Amor – I am Happy
HELLOOOO WORRRLLLLDDDDDD! I am happier than happy can be here in Ukwala, Kenya. It is June 28, 2010. In my wildest dreams I could not have imagined I would be surrounded by a more deserving and inspiring community that I have interacted with for a mere 15 hours. I continuously get this feeling that my being here, this opportunity of a lifetime, has only just begun. Before arriving to Ukwala, days were hectic, dangerous and jam-packed as we manouevered about the busy city completing various tasks; dodging vehicles, sketchy characters and much traffic on the chaotic, disorderly streets of downtown Nairobi. This was contrasted by our most pleasant stay in Mombasa, ‘Raha’ where we chilled out at the beach for four days with five wonderful new friends: Everlyn, Sam, Eric, Samantha and Christina.
The Act of Giving
Tomorrow we will present these bicycles to 18 needy high school students – many of whom have never owned their own book let alone a bicycle. This will be a great day. The simple act of giving, can take your breath away. While we were able to sort out the transportation of 18 bicycles to Ukwala from a shop located in downtown Nairobi, we definitely owe a great deal of this feat to our dear friend Patrick. I am still waking up thinking wow. How lucky we are to know Patrick. It has been with great joy that we have been working so closely with Patrick in Kibera. Living in the moment, the hour and the day, supporing the local community of Kibera by eating the local food each day and definitely taking nothing for granted (thanks Kate;) I am embracing the Kiswahili and Luo languages, the celebration of Catholicism, the singing, the dancing and each conversation I attempt in my partial version of Swahili with local Kenyans.
Mwalimu Francis
Today mwalimu Francis, the principle of Humwend Secondary, welcomed us to his school with the kindest, most humble words. I wish I had recorded the message that Francis delivered to the assembly of students he brought together. I was truly moved by his sincerity and his message. In the kindest way possible he thanked us for coming from such a great distance and I have never felt so privileged to be here on behalf of Canada, my family, and myself. Francis told his students it was a wonderful thing what we were doing for his school and I am thrilled to be a member of SEED, such a wonderful, ingenius, grassroots organization. Principal Francis is such a leader: an experienced teacher and a fabulous role model for his community. Francis is the definition of people’s person. He has a way of making those who crosses his path feel appreciated and capable of achieving anything. It is wonderfully refreshing to be in an environment where you can just tell that each day a bright and energetic man gives hundreds of students hope and inspiration. Similar to the small students I worked with for three days in the Kibera slum, the students at Humwend are well behaved, disciplined and very eager to learn. Humwend Secondary school is so very fortunate to have a kind and nurturing leader to communicate through his positive energy that miracles can happen and all hard work pays off.
The Hills-Are-Alive-Helen
I have been brought into a small and comfortable home that is extremely cottage-like and basic so I am write at home. It is very spacious for the four of us ladies with all the luxuries one could ask for. Electricity, access to water, mosquito nets, a television, a bath tub, comfortable furniture and beds, windows, walls, a cement floor, basically, “the works”. Water jugs everywhere and a large sink necessary for the many dishes that accumulate during the preparation of the delicious meals. Tonight we had fresh fish caught from Lake Victoria, green beans, fresh vegetables, ugali, cale. Wow! Helen has cooked the most amazing fresh food for us in the past day and a half – we are truly spoiled. As her three girls are away at boarding school and not to return until the month of August, Helen seems to have fully adjusted to hosting us three, honorary daughters. At 39 years of age, Helen is pronounced, a tall, hard-working women with a great sense of humor. She is one powerful HSM and, interestingly enough, hunny sister mamas really are uniting all about the universe! Helen and a specific selection of her female friends call themselves Amor here in Ukwala. Talk about united in the most brilliant way! Helen and this group of ten other women – for the past ten years or so – have initiated a female support system based entirely on trust and honesty to help one another in times of need. Any fortunate member of this unique sisterhood (dressed in formal pink attire by the looks of it from a framed photograph here in Helen’s house) is able to receive financial assistance from Amor when they need it. The way the process works is still a bit blurry (I will always be more of a visual learner), but to the best of my understanding each member purchases shares that allow them to accumulate wealth. At the end of October those who have borrowed money from the pot must pay it back entirely and with interest. Those with the most shares collect the most interest and so a profit can be derived from the original amount deposited into the fund. So very supportive, so very brilliant!
Mzungu: many translations, many meanings
On another note, I am learning so much about the true meaning of being comfortable in my own skin. I may be a mzungu, yes, but this is not the only reason I stand out in this rural, indigenous setting. Technically, I don’t belong here, but I have yet to feel legitimately excluded or any less than anybody else. I am accepted and welcomed with sincere handshakes and beautiful smiles. Kids surround me eager to learn anything possible about my life as a mzungu, how my white skin makes me different from them. What they appear most shocked about is that we I am more like them than not.
Modes of Transport: Ukwala, Kenya
I am still amazed by our drive in to Ukwala and our walk to school this morning. The streets are brilliant. Talk about inspiration for Project Walk. I think rural Kenyans can and should be made an example of for the rest of the world. Here anything worth traveling to can and must be reached by bicycle or by foot for there is no other option. that rely far to much on the use of the automated vehicle. There are very few vehicles that use the roads here, but definitely plenty of motorbikes. People walk and ride along the main road of this town as a means of with their cows, and they walk with large buckets of water. Moving without the use of motorized vehicles is a way of life as is they balancing of heavy items on one’s head. You can sense a deeper connection to the earth by the local community members here in this Northwestern district of Kenya. I feel very much at peace in this environment. People move about conversing casually and enjoying one another’s company with nay distractions, as time together is valued through food, song, dance, formal greetings and conversation.
Inspiring words, inspirational people
Two children at Humwend really impacted me today. The first one did so by looking into my eyes with the most sincere expression, catching me completely off guard from the steady flow of banter between the children and I, to announce quite softly and sincerely “I like you, a lot.” This put a real smile on my face. Totally consumed and flabbergasted by my outgoing nature, children began to poke fun at my differences, speaking before they thought threw the impact of their words as most children do. Well, the second girl who inspired me today must have really sensed my discomfort because suddenly spoke out – just when I was about to give up and walk away – that her classmates must love thy neighbor as thy self. I think this took a lot of courage on her behalf. This powerful message and reminder couldn’t have come at a better time to remind those who had forgotten of the power of love and acceptance.
“Welcome to Africa”
Well, the way I see it, Francis, Helen and these two young girls will accomplish extraordinary things in their lifetime. I don’ know much about them, but I do know all four of them have positively impacted my day and my life. I believe that their honest energy and kind nature will inspire others and while they may not realize it today, tomorrow or in the many days to come, their words and lessons will remain with me for a long time. I will look back on this fine day, thankful to have met these wonderful people. It really is a beautiful life. I am blessed and I am happy. Amor!
