Leaving is always hard, especially since I hate packing so much. However, virtually everything is in a suitcase or my big metal box of stuff that stays here. Tomorrow just the last minute things, the shampoo, tooth brushes, etc. It makes me nervous to think I am so far along in the process—surely there is […]
Archives for August 2016
2016 – #23 The Reunion
Yesterday was the big day and what a day it was. Most of the current and former Mji Wa Neema residents were here. I can’t really call them children because some of them are in their 20’s. Those who didn’t make it were largely kids who have finished their educations at some level and have […]
2016 – #22 The Wind-Down Begins
Today was the last day of un-tuitioning, with 57 kids, if I counted correctly. Felicitas, the math/chemistry teacher from Ndingi couldn’t come, so Patrick took the 3’s and 4’s. Evidently he does a great job, b/c the kids seemed very happy. Here is Felicitas taking a break yesterday, playing with 2-year old Johnson, son of […]
#21 Worst Nightmare/Greatest Dream Revisited
Today we had at least as many as yesterday, but not sure exactly how many b/c we split the group. I taught forms 1 & 2 this morning, with about 35, but some of them were 3 and 4 who sneaked in. At 10:30 a young math teacher, Felicitas, from Ndingi came to help out. […]
2016 – #20 The Social Butterfly
We’ve finally held the joint meeting of Empower the World (ETW) and Kenya Help (represented by me). The 9 am meeting began at 11 am, due to a very unusual circumstance—Fr. Kiriti was late. You must understand that generally you could set the clock by his arrival, but somehow he was detained. It turned out […]
2016 – #19 Fondest Dream/Worst Nightmare!!!
It was bound to happen. Thirty-one (31!!!!!!) kids showed up today, although not all at 9 am! I believe the most I’ve ever had on day 1 was 10 or 12. I had to grab a chair from my house, as we have only 30 chairs in the Mji Wa Neema dining. Nineteen are from […]
2016 – #18 Mji Wa Neema Comes Home From High School
The 6 girls who attend SFG and Tylon, who attends Archbishop Ndingi are home for the August break. The other high schools don’t close until August 12. As is often the case, grades for 2nd term were down. Julia has decreed that they will not go home to grandmother, aunt, or other guardian, but will […]
2016 – #17 Odds and Ends
It has been so long since I wrote that I can’t begin to tell all, but will write about the things that come to mind. I have not written very much about the very worrying issue sweeping Kenya, of students burning school dorms. For the past week or more the papers have been full of […]