He Sugars My Tea

"I wond-a why... I won-da why... I wond-a why Jesus is good to me. He suga-s my tea and he butta-s my bread. I wonda why Jesus is good to me. I wonda why I wonda why I wonder why satan is bad for me. He pours out my tea and he sits on my bread I wonder why satan is bad for me." -- all the kids (i tried to do it in their voice)

Today we went back into Kibera slums to Emmanuel School. The Compassion International kids come there every Saturday for school. There were around 200 kids I think. I was in a group with Catherine, Cameron, Sam, Cassidi, Blake, and Stephanie. We went to one of the classrooms to observe. The teacher had another plan. Five minutes later we stood before the class of 40 9-11 year olds teaching them all we knew about nutrition. SURPRISE! Good thing two of us took nutrition at Auburn this semester. The teacher was M.I.A. for a while. We had a break and she continued talking about a balanced diet. Sad this is, these children do not get any protein. They can't afford meat. I sat next to three giggly little girls on the front row. They were smart and attentive. They all shared a notebook to take notes in because the school doesn't have enough notebooks. These are just lined paper composition books I am talking about. They also passed out pencils and took them up when class was over.

Anyway, my little girl name Viellnic (I couldn't understand/can't spell) opened her book up. I glanced down at the first page she opened. It was a lesson on HIV/AIDS in detail. Then she flipped back. Another section on Aids. She flipped back again and there was yet another. The thought that these lessons were everyday typical classroom lectures was eye-opening. A nine year old learning how to keep themselves safe from STDs (that is normally from assault or rape)... and the thought that some of them have already acquired diseases. Wow.

We had a break. It was similar to recess. Cameron was a hit with the bubbles. Bill almost got tackled while bringing balloons outside. I am normally one of the ones who runs around and partakes in these activities. Today for me was not a dance party. The little girl I sat next to in class stuck with me and never let go of my arm. She leaned on me for and hour as we walked around. Eventually two little girls fell asleep on my lap in the middle of recess on the middle of the field.

That was sweet to me but very sad. They never see their parents. They walk home from school to a 10x10 tin/mud/wood hut. They are packed together in the slums where they can hear everything their neighbors are doing. The slum houses are priced differently. Some have sewage running through them and those are cheaper. The ones closest to the tall electric wired fence are the most well-off(if well off exists).

Let me just describe once again how dangerous this place is. We are not to take pictures, walk around, wear any jewelry or bags, and we have to leave at 4:30. We are in the good part. They won't even let us into the heart of Kibera. People we pass in the van stare at us. Some with a smile but many with a look of disgust and hatred. It is sometimes frightening.

What's even more frightening is the fact that some of the two year olds at school today were going to walk home alone and sit at home alone. You wouldn't even want your 16 year old son to be alone in this place.

The kids in Kibera are different from Kitui. Kibera feels like inner city whereas Kitui is just the middle of the country. The attitudes reflected this. The kids were more aggressive and demanding. After all, they must be aggressive to survive.

On a happy note our class brought down the house with their singing and dance moves. I caught a bit on video. Boy can they sing! We sang "happy today", "mambo sawa", "he sugars my tea" "this little light of mine," and some that were pure kiswahili. I loved it. THey are so spirited and sing with all their hearts. I honestly feel that music,dancing, and education are their relief and comfort.

Reagan is a 20 year old Kenyan who grew up an orphan. He helped us translate and interact in the classroom. You wouldn't believe how strong his spirit is. He is always smiling. When I first met him he said,"My name is Reagan. Like Ronald Reagan. Your President who served from 1981 to 1989." That was embarrassing. He knows more about Ronald Reagan than a US citizen from birth. He was funny and loved the children. They love him back. I was very impressed with his spirit.

I took a nap today. YES! I love naps. When I woke up it was time for dinner. Pizza! We loved sitting around laughing together. Later I learned some dance moves from my Canadian friend. Failed miserably. That was caught on video. It is bound to back fire as black mail.

To Cameron's family: We have decided she is the next Disney princess and we love her so much.

To my family: Miss you. Love you. Thanks for all the posts friends and family have sent. They have been so encouraging. I don't know how to respond back though.

Tomorrow we are going to Benson's church. Can't wait to hear the acapella gospel music.

We are going to a market after that to bargain some cool authentic African crafts.

Well folks, my eyes are heavy and I am going to bed. Thanks for reading!

But wait! One more thing!! Kenyan kids LOVE sunglasses. They took mine and tried them on. The other kids would come look to see their reflection because it gave them bug eyes. If I ever return here (which I want to) I am packing a suitcase full of sunglasses and balloons.

We donated the rest of the unused art supplies to the teachers today. They were blown away. They couldn't believe that they have more supplies. I wish I could have seen their faces! If you had seen the classroom supplies it would make sense. They had NOTHING.

I have no swahili words that I can manage to spell. So here are some funny sayings they say:

"Can you manage"
"Mind your head" while getting out of the car
"to let" to rent an apartment
"how are you" when they have nothing else in english to say.. but many of them do not know how to respond when you answer.
Their accents are wonderful. Still trying to master it before you see us at ATL airport.

Pray for these kids, their teachers, and that they will get support and love they need to get out of the slum!

Pray for us,too.

Loving every minute of this!! So happy to be here.

Off to the mosquito nets I go. I have great roommates (Cameron and Sarah) and it has been fun living with them!