On the Road Again!

It was a sight to see the three of us climb into a small Toyota with all our bags and backpacks so that we could move onto our next lodging.  We had Marla's small trunk and our laps full. We are now in an apartment about 15 minutes away, but that's at night with no traffic and who knows how long it takes with "normal" traffic.  Marla is another of Sally's friends that is generously giving us free room and board. We'll be there till Wed.  The big problem is that Marla does not have Wi-Fi so it's going to be hard to get out posts daily as I have been doing.  Right now I'm sitting in a little restaurant. 

It's the end of Saturday and not much going on since school is closed so now I'm trying to catch up after a very, very hectic last 4 days.  Here's a few pics.

Our wonderful Hellen, Cook Lemi, Teacher Grace, Teacher Rachel and Teacher Everlyn.  Notice that Lemi, and the teachers have brown checked dress and aprons.  It was fabric for uniforms, but now they are changing the uniforms to blue and yellow.

9 cute little 3-4 year old girls showing off their blue dresses.  Little girl in the middle will get her blue dress on Monday.

This playground would not pass inspection in the US.  One little girl fell from the top on Friday and scared me to death.  The kids must be made of rubber.

 

Kings of the Mountain.  I was inside the Baby Class and these boys insisted they were going to get my attention no matter what.

Pre-Unit Class hard at work.  Looks like one is taking nap.

Yum!  Favorite part of the Day - Lunch in the Nursery Class.  I can't believe they can eat that whole plate of beans and rice.

 

Lala Salama from Kenya

It's late and I'm going to bed

 

 

 

T.G.I.F

It's hard to believe that we're almost half way through out time here.  It's been a busy, busy time since we landed in Huruma on Wednesday.  Today was one meeting after another.  I got to sneak out every chance I could to play with the kids.  The new baby class is just too much fun and Teacher Rachel always has a huge smile on her face.

The new Baby Class has just 20 kids this year - down from 34 last year.  This class has the new uniforms that the whole school will have in 3 years as each new class joins.  5 of the kids could not afford the new ones soooooo you know what I had to do.  They will ALL them by Monday :-) 


Can you find Sally?

You can't sit down and the kids swarm you.  They love to sit on your lap and just be hugged

It's time to go home.  It's hard to believe that these little ones just take off for home on their own

Meet Baby Eunice.  She is 4 months old and up for adoption. We met her Foster Mom at a restaurant this evening.  The sadness is that she cannot be adopted by any international family unless an adoption is in the middle of the process.  She can only be adopted by a Kenyan family and it's just not cultural for Kenyan's to adopt unless it's a relative. Prior to this latest development if families were residents for 1 year they could adopt.  It was hard to let her go.

Talk-Talk-Talk-Talk!

I told myself I would not complain, but it's 90 degrees and it's gets even hotter inside a tin roof room while discussing so many different needs at the school.  Salome Jordano from Educational Assessment Center came and met with Nyambeki, Sally and myself.  In Sept. 2014 Salome evaluated all the kids  and discovered 16 kids that needed assistance.  We asked that she assess the new students in the Baby Class.  There is one boy who we know has special needs but need to get a diagnosis.  She'll also do follow-up on the original 16 kids to see how they have progressed.  This will all take place next Tuesday, Jan.11  On Wed. Jan. 12 she will sit in the classes and observe the teachers and do an evaluation and help the teachers with classroom management and teacher mentoring.  Salome has been a gift from God as we continue to try to improve the kids learning abilities.  We also discussed the needs of the parents and the discussion went on for another 2 hours.

We were able to play with the kids and take a few more the toys for the classrooms.  I didn't want to bring everything at once and overwhelm them.  I think the teachers are as excited as the kids.  They keep saying; "these children have never seen such toys as these!"

Peter is a Kid Magnet

 

The kids had never seen puzzles and really didn't know what to do with them.  Once we sat down and tried to show them how the pieces fit they really enjoyed the feeling of finishing a puzzle.  I had to laugh at some who insisted on just pounding a piece in to make it fit, but we showed them that you have to match up colors and shapes.

I dare any of you to attempt this feat.  Sally is backing out of the alley that leads to the main bumpy road from the school without tearing off the side of the car.

In another hour we will leave for Hellen's house to have one of her delicious dinners.  I have a feeling that there will be lots more talking.

Tomorrow brings another full day at Huruma that includes a long meeting with the Community Leaders and School Board.  After that we will be moving to our new home about 15 minutes from here so need to start packing up.....again.

 

Hugs and High Fives!!

We loaded up one large plastic container of Mega Blocks, and two smaller containers holding the plastic animals and coloring books.  I didn't want to overwhelm the kids with everything at once.  Good Thing!!  When I entered the play area they all ran and almost knocked me down.  They were laughing and hugging every part of me and pushing each other aside.  Then came Teacher Grace and is like Mrs. Santa Claus. I just love her infectious smile.  Then came Teacher Rachel and Teacher Everlyn so happy.  Cook Lemi was so excited to get her "hug from Joy".  By the time we were finished all the air was hugged out of me.


Teachers Grace (Pre-Unit), Rachel (Baby Class) and Everlyn (Nursery Class) in their new Aprons

Once we got settled I started taking pictures of all the students in the Baby Class.  A woman from Karura came by and helped out with getting the nametags made and attempted to get the little ones to smile.  I was just going to take the Baby pictures, but all the kids got so excited that we ended up doing all the classes.  The older kids loved their pictures being taken......over and over.

Does it look like they are happy!!!  Everlyn's Nursery Class

 

More Happy Kids - Grace's Pre-Unit Class. 

 

It didn't take them long to figure out how to put the blocks together - Baby Class

 

Little Tabitha figured out quickly how to become Queen of the Rising Tower.

 

I wished I could join the Baby and Nursery Class.  They all get a nap at 2:00 pm and after another night of no sleep I would have loved to join them.

Sweet Dreams sweet babies . . . .

See you tomorrow and we'll get to play with the dolls and cars

 

 

 

Meeting & Trying to Stay Awake

Sally and I met with some of the Karura Staff along with Hellen.  The meeting was to start at 2:00 pm.  We got lost because of detours so by the time everyone came in and did a round of hugs it was 3:00 pm before we started.

Wilson Wangui, Pastor Henry Macharia, Samuel Mwangi, Godfrey Wangui behind Maggie,
Suzan, Hellen Wairimu and Sally

The meeting lasted almost 2 hours and we  covered so many topics.  Along with continuing to upgrade the Education and transforming the lives of the children we agreed that it will involve helping both the mothers and fathers to improve their life skills.  Much was discussed on different ideas to bring basic programs to help the parents.   I certainly can't put everything that we discussed in this blog but will definitely have much to share after we return. 

One exciting thing was that Karura has plans to bring the children of Huruma to Karaura for VBS this summer.  What an exciting thing for these kids to be able to be taken up out of their environment and join in with kids from the community and learn about Jesus.

REQUEST FROM KARURA:  When school opened this January many children from the neighboring slum called Githogoro were turned away.  It's heartbreaking knowing that children are at home with no way to start their education.  KCC is asking if there is another church that would like to partner with them to start up a Nursery school starting with a Baby Class.  If any of you have friends or relatives that attend a church that has a desire to make a difference in children's lives please contact me and I would love to share this need with them.

Tomorrow is going to be fun day back at the Nursery School.  Hugs are a comin'

BEAUTIFUL NAIROBI

We got in about 8:30pm Monday night (9:30am Albany time). Arrived at our little abode about 11:00 pm after 2 hours waiting for Visas and Customs.  That's 22 hours flying and layover time plus another 7 hours Sunday morning.  Whatever, it's a long time to be awake. 

It's lovely this morning with sunshine and cool breeze.  Just too beautiful.  We've already starting sorting out the 9 suitcases.  It's like a treasure hunt.  TSA is still inspecting the Jif Peanut Butter :-) 

We will be meeting the Karura Chapel Staff this afternoon so lots and lots to prepare for.  Remember we are 11 hours ahead of Albany so while we are meeting you will be all comfy and sleeping in your soft beds.

This is our new home till Friday.  We are in one of the Teachers' Housing on the Rosslyn Academy campus.


Our little Home away from Home till Friday
 


 Our shared bedroom with two mattresses on the floor.  I won the twin bed - Grace and Sally got the floor and  earplugs :-)  It's a 3 bedroom house with a family of 4 who are being so kind to share it with us.

KEEP PDX Carpet.....Looks good with my pedicure

As usual it was an experience trying to get nine 50 lb. bags checked in by 3 women.  It's a long story, but we finally got them all through and now we're just lugging 50 lb. backpacks.  Looking forward to unloading them when we finally land 22 hours from now.  Now we're wondering how all those bags are going to fit into a little apartment and where is our underwear!!!

Keep praying that we get some sleep and keep our sense of humor.  Sally and I always have fun talking but 22 hours non-stop could get to anyone. 

 

Made it to Amsterdam - Waiting for the next 9 hour flight to our final stop in Nairobi.  After seeing the picture I posted at PDX Sally is threatening to take away my laptop.  I keep telling her if pictures of feet on the PDX carpet made national news then it was good enough for me.  Plus these cold tiles here in Amsterdam are just ugly and you have to wear socks and shoes. 

When we land in Nairobi we'll have to go right to bed and start out Tuesday with a bang (how early is a bang? asked by Sally) and we'll keep you posted.