to the change that can be achieved if everyone just did that little
thing to change the life of a child.Being from the ghetto does not define who you are or are going to be.
We pick up the books we were going to be donating to
Muringato Primary school and head out. It is our policy, on the request of a client, we put community before fun although we do note that this almost always turns out to be a fun activity at the end of the day all the time. We arrive to a
resounding welcome from the children and I can see the female teachers become
rather shy. Why I will never know maybe that is the effect the ‘white man’
leaves on us…(not me however). Well Frank is handsome in his own unique way.
Personally I never thought tattoos would look good on a man but his were so
well done it seemed almost natural.
Oh the kids were all over him, ‘pick me up’ pick me up’ oh
please let me see……what are those on your hands …face…okay that would have gone
on and on hadn’t the teacher so helpfully intervened. Our focus group today was
the standard 7 and 8. After the questions on a little survey we had done
earlier to establish what bothers children in learning it was time to hear from them what they thought as well as to give out
the books. it was fun. Not only did we make Frank sing twinkle twinkle
little star but he was asked to call out the names of the children and it came
out so funny.
Kikuyu names tend to be a little hard on the tongue. 47 books
were given out today to kids to spread the love of reading.Well our guest could not escape a little African
hospitality. From being offered Ugali, to Githeri and finally when that failed
to materialize he had bread put in a bag and was made to carry.. I was smiling
all the way ..that was funny.
Next stop…Aberdare country club for Lunch
This place is always ruggedly beautiful. Everyone was so
friendly and kept waving. That really has our guests impressed. We are quickly informed that back
at home everyone is usually busy minding their own business to have time to be
friendly…. At this point am more than glad I live in Africa. In spite of our
many troubles we are still a friendly lot…this is a heartwarming opinion. Ooooh
back to the travels for the day…once we pass through the gate we are met by a
heard of Impala and a big well not really ugly warthog. Why on earth did
someone say that this creature is ugly …We really have to stop here.
They are
so photographic and Jimmy and Frank are getting some seriously good pictures.
My camera died on me after denying it National dialogue to solve battery
issues. I am now regretting my momentary dementia which made me forget the
other one at home. Am practically begging to be tagged, uploaded etc etc etc ..Thank
goodness for technology
We are hungry at this point. I suspect anywhere where
kids are being picked, played with tends to make one hungry. Kudos to teachers
they are a strong lot. I can’t wait for the promised buffet. At the parking lot
we come across this handsome young man Solomon. He is smiling and I like him
already and oh am a bit surprised that he is the one receiving us. I am feeling
nice. This is cool in most other places you have to take yourself to the
reception.
He is leading us to the Promised Land flowing with food and TUSKER. Apprently someone ……(smiles) introduced our visitor to
Tusker, genuinely brewed Kenyan beer and he is totally hooked. I can understand ….there
is something so authentic in Kenyan made goods although this does not apply to
the lethal brews brewed in back alleys and dirty toilets that are killing
people. We are shown our table a little late as eventually we find ourselves
alone. This is more than nice now there can be second helpings without prying
eyes.
Everyone is so hospitable. They don’t even hate on me
despite being a fellow African and even the chef is willing to show me how to
make the vegetable burger. We sit down with heaped plates…couldn’t help it I
love fish. The guys …well that is a different story al together they are eating
and appreciating everything so nicely am feeling nice to have pulled this one
off. And then we hear a sound …noise that I could swear almost sounds like a
cat call and ..NO it is not a cat but a peackock. Those birds are beautiful..
really beautiful. Out with the cameras snap snap snap …okay on this bit I curse
under my breath because I cant raise my camera from its strike …man ……
Aberdare Country club is so relaxing, about 3 tuskers later
and a soda for the lady …we are a happy happy lot. The views from the verandah
are so spectacular and I could swear that thing looking and not looking like a
cow just beyond the trees is not a cow. It is too big. Anyway that will just be
another argument and am not about to spoil this nice time with a baseless
argument about cows that are not cows.
We are leaving now heading back to the community area for
the evening walk. Its been nice I want to be
back here often. Everyone has been
so nice and yes I gave Solomon my number….its just networking which girl would
not be tempted by that dimpled face. We are soon headed to Chania. Parked the
vehicle and finally picked the other camera.
The walk begins at the top of the
hill. The view is interesting you can actually see the whole of Chania from
this angle. I am explaining about this children. I love these kids completely…I
know their names and their character. We are going down and here comes Joseph
with a tire that is bigger than him.This kid is sweet. He can now speak English which is really amazing. Just 3 months ago he had no hope of ever going to school but he is now in nursery school a little old for his age but a blessing anyway. And behind him is timothy his little brother who also was lucky enough to get a sponsor and now is in school. My deepest respect to the people who have partnered with INSPIRE to create this difference in the lives of others.
We are moving on now and the crowd of babies is increasing.
I can see Frank and Jimmy are loving every st century. You will not believe
the things men and women do to survive. This one has decided to make some form
of oven. This is nice when people think.
We are informed that his contraption does everything from baking to cooking
meat and boiling water. I can already see facebook updates at this point.
Its getting late now and we are walking back to my place to
get the car. Time to retire for the day. It has been a good day and am grateful
to God that it was. I have learnt a great deal today that is good for this
young entrepreneur. 
The evening will find us at the White Rhino. We are relaxed
and I can imagine we are just like those who sat here before us when it was an
exclusive club for the colonial masters. Even the happy valley lot sat in this
places and did their mischief here. I can imagine what their faces would be
like if they saw us now…there is a smug look on my face. Kenya belongs to Kenya
and tomorrow we will be learning just what it took to fight for the freedom to
sit here. For now let us enjoy the Kenyan beat which the DJ is so annoyingly
insisting on playing and the Kenyan drink brewed in Kenya …probably to honour
the Elephant.
Today it was definately about the Children. ...to be continued
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