Beverly Hills

9 am: hopped in the van(or Nascar car) and zipped through oncoming traffic, over rusty bridges, and into a part of Africa I had not yet seen before. It was miles of mansions with their own personal security guards and electrified fences. We winded through hills where majestic Spanish baroque-style homes overlooked the valleys.

And then there is a gate.

We pulled up to the gate and our driver had to converse with the security guard about why we were coming into the area. He eventually let us through but seemed skeptical.

After driving under the gate we were immediately in a slum. A slum so conveniently located to the mansions that many of them overlooked the entire slum. It was like an ant farm. It seemed as if the guard were trying to contain the slum folk in their village so they would not corrupt the beautiful neighborhood next to it.

We pulled up to New Dawn Educational Center. It is a building constructed out of old steel crates. Great craftsmanship and completely sustainable!Yeah baby, way to go with the design of the structure. INDS. Sorry.


I got to hang with the sophomores today. We got about 5 minutes each to speak about school and life in general and then they asked us questions. I told them I was studying Interior Design and Architecture since they weren't really sure what Interior Design is. They thought it was fascinating. I thought that was encouraging.

One girl asked how we keep going even though we're girls. It hit me how strong prejudice is here. They are so attentive. They soaked in everything I said.
Some people asked me about drug abuse and if it is a problem in the US, if girls who get pregnant can still do school, if people really get sex changes, what to do if people tell them they won't get to go to a university because it's too hard, and what to do if their parents get upset with them when they study or read. I am afraid I am not the best representative of the United States, but I did what I could. I really liked talking to teenagers today.

Tomorrow we're going back to the school and will also be visiting a medical clinic in the slum there. I loved the school today. The teachers were so energetic and passionate about the kids.

Oh yeah! We ate corn and beans for lunch at school. it is what the school kids eat every day. That is normally the only meal they eat. I couldn't imagine.

We ate chinese tonight. I got wonton soup. Not sure what was in it. Don't ask, don't tell... right? It was GREAT food. Hopefully we won't get sick. I ATE CHICKEN!!! The picture of Mr. Chicken in the box is gradually fading from my mind.

Can't believe the time is almost up. Several of us were already planning on climbing Kilimanjaro next year:) I wish we really could.

Thanks for reading these ridiculously long posts. I appreciate all the support I have received from friends on Facebook inboxes and family on comments. Your encouragement and excitement is inspiring. I am so thankful to have people who will read paragraphs about what I do each day. You mean so much to me!

Dear parents,
so my cell phone is missing. I have looked everywhere. I am still looking. I figured blog bad news was better than real life bad news? AHHH sorry.

swahili word of the day:
mizuri: good, it's all good.

It's all good here. Good night from Kenya! We got shirts today that say hakuna matata. Mrs. Susan picked out a map of Kenya and wrapped it in a package that said "Lorine". I thought it was so special that she thought specifically about me. She is so great and I hope to be a hostess like her one day. Example: at the restaurant we were both in the wash room and she was washing her hands when I came in. She said "Ah you still my guests." She then proceeded to clean the entire Chinese restaurant bathroom before I used it. Servant? Yes.

Peace out!