Day 5 visit with Maruge

Today is going to be an amazing day, I can feel it. Although this morning was slow, I didn't feel like I had to rush. So, I took my time knowing tomorrow I would be leaving. Today Maruge and I made a beautiful dish for breakfast. It was a breakfast burrito, one of the best I have ever had. He wasn't in his school uniform, so I figured we weren't going to school today. It was going to be a travel day to see stuff and just be together.

We enjoyed the meal and talked and learned more about each other. Maruge is kinda like yarn to me, you have to find the start and then it will unravel. I started to ask about his family, to hear his thoughts and make sure I had the story right. At first he didn't have much to say, but then he let it all go like a bag of doves. They want to get out and when they do it is crazy.

I asked him solemnly what he named his child. He told me it was Nayeli. I told him it is a beautiful name. He gave me a little bit of a smirk and said, " Thanks!" Then, I asked if it was ok to talk about his family or if it was a tough subject. You could tell it was a soft topic, but it looked like he didn't have anybody else to talk to about it. So, I started asking questions, trying to be considerate and not invading his life. You could tell some of the questions I asked brought back memories, some unwanted. He told me how he had the most beautiful girl and that he had the most magical baby that was taken away from him. That day was the worst day of his life. He heard his wife and child suffer and there was nothing he could do about it. Just that one sentence made me cry, because if that ever happened to me, I would be so mad, but yet I would feel so powerless. To hear my family being shot would leave me scared, but yet he was powered by that, I mean yes the days after he was depressed, but he wouldn't give up trying to make things right and make a difference for others.

I learned so many things about Maruge today that are sad, but so inspiring. What Maruge has been through is horrific. Many people would be very unhappy and scared to go anywhere or mad at the whole world. Maruge has made a difference in the world and I hope to make a difference too. We talked for awhile about many things. He wanted to know all about where I live and I promised I would send a postcard. He loved that and couldn't wait to receive a postcard. In this world, it is the small things that make a difference.

Then we made a delicious dinner and headed off to bed. Sadly, tomorrow I will be leaving. Tomorrow I am waking up early to soak in all I can.

Day 4 visit with Maruge

Taking in everything that happened yesterday was crazy and life changing. Many of us have dreams that we are chasing, these kids have dreams, but are being held back from chasing them. They have to worry about things that we have the privilege to not even have to think about. These kids are so bright and wonderful, no different then us, although the life they live is a lot harder.

As I got up and out of bed, I smelled something delicious. Maruge was cooking. He had breakfast made and said, "We are going to school today." I rushed back, grabbed my uniform, which happened to be hanging on the hanger after being washed, and went to breakfast. In Kenya you have to hand wash all clothing, and then hang to dry. Not as easy as we have it in the U.S.

We hopped in our van and headed to school. The kids greeted me at the gate as they did yesterday. They are starting to make a routine of greeting me. It is really a highlight of my day, to see the smiles they share. We headed into class and I changed it up and sat with Maruge. I loved sitting with the children, but I haven't gotten much of a chance to sit with Maruge or learn much about him. In the van, I asked if tomorrow we could spend the day together. He seemed a little disappointed as if he wanted to go to school, but he agreed.

Knowing how much he loves school, I wanted to observe him doing what he loves. As I watched throughout the lesson he pretty much tuned the class out. He saw what was going on and just kept practicing his kittens and numbers until they were perfect. He would look up and realize what was going on, get a grasp, and tune out again. Although he was one of the top students, he did not pay as much attention as we are told to at SBMS.

As the school day ended, we hopped in our van to go home. Maruge and I made a lovely dinner and headed to bed. Today was not as much of an eye opener to their culture, but it was an amazing day.

Day 3 visit with Maruge

Today I slept in. By the time I was up, Maruge was up and breakfast was served. As I walked into the breakfast area, I could tell we were going to school. Maruge had his sweater and school shorts on. So, I hurried back and put mine on as well. This morning Maruge seemed to be in a rush so I chowed down on my food and we hopped in a van to school.

As we arrived the kids greeted me. Some remembered me, others not so much. Class had started, and I headed in and found my seat. They were learning to sound words out. As intriguing as that was, I was taken over by thoughts. My hunger was part of it, but that was not important at all. I realized these kids' routines everyday are much like mine, although not at all. I have soccer after school. The kids who want to play soccer here have to find a ball or make one out of paper. The things we have and can choose to do as after school activities are a privilege we take for granted. I am sure many of the girls at this school would love to do ballet or boys to play basketball or lacrosse or learn an instrument, but they sadly don't have that choice.

As lunch started, I decided I wanted to get to know some of the children's stories.  I sat with a couple of them. I sat with Dalia, Elea and Ayubu, all of which had very interesting stories. Dalia's family is what we call poor, most of their money goes to the schooling for her. That's why many of us should be donating to get little kids in schools so that it isn't ripping families apart like Dalia's. When Dalia's Dad realized they had no more money, he ran away and tried making a living for himself. So, now Dalia is being raised by a single mom with two other siblings. Elea's story was very interesting to me, her Mom and Dad work very hard to make a living for her. Her parent's are big believers in the next generation, they have two kids who they are trying to make their lives amazing. They both work all week, two jobs each. They make sure their kids get the tools to excel in whatever they want to. Ayubu was a very reserved little girl, she didn't want to share her story. So, I let her just think rather than share.  My perspective on her was her life at home was not enjoyable, which is a big disappointment to me.

As school ended, Maruge and I headed home for dinner and then bed. It was a full day with a lot of new and interesting things.

Day 2 visit with Maruge

Today I woke up somewhat early, either to the sound of Maruge's chickens or the way I slept. Either way I was so happy to have risen to see the sunset. The sunset was a beautiful pink and orange color. I decided to go find a spot under a tree and watch it rise the rest of the way. I found my spot underneath an Acacia tree. An Acacia tree looks somewhat like a a bush on a tree. It is not full, the tree does not have many leaves. As I sat down on a rock under the tree I was overwhelmed with thoughts like a waterfall rushing towards me. I didn't try to stop them, they were a pleasant surprise, as they rushed in I thought a little bit about them and then moved on. Things came up like; how would it be for me to live here, how would I spend my days, what would school be like, etc.... I came to a conclusion that I love the place I live and all the components to it, although Kenya is a great place to visit.

I set back for the house, walking through the deep brush and others farms and animals. Maruge was already awake and was drinking something that appeared to be coffee. He looked at me with a puzzled look as if wondering if I was lost. Then he built up the courage to say, "Where were you?" I looked up and pointed towards the fields, he still seemed very confused. Then I thought and said,"I was watching the sunset." He looked at me as if he was approving and then said, "You didn't seem like the adventurous type." "Well you guessed wrong", I answered with solemn respect. " Looks like we might have a change of plans", he said with a smirk.

Before we could go anywhere, we had to eat something. Maruge made us potatoes and beans, they were very good although not very filling. As you can tell by the meals, they do not have the abundance we have. Kenya is not the wealthiest place around.  The people are not greedy, they take what they have and use/save it wisely.

Maruge and I set off to find a van to take us to our destination. The problem was Maruge wouldn't tell me where we were going. So, once we found a van, we just headed toward our "destination". I started to become a little queasy, the car was hot, musty and the road was bumpy; I was not feeling so great. Then, all of a sudden, the driver said something I couldn't quite understand and opened the door and Maruge headed out.

The place was beautiful, I still didn't know where we were though. Maruge started heading up what looked like a trail, so I followed. All of a sudden I could hear rushing water, then we reached a clearance and there it sat -  a waterfall. It was so beautiful, trees were surrounding it. Then, all of a sudden I saw Maruge heading toward the water, he walked in as if it were a pool not a waterfall rushing down toward him. I decided I only live once, so I walked in as well. After a long swim in the waterfall we headed back and got in a van.  What a journey.

Later that night after dinner Maruge told me we went to Thomson Falls. After cleaning the dishes, I headed to bed.

Day one- Arrival in Nairobi

On the plane ride to Nairobi I was thinking about the memories I would take away. The things you see in these places are not like anything you see on the internet. Kenya and Africa isn't all bad, the things you see and learn about just portray it that way.

When I arrived I hopped in a van and headed to Maruge's village. The ride was very bumpy, and in a hot, musty car. The men who were driving were blabber mouths, they wouldn't stop talking. When they weren't talking, they were singing. When I arrived at Maruge's house, he was feeding his animals. The second I stepped out of the car I knew this visit wasn't going to be a high activity planned out week and a couple days.

Maruge then walked toward me with a warm welcome and showed me to my sleeping spot. Not too big or comfy, but enough to get the feel of Kenya. As he brought me outside and finished the feeding, he said we were going to go to school today. As I stood there just taking in the modern and beautiful place I was yet to explore, I realized Maruge is a very soft spoken man. He doesn't have too much to say, but when he speaks, it is so thought over and meaningful. The emotions that rushed into my mind were crazy. Maruge is very strong willed and everything he says he completely believes in.

After feeding we headed to school. He handed me his old torn up school uniform. Holding the uniform was like holding what we would call a rag. Then, he walked back in with a pair of something that looked like house slippers. He told me that they were my school shoes. Many people know the company Toms, as I looked at the shoes I became very grateful for what Toms does. The shoes' soles were as thin as five pieces of paper, worn out with a couple of holes.

As I walked into the school yard I was examined as if I was a popular actress. Everyone seemed to watch every move I made with their very small, yet beautiful eyes. As I headed into the crammed classroom I was shown to my seat. I was put in the back of the classroom next to the sweetest girl, named Amani. She had many questions to ask of me almost as if we were playing twenty questions. She wanted to know where I came from, why I was there and why I was in her classroom.

As I looked around the classroom to the children with their eyes so concentrated on the lesson of the day, I realized most of them were sharing chairs half the size of the ones we are used to at home. These kids have one pencil and use it until there is no lead left, where we use it and then change, because the next day we might want a pink pencil. The things we take for granted are things these kids pray for in order to go to school.

After the bell rang the mad rush headed for the door. Amani said goodbye and ran along with the others. Maruge headed toward me, not quite as fast as the others, to say we were going home again. Once we got home I told Maruge I didn't want him to plan certain days especially for me.  I want it to be a normal experience. He told me he understood and would make it as real as possible with some exceptions.

As the day was nearing its close, we watched as the sun went down. Then said goodnight and I headed to my sleeping spot.

Look at these photos of the school and the people whom attend.