I went to the University of Indianapolis (UIndy) for my undergraduate
education. The Ecumenical and Interfaith Office at UIndy sponsors a
program called, "Sharing My Story." It is scheduled time for one or
two people to share their faith journey. Through this blog, I want to
make sure that I "share a story" – but not just my own. Instead, I
want to share the story of the people we meet and what we see.
Today after breakfast (which consisted of Kenyan yams the size of my
head, including my neck), the three Duke gals visited another primary
school. We met with the Deputy Teacher and Liaison Teacher, and then
we were introduced to the entire teaching staff. After our meeting
and greetings we toured the school and visited the Umoja feeding
program. In addition, at lunch time when we were out with the feeding
program the Chairman of the Guardians came and welcomed us.
Once again, the partnership and work that Umoja has done was praised
endlessly. The Deputy Teacher (comparable to our Vice Principal) said
that he was hired at the school after the project was initiated and
underway and that he was so astounded to see such a program in place
when we arrived. He called the feeding program a "miracle sent from
God". He explained further that the Umoja project feeding program
keeps the children in school because it brings them to school; it
brings them to school because it might be the only meal that they
receive all day. What's more, he said, "This program is giving them a
future because it is making them healthy and bringing them to school
for an education."
Here's the story --there are 595 students and 11 teachers at this
school. By their records, there are 173 orphans enrolled at the
school. There are at least 8 child-headed households, and they have a
list of four children in great need of a home/new home. Also, out of
the 8th grade class, 35 are orphans. This number is important because
in Kenya, to attend secondary school, you must pay tuition.
Thus, if you are poor, it is very difficult to afford. Therefore,
unless there is a sponsor for these children, the hope of continuing
education is unfortunately small. We asked the Deputy Teacher what
those children will do if they cannot continue in school. We were
told that they would probably become brick makers or work for people
in their homes (making at the most about 100 shillings a day which is
$1.33 USD).
We asked the Deputy Teacher what was their greatest need. First of
all, he said that it is hard to address this question because they
appreciate so greatly what Umoja has already done. [He then continued
to praise the project and even said that he wanted to move his niece
closer because she is vulnerable orphan living outside of the Umoja
district area.] After showing his gratitude, he said the kitchen is
without a roof so the cook(s) cannot use the new fuel-saving stove.
Also, he named a sanitation issue: the area is very swampy and their
latrines, which are not built to standard, often do not last long.
Currently, they have 2 latrines for girls and 2 for boys (the correct
ratio in Kenya is supposed to be 1 latrine per 30 boys and 1 latrine
per 20 girls…remember that I said this school had almost 600
students). Finally, he just strongly emphasized the need for
sponsors for the students in 8th grade so that they can afford to go
to secondary school (high school).
As we toured the school, we first went to the nursery (which I would
compare to the U.S. "Pre-school"). These small children were meeting
in a classroom without a roof. For some protection, they had a white
sheet over the area where they were sitting. With the direction of
the sun was shining at the time of our visit, the sheet provided
protection for the majority of the children. However, some kids
remained in the direct sunlight. More importantly, we are visiting
during the rainy season – it has rained HARD (including hail today) in
the afternoons. Thus, roof protection is also a great need.
This school was my third primary school to visit since we've been in
Kenya. While we were talking with the Chairman of the Guardians (who
has two grandchildren that he is now responsible for) he told us this
was the poorest school of all the Umoja schools. He also said that
the feeding program is "saving the children here". While we were
talking with him, we were able to observe the feeding program in
progress. What struck us three Duke gals was that some students were
dividing the food (corn and beans) into a bowl, and then the remainder
into a sack or small container. The Chairman and Liaison Teacher both
explained that some of the children take home the extra for their
family members or for dinner.
I'm not sure if you quite understand that – They are splitting one
meal between at least two meals (one for now and one for later). This
isn't a great big meal either – it is sufficient for one.
As we left the school I was both happy and sad. This is a story of
success – the feeding program is reaching many students. It is also a
story of need. Above all, it is a story of faith.
When we returned home after visiting the school we ate lunch with our
host, Margaret. Over lunch, we talked about what we have seen and
heard. She said that people pray, knowing that God promises to
provide. However, she made it clear that they do not just sit and
wait for their prayer to be answered – they are working hard and doing
all that they can do as well.
The Deputy Teacher called the feeding program a miracle.
Faith that God will provide.
I cannot help but think that while I'm here in this beautiful
country, with gorgeous mountains in the backdrop and the bluest skies
above my head that I am closer to God's Kingdom… Closer to God's
Kingdom because of the faith that these people have shown me. They
are so thankful for all that God has given them – for what they have
worked for and also for what they have received through other people's
generation contributions.
Jesus said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about
your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.
For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing…And do not
keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and
do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive
after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you
as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good
pleasure to give you the kingdom…" (Luke 12:22-23,29-32 NRSV).
Each night, our host, Margaret prays in her living room with her
family and present guests. We take turns praying – and at the end, in
the softest, most humblest voice, Margaret says under her breath "Ero
Kamano. Ero Kamano Jesu." [Thank you. Thank you Jesus]
I pray that when I return home I can live with the same kind of faith
that I have witnessed here.
Peace and grace,
Laura
Time journal:
Monday June 7 – we are planning to Margaret's farm today. We were
told his was kind of far. However, we have also been told that
Kenyan's think we don't walk much in US…thus, we aren't sure what "far
means"
7am – Woke up and had time to read before breakfast
8am- Breakfast – hot tea and mandaizes (similar to a doughnut, but
without the hole and with much less sugar).
10:15-leave for field to pick peas
10:24-slip n' slide Kenya style (it's been raining a lot and roads are muddy.)
10:42-created our own bridge from carrying stones to wet and muddy crossing area
10:59-already drank half of the water I brought with me for this
excursion. Uh oh.
11:00- 'climb mountain' – Margaret's description. But, yes, it was
indeed a mountain.
11:20-arrive at farm and begin collecting peas.
12:58pm- finished my water bottle. Darn – long walk and farm work =
thirsty Laura.
1:05pm – Children of the Corn, Kenya style (except our scary
experience was getting through the corn field without getting stuck in
mud – we were successful, don't worry)
1:20pm- leave to go home with 2-1/2 bags of beans.
1:38pm-after carrying bag of beans on my head – I have now mastered
the Kenyan way of carrying items. Walked over 1,000 steps without
touching/adjusting the bag. (I actually counted…I started off not
being able to walk more than 16 steps without it almost falling). New
meaning to "Look Ma, no hands."
2:20pm- return home, sweaty, drank 2 bottles of water and rehydrated.
What does it really mean when Jesus says, "Never be thirsty again"?
2:40pm – lunch
3:30 – sponge bath with cold water. First time I am really really
thankful for cold water. While bathing, think to myself, "Next time
someone says, 'kind of far' I will be sure to take more water"
5:00pm- raining cats and dogs – soooo thankful we're not still up on
that mountain! Reading until dinner. Check out "Road to Daybreak"
good book!
9pm – dinner… fish, cabbage, and ugali.
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