Maai Mahiu

So finally an update! we were given a brief amount of time earlier in the week but the internet connection was a bit funny and by the time i had typed it all up the connection was lost...along with my post. and you the point it was not worth retyping...you pay for internet as you go so you try to be quick. i was however able to read emails really quickly (didn't have time for responses...sorry for all of you who have been waiting for some news!) but thank you all for sending me messages. it was encouraging to read them and even though i couldn't respond they put a smile on my face.
so we arrived in kijabe this afternoon after a tough goodbye at our first children's home, maai mahiu. today was hard because we knew that we were leaving and the kids knew it and they kind of shut down...which is an understandable response. i know i would do the same thing (not that that means it's a healthy option). But still a lot of the kids came out to say goodbye and there were lots of hugs going around. i’m not sure it has really hit me that we may not see those kids again but it did affect me a little bit these past few hours as we have been reconnecting with crystal and processing the week (she left us on Tuesday to head to another children’s home so it has been a good few hours of catching up). Our time at the home was a lot of fun…busy at times and relaxing at others. I was a little worried because after the first 2 days in kenya (which flew by), time felt like it stopped. But the second week really flew by, and although I’m excited to see more of Kenya and visit more kids, I wish we had some more time.
While the kids are at school, we occupy our time doing things like our laundry (handwashing is not our strong point. Our clothes go in dirty and they come out dirty. It’s just a different sort of dirty…it’s no longer dusty and smelly, it’s now just stiff and soapy. The kids like to stand around and watch us wash. They think it’s hilarious how pathetic we are at it. But yesterday I got up with the girls and some of the older ones showed me how to wash correctly. When I first started the girls just looked at me and one mumbled, oh god. Haha it was embarrassing but I think they taught me well. I’m kind of excited to do laundry next time. Maybe my stuff will actually get clean!). we also have been interviewing the staff, helping them with their jobs (I got to work with a man named Paul who runs the shamba, which is the farm that provides much of the food to sustain the home. I planted kale for him. Another day I worked with uncle (which means chef) in the kitchen. Jessica and I had to wake up at 3:40 in the morning to get to work making porridge by 4. by 1:40 that afternoon when they started telling us that next we will prepare ugali, we told them we had other work to do before 3 when the little girls would get home from school…which was the truth. Partly. Mainly we just needed a nap. I don’t know how they keep on going). We also have attended some classes at the polytech school (which offers studies in computer, knitting, tailoring, leatherwork, carpentry, hairstyling/salon, and welding).
You would think that it would be easier to connect to the polytech students because they are closer to our age but that hasn’t really been the case. They are a lot of fun and I finally started to connect with a few of them several days ago, but I think we have all spent more time getting to know the younger girls…who are hilarious. At first, I was afraid of upsetting or offending them so I was being pretty careful about the way I acted and the things I said. But after getting to know them, I realize that I don’t need to be so cautious…I can be silly with them and joke around and it is so much fun. It has been a relief to know that they’re just kids and even if I accidentally offend them, they will forgive me (which I’m sure they had to do often these past 2 weeks without any of us even realizing it!).
When we first arrived, the number of kids was overwhelming. Maai Mahiu is the biggest home of the 23 in the network. I didn’t think I would ever be able to remember any of the names (but then I learned that if I just said “Mary” I would have an 80% chance of guessing right…ok maybe a bit exaggerated but seriously, I can think of 6 right now off the top of my head at this moment). Thankfully, I now know a good number of them although I still get so confused. It was hardest in the beginning because they all looked the same to me…now I understand when they tell us we all look the same. I used to think they were crazy for saying that…now I understand a bit better.
The young girls are insanely fun. They’re not used to getting much attention from adults so when we hang out with them it can be a bit overwhelming…everyone wants your undivided attention. It’s great when we shift their climbing all over us into singing and dancing for us…both are fun but the latter is a bit more relaxing and entertaining on our end. I have really loved being with the girls. Communication is not very difficult—most of them speak a good amount of English but some try to insist that we speak in their “mother tongue” (which is kikuyu). Those conversations are not very effective as you can imagine…especially since they have only taught us the words for different body parts. They are, however, very good teachers—especially the little ones who are in the process of learning English. They help us syllable by syllable, unlike the older ones who spew off a list of ten words, expecting us to repeat back all of them at the end.
I just want to pause right here and apologize for how disjointed this all is. I couldn’t get it into a coherent post…I just don’t know how to summarize 2 weeks very effectively. So, I’m sorry for all of you who are reading this and are confused about what the heck I’m talking about, to be honest…I’m not even sure half the time. Comforting I know.
The past 2 Sundays we went to church in the town of Maai Mahiu. And it was the first we had really walked through the streets of the town. Reality hit. Inside the home compound we are very comfortable and safe. Outside the compound—things are not so pleasant. I know we haven’t even seen the half of it but even just walking to church made me realize just how true that is. Walking down the street tore at my heart a little bit…the streets, “paved” with a mixture of dirt and trash, are overwhelmed by holes and ditches. The small building lining the streets are sometimes plaster and stone, but often they are constructed from pieces of wood tied together with tarps and random pieces of metal (like rusted garbage can lids).
Last Sunday we had a kid’s day when we had crafts and activities planned. The day ended up ok but let’s just say it was definitely a learning experience for Ashley, Jessica, and I. controlling that many kids and trying to cater to children ages 5 to 20 was a bit hard. We’ll have to work on a better strategy for the next home we do that at.
We’ve also gone on several home visits with the social worker at the home. These visits have all had different feelings to them. The first one was hard because it was a house where the wife was only 20, had 5 kids of her own and was taking care of 11 kids from her husband’s previous marriage. It was a difficult situation. I felt like we were intruding on her privacy but I’m not sure that’s how they see it. Either way, we felt kind of helpless and unsure of what to say and do. In reality, we really can’t offer anything on our own accord. Another visit was to the house of some of the kids who have just received sponsors—so they can now come to the home! This visit was quite enjoyable as we met with the grandmothers and the one told us of how she had 16 kids…and told us you just keep having them until you hit menopause…we weren’t quite sure how to respond to that. Well, until she asked us if we could have 16 kids like her…then we all responded no pretty quickly.
We taught a life skills class yesterday…that was definitely a moment to step out of our comfort zones. But all in all it went well (praise God for that one…seriously, public speaking is not my strong point. Nor are the topics I taught on…assertiveness and decision making). We then attended a lecture at the primary school. We sat in on a class 8 science lesson on health and nutrition of a nursing mother and her infant. Their style of teaching is pretty cool and seems very effective—it is also all very practical. It was funny walking up to the school and having 800-1000 kids hanging out the windows yelling wazungu! (white people!). it’s a bit intimidating.
We have been sleeping in the dorms with the kids the past 5 nights. At first it was impossible to sleep but I have slept better with each consecutive night. The kids go to bed between 11 and 12 and get up at 5. I don’t know how they have the energy to keep going. Mama aphia (the dorm mom) sends Jessica, Ashley, and I back to bed after devotions at 6. I feel so lazy not staying up and working with them.
The world cup started on the 11th and it is huge here. Partly because it is being hosted in south Africa. Everyone is so excited. And money was donated by a chariot’s partner for a tv so the kids can all watch. I cannot express how happy it made Ashley, Jessica, and I to see the kids all crowded together in the dining hall, cheering on the teams! It was awesome.
We have been so blessed these past 2 weeks…as people told us before we left, we will receive so much more than we give. And I think that has proven true so far. Please be praying for the kids at maai mahiu. They are such a joyful group of children and I pray that they will tangibly feel the love of God in their lives. Also, be praying as we head into Nairobi tomorrow morning to meet with the AIC children’s welfare board (not sure if that’s exactly right but something like that)…they are doing an orientation with us (and were not exactly sure what that means). Thank you for your thoughts and prayers so far this summer! Once again, I’m sorry this update is a bit unorganized. I hope to figure out a better method for next time….but don’t count on it. Hope you all are having a fantastic summer!