Week Twelve – hard to believe I’ve been away this long. But I know Craig believes it. I think he is almost wishing he could trade our quiet home for the noise and chaos of the orphanage!
Sometimes I think I won’t have anything new to write – but then something always comes up….. This week was no different.
Over the weekend we enjoyed a visit from three Canadians – Hamiltonians, in fact. They are part of SOCKS – a group that raises funds for an orphans in the neighbouring city of Kisumu and, thankfully, is beginning to also support Home of Grace. They wanted a first-hand look at things here – and they got it!! They have each visited Kenya many times before, staying for months at a time, so they were great visitors to have. They took the time to get to talk to each of the children and took a genuine interest in the staff, asking lots of questions about their work and their lives. Their time was a huge encouragement to everyone here – the children, the staff, and to me. Personally, it was great to have fellow Canadians here again (the second team in a week!) – even though it did contribvute to a bit of homesickness and some tears on my part. No other vists are planned so from now on I’m on my own….
Lynn and Pat brought messages from children in Canada and quickly assembled a display for the HOG kids to enjoy. Here, Samwel and Fahim are reading messages. What a great idea!
Lynn brought a bingo game - a first! - a game which everyone enjoyed
Paul was a big hit with all the kids
The SOCKS team with the Home of Grace gang
The 'junior choir' singing during Sunday's outdoor church service
Lynn sharing a message with the children during church. The world might be big - but now we are just that much closer!!!
While they were here a very funny thing happened. At least I thought it was funny – It may lose something in the translation – you sort of had to be there – but I’ll try to describe what happened. As Maxwell and I were helping Paul, Lynn and Pat check into their hotel in Kisii, the front-desk person got quite confused. She was convinced there were four ‘wzungus’ that needed rooms – Maxwell couldn’t understand when he told her there were only three. They had quite a discussion until Maxwell eventually dissolved into laughter. He realized that the woman included me in the count – after all, she saw four Canadians standing in the lobby – but he has totally stopped thinking of me as a mzungu. His rendition of the story – which gets better by the telling – is now part of ‘Home of Grace’ folklore!! I must admit I am thrilled!
The 3 wzungus and me!
I continue to teach at the local secondary school. It is a government school and serves those teens who do not have the funds – or the marks – to attend the usual boarding schools. The more I get to know the students the more I am impressed with their determination to pursue their education – rather than taking the usual route of dropping out after class 8.
Monday morning's school assembly. The flag is at half mast following a helicopter crash on Sunday where four government people including two cabinet ministers were killed
Today was their turn to participate in the local music festival. These students might not perform well academically but today was their chance to shine. They achieved a first and second place standing in their events. I had a great day listening to incredible choirs (Natalie, Lawrie, Penelope and Anne – I was thinking especially of you as I was listening. One group’s version of the English carol “Tomorrow shall be my dancing day” was breathtaking!) But the traditional folk songs and dances were the best. Such energy, such rich voices and such rhythm – all at the same time! The school that Jonathan attends was also competing – it was good to see him again and I know he loved having me in the audience. (You may remember that last week we had to pay additional funds to help his school pay for their new school bus – it was good to see my money being put to good use!) To top it off I rode home on a motorbike – I shut my eyes for at least half of the journey but loved it all the same…!
The dance group having one last rehearsal before their performance. (Take a look at the scenery - Kisii truly is beautiful!)
Yesterday, two girls arrived at Home of Grace, sent by the local Children’s Department. They are two sisters, aged 6 and 8, who were removed from the abusive home of their step-father. Their mother had abandoned them more than 18 months ago (I asked Edina about that, wondering how a mother could leave her children behind, but apparently that is not uncommon among young, poorly educated mothers. It was the same situation for James who arrived several weeks ago.) The girls are lovely – hopefully we can get them enrolled in a primary school soon so they have something to keep them busy – an antidote for the misery that they endured for so long. It was certainly another reminder of the broken-ness that is pervasive in this community – and a reminder of the importance of ‘safe havens’ like Edina and her staff provide. So we now have five primary-aged girls – it helps to balance the abundance of those high-energy boys!
Meet six year old Diana!
In my effort of finding a way to balance the bad with the good – a coping mechanism of sorts that I think is important for all of our sakes – I will end with another funny story. So – also yesterday – I was greeted by the children as I arrived home in the afternoon after school. Their joyful hellos and ‘high fives’ always make my day. But yesterday, 6 year old Faruk (a difficult boy at the best of times – thanks to him now everyone knows the meaning of the term ‘take a time out’) yelled at the top of his lungs and with great enthusiasm “Good morning Mister Cathy”. I couldn’t stop laughing. Obviously his English skills still need some work….!
So – another week – another set of stories. I hope they have brought a few smiles to your face…..
Until the next time….
