Tuesday

Today I visited a school in the Bomet region (east of Tenwek). We did an HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention program for the 700 students. It was exhausting but well worth it. I went expecting to just observe, but they ended up understanding English and wanted me to talk. The kids here are so disciplined!! And, I’m still laughing at how much attention they give me!! For a good part of the day I was in the school yard surrounded by 500 little kids screaming, “Jewia, Jewia!!!! Sing!!!” (So I taught them a song I learned in Belize from Kate Hayman). The school also houses crippled students and has physical therapy rooms provided by the government. We asked the kids what they want to be when they grow up (pilots, doctors, teachers, farmers, lawyers. And then we talked about what obstacles were in the way (early marriage, pre-marital sex that might lead to HIV/AIDS or teen pregnancy, along with drugs & alcohol, peer pressure, etc.), how the kids could get over those obstacles, and how it was up to no one but THEM. We chanted, “we are in charge of our own lives” until it became a song. We also watched a movie about STD’s. WOW it was the most graphic thing I’ve ever seen!!!

I flipped through the kids school books when I was in their classrooms- they’re learning legit stuff! The students my sisters age (now 10!- Happy Birthday Soph!) are learning the same division and multiplication that she’s learning back in NY. I don’t know why it caught me so off guard, but it did.

I think many times people (including myself) just think of Africa as “the dark continent.” I’ve definitely seen the darker side- there’s no doubt that there is plenty of poverty. Kids are dying from preventable diseases every second, (what is it like 1 in 5 kids die before the age of 5?) and many people are never given a chance to LIVE! But what we don’t see in America is the growing side of Africa- economically, socially, politically etc. Maybe I’m just not paying close enough attention. Or it’s not newsworthy enough. Doesn’t attract the same attention maybe? I know I would look forward to seeing a news segment on how Africa is advancing. Instead though we see video after video of starving kids, child soldiers, orphans, people dying from HIV/AIDS, or villages being burned by the Janjaweed in Darfur. That DOES happen, and I’m not denying it. But where are the positive stories? I’ve seen from my stay this year (not so much when I was in South Africa), that there are MANY positive stories. And where are the normal stories? The stories of children growing up, going to school, becoming doctors and lawyers and anything else they want to be? Why don’t we hear those stories? They aren’t rare! I have many friends here from Nairobi who are interns and well on their way to becoming doctors and nurses. They do all the work and keep this hospital running, and they are Kenyans born and raised.

For example, I am still amazed by the website: ushahidi.com It’s one of those websites where I’m like, wow, I wish I could think of something like that!!

Also, check out this website: http://repacted.org/ This is in Nakaru which is very close to me. “The political crisis might be over in terms of the fighting but if the issues that caused are not addressed it might go back to that situation and even be far more worse than it was. Because communities have armed themselves and are ready for anything.” But read through the website and find some positive stories about Africa.

Check it: http://www.staying-alive.org/en/home

Sadly, I did not have time to visit the nursery today. Megan went up there earlier to hold Joseph, so that’s good. I might try to get up there tomorrow morning before work. I DID get to go to the pediatrics ward though- always fun. Tonight after dinner I was talking with Patti and James (two Kenyan doctors) and I asked about my arm. They became VERY interested and said they want to x-ray it and study it at morning report! I said okay, as long as it’s free!! So that’s pretty cool. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an x-ray of it. I asked what kind of surgery could be done to fix it and they looked at me like I was crazy. I am really glad they’re here and I’ve gotten to meet them. Yesterday I stepped on a sharp stick that broke right through the skin and was actually kind of hard to pull out! I started bleeding so, because I was surrounded by doctors, I wanted to make sure it wasn’t poisonous (of course it was a clean stick), but Patti goes, “OH woman! Have you had your tetanus shot? We should get you another one right now just in case. And antibiotics too! THIS IS AFRICA YOU KNOW!!!” And I was like :-O WHAT? And then they all laughed. I still came back and opened my first aid kit and put antibiotic cream on it- just to be safe and I will wear sneakers until it’s better! I have also found out that while I’m here I can see surgeries and babies being delivered and anything else I want. I am definitely going to take advantage of that!!

One frustrating thing today- two men arrived from out of town to stay at the guest house. It’s been really cool that I’ve been able to reach out to the girls and “empower” them (or at least encourage them), but I do get frustrated with the men and their talk of “womanly duties.” Like today, they got here and I was all ready to go to bed and they came up and asked me if I could prepare them dinner. I said yes, thinking maybe they just didn’t know where the stuff is. But as I showed them everything (it’s not that hard, people prepare dinner for us, they just had to put it on a plate and warm it up) and they just kept shaking their heads saying, “can you do it.. i don’t want to burn myself.” (It’s a microwave). So I did, and then I went to my table and sat down, where Pamela (a visitor from the Lake Victoria area) shook her head and said “men… they don’t think it’s their responsibility to prepare food for themselves.” It was such a little thing- probably only took me 10 minutes, but the sentiment behind it irked me. I don’t want to offend anyone with my (is it feminist?) beliefs that women are not on this planet to serve men, but at the same time- well, “I’m not mild-mannered.” (To quote Sarah, Plain and Tall)

Also! I’ve found a cheaper way to get back to Nairobi than the (very expensive) personal car. Petra, Patti, (maybe James), and I are going to Matatu it June 27th, and spend the night at Patti’s house. My flight leaves early the next morning.

I received an e-mail from my dad this morning about how school is just about over. It really feels like I’m in a different world over here, but NOT just because of the poverty. It’s the air, it’s the smell, the sky, being so close to the clouds. It’s how everyone in the street stops you to say hello and ask how you are doing. It’s all those things, but so much more that I can’t put into words.

Jambo, jambo bwana! Habarigani, misurisana. Wakini.. hakuna matata!!!!
Jina langu ni Julia (my name is Julia)
Jina laco ni? (What is your name?)
Habariaco (how are you?) Habari (how are you (group)?)
Misurisana (I am fine), Misuri (we are fine)
Parapara- road, laquit – child
Habariatoto? (how is your baby?)
That’s all swahili, and then I know the Kipsigi too.
I know more kipsigi than Swahili. Very little Masaii and

Because I’m going to be here for such a SHORT time, I am really spending all free time trying to learn the language either up in the maternity ward or at pediatrics! I listen to Swahili music as I’m falling asleep!

Prayer requests:
1. That I get more sleep.
2. That I do not become addicted to Kenyan Tea!
Or more serious things….
3. We find a good orphanage for Joseph

4. A little boy was abandoned at the hospital (he’s maybe 8), pray that his family comes back for him.

5. Living situation for next year! (The South Bronx!) Right now it’s down to us three girls. Please pray that we find more people or that I feel more at peace with it!