Connections

I'm not always sure what's noteworthy or rather blogworthy, but tonight three moments captured my thoughts as I was preparing to call it day.

They both revolve around connections. Life here sometimes seems not so different than life in other places. I wonder what I'll make for dinner, what's clean to wear tomorrow, or where time went since I once again didn't get as much done as I hoped. In other ways, life is very different. The reminders of the disparity between the rich and the poor. Leprosy in faces on the street bringing stories that seemed of old to be in the here-and-now. Challenges of living in a different culture.

Tonight I was reminded of the things that ground me, that make me remember who I want to be and why I am here. It has something to do with connections.

The first connection is to the earth. I love watching things grow. I am trying once again in my garden, since the first attempt during the long rains was not so fruitful, to put it lightly. The short rains are upon us, with morning downpours filling the streets and dousing any daring to be out. I am planting seeds from three different people who know me well and their love reminds me of how blessed I am.

The other connections today were brief moments, but just as significant.

I went with a Focolare group to visit a home for children rescued from situations of sexual violence. It was the first service trip planned this year and we were working from the seat of our pants with what to do to entertain the twenty children once we were there. I was impressed by the impromptu stand-up comedy skit and poem recited bringing laughter and lessons on life. I offered to lead a game and had everyone make a circle "duara" - today's new word. Before I could even explain the rules, the little guy next to me was hanging on to my hand as if I was his new best friend. Here he was not even up to my elbow and had experienced what no one should. We had gone there to show these kids love. Instead I was reminded of how simple love can be.

This evening I was able to help our property owner with a small favor as she prepares to leave the country tomorrow to see her sister. Her sister is not well with emergency surgery planned to see if they can save her life. As I offered my condolences and prayers with a brief hug, the clinging response was a reminder of how precious life is. Her words went something like "we stay together" - different words, different languages, different backgrounds and different generations but we stay together and hold each other up when we can. Please remember her sister and all who are suffering with your thoughts and prayers.

Our group today, visiting Mahali pa Usalama - Place of Peace
Visiting friends from Los Angeles bring connections home. Asante sana kwa kuja! Thanks so much for coming, Pia & Anselm! Read about the Varni's visit by clicking here.
And finally, comic relief.
Sometimes you have to really look to see the connections.

Thank you to all my connections. Wishing you enough of what you need.
Mary

Back to School - Wamerudi shuleni

It's back to school time here in Kenya, too! It's not a new school year, but the students have had one month of break. The school year starts in January, with three month-long breaks in April, August and December.

This was the first such break since I settled into my work here in Mombasa. I really enjoyed getting to know more of the kids. All of them live with family members or "well-wishers", so I usually only see them when we have a workshop or when they bring their report or come to the office with a request.

When the project has had funds available, workshops have been held during the break time on issues relevant to their lives as orphans. We have two trained facilitators who lead sessions in self-awareness, self-esteem and life choices - called Adventures Unlimited.

This month we had a one-day workshop for the children in primary school. In the afternoon, the children were split into groups based on their age. The younger children met with counselors to talk about issues they were concerned about.

Mrs Mary Bahati listening to the children in a small group session.

This month I added a Career Talk with the Education Coordinator for the older students who will be taking their final exam in primary school next year. Early in the year they will need to preference which school they want to attend, if they meet the entrance requirement.

Education Coordinator Angela Mumo talking about career choices.

I was really fortunate that my fellow missioner Dr Susan Nagele was available to attend this session as well. She told them her story and encouraged them to believe in themselves.

Counselor Elizabeth Mugo met individually with the children to give them an opportunity to talk about any concerns they have.

One of the joys this month has been the students who come to the office for studying. Theresia is working with me on a trial project of making note cards. We weren't able to finish before she went back to school, so we'll try again in December.

We have an old donated desktop computer which the children can use to practice typing or learning computer basics. It was fun teaching them about how to create files and get started typing. One of the boys (pictured below) kept working on typing - even after the monitor died. I hope to get another used one donated, since my priority for donations is to take another child into the project over having a new computer.

We also have a small library with used textbooks and reading materials the students can check out. It's been helpful to have review books for courses the children are struggling in.

Many of our children are struggling in school. I am still learning about all the factors that affect their performance (for example: lack of electricity or oil for lamps to study at night, household chores, poor nutrition, stress, bad home situations, etc.) I know many of these are out of our reach, but hope to see what we can do to help the children reach more of their potential.

Last Friday I had a woman who is HIV+ come with her son, who got the disease at birth and now has learning difficulties. He is now in a special school nearby the office that I hope to visit and find out more about his situation and how we might be able to assist him in either education or skills training. He is a really sweet boy, quick to smile and good-natured in spite of challenges in front of him. They came late in the day; I had almost left earlier and missed them. His mother is so committed to caring for him and certain that God is caring for us all. It was hard for me to listen to her thank God for me being here, knowing that what she does for her son is more than I could ever do. Although we only spoke in Swahili so I missed some of what she said, I could feel more than I could hear about her strength and her faith.

Wishing all children an opportunity to reach their potential this fall - and for those of us who are still learning in other ways to see new possibilities.
Mary