Kipsongo...

This afternoon I visited the Kipsongo slum...I'm not quite sure what to say.  Those in the CO group who had been there in 2011 said it was much improved.  I'm afraid to think of how it used to be.

Many of the traditional plastic and stick houses have been replaced with homes made of sticks and cow dung.  The residents are primarily from the Turkana tribe from northern Kenya who were pushed out of their homeland by refugees from other countries (Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia).

The children were beautiful like all children around the world.  But these children were dirty and clothed in items we wouldn't even send to Goodwill.

The most difficult thing for me was one man begging me to take his two daughters to the new orphanage.  Amazingly, he new the name "Acorn"...he kept saying "ah-corn" with the emphasis on "corn".  He followed me throughout the walk presenting his girls, telling me their names and begging for help.  "Mama, dead," he kept saying.  You all know I'm a crier...Hallmark commercials, the national anthem.  I held it together until Phillip, our driver, opened the car door for me and I got in.  I was very sad...still am. 

One happy moment in the slum...I was walking through and heard my name, "Teesh, Teesh."  I thought, "Who could possibly know my name here in the slum?"  I looked over and there was Sarah, mother of Beryl and Collins, who live at the orphanage and attend Seeds Academy.  I met her after the "Praise God, Amen" church service last Sunday.  We hugged enthusiastically.  You've never experienced a hug until you hugged a Kenyan woman...both cheeks, big squeeze!

She took me aside and asked me to please find a sponsor for Joseph...the boy in the striped jersey.  So...if anyone would like to sponsor a little man, give him a safe home, time with siblings, Beryl and Collins, food every night, an education and endless hugs...let me know and I will make it happen!  Tell two friends and ask them to tell two friends.  (You might have to give up a few trips to Starbucks every week...but, believe me, it's worth it.)

I did paint at the orphanage today.  Also enjoyed some quality time with the house Mamas who do the cookin', cleanin' and lovin' for 89 children...can I get an "amen"?!  

Here we are sitting on the veranda (their words, not mine) of the orphanage.  Irene, in red, is getting her hair braided by her friend, Scovia...and we are both sorting rocks and who-knows-what out of the beans.  They commented that I wasn't very speedy with my rock sorting.  Sorry...first time!!!  When I told them we don't have rocks in our beans at home, they said, "Oh, those are 'polished beans'...but they are more expensive."  We've been eating "polished beans," who knew?! 

And finally, a photo of two of my favorite girls, Irene and Rosalida.  Just found out they were sisters during my visit to school today...AND that Button (See "Look at My Bracelet, Man!") is their brother!!  Cutest gene pool, ever.

Tish